bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TEMPORALIDADES E ESPACIALIDADES NO PROCESSO DE REESTRUTURAÇÃO PRODUTIVA DO ESPAÇO URBANO EM ZONA DE RECARGA DE AQUÍFEROS TERMAIS NO MUNICÍPIO DE POÇOS DE CALDAS (MG)
Authors: Ortega Valmir
Published: December 2023

Este artigo trata da dinâmica do processo de ocupação urbana verticalizada na estância hidromineral de Poços de Caldas (MG), no que se refere às práticas urbanas de espacialização da cidade sob o olhar da reestruturação produtiva urbana. Intenta para a visibilidade do ambiente urbano e território compreendidos em sua complexidade, como resultante dos vínculos entre processos sociais, econômicos e políticos. A conscientização social de sua existência possibilita garantir a preservação dos espaços naturais de vida através de uma eficiente gestão ambiental. Calcada numa metodologia transdisciplinar, dispondo da escala geográfica e temporal como conceito de ordem metodológica, para compreender a morfologia urbana com base nas diretrizes propostas pelo Plano Diretor. Conclui que a cidade, como produto, expressa no território urbano uma geografia de acumulação do capital, prática que conduz à degradação ambiental, causando o desequilíbrio no ambiente, em particular, os rios urbanos e as fontes termais.
REPRESENTAÇÕES SOCIAIS DE UMA IES
Authors: Gazzola Stefano Barra , Alexandre Diego Henrique , Cruz Bruno Henrique da , Chamon Edna Maria Querido de Oliveira
Published: December 2023

Este trabalho aborda a importância de compreender as Representações Sociais (RS) da sociedade em relação às Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES), especialmente nas mídias sociais, onde muitos indivíduos buscam informações sobre onde estudar. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar as RS de uma IES, de sujeitos presentes em uma mídia social (facebook). A análise qualitativa dos questionários permitiu identificar as principais RS da comunidade em relação à IES, possibilitando uma melhor compreensão das percepções e opiniões acerca do objeto de estudo. Compreender as RS de uma IES é importante para identificar como a sociedade vê a instituição e como isso influencia a decisão individual de escolha. O estudo das RS por meio de questionários aplicados nas mídias indicou que a comunidade identifica a IES como inovadora, sempre em busca de novas tendências para o futuro. Essas características parecem refletir as escolhas dos envolvidos pela instituição.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Chamon Edna M. Q. O. , Camarini Gladis , Santana Leonor M
Published: December 2023

Este número da “Interação – Revista de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão” publica os melhores artigos apresentados na IV Jornada Interinstitucional Stricto Sensu e Representações Sociais com o tema “Somos únicos em um mundo diverso: Diversidade e inclusão nas organizações”.
Deterioration mechanism of loess from Ili valley region of China under wet and dry cycles: evidences from shear tests
Authors: Lai Runsen , Zhang Zizhao , Zhang Yanyang , Chen Debin , Shi Guangming , Fu Qiang
Published: December 2023

The properties of loess in the Ili region of China are significantly affected by repeated cycles of rainfall and evaporation. It is thus essential to investigate the deterioration mechanism of loess subjected to the wet and dry cycles. This paper employs various methods, including the direct shear and triaxial shear tests, as well as the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to evaluate the variation patterns of shear strength parameters and microstructure of Ili loess. The direct shear test was conducted on loess samples experiencing a limited number of wet and dry cycles (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9), while the triaxial shear test focused on a more extensive range of wet and dry cycles (0, 1, 3, 10, 20, and 30). In parallel, the alterations in the shear strength parameters of the loess material under different shear tests were also scrutinized. The findings obtained from this research revealed that the shear strength of Ili loess decreased to varying degrees based on the two test methods when they are affected by the wet and dry cycles. Comparing the results with the same number of wet and dry times (0, 1 and 3 times), both the shear strength and cohesion obtained from the triaxial shear test were greater than those from the direct shear test, while the results for the angle of internal friction were reversed. Moreover, the scanning electron microscope tests on Ili loess did indicate that the micro-particle size, pore space, morphology, soil structure, and particle contact mode exhibited the deterioration with different degrees. The micro-structural change is believed to be the main reason for the deterioration mechanism of the shear strength. The research outcomes will enrich the understanding about the loess properties in Central Asia, providing data reference and theoretical basis for engineering construction in these region.
Geochemical characteristics and genesis of the Ordovician sub-salt natural gas in the Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Shi Jianglong , Guo Ying , Li Jian , Du Guanghong , Jing Xianghui , Liu Gang , Huang Junping , Fang Chenchen , Zhang Tingting
Published: December 2023

A significant amount of natural gas resources has been discovered in the Ordovician reservoirs under a thick layer of gypsum-salt strata as a result of ongoing research into deep natural gas in China’s Ordos Basin, however, the genetic type and source of the Ordovician sub-salt natural gas remain contentious. These limits understanding how the geochemical properties of the natural gas in Ordos Basin have evolved and how to best guide future exploration and development. Based on the components, carbon and hydrogen isotopic ratios of natural gas from the latest exploration wells, combined with the geological background, this study systematically analyzed the genetic types and sources of sub-salt natural gas of the central and eastern Ordos Basin. The results show that the Ordovician natural gas is mainly composed of hydrocarbon gases with low content of heavy hydrocarbons and dryness (CCH4/CCH4+) above 0.95, belonging to typical dry gas. Non-hydrocarbon gases mainly include N2 and CO2, and some natural gas samples contained H2S. The Ordovician sub-salt natural gas is primarily a self-generating and self-preserving oil-cracking gas with relatively high maturity (Ro ranging from 1.5% to 2.1%) mixed with coal-derived gas generated from upper-Paleozoic coal with relatively low maturity (Ro ranging from 1.1% to 1.5%). Due to the dual-source hydrocarbon supply, the Ordovician sub-salt reservoirs provide favorable gas accumulation conditions and development prospects. This study offers a reasonable explanation for the anomalous geochemical characteristics of the Ordovician sub-salt reservoirs in the Ordos Basin, and also may serve as a guide for future exploration of natural gas in the carbonate gypsum-salt sedimentary system in other basins.
Implementing integrated care in ophthalmology: a community case study
Authors: Nikita Eleni , Allen Richard , Khambati Hussein , Tsounis Christos , Tucker William , Malcolmson Kirsten , Hingorani Melanie , Marjoram Zoe
Published: December 2023

Introduction

In 2017, in a context of financial and patient care challenges, Moorfields Eye Hospital in the borough of Croydon launched the first Ophthalmology Integrated Care Contract in the United Kingdom.

Description

A realistic, systematic approach is presented for an efficient implementation of an integrated care ophthalmology contract under a lead provider. The main elements of the new contract are portrayed.

Discussion

A new healthcare contract that would lead to system-wide transformation requires significant time commitment, vision, shared narrative, leadership, multi-functional working culture, shared accountability of all participating parties and education and support of all parties involved. Key levers to elevate the quality of care are collaborative relationships between health professionals, investing in information and technology and facilitating bottom-up innovation.

Conclusion

System-wide changes such, as integrated care contracts are possible, although the interplay between context, design and implementation is more complex than expected.
The relative effect of job demands, resources, and personal resources on teaching quality and students’ engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lep Žan , Klemenčič Mirazchiyski Eva , Mirazchiyski Plamen V.
Published: December 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic’s school closures and the distance education that resulted from it, teachers were faced with an increasing workload and significant changes in their working environment. Because increased workload can result not only in worsened mental health and lower work motivation, but also in worsened learning outcomes, this article explores how teacher-perceived job demands, job resources, and personal resources are related to teachers’ assessment of teaching quality and student engagement during the pandemic. Using the data of 1,422 8th grade teachers in Slovenia from the IEA Responses to Educational Disruptions Survey (REDS) survey, this study also explores the perceived level of support from different institutional actors and the utility of Job demands-resources model for this specific group of workers in a specific work setting. The results show that the teachers of 8th graders in Slovenia perceived a higher level of support from their closest working environment compared to the national bureaucracy. In terms of job demands, the increased workload in preparing the lessons had negative effect on both teaching quality and student engagement, while the reported increase in time spent on direct work with students and social support received (a job resource) contributed positively to both outcome variables. In line with theoretical expectations, personal resources were positive predictors of teaching quality and student engagement in our model. Compared with the initial expectations this study had based on the underlying theoretical model, the results paint a complex relationship between job characteristics and learning outcomes during distance learning. Thus, some of the challenges both teachers and policy-makers face and will continue to face in possible similar situations are discussed.
Autistic phenomenology: past, present, and potential future
Authors: Green Jonathan , Shaughnessy Nicola
Published: December 2023

We are now at a transition point in autism conceptualisation, science, and clinical practise, where phenomenology could play a key role. This paper takes a broad view of the history of phenomenological perspectives on the autism concept and how this has evolved over time, including contemporaneous theory and methods. Early inquiry from a clinical perspective within the tradition of classical continental phenomenology, linked closely to the consideration of schizophrenia, is contrasted with emerging observations of child development and a period in the second half of the twentieth century of scientific inquiry into a behavioural autistic phenotype where there was little or no phenomenological aspect; a phenotype that has determined the recent scientific and clinical conceptualisation of autism within current nosology. We then mark a more recent reawakening of interdisciplinary interest in subjective experience and phenomenological inquiry, which itself coincides with the increasing prominence and salience of the neurodiversity movement, autistic advocacy, and critical autism studies. We review this emerging phenomenological work alongside a contemporaneous clinical phenomenology perspective and representations of autistic experience from within the extensive literature (including life writing) from autistic people themselves; all perspectives that we argue need now be brought into juxtaposition and dialogue as the field moves forward. We argue from this for a future which could build on such accounts at a greater scale, working toward a more co-constructed, systematic, representative, and empirical autistic phenomenology, which would include citizen and participatory science approaches. Success in this would not only mean that autistic experience and subjectivity would be re-integrated back into a shared understanding of the autism concept, but we also argue that there could be the eventual goal of an enhanced descriptive nosology, in which key subjective and phenomenological experiences, discriminating for autism, could be identified alongside current behavioural and developmental descriptors. Such progress could have major benefits, including increased mutual empathy and common language between professionals and the autistic community, the provision of crucial new foci for research through aspects of autistic experience previously neglected, and potential new supportive innovations for healthcare and education. We outline a programme and methodological considerations to this end.
Monte Carlo simulation with confusion matrix paradigm – A sample of internal consistency indices
Authors: Cheng Yongtian , Pérez-Díaz Pablo A. , Petrides K. V. , Li Johnson
Published: December 2023

Monte Carlo simulation is a common method of providing empirical evidence to verify statistics used in psychological studies. A representative set of conditions should be included in simulation studies. However, several recently published Monte Carlo simulation studies have not included the conditions of the null distribution of the statistic in their evaluations or comparisons of statistics and, therefore, have drawn incorrect conclusions. This present study proposes a design based on a common statistic evaluation procedure in psychology and machine learning, using a confusion matrix with four cells: true positive, true negative, false negative modified, and false positive modified. To illustrate this design, we employ an influential Monte Carlo simulation study by Trizano-Hermosilla and Alvarado (2016), which concluded that the Omega-indexed internal consistency should be preferred over other alternatives. Our results show that Omega can report an acceptable level of internal consistency (i.e., > 0.7) in a population with no relationship between every two items in some conditions, providing novel empirical evidence for comparing internal consistency indices.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Flapping Wing Instrumentation
Authors: Lefik Alex T. , Marian Romeo M. , Chahl Javaan S.
Published: December 2023

There are flapping wing-style systems being developed by various institutions around the world. However, despite there being many systems that superficially appear robust, there is no viable flapping wing flying system at this time. We identified a gap in knowledge and capability, which is that the lack of appropriate instrumentation seems to be a major roadblock in further developing flapping wing flying systems. There is no complete solution in regards to instrumentation and sensing at the appropriate scales. This paper seeks to critically examine and classify the existing instrumentation utilized and reported in the literature and attempts to identify the path forward for flapping wing-style instrumentation.
Stress Simulation on Four-Bar Link-Type Transplanting Device of Semiautomatic Vegetable Transplanter
Authors: Markumningsih Sri , Hwang Seok-Joon , Kim Jeong-Hun , Jang Moon-Kyeong , Nam Ju-Seok
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study is to analyze the stress exerted on a four-bar link-type transplanting device using two distinct methods: stress measurement performed during a field test and stress simulation. A field test is conducted to measure stress using a strain gauge positioned at 15 specific points on the transplanting device. Subsequently, the measured strain data are converted into calculated stress data. In another method, stress is simulated using specialized multibody dynamic simulation software. The simulation results are compared with the stress measured during field tests to verify the simulation model. Based on the results, the maximum stress derived from the simulation correlates with the measured results, although notable discrepancies are shown, particularly at strain gauge positions 11 and 13. The maximum stress derived from the simulation is used to calculate the static safety factor of the transplanting device. The peak stress derived from the simulation aligns with the measured results, although significant discrepancies are observed at positions corresponding to strain gauges 4 and 10. The maximum stress (150.82 MPa) is observed on the link of the transplanting device, and the static safety factor determined via the simulation is 1.39.
Proteomic and Metabolomic Profiling Elucidate the Impact of PEDV on Yorkshire Piglets and Reveal the Underlying Molecular Mechanism of PEDV Response
Authors: Shi Lijun , Li Huihui , Zhou Chunxiang , Wang Lixian
Published: December 2023

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an RNA virus causing acute diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration and high mortality in piglets, and poses significant challenges for the global pig industry. However, the molecular mechanism underlying PEDV in piglets has not been well comprehended. In this study, we constructed the Yorkshire piglet model (control, resistance, and susceptible groups) to perform the proteomics of jejunum and metabolomics of serum. In total, 734 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and 208 significant differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified, and the functional annotation showed that they were mainly involved in metabolic and signal transduction pathways. Further, we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), short timeseries expression miner (STEM) and random forest analyses to detect key promising biomarkers for each corresponding group. By constructing the relationships between proteins and metabolites, we excavated the biomarkers and explained their molecular mechanism of the PEDV response. These data and results might be good resources for the PEDV infection and offer valuable insights into the molecular PEDV response mechanisms.
Addition of Exogenous Organic Ameliorants Mediates Soil Bacteriome and Microbial Community Carbon Source Utilization Pattern in Coastal Saline–Alkaline Soil
Authors: Gu Binxian , Qin Tianyang , Qiu Meihua , Yu Jie , Zhang Li , Li Yunlong
Published: December 2023

Knowledge regarding how abiotic and biotic environmental factors operate in soil microbiome reassembly remains rudimentary in coastal saline–alkaline soils amended by different organic ameliorants. In this study, field trials were conducted to investigate the impacts and underlying mechanisms of sewage sludge (S) and sludge-based vermicompost (V) at the application amounts of 0, 50, and 100 t ha−1 on soil physicochemical characteristics, carbon source utilization pattern, and bacteriome in coastal saline–alkaline soils. Results revealed that impacts of the organic ameliorants on soil’s physicochemical and microbial attributes were highly dependent upon the carbon types and amounts applied. Unsurprisingly, applying sewage sludge and vermicompost significantly alleviated environmental constraints, such as saline–alkaline stress and nutrient deficiency, with lower pH, salinity, and higher soil organic carbon content observed in organics-amended soils. Specifically, higher microbial substrate metabolic activity, but lower diversity was observed in saline–alkaline soils amended by organic ameliorants. In addition, reassembled bacteriomes harboring distinguishable core and unique community profiles were observed in reclaimed soils as compared to unamended saline–alkaline soil. Procrustes analysis showed that the soil microbial utilization pattern of carbon sources was significantly related to the alterations in their physicochemical property and bacterial core microbiome. Additionally, Redundancy Analysis (RDA) revealed that soil core bacteriome reassembly was dominated by the integrated impacts of soil salinity, successively followed by carbohydrates, amino acids, polymers, pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and available nitrogen (AN). Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of soil abiotic and biotic determinants in bacteriome assembly in coastal saline–alkaline soil remediation mediated by organic ameliorants.
Effects of Inoculation with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Chemical Composition of the Substrate and Nutrient Content in Strawberry Plants Growing in Different Water Conditions
Authors: Paliwoda Dominika , Mikiciuk Grzegorz , Chudecka Justyna , Tomaszewicz Tomasz , Miller Tymoteusz , Mikiciuk Małgorzata , Kisiel Anna , Sas-Paszt Lidia
Published: December 2023

Drought presents a critical challenge to global crop production, exacerbated by the effects of global warming. This study explores the role of rhizospheric bacteria (Bacillus, Pantoea, and Pseudomonas) in enhancing the drought resistance and nutrient absorption of strawberry plants. The experimental approach involved inoculating plant roots with various strains of rhizobacteria and assessing their impact under different water potential conditions in two substrates: optimal moisture and water deficit. The results showed significant changes in the nutrient content of strawberry plants, influenced by the type of bacterial strain and moisture conditions. Phosphorus and potassium content in the leaves varied considerably, with the highest levels observed in plants inoculated with specific bacterial strains under both optimal and water-deficit conditions. Similarly, calcium and magnesium content in the leaves also changed notably, depending on the bacterial strain and moisture level. The water deficit cluster, featuring the PJ1.1, DKB63, and DKB65 strains, showed PGPR’s role in maintaining nutrient availability and plant resilience. The study demonstrates that inoculation with PGPR can markedly influence the nutrient profile of strawberry plants. These findings underscore the potential of using rhizobacteria to enhance crop resilience and nutritional status, especially in the context of increasing drought conditions due to climate change.
Using Models and Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Soil Compaction Based on Textural Properties of Soils under Agriculture
Authors: Negiş Hamza
Published: December 2023

This study focuses on addressing the challenges associated with labor-intensive soil penetration resistance (SPR) measurements, which are prone to errors due to varying soil moisture levels. The innovative approach involves developing SPR estimation models using artificial neural networks (ANN) for soils with optimal moisture levels determined by van Genuchten (WG) calculations. Sampling and measurements were conducted at 280 points (0–30 cm depth), with an additional 324 samples used for model testing. Considering six scenarios, this study aimed to identify the best estimation model using key soil properties (sand, clay, silt, bulk density, organic carbon, and aggregate stability) in different combinations affecting SPR. Results from all ANN scenarios demonstrated satisfactory SPR estimation performance, with the sand and clay content scenario exhibiting the highest accuracy, characterized by a mean square error (MSE) of 0.0029 and a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.9707. This selected scenario were further validated with different test data, yielding an MSE of 0.7891 and an R2 value of 0.67. In conclusion, this study suggests that, by standardizing moisture levels through WG calculations, ANN-based SPR estimation can effectively be applied to soils with specific sand and clay contents.
The Degradability of Microplastics May Not Necessarily Equate to Environmental Friendliness: A Case Study of Cucumber Seedlings with Disturbed Photosynthesis
Authors: Zhang Yi-Fan , Huang Zhi-Yun , Li Yi-Fan , Lu Xin-Lei , Li Gen-Rui , Qi Shan-Shan , Khan Irfan Ullah , Li Guan-Lin , Dai Zhi-Cong , Du Dao-Lin
Published: December 2023

In the environment, degradable plastics are decomposed into biodegradable microplastics (Bio-MPs), but there is limited study on the impact on plant growth and development. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs) and nonbiodegradable polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) with different concentrations (0.02%, 0.2%, and 2% w/w) to explore their short-term toxic effects on cucumbers. The results of this study showed that PLA-MPs significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the aboveground and belowground biomass of cucumber seedlings compared to the control. At the level of 2% MPs, the chlorophyll content and PRI vegetation index of cucumber plants decreased significantly, anthocyanin content increased, and the photosynthetic system was disturbed. Likewise, the antioxidant defensive system of cucumber was affected after exposure to MPs stress, especially under 2% levels. The hyperspectral image is a novel technique which analyzed the chlorophyll content and absorption under MPs treatment; there was still a high correlation between chlorophyll content, anthocyanin content, and MCARI vegetation index, so a single vegetation index could be used for rapid detection of plant physiological status. Our study suggests that Bio-MPs have potential ecological toxicity that could affect the growth of cucumber seedlings through deactivation of the PSII reaction center. Therefore, biodegradable plastics do not seem to be the optimal solution, and there is an urgent need for long-term monitoring and evaluation of the biological toxicity of biodegradable MPs.
Post-Thaw Storage Temperature Influenced Boar Sperm Quality and Lifespan through Apoptosis and Lipid Peroxidation
Authors: Li Junwei , Li Juncheng , Wang Shuaibiao , Ju Huiming , Chen Shufang , Basioura Athina , Ferreira-Dias Graça , Liu Zongping , Zhu Jiaqiao
Published: December 2023

Cryopreservation deteriorates boar sperm quality and lifespan, which restricts the use of artificial insemination with frozen-thawed boar semen in field conditions. The objective of this study was to test the effects of post-thaw storage time and temperature on boar sperm survival. Semen ejaculates from five Landrace boars (one ejaculate per boar) were collected and frozen following a 0.5 mL-straw protocol. Straws from the five boars were thawed and diluted 1:1 (v:v) in BTS. The frozen-thawed semen samples were aliquoted into three parts and respectively stored at 5 °C, 17 °C, and 37 °C for up to 6 h. At 0.5, 2, and 6 h of storage, sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptotic changes were measured. Antioxidant and oxidant levels were tested in boar sperm (SPZ) and their surrounding environment (SN) at each timepoint. The results showed significant effects of post-thaw storage time and temperature and an impact on boar sperm quality (total and progressive motility, VCL, viability, acrosome integrity), early and late sperm apoptotic changes, and changes in MDA levels in SPZ and SN. Compared to storage at 5 °C and 37 °C, frozen-thawed semen samples stored at 17 °C displayed better sperm quality, less apoptotic levels, and lower levels of SPZ MDA and SN MDA. Notably, post-thaw storage at 17 °C extended boar sperm lifespan up to 6 h without obvious reduction in sperm quality. In conclusion, storage of frozen-thawed boar semen at 17 °C preserves sperm quality for up to 6 h, which facilitates the use of cryopreserved boar semen for field artificial insemination.
The Postictal Phase in Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy: Semiology, Management, and Impact on the Quality of Life from the Owners’ Perspective
Authors: Kähn Charlotte , Meyerhoff Nina , Meller Sebastian , Nessler Jasmin N. , Volk Holger A. , Charalambous Marios
Published: December 2023

Background: Dogs with idiopathic epilepsy experience not only the preictal and ictal seizure phases but also the postictal phase. To date, research has primarily focused on the preictal and ictal semiology and therapeutic control of ictal events. Research into the postictal phase‘s pathophysiology, as a therapeutic target and how it impacts the quality of life, is sparse across different species. Interestingly, even if anecdotally, owners report the postictal period being an impactful negative factor on their quality of life as well as their dog’s quality of life. Hypothesis/objectives: We aimed to assess the semiology and the impact of postictal signs on the quality of life of owners and dogs. Method: This observational study was carried out using surveys of owners of dogs with seizure disorders. Results: The questionnaire was filled out by 432 dog owners, 292 of whom provided complete responses that could be analysed. More than nine out of ten owners (97%) reported the presence of various postictal clinical signs. The dog’s and the owner’s quality of life was mainly affected by specific postictal signs, i.e., disorientation (dog: 31%; owner: 20%), compulsive walking (dog: 17%; owner: 22%), ataxia (dog: 12%; owner: 6%), and blindness (dog: 17%; owner: 10%). Nearly 61% of the owners felt that the severity of postictal signs was moderate or severe. Rescue antiseizure medications did not have an effect on controlling the postictal signs based on 71% of the responders. In contrast, 77% of the respondents reported that other measures such as rest, physical closeness, and a quiet and dark environment had a positive impact on the postictal phase. Conclusions and clinical importance: Overall, this survey shows that specific postictal signs are common and have a notable impact on the perceived quality of life of both dogs and their owners. According to the respondents, antiseizure medication might have no influence on the postictal phase in most cases, in contrast to other nonpharmacological measures. Further research on the management of the postictal phase is vital for improving the quality of life of dogs with seizure disorders and their owners.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Differentially Expressed circRNAs Associated with Fecundity in Small-Tail Han Sheep Thyroid with Different FecB Genotypes
Authors: Chang Cheng , He Xiaoyun , Di Ran , Wang Xiangyu , Han Miaoceng , Liang Chen , Chu Mingxing
Published: December 2023

Litter size is an economically important trait in sheep, and it is a complex trait controlled by multiple genes in multiple organs. Among them, the regulation of lamb number trait by the thyroid gland is a very important part. However, the molecular mechanisms of the thyroid gland in sheep reproduction remain unclear. Here, RNA-seq was used to detect transcriptome expression patterns in the thyroid gland between follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (LP) in FecB BB (MM) and FecB ++ (ww) STH sheep, respectively, and to identify differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) associated with reproduction. Bioinformatic analysis of the source genes of these DECs revealed that they can be enriched in multiple signaling pathways involved in the reproductive process of animals. We found that the source genes of these DECs, such as GNAQ, VEGFC, MAPK1, STAT1, and HSD17B7, may play important roles in the reproductive process of animals. To better understand the function of these DECs, we constructed circRNA–miRNA co-expression networks. Dual luciferase reporter assays suggested that a ceRNA regulatory mechanism between circ_0003259-oar-miR-133-TXLNA and circ_0012128-oar-miR-370-3p-FGFR1 may hold. All of these DEC expression profiles in the thyroid gland provide a novel resource for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms underlying STH sheep prolificacy.
Systemic Oxidative Stress in Severe Early-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction Associates with Concomitant Pre-Eclampsia, Not with Severity of Fetal Growth Restriction
Authors: Feenstra Marjon , Bourgonje Martin , Bourgonje Arno , Schoots Mirthe , Hillebrands Jan-Luuk , Muller Kobold Anneke , Prins Jelmer , van Goor Harry , Ganzevoort Wessel , Gordijn Sanne
Published: December 2023

Background: Placental insufficiency is an important mechanism underlying early-onset fetal growth restriction (eoFGR). Reduced placental function causes impaired metabolic and gaseous exchange. This unfavorable placental environment is among other processes characterized by increased oxidative stress. Systemic free thiols (FT) are known for their reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity, and higher plasma levels of FT are associated with a better outcome in a multitude of ischemic and inflammatory diseases. We aimed to investigate the relationships between systemic FT levels and maternal and perinatal clinical characteristics and outcomes. Study design: In a post hoc analysis of the Dutch Strider study, a cohort of women with eoFGR, we investigated the association between the maternal redox status (FT) levels at study inclusion, placental biomarkers, and maternal and neonatal outcomes in 108 patients. Results: FT were significantly lower in pregnancies complicated with eoFGR with concurrent maternal hypertensive disorders (pregnancy-induced hypertension; ρ = −0.281 p = 0.004, pre-eclampsia; ρ = −0.505 p = 0.000). In addition, lower FT levels were significantly associated with higher systolic (ρ = −0.348 p = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (ρ = −0.266 p = 0.014), but not with the severity of eoFGR. FT levels were inversely associated with sFlt (ρ = −0.366, p < 0.001). A strong relation between systemic FT levels and PlGF levels was observed in women with pre-eclampsia at delivery (ρ = 0.452, p = 0.002), which was not found in women without hypertensive disorders (ρ = 0.008, p = 0.958). Conclusions: In women with pregnancies complicated with eoFGR, FT levels reflect the severity of maternal disease related to the underlying placental insufficiency rather than the severity of the placental dysfunction as reflected in eoFGR or perinatal outcomes.
Machinery Fault Signal Detection with Deep One-Class Classification
Authors: Yoon Dosik , Yu Jaehong
Published: December 2023

Fault detection of machinery systems is a fundamental prerequisite to implementing condition-based maintenance, which is the most eminent manufacturing equipment system management strategy. To build the fault detection model, one-class classification algorithms have been used, which construct the decision boundary only using normal class. For more accurate one-class classification, signal data have been used recently because the signal data directly reflect the condition of the machinery system. To analyze the machinery condition effectively with the signal data, features of signals should be extracted, and then, the one-class classifier is constructed with the features. However, features separately extracted from one-class classification might not be optimized for the fault detection tasks, and thus, it leads to unsatisfactory performance. To address this problem, deep one-class classification methods can be used because the neural network structures can generate the features specialized to fault detection tasks through the end-to-end learning manner. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive experimental study with various fault signal datasets. The experimental results demonstrated that the deep support vector data description model, which is one of the most prominent deep one-class classification methods, outperforms its competitors and traditional methods.
Attentional Bias Modification Training in Virtual Reality: Evaluation of User Experience
Authors: Mendoza-Medialdea María Teresa , Carballo-Laza Ana , Ascione Mariarca , Meschberger-Annweiler Franck-Alexandre , Porras-Garcia Bruno , Ferrer-Garcia Marta , Gutiérrez-Maldonado José
Published: December 2023

Recent technological advances have paved the way for incorporating virtual reality (VR) into attentional bias modification training (ABMT) for the treatment of eating disorders. An important consideration in this therapeutic approach is ensuring the ease and comfort of users of the hardware and software, preventing them from becoming additional obstacles during treatment. To assess this, 68 healthy participants engaged in an ABMT experiment aimed at evaluating various factors, including usability as well as the participants’ comfort while using the VR equipment, task-induced fatigue, and attitudes towards the technology. Our results indicated a favorable usability level for the ABMT proposed in this study. While their discomfort, anxiety, and fatigue increased during the task, these did not significantly impact its execution. However, heightened anxiety and fatigue were linked to lower evaluations of software usability. Other variables considered in the experiment did not notably affect the task.
MultiFusedNet: A Multi-Feature Fused Network of Pretrained Vision Models via Keyframes for Student Behavior Classification
Authors: Nindam Somsawut , Na Seung-Hoon , Lee Hyo Jong
Published: December 2023

This research proposes a deep learning method for classifying student behavior in classrooms that follow the professional learning community teaching approach. We collected data on five student activities: hand-raising, interacting, sitting, turning around, and writing. We used the sum of absolute differences (SAD) in the LUV color space to detect scene changes. The K-means algorithm was then applied to select keyframes using the computed SAD. Next, we extracted features using multiple pretrained deep learning models from the convolutional neural network family. The pretrained models considered were InceptionV3, ResNet50V2, VGG16, and EfficientNetB7. We leveraged feature fusion, incorporating optical flow features and data augmentation techniques, to increase the necessary spatial features of selected keyframes. Finally, we classified the students’ behavior using a deep sequence model based on the bidirectional long short-term memory network with an attention mechanism (BiLSTM-AT). The proposed method with the BiLSTM-AT model can recognize behaviors from our dataset with high accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-scores of 0.97, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively. The overall accuracy was 96.67%. This high efficiency demonstrates the potential of the proposed method for classifying student behavior in classrooms.
Study of the Impact of Indoor Environmental Quality in Romanian Schools through an Extensive Experimental Campaign
Authors: Catalina Tiberiu , Damian Andrei , Vartires Andreea
Published: December 2023

Decentralized ventilation systems in schools are becoming more important due to the focus on indoor air quality and energy economy. The research aims to explore how these technologies affect classroom air quality, thermal comfort, and noise. The study examined four decentralized ventilation systems in a real-world school using field measurements and data analysis. This included measuring the CO2, temperature, noise, and thermal comfort using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index. All systems greatly improved the air quality, keeping CO2 levels within suggested limits. They failed to control indoor humidity, often lowering it to below optimal levels. Noise surpassed the 35 dB(A) criteria at maximum operation but was acceptable at lower airflows. Noise and air drafts did not bother residents. The study found that decentralized ventilation systems improve air quality and are easy to adapt to, although they need humidity control and noise management at higher operational levels.
Multiscale Feature-Based Infrared Ship Detection
Authors: Lu Dongming , Tang Haolong , Teng Longyin , Tan Jiangyun , Wang Mengke , Tian Zechen , Wang Liping
Published: December 2023

In this paper, based on the idea of “step-by-step accuracy”, a novel multiscale feature-based infrared ship-detection method (MSFISD) is proposed. The proposed method can achieve efficient and effective infrared ship detection in complex scenarios, which may provide assistance in applications such as night surveillance. First, candidate regions (CRs) are extracted from the whole image by extracting the sea–sky line and region of interest (ROI). The real sea–sky line is extracted based on the gradient features enhanced by large-scale gradient operators. The coarse segmentation results are obtained by the optimization method and are then refined by incorporating the edge features of the ship to reduce false alarms and obtain the CRs. Second, by analyzing the shape features of ships, the feature quantity is established, and the ships in CRs are finally accurately segmented. Experimental results demonstrate that compared with the other five methods, the proposed method has higher detection accuracy with a lower false-alarm rate and performs better in complex sea scenarios.
Synchronous Vibration Parameter Recognition of Constant-Speed Blades Based on Blade Tip Clearance Measurement
Authors: Zhang Liang , Xia Yiming , Chen Cong , Song Qingxi , Cao Junjun
Published: December 2023

A new method for the synchronous vibration parameter identification of constant-speed rotating blades based on blade tip clearance (BTC) measurement and blade tip timing (BTT) is introduced. A BTC sensor is used to measure the BTC when the blade tip passes through each sensor. The BTT method is used to determine whether the blade tip arrives in advance or lags. The geometric model between the BTC and the blade tip vibration displacement (BTVD) is established, and the BTVD of the blade tip passing through each sensor is obtained. Then, the nonlinear least squares method is used to determine the synchronous vibration parameters of the constant-speed rotating blade. The results show that with an increase in amplitude, the higher the accuracy of the vibration parameter identification proposed in this paper; with a decrease in the random error of the BTC measurement, the higher the accuracy of the vibration parameter identification proposed in this paper; with a decrease in the random error in the measurement of the blade disk dimensions, the higher the accuracy of the vibration parameter identification proposed in this paper. In addition, the smaller the ratio of the blade length to the blade disk radius, the higher the accuracy of the vibration parameter identification method introduced in this paper. Because the structure of the gas turbine compressor and turbine blade disk has a small blade disk ratio, the method proposed in this paper is suitable for the simultaneous vibration parameter identification of gas turbine compressor blades and turbine blades.
Challenges in the Forecasting of Severe Typhoon Koinu in 2023
Authors: He Yu-Heng , Chan Pak-Wai
Published: December 2023

Hong Kong was under the direct hit of Severe Typhoon Koinu (2314) on 8 and 9 October 2023, necessitating the issuance of the Increasing Gale or Storm Signal, No. 9. Koinu was a very challenging case for TC forecasting and warning services due to its compact size and erratic movement over the northern part of the South China Sea. This paper reviews the difficulties and challenges of the forecasting aspect of the severe typhoon. The predicted tropical cyclone track and intensity from both conventional models and emerging artificial intelligence models are examined, as well as local wind and rainfall forecast. Experience in this case study showed that while deterministic global models only performed moderately and were not able to adequately support early warning, a regional model and AI models could more effectively support decision making for an operational tropical cyclone warning service.
Classification of EEG Signals Based on Sparrow Search Algorithm-Deep Belief Network for Brain-Computer Interface
Authors: Wang Shuai , Luo Zhiguo , Zhao Shaokai , Zhang Qilong , Liu Guangrong , Wu Dongyue , Yin Erwei , Chen Chao
Published: December 2023

In brain-computer interface (BCI) systems, challenges are presented by the recognition of motor imagery (MI) brain signals. Established recognition approaches have achieved favorable performance from patterns like SSVEP, AEP, and P300, whereas the classification methods for MI need to be improved. Hence, seeking a classification method that exhibits high accuracy and robustness for application in MI-BCI systems is essential. In this study, the Sparrow search algorithm (SSA)-optimized Deep Belief Network (DBN), called SSA-DBN, is designed to recognize the EEG features extracted by the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD). The performance of the DBN is enhanced by the optimized hyper-parameters obtained through the SSA. Our method’s efficacy was tested on three datasets: two public and one private. Results indicate a relatively high accuracy rate, outperforming three baseline methods. Specifically, on the private dataset, our approach achieved an accuracy of 87.83%, marking a significant 10.38% improvement over the standard DBN algorithm. For the BCI IV 2a dataset, we recorded an accuracy of 86.14%, surpassing the DBN algorithm by 9.33%. In the SMR-BCI dataset, our method attained a classification accuracy of 87.21%, which is 5.57% higher than that of the conventional DBN algorithm. This study demonstrates enhanced classification capabilities in MI-BCI, potentially contributing to advancements in the field of BCI.
Advanced Strategies for the Fabrication of Multi-Material Anatomical Models of Complex Pediatric Oncologic Cases
Authors: Valls-Esteve Arnau , Tejo-Otero Aitor , Adell-Gómez Núria , Lustig-Gainza Pamela , Fenollosa-Artés Felip , Buj-Corral Irene , Rubio-Palau Josep , Munuera Josep , Krauel Lucas
Published: December 2023

The printing and manufacturing of anatomical 3D models has gained popularity in complex surgical cases for surgical planning, simulation and training, the evaluation of anatomical relations, medical device testing and patient–professional communication. 3D models provide the haptic feedback that Virtual or Augmented Reality (VR/AR) cannot provide. However, there are many technologies and strategies for the production of 3D models. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to show and compare eight different strategies for the manufacture of surgical planning and training prototypes. The eight strategies for creating complex abdominal oncological anatomical models, based on eight common pediatric oncological cases, were developed using four common technologies (stereolithography (SLA), selectie laser sinterning (SLS), fused filament fabrication (FFF) and material jetting (MJ)) along with indirect and hybrid 3D printing methods. Nine materials were selected for their properties, with the final models assessed for application suitability, production time, viscoelastic mechanical properties (shore hardness and elastic modulus) and cost. The manufacturing and post-processing of each strategy is assessed, with times ranging from 12 h (FFF) to 61 h (hybridization of FFF and SLS), as labor times differ significantly. Cost per model variation is also significant, ranging from EUR 80 (FFF) to EUR 600 (MJ). The main limitation is the mimicry of physiological properties. Viscoelastic properties and the combination of materials, colors and textures are also substantially different according to the strategy and the intended use. It was concluded that MJ is the best overall option, although its use in hospitals is limited due to its cost. Consequently, indirect 3D printing could be a solid and cheaper alternative.