bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study on the Catalytic Ignition Characteristics of a Dual-Mode Ionic Liquid Propellant in Model Thrusters
Authors: Fang Jie , Wang Zun , Yan Hao , Gao He , Yao Zhaopu , Li Shuiqing
Published: November 2022

An experimental study was carried out on the ignition characteristics of the HAN/(Emim)(EtSO4) (hydroxylammonium nitrate and 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium ethyl sulfate) dual-mode ionic liquid monopropellant in chemical propulsion mode in model thrusters. Firstly, a model thruster with a detachable convergent nozzle was designed and fabricated. Secondly, catalytic ignition experiments at different flow rates were carried out in atmosphere and in high chamber pressure environment, respectively, using a model thruster, with and without the convergent nozzle. During the catalytic ignition process, measurement methods such as thermocouple, pressure sensor, and flue gas analyzer were employed to obtain the temperature at different depths of the catalytic bed, the pressure of the combustion chamber, and the concentration variations of gaseous products CO, CO2, CH4, SO2, NO, and NO2. Then the three characteristic stages of water evaporation, HAN decomposition, and (Emim)(EtSO4) combustion were analyzed at the initiation time, and the reaction characteristics in the process of the catalytic ignition were analyzed. In addition, the composition and concentration of the combustion products at equilibrium were theoretically calculated. The effects of temperature and pressure on the concentrations of five main gaseous products were studied. Finally, the exhaust gas of the three groups of catalytic ignition experiments under different pressure environments was separately collected and measured with gas chromatography (GC) when the experiments approached equilibrium, the result of which roughly agrees with the theoretical calculations. These results are of great significance for exploring the chemical propulsion of the dual-mode ionic liquid propellant and understanding its physical catalytic combustion mechanisms.
Theoretical and Experimental Studies of a PDMS Pneumatic Microactuator for Microfluidic Systems
Authors: Liu Xuling , Song Huafeng , Zuo Wensi , Ye Guoyong , Jin Shaobo , Wang Liangwen , Li Songjing
Published: November 2022

The compact, simple, and fast-reaction pneumatic microactuator is significant for the integration and high efficiency of pneumatic systems. In this work, the structure, working principle, and multiphysical model of an on-chip pneumatic microactuator are presented. The on-chip pneumatic microactuator is mainly composed of two parts: a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) thin membrane and an actuated chamber. The air pressure in the actuated chamber drives the thin elastic membrane to deformation. Dynamic response mathematical models of the actuated chamber for charging and exhaust with variable volume are established, and the deformation characteristics of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) actuated membrane, the capacity of the actuated chamber, and the valve opening of the on-off membrane microvalve are simulated and analyzed to explore the response characteristics of the proposed pneumatic microactuator. Samples valving analysis of the on-chip membrane microvalve and mixing performance of the micromixer integrated with the pneumatic microactuator are tested to evaluate the driving capability of the pneumatic microactuator, and the results show that the response performance of the actuated time fully satisfies the needs of a pneumatic microfluidic chip for most applications.
Photovoltaic Energy Production Forecasting through Machine Learning Methods: A Scottish Solar Farm Case Study
Authors: Cabezón L. , Ruiz L. G. B. , Criado-Ramón D. , J. Gago E. , Pegalajar M. C.
Published: November 2022

Photovoltaic solar energy is booming due to the continuous improvement in photovoltaic panel efficiency along with a downward trend in production costs. In addition, the European Union is committed to easing the implementation of renewable energy in many companies in order to obtain funding to install their own panels. Nonetheless, the nature of solar energy is intermittent and uncontrollable. This leads us to an uncertain scenario which may cause instability in photovoltaic systems. This research addresses this problem by implementing intelligent models to predict the production of solar energy. Real data from a solar farm in Scotland was utilized in this study. Finally, the models were able to accurately predict the energy to be produced in the next hour using historical information as predictor variables.
Cross-Border Territorial Development through Geographical Indications: Gargano (Italy) and Dibër (Albania)
Authors: Caso Antonio , Giordano Simona
Published: November 2022

In a globalized context, characterized by dominant trends towards the homogenization of food products and taste, local and niche productions play a vital role in creating effective strategies of territorial development. Albanian food heritage is definitely one of the most various of the Western Balkans. The Ottoman domination and the Mediterranean position just in front of Italy led to an incredible mix of cultures and traditions. As Albania is a candidate to join the European Union, it has a stronger opportunity of protecting its excellent-quality food products with PDO and PGI marks. Moreover, Albania’s territory shares fundamental features with Gargano lakes, especially with relation to the county of Dibër, where Ulez and Shkopet lakes are located. Both the areas’ traditional food products are and can be an important factor of sustainable and participatory development, and the present contribution aims at exploring possible paths of territorial development at a cross-border level, in the framework of a sort of “dialogue” between the two regions through Geographical Indications (GIs).
A Study on the Susceptibility of PLA Biocomposites to Drilling
Authors: Borysiuk Piotr , Auriga Radosław , Wilkowski Jacek , Auriga Alicja , Trociński Adrian , Seng Hua Lee
Published: November 2022

Wood–plastic composites (WPCs) increase the range of applications of materials by creating new material solutions. As part of this research, PLA (polylactic acid)- and HDPE (high-density polyethylene)-based composites were manufactured. Softwood sawdust or conifer bark with different sizes (large and small) were used as filler. In selected cases, the addition of 3% additives, such as calcium oxide in the case of PLA or polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride in the case of HDPE, were tested. The manufactured composites were examined for their density profile and their susceptibility to drilling, defined by the value of the axial force occurring during drilling. The obtained results revealed that the type of matrix had the greatest influence on the axial forces during drilling. Regardless of the composite formulation, composites based on PLA had 25% to 56% higher axial forces during drilling than those based on HDPE. Furthermore, increasing the proportion of lignocellulosic fillers resulted in a decrease in the value of axial forces during drilling, with PLA composites experiencing a greater decrease than HDPE composites. The type and size of the filler had a minor impact on the axial force values during drilling. The statistical analysis indicated that the additives had a greater influence on HDPE than on PLA.
A UAV-Based Forest Fire Patrol Path Planning Strategy
Authors: Xu Yiqing , Li Jiaming , Zhang Fuquan
Published: November 2022

The application of UAVs in forest fire monitoring has attracted increasing attention. When a UAV carries out forest fire monitoring cruises in a large area of the forest, one of the main problems is planning an appropriate cruise path so that the UAV can start from the starting point, cruise the entire area with little detour, and return to the initial position within its maximum cruise distance. In this paper, we propose a flight path planning method for UAV forest fire monitoring based on a forest fire risk map. According to the forest fire risk level, the method uses the ring self-organizing mapping (RSOM) algorithm to plan a corresponding flight path. In addition, since it is difficult for a single UAV to complete a single full-path cruise task in a large area within its maximum cruise time, a multi-UAV cruise scheme is proposed. First, the Gaussian mixture clustering algorithm is used to cluster the study area and divide it into several subareas. In combination with the RSOM algorithm, the corresponding path is planned for each UAV. A simulation with an actual dataset showed that the proposed method solves the problem of UAV patrol path planning for forest fire monitoring and can complete the task within a reasonable time.
Which Factors Determine the Distribution of Low-Impact Horse Logging in the Hungarian State-Owned Forests?
Authors: Malatinszky Ákos , Ficsor Csilla , Tormáné Kovács Eszter
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, forest management focuses on nature- and environmentally-friendly methods in Europe with less fossil fuel use; however, animal-powered logging is rarely covered by scientific papers despite the fact that it is considered to be less harmful to topsoil, wood stands, saplings, and natural values than heavy machines. The main goal of this study is to determine its characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages based on structured and semi-structured interviews with loggers and foresters in every Hungarian state-owned forest area. Our results show that while 39 out of the total 116 Hungarian forest districts hired teams that applied horses for logging in 2013, their number fell to 24 in 2021. Despite this negative tendency, 34 out of the 44 forest districts that operate in hilly and mountainous areas still find horses to be useful for timber extraction. Five forest districts own horses, but none of them use animal power for logging (only for touristic and hunting activities). The productivity of a logging team depends on the timber extraction distance, terrain slope, number of workers, and cut timber volume per turn. The average logging capacity of a brigade with horses is 0.78 m3 per load, 15 m3 per day, and 2413 m3 per year. The average terrain slope angle is 15°, situated 350–450 m above sea level. The average timber extraction distance is 185 m, and the width of a track made by a horse is 96 cm. The average distance from the barn to the cut-block area is 11 km. Lower impact of horse logging on the affected area is more important than the amount of the harvested wood. Therefore, from a nature conservation aspect, it is essential to maintain animal logging and promote it with training and financial incentives.
Evaluation of Rice Degree of Milling Based on Bayesian Optimization and Multi-Scale Residual Model
Authors: Chen Weidong , Li Wanyu , Wang Ying
Published: November 2022

Traditional machine learning-based methods for the detection of rice degree of milling (DOM) that are not comprehensive in feature extraction and have low recognition rates fail to meet the demand for fast, non-destructive, and accurate detection. This paper presents a digital image processing technology combined with deep learning to implement the classification of DOM of rice. An improved multi-scale information fusion model of the InceptionResNet–Bayesian optimization algorithm (IRBOA) was constructed based on the Inception-v3 structure and residual network (ResNet) model. It enables to automatically extract more comprehensive features of rice and determine the DOM of rice. Additionally, the important hyperparameters in the model were tuned by the BOA to optimize the recognition rate of rice DOM. The results show the hyperparameters optimized using the BOA are those that would not be chosen in manual tuning. The classification precision of the IRBOA model reached 99.22%, 94.92%, and 96.55% for well-milled, reasonably well-milled, and substandard rice, respectively, with an average accuracy of no less than 96.90%. This model improved 7.41% over the traditional machine learning model and at least 1.35% over the fashionable CNN model with strong generalization performance. This method effectively completes rapid, non-destructive, and accurate intelligent detection of rice DOM, which can supply a reliable and accurate technical mean for rice processing enterprises to guide the rice processing process.
Investigating the Impact of a Curse: Diseases, Population Isolation, Evolution and the Mother’s Curse
Authors: Kyrgiafini Maria-Anna , Giannoulis Themistoklis , Moutou Katerina A. , Mamuris Zissis
Published: November 2022

The mitochondrion was characterized for years as the energy factory of the cell, but now its role in many more cellular processes is recognized. The mitochondrion and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) also possess a set of distinct properties, including maternal inheritance, that creates the Mother’s Curse phenomenon. As mtDNA is inherited from females to all offspring, mutations that are harmful to males tend to accumulate more easily. The Mother’s Curse is associated with various diseases, and has a significant effect on males, in many cases even affecting their reproductive ability. Sometimes, it even leads to reproductive isolation, as in crosses between different populations, the mitochondrial genome cannot cooperate effectively with the nuclear one resulting in a mito-nuclear incompatibility and reduce the fitness of the hybrids. This phenomenon is observed both in the laboratory and in natural populations, and have the potential to influence their evolution and speciation. Therefore, it turns out that the study of mitochondria is an exciting field that finds many applications, including pest control, and it can shed light on the molecular mechanism of several diseases, improving successful diagnosis and therapeutics. Finally, mito-nuclear co-adaptation, paternal leakage, and kin selection are some mechanisms that can mitigate the impact of the Mother’s Curse.
Comprehensive Analysis of Codon Usage in Quercus Chloroplast Genome and Focus on psbA Gene
Authors: Shi Sheng-Lin , Liu Yan-Qun , Xia Run-Xi , Qin Li
Published: November 2022

Quercus (oak) is an important economic and ecological tree species in the world, and it is the necessary feed for oak silkworm feeding. Chloroplasts play an important role in green plants but the codon usage of oak chloroplast genomes is not fully studied. We examined the codon usage of the oak chloroplast genomes in detail to facilitate the understanding of their biology and evolution. We downloaded all the protein coding genes of 26 non-redundant chloroplast reference genomes, removed short ones and those containing internal stop codons, and finally retained 50 genes shared by all genomes for comparative analyses. The base composition, codon bias, and codon preference are not significantly different between genomes but are significantly different among genes within these genomes. Oak chloroplast genomes prefer T/A-ending codons and avoid C/G-ending codons, and the psbA gene has the same preference except for the codons encoding amino acid Phe. Complex factors such as context-dependent mutations are the major factors affecting codon usage in these genomes, while selection plays an important role on the psbA gene. Our study provided an important understanding of codon usage in the oak chloroplast genomes and found that the psbA gene has nearly the same codon usage preference as other genes in the oak chloroplasts.
Identification of Ferroptosis-Related Genes in Schizophrenia Based on Bioinformatic Analysis
Authors: Feng Shunkang , Chen Jun , Qu Chunhui , Yang Lu , Wu Xiaohui , Wang Shuo , Yang Tao , Liu Hongmei , Fang Yiru , Sun Ping
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study is to explore the correlation between ferroptosis-related genes and schizophrenia in order to explore the new direction of diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. We screened the datasets related to schizophrenia from the Gene Expression Comprehensive Database (GEO) and obtained ferroptosis-related genes from the FerrDB database. Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and genes associated with ferroptosis-related between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. On this basis, the hub genes were finally screened by enrichment analysis and PPI interaction analysis. Hub genes associated with ferroptosis were validated using other schizophrenia datasets in the GEO database. Finally, the hub gene-microRNA (miRNA), gene-transcription factor interaction network was constructed, and three ferroptosis-related hub genes (TP53, VEGFA and PTGS2) were screened. The validation results of these three genes in other datasets also support this conclusion. A miRNA: hsa-mir-16-5p was found to be related to the three hub genes, and pPHF8, SAP30 and lKDM5B were identified as common regulators of the three hub genes. Our results indicate that TP53, VEGFA and PTGS2 are significantly associated with schizophrenia, and may be ferroptosis-related markers of the disease.
Mapping Genetics and Epigenetics to Explore the Pathways beyond the Correlated Ageing Phenotype
Authors: Ghanemi Abdelaziz , Yoshioka Mayumi , St-Amand Jonny
Published: November 2022

Ageing is defined by the decline in the biological and physiological functions over time, which leads to health problems and increases risks of diseases. The modern societies are characterised by an ageing population, which represents challenges for the healthcare system. Within this context, there is a need to better understand the biological mechanisms beyond ageing in order to optimise geriatric therapies and medical approaches. Herein, we suggest exploring the genetic and epigenetic patterns related to ageing and correlate them with the ageing-related phenotype of the biological entities in order to establish mechanistic links and map the molecular pathways. Such links would have diverse implications in basic research, in clinics, as well as for therapeutic studies.
Enhancing the Identification and Mapping of Fluvial Terraces Combining Geomorphological Field Survey with Land-Surface Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Iacobucci Giulia , Piacentini Daniela , Troiani Francesco
Published: November 2022

A methodological approach to refining the identification and mapping of fluvial terraces has been applied, combining geomorphological field surveys with the computation and assessment of different morphometric parameters (local, statistical, and object-oriented), derived from a high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) obtained from a LiDAR survey. The mid-sector floodplain of the Misa River basins was taken as a valid example of the main river valleys draining the northern Marche Apennines (Italy) and was considered an ideal site to test a combination of different geomorphological techniques for enhancing fluvial terraces’ detection and mapping. In this area, late Pleistocene–Holocene fluvial terraces are well exposed, and their geomorphological and geochronological characteristics have largely already been studied. However, a reliable distinction of the different Holocene terrace levels, including a detailed geomorphological mapping of different terrace features, is still lacking due to the very complex terrace geometry and the lack of good-quality deposit outcrops. Land-surface quantitative (LSQ) analysis has been coupled with the available outcomes of previous studies and ad-hoc geomorphological field surveys to enhance the identification and mapping of fluvial terraces. The results of this work provided information for the discernment of terrace remnants belonging to the full-glacial fill terrace generation (late Pleistocene) as well as reconstruction of the terrace top–surface, and can be used to distinguish the inner terrace limits coinciding with the margin of the floodplain. It has also been possible to identify and delimit the late Pleistocene terrace from a staircase of three younger strath terraces formed during the Holocene. The results of this study demonstrated that the investigation of fluvial landforms, at different scales, can strongly benefit from the integration of field surveys and quantitative geomorphic analysis based on high-resolution digital topographic datasets. In particular, the integration of LSQ analysis with ground-truth geomorphological data can be dramatically helpful for the identification and mapping of fluvial terraces.
Serostatus and Epidemiological Characteristics for Atypical Pneumonia Causative Bacteria among Healthy Individuals in Medina, Saudi Arabia, a Retrospective Study
Authors: Alhoufie Sari T. , Alhhazmi Areej A. , Mahallawi Waleed H. , Alfarouk Khalid O. , Ibrahim Nadir A.
Published: November 2022

Background: Community-acquired atypical pneumonia is generally a mild and self-limiting infection. Still, it may lead to hospitalization and progressive clinical complications in some cases, particularly among the elderly and individuals with chronic diseases. Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are the community’s main causative agents of atypical pneumonia. However, most published studies evaluated their incidence in the hospital setting, and little is known about their prevalence among healthy individuals. This work aims to assess the seroprevalence of these bacteria among healthy people to determine the status of immunity against these bacteria in the community. Methodology: Two hundred and eighty-three serum samples from a multicenter in Medina, Saudi Arabia, were collected in this study. Serum samples were subjected to indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to detect IgG antibodies against C. pneumoniae, L. pneumophila, and M. pneumoniae to investigate the seroprevalence of these bacteria and their distribution among different genders and age groups of healthy people. Results: IgG seropositivity for at least one of the three atypical pneumonia-causative bacteria occurred in 85.8% (n= 243/283) of the sample population. IgG seropositivity for C. pneumoniae occurred in 80.6% (228/283) of the population, followed by 37.5% for L. pneumophila and 23% for M. pneumoniae (66/283). In addition, the IgG seropositivity rates for the three bacteria were observed predominantly among male participants. Furthermore, no significant difference in IgG seropositivity distribution occurred between different age groups of healthy people for C. pneumoniae, L. pneumophila and M. pneumoniae. Conclusions: The current study found that C. pneumoniae, L. pneumophila, and M. pneumoniae tended to be highly prevalent among healthy people and more common among males than females. Additionally, their pattern of distribution among healthy individuals seemed to be predominant among young adults (aged 20–40 years), which differs from their predominant distribution among elderly patients in hospital settings (>50 years).
Inappropriate Evaluation of Effect Modifications Based on Categorical Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Shiroshita Akihiro , Yamamoto Norio , Saka Natsumi , Okumura Motohiro , Shiba Hiroshi , Kataoka Yuki
Published: November 2022

Our meta-epidemiological study aimed to describe the prevalence of reporting effect modification only on relative scale outcomes and inappropriate interpretations of the coefficient of interaction terms in nonlinear models on categorical outcomes. Our study targeted articles published in the top 10 high-impact-factor journals between 1 January and 31 December 2021. We included two-arm, parallel-group, interventional superiority randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effects of modifications on categorical outcomes. The primary outcomes were the prevalence of reporting effect modifications only on relative scale outcomes and that of inappropriately interpreting the coefficient of interaction terms in nonlinear models on categorical outcomes. We included 52 articles, of which 41 (79%) used nonlinear regression to evaluate effect modifications. At least 45/52 articles (87%) reported effect modifications based only on relative scale outcomes, and at least 39/41 (95%) articles inappropriately interpreted the coefficient of interaction terms merely as indices of effect modifications. The quality of the evaluations of effect modifications in nonlinear models on categorical outcomes was relatively low, even in randomized controlled trials published in medical journals with high impact factors. Researchers should report effect modifications of both absolute and relative scale outcomes and avoid interpreting the coefficient of interaction terms in nonlinear regression analyses.
Spatial Response of Ecosystem Service Value to Urbanization in Fragile Vegetation Areas Based on Terrain Gradient
Authors: Zhang Ji , Liu Zelin , Shi Yu , Zou Ziying
Published: November 2022

The contradiction between urban expansion and ecological protection in fragile vegetation areas has become increasingly prominent with regional development. Revealing the relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services will help to provide solutions to this problem. In order to clarify the impact of urbanization on typical mountain areas with fragile vegetation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, we built an ecosystem service value (ESV) evaluation index system. We also evaluated the ESV and its spatial response to the urbanization of Shannan Prefecture in Tibet from 1990 to 2015 based on different terrain gradients (TGs) using vegetation biophysical data obtained from remote sensing platforms. The results show that ESV in Shannan increased first and then declined as the TG increased, reaching a maximum value at the third TG. ESV showed a decreased trend during the study period, with a significant decline at the second and third TGs, which were the main distribution areas of vegetation in Shannan. Through spatial correlation analysis, we observed that urbanization and ESV showed a significant spatial aggregation effect. Among them, the high–low type accounted for the largest proportion in the grid with the agglomeration effect, mainly concentrated at the lower TG in the southern of Shannan, where ESV decreases with the increasing urbanization. We highlight the need for targeted, sustainable development policies to rationally organize the urbanization process in the different-gradient plateau regions with fragile vegetation. These results can provide a reference for applying ESV to vegetation restoration and ecological protection in ecologically fragile mountain areas.
By Internal Network or by External Network?—Study on the Social Network Mechanism of Reducing the Perception of Old-Age Support Risks of Rural Elders in China
Authors: Nie Jianliang , Fan Rong , Wu Yufeng , Li Dan
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, it is a general trend for China to enter a deep aging society, and the aging situation of the rural population is particularly severe. As informal endogenous resources in rural areas, social networks play an essential role in ensuring elders’ later life. Data were drawn from a questionnaire survey of 1126 rural elders in 11 provinces of China. Descriptive statistics and an ordinary least square regression model were conducted to explore the impact of social networks on the perception of old-age support risks of rural elders. There was a significant positive association between the social network size and the reduction in perception of old-age support risks of rural elders. The reduction effect was mainly reflected in the internal network size, whereas it was not evident in the external network size. There was a significant positive association between the heterogeneity of the network and the perceived level of old-age support risks of rural elders. There was a significant positive association between the communication frequency of external network relationships and the perceived level of old-age support risks of rural elders. We found a significant negative association between the ratio of communication frequency between the internal and external network relationships and the perception of old-age support risks of rural elders. Compared with the external network, the internal network had a more evident reduction effect on the social network mechanism of perception of old-age support risks of rural elders.
If Smoking Were Eliminated, Which US Counties Would Still Have High Rates of Smoking-Related Cancers?
Authors: Myers Douglas J. , Kriebel David
Published: November 2022

Objective: to characterize the county variability of the impact of smoking elimination on rates of smoking-related cancers and explore whether common environmental indices predicted which metropolitan counties would experience high rates of smoking-related cancers even after smoking was eliminated. Methods: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data were obtained. County level cancer rates for 257 metropolitan SEER counties, including the observed rates and those predicted after eliminating smoking, were derived via multilevel regression modeling and age standardized to the 2016 SEER population. Associations between the EPA’s Environmental Quality Index (EQI) scores and “Low Benefit” counties (counties that remain above the top 20th percentile of post-smoking elimination incidence rates) were explored via logistic regression. Results: Reductions in smoking-related cancer incidence ranged from 58.4 to 3.2%. The overall EQI (OR = 1.96, 95% CI [1.34, 2.86]) and the air quality index (OR = 5.99, 95% CI [3.20, 11.22]) scores predicted higher odds of being a “Low Benefit” county. Conclusions: Substantial inequities in the post-smoking elimination cancer rates were observed; air pollution appears to be a primary explanation for this. Cancer prevention in metropolitan counties with high levels of air pollution should prioritize pollution control at least as much as tobacco control.
Classification and Prediction on Hypertension with Blood Pressure Determinants in a Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Kim Hyerim , Hwang Seunghyeon , Lee Suwon , Kim Yoona
Published: November 2022

Few studies classified and predicted hypertension using blood pressure (BP)-related determinants in a deep learning algorithm. The objective of this study is to develop a deep learning algorithm for the classification and prediction of hypertension with BP-related factors based on the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study-Ansan and Ansung baseline survey. We also investigated whether energy intake adjustment is adequate for deep learning algorithms. We constructed a deep neural network (DNN) in which the number of hidden layers and the number of nodes in each hidden layer are experimentally selected, and we trained the DNN to diagnose hypertension using the dataset while varying the energy intake adjustment method in four ways. For comparison, we trained a decision tree in the same way. Experimental results showed that the DNN performs better than the decision tree in all aspects, such as having higher sensitivity, specificity, F1-score, and accuracy. In addition, we found that unlike general machine learning algorithms, including the decision tree, the DNNs perform best when energy intake is not adjusted. The result indicates that energy intake adjustment is not required when using a deep learning algorithm to classify and predict hypertension with BP-related factors.
Evaluation of Ecological Service Function of Liquidambar formosana Plantations
Authors: Wu Jingdong , Wang Mingxu , Wang Tingting , Fu Xinxi
Published: November 2022

A Liquidambar formosana plantation is a kind of fast-grown forest in the subtropical region, providing a variety of ecosystem services such as superior wood, carbon fixation and oxygen release, and biodiversity maintenance. However, the ecological service function value of Liquidambar formosana plantations is not clear. To gain insights into the characteristics and importance of its ecological and economic benefits, the Liquidambar formosana plantation in the Tianjiling Forest Farm of Changsha City was taken as the specific research object in this paper. The ecological service function evaluation index system for Liquidambar formosana plantations was established based on the relevant research worldwide and the actual situation. The market value method, shadow engineering method, carbon tax method, and other environmental economics methods were used to estimate the value of seven ecological service functions (including organic matter production, carbon fixation and oxygen release, water conservation, soil conservation, soil improvement, air purification, and biodiversity maintenance) of the forest of Liquidambar formosana. The results indicated that the total economic value of ecological service function provided by the Liquidambar formosana plantation of Changsha was 103,277.82 RMB/(hm2·a), and the indirect economic value was 8.47 times that of the direct economic value. Among the seven ecological service functions, the value of carbon fixation and oxygen release was the highest (36,703.33 RMB·hm−2·a−1), thus suggesting that the Liquidambar formosana plantation had strong photosynthesis and significant carbon fixation. This study directly reflects the value of forest ecological service function in the form of currency, which is beneficial to provide more insights into forest ecological service function so as to provide basic data and a scientific basis for the protection, construction, and promotion of the sustainable utilization and development of urban forest resources.
Lifestyles during the First Wave of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study of 16,811 Adults from Spanish-Speaking Countries in South America
Authors: Bravo-Cucci Sergio , Chipia Joan , Lobo Sandra , López Lizmery , Munarriz-Medina Regina , Alvarado-Santiago Tania , Núñez-Cortés Rodrigo
Published: November 2022

The aim of this research was to analyze the lifestyles of adults from Spanish-speaking countries in South America during the COVID-19 pandemic using a cross-sectional, analytical, and multicenter study. The target population was composed of people aged 18 and older who resided in South America during the pandemic; the final sample comprised 16,811 participants who were predominantly female, with ages ranging from 18 to 79 years. The results showed that approximately six out of ten respondents did not engage in any physical activity; only one in four respondents indicated that their diet was sufficient and balanced; and most washed their hands frequently and showered every day. Regarding the type of isolation, half reported that it was voluntary and the rest mandatory or restricted. Regarding mobility, six out of ten surveyed leave their residence on a weekly basis. Regarding the use of personal protective equipment, the majority used masks and a smaller proportion used gloves. In conclusion, the majority of respondents did not perform any physical activity; moreover, one in four reported having a sufficient balanced diet. We therefore recommend an improvement of public policies to promote better lifestyles in South America, in particular the reorientation of the health system to prevent similar situations.
Spatiotemporal Evolution and Driving Forces of Vegetation Cover in the Urumqi River Basin
Authors: Mamattursun Azimatjan , Yang Han , Ablikim Kamila , Obulhasan Nurbiya
Published: November 2022

It is important to determine long-term changes in vegetation cover, and the associated driving forces, to better understand the natural and human-induced factors affecting vegetation growth. We calculated the fractional vegetation coverage (FVC) of the Urumqi River basin and selected seven natural factors (the clay and sand contents of surface soils, elevation, aspect, slope, precipitation and temperature) and one human factor (land use type). We then used the Sen–Man–Kendall method to calculate the changing trend of the FVC from 2000 to 2020. We used the optimal parameters-based geographical detector (OPGD) model to quantitatively analyze the influence of each factor on the change in vegetation coverage in the basin. The FVC of the Urumqi River basin fluctuated from 2000 to 2020, with average values between 0.22 and 0.33. The areas with no and low vegetation coverage accounted for two-thirds of the total area, whereas the areas with a medium, medium–high and high FVC accounted for one-third of the total area. The upper reaches of the river basin are glacial and forest areas with no vegetation coverage and a high FVC. The middle reaches are concentrated in areas of urban construction with a medium FVC. The lower reaches are in unstable farmland with a medium and high FVC and deserts with a low FVC and no vegetation. From the perspective of the change trend, the areas with an improved FVC accounted for 62.54% of the basin, stable areas accounted for 5.66% and degraded areas accounted for 31.8%. The FVC showed an increasing trend in the study area. The improvement was mainly in the areas of urban construction and desert. Degradation occurred in the high-elevation areas, whereas the transitional zone was unchanged. The analysis of driving forces showed that the human factor explained more of the changes in the FVC than the natural factors in the order: land use type (0.244) > temperature (0.216) > elevation (0.205) > soil clay content (0.172) > precipitation (0.163) > soil sand content (0.138) > slope (0.059) > aspect (0.014). Apart from aspect, the explanatory power (Q value) of the interaction of each factor was higher than that of the single factor. Risk detection showed that each factor had an interval in which the change in the FVC was inhibited or promoted. The optimum elevation interval of the study area was 1300–2700 m and the greatest inhibition of the FVC was seen above 3540 m. Too much or too little precipitation inhibited vegetation coverage.
Mental and Sexual Health of Men in Times of COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Szuster Ewa , Pawlikowska-Gorzelańczyk Anna , Kostrzewska Paulina , Mandera-Grygierzec Amanda , Rusiecka Agnieszka , Biernikiewicz Małgorzata , Brawańska Kinga , Sobieszczańska Małgorzata , Rożek-Piechura Krystyna , Kałka Dariusz
Published: November 2022

Due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19, some restrictions were introduced which could lead to the development of distress and somatic symptoms. This survey aimed to study the mental and sexual health of men during the COVID-19 outbreak. An online questionnaire was conducted to collect data on contact with people suspected of infection/infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, use of stimulants, and perceived mental and sexual health during isolation among Polish men. They were also asked to answer the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire. In total, 606 men with a mean age of 28.46 ± 9.17 years took part in the survey. Fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection had a negative impact on the mental health of 132 men (21.8%). Fear of the health condition of loved ones caused stress and a depressed mood in 253 men (41.7%), and media reports worsened the mental health of 185 men (30.2%). In the BDI, 71.95% of the respondents did not suffer from depressive symptoms, 17.33% were diagnosed with mild depression, 6.11% with moderate depression, and 4.62% had severe depression. The mean score in the IIEF-15 questionnaire in the erectile function domain was 22.27, orgasm—7.63, desire—8.25, satisfaction—10.17, and general satisfaction—6.84. Depressive symptoms indicated more severe sexual functioning disorders (p < 0.001). Fear, following the media, and loneliness were associated with more severe depressive and sexual disorders (p < 0.001). The libido level (p = 0.002) and frequency of sexual activity (p < 0.001) were also lower during the pandemic than before the lockdown. These data showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on male mental and sexual health.
Is Hospital Hospice Service Associated with Efficient Healthcare Utilization in Deceased Lung Cancer Patients? Hospital Charges at Their End of Life
Authors: Kim Dong Jun , Kim Sun Jung
Published: November 2022

In July 2015, South Korea began applying National Health Insurance reimbursement to inpatient hospice service. It is now appropriate and relevant to evaluate how hospice care is associated with healthcare utilization in terminal lung cancer patients. We used nationwide NHI claims data of lung cancer patients from 2008–2018 and identified a sample of patients deceased after July 2016. We transposed the dataset into a retrospective cohort design where a unit of analysis was each lung cancer patients’ healthcare utilization. The differences in hospital charges per day were investigated depending on the patient’s use of hospice service before death with the Generalized Linear Model (GLM) analysis. Additionally, subgroup analysis and the propensity score matching method were used to validate the model using the claims information of 25,099 patients. About 17.0% of patients used hospice services (N = 4260). With other variables adjusted, hospice service utilization by deceased lung cancer patients was associated with statistically significant lower hospital charges per day at the end of life (1 month, 3 months, and 6 months before death) compared to non-users. A similar trend was found in the propensity score matching model analysis. We found lower end-of-life hospital charges per day among lung cancer patients who received hospice services near death. The ever-expanding aging population requires health policymakers and the National Health Insurance program to expand hospice services for terminal cancer patients in underserved regions and hospitals that do not provide hospice.
Are E-Cigarette and Tea Cigarette Gifting Behaviors Associated with Tobacco Use and Failed Quit Attempts in China?
Authors: Zhou Huan , Hoe Connie , Zhang Weifang , Yang Xiaozhao , Li Mingyan , Wu Dan
Published: November 2022

This study aims to investigate e-cigarette and tea cigarette gifting in China and their influencing factors, as well as to explore whether they were associated with tobacco use and cessation. Using a multistage sampling design, 1512 household heads from Guangdong and Shaanxi provinces were recruited for the study and filled out an online questionnaire about smoking status, social participation, e-cigarette, and tea cigarette gifting. Results showed that more than 30% and nearly 3% of participants had been gifted tea cigarettes and e-cigarettes, respectively. Marital status, province of residence, smoking status, and social participation were associated with gifting behaviors. Logistic regressions showed that receiving e-cigarettes (OR = 3.43, p < 0.05) and tea cigarettes (OR = 1.70, p < 0.01) were related to tobacco use. Smokers who have received e-cigarettes (OR = 9.85, p < 0.01) and tea cigarettes (OR = 1.92, p < 0.05) were also less likely to quit smoking.
Cyanobacteria and Their Metabolites in Mono- and Polidominant Shallow Eutrophic Temperate Lakes
Authors: Savadova-Ratkus Ksenija , Mazur-Marzec Hanna , Karosienė Jūratė , Sivonen Kaarina , Suurnäkki Suvi , Kasperovičienė Jūratė , Paškauskas Ričardas , Koreivienė Judita
Published: November 2022

Monodominant (one species dominates) or polidominant (multiple species dominate) cyanobacterial blooms are pronounced in productive freshwater ecosystems and pose a potential threat to the biota due to the synthesis of toxins. Seasonal changes in cyanobacteria species and cyanometabolites composition were studied in two shallow temperate eutrophic lakes. Data on cyanobacteria biomass and diversity of dominant species in the lakes were combined with chemical and molecular analyses of fifteen potentially toxin-producing cyanobacteria species (248 isolates from the lakes). Anatoxin-a, saxitoxin, microcystins and other non-ribosomal peptides formed the diverse profiles in monodominant (Planktothrix agardhii) and polidominant (Aphanizomenon gracile, Limnothrix spp. and Planktolyngbya limnetica) lakes. However, the harmfulness of the blooms depended on the ability of the dominant species to synthesize cyanometabolites. It was confirmed that P. agardhii produced a greater amount and diverse range of MCs and other NRPs. In the polidominant lake, isolates of the co-dominant A. gracile, L. planctonica and P. limnetica synthesized no or only small amounts of cyanometabolites. In general, the profile of cyanometabolites was greater in cyanobacteria isolates than in environmental samples, indicating a high potential for toxic cyanobacteria bloom.
Age- and Sex-Specific Physical Fitness Reference and Association with Body Mass Index in Hong Kong Chinese Schoolchildren
Authors: Yip Ka-Man , Wong Sam W. S. , Chua Gilbert T. , So Hung-Kwan , Ho Frederick K. , Wong Rosa S. , Tung Keith T. S. , Chan Elaine Y. N. , Tso Winnie W. Y. , Chow Bik-Chu. , Fung Genevieve P. G. , Wong Wilfred H. S. , Ip Patrick
Published: November 2022

There is lacking a population-based study on the fitness level of Hong Kong schoolchildren, and it seems that increasing childhood obesity prevalence has shifted the classification of healthy fitness, with ‘underfit’ as normal. This cross-sectional territory study aimed to develop an age- and sex-specific physical fitness reference using a representative sample of children aged 6–17 and to determine the associations with body mass index in schoolchildren. The study analyzed Hong Kong School Physical Fitness Award Scheme data covering grade 1 to grade 12 students’ physical fitness and anthropometric measurements from 2017 to 2018. This reference was established without the impact due to COVID-19. Four aspects of physical fitness tests were measured using a standardized protocol, including (i) upper limb muscle strength, (ii) one-minute sit-up, (iii) sit-and-reach, and (iv) endurance run tests. The generalized additive model for location, scale, and shape was used to construct the reference charts. A Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the mean differences in age, weight, and height, and a Pearson’s chi-square test was used to examine the distributions of sex groups. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the group differences in BMI status, followed by the Dunn test for pairwise comparisons. A 5% level of significance was regarded as statistically significant. Data of 119,693 students before the COVID-19 pandemic were included in the analysis. The association between physical fitness level and BMI status varied depending on the test used, and there were significant differences in fitness test scores among BMI groups. The mean test scores of the obese group were lower in most of the tests for both boys and girls, except for handgrip strength. The underweight group outperformed the obese group in push-ups, one-minute sit-ups, and endurance run tests, but not in handgrip strength. In conclusion, a sex- and age-specific physical fitness reference value for Hong Kong Chinese children aged 6 to 17 years old is established, and this study demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between BMI status and physical fitness. The reference will help to identify children with poor physical fitness to offer support and guidance on exercise training. It also serves as a baseline for assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Hong Kong students’ physical fitness.