bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National patterns of paroxetine use among US Medicare patients from 2015–2020
Authors: Cavanah Luke R. , Goldhirsh Jessica L. , Huey Leighton Y. , Piper Brian J.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Paroxetine is an older “selective” serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is notable for its lack of selectivity, resulting in an anticholinergic adverse-effect profile, especially among older adults (65+).

Methods

Paroxetine prescription rates and costs per state were ascertained from the Medicare Specialty Utilization and Payment Data. States’ annual prescription rate, corrected per thousand Part D enrollees, outside a 95% confidence interval were considered significantly different from the average.

Results

Nationally, there was a steady decrease in population-corrected paroxetine prescriptions (-34.52%) and spending (-29.55%) from 2015–2020 but a consistent, five-fold state-level difference. From 2015–2020, Kentucky (194.9, 195.3, 182.7, 165.1, 143.3, 132.5) showed significantly higher prescriptions rates relative to the national average, and Hawaii (42.1, 37.9, 34.3, 31.7, 27.7, 26.6) showed significantly lower prescription rates. North Dakota was often a frequently elevated prescriber of paroxetine (2016: 170.7, 2018: 143.3), relative to the average. Neuropsychiatry and geriatric medicine frequently prescribed the most paroxetine, relative to the number of providers in that specialty, from 2015–2020.

Discussion

Despite the American Geriatrics Society’s prohibition against paroxetine use in older adults and many effective treatment alternatives, paroxetine was still commonly used in the US in this population, especially in Kentucky and North Dakota and by neuropsychiatry and geriatric medicine. These findings provide information on the specialty types and states where education and policy reform would likely have the greatest impact on improving adherence to the paroxetine prescription recommendations.
Relationships among perceived social support, mindful self-care, and resilience among a sample of nurses in three provinces in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Meng , Wei Junfan , Yang Shuhua , Tian Yuan , Han Shan , Jia Guanhu , De Ala Minerva , Song Ruipeng , Wei Bo
Published: July 2024

Objective

In this study, we aimed to determine the relationships among perceived social support, mindful self-care, and resilience in a sample of nurses in three provinces of China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven hospitals in Guangdong, Guizhou, and Henan provinces between August and October, 2023; the provinces are located in south, southwest, and central China. A total of 389 nurses were surveyed using a self-designed sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire and the Chinese versions of Multidimensional Scale of the Perceived Social Support, Brief-Mindful Self-Care Scale and the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10).

Results

Of the 389 nurses, the majority were women (n = 365; 93.8%), aged 26–35 years (n = 244; 62.7%) and had bachelor’s degrees (n = 337; 86.6%), had worked for 10–20 years (n = 136; 35%), with junior professional titles (n = 331; 85.1%), and had a monthly income in the range 3,001–6,000 yuan in CNY (n = 239; 61.4%). Nurses’ resilience was measured using the CD-RISC-10, which ranges from 10 to 40 points. And average score of nurses’ resilience was (23.94 ± 6.95). Multiple linear regression showed that scores for resilience were higher among nurses who had higher educational attainment (95% confidence interval: 0.568–3.024, p < 0.01), professional titles (95% confidence interval: 0.009–1.693, p < 0.05), scores of mindful self-care (95% confidence interval: 0.086–0.155, p < 0.01), and scores of perceived social support (95% confidence interval: 0.242–0.328, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Nurses with higher educational attainment and professional titles exhibited higher levels of resilience. Perceived social support and mindfulness self-care are significantly positively correlated with resilience of nurses. The findings of this study are beneficial to further our understanding of nurses’ resilience. The identification of associated factors is conducive to providing more support for nurses who tend to have lower resilience earlier, and can provide useful information for research targeted intervention and support plans aimed at improving nurses’ resilience in the future.
Dynamic changes and improvement paths of China’s emergency logistics response capabilities under public emergencies—research based on the entropy weight TOPSIS method
Authors: Chen Heng , Guo Yuan , Lin Xianglong , Qi Xianchao
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Due to global industrialization and urbanization, natural disasters, accidents, and public health emergencies happen frequently. These events cause significant loss of life and property damage to countries worldwide. In the context of frequent public emergencies, enhancing emergency logistics response capabilities is crucial, ensuring rapid supply of rescue materials and support for rescue personnel, thereby saving lives and reducing economic losses.

Methods

In order to identify the changes and enhancement paths of the emergency logistics response capability of Chinese regions under the shocks of public emergencies, this paper innovatively constructs emergency logistics response capability measurement indicators. This paper uses the entropy weight TOPSIS method and panel quantile regression model to quantify the change and enhancement paths of China’s regional emergency logistics response capability under different events.

Results

It is found that: (1) The gap in emergency logistics response capability among Chinese regions is widening, with the internal difference in the eastern region higher than that in the west, while the difference in the central region is relatively low. (2) China’s emergency management department can effectively transform social logistics into emergency logistics, thereby promoting the improvement of emergency logistics response capabilities. (3) Sudden geological disasters break through the limits of social logistics resources when they cross lower scales, resulting in the failure of emergency logistics response capabilities.

Discussion

This paper expands research on assessing emergency logistics capabilities, addressing issues in existing assessments such as reliance on single indicators and subjective measurement methods. Additionally, it quantifies the dynamic changes in China’s regional emergency logistics response capabilities under public emergencies by extending the study of event content, types, and impacts. This enhances discussions on the effects of public emergencies. Finally, from an empirical perspective, the paper explores pathways to enhance regional emergency logistics response capabilities in China. In practice, this paper assists countries worldwide in assessing whether different regions of China can effectively provide emergency support for various resources in direct investments, thus providing a scientific basis for investment decisions.
Mycelium-wood composites as a circular material for building insulation
Authors: Candido Alessia , Amiri Ali , Junnila Seppo , Pittau Francesco
Published: July 2024

In Europe, buildings account for 40% of the energy consumption and produce 36% of CO2 emissions. Renovation could be a great tool to decarbonize the building stock since it allows for a decrease in the operational energy required for buildings and is less material-consuming than new construction. Further benefits are brought by the usage of bio-based insulation materials that can drastically reduce embodied emissions and transform structures into factual carbon sinks. This study focuses on a particular kind of biogenic material, mycelium-wood composites, consisting of organic matter bound by the root structure of fungal organisms. This innovative insulation material was compared with traditional ones for the renovation of the building stock, with a focus on vertical components like walls in the Helsinki metropolitan area. To characterize mycelium-wood composites, density and carbon content information were gathered from the samples realized in the Politecnico di Milano MaBa.SAPERLab, while the production processes were included in a SimaPro model to obtain the GWP value. Different scenarios were then defined by two variables: the renovation rate of the building stock and the market penetration of mycelium-wood composites. For each scenario, the overall GWP and CO2 stored values were calculated. Results show the great potential of the innovative material that grants carbon storage in the building stock that could even surpass the amount stored in the 32,500 ha of forest in the area. However, this possibility is heavily influenced by factors independent of the type of insulation used that should be further investigated.
Focus groups in the metaverse: shared virtual spaces for patients, clinicians, and researchers
Authors: Amestoy Alonso Benat , Donegan Tony , Calvis Isaac , Swidrak Justyna , Rodriguez Edgar , Vargas-Reverón Caribay L. , Combalia Andrés , Oliva Martinez Ramon , Sanchez-Vives Maria V.
Published: July 2024

Patient focus groups can be invaluable for facilitating user-centered design of medical devices and new technologies, effectively capturing the richness and depth of patient experiences to help thoroughly assess feasibility, tolerance, and usability. While the metaverse holds promise for healthcare applications, its use in patient focus groups remains unexplored. In this Perspective we discuss the potential of the metaverse for conducting focus groups with patients. The theme of the focus group was the design and development of a therapeutic virtual reality application for patients with chronic low back pain. We carried out a pilot study comparing a focus group in a shared virtual space versus a physical location. This experience was positively received by patients, researchers, and clinicians, suggesting the metaverse is a viable medium for conducting these meetings and has potential advantages for remotely located participants, opening the doors for future expansion beyond focus groups to encompass all kinds of patient support and information groups. This approach fosters patient-centered healthcare by helping to facilitate patient voices directly into the design process, which may help lead to improved healthcare delivery, patient satisfaction, and treatment outcomes.
Mental well-being of children and adolescents during COVID-19: evidence from the Italian context and possible future developments
Authors: Orazi Francesco , Sofritti Federico , Lucantoni Davide
Published: July 2024

The article aims to discuss the increased emergence of mental health problems among children and adolescents, as an outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic.The results of a research study conducted among various professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychologists specialized in childhood and adolescence, are presented. The study, which uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, investigates the main consequences of the physical social distancing measures undertaken by the Italian government during the pandemic. The results are in line with the main evidence highlighted by international research and underline the particularly negative effects of the pandemic emergency on the mental health of minors. It reports how the limitation of intersubjective relationships and the forced digitalization of relationships has triggered or caused the emergence of multiple and varied disorders of the psyche, also linked to the area of reference (e.g., metropolitan, urban o remote areas), the socio-economic and cultural fragility of families, as well as the presence of previous mental issues within them. Finally, the research emphasizes how the understanding and management of the psychic health of these population groups, also from a health organization point of view, will be crucial to address the medium and long-term effects of such emerging issues among younger cohorts.
Exploring the impact of verbal encouragement on strength, endurance, and psychophysiological responses: enhancing teaching strategies in sports science education
Authors: Romdhani Amir , Sahli Faten , Ghouili Hatem , Trabelsi Omar , Rebhi Mahmoud , Ben Aissa Mohamed , Saidane Mouna , Guelmami Noomen , Dergaa Ismail , Haddad Monoem , Zghibi Makram
Published: July 2024

Introduction

This study investigates the effects of teacher verbal encouragement (VE) on strength, endurance, and psychophysiological responses, aiming to enhance teaching strategies in sports science education.

Methods

Forty-eight sports science students, aged 21.3 ± 0.5 years, participated in this study. The sample was randomly divided into two groups, and a counterbalancing procedure was implemented. Participants completed strength and endurance testing sessions under normal conditions in the first week and repeated similar sessions in the second week with teacher VE. Strength was assessed using the 1RM bench press, squat, and deadlift tests, while endurance was evaluated through 8-minute time trials (8MTT: burpees, box jumps, hand-release push-ups, and sit-ups). Perceived exertion and physical activity enjoyment were investigated using self-reporting instruments.

Results

The key findings showed that participants lifted greater weights in the 1RM bench press (p < 0.01;r = 0.45, medium to large effect), squat (p < 0.001; Hedges'g = 1.36, large effect), and deadlift tests (p < 0.001;r = 0.79, large effect) and completed a greater number of repetitions in the 8MTT (p < 0.001;r = 0.87, large effect) under VE. Perceived exertion was found to be lower under normal conditions (p < 0.05;r = 0.29, small effect), yet physical activity enjoyment significantly increased under VE (p < 0.05;r = 0.81, large effect).

Discussion

In conclusion, implementing teacher VE in sports science education can contribute to improved strength and endurance training outcomes and student psychophysiological response.
Voluntary optimisation of antimicrobial consumption in swine and poultry production in Thailand: a policy analysis
Authors: Lekagul Angkana , Kirivan Supapat , Kaewkhankhaeng Wanwisa , Khotchalai Saowapa , Mader Rodolphe , Tangcharoensathien Viroj
Published: July 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern with significant implications on economies and health security, affecting humans, animals, food, and the environment. To tackle this issue, promoting responsible antimicrobial use in livestock production has emerged as a crucial intervention. In 2018, Thailand introduced the Voluntary Optimization of Antimicrobial Consumption (VOAC) programme, with the objective to encourage responsible antimicrobial use practises. This study aimed to analyse the context, content, process and actors of the VOAC programme. A qualitative method including document reviews and key informant interviews were applied. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 key informants who are key stakeholders from public and private sectors involved in the policy formulation, design of policy contents and implementation of VOAC: policy makers or officers responsible for animal health (n = 12), animal producers (n = 2), animal product traders or retailers (n = 2), and farm veterinarians (n = 2). Interview transcripts were validated by informants for accuracy, and triangulated with document review findings. Deductive approach was applied for data analysis and interpretation based on Walt and Gilson’s policy analysis framework. The VOAC farm certification comprises of Raised Without Antibiotics (RWA) and Reducing Antibiotic Use (RAU), both aiming to combat AMR in food animals. Global and national factors, including increased public awareness, policy commitments, export requirements from the European Union, and international organisation advocacies, influenced the development of the programme led by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Collaboration with the private sector facilitated policy clarity, with implementation primarily executed through regional, provincial, and district livestock officers. Integration of the programme with the pre-existing Good Agriculture Practise certification system enabled cost-effective implementation without additional resources. In 2022, DLD official data reported 214 RWA farms (112 pig and 102 broiler), and 230 RAU farms (83 pig and 147 broiler). Incentives for farms to participate in the programme include improving corporate image and demonstrating corporate responsibility addressing AMR in food products. Recommendations include optimising certification strategies, increasing consumer awareness of RWA and RAU products and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems.
Performance Evaluation of Fractional Proportional–Integral–Derivative Controllers Tuned by Heuristic Algorithms for Nonlinear Interconnected Tanks
Authors: Pazmiño Raúl , Pavon Wilson , Armstrong Matthew , Simani Silvio
Published: July 2024

This article presents an in-depth analysis of three advanced strategies to tune fractional PID (FOPID) controllers for a nonlinear system of interconnected tanks, simulated using MATLAB. The study focuses on evaluating the performance characteristics of system responses controlled by FOPID controllers tuned through three heuristic algorithms: Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), and Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA). Each algorithm aims to minimize its respective cost function using various performance metrics. The nonlinear model was linearized around an equilibrium point using Taylor Series expansion and Laplace transforms to facilitate control. The FPA algorithm performed better with the lowest Integral Square Error (ISE) criterion value (297.83) and faster convergence in constant values and fractional orders. This comprehensive evaluation underscores the importance of selecting the appropriate tuning strategy and performance index, demonstrating that the FPA provides the most efficient and robust tuning for FOPID controllers in nonlinear systems. The results highlight the efficacy of meta-heuristic algorithms in optimizing complex control systems, providing valuable insights for future research and practical applications, thereby contributing to the advancement of control systems engineering.
Optimized Walking Route Method for Precision Coffee Farming
Authors: Faria Rafael de Oliveira , Silva Fábio Moreira da , Ferraz Gabriel Araújo e Silva , Oliveira e Silva Mirian de Lourdes , Herrera Miguel Angel Diaz , Soares Daniel Veiga , Marques Filho Aldir Carpes
Published: July 2024

Coffee production has become increasingly technified in order to optimize the use of inputs and the sustainable use of natural resources. In this context, one way that farmers are investing in their coffee plantations is in the use of precision agriculture techniques, termed precision coffee farming. Over the last few years, research has been conducted to facilitate the application of this technology, and sampling grids with two points per hectare have been recommended by several studies. These georeferenced demarcations in a plot are generally shaped as equidistant squares or rectangles, and the sampling points are located at the centers of these areas. Coffee farmers typically plant their crops following the level line, which greatly hinders the navigation of equidistant points within the field. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop an optimized walking route method to reduce the distance for sampling soil, leaf, and yield attributes. The experimental plots were established in 2000 at Samambaia Farm, located in Santo Antônio do Amparo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with coffee the cultivar Acaia IAC 479-19, totaling 56.65 ha. The 111 sampling points were distributed in the land following the new method proposed in this study, and, after walking simulations using Farm Works Mapping Software, the new method was compared with the conventional method using the mean displacement between points. The new optimized walking routes method reduced the mean distance traveled to sample the points by 50.1%.
Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi: Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis
Authors: Yao Dongzuo , Xing Jiaqian , Tang Qingye , Hou Yue , Chen Binbin , Yao Wenmiao , Li Zhenfang , Wang Jiaxing , Niu Yanbing , Wang Defu
Published: July 2024

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB), a plant of the Lamiaceae family, contains flavonoids with potent human health benefits. The full mechanistic details and regulatory networks related to the biosynthesis of these compounds in SB have been the focus of recent research but are still fragmented. Similarly, a complete account of the metabolites produced, specifically flavonoids, and their distribution in different parts of the plant is incomplete. To provide a more complete picture, herein we have explored the SB metabolites and differentially expressed genes in underground and aerial tissues. Of the 947 metabolites identified, 373 were differentially accumulated flavonoids (DAFs), and 147 of these were differentially accumulated in roots relative to other tissues. Interestingly, roots accumulated more baicalin and baicalein than aboveground tissues, but they were low in scutellarein and wogonoside, in contrast to previous reports. These differences may be attributed to either plant variety, age of the plants, or the extraction protocol. Transcriptomics analysis identified 56 key genes from the flavonoid synthesis pathway in all six SB plant tissues. A weighted gene correlation network analysis conducted using four DAFs (baicalin, baicalein, scutellarein and wogonoside) produced 13 modules. Baicalin and baicalein were positively correlated with one of these modules, whereas wogonoside and scutellarein were correlated with three other modules. Gene expression in these modules was consistent with the observed accumulation of these compounds in plant tissues. Fourteen structural genes were highly correlated with baicalin, baicalein and scutellarein, and 241 transcription factors (TFs) associated to these four compounds. The 13 highly correlated structural genes and 21 highly correlated TFs were used to construct correlation networks, where genes were identified to be highly correlated with flavonoid biosynthesis genes. Overexpression of some of these genes, namely, SbMYB8 (Sb02g25620), SbMYB14 (Sb09g00160) and SbbHLH94 (Sb07g11990), in SB callus increased flavonoid content and regulated the expression of genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, confirming their association to flavonoid production. Overall, the present work contributes to delineating the differences in flavonoid biosynthesis among different SB tissues.
Study on Soil Fertility Characteristics of Walnut Orchards with Different Parent Materials and Soil Types in Gyaca County, Tibet
Authors: Yan Ruyu , Xiang Fengyun , Li Yaqiong , Li Xuxun , Zhang Yuhao , Li Jifu
Published: July 2024

Walnut trees on the Tibetan Plateau have sustainable and nutritious characteristics. They grow naturally without the use of any chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Therefore, the soil fertility of walnut orchards is a key factor influencing walnut yield and quality. This experiment measured and analyzed the basic soil nutrient content, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), phosphorus (MBP), and leaf nutrient indicators in five types of representative walnut orchard soil parent materials in Gyaca County to clarify the fertility characteristics of different soil types and their correlations with walnut nutrients, providing a basis for the sustainable development of the plateau walnut industry. The results showed that there were significant differences in soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available nutrient contents, and microbial activity among soil types with different parent materials. The comprehensive representation of available nutrient levels in the soils is as follows: gray-cinnamon soil and calcareous alluvial soil > mountain meadow soil > plateau prairie soil and brush prairie soil. The average MBC, MBN, and MBP contents in the five soils were 368.8 mg/kg, 28.4 mg/kg, and 23.6 mg/kg, respectively, and the content in the topsoil (0–20 cm) was higher than that of the subsoil (20–40 cm). The total nitrogen (PN), total phosphorus (PP), and total potassium (PK) contents in walnut leaves were found to be closely related to the soil physicochemical properties and microbial activity, among which five indicators, including soil TN, available nitrogen (AN), SOM, MBC, and slowly available potassium (SAK), had the greatest impact on leaf nutrient levels. These findings are valuable for the future management and development of walnut orchards. Therefore, for different soil parent materials and soil types, improving the soil fertility and actively applying nitrogen-rich organic fertilizers should be prioritized to improve the yield and quality of Tibetan Plateau walnuts.
Prospects for Enhanced Growth and Yield of Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) Using Organomineral Fertilizers for Reclamation of Disturbed Forest Lands in European Part of Russia
Authors: Makarov Sergey S. , Vinogradova Vera S. , Khanbabaeva Olga E. , Makarova Tatyana A. , Chudetsky Anton I. , Sokolkina Anastasia I.
Published: July 2024

This article presents the results of research on the use of a new granular organomineral fertilizer for growing plants of half-highbush cultivars of the lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.). The purpose of the research is studying the effect of a new granular organomineral fertilizer on the agrobiological characteristics of V. angustifolium plants on a peatland in the conditions of the north of the European part of Russia. The developed composition of organomineral fertilizer (NPK 8:8:8, Fe 0.5%, Zn 0.2%, Cu 0.4%) differs from existing fertilizers in a more balanced ratio of micro- and macroelements and the content of vermicompost containing spore forms of bacteria Bacillus subtilis H-13, B. mucilaginosus, and Azotobacter chroococcum. The use of a new organomineral fertilizer on high-moor peat (pH 2.9) contributed to the highest yield of V. angustifolium fruits (190.2 g/bush), which is 1.2 times more than other mineral fertilizers (NPK, etc.). The best morphophysiological indicators of V. angustifolium plants (leaf area, total and working surface of the roots, root weight) when using the developed organomineral fertilizer were noted in September. An increase of 1.2–1.3 times in the collection of dry matter and sugars in fruits was revealed, compared with other fertilizer options, while the vitamin C content practically did not change. New organomineral fertilizer contributes to the optimal supply of the necessary micro- and macroelements throughout the growing season and increases the productivity of V. angustifolium plants when growing depleted peat deposits in the natural and climatic conditions of the European part of Russia.
What Is a Working Equid? Analysis of Current Terminology and a Suggested Definition
Authors: Raw Zoe , Collins Joseph A. , Burden Faith A.
Published: July 2024

Equids are engaged in myriad types of work across the world, with contexts and industries varying widely between high-, middle- and low-income countries as classified by the World Bank. Through a comprehensive abstract search and literature review, we examined the usage and context of terms associated with working equids in high-income countries (HICs), upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), and low-income countries (LICs). Analysis showed that the search term used was significantly associated with World Bank country income classification. All search terms except two returned a significantly higher number of papers for higher-income countries compared to lower-income countries. The two exceptions were “working equid” and “draft equid”, which returned significantly more papers for lower-income countries than higher-income countries. Both terms also returned papers from high-income and upper-middle-income countries, but these were always in the context of low-resource settings and rural or marginalised communities, of which we provide examples in the discussion. We propose that the term “working equid” should be used to describe “any equid engaged in physical labour that provides a significant or direct contribution to the economic livelihood, sustenance or support of the owner/user’s family, typically within a low resource setting”. Our review highlights the intricate interplay between socioeconomic factors and examines how equids are described in the literature. The lack of a universally accepted definition leads to challenges in policy formulation, resource allocation, and welfare standards development, particularly in LMICs and LICs where working equids are crucial to livelihoods. This study underscores the need for a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to terminology, advocating for future research to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps in understanding working equids globally. Such efforts are vital for equitable and effective welfare standards and policy development for these animals.
DCNN for Pig Vocalization and Non-Vocalization Classification: Evaluate Model Robustness with New Data
Authors: Pann Vandet , Kwon Kyeong-seok , Kim Byeonghyeon , Jang Dong-Hwa , Kim Jong-Bok
Published: July 2024

Since pig vocalization is an important indicator of monitoring pig conditions, pig vocalization detection and recognition using deep learning play a crucial role in the management and welfare of modern pig livestock farming. However, collecting pig sound data for deep learning model training takes time and effort. Acknowledging the challenges of collecting pig sound data for model training, this study introduces a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) architecture for pig vocalization and non-vocalization classification with a real pig farm dataset. Various audio feature extraction methods were evaluated individually to compare the performance differences, including Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC), Mel-spectrogram, Chroma, and Tonnetz. This study proposes a novel feature extraction method called Mixed-MMCT to improve the classification accuracy by integrating MFCC, Mel-spectrogram, Chroma, and Tonnetz features. These feature extraction methods were applied to extract relevant features from the pig sound dataset for input into a deep learning network. For the experiment, three datasets were collected from three actual pig farms: Nias, Gimje, and Jeongeup. Each dataset consists of 4000 WAV files (2000 pig vocalization and 2000 pig non-vocalization) with a duration of three seconds. Various audio data augmentation techniques are utilized in the training set to improve the model performance and generalization, including pitch-shifting, time-shifting, time-stretching, and background-noising. In this study, the performance of the predictive deep learning model was assessed using the k-fold cross-validation (k = 5) technique on each dataset. By conducting rigorous experiments, Mixed-MMCT showed superior accuracy on Nias, Gimje, and Jeongeup, with rates of 99.50%, 99.56%, and 99.67%, respectively. Robustness experiments were performed to prove the effectiveness of the model by using two farm datasets as a training set and a farm as a testing set. The average performance of the Mixed-MMCT in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score reached rates of 95.67%, 96.25%, 95.68%, and 95.96%, respectively. All results demonstrate that the proposed Mixed-MMCT feature extraction method outperforms other methods regarding pig vocalization and non-vocalization classification in real pig livestock farming.
Heat Production of Iberian Pig Exposed to High Temperature and Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Betaine or Zinc
Authors: Lachica Manuel , Pardo Zaira , Lara Luis , Nieto Rosa , Fernández-Fígares Ignacio
Published: July 2024

The effect of heat, and dietary betaine or zinc on the heat production (HP) of Iberian pigs was studied. Thirty barrows (44 kg) were individually housed for 28 days and assigned to one of five treatments: (1) thermoneutrality (20 °C) and fed a control diet (TN-CON) ad libitum; (2) hot (30 °C) and fed a control diet (HT-CON) ad libitum; (3) thermoneutrality and pair fed a control diet (TN-CON-PF) to HT-CON; (4) hot and fed a betaine-supplemented (0.5%) diet (HT-BET) ad libitum; and (5) hot and fed a zinc-supplemented (0.012%) diet (HT-ZN) ad libitum. On the 18th day, pigs were moved to a respirometry chamber (two chambers) under their respective treatment. The metabolizable energy (ME) intake, HP and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured over 24 h. No differences (p > 0.05) were found in HP and RE between treatments. For RQ, TN-CON was greater (p < 0.01) than HT treatments, except for HT-BET. All RQs indicated an overall lipogenesis where betaine supplementation showed an intermediate value, indicating that it may have a positive effect on lipogenesis and overall growth. At 30 °C, betaine or zinc had no effect on HP and RE; ME intake was not reduced, indicating a genetic adaptation of Iberian pigs to heat.
Metallothionein: A Comprehensive Review of Its Classification, Structure, Biological Functions, and Applications
Authors: Yang Ruoqiu , Roshani Dumila , Gao Boya , Li Pinglan , Shang Nan
Published: July 2024

Metallothionein is a cysteine-rich protein with a high metal content that is widely found in nature. In addition to heavy metal detoxification, metallothionein is well known as a potent antioxidant. The high sulfhydryl content of metallothionein confers excellent antioxidant activity, enabling it to effectively scavenge free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress damage. In addition, metallothionein can play a neuroprotective role by alleviating oxidative damage in nerve cells, have an anticancer effect by enhancing the ability of normal cells to resist unfavorable conditions through its antioxidant function, and reduce inflammation by scavenging reactive oxygen species. Due to its diverse biological functions, metallothionein has a broad potential for application in alleviating environmental heavy metal pollution, predicting and diagnosing diseases, and developing skin care products and health foods. This review summarizes the recent advances in the classification, structure, biological functions, and applications of metallothionein, focusing on its powerful antioxidant effects and related functions.
Friction and Wear Performance of a Hydraulic Motor Roller/Piston Pair Contact Lined with the Self-Lubricating Bearing Bush Modified by PEEK
Authors: Li Ying , Han Xuanxuan , Cui Xueshi , Wang Ziyang , Zhang Jin
Published: July 2024

Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) is a kind of special engineering plastic with excellent properties such as high-temperature resistance, self-lubrication, wear resistance, and high mechanical strength. However, its blending or composite modification applications still face numerous challenges. The primary objective of this research was to evaluate the friction and wear performance of a three-layer self-lubricating bearing bush, which was made from a modified material containing short carbon fiber and Poly Ether Ether Ketone (SCF/PEEK). The bearing bush is used as a surface contact layer on the pistons of a hydraulic motor in the interface with the cam roller. The bearing bush was processed using a 15% SCF-modified PEEK material, and the friction and wear test was conducted using a self-built friction test machine. This study aimed to assess the frictional and wear characteristics of the SCF/PEEK-modified material in the bearing bush. The results show that as the experimental pressure rises from 15 MPa to 25 MPa, the friction coefficient of the SCF-modified bearing bush experiences a significant decrease from 0.420 to 0.296. Furthermore, the stability of the frictional morphology of carbon fibers indicates its effective adaptability to low speed and high load conditions.
Advanced and Potential Methods for Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Avocado Peel—A Review
Authors: Muhammad Dimas Rahadian Aji , Ayouaz Siham , Rachmawati Annisa Noor , Madani Khodir , Fibri Dwi Larasatie Nur , Rafi Mohamad , Julianti Elisa , Fahmy Khandra
Published: July 2024

Extraction techniques are continuously developed by the scientific community. Meanwhile, avocado peel is a by-product of avocado processing and a source of bioactive compounds. The purpose of this review was to summarize the use of advanced techniques for extracting bioactive compounds from avocado peel to help understand which techniques have and have not been applied to avocado peel. Three primary databases were used to collect the information, including Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, by using the keywords “avocado”, “peel”, and “extraction”. Additional keywords related to the extraction technique were also used, including “Microwave-Assisted Extraction”, “Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction”, “Enzyme-Assisted Extraction”, “Pressurized Liquid Extraction”, “Supercritical Fluid Extraction”, “Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents”, “Three-phase partitioning (TPP)”, “Pulsed-Electric Field”, “High Voltage Electric Discharge Plasma”, “Centrifugal Partition Extraction”, and “Surfactant-Mediated Extraction”. The results show that microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, TPP, and natural deep eutectic solvent extraction have been used to retrieve bioactive compounds from avocado peel. Other techniques have not yet been applied for the extraction of bioactive compounds from avocado peel. This article is the first review discussing the advanced extraction technique for retrieving bioactive compounds from avocado peel. This article creates a paradigm for future studies.
Validation of Challenges for Implementing ESG in the Construction Industry Considering the Context of an Emerging Economy Country
Authors: Bezerra Rodrigo Rangel Ribeiro , Martins Vitor William Batista , Macedo Alcebíades Negrão
Published: July 2024

In pursuit of profit maximization through practices that promote sustainable development, companies increasingly use environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria to guide investment. However, there are challenges in implementing these practices across diverse sectors, such as the construction industry, especially in emerging countries with limited related studies. This study validated the challenges of implementing ESG in the construction industry in an emerging country like Brazil, considering its relationship with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A literature review identified challenges associated with ESG implementation, followed by the development of a questionnaire based on these challenges. Subsequently, the questionnaire was administered to professionals in the construction industry and validated using the Lawshe method. Twenty-seven challenges were identified, of which twelve were validated, including the lack of standardized performance indicators, regulatory guidelines associated with ESG practices, organizational resistance, and insufficient transparency in non-financial indicators. This study provides guidance for overcoming challenges in the successful adoption of ESG in the construction industry. It also identifies the most-impacted SDGs and lays the foundation for future actions promoting sustainable development in the construction industry in emerging countries.
Biocompounds and Bioactivities of Selected Greek Boraginaceae Seeds
Authors: Ezzaitouni Mohamed , Chileh-Chelh Tarik , Rincón-Cervera Miguel Ángel , Gómez-Mercado Francisco , Benteima Hajiba , López-Ruiz Rosalía , Guil-Guerrero José Luis
Published: July 2024

The seeds of Boraginaceae species constitute a source of γ-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n-6)-rich oils, mainly those of Borago officinalis. However, there are many wild unexplored Boraginaceae taxa that are potentially GLA producers. This work scrutinizes the seeds of several Greek Boraginaceae species for fatty acids (FAs), phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and in vitro antiproliferative activity against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The FA profiles were checked by GC-FID, and GLA (FA% of total FA) highlights in Symphytum bulbosum (26.2), S. creticum (23.2), and Lithodora zahnii (17.4). The total FA content ranged from 9.2 in Alkanna methanaea to 27.3 g/100 g of seeds in Alkanna corcyrensis. The antioxidant activity of the water/methanol extracts, evaluated by the ABTS and DPPH methods, was in line with other GLA producer seeds. Phenolic acids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS, and rosmarinic acid ranged from 160.2 in S. bulbosum to 479.7 mg/100 g in L. zahnii. The MTT assay showed dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effects of the water/methanol extracts against HT-29 cancer cells, especially those of C. major and L. zahnii (GI50 of 600 and 375 μg/mL for 72 h-exposed cells). This work constitutes the first approach to evaluate the seeds of Boraginaceae taxa from Greece as functional oil providers.
Electromagnetic Optimization of a High-Speed Interior Permanent Magnet Motor Considering Rotor Stress
Authors: Yang Fang , Li Niumei , Du Guanghui , Huang Ming , Kang Zhen
Published: July 2024

High-speed interior permanent magnet (IPM) motors require highly reliable rotors. Some measures must be adopted to improve rotor safety, but its electromagnetic performance is seriously affected. It is a challenge to achieve excellent electromagnetic characteristics while satisfying mechanical strength. This paper presents an electromagnetic optimization design of high-speed IPM motors considering rotor stress. Firstly, the permanent magnet (PM) is segmented by adding stiffeners to improve stress distribution. The effects of the bridge and stiffener thickness on the rotor stress and electromagnetic performance are analyzed. Secondly, an electromagnetic optimization model is built based on a three-segment PM rotor structure, aiming for maximum efficiency and minimum rotor core losses. Then, the initial design and optimized scheme are compared, the results show that the efficiency, safety and temperature performance of the motor are improved. Finally, a 140 kW, 18,000 rpm prototype is manufactured and tested. The above analysis provides a valuable reference for the design and widespread application of high-speed IPM motors.
Transfer Learning in Multimodal Sunflower Drought Stress Detection
Authors: Lazić Olivera , Cvejić Sandra , Dedić Boško , Kupusinac Aleksandar , Jocić Siniša , Miladinović Dragana
Published: July 2024

Efficient water supply and timely detection of drought stress in crops to increase yields is an important task considering that agriculture is the primary consumer of water globally. This is particularly significant for plants such as sunflowers, which are an important source of quality edible oils, essential for human nutrition. Traditional detection methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and rely on advanced sensor technologies. We introduce an innovative approach based on neural networks and transfer learning for drought stress detection using a novel dataset including 209 non-invasive rhizotron images and 385 images of manually cleaned sections of sunflowers, subjected to normal watering or water stress. We used five neural network models: VGG16, VGG19, InceptionV3, DenseNet, and MobileNet, pre-trained on the ImageNet dataset, whose performance was compared to select the most efficient architecture. Accordingly, the most efficient model, MobileNet, was further refined using different data augmentation mechanisms. The introduction of targeted data augmentation and the use of grayscale images proved to be effective, demonstrating improved results, with an F1 score and an accuracy of 0.95. This approach encourages advances in water stress detection, highlighting the value of artificial intelligence in improving crop health monitoring and management for more resilient agricultural practices.
Per-Instance Algorithm Configuration in Homogeneous Instance Spaces: A Use Case in Reconfigurable Assembly Systems
Authors: Guzman Vargas Daniel , Gautama Sidharta , Uzunosmanoglu Mehmet , Raa Birger , Limère Veronique
Published: July 2024

The physical capabilities of a reconfigurable assembly system (RAS) increase the agility and responsiveness of the system in highly volatile market conditions. However, achieving optimal RAS utilization entails solving complex optimization problems effectively and efficiently. These optimizations often define homogenous sets of problem instances. While algorithm configuration in such homogeneous contexts traditionally adopts a “one-size-fits-all” approach, recent studies have shown the potential of per-instance algorithm configuration (PIAC) methods in these settings. In this work, we evaluate and compare the performance of different PIAC methods in this context, namely Hydra—a state-of-the-art PIAC method—and a simpler case-based reasoning (CBR) approach. We evaluate the impact of the tuning time budget and/or the number of unique problem instances used for training on each of the method’s performance and robustness. Our experiments show that whilst Hydra fails to improve upon the default algorithm configuration, the CBR method can lead to 16% performance increase using as few as 100 training instances. Following these findings, we evaluate Hydra’s methodology when applied to homogenous instance spaces. This analysis shows the limitations of Hydra’s inference mechanisms in these settings and showcases the advantages of distance-based approaches used in CBR.
The Optical Model Absorption Term in the Frame of Fractional Derivatives
Authors: Ghabar Ibrahim , Burqan Aliaa , Gharib Gharib
Published: July 2024

The complex optical model has been widely used to describe the elastic scattering of the nucleon–nucleus. The imaginary term of the optical potential takes into account the non-elastic scattering processes. This term was taken to be a Woods–Saxon form factor or its derivative to simulate the volume absorption or the absorption localized at the surface of the target, respectively. In this study, a fractional derivative of the Woods–Saxon potential with 0<α<1 was used, where α=0 and α=1 give the volume and the surface absorption form factor, respectively.
Fabrication of Cu2O/CuO Nanowires by One-Step Thermal Oxidation of Flexible Copper Mesh for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Morariu (Popescu) Mina-Ionela , Nicolaescu Mircea , Hulka Iosif , Duţeanu Narcis , Orha Corina , Lăzău Carmen , Bandas Cornelia
Published: July 2024

This study focuses on the growth of Cu2O/CuO nanowires by one-step thermal oxidation using a flexible copper mesh at oxidation temperatures in the range of 300 to 600 °C in a controlled atmosphere of mixed-flow Ar and O2 gases. Thermal oxidation is one of the simplest used methods to obtain nanowires on a metal surface, offering advantages such as low production costs and the ability to produce metal oxides on a large scale without the use of hazardous chemical compounds. The growth of metal oxides on a conductive substrate, forming metal/oxide structures, has proven to be an effective method for enhancing charge-transfer efficiency. The as-synthesized Cu/Cu2O/CuO (Nw) electrodes were structurally and morphologically characterized using techniques such as XRD and SEM/EDX analysis to investigate the structure modification and morphologies of the materials. The supercapacitor properties of the as-developed Cu/Cu2O/CuO (Nw) electrodes were then examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CV curves show that the Cu/Cu2O/CuO (Nw) structure acts as a positive electrode, and, at a scan rate of 5 mV s −1, the highest capacitance values reached 26.158 mF cm−2 for the electrode oxidized at a temperature of 300 °C. The assessment of the flexibility of the electrodes was performed at various bending angles, including 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180°. The GCD analysis revealed a maximum specific capacitance of 21.198 mF cm−2 at a low power density of 0.5 mA cm−2 for the oxidation temperature of 300 °C. The cycle life assessment of the all of the as-obtained Cu/Cu2O/CuO (Nw) electrodes over 500 cycles was performed by GCD analysis, which confirmed their electrochemical stability.