bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inclusive classroom climate development as the cornerstone of inclusive school building: review and perspectives
Authors: Margas Nicolas
Published: September 2023

Education institutional guidelines around the world agree that building more inclusive schools is a priority. The reality of school practice, however, belies this institutional will. To help fill the gap, this theoretical review documents the value that the construct of classroom climate brings to research and practice in terms of inclusive school development. The article firstly points out that the current main challenge is to develop Inclusive Mainstream Teaching (IMT) in diverse classrooms. Indeed, IMT is needed in all classrooms to guarantee the effectiveness of special accomodating measures in schools that are targeted at special education needs students. Intervening at classroom level is both a pragmatic and powerful way of developing inclusive schooling. However, developing IMT in the classroom remains a challenge for both teachers and researchers. Thus this review documents the central role that classroom climate should play in the development of IMT. More precisely, the factors of classroom climate that are associated with inclusive outcomes are identified. We also highlight how these factors and the measurements associated with them are efficient tools to guide IMT development. These measures are proximal, sensitive, complementary, and pragmatic indicators of effective IMT. Such indicators are very useful in helping research empirically document effective IMT, ensure that any small improvement is assessed, monitor teachers’ progress, and assist their professional growth. Theoretically positioned as a mediator between inclusive teaching in mainstream classrooms and inclusive school outcomes, inclusive classroom climate is a tool that appears to be effective in supporting IMT development and, consequently, in the establishment of more inclusive schools.
Comparison of behavioral activation/inhibition systems, emotional regulation difficulties, and selective attention in adolescents with and without parents
Authors: Sadeghzadeh Zohreh , Bagheri Fariborz
Published: September 2023

Existing literature has established a relationship between adverse childhood experiences and negative outcomes in cognitive and affective functioning. However, further research is needed to thoroughly understand and validate these findings. In this regard, the current study aimed to compare behavioral activation/inhibition systems, emotional regulation difficulties, and selective attention in adolescents with and without parents. A sample of 70 adolescents (M age = 16.36, SD = 1.09, 48.57% female) with caretakers from schools and 55 parentless adolescents (M age = 16.58, SD = 1.28, 52.00% female) from orphanage centers in Tehran were recruited and completed the measures tapping behavioral activation/inhibition systems, emotion dysregulation difficulties, and selective attention. The results revealed that parentless adolescents exhibited significantly higher levels of behavioral activation/inhibition scores, emotion regulation difficulties, and impaired selective attention. These findings suggest that the absence of parents during the early years of life may have detrimental effects on behavioral inhibition and activation systems, emotional regulation abilities, and selective attention capabilities. The implications of these findings are further discussed.
Sleep quality and sleep routines as mediators of stressors and life satisfaction in Czech university students: a structural equation model
Authors: Prokeš Michaela
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Sleep is especially important to overall well-being. Some aspects of sleep have been well documented, for example sleep quantity and its effect on well-being, but the value of a consistent sleep routine remains poorly studied. University students are a population group especially susceptible to stress, mental health problems and poor sleep quality and experience changing daily schedules. Investigating the protective power of sleep in this population group is therefore an important avenue of research.

Methods

Applying a structural equation model, the current study surveyed a large sample of Czech university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in late spring, 2021, and observed the mediation effects of sleep on this group.

Results and Discussion

The study found that working, maintaining social contact and attending lectures in person had a strong effect on satisfaction with life. Increased personal study time indirectly supported consistent sleep routines and mediated perceptions of life satisfaction. As expected, the results indicated the importance of high-quality sleep. The results also verified partial mediation, directly and indirectly, through sleep quality, highlighting the significance of a consistent sleep routine in students on their self-reported satisfaction with life.
Case report: A case of brucellosis misdiagnosed as coronavirus disease 2019/influenza in China
Authors: Qin Shuai , Lv Dongyue , Duan Ran , Zheng Xiaojin , Bukai Asaiti , Lu Xinmin , Duan Qun , Yu Mingrun , Jing Huaiqi , Wang Xin
Published: September 2023

Brucellosis is an important zoonosis and a multisystem disease. The signs and symptoms of brucellosis are not specific. In the clinical, brucellosis is often ignored and misdiagnosed. We report a case of brucellosis who was misdiagnosed as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)/influenza and received delayed treatment during strict COVID-19 control. The neglect of other diseases due to COVID-19 and empirical diagnosis and treatment by medical staff are part of the reasons for misdiagnosis. Otherwise, the normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), increased white blood cell count (WBC), and increased neutrophil count (NEUT) of this patient was also a cause of misdiagnosis, which is an important reminder for diagnosis. For patients with the unknown origin of fever and other symptoms related to brucellosis, especially those from endemic areas of brucellosis, brucellosis screening is a priority item, and grassroots doctors should be vigilant and standardize the diagnosis and treatment based on epidemiology history, clinical manifestation, and laboratory tests according to the diagnostic criteria of brucellosis.
Analysis of past and future urban growth on a regional scale using remote sensing and machine learning
Authors: Fontana Andressa Garcia , Nascimento Victor Fernandez , Ometto Jean Pierre , do Amaral Francisco Hélter Fernandes
Published: September 2023

This research investigates Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes in the Porto Alegre Metropolitan Region (RMPA). A 30-year historical analysis using Landsat satellite imagery was made and used to develop LULC scenarios for the next 20 years using a Multilayer Perceptrons (MLP) model through an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). These maps analyze the urban area’s expansion over the years and project their potential development in the future. This research considered several critical factors influencing urban growth, including shaded relief, slope, distances from main roadways, railway stations, urban centers, and the state capital, Porto Alegre. These spatial variables were incorporated into the model’s learning processes to generate future urbanization scenarios. The LULC historical maps precision showed excellent performance with a Kappa index greater than 88% for the studied years. The results indicate that the urbanization class witnessed an increase of 236.78 km2 between 1990 and 2020. Additionally, it was observed that the primary concentration of urbanized areas since 1990 has predominantly occurred around Porto Alegre and Canoas. Lastly, the future forecasts for LULC changes in 2030 and 2040 indicate that the urban area of the RMPA is projected to reach 1,137.48 km2 and 1,283.62 km2, respectively. In conclusion, based on the observed urban perimeter in 2020, future projections indicate that urban areas are expected to increase by more than 443.29 km2 by 2040. The combination of remote sensing data and Geographic Information System (GIS) enables the monitoring and modeling the metropolitan area expansion. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to develop more informed and conscientious urban plans, as well as enhance management techniques for urban development.
Water security and agricultural systems in the Galapagos Islands: vulnerabilities under uncertain future climate and land use pathways
Authors: Paltán Homero A. , Benítez Fátima L. , Narvaez Manuel , Mateus Cristina , Mena Carlos F.
Published: September 2023

The Galapagos Islands, a hotspot of ecological richness, face challenging climatic and development conditions which undermine regional water security. Yet, the way by which these conditions may change in the future is highly uncertain. In this study, we applied for the first time an uncertainty-based approach in the Galapagos Islands to understand thresholds and potential scenarios of risks to water security of agricultural catchments in the Galapagos Island. We applied a water systems model to the agricultural catchments as well as climate and land use scenarios to estimate physical changes in water availability and implications for drought and extreme flow thresholds. Our results highlight the key role of baseflow and its important sensitivity to precipitation changes in determining water security states in the Islands. In fact, a decrease in just about 25% of total water flows, from historical conditions, in the Islands would drive drought conditions resembling those of the emergency state of 2016. We also note that under a land use scenario which promotes sustainable practices, the robustness of the Islands to climate variations increases. Our study then provides the basis for an application of uncertainty-based approaches to enhance resilience of the agricultural water systems as well as other systems. Our results also emphasize the need to design flexible and comprehensive policies in the water, agricultural and interconnected sectors which consider the interlinkages of climate with other social and economic variables.
Do macrophages play a role in the adverse effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on testicular functions?
Authors: Cui Haoyi , Culty Martine
Published: September 2023

During the past decades, several endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been confirmed to affect male reproductive function and fertility in animal studies. EDCs are suspected to exert similar effects in humans, based on strong associations between levels of antiandrogenic EDCs in pregnant women and adverse reproductive effects in infants. Testicular macrophages (tMΦ) play a vital role in modulating immunological privilege and maintaining normal testicular homeostasis as well as fetal development. Although tMΦ were not historically studied in the context of endocrine disruption, they have emerged as potential targets to consider due to their critical role in regulating cells such as spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and Leydig cells. Few studies have examined the impact of EDCs on the ability of testicular cells to communicate and regulate each other’s functions. In this review, we recapitulate what is known about tMΦ functions and interactions with other cell types in the testis that support spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. We also surveyed the literature for reports on the effects of the EDCs genistein and DEHP on tMΦ, SSCs, Sertoli and Leydig cells. Our goal is to explore the possibility that EDC disruption of tMΦ interactions with other cell types may play a role in their adverse effects on testicular developmental programming and functions. This approach will highlight gaps of knowledge, which, once resolved, should improve the risk assessment of EDC exposure and the development of safeguards to protect male reproductive functions.
Exploring the potential of cold plasma therapy in treating bacterial infections in veterinary medicine: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Mohseni Parvin , Ghorbani Abozar , Fariborzi Niloofar
Published: September 2023

Cold plasma therapy is a novel approach that has shown significant promise in treating bacterial infections in veterinary medicine. Cold plasma possesses the potential to eliminate various bacteria, including those that are resistant to antibiotics, which renders it a desirable substitute for traditional antibiotics. Furthermore, it can enhance the immune system and facilitate the process of wound healing. However, there are some challenges associated with the use of cold plasma in veterinary medicine, such as achieving consistent and uniform exposure to the affected area, determining optimal treatment conditions, and evaluating the long-term impact on animal health. This paper explores the potential of cold plasma therapy in veterinary medicine for managing bacterial diseases, including respiratory infections, skin infections, and wound infections such as Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus subtilis. It also shows the opportunities and challenges associated with its use. In conclusion, the paper highlights the promising potential of utilizing cold plasma in veterinary medicine. However, to gain a comprehensive understanding of its benefits and limitations, further research is required. Future studies should concentrate on refining treatment protocols and assessing the long-term effects of cold plasma therapy on bacterial infections and the overall health of animals.
Antagonistic Magneto-Rheological Actuators with Inherent Output Boundedness: An Ideal Solution for High-Performance and Human-Safe Actuation
Authors: Kermani Mehrdad R. , Pisetskiy Sergey , Polushin Ilia , Yang Zi-Qi
Published: September 2023

This paper studies the working principles of antagonistic magneto-rheological (MR) actuators, i.e., a combination of an electric motor and a pair of MR clutches in an antagonistic configuration, for compliant actuation in robotics. The study focuses on the unique boundedness property exhibited by MR actuators, which limits the output torques delivered to the load, independent of the received input torque and/or control commands. This inherent property is of significant importance for ensuring human safety in human–robot interaction applications. Through a comprehensive analysis, we provide analytical proof of the inherent output boundedness of antagonistic MR actuators and validate our findings through experimental results. Our research demonstrates that these actuators are well-suited for safe operations in robotic applications, eliminating the need for additional sensor measurements or complex control strategies. This promising capability enables the avoidance of trade-offs between actuator performance, complexity, and cost. The insights gained from this study contribute to advancing compliant actuation technology, paving the way for high-performance and human-safe robotic systems.
Discretization Method to Improve the Efficiency of Complex Airspace Operation
Authors: Zhu Daiwu , Chen Zehui , Xie Xiaofan , Chen Jiuhao
Published: September 2023

With the increase in airspace flow, the complexity of the airspace operation environment has also increased. Against this backdrop, improving the operational efficiency of airspace is crucial to ensure its efficient operation. The discrete division of controlled airspace represents a novel methodology for achieving this end. This approach involves visualizing the use of the airspace, quantifying and evaluating the operational efficiencies of airspace environments, and assessing specific metrics during an allocated time period. In this study, a discrete unit model was constructed to hierarchically subdivide complex airspace into static obstacles and aircraft-occupied space units, which facilitated the optimization of decision-making operations for multiple aircraft in airspace using the discrete method. Furthermore, busy airspace units could be effectively avoided. Finally, by using the extended analytic hierarchy process, we evaluated the threshold value of airspace operational efficiency improvement when operation efficiency metrics were enhanced via discrete approaches. The results indicated that the threshold value was 0.02168, classified as “good”, which represented an improvement in comparison with the original value of airspace operational efficiency (0.03173). These findings demonstrated that the application of the discrete division methodology significantly improved the overall operational efficiency of the airspace.
Response of Quality and Yield of Foxtail Millet to Nitrogen and Zinc Application
Authors: Han Genlan , Wang Jiang , Zhao Haiyan , Wang Dan , Duan Yanyan , Han Ruihua , Nie Meng’en , Zhao Lijie , Du Huiling
Published: September 2023

The effect of nitrogen and zinc treatment on quality and yield was studied to provide a theoretical basis for generating high-quality and high-yielding foxtail millet. In the years 2021–2022, ‘Jingu 21’ was utilized as the test material in a split-plot design. The main plot was subjected to nitrogen treatment, while the sub-plot was treated with zinc. An arrangement of random blocks was employed. Four levels of nitrogen application (0 kg/hm2, 120 kg/hm2, 180 kg/hm2, 240 kg/hm2) and three levels of zinc application (20 mg/L, 40 mg/L, 80 mg/L foliar spraying) were set, resulting in a total of twelve treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times, with each plot covering an area of 15 m2. (1) The findings indicated that the contents of crude fat and crude protein in foxtail millet increased initially and then decreased with the increase in nitrogen application concentration. Additionally, the protein components were found to be in the following order: gliadin > albumin > glutenin > globulin. (2) Adding an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer under the same zinc level promoted the contents of amylose, total carotenoids, and flavonoids in millet to some extent. Over the course of two years, the content of flavonoids in millet was highest when treated with N180Zn40 (nitrogen 180 kg/hm2, zinc 40 mg/L), showing an increase of 50.14% and 58.67%, respectively, compared to the treatment of applying zinc fertilizer alone at the same zinc level. (3) The phytic acid content and phytic acid/zinc molar ratio exhibited a pattern of initially decreasing and then increasing with the rise in nitrogen and zinc concentrations. (4) The application of zinc fertilizer and increased nitrogen fertilizer for two consecutive years had a significant impact on the yield of millet. Additionally, the application of zinc fertilizer had a highly significant effect on both the ear weights and thousand-kernel weights of millet (p < 0.001). The results demonstrated a positive synergistic effect when nitrogen fertilizer and zinc fertilizer were applied together. This combination significantly improved millet yield and thousand-kernel weights, enhanced the nutritional quality, and increased the content of functional components. Additionally, it also improved the availability of zinc.
Effects of Scale, Temporal Variation and Grazing on Diversity in an Endemic Pasture in Sierra de Zapaliname, Coahuila, Mexico
Authors: Arévalo José Ramón , Encina-Domínguez Juan A. , González-Montelongo Cristina , Mellado Miguel , Cruz-Anaya Arturo
Published: September 2023

Grasslands and pastures are extensively studied due to their geographic variation, species richness, ecological functioning, and economic importance. They are vital components of land use in many parts of the world. The impact of grassland management on species diversity and species composition has also been widely discussed, but results have been contradictory. It is well known that the relationship between species richness and the sampled area is perhaps one of the most consistent rules in plant ecology. This relationship is particularly important in biodiversity studies as it helps to predict richness at larger scales. Additionally, species richness is also influenced by absolute plant abundance, spatial patterns, and the degree of species mixing. However, species richness also depends on absolute plant abundance, spatial patterns, and the degree of mixing species. To assess this relationship, we analyzed the impact of cattle grazing on species richness at a sampling scale in the Sierra of Zapaliname, a protected area in northern Mexico. Our results revealed that the increase in plant species concerning the sampling area significantly differed in the plots excluded from grazing from the control (grazed) plots, and these relationships are differently detected in the function of the scale. Despite the lack of differences in previous studies on species richness without considering the scale, once the scale is incorporated, differences arise among both treatments. As indicated in previous studies, grazing exclusion can lead to a decrease in species richness, but we suggest that some areas of the pasture could be excluded from grazing for longer periods, as long as it is compatible with the economic needs of the local inhabitants, to investigate changes and promote diversity, especially for plant species associated with areas excluded from grazing.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Protein Content of Scandinavian Peas (Pisum sativum)
Authors: Winther Louise , Rasmussen Søren Kjærsgaard , Poulsen Gert , Lange Conny Bruun Asmussen
Published: September 2023

We produced homogeneous lines of 227 pea accessions from the Nordic Genetic Resource Center via single seed descent. The genetic diversity among these, mostly Scandinavian accessions, was investigated using three microsatellite markers, A9, AC58 and AA5. The microsatellites were highly informative and separated 153 of 194 accessions on a Neighbor Joining topology. The high polymorphism information content (PIC) values between 0.87 and 0.91 indicated that the gene bank material contains a large number of pea accessions with different breeding histories. The peas were grown in the field for two years and seed protein content showed variation between 9.3% and 34.1% over the years and accessions, respectively. The mean thousand seed weight was 152.05 g. More than 10 accessions had a protein content above 28%, showing that the collection has potential as breeding nursery for high-protein pea cultivars.
Agricultural Jiaosu Enhances the Stress Resistance of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis) by Recruiting Beneficial Rhizosphere Bacteria and Altering Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Cheng Xiaoqian , Gao Youhui , Wang Ziyu , Cai Yafan , Wang Xiaofen
Published: September 2023

Agricultural Jiaosu (AJ) is a method of recycling agricultural wastes for improving soil properties, promoting plant growth, and enhancing plant stress resistance. However, the underlying mechanism by which AJ improves plant stress resistance needs to be determined. Therefore, in this study, two treatments of AJ spraying and water spraying were set up to determine the enzyme activities related to the stress resistance of pak choi after 30 days of growth, and the potential mechanism of AJ’s influence on the stress resistance of pak choi was revealed by transcriptome, metabolome, and rhizome microbiome analyses. Microbial community analysis revealed that the application of AJ does not alter microbial abundance in the rhizosphere; however, it can improve microbial diversity and enrich Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes in the pak choi rhizosphere. Metabolomic analysis revealed that these phyla were significantly positively correlated, with highly upregulated metabolites. Our findings suggest that AJ recruits beneficial microorganisms (BMs) in the rhizosphere and stimulates the expression of genes and metabolites involved in phenylpropanoid and glucosinolate biosynthesis, as well as glutathione and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. The use of AJ could considerably minimise the use of pesticides and fertilisers and improve the quality of the ecological environment.
Impact of Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy and Hemoadsorption with CytoSorb on Antimicrobial Drug Removal in Critically Ill Children with Septic Shock: A Single-Center Prospective Study on a Pediatric Cohort
Authors: Bottari Gabriella , Goffredo Bianca Maria , Marano Marco , Maccarrone Cristina , Simeoli Raffaele , Bianco Giuseppe , Vallesi Leonardo , Beetham Joseph Charles Charlie , Mazzeo Anna Teresa , Cappoli Andrea , Cairoli Sara , Labbadia Raffaella , Cecchetti Corrado , Bernaschi Paola , Corsetti Tiziana , Morabito Santo , Taccone Fabio Silvio , Guzzo Isabella
Published: September 2023

Background: Extracorporeal therapies (ET) are increasingly used in pediatric settings as adjuvant therapeutic strategies for overwhelming inflammatory conditions. Although these treatments seem to be effective for removing inflammatory mediators, their influence on antimicrobials pharmacokinetic should not be neglected. Methods: A prospective observational study of children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with a diagnosis of sepsis/septic shock. All critically ill children received hemoadsorption treatment with CytoSorb (CS) in combination with CKRT. Therapeutic drug monitoring has been performed on 10 critically ill children, testing four antimicrobial molecules: meropenem, ceftazidime, amikacin and levofloxacin. In order to evaluate the total and isolated CKRT and CS contributions to antibiotic removal, blood samples at each circuit point (post-hemofilter, post-CS and in the effluent line) were performed. Therefore, the clearance and mass Removal (MR) of the hemofilter and CS were calculated. Results: Our preliminary report describes a different impact of CS on these target drugs removal: CS clearance was low for amikacine (6–12%), moderate for ceftazidime (43%) and moderate to high for levofloxacine (52–72%). Higher MR and clearance were observed with CKRT compared to CS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding pharmacokinetic dynamics in critically ill children treated with CKRT and CS for septic shock.
AI in Gravitational Wave Analysis, an Overview
Authors: Benedetto Vincenzo , Gissi Francesco , Ciaparrone Gioele , Troiano Luigi
Published: September 2023

Gravitational wave research presents a range of intriguing challenges, each of which has driven significant progress in the field. Key research problems include glitch classification, glitch cancellation, gravitational wave denoising, binary black hole signal detection, gravitational wave bursts, and minor issues that contribute to the overall understanding of gravitational wave phenomena. This paper explores the applications of artificial intelligence, deep learning, and machine learning techniques in addressing these challenges. The main goal of the paper is to provide an effective view of AI and deep learning usage for gravitational wave analysis. Thanks to the advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, aided by GPUs and specialized software frameworks, these techniques have played a key role over the last decade in the identification, classification, and cancellation of gravitational wave signals, as presented in our results. This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the adoption rate of these techniques, with reference to the software and hardware involved, their effectiveness, and potential limitations, offering insights into the advancements in the analysis of gravitational wave data.
Stability Analysis of Lane-Keeping Assistance System for Trucks under Crosswind Conditions
Authors: Liu He , Liu Conghao , Hao Liang , Zhang Dongmin
Published: September 2023

To enhance the control accuracy of lane-keeping assistance systems for trucks encountering crosswind-induced lateral deviations to improve the lateral stability of the vehicle, this study proposes a control strategy based on a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) using a path-tracking preview model. First, the lateral deviation is calculated using the path-tracking preview model. Then, an observer for the vehicle’s sideslip angle is designed using a vehicle lateral tracking deviation model and a Kalman filter controller, and this is used to solve the deviation of the sideslip angle. Finally, a feedforward controller is designed based on the LQR controller and a linear two-degrees-of-freedom vehicle model to eliminate steady-state errors arising from LQR optimization, thereby obtaining the steering angle of the vehicle when subjected to crosswind conditions. Comparing the test results of the sideslip angle, yaw rate, and lateral acceleration demonstrates that this strategy effectively improves the control accuracy of lane-keeping under crosswind conditions. The proposed method is validated through hardware-in-the-loop experiments on a test bench, yielding results consistent with simulations.
Special Issue on New Trends in Telecommunications Engineering
Authors: Anguera Jaume
Published: September 2023

This collection of research papers explores various aspects of antenna design and high-speed wireless communication, delving into the forefront of technology for modern telecommunications [...]
Controllable Friction of an Epoxy Composite via Thermal Treatment
Authors: Hou Yacong , Liu Yubo , Chen Lei , Weng Ding , Ma Yuan , Yu Yadong , Wu Yang , Wang Jiadao
Published: September 2023

Smart surfaces with controllable friction have generated considerable attention lately. However, most composites prepared with traditional fillers cannot achieve “real-time” friction conversion. Herein, a new smart surface was designed to achieve different friction coefficients (0.65 and 0.12). Different coefficients of friction were reversibly and precisely controlled via heating. Via friction and heating, 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl hexadecane (PHHD), a kind of phase-change material—paraffin wax—was released from the microcapsules, and a stable and complete film was formed. It changed the interface from “solid-solid” to “solid-liquid” in a dry friction state. The composite contains microcapsules that prevent phase separation between PHHD and matrix, which enables the composite to have a long service time and switchable friction performance. In addition, this composite can maintain its extraordinary ability even in harsh environments like UV irradiation. By demonstrating switchable friction based on changes in the interactions between contact interfaces, this work provides a new principle for designing smart tribological composites.
Study on Heating Performance and Flexural Strength Properties of Electrically Conductive Mortar
Authors: Seo Dong-Ju , Lee You-Jae , Choi Beom-Gyun , Park Jong-Gun , Heo Gwang-Hee
Published: September 2023

The use of electrically conductive mortar (ECM) is a relatively new construction material technology developed to obtain high conductivity and mechanical strength. This study presents an experimental investigation on the heating performance and flexural strength properties of ECM mixed with carbon fiber (CF) and steel fiber (SF), which are conductive fibers. Furthermore, the internal microstructure of the ECM was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis was carried out using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) device. The results of the experiment showed that the incorporation of SF had little effect on heating performance. In the case of CF, however, it was found that as the fiber contents and applied voltages increased, the heating performance increased. In particular, the maximum heating temperature of the ECM-CF125 specimen was 145.1 °C at an applied voltage of 30 V and an electrode spacing of 40 mm, which was about 7.3 times higher than the initial temperature (20 °C). In addition, the flexural strength of ECM mixed with SF was higher than that of plain mortar (PM), whereas the ECM-CF125 specimen showed a greater tendency to significantly decrease. It was confirmed that the hydration products and internal microstructures of the specimens were unaffected by repetitive electrical heating, and the ECM maintained stable electrical conductivity.
Parameter Calibration and System Design of Material Lifting System for Inclined Shaft Construction
Authors: Qiao Shuxun , Peng Zhongwen , Zhang Jinkai , Jin Lianghai
Published: September 2023

As a key transportation equipment in the construction of long tunnels with large slope, the material hoisting system plays an important role in the transportation of materials in sloping shafts. This paper proposes a parameterized calibration scheme for the hoisting system based on the structure and working principle of the hoisting system, taking the wire rope, hoist, motor and overhead wheel as the research objects, and according to the relevant industry specifications and numerical calculation methods. Based on the structural design and functional analysis of the hoisting system, a reasonable control system, monitoring system and safety protection devices are designed, and the calibration scheme and the designed system are introduced into the Dianzhong water diversion project for verification. The parameters of each component of the hoisting system were calculated as follows: maximum breaking tension value of wire rope 490.29 KN, drum diameter 2000 mm, motor hoisting power 213.7 KW, and the system design was as follows: control system selects frequency conversion electric control method, safety protection device selects ZDC30-2.5 anti-running device. The results show that: the hoisting system components structure parameters meet the specification requirements—safety protection devices can effectively prevent the occurrence of sports car slippage and man-car jumping rail overturning accident—to meet the requirements of the construction period transport capacity and transport safety. The relevant experience can provide the basis for the design of a material hoisting system for a similar inclined shaft construction.
3-D Ionospheric Electron Density Variations during the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse: A Revisit
Authors: Aa Ercha , Zhang Shun-Rong , Erickson Philip J. , Wang Wenbin , Coster Anthea J.
Published: September 2023

This paper studies the three-dimensional (3-D) ionospheric electron density variation over the continental US and adjacent regions during the August 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse event, using Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar observations, ionosonde data, the Swarm satellite measurements, and a new TEC-based ionospheric data assimilation system (TIDAS). The TIDAS data assimilation system can reconstruct a 3-D electron density distribution over continental US and adjacent regions, with a spatial–temporal resolution of 1∘× 1∘ in latitude and longitude, 20 km in altitude, and 5 min in universal time. The combination of multi-instrumental observations and the high-resolution TIDAS data assimilation products can well represent the dynamic 3-D ionospheric electron density response to the solar eclipse, providing important altitude information and fine-scale details. Results show that the eclipse-induced ionospheric electron density depletion can exceed 50% around the F2-layer peak height between 200 and 300 km. The recovery of electron density following the maximum depletion exhibits an altitude-dependent feature, with lower altitudes exhibiting a faster recovery than the F2 peak region and above. The recovery feature was also characterized by a post-eclipse electron density enhancement of 15–30%, which is particularly prominent in the topside ionosphere at altitudes above 300 km.
Evaluation of an Automatic Meteorological Drone Based on a 6-Month Measurement Campaign
Authors: Hervo Maxime , Romanens Gonzague , Martucci Giovanni , Weusthoff Tanja , Haefele Alexander
Published: September 2023

From December 2021 to May 2022, MeteoSwiss and Meteomatics conducted a proof of concept to demonstrate the capability of automatic drones to provide data of sufficient quality and reliability on a routine operational basis. Over 6 months, Meteodrones MM-670 were operated automatically eight times per night at Payerne, Switzerland. In total, 864 meteorological profiles were measured and compared to co-located standard measurements, including radiosoundings and remote sensing instruments. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Meteodrone’s atmospheric profiles have been evaluated in such an extensive campaign. The paper highlights two case studies that showcase the performance and challenges of measuring temperature, humidity, and wind with a Meteodrone. It also focuses on the overall quality of the drone measurements. Throughout the campaign, the availability of Meteodrone measurements was 75.7%, with 82.2% of the flights reaching the nominal altitude of 2000 m above sea level. The quality of the measurements was assessed against the WMO’s (World Meteorological Organization) requirements. The temperature measurements gathered by the Meteodrone met the “breakthrough” target, while the humidity and wind profiles met the “threshold” target for high-resolution numerical weather prediction. The temperature measurement quality was comparable to that of a microwave radiometer, and the humidity quality was similar to that obtained from a Raman LiDAR. However, the wind measurements gathered by a Doppler LiDAR were more accurate than the estimation provided by the Meteodrone. This campaign marks a significant step towards the operational use of automatic drones for meteorological applications.
EEG Connectivity Diversity Differences between Children with Autism and Typically Developing Children: A Comparative Study
Authors: Kang Jiannan , Xie Hongxiang , Mao Wenqin , Wu Juanmei , Li Xiaoli , Geng Xinling
Published: September 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, and repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. Previous studies have reported altered brain connectivity in ASD children compared to typically developing children. In this study, we investigated the diversity of connectivity patterns between children with ASD and typically developing children using phase lag entropy (PLE), a measure of the variability of phase differences between two time series. We also developed a novel wavelet-based PLE method for the calculation of PLE at specific scales. Our findings indicated that the diversity of connectivity in ASD children was higher than that in typically developing children at Delta and Alpha frequency bands, both within brain regions and across hemispheric brain regions. These findings provide insight into the underlying neural mechanisms of ASD and suggest that PLE may be a useful tool for investigating brain connectivity in ASD.
New Approach for Generating Synthetic Medical Data to Predict Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Tagmatova Zarnigor , Abdusalomov Akmalbek , Nasimov Rashid , Nasimova Nigorakhon , Dogru Ali Hikmet , Cho Young-Im
Published: September 2023

The lack of medical databases is currently the main barrier to the development of artificial intelligence-based algorithms in medicine. This issue can be partially resolved by developing a reliable high-quality synthetic database. In this study, an easy and reliable method for developing a synthetic medical database based only on statistical data is proposed. This method changes the primary database developed based on statistical data using a special shuffle algorithm to achieve a satisfactory result and evaluates the resulting dataset using a neural network. Using the proposed method, a database was developed to predict the risk of developing type 2 diabetes 5 years in advance. This dataset consisted of data from 172,290 patients. The prediction accuracy reached 94.45% during neural network training of the dataset.
Production of Astaxanthin Using CBFD1/HFBD1 from Adonis aestivalis and the Isopentenol Utilization Pathway in Escherichia coli
Authors: Roth Jared H. , Ward Valerie C. A.
Published: September 2023

Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant and is used extensively as an animal feed additive and nutraceutical product. Here, we report the use of the β-carotene hydroxylase (CBFD1) and the β-carotene ketolase (HBFD1) from Adonis aestivalis, a flowering plant, to produce astaxanthin in E. coli equipped with the P. agglomerans β-carotene pathway and an over-expressed 4-methylerythritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway or the isopentenol utilization pathway (IUP). Introduction of the over-expressed MEP pathway and the IUP resulted in a 3.2-fold higher carotenoid content in LB media at 36 h post-induction compared to the strain containing only the endogenous MEP. However, in M9 minimal media, the IUP pathway dramatically outperformed the over-expressed MEP pathway with an 11-fold increase in total carotenoids produced. The final construct split the large operon into two smaller operons, both with a T7 promoter. This resulted in slightly lower productivity (70.0 ± 8.1 µg/g·h vs. 53.5 ± 3.8 µg/g·h) compared to the original constructs but resulted in the highest proportion of astaxanthin in the extracted carotenoids (73.5 ± 0.2%).
Transcriptome Profile Analyses of Head Kidney in Roach (Rutilus rutilus), Common Bream (Abramis brama) and Their Hybrids: Does Infection by Monogenean Parasites in Freshwater Fish Reveal Differences in Fish Vigour among Parental Species and Their Hybrids?
Authors: Šimková Andrea , Civáňová Křížová Kristína , Voříšková Kristýna , Vetešník Lukáš , Bystrý Vojtěch , Demko Martin
Published: September 2023

Hybrid generations usually face either a heterosis advantage or a breakdown, that can be expressed by the level of parasite infection in hybrid hosts. Hybrids are less infected by parasites than parental species (especially F1 generations) or more infected than parental species (especially post-F1 generations). We performed the experiment with blood-feeding gill parasite Paradiplozoon homoion (Monogenea) infecting leuciscid species, Abramis brama and Rutilus rutilus, their F1 generation and two backcross generations. Backcross generations tended to be more parasitized than parental lines and the F1 generation. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was lower in F1 hybrids and higher in backcross hybrids when compared to each of the parental lines. The main groups of DEGs were shared among lines; however, A. brama and R. rutilus differed in some of the top gene ontology (GO) terms. DEG analyses revealed the role of heme binding and erythrocyte differentiation after infection by blood-feeding P. homoion. Two backcross generations shared some of the top GO terms, representing mostly downregulated genes associated with P. homoion infection. KEGG analysis revealed the importance of disease-associated pathways; the majority of them were shared by two backcross generations. Our study revealed the most pronounced DEGs associated with blood-feeding monogeneans in backcross hybrids, potentially (but not exclusively) explainable by hybrid breakdown. The lower DEGs reported in F1 hybrids being less parasitized than backcross hybrids is in line with the hybrid advantage.
Ring Attractors as the Basis of a Biomimetic Navigation System
Authors: Knowles Thomas C. , Summerton Anna G. , Whiting James G. H. , Pearson Martin J.
Published: September 2023

The ability to navigate effectively in a rich and complex world is crucial for the survival of all animals. Specialist neural structures have evolved that are implicated in facilitating this ability, one such structure being the ring attractor network. In this study, we model a trio of Spiking Neural Network (SNN) ring attractors as part of a bio-inspired navigation system to maintain an internal estimate of planar translation of an artificial agent. This estimate is dynamically calibrated using a memory recall system of landmark-free allotheic multisensory experiences. We demonstrate that the SNN-based ring attractor system can accurately model motion through 2D space by integrating ideothetic velocity information and use recalled allothetic experiences as a positive corrective mechanism. This SNN based navigation system has potential for use in mobile robotics applications where power supply is limited and external sensory information is intermittent or unreliable.
Bio-Inspired Aquatic Propulsion Mechanism Using Viscoelastic Fin Containing Fiber Composite Shear Thickening Fluid
Authors: Kobayashi Shunichi , Sugiyama Kousuke
Published: September 2023

Many propulsion mechanisms utilizing elastic fins inspired by the caudal fins of aquatic animals have been developed. However, these elastic fins possess a characteristic whereby the rigidity required to achieve propulsion force and speed increases as the oscillation velocity increases. Therefore, by adding an actuator including a variable stiffness mechanism to the fin it is possible to maintain the optimal stiffness at all times. However, if the aforementioned characteristics allowing the fin itself to change stiffness are present, the need for a variable stiffness mechanism is eliminated, leading to possibilities such as the simplification of the mechanism, improvements in fault tolerance, and enhancements in fin efficiency. The authors developed a fiber composite viscoelastic fin by adding fibers to a shear thickening fluid (STF) and examined the speed dependency of the fin’s rigidity. In this work, we examined the structure and speed dependency of the fin’s rigidity, as well as the propulsion characteristics in still water and in uniform flow. As a result, the fiber-containing fin containing the STF oobleck (an aqueous suspension of potato starch) demonstrated higher propulsion in still water and higher self-propelled equivalent speed in uniform water flow than elastic fins.
A Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor for Capsaicinoids and Its Application in the Identification of Illegal Cooking Oil
Authors: Lyu Wenjing , Ding Min , Zhou Ying , Jiang Mengdan , Li Yanru , Ding Yanxiang , Zhang Zhong , Wei Xue , Zhang Xiaoqing
Published: September 2023

Capsaicinoids, mostly from chili peppers, are widely used in daily life. Capsaicinoids are considered to be markers for the identification of illegal cooking oil (ICO), which is a serious threat to public health. The identification of capsaicinoids can help reveal food-related fraud, thereby safeguarding consumers’ health. Here, a novel and ultrasensitive method was established with a signal amplification strategy for the detection of capsaicinoids. AuNPs@Fe3O4 nanocomposites were functionalized with 4-aminothiophenol (4-atp). After diazotization, 4-atp on AuNPs@Fe3O4 reacted with capsaicinoids and formed capsaicinoids-azo-atp-AuNPs@Fe3O4. Ultimately, capsaicinoids-azo-atp-AuNPs@Fe3O4 was dropped onto the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) and detected via the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. AuNPs@Fe3O4 nanocomposites increased the specific surface area of the electrode. Moreover, the diazotization–coupling reaction enriched the analytes on the electrode surface. Liquid–liquid extraction was used for sample pretreatment. Under a pH value of 9.0 and concentration of 0.20 mol/L for the supporting electrolyte, the linearity of capsaicinoids in ICO is from 0.10 to 10.00 ng/mL, and the limit of detection (S/N = 3) is 0.05 ng/mL. This method is ultra-sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective for the detection of capsaicinoids. Herein, this method provides a promising tool for the identification of ICO.