bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of the Aeration Condition on the Liquid–Solid Material Mixing in a Stirred Tank with a Single-Layer Impeller
Authors: Chen Juntong , Ge Man , Li Lin
Published: August 2023

In order to increase industrial production quality and efficiency, it is essential to understand how the aeration and no-aeration condition affects liquid and solid material mixing in the stirred tank. Due to complicated shear flows, the related mass-transfer mechanism confronts numerous difficulties. This paper put forward an improved computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method (CFD–DEM) modeling approach to explore the effect mechanism of aeration conditions on liquid–solid material mixing. Firstly, a mass-transfer dynamic model is set up with a volume of fluid and piecewise linear interface construction (VOF–PLIC) coupling strategy to explore flow modes and vorticity evolution trends under aeration control. Then, a self-developed interphase coupling interface is utilized to modify the coupling force and porosity of the porous media model in the DEM module, and random dispersion properties of the particle phase under non-aeration and aeration are obtained. Results show that the aeration and flow-blocking components transform fluid tangential speeds into axial and radial speeds, which can improve the material mixing quality and efficiency. The mixed flow field can reach a greater turbulent process under the impeller rotation, making the particles have an intensive disorder and complex flow patterns. The enhanced motion efficiency of the vortex clusters encourages their nesting courses and improves cross-scale mixed transport. It can serve as some reference for the three-phase flow mixing mechanism, vorticity distribution law, and particle motion solution and has a general significance for battery homogeneous mixing, biopharmaceutical processes, and chemical process extraction.
Climate Change and Health: Insight into a Healthy, Sustainable and Resilient Future
Authors: Rodrigues Mónica , Rocha Alfredo
Published: August 2023

Several research studies in the literature have alerted us to the impacts of climate variability and change, extreme weather and climate events on people’s health [...]
Research on Modeling Weighted Average Temperature Based on the Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Li Kai , Li Li , Hu Andong , Pan Jianping , Ma Yixiang , Zhang Mingsong
Published: August 2023

In response to the nonlinear fitting difficulty of the traditional weighted average temperature (Tm) modeling, this paper proposed four machine learning (ML)-based Tm models. Based on the seven radiosondes in the Yangtze River Delta region from 2014 to 2019, four forecasting ML-based Tm models were constructed using Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) algorithms. The surface temperature (Ts), water vapor pressure (Es), and atmospheric pressure (Ps) were identified as crucial influencing factors after analyzing their correlations to the Tm. The ML-based Tm models were trained using seven radiosondes from 2014 to 2018. Then, the mean bias and root mean square error (RMSE) of the 2019 dataset were used to evaluate the accuracy of the ML-based Tm models. Experimental results show that the overall accuracy of the LightGBM-based Tm model is superior to the SVM, CART, and RF-based Tm models under different temporal variations. The mean RMSE of the daily LightGBM-based Tm model is reduced by 0.07 K, 0.04 K, and 0.13 K compared to the other three ML-based models, respectively. The mean RMSE of the monthly LightGBM-based Tm model is reduced by 0.09 K, 0.04 K, and 0.11 K, respectively. The mean RMSE of the quarterly LightGBM-based Tm model is reduced by 0.09 K, 0.04 K, and 0.11 K, respectively. The mean bias of the LightGBM-based Tm model is also smaller than that of the other ML-based Tm models. Therefore, the LightGBM-based Tm model can provide more accurate Tm and is more suitable for obtaining GNSS precipitable water vapor in the Yangtze River Delta region.
An Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm for Global Optimization with Customization-Based Mechanism
Authors: Wang Zikai , Huang Xueyu , Zhu Donglin , Zhou Changjun , He Kerou
Published: August 2023

To solve the problems of the original sparrow search algorithm’s poor ability to jump out of local extremes and its insufficient ability to achieve global optimization, this paper simulates the different learning forms of students in each ranking segment in the class and proposes a customized learning method (CLSSA) based on multi-role thinking. Firstly, cube chaos mapping is introduced in the initialization stage to increase the inherent randomness and rationality of the distribution. Then, an improved spiral predation mechanism is proposed for acquiring better exploitation. Moreover, a customized learning strategy is designed after the follower phase to balance exploration and exploitation. A boundary processing mechanism based on the full utilization of important location information is used to improve the rationality of boundary processing. The CLSSA is tested on 21 benchmark optimization problems, and its robustness is verified on 12 high-dimensional functions. In addition, comprehensive search capability is further proven on the CEC2017 test functions, and an intuitive ranking is given by Friedman's statistical results. Finally, three benchmark engineering optimization problems are utilized to verify the effectiveness of the CLSSA in solving practical problems. The comparative analysis shows that the CLSSA can significantly improve the quality of the solution and can be considered an excellent SSA variant.
Comparison of Different Current Collector Materials for In Situ Lithium Deposition with Slurry-Based Solid Electrolyte Layers
Authors: Kreher Tina , Heim Fabian , Pross-Brakhage Julia , Hemmerling Jessica , Birke Kai Peter
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we investigate different current collector materials for in situ deposition of lithium using a slurry-based β-Li3PS4 electrolyte layer with a focus on transferability to industrial production. Therefore, half-cells with different current collector materials (carbon-coated aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel) are prepared and plating/stripping tests are performed. The results are compared in terms of Coulombic efficiency (CE) and overvoltages. The stainless steel current collector shows the best performance, with a mean efficiency of ηmean,SST=98%; the carbon-coated aluminum reaches ηmean,Al+C=97%. The results for pure aluminum and nickel indicate strong side reactions. In addition, an approach is tested in which a solvate ionic liquid (SIL) is added to the solid electrolyte layer. Compared to the cell setup without SIL, this cannot further increase the CE; however, a significant reduction in overvoltages is achieved.
Molecular Mechanisms of Endometriosis Revealed Using Omics Data
Authors: Cho Seong Beom
Published: August 2023

Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder prevalent in women of reproductive age. The primary symptoms include dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and infertility. However, the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. With the advent of high-throughput technologies, various omics experiments have been conducted to identify genes related to the pathophysiology of endometriosis. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying endometriosis using omics. When genes identified in omics experiments were compared with endometriosis disease genes identified in independent studies, the number of overlapping genes was moderate. However, the characteristics of these genes were found to be equivalent when functional gene set enrichment analysis was performed using gene ontology and biological pathway information. These findings indicate that omics technology provides invaluable information regarding the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Moreover, the functional characteristics revealed using enrichment analysis provide important clues for discovering endometriosis disease genes in future research.
Predictive Effects of FT3/FT4 on Diabetic Kidney Disease: An Exploratory Study on Hospitalized Euthyroid Patients with T2DM in China
Authors: Zhao Xin , Sun Jianbin , Xin Sixu , Zhang Xiaomei
Published: August 2023

Objective: This study aims to explore the correlation between the free-triiodothyronine (FT3)-to-free-thyroxine (FT4) ratio (FT3/FT4) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 1729 patients with T2DM hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology, Peking University International Hospital, from January 2017 to August 2021, including 1075 males and 654 females. In accordance with the FT3/FT4, the patients were divided into three groups. Results: (1) The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PBG) among the three groups were significantly different, with the low FT3/FT4 group having the highest HbA1c, FBG and PBG among the three groups (F = 39.39, p < 0.01; F = 27.04, p < 0.01; F = 5.76, p = 0.03; respectively). (2) The proportion of DKD is the highest in the low FT3/FT4 group and the lowest in the high FT3/FT4 group (χ2 = 25.83, p < 0.01). (3) Logistic regression showed that low FT3/FT4 were independent risk factors for DKD (OR = 2.36, 95 CI% 1.63, 3.43; p = 0.01). Conclusion: A decrease in the FT3/FT4 is an independent predictor of DKD occurrence in patients with T2DM.
Elevated Uric Acid Levels with Early Chronic Kidney Disease as an Indicator of New-Onset Ischemic Heart Disease: A Cohort of Koreans without Diabetes
Authors: Lee Sung-Bum , Lee Hui-Jeong , Ryu Ha Eun , Park Byoungjin , Jung Dong-Hyuk
Published: August 2023

Several studies have showed that hyperuricemia is related to the development of ischemic heart disease (IHD). There is also growing evidence indicating that hyperuricemia may contribute to the progression of IHD as a pathogenic factor. Ironically, uric acid can be an antioxidant agent, as shown in experimental studies. The aim of our study is to analyse the association between uric acid and IHD with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). Data were assessed from 17,492 participants without cardiovascular disease from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) and Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) data. The subjects were categorized as four groups according to CKD and uric acid levels. We retrospectively evaluated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for IHD by using multivariate Cox regression analysis over a 4-year period from the baseline survey. During the follow-up, 335 individuals (3.4%; 236 men and 99 women) developed IHD. Compared to the participants without elevated uric acid and early CKD HRs for incident IHD according to uric acid levels and early CKD, the uric acid level was 1.13 (95% CI, 0.86–1.48) in participants with elevated uric acid and without early CKD, 0.99 (95% CI, 0.55–1.77) in participants without elevated uric acid and with early CKD, and 1.65 (95% CI, 1.03–2.66) in participants with elevated uric acid and early CKD after adjusting for confounding metabolic factors. Early CKD and high uric acid levels increased the risk of new-onset IHD (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.03–2.66). Elevated uric acid levels were related to an increased risk of incident IHD in early-stage CKD patients. It is expected that uric acid can be a reliable predictor for IHD, even in early-stage CKD patients; thus, in those with CKD, proactively managing uric acid levels can play a significant role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Vortex-Induced Vibration Recognition for Long-Span Bridges Based on Transfer Component Analysis
Authors: Hou Jiale , Cao Sugong , Hu Hao , Zhou Zhenwei , Wan Chunfeng , Noori Mohammad , Li Puyu , Luo Yinan
Published: August 2023

Bridge vortex-induced vibration (VIV) refers to the vertical resonance phenomenon that occurs in a bridge when pulsating wind passes over it and causes vortices to detach. In recent years, VIV events have been observed in numerous long-span bridges, leading to fatigue damage to the bridge structure and posing risks to driving safety. The advancement of technologies such as structural health monitoring (SHM), machine learning, and big data has opened up new research avenues for the intelligent identification of VIV in bridges. Machine learning algorithms can accurately identify the VIV events from historical data accumulated by SHM systems, thus providing an effective method for VIV recognition. Nevertheless, the existing identification methods have limitations, particularly in their applicability to bridges lacking historical VIV data. This study introduces an adaptive VIV recognition method in the main girders of long-span suspension bridges based on Transfer Component Analysis (TCA). The method can accurately identify VIV patterns in real-time or in historical data, even when specific VIV data are not available for the target bridge. The proposed method exhibits suitability for multiple long-span bridges. Experimental validation is performed using the SHM datasets from two long-span suspension bridges. The results show that the proposed VIV identification method can recognize more VIV samples compared to the benchmark model. When using sensor 1 data of bridge B as the source domain to identify the VIV of the L-section of bridge A, the F1 score of the TCA-based method is 0.836, while the F1 score of the benchmark model is 0.165. In the other 11 cases, the F1 score of the proposed model is higher than 0.8, which demonstrates the method’s robust generalization capabilities.
Serum Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress Markers in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Galiniak Sabina , Biesiadecki Marek , Mołoń Mateusz , Olech Patrycja , Balawender Krzysztof
Published: August 2023

Oxidative stress is believed to be a factor in the development and progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The identification of the oxidative and nitrosative modification of proteins and the definition of their roles in clear cell RCC (ccRCC) may be helpful in the elaboration of targeted therapeutic approaches to mitigate protein damage. This study aimed to investigate the status of oxidative/nitrosative stress and to explore its role in the development and progression. The studied group consisted of 48 newly diagnosed ccRCC and 30 healthy controls. Serum levels of oxidative stress markers—advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), thiol groups, Amadori reaction products, 3-nitrotyrosine, nitrate/nitrite, malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)—were determined. Additionally, associations between tumour stage assessed according to TNM classification, histological grade, and the effect of the presence of angioinvasion on the level of stress markers were evaluated. The levels of Amadori products, 3-nitrotyrosine, and nitrate/nitrite were elevated, while the levels of thiol groups and TAC decreased in the ccRCC group. The levels of AOPP, Amadori, and 3-nitrotyrosine increased, and thiol groups and TAC levels decreased with the increasing pathological stage of the tumour. In the case of advanced histological assessment of the tumour, we found decreasing levels of thiol groups and increasing levels of MDA. In patients with angioinvasion, nitrate/nitrite and MDA levels were significantly elevated compared to those in patients without angioinvasion. Oxidative stress increased with the progression of the disease assessed according to the TNM and histological grade. These results demonstrate systemic oxidative stress in ccRCC, suggesting the therapeutic application of antioxidants.
Surgical Management of Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules across Different World Regions: Results from a Retrospective Multicentric (the MAIN-NODE) Study
Authors: Canu Gian Luigi , Cappellacci Federico , Abdallah Ahmed , Elzahaby Islam , Figueroa-Bohorquez David , Lori Eleonora , Miller Julie A. , Pavia Sergio Zúñiga , Pinillos Pilar , Pongtippan Atcharaporn , Saleh Saleh Saleh , Sorrenti Salvatore , Sriphrapradang Chutintorn , Calò Pietro Giorgio , Medas Fabio
Published: August 2023

Indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) are characterized by an expected malignancy ranging from 5% to 30%, with most patients undergoing a diagnostic, rather than therapeutic, operation. The aim of our study was to compare the approach to ITNs across different regions of the world. In this retrospective, multicentric, international study, according to the WHO classification, we identified the South East Asian Region (SEAR), the Americas Region (AMR), the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), the Europe Region (EUR), and the Western Pacific Region (WPR). One high-volume thyroid centre was included for each region. Demographic, preoperative, and pathologic data were compared among the different regions. Overall, 5737 patients from five high-volume thyroid centres were included in this study. We found that the proportion of ITNs over the global activity for thyroid disease was higher in the EUR (37.6%) than in the other regions (21.1–23.6%). In the EMR, the patients were significantly younger (with a mean of 43.1 years) than in the other regions (range, 48.8–57.4 years). The proportion of lobectomy was significantly higher in the WPR, where 83.2% (114/137) of patients received this treatment, than in the other regions, where lobectomies were performed in 44.1–58.1% of patients. The pathological diagnosis of malignancy was significantly higher in the SEAR centre, being over 60%, than in centres of the other regions, where it ranged from 26.3% to 41.3%. The occurrence of lymph node metastases was higher in the WPR (27.8%), AMR (26.9%), and EMR (20%) centres than in the EUR and SEAR centres, where it was lower than 10%. In summary, we found in our study different approaches and outcomes in the diagnosis and treatment of ITNs among countries. Overall, almost 60% of patients with ITNs who underwent surgery actually presented a benign disease, potentially undergoing an unnecessary operation.
Tumor Mutational Burden in Breast Cancer: Current Evidence, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Barroso-Sousa Romualdo , Pacífico Jana Priscila , Sammons Sarah , Tolaney Sara M.
Published: August 2023

Tumor mutational burden (TMB) correlates with tumor neoantigen burden, T cell infiltration, and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in many solid tumor types. Based on data from the phase II KEYNOTE-158 study, the anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab was granted approval for treating patients with advanced solid tumors and TMB ≥ 10 mutations per megabase. However, this trial did not include any patients with metastatic breast cancer; thus, several questions remain unanswered about the true role of TMB as a predictive biomarker of benefit to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in breast cancer. In this review, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities in establishing TMB as a predictive biomarker of benefit to immunotherapy in metastatic breast cancer.
Alternative Splicing Events and Their Clinical Significance in Colorectal Cancer: Targeted Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Manabile Mosebo Armstrong , Hull Rodney , Khanyile Richard , Molefi Thulo , Damane Botle Precious , Mongan Nigel Patrick , Bates David Owen , Dlamini Zodwa
Published: August 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as one of the top causes of cancer mortality worldwide and its incidence is on the rise, particularly in low-middle-income countries (LMICs). There are several factors that contribute to the development and progression of CRC. Alternative splicing (AS) was found to be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of CRC. With the advent of genome/transcriptome sequencing and large patient databases, the broad role of aberrant AS in cancer development and progression has become clear. AS affects cancer initiation, proliferation, invasion, and migration. These splicing changes activate oncogenes or deactivate tumor suppressor genes by producing altered amounts of normally functional or new proteins with different, even opposing, functions. Thus, identifying and characterizing CRC-specific alternative splicing events and variants might help in designing new therapeutic splicing disrupter drugs. CRC-specific splicing events can be used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In this review, alternatively spliced events and their role in CRC development will be discussed. The paper also reviews recent research on alternatively spliced events that might be exploited as prognostic, diagnostic, and targeted therapeutic indicators. Of particular interest is the targeting of protein arginine methyltransferase (PMRT) isoforms for the development of new treatments and diagnostic tools. The potential challenges and limitations in translating these discoveries into clinical practice will also be addressed.
Correction: Sepe et al. The Long Non-Coding RNA RP5-1024C24.1 and Its Associated-Gene MPPED2 Are Down-Regulated in Human Thyroid Neoplasias and Act as Tumour Suppressors. Cancers 2018, 10, 146
Authors: Sepe Romina , Pellecchia Simona , Serra Pierre , D’Angelo Daniela , Federico Antonella , Raia Maddalena , Cortez Cardoso Penha Ricardo , Decaussin-Petrucci Myriam , Del Vecchio Luigi , Fusco Alfredo , Pallante Pierlorenzo
Published: August 2023

In the original publication [...]
Emerging Role of Epigenetic Modifiers in Breast Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Response
Authors: Lee Richard Sean , Sad Kirti , Fawwal Dorelle V. , Spangle Jennifer Marie
Published: August 2023

Breast cancer pathogenesis, treatment, and patient outcomes are shaped by tumor-intrinsic genomic alterations that divide breast tumors into molecular subtypes. These molecular subtypes often dictate viable therapeutic interventions and, ultimately, patient outcomes. However, heterogeneity in therapeutic response may be a result of underlying epigenetic features that may further stratify breast cancer patient outcomes. In this review, we examine non-genetic mechanisms that drive functional changes to chromatin in breast cancer to contribute to cell and tumor fitness and highlight how epigenetic activity may inform the therapeutic response. We conclude by providing perspectives on the future of therapeutic targeting of epigenetic enzymes, an approach that holds untapped potential to improve breast cancer patient outcomes.
Study on Flexural Strength of Interface between Full Lightweight Ceramsite Concrete and Ordinary Concrete
Authors: Zhu Hongbing , Xiao Yu , Li Xiu , Wang Ye , Wen Siyu
Published: August 2023

The efficacy of full lightweight ceramsite concrete as a restorative material has been widely acknowledged, given its light weight, strength, and durability. However, the extent of its performance in repairing existing or old concrete remains uncertain. This study examined the reparation of flexural performance with full lightweight ceramsite concrete, using 14 different combinations of old and new concrete test blocks. The primary focus of the study was on investigating the flexural bond strength of the interface between the old and the new concrete. This included understanding the effects of the interfacial roughness, interfacial agent type, and concrete curing age of the concrete on the flexural strength. The test results showed that increasing the interface roughness from 0 mm to 5 mm resulted a restoration of the flexural strength of the sample by approximately 59%. Additionally, the flexural strength of the specimens was restored by 62%–78% of their original strength with the application of different types of interfacial agent. To rank the impact of these factors on the flexural strength, a univariate analysis of variance was conducted. This allowed us to establish a mathematical formula for calculating the flexural capacity of old and new concrete interfaces, taking the three aforementioned factors into account.
Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of the Spotted Sleeper Odontobutis interrupta (Odontobutidae), a Fish Endemic to Korea
Authors: Kim Kang-Rae , Choi Hee-kyu , Lee Taek Won , Lee Hyuk Je , Yu Jeong-Nam
Published: August 2023

The spotted sleeper, Odontobutis interrupta, is a fish species endemic to Korea and shows potential as an aquaculture species. Nevertheless, the population size of this species has declined significantly in recent years. To characterize the population structure and genetic diversity of O. interrupta in Korea, we analyzed four microsatellite loci in twelve populations from four major river systems. The provenance of the population was investigated to discern the origin of the translocated populations. The genetic diversity of the microsatellite ranged from 0.440 to 0.756, showing a high level of diversity similar to that of other freshwater fishes. However, mitochondrial DNA analysis exhibited low genetic diversity (Hd: 0.000–0.674, π: 0.00000–0.00159). The FST values of microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA ranged from 0.096 to 0.498 and −0.046 to 0.951, suggesting genetic admixture among populations. All populations exhibited an effective population size of <100; therefore, preservation efforts to prevent inbreeding depression would be required. The genetic structure could be divided into unique genotypes from the Seomjingang and Geumgang Rivers. However, genetic admixture was observed in all populations, rendering it impossible to distinguish them. Our findings provide fundamental but significant genetic insights pursuant to devising conservation strategies for O. interrupta.
Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Diabetics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bushi Ganesh , Padhi Bijaya Kumar , Shabil Muhammed , Satapathy Prakasini , Rustagi Sarvesh , Pradhan Keerti Bhusan , Al-qaim Zahraa Haleem , Khubchandani Jagdish , Sah Ranjit , Sah Sanjit , Anand Ayush
Published: August 2023

Background: There is significant pathogenic and epidemiological overlap between diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This systematic review aimed to ascertain the association between OSA and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a diabetic population. Methods: The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023404126). On 15 July 2023, a comprehensive search of the literature was performed in PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, ProQuest, and Web of Science, using keywords and synonyms of OSA, diabetes, and CVD, coupled with specific terms for different CVDs. Only observational studies that reported CVD events in diabetics (with and without OSA) were included. The quality of the studies included in the analysis was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: In the primary literature search, 8795 studies were identified, of which 9 met the inclusion criteria and included 17,796 participants. Eight studies were eligible for meta-analysis, and a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 1.29 (95% CI = 0.91–1.83) was found for developing CVD in diabetics with OSA at a 95% prediction interval of 0.30–5.60. The included studies showed significant heterogeneity with an I2 value of 91%. Conclusion: These findings show the possible association between OSA and diabetes and their impact on CVDs. Identifying and managing OSA in individuals with diabetes at an early phase could potentially reduce the risk of CVDs and its related complications.
Parent–Preschooler Writing on an Internet Forum as a Potential Platform for Promoting Respectful Online Discourse and Executive Functions
Authors: Shachar Coral Ayelet , Aram Dorit , Smadja Marie-Lyne
Published: August 2023

This research explored young children’s online writing with the support of their parents. In this pioneering study, we explored the nature of the online discourse. We studied parents’ potential influence on their children’s executive function (EF) development by directing their online discourse. After a workshop in the preschools on supporting children’s writing and the promotion of ethics in online discourse, we encouraged parents to support their children in writing messages to their friends within a closed online forum. We asked them to help their children in responding to a child who had not yet received any comments and in writing new posts. The participants were 174 Hebrew-speaking parents and their children (M = 65.57 months) from eight preschools in Israel. We analyzed the written messages (N = 1167), including posts and comments. Parents guided their children to write positive, friendly messages that included empathic expressions. We identified 14 themes (e.g., sharing experience) in the posts and 4 in the comments. Despite the positive nature of the online discourse, 49 children did not receive any comments, while others received several. We suggest that guided writing in closed forums can be a good platform for promoting EF and teaching children to use the network empathetically.
Design of a Fuel Cell Test System with Fault Identification
Authors: Xiong Shusheng , Wu Zhankuan , Cheng Junjie
Published: August 2023

With the growing concerns over the energy crisis and environmental pollution, fuel cells have attracted increasing attention. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have promising prospects due to their economic efficiency, low noise, and minimal environmental pollution. However, the existing commercial testing systems for PEMFCs suffer from limited functionalities and lack of scalability. In this study, we propose the design of a testing platform specifically tailored for water-cooled PEMFCs with a power greater than 1 kW. The functionality of the testing platform is verified through static and dynamic testing, demonstrating its compliance with the required standards. Furthermore, a fault diagnosis model for fuel cell stacks is developed based on the back-propagation (BP) neural network, achieving an overall accuracy rate of over 95% for fault classification.
An Explainable Fake News Analysis Method with Stance Information
Authors: Yuan Lu , Shen Hao , Shi Lei , Cheng Nanchang , Jiang Hangshun
Published: August 2023

The high level of technological development has enabled fake news to spread faster than real news in cyberspace, leading to significant impacts on the balance and sustainability of current and future social systems. At present, collecting fake news data and using artificial intelligence to detect fake news have an important impact on building a more sustainable and resilient society. Existing methods for detecting fake news have two main limitations: they focus only on the classification of news authenticity, neglecting the semantics between stance information and news authenticity. No cognitive-related information is involved, and there are not enough data on stance classification and news true-false classification for the study. Therefore, we propose a fake news analysis method based on stance information for explainable fake news detection. To make better use of news data, we construct a fake news dataset built on cognitive information. The dataset primarily consists of stance labels, along with true-false labels. We also introduce stance information to further improve news falsity analysis. To better explain the relationship between fake news and stance, we use propensity score matching for causal inference to calculate the correlation between stance information and true-false classification. The experiment result shows that the propensity score matching for causal inference yielded a negative correlation between stance consistency and fake news classification.
Near-Field-to-Far-Field RCS Prediction Using Only Amplitude Estimation Technique Based on State Space Method
Authors: Huang Jinhai , Zhou Jianjiang , Deng Yao
Published: August 2023

Measuring the radar cross-section (RCS) of a far-field (FF) target in engineering can be challenging, especially when remote measurement is difficult. To overcome this challenge, an FF RCS can be predicted by near-field (NF)-extrapolated transformation. However, due to the relative error between the theoretical and measured electric field (E-field) values in a NF, the extrapolation calculation of a FF can be carried out by correcting the NF amplitude. This paper proposes the use of the state space method (SSM) to estimate the amplitude-only of NF E-fields for improving the prediction accuracy of FFs. The simulation results demonstrate that the SSM can estimate NF amplitude, which can be transformed into a FF, and which can lead to improved prediction accuracy when compared to reference-FF-calculated and to circular-NF-to-FF-transform-(CNFFFT)-calculated RCSs.
Advancing Sustainable Decomposition of Biomass Tar Model Compound: Machine Learning, Kinetic Modeling, and Experimental Investigation in a Non-Thermal Plasma Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor
Authors: Arshad Muhammad Yousaf , Saeed Muhammad Azam , Tahir Muhammad Wasim , Pawlak-Kruczek Halina , Ahmad Anam Suhail , Niedzwiecki Lukasz
Published: August 2023

This study examines the sustainable decomposition reactions of benzene using non-thermal plasma (NTP) in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor. The aim is to investigate the factors influencing benzene decomposition process, including input power, concentration, and residence time, through kinetic modeling, reactor performance assessment, and machine learning techniques. To further enhance the understanding and modeling of the decomposition process, the researchers determine the apparent decomposition rate constant, which is incorporated into a kinetic model using a novel theoretical plug flow reactor analogy model. The resulting reactor model is simulated using the ODE45 solver in MATLAB, with advanced machine learning algorithms and performance metrics such as RMSE, MSE, and MAE employed to improve accuracy. The analysis reveals that higher input discharge power and longer residence time result in increased tar analogue compound (TAC) decomposition. The results indicate that higher input discharge power leads to a significant improvement in the TAC decomposition rate, reaching 82.9%. The machine learning model achieved very good agreement with the experiments, showing a decomposition rate of 83.01%. The model flagged potential hotspots at 15% and 25% of the reactor’s length, which is important in terms of engineering design of scaled-up reactors.
Tracking Photovoltaic Power Output Schedule of the Energy Storage System Based on Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Guo Meijun , Ren Mifeng , Chen Junghui , Cheng Lan , Yang Zhile
Published: August 2023

The inherent randomness, fluctuation, and intermittence of photovoltaic power generation make it difficult to track the scheduling plan. To improve the ability to track the photovoltaic plan to a greater extent, a real-time charge and discharge power control method based on deep reinforcement learning is proposed. Firstly, the photovoltaic and energy storage hybrid system and the mathematical model of the hybrid system are briefly introduced, and the tracking control problem is defined. Then, power generation plans on different days are clustered into four scenarios by the K-means clustering algorithm. The mean, standard deviation, and kurtosis of the power generation plant are used as the features. Based on the clustered results, the state, action, and reward required for reinforcement learning are set. In the constraint conditions of various variables, to increase the accuracy of the hybrid system for tracking the new generation schedule, the proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm is used to optimize the charging/discharging power of the energy storage system (ESS). Finally, the proposed control method is applied to a photovoltaic power station. The results of several valid experiments indicate that the average errors of tracking using the Proportion Integral Differential (PID), model predictive control (MPC) method, and the PPO algorithm in the same condition are 0.374 MW, 0.609 MW, and 0.104 MW, respectively, and the computing time is 1.134 s, 2.760 s, and 0.053 s, respectively. The consequence of these indicates that the proposed deep reinforcement learning-based control strategy is more competitive than the traditional methods in terms of generalization and computation time.
The Human Body as an Ethanol-Producing Bioreactor—The Forensic Impacts
Authors: Šoša Ivan
Published: August 2023

Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), also called gut fermentation syndrome, is an extremely infrequent but also underrecognized disorder where ethanol is produced endogenously, similar to a typical bioreactor. The reliability of forensic alcohol analysis results is frequently challenged as the ethanol concentration in the breath, blood, and/or urine constitutes important evidence for prosecuting drivers under the influence of the alcohol. This further emphasizes the need to understand ABS, as in legal proceedings it is often presented as grounds for acquittal due to the concept that the findings could have corresponded to endogenously produced ethanol. However, this rare and underdiagnosed medical condition should not be considered as purely a lawyer’s favorite argument. Manifestations of ABS can have a severe impact on a patient’s life and pose social consequences as well. Unfortunately, barely anything has been unearthed, and aspects such as genetic susceptibility, gut-mucus-eating microorganisms, and fecal microbiome transplantation were reviewed for the first time in this context. The framework of this review was not limited to the gut microbiota exclusively; moreover, the overgrowth of microorganisms is linked to the use of antibiotics. Studies have indicated that carbohydrate fermentation occurs in locations other than in intra-intestinal flora. Accordingly, the literature was searched for cases of patients with ABS with yeast infections in their genitourinary or oral systems.
The Impact of Weather Conditions on Mode Choice in Different Spatial Areas
Authors: Galich Anton , Nieland Simon
Published: August 2023

This article investigates if the impact of weather conditions on mode choice (walking, riding a bike, driving a car, and using public transport) differs across spatial areas. For this purpose, a survey-based data set with more than 500,000 trips in Germany was enriched with weather conditions prevailing at the closest weather station to the point of departure at the moment of the start of the trip. In addition, the points of departure of each trip were classified into seven different spatial areas. The analysis relied on separate multinomial logit models carried out for each spatial area with mode choice as the dependent variable. The independent variables consisted of non-weather-related factors such as sex, age, car availability, level of education, etc., and various weather-related variables such as air temperature, amount of precipitation, and wind speed. The results show that weather conditions have a rather marginal impact on mode choice, with the exception of riding a bike, which constitutes the mode of transport that is most affected by weather conditions in all spatial areas. However, the impacts tend to be smaller in densely populated urban metropolises than in peripheral, rural areas. In particular, precipitation and wind speed do not appear to affect cyclists in metropolitan areas as much as in peripheral, rural regions.
The Association between CDKAL1 Gene rs10946398 Polymorphism and Post-Transplant Diabetes in Kidney Allograft Recipients Treated with Tacrolimus
Authors: Dziedziejko Violetta , Safranow Krzysztof , Kijko-Nowak Mirosława , Sieńko Jerzy , Malinowski Damian , Szumilas Kamila , Pawlik Andrzej
Published: August 2023

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common complication that occurs in kidney transplant patients, increasing the risk of infection, cardiovascular disease and loss of graft function. Currently, factors that increase the risk of this complication are being sought, among them polymorphisms in genes that regulate carbohydrate metabolism and influence pancreatic β-cell function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of selected polymorphisms of genes affecting carbohydrate metabolism, such as CDKAL1 rs10946398, GCK rs1799884, GCKR rs780094 and DGKB/TMEM195 rs2191349, with the development of post-transplant diabetes in kidney transplant patients. This study included 201 Caucasian patients after kidney transplantation treated with tacrolimus. An association was observed between the CDKAL1 rs10946398 gene polymorphism and PTDM. Among patients with PTDM, there was an increased prevalence of the CC genotype in the PTDM group compared to the group without PTDM. The chance of PTDM in those with the CC genotype was 2.60 times higher compared to those with the AC + AA genotypes (CC vs. AC + AA OR (95% CI): 2.60 (1.02–6.61), p = 0.040). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age and the CC genotype (rare homozygote) of CDKAL1 rs10946398 were risk factors for the development of PTDM at 1 year after transplantation. There was no statistically significant association between GCK rs1799884, GCKR rs780094 or DGKB/TMEM195 rs2191349 polymorphisms and the development of post-transplant diabetes mellitus in kidney transplant patients. The results of this study suggest that the CDKAL1 rs10946398 CC genotype is associated with the increased risk of PTDM development in patients after kidney graft transplantation treated with tacrolimus.
Bawds, Midwifery, and the Evil Eye in Golden Age Spanish Literature and Medicine
Authors: Kuffner Emily
Published: August 2023

This article explores the relationship between the alcahueta or bawd, the evil eye, and midwifery in the early modern Spanish cultural imaginary. The evil eye, though an ancient belief, received renewed attention in theological and medical texts, including midwifery manuals, from the late fifteenth until the mid-sixteenth century, coinciding with the popularity of texts such as La Celestina featuring bawds. This article explores cultural debates regarding whether the evil eye was a natural phenomenon caused by corrupted bodily fluids emanating from post-menopausal women, or a result of witchcraft. Midwifery manuals list the evil eye as one of the principal dangers to newborns and give advice regarding how to prevent it, perhaps implicitly providing another justification for women’s gradual exclusion from midwifery in the early modern period. Fictional texts portray the bawd as engaging in women’s healing practices such as midwifery and newborn care, and as casting and curing the evil eye. I argue that the literary archetype of the bawd-midwife reflects academic disagreements that alternatively portray the evil eye as a physical illness, superstitious nonsense, or the result of witchcraft. As such, the bawd becomes a focal point for expressing anxiety over perceived decadence and decline, often tied to witchcraft. By tracing the evil eye through the characterization of bawds, we can perceive subtle indications of ambiguity regarding women’s magical and medical practices that question whether their influence comes from the devil or from women’s inherently malevolent nature.
Effects of Social Networks on Job Performance of Individuals among the Hypertension Management Teams in Rural China
Authors: Xia Qingyun , Xu Yanyun , Liu Xiang , Liu Yingzi , Wu Jian , Zhang Meng
Published: August 2023

Background: Limited studies have explored the relationship among cross-organizational and multidisciplinary medical staff. Aim: The present study conducted an in-depth examination and validation of the influence of complex cross-organization and multidisciplinary social networks on the job performance of team members. Method: Multi-level hierarchical regression analysis was used to assess the impact of the centrality and the characteristics of structural holes in social networks (i.e., advice network, information network, friendship network, and trust network) on job performance. Results: The in-closeness centrality of the advice network (β = 0.176, p < 0.05) and the betweenness centrality of the trust network (β = 0.126, p < 0.05) had positive effects on task performance. The in-closeness centrality of the advice network (β = 0.226, p < 0.05; β = 0.213, p < 0.05) and the CI (1 − constraint index) of the friendship network (β = 0.130, p < 0.05; β = 0.132, p < 0.05) had positive effects on contextual performance and overall job performance. Meanwhile, the out-closeness centrality of the information network (β = −0.368, p < 0.01; β = −0.334, p < 0.05) had a negative effect on contextual performance and overall job performance. Conclusions: This study investigates the relationship between healthcare professionals’ job performance and their social networks, taking into account the perspectives of cross-organizational and multidisciplinary teams. The study contributes to the effort of breaking down barriers between different disciplines and organizations, and ultimately, improving the quality of healthcare delivery.
Sustainability Perspectives of Organic Farming and Plant Factory Systems—From Divergences towards Synergies
Authors: Csambalik László , Divéky-Ertsey Anna , Gál Izóra , Madaras Krisztina , Sipos László , Székely Géza , Pusztai Péter
Published: August 2023

Closed plant production systems are generally considered sustainable. Such systems are capable of minimizing externalities due to resource recycling. There are two systems, apparently diverging, recently considered as the counterparts of today’s conventional agricultural practice: organic farming (OF) and plant factories (PFs). With a strong regulatory background, OF integrates plant production into natural ecosystems by minimizing agrochemical use, while PFs create an artificial environment where all factors can be fine-tuned according to the needs of the crop. In this study, both systems are investigated based on their similarities and constraints; for this, three pillars of production were selected as indicators and reviewed for sustainability based on literature data: I. regulatory background, II. growing media use, III. species use, along with certain socio-economic factors. The reasons for co-existence were highlighted in every aspect. Alternatives for sustainable growing media use are introduced. PF-targeted species selection and variety breeding are necessary to maximize facility utilization. The main barriers to system interoperability are identified in growing media use and regulatory restrictions. The present global processes envisage the trends of the future, such as threats of living ecosystems, plant species allocation, urbanization impacts, agricultural intensification, economics of PFs, local supply chains, education about OF and PFs, consumer acceptance of OF and PF products, and discrepancies in global regulations. These aspects will certainly trigger further research in the scientific community.