bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Weighted Euclidean Distance to Provide Assistance in the Selection of Safety Risk Prevention and Control Strategies for Major Railway Projects
Authors: Guo Feng , Lv Xinning , Gu Jianglin , Wu Yanlin
Published: May 2024

A major railway project is a complex, giant system with multi-party participation, one characterized by complex geological conditions, long construction periods and large scale, which leads to an increased likelihood of safety risk events during construction. In order to solve the problem of scientific selection and formulation of safety risk prevention and control strategies for major railway projects, an auxiliary selection method of safety risk prevention and control strategies for major railway projects based on weighted Euclidean distance (WED) is proposed. The relevant ontology is used to conceptualize and formalize the knowledge of safety risks of major railroad projects, and combine the characteristics of major railroad projects; it refers to the prevention and control measures of historical safety risk events associated with major railroad projects, and then constructs the knowledge structure and case base around safety risks of major railroad projects and the circumstances of the case. In determining the comprehensive weights, the G1 method is used to determine the subjective weights, the anti-entropy weight method is used to determine the objective weights and game theory combines the subjective and objective weights. In comparing the array of safety risk prevention and control cases associated with major railway projects, the weighted Euclidean distance is used to calculate the similarity between these cases and the target case, which in turn assists project managers in determining the safety risk prevention and control strategies appropriate for major railway projects. This study takes Landslide No. 1 in the Tunnel A inlet planning area as an example. It utilizes the WED method to assist in selecting safety risk prevention and control strategies for major railway projects, which verifies the method’s feasibility. The proposed method enriches the method of the assisted selection of safety risk prevention and control strategies for major railway projects, makes strategy formulation more scientific, has specific reference significance for the formulation of safety risk prevention and control strategies for major railway projects, and promotes the improvement of safety risk prevention and risk control for participating units.
Analysis of Resistance Characteristics and Research into Resistance Reduction of a Tee Based on Field Synergy
Authors: Yan Yajing , Song Chongfang , Pan Wuxuan , Wang Jie , Bai Yifan
Published: May 2024

The resistance loss and energy consumption when fluid flows through a tee in an HVAC system are severe. To improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, a novel tee with a U-shaped deflector is proposed, supported by experiments and numerical simulations. The resistance reduction mechanism of the U-shaped deflector was analyzed according to the viscous dissipation principle and the field synergy principle. The resistance reduction of the novel tee with different deflector angles and a traditional tee were compared. The results show that the resistance loss of the tee was mainly due to the flow separation and deformation of the fluid in the main branch. The relationship between the local resistance coefficient and the diameter ratio of the main-branch pipe was exponential, and the relationship between the local resistance coefficient and the diameter ratio of the main straight pipe was linear. The total resistance loss reduction rate of the tee with the addition of a 26° deflector was the highest, reaching 72.4%, the volume-weighted average synergy angle increased by 1°, and the viscous dissipation decreased by 21.7%. This study provides a reference for the resistance reduction design of complex local components such as tees in HVAC systems.
Resilience-Vulnerability Balance and Obstacle Factor Analysis in Urban Flooding: A Case Study in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Xu Chao , He Junchao , Chi Zhongwen , Bai Weilan , Liu Rui
Published: May 2024

Under the combined influence of climate change and urban development, the risk of urban flooding caused by extreme weather events has increased significantly, making assessing flood vulnerability and resilience increasingly crucial for urban flood management. With the 45 counties in Qinghai Province as the research objects, the hazard risk of flood and exposure are combined to study their vulnerability. At the same time, resilience is evaluated by the indicators selected from four dimensions (society, economy, environment, and infrastructure). Through Z-scoring, the vulnerability and resilience of each county are clustered into four groups to explore their associations from a spatial balance perspective. Obstacle factor analysis is introduced to summarize the key factors affecting the improvement of urban resilience in Qinghai Provence. The results show that the eastern areas of Qinghai experience high vulnerability to flooding because of high levels of hazard and exposure. What is more, Xining, Haidong, and Haixi experience a high level of resilience. A strong spatial mismatch between vulnerability and resilience exists in Qinghai, with 24 counties (58%) being self-adapted, 8 counties (18%) over-abundant, and 11 counties deficient in terms of nature–nurture. The length of levee and number of beds in medical institutions are the main obstacles to resilience in Qinghai. The research results can provide a theoretical and scientific basis for future urban flood management and resilience development in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau.
GIS-Based Regional Seismic Risk Assessment for Dubai, UAE, Using NHERI SimCenter R2D Application
Authors: Maky Ahmed Mansour , AlHamaydeh Mohammad , Saleh Mona
Published: May 2024

Over the last two decades, the UAE’s construction sector has grown significantly with the development of tall buildings, but the region faces seismic risks. Similar concerns in China led to earthquake simulation research on a city scale. The objectives include developing programming for parallel computing and creating simplified models for estimating losses. The challenges include computational complexity and uncertainties in various modules. In 1995, the structural engineering community adopted performance-based engineering principles, shifting to a probabilistic design process. The Computational Modeling and Simulation Center (SimCenter) implemented this into a generic software platform, with the 2010 release of Regional Resilience Determination (R2D) automating the methodology. A research plan aims to advance realistic seismic simulation in the UAE, integrating studies and custom developments. The goal is to create an end-to-end seismic risk assessment framework aligned with digital trends, such as BIM and GIS. The investigation focuses on a virtual dataset for tall buildings, considering variations in location, material properties, height, and seismic activity. For the studied archetypes, the average expected losses include a 3.6% collapse probability, a 14% repair cost, 22 days repair time per asset, and almost 1.5% total population injuries, ranging from 1% for the lowest severity to 0.15% for the highest.
Usage of a Conventional Device with LiDAR Implementation for Mesh Model Creation
Authors: Smrčková Daša , Chromčák Jakub , Ižvoltová Jana , Sásik Róbert
Published: May 2024

The trend of using conventional devices like mobile phones, tablets, and the other devices is gaining traction in improving customer service practices. This coincides with the growing popularity of building information modeling (BIM), which has led to increased exploration of various 3D object capture methods. Additionally, the technological boom has resulted in a surge of applications working with different 3D model formats including mesh models, point cloud, and TIN models. Among these, the usage of mesh models is experiencing particularly rapid growth. The main objective advantages of mesh models are their efficiency, scalability, flexibility, sense of detail, user-friendliness, and compatibility. The idea of this paper is to use a conventional device, specifically an iPad Pro equipped with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology, for creating mesh models. The different data capture methods employed by various applications will be compared to evaluate the final models´ precision. The accuracy of the 3D models generated by each application will be assessed by comparing the spatial coordinates of identical points distributed irregularly across the entire surface of the chosen object. Various available currently most-used applications were utilized in the process of data collection. In general, 3D representations of the object/area, etc., may be visualized, analyzed, and further processed in more formats such as TIN models, point cloud, or mesh models. Mesh models provide a visualization of the object mirroring the solid design of the real object, thus approximating reality in the closest way. This fact, along with automatized postprocessing after data acquisition, the ability to capture and visualize both convex and concave objects, and the possibility to use this type of 3D visualization for 3D printing, contribute to the decision to test and analyze mesh models. Consequently, the mesh models were created via the automatic post-processing, i.e., without external intervention. This fact leads to the problems of random coordinate systems being automatically pre-defined by every application. This research must deal with the resulting obstacles in order to provide a valid and credible comparative analysis. Various criteria may be applied to the mesh models’ comparisons, including objective qualitative and quantitative parameters and also the subjective ones. The idea of this research is not to analyze the data acquisition process in detail, but instead to assess the possibilities of the applications for the basic users.
Evolutionary Game Analysis on Cooperative Behavior of Major Projects’ Technology Innovation Subjects under General Contracting Mode
Authors: Yuan Ruijia , Wang Youxin , Qian Yingmiao , Yu Xian’an
Published: May 2024

Major projects are the important platform for enhancing a country’s comprehensive national power and strengthening its capacity for independent innovation. Although major projects in China have made remarkable achievements, willingness to cooperate and innovate has not achieved the desired target. In this paper, the evolutionary game model of cooperative innovation behavior of general contractors and subcontractors is constructed by considering reputational factors. Through theoretical derivation, the influence of the distribution ratio of collaborative innovation benefit, spillover technology absorption capacity, and reputation discounting coefficient on innovation behavior is analyzed. Finally, MATLAB software is used to simulate the dynamic evolution process of strategy selection. The results show that (1) a reasonable benefit distribution coefficient can promote the evolution of innovation behavior in a positive direction; (2) both the reduction of innovation cost and the increase of spillover technology absorption capacity can make the innovation subject more inclined to choose the active collaborative innovation strategy; and (3) it is the higher-than-threshold reputation loss that can effectively inhibit the “free-rider” behavior. The research conclusions and managerial implications can provide reference for improving the willingness to cooperate in major projects’ technology innovation.
MSFA-Net: A Multiscale Feature Aggregation Network for Semantic Segmentation of Historical Building Point Clouds
Authors: Zhang Ruiju , Xue Yaqian , Wang Jian , Song Daixue , Zhao Jianghong , Pang Lei
Published: May 2024

In recent years, research on the preservation of historical architecture has gained significant attention, where the effectiveness of semantic segmentation is particularly crucial for subsequent repair, protection, and 3D reconstruction. Given the sparse and uneven nature of large-scale historical building point cloud scenes, most semantic segmentation methods opt to sample representative subsets of points, often leading to the loss of key features and insufficient segmentation accuracy of architectural components. Moreover, the geometric feature information at the junctions of components is cluttered and dense, resulting in poor edge segmentation. Based on this, this paper proposes a unique semantic segmentation network design called MSFA-Net. To obtain multiscale features and suppress irrelevant information, a double attention aggregation module is first introduced. Then, to enhance the model’s robustness and generalization capabilities, a contextual feature enhancement and edge interactive classifier module are proposed to train edge features and fuse the context data. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the proposed model, experiments were conducted on a self-curated ancient building dataset and the S3DIS dataset, achieving OA values of 95.2% and 88.7%, as well as mIoU values of 86.2% and 71.6%, respectively, further confirming the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
Real-World Data Analysis of CDK4/6 Inhibitor Therapy—A Patient-Centric Single Center Study
Authors: Ge Isabell , Berner Kai , Mathis Marlene , Hensgen Catherine , Mayer Sebastian , Erbes Thalia , Juhasz-Böss Ingolf , Asberger Jasmin
Published: May 2024

Background: The quest to comprehend the real-world efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDKis) in breast cancer continues, as patient responses vary significantly. Methods: This single-center retrospective study evaluated CDKi use outside the trial condition from November 2016 to May 2020. Progression-free survival (PFS), time-to-treatment failure (TTF), short-term and prolonged treatment benefit (≥4 and ≥10 months), as well as prognostic and predictive markers were assessed with Kaplan–Meier and multivariate regression analyses. Results: Out of 86 identified patients, 58 (67.4%) had treatment failure of which 40 (46.5%) were due to progression. Median PFS and TTF were 12 and 8.5 months, respectively. A total of 57 (66.3%) and 42 (48.8%) patients experienced short-term and prolonged treatment benefit. Independent, significant predictors for PFS were progesterone receptor expression (HR: 0.88), multiple metastatic sites (HR: 2.56), and hepatic metastasis (HR: 2.01). Significant predictors for TTF were PR expression (HR: 0.86), multiple sites (HR: 3.29), adverse events (HR: 2.35), and diabetes (HR: 2.88). Aside from tumor biology and adverse events, treatment modifications like pausing and switching of CDKi were predictive for short-term (OR: 6.73) and prolonged (OR: 14.27) therapeutic benefit, respectively. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of tailored treatment strategies, highlighting the role of PR expression, metastatic burden, and therapeutic adjustments in optimizing patient outcomes in real-world breast cancer management.
High-Grade Pleomorphic Sarcomas Treated with Immune Checkpoint Blockade: The MD Anderson Cancer Center Experience
Authors: Nasr Lewis F. , Zoghbi Marianne , Lazcano Rossana , Nakazawa Michael , Bishop Andrew J. , Farooqi Ahsan , Mitra Devarati , Guadagnolo Beverly Ashleigh , Benjamin Robert , Patel Shreyaskumar , Ravi Vinod , Araujo Dejka M. , Livingston Andrew , Zarzour Maria A. , Conley Anthony P. , Ratan Ravin , Somaiah Neeta , Lazar Alexander J. , Roland Christina , Keung Emily Z. , Nassif Haddad Elise F.
Published: May 2024

Background: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas (UPSs) are amongst the most common subtypes of soft-tissue sarcomas. Few real-world data on the use of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in UPS patients and other high-grade pleomorphic STS patients are available. Purpose: The purpose of our study is to describe the efficacy and toxicity of ICB in patients with advanced UPSs and other high-grade pleomorphic sarcomas treated at our institution. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study of all patients with metastatic high-grade pleomorphic sarcomas treated with FDA-approved ICB at MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1 January 2015 and 1 January 2023. Patients included in trials for which results are not yet published were excluded. Results: Thirty-six patients with advanced/metastatic pleomorphic sarcomas were included. The median age was 52 years. A total of 26 patients (72%) had UPSs and 10 patients (28%) had other high-grade pleomorphic sarcomas. The median follow-up time was 8.8 months. The median PFS was 2.9 months. The 3-month PFS and 6-month PFS were 46% and 32%, respectively. The median OS was 12.9 months. The 12-month OS and 24-month OS were 53% and 29%, respectively. The best response, previous RT, and type of ICB treatment were significantly and independently associated with shorter PFS (p = 0.0012, p = 0.0019 and p = 0.036, respectively). No new safety signal was identified, and the toxicity was overall manageable with no toxic deaths and only four patients (11%) stopping treatment due to toxicity. Conclusions: Real-world retrospective data are consistent with the published literature, with a promising 6-month PFS of 32%. Partial or stable responders to ICB treatment have significantly improved PFS compared to progressors.
Insights into the Reactivation Process of Thermal Aged Bimetallic Pt-Pd/CeO2-ZrO2-La2O3 Catalysts at Different Treating Temperatures and Their Structure–Activity Evolutions for Three-Way Catalytic Performance
Authors: Wan Jie , Chen Kai , Sun Qi , Zhou Yuanyuan , Liu Yanjun , Zhang Jin , Dong Jiancong , Wang Xiaoli , Wu Gongde , Zhou Renxian
Published: May 2024

CeO2-ZrO2-La2O3 supported Pt-Pd bimetallic three-way catalysts (0.6Pt-0.4Pd/CZL) were synthesized through the conventional impregnation method and then subjected to severe thermal aging. Reactivating treatments under different temperatures were then applied to the aged catalysts above. Three-way catalytic performance evaluations and dynamic operation window tests along with detailed physio-chemical characterizations were carried out to explore possible structure–activity evolutions during the reactivating process. Results show that the reactivating process conducted at proper temperatures (500~550 °C) could effectively restore the TWC catalytic performance and widen the operation window width. The suitable reactivating temperature ranges are mainly determined by the decomposing temperature of PMOx species, the thermal stability of PM-O-Ce species, and the encapsulation temperature of precious metals by CZL support. Reactivating under appropriate temperature helps to restore the interaction between Pt and CZL support to a certain extent and to re-expose part of the encapsulated precious metals. Therefore, the dynamic oxygen storage/release capacity, redox ability, as well as thermal stability of PtOx species, can be improved, thus benefiting the TWC catalytic performances. However, the excessively high reactivating temperature would cause further embedment of Pd by CZL support, thus leading to a further decrease in both dynamic oxygen storage/release capacity and the TWC catalytic performance after reactivating treatment.
Magnetic Three-Dimensional Graphene: A Superior Adsorbent for Selective and Sensitive Determination of Nitrite in Water Samples by Ion-Pair Based-Surfactant-Assisted Solid-Phase Extraction Combined with Spectrophotometry
Authors: Vasheghani Farahani Mina , Karami Sajad , Sereshti Hassan , Mahpishanian Shokouh , Koupaei Malek Somayeh , Rezania Shahabaldin
Published: May 2024

A straightforward, fast and efficient analytical method was developed which utilizes a magnetic composite called three-dimensional graphene (3D-G@Fe3O4) as an adsorbent to recover nitrite ions (NO2−) from environmental water samples. The investigation into the synthesized adsorbent contained an examination of its morphology, chemical composition, structural attributes, and magnetic properties. This comprehensive analysis was conducted using various instrumental techniques, including Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The adsorbent surface was activated by adding cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to the sample solution. To improve the selectivity and sensitivity of the method, nitrite ions were reacted with sulfanilic acid and chromotropic acid sequentially. An orange-red azo-dye complex was formed in the presence of nitrite ions with a clear absorbance peak at 514 nm. The effect of the main experimental parameters such as the pH of the sample solution, adsorbent dosage, and CTAB dosage was explored, and the optimization process was performed using a central composite design (CCD). The linear dynamic range (20–100 ng mL−1) was determined under optimal experimental circumstances, yielding a reasonable determination coefficient (R2, 0.9993), a detection limit of 5.12 ng mL−1, an enrichment factor of 167, and precision values of 1.0% intraday and 2.9% inter-day. The methodology successfully identified minute nitrite ions in environmental water samples with relative recoveries that varied between 96.05 and 101.6 ng mL−1.
A Comparison of the Immediate Effects of Verbal and Virtual Reality Feedback on Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: De Mulder Tine , Adams Heleen , Dewit Tijl , Molenaers Guy , Van Campenhout Anja , Desloovere Kaat
Published: May 2024

Different types of feedback are used during gait training in children with cerebral palsy (CP), including verbal (VB) and virtual reality (VR) feedback. Previous studies on VR feedback showed positive effects on the targeted gait parameter. However, both positive and negative side effects on other parameters were seen as well. The literature on the effect of VB feedback is lacking and, to our knowledge, both feedback methods have not yet been compared. In this monocentric study with a single-session intervention protocol, children with CP completed a training session on the Gait Real-Time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL) and received both VB and VR feedback on hip extension, in randomized order. Outcome parameters were continuous gait curves of sagittal kinematics and hip kinetics, specific features of hip angle and moment, sagittal gait variable scores and gait profile scores. Improvement of the targeted gait parameter was seen both after VB and VR feedback, with a small advantage for VR over VB feedback. Furthermore, positive side effects on knee and ankle sagittal kinematics were seen. However, the overall gait profile score did not improve, most likely due to negative compensatory strategies. In conclusion, children with CP can adapt gait in response to both VB and VR feedback, with VR feedback producing a slightly better effect. Due to secondary effects on parameters other than the targeted parameter, the overall gait did not improve.
Schools as Hubs of Health: A Comprehensive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education Model for Promoting Wellness in Low-Income Communities
Authors: Klisch Shannon A. , Soule Katherine E.
Published: May 2024

Research indicates that health interventions are most effective when they address multiple social determinants of health to support positive behavior. Schools as Hubs of Health, a comprehensive model of nutrition and physical activity education, was developed to support wellness within school communities defined as low-income by the national Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). Components of the model include the following: classroom education; garden education; youth engagement; staff training; parent and community engagement; and policies, systems, and environments. Findings over the last decade indicate positive outcomes in nutrition and physical activity behaviors, youth leadership and engagement, and systems and environmental changes that support health and wellness.
Longitudinal Associations of Body Fatness and Physical Fitness with Cognitive Skills in Preschoolers
Authors: Reisberg Kirkke , Riso Eva-Maria , Animägi Liina , Jürimäe Jaak
Published: May 2024

A good cognitive status predicts academic, professional, and health outcomes. However, longitudinal data regarding the associations of body fatness, physical fitness, and cognition are relatively scarce and mixed. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate whether body fatness, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and muscular fitness (MF) in preschool are associated with cognitive skills in the first grade of school. A total of 133 South Estonian children whose age was 6–7 years were recruited from 13 kindergartens and again at 7–8 years after they had entered school. Body fat percentage (BF%), CRF, MF as the mean of z-scores of relative upper-limb strength, standing long jump results, and cognitive skills (verbal, conceptual, and perceptual) were studied. There were no associations between BF% and CRF in preschool with perceptual, conceptual, or verbal skills in school in boys and girls. In boys, a higher MF in preschool was associated with higher verbal skills (β = 0.293, p = 0.021) in school after adjustment for confounders. Cognitive skills at baseline seemed to be frequently associated with cognitive performance in school. In conclusion, higher MF in preschool was associated with better verbal skills in the first grade of school in boys but not in girls. Body fatness and cardiorespiratory fitness in preschool were not associated with cognitive skills in school.
Direct Umbilical Vein Injection of Epinephrine with Cut-Cord Milking in an Ovine Model of Neonatal Resuscitation
Authors: Vali Payam , Chen Peggy , Giusto Evan , Lesneski Amy , Hardie Morgan E. , Knych Heather K. , Sankaran Deepika , Alhassen Ziad , Joudi Houssam M. , Lakshminrusimha Satyan
Published: May 2024

Background: An umbilical venous catheter (UVC) is the preferred route of epinephrine administration during neonatal resuscitation but requires specialized equipment, expertise, and time. Hypothesis: Direct injection of epinephrine into the umbilical vein (UV) followed by milking a ~20 cm segment of cut umbilical cord to flush the epinephrine (DUV + UCM) will lead to a quicker administration and earlier return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) compared with epinephrine given through a UVC. Design: Eighteen near-term asphyxiated lambs were randomized to receive a low-UVC or DUV + UCM of epinephrine at 0.02 or 0.03 mg/kg doses. Outcome measures: A total of 16/18 lambs achieved ROSC with a similar mean (±SEM) time to ROSC [DUV + UCM vs. low-UVC (4.67 ± 0.67 vs. 3.99 ± 0.58 min); p = 0.46]. Two out of ten lambs in the DUV + UCM group required UVC placement for additional epinephrine. The administration of the first dose of epinephrine was similar (DUV + UCM—2.97 ± 0.48 vs. UVC—4.23 ± 0.58 min; p = 0.12). Both methods yielded similar epinephrine concentrations (peak concentrations of 253 ± 63 and 328 ± 80 ng/mL for DUV + UCM and UVC EPI, respectively). Conclusions: DUV + UCM resulted in a ROSC success of 78% following the first epinephrine dose and showed similar epinephrine concentrations to UVC. Clinical studies evaluating DUV + UCM as an alternate route for epinephrine while intravenous access is being established are warranted.
Neuropsychological Symptoms and Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Children: A Survey in a Pediatric Population in the Abruzzo Region, Italy
Authors: Marcotullio Chiara , Attanasi Marina , Porreca Annamaria , Di Filippo Paola , Matricardi Sara , Venanzi Annamaria , Schiavo Marco , Paone Antonio , Rossi Nadia , Chiarelli Francesco , Prezioso Giovanni
Published: May 2024

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly affected the pediatric population. Long-term sequelae (Long COVID-19) may particularly involve the central nervous system, with possible effects on psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL), aspects that were already influenced by the restrictive measures and general social impact of the pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey that aims at investigating the neuropsychological effects and the QoL impairment of SARS-CoV-2 on a cohort of children and adolescents in the Abruzzo region (Italy). A questionnaire was submitted to caregivers with the help of the PEDIATOTEM platform. A control group of healthy subjects was also included to distinguish between the effects of infection from the general influence of the pandemic. Results: A total of 569 subjects responded: 396 COVID-19 patients (99 of whom had Long COVID-19) and 111 controls. After the pandemic, when compared with the COVID-19 group, the controls reported significantly increased appetite, sleeping habits, and time spent remotely with friends and a reduction in physical activity and time spent in person with friends. A significant higher rate of controls asked for psychological/medical support for emotional problems. On the other hand, the Long COVID-19 group showed more fatigue and emotional instability with respect to non-Long-COVID-19 subjects. No differences in QoL results (EuroQOL) were found between the COVID-19 patients and controls, while the Long-COVID-19 subgroup showed significantly higher rates of pain/discomfort and mood instability, as confirmed by the analysis of variation of responses from the pre-COVID-19 to the post-COVID-19 period. Conclusions: Among COVID-19 patients, neuropsychological and QoL impairment was more evident in the Long COVID-19 subgroup, although emotional and relational issues were also reported by uninfected patients, with a growing request for specialist support as a possible consequence of social restriction.
Feasibility of Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation of Pediatric Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Authors: Kim Da Yeong , Mo Young Hoon , Kim Kun Woo , Hong Sae Mi , Park Arum , Jang Baek Hee , Lee Seung Hak , Lee Joon Hee , Yoon Jisun , Yu Jinho , Ko Eun Jae
Published: May 2024

Background and objective: Chronic respiratory diseases in children deteriorate their daily life due to dyspnea and reduced lung function. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in pediatric chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: This prospective, single-arm, cohort study included children with chronic lung disease. They were instructed to perform home-based pulmonary rehabilitation 30 min/session, three sessions/week for three months. Pulmonary function test (PFT) using spirometry, respiratory muscle strength (RMT), cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), 6 min walk test (6MWT), dyspnea questionnaires, speech evaluation, and pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL) were assessed pre- and post-pulmonary rehabilitation. Compliance and satisfaction of the program were also evaluated. Results: Twenty children (mean age: 11.2 ± 3.1 years) with chronic respiratory diseases without cardiopulmonary instability participated. The overall compliance was 71.1% with no related adverse events. After pulmonary rehabilitation, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), RMT, 6MWT, dyspnea questionnaire, speech rate, and PedsQL (child) significantly improved (p < 0.05), particularly better in the FEV1 < 60% group than in the FEV1 ≥ 60% group and in the high-compliance group (compliance ≥ 50%) than in the low-compliance group (compliance < 50%). Conclusions: Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation for children with chronic lung disease was feasible with high compliance and effective in terms of objective functions, subjective dyspnea symptom, and quality of life.
Current Status of Fertility Preservation in Pediatric Oncology Patients
Authors: Pasten González Albert , Salvador Alarcón Cristina , Mora Jaume , Martín Gimenez Marta P. , Carrasco Torrents Rosalia , Krauel Lucas
Published: May 2024

Cancer poses significant emotional challenges for children and adolescents, despite improvements in survival rates due to new therapies. However, there is growing concern about the long-term effects, including fertility issues. This review examines recent advancements and future directions in fertility preservation within a pediatric population subjected to oncological therapies. Worldwide, there is variability in the availability of fertility preservation methods, influenced by factors like development status and governmental support. The decision to pursue preservation depends on the risk of gonadotoxicity, alongside factors such as diagnosis, treatment, clinical status, and prognosis. Currently, options for preserving fertility in prepubertal boys are limited compared to girls, who increasingly have access to ovarian tissue preservation. Adolescents and adults have more options available, but ethical considerations remain complex and diverse.
The Influence of Gifted Children’s Stress Management on Parental Stress Levels
Authors: Zanetti Maria Assunta , Sangiuliano Intra Francesca , Taverna Livia , Brighi Antonella , Marinoni Carlo
Published: May 2024

This study explores the associations between gifted children’s stress management and parental stress level. A sample of 78 primary school children and their 76 parents took part in this study. Children were screened for intelligence and emotional quotients, while parents were tested for stress levels. Results show that the more children are aware of their stress-management skills, the less parents are stressed out. Moreover, the intelligence quotient is not significant in mediating this association, supporting the idea that it is not an a priori protective factor from a developmental perspective. The study findings suggest that when a child is equipped with the skills to handle stress by harnessing their emotional intelligence, it can have a beneficial effect on the entire family’s well-being. Given that these skills can be developed, and the significant positive influence they have on a child’s growth and adaptation, it is essential to offer specialized educational programs to gifted children. These programs should aim to enhance their emotional skills, which, in turn, can indirectly bolster the psychological health of the family unit as a whole.
The Impact of Family Socioeconomic Status (SES) on Adolescents’ Learning Conformity: The Mediating Effect of Self-Esteem
Authors: Li Houyan , Xiao Bin , Song Guandong
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and adolescents’ learning conformity and self-esteem among a sample of 15–18 year-old high school students. Methods: A survey was conducted on 339 adolescents using measures of family SES, self-esteem, and learning conformity. An intermediary effect model was constructed to examine the mediating mechanism of self-esteem in the impact of family SES on adolescents’ learning conformity. Results: In our study, we observed that male adolescents were more likely to come from families with higher socioeconomic status (SES) and exhibited relatively higher levels of self-esteem compared to female adolescents. However, this finding should be regarded as an observational outcome specific to our study sample and does not directly indicate a causal relationship between gender and family SES or self-esteem. Adolescents from rural areas were more likely to exhibit tendencies towards learning abidance and compliance. Family SES positively predicted self-esteem. The intermediary model indicated that family SES significantly positively influenced learning abidance and compliance, with self-esteem partially mediating the effects at 33.49% and 33.33%, respectively. Family SES negatively affected learning obedience, with self-esteem partially mediating the effect at 39.77%. Conclusion: Among the 15–18 year-old high school student population, family SES not only directly affects learning abidance, compliance, and obedience but also generates an indirect mediating effect through self-esteem.
Preparation and Corrosion Resistance of OMMT/EP Composite Coatings in Sulfur-Containing Sodium Aluminate Solution
Authors: Xu Jun , Li Dongyu , Wang Hanli , Quan Bianli
Published: May 2024

Organic montmorillonite (OMMT) was prepared from Na-montmorillonite (MMT) by Hexadecylamine (HDA) modification. The composite material has good smoothness, acidity, and salt resistance. OMMT was characterized using small-angle X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and a video optical contact angle measuring instrument. The results showed that the layer spacing was enlarged from 1.44 nm to 2.87 nm after the modification, and the hydrophobicity performance was greatly improved. The organic modification of MMT was successful. The surface morphology, roughness, and anticorrosion properties of the organic montmorillonite/epoxy (OMMT/EP) composite coating were investigated and compared with those of the epoxy (EP) coating. The OMMT/EP composite coating had a flatter surface than the EP coating. The roughness was reduced from 65.5 nm to 10.3 nm. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the composite coating’s thickness positively affected its anticorrosion performance, the corrosion current density (Icorr) decreased with the increase in thickness, and its maximum impedance was much larger than that of EP coating. The protection efficiency of the OMMT/EP composite coating was 77.90%, which is a significant improvement over the EP’s 31.27%. In addition, the corrosion resistance of the composite coating gradually decreased with increasing immersion time, but the change was insignificant.
Quasi-Isotropy Structure and Characteristics of the Ultrasonic-Assisted WAAM High-Toughness Al Alloy
Authors: Luo Wei , Xu Peng , Zhang Ming , Li Jiangshan
Published: May 2024

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) has emerged as a highly promising method for the production of large-scale metallic structures; nonetheless, the presence of microstructural inhomogeneities, anisotropic properties, and porosity defects within WAAM Al alloys has substantially hindered their broader application. To surmount these obstacles, ultrasonic-assisted WAAM was applied in the fabrication of thin-wall structures utilizing 7075 Al alloy. This study investigates the effects of ultrasonic-assisted Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) on the structural and mechanical properties of 7075 Al alloy specimens. Microstructural analysis showed a significant refinement in grain distribution, with the average grain size notably reduced, enhancing the material’s homogeneity. Porosity across the specimens was quantified, showing a decrease in values from the upper (0.02151) to the middle (0.01347) and lower sections (0.01785), correlating with the rapid cooling effects of WAAM. Mechanical testing revealed that ultrasonic application contributes to a consistent hardness pattern, with measurements averaging 70.71 HV0.1 horizontally and 71.23 HV0.1 vertically, and significantly impacts tensile strength; the horizontally oriented specimen exhibited a tensile strength of 236.03 MPa, a yield strength of 90.29 MPa, and an elongation of 31.10% compared to the vertically oriented specimen which showed reduced mechanical properties due to the presence of defects such as porosity and cracks. The fracture morphology analysis confirmed a predominantly ductile fracture mode, supported by the widespread distribution of dimples on the fracture surface. The integration of ultrasonic vibrations not only refined the grain structure but also modified the secondary phase distribution, enhancing the quasi-isotropic properties of the alloy. These results underline the potential of ultrasonic-assisted WAAM in improving the performance of the 7075 Al alloy for critical applications in the aerospace and automotive industries, suggesting a promising direction for future research and technological advancement in additive manufacturing processes.
Research and Development of Online Monitoring Protection Sensors for Paper Books Based on TiO2 NT/MoS2
Authors: Wang Jia , Ke Lifang , Wu Jieling , Liang Feng , Xiang Yanxiong
Published: May 2024

NO2 is a prevalent environmental pollutant, and its reaction with water produces nitric acid, which is one of the main factors contributing to the degradation of books and paper. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a real-time monitoring system for NO2 gas content in the air and establish timely response measures to delay book aging and provide effective protection. In this study, TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) were fabricated using the anodic oxidation method, followed by the preparation of TiO2 NT/MoS2 composites through hydrothermal synthesis. It was observed that flaky MoS2 is attached to the surface of TiO2 nanotubes, forming aggregated structures resembling flower balls. The TiO2 NT/MoS2 nanocomposites were found to exhibit a rapid response with a 5 s response time and an 80 s recovery time towards 367 ppm NO2 at 260 °C. The gas response to 100 ppm NO2 vapor was 3.3, which is higher than all the other gases under the same concentration. Our experimental results demonstrate that compared to pure TiO2 NTs, TiO2 NT/MoS2 composites exhibit a larger specific surface area along with higher sensitivity and faster response times towards various concentrations of NO2 gas.
The Investigations of Novel Circuits Printing on Substrates by Aerosol Jet Printing
Authors: Yao Qingyu , Gu Feng , Cao Lei , Wang Zengsheng
Published: May 2024

Aerosol jet printing (AJP) is a straightforward write–fabrication technique with high resolution, design flexibility, and integration capabilities [...]
A Multi-Method Analysis of a Color Painting on Ancient Architecture from Anyuan Temple in Chengde, China
Authors: Li Juan , Zhao Rong
Published: May 2024

Anyuan Temple, constructed in the 29th year of the Qing Dynasty (1764), serves as a repository of numerous Sanskrit inscriptions and Hexi color paintings from the Qing era. Among its collections, the green Tara Buddha statue, exquisitely carved from wood, is recognized as a national first-class cultural relic. This edifice is instrumental in advancing our comprehension of painting artistry in royal temples. The current research focused on the pigments and binders utilized in the color paintings within Anyuan Temple, located in Chengde. An investigative process entailed collecting four samples from the paintings adorning the temple’s beams. These samples underwent comprehensive analysis using a variety of techniques, such as Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy-Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS), Micro Raman Spectroscopy (m-RS), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The examination revealed that the paintings comprised pigments of lead white, cinnabar, malachite, and azurite, corresponding to the colors white, red, green, and blue, respectively. The enduring stability and aesthetic appeal of these pigments suggest their suitability for use in future conservation efforts. Additionally, Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) analysis identified animal glue as the binding agent in the wood component paintings. These insights are pivotal for the forthcoming restoration endeavors of Anyuan Temple, offering essential guidance in selecting the appropriate materials for restoration.
In Situ Study on the Structural Evolution of Flexible Ionic Gel Sensors
Authors: Yan Shujun , Tang Jun , Zhang Angui , Zhao Nie , Wang Fu , Sun Shaowei
Published: May 2024

With the development of society, the demand for smart coatings is increasing. The development of flexible strain sensors using block copolymer self-assembled ionic gel materials provides a promising method for promoting the development of smart coatings. The ionic liquid in the ionic part of the material is crucial for the performance of the sensor. In this study, the structural changes within FDA/dEAN (self-assembly of acrylated Pluronic F127 (F127-DA) in partially deuterated ethylammonium nitrate (dEAN)) triblock copolymer ionic gel during uniaxial tensile flow were characterized using an in situ SAXS technique. The results revealed that the characteristics of the responses of the ionic gel to strain resistance were intricately linked to the evolution of its microstructure during the tensile process. At low levels of strain, the face-centered cubic lattice arrangement of the micelles tended to remain unchanged. However, when subjected to higher strains, the molecular chains aligned along the stretching direction, resulting in a more ordered structure with reduced entropy. This alignment led to significant disruption in bridging structures within the material. Furthermore, this research explored the impact of the stretching rate on the relaxation process. It was observed that higher stretching rates led to decreases in the average relaxation time, indicating rate dependence in the microstructure’s behavior. These findings provide valuable insights into the behavior and performance of flexible strain sensors based on ionic gel materials in smart coatings.
A Review of Trends in Scandinavian Early Childhood Education and Care Research from 2006 to 2021
Authors: Klippen May Irene Furenes , Moser Thomas , Reikerås Elin , Guldbrandsen Astrid
Published: May 2024

This study provides a comprehensive overview of trends in Scandinavian early childhood education (ECEC) research from 2006 to 2021, based on the Nordic Base of Early Childhood Education and Care’s (NB-ECEC) annual reports. The study reveals a notable increase in empirical studies in Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden and Norway. The rise in English publications is attributed to international collaborations and political guidelines. Dominant thematic areas include pedagogical practices and teaching and learning, while economics and classroom management receive less focus. Qualitative research prevails, with a shortage of quantitative methods like randomised controlled trials and longitudinal designs. The study emphasises the importance of diversifying research methodologies, acknowledges positive developments in research quality, and notes an increasing trend in international peer-reviewed journal publications.
Shaping the Discourse around Quality EdTech in India: Including Contextualized and Evidence-Based Solutions in the Ecosystem
Authors: Bhattacharya Leena , Nandakumar Minu , Dasgupta Chandan , Murthy Sahana
Published: May 2024

This paper examines the extent to which an initiative in India, namely EdTech Tulna, has been able to move towards decolonization of EdTech by shaping the discourse around the adoption and use of good quality and contextual educational technology solutions for Indian learners. Set up as a collaboration among researchers, practitioners, teachers and governments, EdTech Tulna aims to encourage the selection of EdTech solutions that are appropriate for the community they are designed for, rather than adopting solutions that market themselves or those that have been successful in Western countries. The paper adopts the lens of justice-oriented design and first critically examines the design of the EdTech Tulna index. Then, it examines the success and hurdles of the collaborative efforts towards the implementation of contextualized and evidence-based solutions in the ecosystem. By analyzing stakeholder interviews and meeting notes, this paper addresses two questions. First, how does Tulna assist in identifying quality contextual solutions that are likely to enhance the learning of children in India? Second, how do state government officials and practitioners collaborate with researchers to use research-based standards for selecting such solutions? The discussions outline the progress and draw a broad contour of the road ahead.