bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Gravity Model Analysis of Portuguese Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Leitão Nuno Carlos
Published: September 2023

Cultural and linguistic affinities have been studied in international business through the gravity model and economics of language. International investment theories enable the assessment of organisational, location, and internalisation motivations. The present study assesses the impact of transport costs, common language and market size based on the arguments of the gravity model, economics of language, and international investment theory. This investigation evaluates the relationship between the Portuguese FDI and the gravity model, using panel data between 2005 and 2020. The OLS estimator, PPML-Poisson Pseudo-Maximum-Likelihood estimator, and panel quantile regressions were used as an econometric methodology. Regarding research, we sought to understand to what extent cultural and linguistic issues, namely Portuguese-speaking countries, contribute to explaining Portuguese FDI. The economic dimension of the Portuguese economy and investor countries were introduced into the regression model. In addition, transportation and transaction costs were analysed across geographical distances. The econometric results show that the common language and cultural aspects are positively correlated with the Portuguese FDI, which allows us to conclude that the Portuguese language reduces the asymmetries between the home market and the host country. When panel quantile regressions are applied, it is possible to observe that the Portuguese economy has dimension enough to attract FDI, just as the countries investing in the Portuguese economy have a return on the investment made. Finally, geographical distance negatively impacts FDI, showing that geographical proximity increases the probability of attracting FDI.
Touch Avoidance with Close People and Strangers: Effects of Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Relationship Status
Authors: Bruno Francesco , Lau Chloe , Tagliaferro Carlotta , Quilty Lena C. , Chiesi Francesca
Published: September 2023

Human contact through physical touch is a core element in social bonding, which facilitates psychosocial well-being. Touch avoidance is an individual disposition that may prevent individuals from engaging in or benefiting from physical touch. The present study recruited 450 Italian participants (51.1% female) with a mean age of 32.2 ± 13.5 to complete a battery of demographic questionnaires and the Touch Avoidance Questionnaire (TAQ). Individuals who were single and reporting same-sex attraction avoided touch with family more often than their coupled counterparts or those reporting opposite-sex attraction. Moreover, males reporting same-sex attraction avoided touch with a potential partner more frequently. When comparing sex differences, women reported greater touch avoidance with opposite-sex friends more frequently, while males avoided touch with same-sex friends more frequently. Individuals reporting opposite-sex attraction reported greater touch amongst same-sex friends. Single males avoided touch with same-sex friends more frequently than those in a relationship. Overall, this contribution reflects the individual differences related to social touch avoidance with respect to sex, relationship status, and sexual orientation in an Italian sample.
Simplicity Hits the Gas: A Robust, DIY Biogas Reactor Holds Potential in Research and Education in Bioeconomy
Authors: Vogel Felipe Werle , Carlotto Nicolas , Wang Zhongzhong , González-Herrero Raquel , Giménez Juan Bautista , Seco Aurora , Porcar Manuel
Published: September 2023

Biogas is a promising and robust renewable energy that holds potential as clean energy in the context of the current climatic emergency. Biogas has the immense advantage of coupling waste management and clean energy production. In other words, it is not only a renewable energy source, but also a central tool in recycling a vast range of waste products from the agroindustry. Despite its potential, the process is microbiologically complex and is usually carried out in both industrial and pilot laboratories, utilizing a variety of reactors and systems. In this work, we present a very simple, Do It Yourself (DIY) biogas fermenter that we have designed, operated, and characterized. We propose this technology as both an inexpensive proxy for biogas reactors in academic and private laboratories and as an effective dissemination tool to foster the knowledge and potential of biogas as a key technology to contribute to the development of a global bioeconomy.
Biobutanol Production from Acetone–Butanol–Ethanol Fermentation: Developments and Prospects
Authors: Lin Zhangnan , Cong Wei , Zhang Jian’an
Published: September 2023

With global carbon emissions and environmental issues becoming increasingly prominent, there is an increasing focus on the development of clean energy, and biobutanol has gained widespread attention due to its superior performance. Butanol production by fermentation is affected by various factors, such as raw materials, cultivation environment, and butanol toxicity, which results in lower butanol production and restricts its industrial development. This article elaborates on the research progress of butanol fermentation, including butanol-producing microorganisms, butanol synthesis metabolic pathways, raw materials for ABE fermentation, and butanol fermentation technologies. It also looks forward to the prospects of biobutanol, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the research direction of butanol fermentation.
The Migratory Biology and Feeding Habits of Downstream-Migrating Juvenile Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta in the Amur River of Northeast China
Authors: Wang Jilong , Li Peilun , Liu Wei , Lu Wanqiao , Tang Fujiang
Published: September 2023

The size of chum salmon juveniles is crucial to their survival. In order to understand the population status and migration patterns of juvenile chum salmon in the waters of the Amur River in China, this study investigated the status of juvenile chum salmon resources and their basic biological characteristics in the Amur River and the Ussuri River in China. The results showed that the average catch per unit effort (CPUE) of chum salmon in river margins was 0.140 ind·10−3 m3 for the Amur River and 0.255 ind·10−3 m3 for the Ussuri River. Chum salmon migrate downstream, mainly in mid-May in the Amur River and in early May in the Ussuri River, and no fish was caught in the rivers after June. Most chum salmon migrated when the water was between 10 and 14 °C. The average FL (fork length) and BW (body weight) of the Amur River samples were 37.1 ± 2.9 mm and 0.42 ± 0.09 g, respectively, while the Ussuri River samples’ FL and BW were 34.9 ± 3.7 mm and 0.36 ± 0.08 g, respectively. The empty stomach rate of the samples was zero, and the prey category of the samples was composed of fish, aquatic insects, copepods, and cladocerans, of which Ephemeroptera had the largest percentage index of relative importance (IRI%), with a value of 58.45%. The size of the downstream-migrating juvenile chum salmon in this study is similar to the size of those in some other rivers, and the CPUE varies depending on the river conditions.
Selecting from the Fisheries Managers’ Tool-Box: Recreational Fishers’ Views of Stock Enhancement and Other Management Options
Authors: Tweedley James R. , Obregón Clara , Beukes Sarah J. , Loneragan Neil R. , Hughes Michael
Published: September 2023

As recreational fishers act relatively autonomously, management relies heavily on voluntary compliance. Therefore, understanding fishers’ views on management options can be beneficial. This study used a two-phase approach of face-to-face interviews and subsequent online questionnaires to evaluate recreational fishers’ salient views on issues affecting the Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus armatus) and Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) fisheries in Western Australia as well as current and potential management arrangements, including stock enhancement. The strength and heterogeneity of views were also determined. Minimum size limits were mainly considered acceptable or very acceptable, with restricting recreational fishing and spatial closures the least supported management options for both species, in addition to maximum size limits for crabs. These views were not always consistent across fishing locations for each species and among types of crab fishers, indicating heterogeneity in views. Stocking was the most acceptable of the management measures not already utilised for crabs and among the most popular for bream fisheries. Recreational fishers of both species believed stock enhancement could have strong positive outcomes for the abundance of their target species and increase their subsequent catches. They also recognized that some negative outcomes, e.g., increased fishing pressure and environmental issues, might occur but considered them unlikely.
Effects of Microalgal Blooms on Aquaculture and Fisheries
Authors: Díaz Patricio A. , Álvarez Gonzalo
Published: September 2023

Pigmented planktonic microalgae (phytoplankton) are primary producers that form the basis of marine trophic webs [...]
Swimming under Pressure: The Sub-Lethal Effects of a Pesticide on the Behaviour of Native and Non-Native Cypriniformes Fish
Authors: Leite Tamara , Mameri Daniel , Branco Paulo , Vieira Inês , Oliveira Margarida , Santos José Maria
Published: September 2023

River ecosystems are exposed to a multitude of stressors, including increasing pesticide run-off driven by precipitation and irrigation. Pyrethroids are the fourth major group of insecticides in use worldwide and have extremely negative effects on aquatic fauna. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of an acute 2 h sub-lethal exposure to different levels of the pyrethroid esfenvalerate on the swimming behaviour of two Cypriniformes species: the native Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei) and the non-native invasive bleak (Alburnus alburnus). The experimental set-up consisted of previous exposure to three esfenvalerate concentrations (control, 1.2 (low), and 2.0 (high) μg/L) before being stocked in a three-artificial-flume-channel mesocosm for behavioural trials through direct observation. Monitored behaviours included (i) routine activity, (ii) shoal cohesion, and iii) boldness. Significant differences in fish behaviour were detected for the native species (barbel), as individuals spent significantly more time holding position (i.e., resting) in the control (44.9%) than in the high esfenvalerate concentration (25.2%). Concordantly, control barbels were also found to perform more directional changes than the ones exposed to high esfenvalerate concentrations. Behavioural changes were also found for boldness, measured by the proportion of fish attempts to negotiate the upstream ramp, which were significantly higher in the control (37.4%) and in the high concentration (41.5%) compared to the low one (21.1%). Finally, regarding shoal cohesion of the barbel, it was tighter in the control (81.3%) than in the low- (70.5%) and high- (71.1%) esfenvalerate treatments. For the invasive bleak, there were no significant differences in any of the behavioural traits upon previous exposure to an increasing esfenvalerate concentration. This experimental study demonstrated that even short-term exposure to the pyrethroid esfenvalerate was sufficient to alter the behaviour of a native Cypriniformes fish species while not affecting the non-native species. This may confer greater competitive advantages to non-native fish species in the context of global changes.
Design and Evaluation of Liposomal Sulforaphane-Loaded Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polyethylene Glycol (PVA/PEG) Hydrogels as a Novel Drug Delivery System for Wound Healing
Authors: Hemati Hamide , Haghiralsadat Fateme , Hemati Mahdie , Sargazi Ghasem , Razi Nastaran
Published: September 2023

Hydrogel scaffold has been widely applied as drug delivery systems for treating skin injuries. However, the poor drug loading and rapid drug release of hydrogel restricted their application. In the current study, we present a nanoliposome containing sulforaphane (SF) as a nano-drug delivery system that is encapsulated within the scaffold hydrogel system to overcome these limitations and improve wound healing. The hydrogel substrate consisting of 10% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/5% polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) was prepared by the freeze–thaw method, and the nanoliposomal system was manufactured by the thin film hydration method at different molar ratios of cholesterol: SPC: DPPC: DSPE-PEG2000. The nanoliposome and hydrogel system was characterized by physicochemical analyses. The findings achieved from the optimization of the sulforaphane-loaded nanoliposome (SFNL) displayed an increase in the molar ratio of SPC, leading to a higher entrapment efficiency and a gradual release profile. Narrow size distribution, optimal electrical charge, and the lack of molecular interactions between SF and nanoliposome components in the FTIR analysis make SFNL a suitable drug delivery system for the wound healing process. The obtained SFNL-encapsulated freeze–thawed hydrogel system has sufficient and specific swelling ability at different pH values and increased mechanical strength and elongation. Additionally, the release pattern of SFNL at different pH values showed that the release of SF from liposomes depends on the pH value of the environment and accelerates in line with decreasing pH values. Encapsulation of nanoliposomal SF in the hydrogel structure provides a sustained release pattern of SF compared to its free form and increased as the pH environments continued to raise. The cytotoxicity and cell uptake of SFNL-loaded hydrogels against human skin fibroblasts (HFF cell line) were investigated. The in vitro analyses displayed that the toxicity properties of SF and SFNL were dose-dependent, and SFNL exhibited lower toxicity compared to free SF. Furthermore, the proper cell compatibility of the prepared hydrogel against the HFF cell line was confirmed by the MTT assay. These findings imply that the hydrogel scaffold loaded with SFNL may have wound-healing potential.
Atomic Force Microscopy of Phytosterol Based Edible Oleogels
Authors: Matheson Andrew B. , Koutsos Vasileios , Euston Stephen R. , Clegg Paul S.
Published: September 2023

This work reviews the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a tool to investigate oleogels of edible triglyceride oils. Specific attention is given to those oleogels based on phytosterols and their esters, a class of material the authors have studied extensively. This work consists of a summary of the role of AFM in imaging edible oleogels, including the processing and preparation steps required to obtain high-quality AFM images of them. Finally, there is a comparison between AFM and other techniques that may be used to obtain structural information from oleogel samples. The aim of this review is to provide a useful introduction and summary of the technique for researchers in the fields of gels and food sciences looking to perform AFM measurements on edible oleogels.
Smartphone Use—Influence on Posture and Gait during Standing and Walking
Authors: Brühl Marius , Hmida Jamil , Tomschi Fabian , Cucchi Davide , Wirtz Dieter C. , Strauss Andreas C. , Hilberg Thomas
Published: September 2023

Prolonged gaze at a smartphone is characterized by pronounced flexion of the cervical spine and is associated with health risks. In addition, it is suspected that smartphone distraction could lead to gait changes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect smartphone-associated postural changes at thoracic and lumbar levels as well as gait changes. Spinal analysis was performed prospectively in 21 healthy men using the DIERS 4Dmotion®Lab in a controlled crossover design to evaluate posture-associated parameters while standing and walking. The examination sequence provided three randomized gaze directions: GN = Gaze Neutral; S1H = Smartphone one-handed; S2H = Smartphone two-handed. Results reveal a higher vertebra prominens (VP)-flexion in S1H (23.8° ± 6.9°; p ≤ 0.001) and S2H (22.4° ± 4.7°; p ≤ 0.001) compared to GN (17.6° ± 3.8°). Kyphosis angles were also different with higher values observed in S1H (58.8° ± 5.8°; p ≤ 0.001) and S2H (61.6° ± 4.9°; p ≤ 0.001) compared to GN (49.1° ± 4.6°). During walking, similar results were observed in kyphosis angles. No differences were observed in gait during smartphone use (p = 0.180–0.883). The study revealed a significantly increased inclination of the lower cervical and thoracic spine during smartphone use. However, the inclination was larger during S2H. Standing or walking conditions did not affect the measurement outcomes. Long-term smartphone use associated with a larger inclination of the cervical and thoracic spine might result in increased pressure and shear forces acting on vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, and muscles, which potentially increases the risk of spinal pain and disease.
ChatGPT’s Skills in Statistical Analysis Using the Example of Allergology: Do We Have Reason for Concern?
Authors: Ordak Michal
Published: September 2023

Background: Content generated by artificial intelligence is sometimes not truthful. To date, there have been a number of medical studies related to the validity of ChatGPT’s responses; however, there is a lack of studies addressing various aspects of statistical analysis. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the answers provided by ChatGPT in relation to statistical analysis, as well as to identify recommendations to be implemented in the future in connection with the results obtained. Methods: The study was divided into four parts and was based on the exemplary medical field of allergology. The first part consisted of asking ChatGPT 30 different questions related to statistical analysis. The next five questions included a request for ChatGPT to perform the relevant statistical analyses, and another five requested ChatGPT to indicate which statistical test should be applied to articles accepted for publication in Allergy. The final part of the survey involved asking ChatGPT the same statistical question three times. Results: Out of the 40 general questions asked that related to broad statistical analysis, ChatGPT did not fully answer half of them. Assumptions necessary for the application of specific statistical tests were not included. ChatGPT also gave completely divergent answers to one question about which test should be used. Conclusion: The answers provided by ChatGPT to various statistical questions may give rise to the use of inappropriate statistical tests and, consequently, the subsequent misinterpretation of the research results obtained. Questions asked in this regard need to be framed more precisely.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency in the World Heritage Site of the Historic Centre of Mexico City
Authors: Murillo Camacho Krisangella Sofia , Fouseki Kalliopi , Altamirano Hector
Published: September 2023

On 26 April 2017, Mexico formally adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda to link the national government to local governments, the private sector, civil society and academia. The restoration of heritage residential buildings (recovery programme) and the construction of new residential buildings aim to create a diversified environment for populations at different economic levels. However, the restoration programme faces conservation challenges. Given this context, this paper presents the results of in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with stakeholders in Mexico’s heritage and energy sectors. The duration of each interview was approximately two hours, with 52,372 total interview words. The paper identifies prevailing opinions regarding prioritising historical values, energy efficiency, historic buildings and users concerning Mexico City’s Historical Centre, a World Heritage Site needing a more appropriate sustainable development plan. Using grounded theory and thematic analysis, the interview data were analysed based on the interrelationship between thermal comfort, energy efficiency and heritage conservation changes over time. The results of this research will strengthen our understanding of the interventions and processes involved in managing and living in this World Heritage Site and its future impacts on buildings. The approach also underscores the importance of how stakeholders prioritise different values in making energy efficiency-promoting decisions and enhances awareness of the decision-making process and actions adopted by heritage building users. Thus, understanding the dynamic interrelationship between values, users and energy could improve the sustainable management of heritage sites and future development.
Temporal Changes in Flavonoid Components, Free Radical Scavenging Activities and Metabolism-Related Gene Expressions during Fruit Development in Chinese Dwarf Cherry (Prunus humilis)
Authors: Han Hongyan , Zhang Lingjuan , Liu Shan , Li Na , Huo Jianxin , Mu Xiaopeng
Published: September 2023

Temporal changes in total flavonoid content (TFC), composition, free radical scavenging activity and metabolism-related gene expression of three Prunus humilis cultivars with distinctively different fruit colors were investigated in this study. The highest fruit TFCs of all three cultivars were observed at the initial sampling stage (young-fruit stage, YFS), which then declined gradually until fruit ripening. The dark-red-fruited cultivar ‘Jinou 1’ had the highest TFC, followed by the yellow-red-fruited cultivar ‘Nongda 3’ and the yellow-fruited cultivar ‘Nongda 5’. Thirteen flavonoid compounds were found in the three cultivars by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the content of most flavonoid compounds gradually decreased throughout the fruit-ripening process, with the exception of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G). C3G, as the main anthocyanin in P. humilis fruits, increased drastically during the fruit-coloring process of cultivars ‘Jinou 1’ and ‘Nongda 3’, while it was not detected in the developing fruits of cultivar ‘Nongda 5’. The antioxidant activity assay (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS) revealed that fruits of all three cultivars at YFS also had the highest antioxidant activities, and cultivar ‘Jinou 1’ had the highest antioxidant activities. Correlation analysis revealed that the antioxidant activities were significantly positively correlated with the TFCs and contents of the main compounds such as catechin, proanthocyanidin B1 and phloretin-2′,4-O-diglucoside (p < 0.01). Moreover, gene expression analysis showed that the flavonoid biosynthetic genes had different expression patterns in the three cultivars. The expression levels of ChCHS, ChCHI, ChF3H, ChDFR, ChLDOX and ChUFGT increased gradually with fruit ripening in cultivar ‘Jinou 1’, while all flavonoid-related genes in cultivar ‘Nongda 5’ decreased gradually during fruit development. The results from our study could significantly contribute to the deeper understanding of flavonoid accumulation mechanisms in P. humilis fruits and also help facilitate the targeted cultivar development and the utilization as a functional food of this fruit species.
Simulating Phosphorus Load Reductions in a Nested Catchment Using a Flow Pathway-Based Modeling Approach
Authors: Adams Russell , Quinn Paul
Published: September 2023

Catchment models are essential tools to identify and predict water quality problems linked to excessive nutrient applications (in this case phosphorus (P)). The Catchment Runoff Attenuation Flux Tool (CRAFT) has been successfully used to model nutrient fluxes and concentrations in north-western European catchments. The model is extremely parsimonious due to the relatively small number of parameters. However, an improvement to the representation of soluble P and particulate P fluxes in the fast-subsurface and surface runoff flow pathways was required. A case study in the north of Ireland applied the original and the new, enhanced (Dynamic) version of the CRAFT to the trans-border Blackwater catchment (UK and Republic of Ireland) covering nearly 1500 km2, with the land use predominantly livestock grazing. The larger size of the Blackwater also required a nested modeling approach to be implemented using a multiple sub-catchment variant (MultiCRAFT). P load reductions in the different sub-catchments were first identified using a simple approach based on the gap between the Water Framework Directive (WFD) limits for “Good” ecological status for soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations and the recently observed concentrations. Modeling of different mitigation scenarios was then conducted using the MultiCRAFT framework with the best-performing variant of the CRAFT model embedded. The catchment was found to have flashy, episodic delivery of high concentrations of SRP and PP during runoff events which will require different sources (i.e., diffuse and point) of P to be targeted to achieve the WFD targets by the end of the decade. The modeling results thus showed that the required SRP load reductions could be best achieved using a combined scenario of mitigation measures that targeted diffuse sources contributing to both the surface runoff and fast-subsurface flow pathways, with point sources also identified as needing reduction in some sub-catchments.
Bloomin’ Ridiculous: Climate Change, Water Contamination and Algal Blooms in a Land Down Under
Authors: Crampton Andrea , Ragusa Angela T.
Published: September 2023

Climate and anthropogenic change, particularly agricultural runoff, increase blue-green algae/cyanobacteria blooms. This article researches cyanobacteria alert-level identification, management, and risk communication in Lake Hume, Australia. Two methods, document and content analysis, evidence contamination events and risk communication, reflect water governance and data management limitations. Results found that Lake Hume had amber or red alerts for only one week, December 2021–December 2022. This failed to prevent government tourism promotion of recreational usage, contravening water authority red alert advice. Lake-use restrictions lacked compliance enforcement. Events during amber alerts lacked risk communication to vulnerable populations (children). Lake Hume’s governance by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority restricted risk communication to one authority that reproduced generic advice in minimal outlets/time points. Geophysical signage failed to address diversity needs (language, literacy, age, and disabilities). No risk communication was found for residents with diseases exacerbated by aerosolization. Despite WHO promoting cyanotoxin investigation, Australian research is absent in international literature. Further, Lake Hume cyanobacteria produce potentially carcinogenic microcystein. This coexists with census data revealing cancer rates higher than the national average in a waterside town. The results demonstrate the need to incorporate robust public health risk assessments, communication, and management into water management and advocate international legislation changes based on evidence-based research to reduce blooms and prevent agricultural runoff.
Planar Bragg Reflectors for Frequency-Tunable Sub-Terahertz Gyrotrons
Authors: Bylinskiy Nikita A. , Kalynov Yuriy K. , Kotomina Valentina E. , Peskov Nikolay Yu. , Proyavin Mikhail D. , Savilov Andrei V. , Sobolev Dmitry D. , Vikharev Alexander A. , Zaslavsky Vladislav Yu.
Published: September 2023

A novel concept of a frequency-tuned sub-terahertz gyrotron based on a combination of an irregular low-frequency resonator and an external reflector has been proposed recently. A simulation was carried out for a fundamental-cyclotron-harmonic gyrotron that demonstrates the possibility of achieving high (10–30%) efficiencies in a wide (~10%) frequency range. A possible solution to the problem of narrow-band frequency-tunable external reflectors in the form of so-called modified planar Bragg structures is discussed. The manufacturing of such structures on the basis of a novel additive technology based on photopolymer 3D printing, as well as the results of “cold” experiments of the manufactured samples, are described in the paper.
Spatially Distributed Light Exposure: Impact on Light Transmission through CAD/CAM Resin-Based Composites of Different Thicknesses
Authors: Ilie Nicoleta
Published: September 2023

This article reports the variation in incident and transmitted light through four different computer-aided-designed/computer-assisted-manufactured (CAD/CAM) resin-based composites (RBC) of thicknesses up to 4 mm after simulating clinically relevant but non-ideal curing conditions. A violet-blue light curing unit (LCU) was used to simulate 39 different curing conditions for each material and thickness, setting an exposure distance of up to 7 mm in the vertical direction and an additional 13 horizontally varying positions that included a central position and up to 3 mm off-center positions in mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual directions. The data clearly indicate that exposure distance has a stronger influence on the measured light characteristics than the directional and offset deviations from the center position. Increasing exposure distance leveled the differences and should be limited to 3 mm. In all materials, the parameters of the transmitted light follow the pattern of variation of the incident light. The attenuation of light while passing RBCs is high and increases exponentially with thickness to 95–96% of the incident light for 4-millimeter-thick samples. Significant differences in light transmission were observed between the materials, which are well related to chemical composition and refractive index differences between filler and organic matrix. Violet light is still measurable after passing through 4-millimeter-thick RBC layers, but its proportion relative to blue light is drastically reduced.
A Load–Velocity Relationship in Sprint?
Authors: van den Tillaar Roland , Gleadhill Sam , Jiménez-Reyes Pedro , Nagahara Ryu
Published: September 2023

The aims were to compare predicted maximal velocity from load–velocity relationships established with different resisted and assisted loads by different regression analyses to the measured maximal velocity during sprint running, and to compare maximal velocity measured between a robotic pulley system and laser gun. Sixteen experienced male sprinters performed regular 50 m sprints, a 50 m with 5-kilogram-assisted sprint, and 10, 20, 30, and 30 m resisted sprints with, respectively, 65, 50, 25, and 10% calculated reduction in maximal velocity. Maximal velocity obtained by laser gun during the regular sprint was compared with predicted maximal velocity calculated from four trendlines (linear and polynomial based upon four resisted loads, and linear and polynomial based upon four resisted and one assisted load). Main findings demonstrate that the robotic pulley system and laser measure similar maximal velocities at all loads except at the load of 10% velocity reduction. Theoretical maximal velocity based upon calculated predictions were underestimated by 0.62–0.22 m/s (2.2–0.78 km/h; 6.7–2.3%) compared to measured maximal velocity. It was concluded that different regression analyses underestimated measured maximal velocity in regular sprinting and polynomial regression analysis (with resisted and assisted loads) estimation was closest to measured velocity (2.3%).
A Millimeter-Wave Radar-Aided Vision Detection Method for Water Surface Small Object Detection
Authors: Zhu Jiannan , Yang Yixin , Cheng Yuwei
Published: September 2023

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) have wide applications in marine inspection and monitoring, terrain mapping, and water surface cleaning. Accurate and robust environment perception ability is essential for achieving autonomy in USVs. Small object detection on water surfaces is an important environment perception task, typically achieved by visual detection using cameras. However, existing vision-based small object detection methods suffer from performance degradation in complex water surface environments. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar-aided vision detection method that enables automatic data association and fusion between mmWave radar point clouds and images. Through testing on real-world data, the proposed method demonstrates significant performance improvement over vision-based object detection methods without introducing more computational costs, making it suitable for real-time application on USVs. Furthermore, the image–radar data association model in the proposed method can serve as a plug-and-play module for other object detection methods.
Oomycete Soil Diversity Associated with Betula and Alnus in Forests and Urban Settings in the Nordic–Baltic Region
Authors: Riit Taavi , Cleary Michelle , Adamson Kalev , Blomquist Mimmi , Burokienė Daiva , Marčiulynienė Diana , Oliva Jonàs , Poimala Anna , Redondo Miguel Angel , Strømeng Gunn Mari , Talgø Venche , Tedersoo Leho , Thomsen Iben Margrete , Uimari Anne , Witzell Johanna , Drenkhan Rein
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to determine the differences and drivers of oomycete diversity and community composition in alder- and birch-dominated park and natural forest soils of the Fennoscandian and Baltic countries of Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. For this, we sequenced libraries of PCR products generated from the DNA of 111 soil samples collected across a climate gradient using oomycete-specific primers on a PacBio high-throughput sequencing platform. We found that oomycete communities are most affected by temperature seasonality, annual mean temperature, and mean temperature of the warmest quarter. Differences in composition were partly explained by the higher diversity of Saprolegniales in Sweden and Norway, as both total oomycete and Saprolegniales richness decreased significantly at higher longitudes, potentially indicating the preference of this group of oomycetes for a more temperate maritime climate. None of the evaluated climatic variables significantly affected the richness of Pythiales or Peronosporales. Interestingly, the relative abundance and richness of Pythiales was higher at urban sites compared to forest sites, whereas the opposite was true for Saprolegniales. Additionally, this is the first report of Phytophthora gallica and P. plurivora in Estonia. Our results indicate that the composition of oomycetes in soils is strongly influenced by climatic factors, and, therefore, changes in climate conditions associated with global warming may have the potential to significantly alter the distribution range of these microbes, which comprise many important pathogens of plants.
Polyfunctionality of ‘Give’ in Hui Varieties of Chinese: A Typological and Areal Perspective
Authors: Lu Wen , Szeto Pui Yiu
Published: September 2023

The morpheme ‘give’ is among the most well-studied lexical items in the realm of grammaticalization. This study sets out to provide a typological and areal analysis of the distinct forms and multiple functions of ‘give’ in 27 varieties of Hui Chinese, a lesser-known group of Sinitic languages. Making use of both primary and secondary data, we have identified ten different functions of GIVE, namely (i) lexical verb ‘give’, (ii) recipient marker ‘to’, (iii) benefactive marker ‘for’, (iv) purpose marker, (v) permissive marker, (vi) passive marker, (vii) pretransitive disposal marker, (viii) allative marker, (ix) locative marker ‘at/in’, and (x) temporal marker ‘till’. The Hui varieties covered in this study generally showcase the syncretism of a minimum of five of the functions above simultaneously. Semantic extension, polygrammaticalization, and cooptation are shown to be the major mechanisms behind the polyfunctionality or polysemy sharing of the morpheme ‘give’. Our study contributes to the understanding of the role that grammaticalization, especially contact-induced grammaticalization, plays in forming linguistic areas. In addition, it casts doubt on the basicness of ‘give’ in assessing the genetic relatedness of languages in the world.
Mixed-Type Hypergeometric Bernoulli–Gegenbauer Polynomials
Authors: Peralta Dionisio , Quintana Yamilet , Wani Shahid Ahmad
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we consider a novel family of the mixed-type hypergeometric Bernoulli–Gegenbauer polynomials. This family represents a fascinating fusion between two distinct categories of special functions: hypergeometric Bernoulli polynomials and Gegenbauer polynomials. We focus our attention on some algebraic and differential properties of this class of polynomials, including its explicit expressions, derivative formulas, matrix representations, matrix-inversion formulas, and other relations connecting it with the hypergeometric Bernoulli polynomials. Furthermore, we show that unlike the hypergeometric Bernoulli polynomials and Gegenbauer polynomials, the mixed-type hypergeometric Bernoulli–Gegenbauer polynomials do not fulfill either Hanh or Appell conditions.
Effects of Aphrodite (an Herbal Compound) on SSRI-Induced Sexual Dysfunctions and Depression in Females with Major Depressive Disorder: Findings from a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Shahmoradi Nasrin , Davarinejad Omran , Brühl Annette Beatrix , Brand Serge
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives: Almost by default, people with major depression disorder (MDD) also report sexual health issues. This holds even more true when sexual dysfunctions are SSRI-induced. Herbal compounds may have the power to counterbalance such sexual dysfunctions, though research is still scarce. Therefore, we assessed females with diagnosed MDD treated with a standard SSRI (sertraline) and reporting SSRI-induced sexual dysfunctions, and we asked whether compared to placebo, Aphrodite (a blend of ginger, saffron, cinnamon, thistle, and Tribulus terrestris) may favorably impact on sexual dysfunctions, and on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 females (mean age: 35.05 years) with diagnosed MDD, treated with sertraline (a standard SSRI) at therapeutic dosages, and reporting SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, were randomly assigned either to Aphrodite or to the placebo condition. At baseline and four and eight weeks later (study end), participants completed a series of self-rating questionnaires covering symptoms of sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and sleep complaints. Results: Symptoms of sexual dysfunction, depression, and anxiety decreased over time, but more so in the Aphrodite condition, compared to the placebo condition (significant p-values and large effect sizes). Over time, sleep disturbances decreased irrespective of the study condition. Conclusions: The pattern of results suggests that compared to placebo, Aphrodite appeared to improve symptoms of sexual dysfunction, depression, and anxiety among females with diagnosed MDD and SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. Further and similar studies should investigate the underlying psychophysiological mechanisms.
A Novel Score to Predict One-Year Mortality after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, Naples Prognostic Score
Authors: Çetin Zehra Güven , Balun Ahmet , Çiçekçioğlu Hülya , Demirtaş Bekir , Yiğitbaşı Murat Mehmet , Özbek Kerem , Çetin Mustafa
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives: Aortic stenosis (AS) is a widespread valvular disease in developed countries, primarily among the elderly. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a viable alternative to aortic valve surgery for patients with severe AS who are deemed a high surgical risk or for whom the AS is found to be inoperable. Predicting outcomes after TAVR is essential. The Naples Prognostic Score (NPS) is a new scoring method that evaluates nutritional status and inflammation. Our study is aims to examine the relationship between the NPS and outcomes for patients receiving TAVR. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 370 patients who underwent TAVR across three tertiary medical centres from March 2019 to March 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on their NPS, namely, low (0, 1, and 2) and high (3 and 4). Our study is primarily aimed to determine the one-year mortality rate. Results: Within one year, the mortality rate for the entire group was 8.6%. Nonetheless, the low-NPS group had a rate of 5.0%, whereas the high-NPS group had a rate of 13%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.06. Conclusions: Our results show that NPS is an independent predictor of one-year mortality in patients undergoing TAVR.
Genetic Insights into Intestinal Microbiota and Risk of Infertility: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Zhang Fuxun , Xiong Yang , Wu Kan , Wang Linmeng , Ji Yunhua , Zhang Bo
Published: September 2023

Background: The interaction between intestinal microbiota and infertility is less researched. This study was performed to investigate the causal association between gut microbiota and infertility. Methods: In this two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study, genetic variants of intestinal microbiota were obtained from the MiBioGen consortium, which included 18,340 individuals. Inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, maximum likelihood, MR Robust adjusted profile score, MR Pleiotropy residual sum, and outlier (MR-PRESSO) methods were used to explore the causal links between intestinal microbiota and infertility. The MR-Egger intercept term and the global test from the MR-PRESSO estimator were used to assess the horizontal pleiotropy. The Cochran Q test was applied to evaluate the heterogeneity of instrumental variables (IVs). Results: As indicated by the IVW estimator, significantly protective effects of the Family XIII AD3011 group (OR = 0.87) and Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group (OR = 0.85) were identified for female fertility, while Betaproteobacteria (OR = 1.18), Burkholderiales (OR = 1.18), Candidatus Soleaferrea (OR = 1.12), and Lentisphaerae (OR = 1.11) showed adverse effects on female fertility. Meanwhile, Bacteroidaceae (OR = 0.57), Bacteroides (OR = 0.57), and Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group (OR = 0.61) revealed protective effects on male fertility, and a causal association between Anaerotruncus (OR = 1.81) and male infertility was detected. The effect sizes and directions remained consistent in the other five methods except for Candidatus Soleaferrea. No heterogeneity or pleiotropy were identified by Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger, and global test (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: This two-sample MR study revealed that genetically proxied intestinal microbiota had potentially causal effects on infertility. In all, the Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group displayed protective effects against both male and female infertility. Further investigations are needed to establish the biological mechanisms linking gut microbiota and infertility.
Group Leader vs. Remaining Group—Whose Data Should Be Used for Prediction of Team Performance?
Authors: Böck Ronald
Published: September 2023

Humans are considered to be communicative, usually interacting in dyads or groups. In this paper, we investigate group interactions regarding performance in a rather formal gathering. In particular, a collection of ten performance indicators used in social group sciences is used to assess the outcomes of the meetings in this manuscript, in an automatic, machine learning-based way. For this, the Parking Lot Corpus, comprising 70 meetings in total, is analysed. At first, we obtain baseline results for the automatic prediction of performance results on the corpus. This is the first time the Parking Lot Corpus is tapped in this sense. Additionally, we compare baseline values to those obtained, utilising bidirectional long-short term memories. For multiple performance indicators, improvements in the baseline results are able to be achieved. Furthermore, the experiments showed a trend that the acoustic material of the remaining group should use for the prediction of team performance.
Two-Dimensional Quasi-Periodic Diffraction Properties of the Scalar and Vector Optical Fields
Authors: Pan Yue , Sun Xue-Feng , Zhang Guang-Bo , Li Qing-Lu , Kong Ya-Ning , Zhao Tian-Fei , Gao Xu-Zhen
Published: September 2023

As is known, quasi-periodicity attracts great attention in many scientific regions. For instance, the discovery of the quasicrystal was rewarded the Nobel Prize in 2011, leading to a series of its applications. However, in the area of manipulating optical fields, the two-dimensional quasi-periodicity is rarely considered. Here, we study the two-dimensional quasi-periodic diffraction properties of the scalar and vector optical fields based on the Penrose tiling, which is one of the most representative kinds of two-dimensional quasi-periodic patterns. We propose type-A and type-B Penrose tiling masks (PTMs) with phase modulation, and further show the diffraction properties of the optical fields passing through these masks. The intensity of the diffraction field holds a tenfold symmetry. It is proved that the iteration number n of the PTM shows the “weeding” function in the diffraction field, and this property is useful in filtering, shaping, and manipulating diffraction fields. Meanwhile, we also find that the diffraction patterns have the label of the Golden ratio, which can be applied in areas such as optical encryption and information transmission.
Structurally Stable Astigmatic Vortex Beams with Super-High Orbital Angular Momentum (ABCD Matrix Approach)
Authors: Volyar Alexander , Bretsko Mikhail , Khalilov Server , Akimova Yana
Published: September 2023

We have demonstrated efficiency of employing the ABCD matrix approach to transform higher-order structured Laguerre–Gaussian (sLG) beams into structurally stable astigmatic sLG (asLG) beams, highlighting their dynamics at propagating. Radical transformations of the beam structure by a cylindrical lens form not only orbital angular momentum (OAM) fast oscillations and bursts, but also make the asLG beams structurally unstable in propagation through cylindrical and spherical lenses when focusing paraxially. But, if the spherical lens performs a Fourier transform of the asLG beam after a cylindrical lens, the symmetric beam emerges at the lens focal plane with a sharp OAM dip; then, the OAM restores its former astigmatism, becoming structurally stable at the far diffraction domain. By investigating the beam structure at the focal area, we have showed that the OAM sharp dip is associated with nothing less than the process of dividing the OAM into the vortex and astigmatic constitutes predicted by Anan’ev and Bekshaev.
Research and Evaluation of Foam-Drainage Corrosion-Inhibition Hydrate Anti-Aggregation Integrated Agent
Authors: Ni Weijun , Yang Guohao , Dong Jie , Pan Yansong , Chen Gang , Gu Xuefan
Published: September 2023

In natural gas exploitation, foam drainage, corrosion inhibition and hydrate inhibition of wellbore fluid are conventional operations. However, there is often a problem where multiple chemical agents cannot be effectively used together and can only be used separately, resulting in complex production processes. In this study, the final integrated formulation was determined: 0.1% sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOST) + 0.3% dodecyl dimethyl betaine (BS-12) + 0.3% sodium lignosulfonate + 0.5% hydrazine hydrate. The minimum tension of the integrated agent could be reduced to 23.5 mN/m. The initial foaming height of the integrated agent was 21.5 cm at 65 °C, the liquid-carrying capacity was 143 mL, and the liquid-carrying rate reached 71.5%. The maximum corrosion depth also decreased from 11.52 µm without the addition of hydrazine hydrate, gradually decreasing to 5.24 µm as the concentration of hydrazine hydrate increased. After adding an integrated agent, the growth rate of hydrates was slow and aggregation did not easily occur, and the formation temperature was also more demanding. Therefore, the integrated agent has a inhibitory effect on the formation of hydrates and has a good anti-aggregation effect. From the observation of the microstructure, the emulsion is an oil-in-water type, and the integrated agent adsorbs at the oil–water interface, preventing the dispersed water droplets in the oil phase from coalescing in one place. The oil-in-water type emulsion is more likely to improve the performance of the natural gas hydrate anti-aggregation agent.