bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Characteristics of Acoustic Emissions Due to Gas Leaks in Circular Cylinders: A Theoretical and Experimental Investigation
Authors: Kim Kwang Bok , Kim Jun-Hee , Jin Je-Eon , Kim Hae-Jin , Kim Chang-Il , Kim Bong Ki , Kang Jun-Gill
Published: August 2023

An acoustic emission (AE) is caused by the sudden release of energy by a material as a result of material degradation related to deformations, cracks, or faults within a solid. The same situation also occurs in leaks caused by turbulence in the fluid around the leak. In this study, analytical modeling for an AE due to leakage through a circular pinhole in a gas storage cylinder was performed. The displacement fields responsible for AEs, excited by the concentrated force (CF) associated with the turbulent flow though the pinhole, were derived by solving the Navier–Lamé equation. The CF as an excitation source was formulated in terms of a fluctuating Reynolds stress (FRS) and spatial Green’s function. In particular, a series of experiments were conducted under different operating conditions to explore the characteristics of the AE signals due to leak in a gas cylinder. Finally, the simulation and experimental results were compared to verify the accuracy of the simulation results.
Exploring the Applications of Agent-Based Modeling in Transportation
Authors: Delcea Camelia , Chirita Nora
Published: August 2023

Agent-based modeling (ABM) has emerged as a distinct and innovative paradigm offering an alternative to conventional modeling techniques which often rely on equation-based representations to depict specific events or phenomena [...]
Cutting-Edge Advances in Image Information Processing
Authors: Couto Pedro , Filipe Vítor
Published: August 2023

Image information processing relates to a set of techniques with a diverse range of applications that have been developed over the last 30 years [...]
Phased System Reliability Modeling and Assessment for Construction of Lunar Scientific Base
Authors: Li Ziang , Fu Huimin , Wu Qiong
Published: August 2023

The construction of a lunar scientific base (LSB) is a complex and gradual process that has to be completed in stages according to mission planning. Reliability assessment is critical for quantifying failure risks and planning complex space missions. In space engineering, reliability tests often encounter small samples and zero-failure data, rendering traditional system reliability assessment methods based on maximum likelihood theory inapplicable. This paper introduces a novel reliability assessment method for phased systems, termed building block assessment (BBA), to address existing limitations. The approach involves the development of a phased reliability model, which avoids correlation issues in reliability analysis. The reliability of the phased system is then assessed bottom-up using test data from subtasks, and the scenario where confidence limits are dependent is also discussed. Numerical examples demonstrate that the BBA method can effectively handle zero-failure data compared with traditional methods, and the reliability of LSB construction is verified to reach 0.9544 with a confidence degree of 0.9.
Fe3O4 Nanoparticles to Optimize the Co-Digestion of Vinasse, Filter Cake, and Deacetylation Liquor: Operational Aspects and Microbiological Routes
Authors: Volpi Maria Paula Cardeal , Mockaitis Gustavo , Moraes Bruna de Souza
Published: August 2023

The present work proposes the optimization of the co-digestion of vinasse, filter cake, and deacetylation liquor in a continuous reactor by adding iron(III) oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs), comparing the results with a previous reactor operation without NPs. Initially, tests were carried out in batches with different NP concentrations, resulting in 5 mg L−1 as the best concentration to be added in the continuous reactor along the increments of the applied organic load rate (OLR). Methane (CH4) production reached a maximum value of 2.8 ± 0.1 NLCH4 gVS−1 (normal liter methane per gram of volatile solids), and the organic matter removal reached 71 ± 0.9% in phase VI (OLR of 5.5 gVS L−1 day−1). This production was 90% higher than the reactor co-digestion operation without NPs. The anaerobic digestion (AD) development was stable with stable organic acid (OA) concentrations, indicating the predominance of the propionic acid route to produce CH4. The main methanogenic Archaea identified was Methanoculleus, indicating that the predominant metabolic route was that of acetate (SAO) coupled with hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. The use of Fe3O4 NPs managed to improve the AD from the first-generation and second-generation (1G2G) ethanol production residues and stimulated microbial community growth, without modifying the preferable metabolic pathways.
Optimizing Healthcare Delivery: A Model for Staffing, Patient Assignment, and Resource Allocation
Authors: Yinusa Ahmeed , Faezipour Misagh
Published: August 2023

The healthcare industry has recently faced the issues of enhancing patient care, streamlining healthcare operations, and offering high-quality services at reasonable costs. These crucial issues include general healthcare administration, resource allocation, staffing, patient care priorities, and effective scheduling. Therefore, efficient staff scheduling, resource allocation, and patient assignments are required to address these challenges. To address these challenges, in this paper, we developed a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model employing the Gurobi optimization solver. The model includes staff assignments, patient assignments, resource allocations, and overtime hours to minimize healthcare expenditures and enhance patient care. We experimented with the robustness and flexibility of our model by implementing two distinct scenarios, each resulting in two unique optimal solutions. The first experimental procedure yielded an optimal solution with an objective value of 844.0, with an exact match between the best-bound score and the objective value, indicating a 0.0% solution gap. Similarly, the second one produced an optimal solution with an objective value of 539.0. The perfect match between this scenario’s best-bound score and objective value resulted in a 0.0% solution gap, further affirming the model’s reliability. The best-bound scores indicated no significant differences in these two procedures, demonstrating that the solutions were ideal within the allowed tolerances.
Long-Range Transport Analysis Based on Eastern Atmospheric Circulation and Its Impact on the Dust Event over Moldavia, Romania in August 2022
Authors: Bostan Diana-Corina , Miclăuș Ingrid-Mihaela , Apetroaie Cosmina , Voiculescu Mirela , Timofte Adrian , Cazacu Marius-Mihai
Published: August 2023

During the second half of August 2022, a dust intrusion event occurred when dust that originated in the dry regions of the Kalmyk steppe (located in Russia, northeast of the Black Sea, north of Georgia, and northwest of the Caspian Sea) and the Precaspian plain was transported over the eastern region of Romania. The arid soil found in these areas can be attributed to an extended period of intense drought, with notable instances occurring in 2002, 2003, 2015, and 2018. This situation was further intensified by heatwaves experienced in May and June of 2022. The dust event was captured in MODIS images. In addition, smoke trains originating from fires in the north of the Azov were detected, but these did not reach Romania. Optical parameters from AERONET were used to confirm the dust event. To determine the trajectory of the particles, the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was used in this paper. The ensemble median model was used to highlight the presence and concentration of dust in the eastern part of Romania. Aerosols were detected between 0 and 4 km, according to radar and ceilometer data from the REXDAN cloud remote sensing facility in Galați, Romania. This dust intrusion event was the result of the dominant easterly circulation caused by the extension of the East European High to the northeast of the continent, which transported the dust towards the eastern part of Romania for more than 2 days. Moreover, the torrential rains between 22 and 24 August did not clear the atmosphere of dust, since the intense easterly circulation kept carrying the dust into the Moldavian area.
Estimation of Carbon Stocks and Carbon Sequestration Rates in Abandoned Agricultural Soils of Northwest Russia
Authors: Polyakov Vyacheslav , Abakumov Evgeny
Published: August 2023

The fallow agricultural soils of Northwest Russia represent an evolutionary model of the development of ecosystem components in time and space with multidirectional dynamics of agrogenic impact during the long history of agricultural land development. There has been both large-scale land development and uncontrolled conversion of arable lands to a fallow state along with their removal in recent times. All this has led to the formation of a chrono-series of different-age soils with varying degrees of exposure of agrogenic factors. This paper presents a current review of the humus state of fallow soils in Northwest Russia, and examines the main factors (self-restoration, humus transformation, acidification) influencing the transformation of the soil cover under the process of post-agrogenesis. Effective farming techniques aimed at fixing carbon in soils as part of increasing the sequestration potential to mitigate the impact of climate change are considered. The ongoing process of the transition of lands into a fallow state could lead to organic carbon losses and changes in the main physical and chemical parameters, which negatively affects the self-restoration of fallow lands. We offer some recommendations for the effective rewetting of fallow lands in Northwest Russia with the purpose of carbon sequestration in the soil cover.
On the Total Positivity and Accurate Computations of r-Bell Polynomial Bases
Authors: Mainar Esmeralda , Peña Juan Manuel , Rubio Beatriz
Published: August 2023

A new class of matrices defined in terms of r-Stirling numbers is introduced. These r-Stirling matrices are totally positive and determine the linear transformation between monomial and r-Bell polynomial bases. An efficient algorithm for the computation to high relative accuracy of the bidiagonal factorization of r-Stirling matrices is provided and used to achieve computations to high relative accuracy for the resolution of relevant algebraic problems with collocation, Wronskian, and Gramian matrices of r-Bell bases. The numerical experimentation confirms the accuracy of the proposed procedure.
Using Vector-Product Loop Algebra to Generate Integrable Systems
Authors: Zhang Jian , Feng Binlu , Zhang Yufeng , Ju Long
Published: August 2023

A new three-dimensional Lie algebra and its loop algebra are proposed by us, whose commutator is a vector product. Based on this, a positive flow and a negative flow are obtained by introducing a new kind of spectral problem expressed by the vector product, which reduces to a generalized KdV equation, a generalized Schrödinger equation, a sine-Gordon equation, and a sinh-Gordon equation. Next, the well-known Tu scheme is generalized for generating isospectral integrable hierarchies and non-isospectral integrable hierarchies. It is important that we make use of the variational method to create a new vector-product trace identity for which the Hamiltonian structure of the isospectral integrable hierarchy presented in the paper is worded out. Finally, we further enlarge the three-dimensional loop algebra into a six-dimensional loop algebra so that a new isospectral integrable hierarchy which is a type of extended integrable model is produced whose bi-Hamiltonian structure is also derived from the vector-product trace identity. This new approach presented in the paper possesses extensive applications in the aspect of generating integrable hierarchies of evolution equations.
New Results for the Investigation of the Asymptotic Behavior of Solutions of Nonlinear Perturbed Differential Equations
Authors: Moaaz Osama , Albalawi Wedad
Published: August 2023

This study focuses on investigating the oscillatory properties of a particular class of perturbed differential equations in the noncanonical case. Our research aims to establish more effective criteria for evaluating the absence of positive solutions to the equation under study and subsequently investigate its oscillatory behavior. We also perform a comparative analysis, contrasting the oscillation of the studied equation with another equation in the canonical case. To achieve this, we employ the Riccati technique along with other methods to obtain several sufficient criteria. Furthermore, we apply these new conditions to specific instances of the considered equation, assessing their performance. The significance of our work lies in its extension and broadening of the existing body of literature, contributing novel insights into this field of study.
Nonseparation Approach to General-Decay Synchronization of Quaternion-Valued Neural Networks with Mixed Time Delays
Authors: Han Xiaofang , Abdurahman Abdujelil , You Jingjing
Published: August 2023

In this paper, the general-decay synchronization issue of a class of quaternion-valued neural networks with mixed time delays is investigated. Firstly, unlike some previous works where the quaternion-valued model is separated into four real-valued networks or two complex-valued networks, we consider the mixed-delayed quaternion-valued neural network model as a whole and introduce a novel nonlinear feedback controller for the corresponding response system. Then, by introducing a suitable Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and employing a novel inequality technique, some easily verifiable sufficient conditions are obtained to ensure the general-decay synchronization for the considered drive-response networks. Finally, the feasibility of the established theoretical results is verified by carrying out Matlab numerical simulations.
The Maximum Domain for an Analytical Approximate Solution to a Nonlinear Differential Equation in the Neighborhood of a Moving Singular Point
Authors: Orlov Victor , Gasanov Magomedyusuf
Published: August 2023

This paper presents the final stage in the study of the analytical approximate solution to a class of nonlinear differential equations unsolvable in quadrature in the general case in the neighborhood of a perturbed value of a moving singular point. An a priori error estimation is proven. The scope of application of the analytical approximate solution is extended; the formula for calculating this scope is obtained. The proof of the theorem is based on the application of elements of differential calculus. Theoretical results are supported by numerical calculations, which validate their reliability. The authors report a numerical comparison between the results, obtained in the paper, and the findings that were published earlier.
Research on the Dynamic Mechanism of Technological Innovation Diffusion in Enterprise Communities Based on a Predation Diffusion Model
Authors: Chen Jingfei , Tian Gang
Published: August 2023

In order to study the dynamic mechanism of the impact of technological innovation diffusion on enterprise population networks, a corresponding relationship between enterprise population networks and predatory models was established based on a predatory model. Without considering the impact of technological innovation diffusion, the stability of the enterprise population network was analyzed, and the results showed that it has the characteristic of local asymptotic stability at a positive equilibrium point. Considering the influence of technological innovation diffusion, the stability of the enterprise population network becomes complex, and its stability at the positive equilibrium point is also affected by the eigenvalue of the Laplacian matrix and technological innovation diffusion coefficient. The simulation experimental results indicate that in addition to the influence of technological innovation diffusion coefficient, the connection probability density of enterprise population networks has an important impact on stability. Only when the connection probability density is very small can the enterprise population network resist the impact of technological innovation diffusion and maintain stability.
A Weighted Cosine-G Family of Distributions: Properties and Illustration Using Time-to-Event Data
Authors: Odhah Omalsad Hamood , Alshanbari Huda M. , Ahmad Zubair , Rao Gadde Srinivasa
Published: August 2023

Modeling and predicting time-to-event phenomena in engineering, sports, and medical sectors are very crucial. Numerous models have been proposed for modeling such types of data sets. These models are introduced by adding one or more parameters to the traditional distributions. The addition of new parameters to the traditional distributions leads to serious issues, such as estimation consequences and re-parametrization problems. To avoid such problems, this paper introduces a new method for generating new probability distributions without any additional parameters. The proposed method may be called a weighted cosine-G family of distributions. Different distributional properties of the weighted cosine-G family, along with the maximum likelihood estimators, are obtained. A special model of the weighted cosine-G family, by utilizing the Weibull model, is considered. The special model of the weighted cosine-G family may be called a weighted cosine-Weibull distribution. A simulation study of the weighted cosine-Weibull model is conducted to evaluate the performances of its estimators. Finally, the applications of the weighted cosine-Weibull distribution are shown by considering three data sets related to the time-to-event phenomena.
Innovative Robotic Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy and Medicine: Paving the Way for the Future of Health Care—A Review
Authors: Stasevych Maryna , Zvarych Viktor
Published: August 2023

The future of innovative robotic technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmacy and medicine is promising, with the potential to revolutionize various aspects of health care. These advances aim to increase efficiency, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs while addressing pressing challenges such as personalized medicine and the need for more effective therapies. This review examines the major advances in robotics and AI in the pharmaceutical and medical fields, analyzing the advantages, obstacles, and potential implications for future health care. In addition, prominent organizations and research institutions leading the way in these technological advancements are highlighted, showcasing their pioneering efforts in creating and utilizing state-of-the-art robotic solutions in pharmacy and medicine. By thoroughly analyzing the current state of robotic technologies in health care and exploring the possibilities for further progress, this work aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the transformative power of robotics and AI in the evolution of the healthcare sector. Striking a balance between embracing technology and preserving the human touch, investing in R&D, and establishing regulatory frameworks within ethical guidelines will shape a future for robotics and AI systems. The future of pharmacy and medicine is in the seamless integration of robotics and AI systems to benefit patients and healthcare providers.
Discovery of TBX20 as a Novel Gene Underlying Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Li Ning , Li Yan-Jie , Guo Xiao-Juan , Wu Shao-Hui , Jiang Wei-Feng , Zhang Dao-Liang , Wang Kun-Wei , Li Li , Sun Yu-Min , Xu Ying-Jia , Yang Yi-Qing , Qiu Xing-Biao
Published: August 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent type of sustained cardiac dysrhythmia globally, confers strikingly enhanced risks for cognitive dysfunction, stroke, chronic cardiac failure, and sudden cardiovascular demise. Aggregating studies underscore the crucial roles of inherited determinants in the occurrence and perpetuation of AF. However, due to conspicuous genetic heterogeneity, the inherited defects accounting for AF remain largely indefinite. Here, via whole-genome genotyping with genetic markers and a linkage assay in a family suffering from AF, a new AF-causative locus was located at human chromosome 7p14.2-p14.3, a ~4.89 cM (~4.43-Mb) interval between the markers D7S526 and D7S2250. An exome-wide sequencing assay unveiled that, at the defined locus, the mutation in the TBX20 gene, NM_001077653.2: c.695A>G; p.(His232Arg), was solely co-segregated with AF in the family. Additionally, a Sanger sequencing assay of TBX20 in another family suffering from AF uncovered a novel mutation, NM_001077653.2: c.862G>C; p.(Asp288His). Neither of the two mutations were observed in 600 unrelated control individuals. Functional investigations demonstrated that the two mutations both significantly reduced the transactivation of the target gene KCNH2 (a well-established AF-causing gene) and the ability to bind the promoter of KCNH2, while they had no effect on the nuclear distribution of TBX20. Conclusively, these findings reveal a new AF-causative locus at human chromosome 7p14.2-p14.3 and strongly indicate TBX20 as a novel AF-predisposing gene, shedding light on the mechanism underlying AF and suggesting clinical significance for the allele-specific treatment of AF patients.
Red Blood Cells in Platelet-Rich Plasma: Avoid If at All Possible
Authors: Gupta Ashim , Maffulli Nicola , Jain Vijay Kumar
Published: August 2023

The last decade has seen a noticeable upsurge in the use of biologics, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), for applications in musculoskeletal regenerative medicine [...]
Vertical Flow Immunoassay Based on Carbon Black Nanoparticles for the Detection of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in Human Serum: Proof-of-Concept
Authors: Kropaneva Maria , Khramtsov Pavel , Bochkova Maria , Lazarev Sergey , Kiselkov Dmitriy , Rayev Mikhail
Published: August 2023

Point-of-care tests play an important role in serological diagnostics of infectious diseases and post-vaccination immunity monitoring, including in COVID-19. Currently, lateral flow tests dominate in this area and show good analytical performance. However, studies to improve the effectiveness of such tests remain important. In comparison with lateral flow tests, vertical flow immunoassays allow for a reduction in assay duration and the influence of the hook effect. Additionally, the use of carbon black nanoparticles (CNPs) as a color label can provide a lower detection limit (LOD) compared to conventional colloidal gold. Therefore, we have developed a vertical flow immunoassay for the detection of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in human serum samples by applying a conjugate of CNPs with anti-human IgG mouse monoclonal antibodies (CNP@MAb). The vertical flow assay device consists of a plastic cassette with a hole on its top containing a nitrocellulose membrane coated with spike protein and an absorbent pad. The serum sample, washing buffer, and CNP@MAb flow vertically through the nitrocellulose membrane and absorbent pads, reducing assay time and simplifying the procedure. In positive samples, the interaction of CNP@MAb with anti-spike antibodies leads to the appearance of black spots, which can be visually detected. The developed method allows for rapid visual detection (5–7 min) of IgG vs. spike protein, with a LOD of 7.81 BAU/mL. It has been shown that an untrained operator can perform the assay and visually evaluate its results. Thus, the presented assay can be used in the further development of test systems for the serological diagnostics of COVID-19 or post-vaccination immunity monitoring.
Heterogeneous-Nucleation Biosensor for Long-Term Collection and Mask-Based Self-Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Su Yi , Bian Sumin , Pan Dingyi , Xu Yankun , Rong Guoguang , Zhang Hongyong , Sawan Mohamad
Published: August 2023

The effective control of infectious diseases, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, depends on the availability of rapid and accurate monitoring techniques. However, conventional SARS-CoV-2 detection technologies do not support continuous self-detection and may lead to cross-infection when utilized in medical institutions. In this study, we introduce a prototype of a mask biosensor designed for the long-term collection and self-detection of SARS-CoV-2. The biosensor utilizes the average resonance Rayleigh scattering intensity of Au nanocluster-aptamers. The inter-mask surface serves as a medium for the long-term collection and concentration enhancement of SARS-CoV-2, while the heterogeneous-nucleation nanoclusters (NCs) contribute to the exceptional stability of Au NCs for up to 48 h, facilitated by the adhesion of Ti NCs. Additionally, the biosensors based on Au NC-aptamers exhibited high sensitivity for up to 1 h. Moreover, through the implementation of a support vector machine classifier, a significant number of point signals can be collected and differentiated, leading to improved biosensor accuracy. These biosensors offer a complementary wearable device-based method for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2, with a limit of detection of 103 copies. Given their flexibility, the proposed biosensors possess tremendous potential for the continuous collection and sensitive self-detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants and other infectious pathogens.
Ternary Heterojunction Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Cupric Sulfide/Titanium Dioxide Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Sesamol Quantification and Antioxidant Synergism
Authors: Huang Likun , Yang Jingshi , Liang Zhishan , Liang Ruilian , Luo Hui , Sun Zhonghui , Han Dongxue , Niu Li
Published: August 2023

Sesamol (SM) is a potent natural antioxidant that can quench free radicals and modulate the cholinergic system in the brain, thereby ameliorating memory and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Moreover, the total antioxidant capacity can be amplified by synergistic interactions between different antioxidants. Here, we constructed a ternary heterojunction graphitic carbon nitride/cupric sulfide/titanium dioxide (g-C3N4/CuS/TiO2) photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor for the quantification of SM and its synergistic interactions with other antioxidants. Crucially, the Schottky barrier in ternary semiconductors considerably enhances electron transfer. The PEC sensor showed a wide linear range for SM detection, ranging from 2 to 1277 μmol L−1, and had a limit of detection of 1.8 μmol L−1. Remarkably, this sensing platform could evaluate the synergism between SM and five typical lipid-soluble antioxidants: tert-butyl hydroquinone, vitamin E, butyl hydroxyanisole, propyl gallate, and butylated hydroxytoluene. Owing to its low redox potential, SM could reduce antioxidant radicals and promote their regeneration, which increased the overall antioxidant performance. The g-C3N4/CuS/TiO2 PEC sensor exhibited high sensitivity, satisfactory selectivity, and stability, and was successfully applied for SM determination in both soybean and peanut oils. The findings of this study provide guidance for the development of nutritional foods, nutrition analysis, and the treatment of diseases caused by free radicals.
Neuroprotective Potential of Flavonoids in Brain Disorders
Authors: Hasan Syed , Khatri Nabeel , Rahman Zainab N. , Menezes Amanda A. , Martini Joud , Shehjar Faheem , Mujeeb Numa , Shah Zahoor A.
Published: August 2023

Flavonoids are a large subgroup of polyphenols known to be sourced from over 6000 natural products, including fruits, vegetables, bark, and herbs. Due to their antioxidant properties, flavonoids have been implicated as a therapy source for many diseases and conditions, including inflammation, vasculitis, venous insufficiency, and hemorrhoids. Currently, some flavonoids are being researched for their antioxidant ability concerning neuroprotection. These flavonoids can penetrate the blood–brain barrier and, depending on the specific flavonoid, retain adequate bioavailability in certain brain regions. Further data suggest that flavonoids could have a strong anti-inflammatory effect in the brain, which not only could be a robust therapeutic source for known neuroinflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinson’s Disease but also could be a therapeutic source for ischemic or hemorrhagic conditions such as a stroke. While flavonoid toxicity exists, they are relatively safe and non-invasive drugs from natural origins. As such, exploring the known mechanisms and therapies may highlight and establish flavonoid therapy as a viable source of therapy for stroke patients. As stated, many flavonoids are already being isolated, purified, and implemented in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. As these flavonoids proceed to clinical trials, it will be important to understand how they function as a therapy, primarily as antioxidants, and by other secondary mechanisms. This review aims to elucidate those mechanisms and explore the neuroprotective role of flavonoids.
Looking beyond Self-Protection: The Eyes Instruct Systemic Immune Tolerance Early in Life
Authors: Villafán Horacio , Gutiérrez-Ospina Gabriel
Published: August 2023

The eyes provide themselves with immune tolerance. Frequent skin inflammatory diseases in young blind people suggest, nonetheless, that the eyes instruct a systemic immune tolerance that benefits the whole body. We tested this premise by using delayed skin contact hypersensitivity (DSCH) as a tool to compare the inflammatory response developed by sighted (S) and birth-enucleated (BE) mice against oxazolone or dinitrofluorobenzene at the ages of 10, 30 and 60 days of life. Adult mice enucleated (AE) at 60 days of age were also assessed when they reached 120 days of life. BE mice displayed exacerbated DSCH at 60 but not at 10 or 30 days of age. AE mice, in contrast, show no exacerbated DSCH. Skin inflammation in 60-day-old BE mice was hapten exclusive and supported by distinct CD8+ lymphocytes. The number of intraepidermal T lymphocytes and migrating Langerhans cells was, however, similar between S and BE mice by the age of 60 days. Our observations support the idea that the eyes instruct systemic immune tolerance that benefits organs outside the eyes from an early age. The higher prevalence of inflammatory skin disorders reported in young people might then reflect reduced immune tolerance associated with the impaired functional morphology of the eyes.
With or without Feedback?—How the Presence of Feedback Affects Processing in Children with Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: Baron Lauren S. , Gul Asiya , Arbel Yael
Published: August 2023

Language acquisition depends on the ability to process and learn probabilistic information, often through the integration of performance feedback. Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have demonstrated weaknesses in both probabilistic learning and feedback processing, but the individual effects of each skill are poorly understood in this population. This study examined school-aged children with DLD (n = 29) and age- and gender-matched children with typical development (TD; n = 44) on a visual probabilistic classification learning task presented with and without feedback. In the feedback-based version of the task, children received performance feedback on a trial-by-trial basis during the training phase of the task. In the feedback-free version, children responded after seeing the correct choice marked with a green border and were not presented with feedback. Children with TD achieved higher accuracy than children with DLD following feedback-based training, while the two groups achieved similar levels of accuracy following feedback-free training. Analyses of event-related potentials (ERPs) provided insight into stimulus encoding processes. The feedback-free task was dominated by a frontal slow wave (FSW) and a late parietal component (LPC) which were not different between the two groups. The feedback-based task was dominated by a parietal slow wave (PSW) and an LPC, both of which were found to be larger in the TD than in the DLD group. In combination, results suggest that engagement with feedback boosts learning in children with TD, but not in children with DLD. When the need to process feedback is eliminated, children with DLD demonstrate behavioral and neurophysiological responses similar to their peers with TD.
Current Trends in Music Performance Anxiety Intervention
Authors: Gómez-López Belén , Sánchez-Cabrero Roberto
Published: August 2023

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a natural, emotional, and physiological response to the stress of public performance. Debilitating forms of MPA are severe and persistent reactions that go beyond the normal adaptive response to music evaluation situations and can negatively impact the quality of musical performance and the musician’s life in general. Today, it affects numerous professional performers and can result in an inability to practice their profession, posing a significant threat to their professional activity. Despite its scope, studies exploring this issue and contributing to its resolution are scarce. Thus, this review aims to compile the significant advancements made in the last five years (2018–2023) in the treatment of MPA from a scientific perspective. For this purpose, the PRISMA method was used based on the results obtained from the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Reviewed are 10 studies that have made valuable contributions to this matter in this time frame after applying the quality filters using the PRISMA method. It is concluded that, although there are methodological shortcomings and sample limitations in the current research, this field registers advancements that provide valuable information to prevent or solve this problem in professional or aspiring musicians.
The Influence Mechanism of Owners’ Safety Management Behavior on Construction Workers’ Safety Citizenship Behavior
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Yuanxin , Chu Zhenwei
Published: August 2023

The safety citizenship behavior (SCB) of construction workers can improve project safety performance. This study explored how construction company owners’ safety management behavior contributes to the development and encouragement of SCB. It combined the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) and Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) theories to propose relevant hypotheses and develop a theoretical model to examine the effect of owners’ safety management behavior on construction workers’ SCB. Data from 534 construction workers were collected through questionnaires. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and the Structural Equation Model (SEM) were used for empirical analysis. It was found that the owner’s safety management behavior positively affected the construction workers’ SCB. In particular, work engagement played an intermediary role, while power distance exhibited a moderating effect. A few noteworthy findings are that proactive safety behavior is significantly positively influenced by organization and coordination, prosocial safety behavior is significantly positively influenced by safety funding investment, and high power distance is not always bad for construction workers’ safety citizenship behavior. By determining the connection between owners’ safety management behavior and construction workers’ SCB, this study offered a fresh perspective on promoting construction workers’ proactive behavior and put forward suggestions for owners to improve project safety management.
Can the Frailty of Older Adults in China Change? Evidence from a Random-Intercept Latent Transition Profile Analysis
Authors: Li Guangming , Pan Yuxi
Published: August 2023

Background: A major aspect of caring for older adults in the medical field is addressing their health risks. The term “frailty” is generally used to describe the changes in health risks of older adults. Although there is considerable heterogeneity in the Chinese older adult population who are classified as frail, there remain few relevant studies. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on the frailty status transitions of older Chinese adults at different time points. This research intends to determine the frailty status and category of older adults according to their physical, psychological, social, and cognitive function domains, and on this basis, to investigate changes in their frailty states. Methods: This article studied 2791 respondents who were over 60 years old (n = 2791; 53.2% were women) from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) follow-up survey on factors affecting the health of older adults in China. In this article, the frailty variables include self-reported health, social function, mental health, cognitive function, functional limitations, and morbidity status. Random-intercept latent transition profile analysis (RI-LTPA) was used to divide older adults into different subgroups, and then an in-depth analysis of the state transitions was conducted. Results: The latent profile analysis revealed that the evaluation results of the frailty state of older adults showed obvious group heterogeneity. Each fitting index supported four latent states, which were named according to the degree of the symptoms (i.e., multi-frailty, severe socially frailty, mild socially frailty, and relatively healthy frailty). Based on the categorical probability and the probability of transition, it can be concluded that most of the samples belonged to the healthy population, and the health status had generally improved across the four time points. The relatively healthy frailty group and the severe socially frailty group have relatively strong stabilities. The multi-frailty group and the mild socially frailty group had the highest probability of joining to the relatively healthy frailty group. Strengthening social interactions among older adults and promoting their participation in social activities can significantly improve their frail state. Conclusions: This study supplements related research on frailty. Firstly, it deepens the meaning of frailty, which is defined based on four aspects: physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning. Secondly, it divides frailty into different sub-categories. Frailty is discussed from the perspective of longitudinal research, which can provide practical adjustment suggestions for older adult nursing intervention systems and measures in China.
Unleashing Intrapreneurial Behavior: Exploring Configurations of Influencing Factors among Grassroots Employees
Authors: Ye Di , Xie Wenlong , Zheng Linlin
Published: August 2023

Effectively promoting employees’ intrapreneurial behavior has become the focus of enterprises. This study takes the middle and grassroots employees in enterprises as subjects and explores the configuration effect of multiple influencing factors on employees’ intrapreneurial behavior. Based on employee expectation theory and individual-environment matching theory, this study collates six influencing factors: entrepreneurial self-efficacy, entrepreneurial competence, task school level, perceived value, management support, and reward mechanism. A total of 163 samples were obtained, and the qualitative comparative analysis method based on fuzzy set was used to analyze the influence mechanism and result path of employees’ intrapreneurial behavior from the perspective of the interaction between individual factors and organizational factors. Six influencing paths of employees’ high intrapreneurial behavior were found, which can be divided into ability-driven and value-driven factors, revealing that the six factors can produce equivalent results in different configurations. Furthermore, five influencing paths of employees’ non-high intrapreneurial behavior were divided into three types: ability obstacle type, perception obstacle type, and value obstacle type. These have an asymmetric causal relationship with employees’ high intrapreneurial behavior. This study provides management support for effectively stimulating employees’ intrapreneurial behavior.
Conserving the Historical Identity of North Nicosia Walled City: Exploring Design Approaches and Implications from 1983 to 2003
Authors: Ukabi Ejeng Bassey , Akçay Ayten Özsavaş
Published: August 2023

Nicosia Walled City, on the northern side of Cyprus, encapsulates historical imprints from various cultures and civilizations within its layered structure, despite being a divided city since 1974. Based on this beautiful Medieval sequence, this study investigates the implications of architectural design approaches aimed at incorporating contemporary architecture into this heterogeneous historic city to conserve its historical identity. While the threats facing this diverse built heritage composition are various, the changes brought about by design outcomes and development actions can be challenging. This is especially so when designers are obligated to adhere to conservation principles that clash with the city’s character and that resort to design strategies that prohibit the addition of new layers. This study employed a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods and examined three case studies based on buildings that were erected during the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus period, spanning from 1983 to when the crossing began in 2003. This study’s conclusions revealed that the design schemes negatively impacted the city’s historical identity layers because the designers followed selective conservation principles that entirely concentrated on nostalgia rather than typological values. Rather than creating new layers, preferences energized this problem, and the designers’ attitudes towards the place’s heterogeneous character maintained the same context uniformity patterns. Efforts to add sequences of layers reflecting the identity of the present time and its perceptions were thwarted. These reductions in the historical layers, the subsequent transformations, and the current social–cultural necessities should stimulate individual determination and practical policy instruments. The tools proposed here will accommodate inclusive ideas that encourage fresh dialogues with the past, thus keeping the city’s identity significant for the future.
Simulation Analysis of the Fracture of Reinforcement Concrete Columns Using High-Voltage Pulse Discharge
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Sun Yixuan , Wang Miao
Published: August 2023

High-voltage pulse discharge (HVPD) in liquid technology, when applied to the demolition of concrete structures, has the advantages of green environmental protection, saving energy, emission reduction, safety, reliability, etc. However, research on the influence law of various factors on the effect of crushing is still insufficient. Therefore, this manuscript equated the shock load caused by HVPD to the blasting load and introduced a cohesive zone model based on ABAQUS. The whole process of a concrete column being subjected to a shock wave generated by pulse power discharge was simulated and analyzed. To validate the model’s reasonableness, a comparison and analysis were conducted with the results of experimental studies on concrete column fractures caused by HVPD in liquid. The study further investigated the influence of three parameters—one-side longitudinal reinforcement ratio, volume hoop ratio, and concrete grade strength—on the degree of fracture of the concrete column with a single row of holes (i.e., the width of transverse cracks or longitudinal cracks around the drilled holes). The simulation results revealed that the width of transverse cracks decreases significantly with the increase in the one-side longitudinal reinforcement ratio of the column, while the width of longitudinal cracks decreases substantially with the increase in the volume hoop ratio of the column. In addition, the degree of fracture of concrete columns decreases slightly with the increase in the concrete grade strength. Based on the simulation results, the mathematical expressions between the crack widths (transverse crack width and longitudinal crack width) and the key parameters, such as the one-side longitudinal reinforcement ratio of the column, volume hoop ratio of the column, and concrete grade strength, were established, respectively. These expressions facilitate their practical application in engineering practice.
Research on the Industrial Heritage Community Retrofitting Design Based on Space Network Model of Carbon
Authors: Wang Yuetao , Zhu Ruidong , Liu Jinming , Zheng Fei , Wu Chengbin
Published: August 2023

The low-carbon retrofitting of industrial heritage communities is an important issue for reducing urban carbon emissions. Previous research on the judgment of heritage elements and carbon emission factors of industrial heritage communities lacked the construction of elements within the space, and the value judgment of conservation and the determination of low-carbon factors lacked a systematic network analysis. Carbon spatial networks as a systematic approach can systematically harmonize the contradictions between “conservation–transformation–low carbon” while considering the spatial and temporal carbon emissions of nodes. This research uses hierarchical analysis to analyze the value of heritage elements and locate them in space, then combine the elements that affect carbon activities in space to form carbon space nodes integrated with heritage conservation elements, and analyze the links between nodes to form a carbon space network. Then, this research uses a carbon spatial network to dissect the structure of carbon emissions, calculate the carbon activity at nodes, and reflect it into a parameterized platform to guide designers. After that, this research selected 16 industrial heritage communities in the severe cold region for the carbon activity measurement of carbon spatial network node elements in the operation stage and conducted a correlation analysis to obtain a correlation matrix model of node elements and carbon activities. Within the constraints of heritage element protection, the results show that the volume ratio, green area ratio, and building density of the carbon spatial network model have the greatest influence on its carbon performance, followed by porosity and road density. Through case simulation verification, the floor area ratio of industrial heritage communities should be controlled between 2.1–2.5, the number of residential building floors should be 7–14, the road network density should be 4.16–4.50%, the green space ratio should be 20–35%, and the porosity should be 35–45%. Taking the three major power road communities in Harbin as an example, retrofit measures were decided by reference to relevant parameter control intervals, resulting in a 21.1% reduction in energy consumption, an approximate 32.7% reduction in carbon emissions, and a 7.3% reduction in the annual percentage of hours in extreme hot and cold environments.
Apartment Space Planning Directions for Infectious Disease Prevention and Management: Insights Based on Residents’ Experiences
Authors: Kim Mi-Kyung , Kim Eun-Jeong
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised people’s interest in pandemic-safe housing. This study aims to present insights into apartment housing space design to prevent and manage infectious diseases based on the actual living experiences of apartment residents. The relevant literature was reviewed, and overall satisfaction was assessed through a questionnaire targeting apartment residents in South Korea. Finally, using the photovoice method, residents’ space needs were identified. By applying a mixed-use methodology and identifying the needs of residents, the following two recommendations were derived: (1) a flexible space plan to support multifunctional use while securing work efficiency and privacy in the living room, bedroom, and space for hobbies/work/learning; (2) a facility for removing contaminants at the entrance with sufficient storage space. The residents emphasized the importance of non-structural changes to the space and the convenience of use to increase actual space utilization. When planning future pandemic-safe apartment housing spaces, it is important to consider structural aspects like functionality and facilities. Convenience of use and methods of supporting family members’ privacy should also be taken into account.