bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of video-assisted method for identifying and preserving the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy
Authors: Ding Zhaoming , Sheng Ruinan , Zhang Liang , Han Jihua , Chen Mengshi , Bi Wen , Zhao Xuesong , Zhang Jiewu , Nie Chunlei
Published: April 2023

Background

The EBSLN is vulnerable to damage during thyroidectomy, results in voice related complications, negatively affect patient quality of life, routine identification of the EBSLN prior to surgical manipulation is necessary for a complication-free thyroidectomy. We aimed to validate a video-assisted procedure for identifying and preserving the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) during thyroidectomy and analyze the EBSLN Cernea classification and the localization of the nerve entry point (NEP) from the insertion of the sternothyroid muscle.

Methods

A prospective descriptive study was performed; 134 patients, who scheduled for lobectomy with an intraglandular tumor max diameter ≤ 4 cm and without extrathyroidal extension, were randomly divided into the video-assisted surgery (VAS) and conventional open surgery (COS) groups. We used the video-assisted surgical procedure for visually identifying the EBSLN directly, and compared the differences in the visual identification rate and total identification rate of the two groups. We also measured the localization of the NEP using the insertion of the sternothyroid muscle as a reference.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in clinical characteristics between the two groups. The visual identification rate and total identification rate were significantly higher in the VAS group than the COS group (91.04% vs. 77.61%, 100% vs. 89.6%). The EBSLN injury rate was 0 in both groups. The mean vertical distance (VD) of the NEP from the sternal thyroid insertion was 1.18 mm (SD 1.12 mm, range, 0–5 mm), with approximately 88.97% of the results occurring within the 0–2 mm range. The mean horizontal distance (HD) was 9.33 mm (SD 5.03 mm, range, 0–30 mm), with over 92.13% of the results occurring within the 5–15 mm range.

Conclusion

Both the visual and total identification rates of the EBSLN were significantly higher in the VAS group. This method provided a good visual exposure rate of the EBSLN, aiding in identifying and protecting the EBSLN during thyroidectomy.
B-1 cells in immunotoxicology: Mechanisms underlying their response to chemicals and particles
Authors: Hiéronimus Léa , Huaux François
Published: April 2023

Since their discovery nearly 40 years ago, B-1 cells have continued to challenge the boundaries between innate and adaptive immunity, as well as myeloid and lymphoid functions. This B-cell subset ensures early immunity in neonates before the development of conventional B (B-2) cells and respond to immune injuries throughout life. B-1 cells are multifaceted and serve as natural- and induced-antibody-producing cells, phagocytic cells, antigen-presenting cells, and anti-/pro-inflammatory cytokine-releasing cells. This review retraces the origin of B-1 cells and their different roles in homeostatic and infectious conditions before focusing on pollutants comprising contact-sensitivity-inducing chemicals, endocrine disruptors, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligands, and reactive particles.
Identification and validation of molecular subtype and prognostic signature for lung adenocarcinoma based on neutrophil extracellular traps
Authors: Zuo Yanhua , Leng Guangyi , Leng Ping
Published: April 2023

Background: Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) are fibrous networks made of DNA-histone complexes and proteins protruded from activated neutrophils. Accumulating evidences have highlighted the vital role of NETs in tumor progression and diffusion. However, limited systematic studies regarding the role of NETs in LUAD have been performed.

Methods: Differentially expressed NETs-related genes and their mutation landscape were identified with TCGA database. Consensus clustering analysis was performed to determine the NETs-related subtypes of LUAD. LASSO algorithm was employed to construct a prognostic signature. Moreover, GSE30219 and GSE31210 were used as independent validation. We also constructed a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axis with several miRNA and lncRNA databases.

Results: Consensus clustering identified two NETs-related clusters in LUAD. High NETs score was correlated with a favorable overall survival, abundant immune cell infiltration, and high activity of immune response signal pathways. Six NET-related genes (G0S2, KCNJ15, S100A12, AKT2, CTSG, and HMGB1) with significant prognostic value were screened to develop a prognostic signature. LUAD patients with low-risk had a significantly favorable overall survival both in the training set and validation set. Moreover, NETs-related risk score and clinical stage could act as an independent prognostic factor for LUAD patients. Significant correlation was obtained between risk score and tumor immune microenvironment. We also identified lncRNA BCYRN1/miR-3664-5p/CTSG regulatory axis that may be involved in the progression of LUAD.

Conclusion: We developed two molecular subtypes and a prognostic signature for LUAD based on NETs-related genes. This stratification could provide more evidences for estimating the prognosis and immunotherapy of LAUD patients.
Microbial Communities as Affected by Clarithromycin Addition in Four Acid Soils (NW Iberian Peninsula)
Authors: Rodríguez-González Laura , García-Campos Elena , Martín Ángela , Díaz-Raviña Montserrat , Arias-Estévez Manuel , Fernández-Calviño David , Santás-Miguel Vanesa
Published: April 2023

A laboratory experiment was carried out to investigate the response of the microbial communities in acid agricultural soils located in the NW Iberian Peninsula to the presence of clarithromycin. Four soils, with different organic C content and similar pH, and seven different concentrations of clarithromycin (0.49, 1.95, 7.81, 31.25, 125, 500 and 2,000 mg kg−1 of soil) were used, and microbial estimates were made after 8 and 42 incubation days. The phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) technique was used to estimate the total microbial biomass and biomass of specific microbial groups as well as the microbial community structure (PLFA pattern). The microbial biomass (total and specific groups) was different in the four studied soils, the lowest values being exhibited by soils with the lowest organic C. The antibiotic addition showed a positive effect on microbial biomass (total and specific groups), especially at the highest dose; the effect being similar or even more accentuated with time passed after the addition (42 days ≥8 days). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the PLFA data carried out with the whole data set showed that the main determining factors of the microbial structure followed the order: soil > time incubation ≥ antibiotic dose. When the PCA was performed individually for each incubation time, the results indicated that microbial communities of the four soils were different. Likewise, for each soil, different microbial communities were observed depending on antibiotic concentration. The microbial biomass and PLFA pattern data were coincidentally showing that the clarithromycin addition favored fungi and G− bacteria more that bacteria and G+ bacteria; the effect being dose-dependent. Our data (microbial biomass, PLFA pattern) also demonstrated that the effect of clarithromycin addition on microbial communities in these four acid agricultural soils persisted even after 42 incubation days.
Impact of Digital Transformation on the Energy Sector: A Review
Authors: Nazari Zahra , Musilek Petr
Published: April 2023

Digital transformation is a phenomenon introduced by the transformative power of digital technologies, and it has become a key driver for the energy sector, with advancements in technology leading to significant changes in the way energy is produced, transmitted, and consumed. The impact of digital transformation on the energy sector is profound, with benefits such as improved efficiency, cost reduction, and enhanced customer experience. This article provides a review of the impact of digital transformation on the energy sector, highlighting key trends and emerging technologies that are transforming the sector. The article begins by defining the concept of digital transformation, describing its scope, and explaining two conceptual frameworks to provide a deep understanding of the concept. This article then explores the benefits of digital transformation, examines its impact, and identifies its enablers and barriers. Each source examined was analyzed to extract qualitative results and assess its contribution to the researched topic. This paper also acknowledges the challenges posed by digital transformation, including concerns about cybersecurity, data privacy, and workforce displacement. Finally, we discuss the potential developments that are expected in the future of digital transformation in the power sector and conclude that digital transformation has the potential to significantly improve the energy sector’s efficiency, sustainability, and resiliency.
Socio-Cultural Barriers Influencing Unplanned Pregnancy in Mugombwa Refugee Camp, Rwanda: Female Adolescents’ Perspectives
Authors: Eastman Autumn , Olunuga Oluwatomi , Moges Tayechalem
Published: April 2023

Female adolescents experience exacerbated vulnerability to the effects of gender inequities in refugee settings, where there is often a lack of protective societal structures and the politicization of their access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, which result in an increase in teenage pregnancy as compared to non-refugee settings. In the Mugombwa refugee camp in Rwanda, there were 47 adolescent childbirths in 2021 alone. This study explores the perspectives of female adolescents on the barriers underpinning adolescent unplanned pregnancy in the Mugombwa refugee camp. Focus group discussions were conducted with 16 adolescent girls between the ages of 10 and 19. The findings were analyzed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Barriers at the individual, interpersonal, communal, and institutional levels underpin unplanned adolescent pregnancy. Socio-cultural barriers of poverty and transactional sex, poor knowledge of contraceptives, negative peer influence, sexual coercion, poor parent–adolescent communication, negative health worker attitudes, selective SRH community outreach, and the inaccessibility of contraceptives emerged as themes influencing the sexual behavior of adolescents and unplanned pregnancies. The socio-cultural barriers and systemic facilitators of gender inequality associated with being an adolescent female in a refugee camp must be prioritized to alleviate adolescent unplanned pregnancy.
Towards Accurate Vortex Separation Simulations with RANS Using Improved k-kL Turbulence Model
Authors: Dikbaş Erdem , Baran Özgür Uğraş
Published: April 2023

In this study, we present our improved RANS results of the missile aerodynamic flow computation involving leading edge vortex separation. We have used our in-house tailored version of the open source finite volume solver FlowPsi. An ongoing study in the NATO STO Applied Vehicle Technologies Panel (AVT-316) has revealed that a highly maneuverable missile configuration (LK6E2) shows unusual rolling moment characteristics due to the vortex–surface interactions occurring during wing leading edge separation of vortices. We show the performance of the recently developed k-kL turbulence model for this test problem. This turbulence model is shown to have superior capabilities compared to other widely used turbulence models, such as Spalart–Allmaras and shear stress transport. With the k-kL turbulence model, it is possible to achieve more realistic computational results that agree better with the physical data. In addition, we propose improvements to this turbulence model to achieve even better predictions of rolling moment behavior. Modifications based on turbulence production terms in the k-kL turbulence model significantly improved the predicted rolling moment coefficient, in terms of accuracy and uncertainty.
The AI Learns to Lie to Please You: Preventing Biased Feedback Loops in Machine-Assisted Intelligence Analysis
Authors: Stray Jonathan
Published: April 2023

Researchers are starting to design AI-powered systems to automatically select and summarize the reports most relevant to each analyst, which raises the issue of bias in the information presented. This article focuses on the selection of relevant reports without an explicit query, a task known as recommendation. Drawing on previous work documenting the existence of human-machine feedback loops in recommender systems, this article reviews potential biases and mitigations in the context of intelligence analysis. Such loops can arise when behavioral “engagement” signals such as clicks or user ratings are used to infer the value of displayed information. Even worse, there can be feedback loops in the collection of intelligence information because users may also be responsible for tasking collection. Avoiding misalignment feedback loops requires an alternate, ongoing, non-engagement signal of information quality. Existing evaluation scales for intelligence product quality and rigor, such as the IC Rating Scale, could provide ground-truth feedback. This sparse data can be used in two ways: for human supervision of average performance and to build models that predict human survey ratings for use at recommendation time. Both techniques are widely used today by social media platforms. Open problems include the design of an ideal human evaluation method, the cost of skilled human labor, and the sparsity of the resulting data.
Trend of Antimicrobial Use in Food-Producing Animals from 2018 to 2020 in Nepal
Authors: Upadhyaya Nabin , Karki Surendra , Rana Sujan , Elsohaby Ibrahim , Tiwari Ramanandan , Oli Manoj , Paudel Surya
Published: April 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health problem and is primarily driven by the widespread overuse of antibiotics. However, antimicrobial use data in animals are not readily available due to the absence of a national database in many developing countries, including Nepal. This study was conducted to estimate the quantities of antimicrobials available in Nepal as an indicator of their use in food-producing animals between 2018 and 2020. Data were collected through surveys targeting major stakeholders: (i) the Department of Drug Administration (DDA), the Government of Nepal (GoN) for the authorized antimicrobials for veterinary use in Nepal, (ii) veterinary pharmaceuticals for antimicrobials produced in Nepal, (iii) the DDA and Veterinary Importers Association for antimicrobials bought by veterinary drug importers, and (iv) the Department of Customs, GoN, for antibiotics sourced through customs. Data showed that in the 3 years, a total of 96 trade names, comprising 35 genera of antibiotics representing 10 classes, were either produced or imported in Nepal. In total, 91,088 kg, 47,694 kg, and 45,671 kg of active ingredients of antimicrobials were available in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. None of the antibiotics were intended for growth promotion, but were primarily for therapeutic purposes. Oxytetracycline, tilmicosin, and sulfadimidine were among the most-used antibiotics in Nepal in 2020. Oxytetracycline was primarily intended for parenteral application, whereas tilmicosin was solely for oral use. Sulfadimidine was available for oral use, except for a small proportion for injection purposes. Aminoglycosides, fluroquinolones, nitrofurans, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines were mostly produced locally, whereas cephalosporins, macrolides and “other” classes of antimicrobials were imported. Amphenicols and penicillins were exclusively imported and nitrofurans were produced locally only. In general, except for tetracyclines, the volume of antimicrobials produced locally and/or imported in 2020 was lower than that in 2018, which corresponded to a decreasing trend in total antimicrobials available. Furthermore, the subsequent years have seen a decrease in the use of critically important antibiotics, particularly class I antibiotics. Finally, this study has firstly established a benchmark for future monitoring of antimicrobial usage in food-producing animals in Nepal. These data are useful for risk analysis, planning, interpreting resistance surveillance data, and evaluating the effectiveness of prudent use, efforts, and mitigation strategies.
The Effects of Oral Lavender Therapy on Wounding in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Magden Elizabeth R. , Neal Webb Sarah , Lambeth Susan P. , Buchl Stephanie J. , Schapiro Steven J.
Published: April 2023

Lavender administration in humans has been shown to promote calmness without the side effects often observed with benzodiazepines. Studies in both humans and rodents have found that ingestion of oral lavender capsules resulted in significantly decreased anxiety. Additionally, mice developed an anti-conflict effect and humans increased socially inclusive behaviors. Given the safety of oral lavender oil and the observed benefits, we administered daily lavender capsules to six chimpanzees who exhibited conflict-instigating behaviors in an effort to further decrease our already low levels of wounding. We compared the total number of wounds in 25 chimpanzees housed with the six lavender-treated chimpanzees in five different social groups (1) prior to administration of daily oral lavender capsules to (2) total wounds during daily oral lavender capsule treatment. We hypothesized that lavender therapy treatment would reduce overall wounding in the social groups. Surprisingly, overall wounding was higher during the lavender treatment period (p = 0.01), yet the percentage of wounds requiring treatment significantly decreased during the lavender therapy period (36% vs. 21%, p = 0.02).
Evaluation of Implementation and Effectiveness of China’s Antibiotic Stewardship in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Authors: Zheng Nianzhen , Li Jian , Liu Yang , Liao Kang , Chen Jie , Zhang Chengcheng , Wen Weiping
Published: April 2023

Antibiotic stewardship has been prioritized by governments and health care organizations in recent years as antibiotic resistance is markedly increasing. A tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China was chosen as a study example to undertake an implementation and effectiveness evaluation of China’s antibiotic stewardship to improve and promote antimicrobial stewardship nationwide. The general surgery department of the study hospital was utilized to examine surgical site infection, and samples from across the hospital were used to identify bloodstream infection. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis, the Mann–Kendall trend test, logit model and panel data model, and t-tests. In terms of prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic rational use, respectively, we evaluated implementation conditions, the correlation between implementation and corresponding disease progress, and the cost-effectiveness of China’s antibiotic stewardship. For perioperative prophylactic antibiotic use, antibiotic stewardship was found to have been well-implemented, cost-effective, and reduced the incidence of surgical site infection. However, concerning therapeutic use and antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection prophylaxis, the complexity of influencing factors and the contradiction between stewardship implementation and clinical demand needs to be further evaluated.
Replacement of the Double Meropenem Disc Test with a Lateral Flow Assay for the Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Laboratory Practice
Authors: Tychala Areti , Meletis Georgios , Mantzana Paraskevi , Kassomenaki Angeliki , Katsanou Charikleia , Daviti Aikaterini , Kouroudi Lydia , Skoura Lemonia , Protonotariou Efthymia
Published: April 2023

The prompt detection of carbapenemases among Gram-negative bacteria isolated from patients’ clinical infection samples and surveillance cultures is important for the implementation of infection control measures. In this context, we evaluated the effectiveness of replacing phenotypic tests for the detection of carbapenemase producers with the immunochromatographic Carbapenem-Resistant K.N.I.V.O. Detection K-Set lateral flow assay (LFA). In total, 178 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and 32 carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in our hospital were tested with both our established phenotypic and molecular testing procedures and the LFA. The Kappa coefficient of agreement for Enterobacterales was 0.85 (p < 0.001) and 0.6 (p < 0.001) for P. aeruginosa. No major disagreements were observed and notably, in many cases, the LFA detected more carbapenemases than the double meropenem disc test, especially regarding OXA-48 in Enterobacterales and VIM in P. aeruginosa. Overall, the Carbapenem-Resistant K.N.I.V.O. Detection K-Set was very effective and at least equivalent to the standard procedures used in our lab. However, it was much faster as it provided results in 15 min compared to a minimum of 18–24 h for the phenotypic tests.
Co-Selection of Bacterial Metal and Antibiotic Resistance in Soil Laboratory Microcosms
Authors: Heydari Ali , Kim Nick D. , Biggs Patrick J. , Horswell Jacqui , Gielen Gerty J. H. P. , Siggins Alma , Taylor Matthew D. , Bromhead Collette , Palmer Barry R.
Published: April 2023

Accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in agricultural soil following the application of superphosphate fertilisers seems to induce resistance of soil bacteria to HMs and appears to co-select for resistance to antibiotics (Ab). This study aimed to investigate the selection of co-resistance of soil bacteria to HMs and Ab in uncontaminated soil incubated for 6 weeks at 25 °C in laboratory microcosms spiked with ranges of concentrations of cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and mercury (Hg). Co-selection of HM and Ab resistance was assessed using plate culture on media with a range of HM and Ab concentrations, and pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) assays. Bacterial diversity was profiled via terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) assay and 16S rDNA sequencing of genomic DNA isolated from selected microcosms. Based on sequence data, the microbial communities exposed to HMs were found to differ significantly compared to control microcosms with no added HM across a range of taxonomic levels.
Regulation of CD163 Receptor in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Associations with Antioxidant Enzymes HO-1 and NQO1
Authors: Hamann Bianca , Klimova Anna , Klotz Felicia , Frank Frieda , Jänichen Christian , Kapalla Marvin , Sabarstinski Pamela , Wolk Steffen , Morawietz Henning , Poitz David M. , Hofmann Anja , Reeps Christian
Published: April 2023

Red blood cells are found within the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), in the intraluminal thrombus (ILT), and in neovessels. Hemolysis promotes aortic degeneration, e.g., by heme-induced reactive oxygen species formation. To reduce its toxicity, hemoglobin is endocytosed by the CD163 receptor and heme is degraded by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). A soluble form (sCD163) is discussed as an inflammatory biomarker representing the activation of monocytes and macrophages. HO-1 and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) are antioxidant genes that are induced by the Nrf2 transcription factor, but their regulation in AAA is only poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to analyze linkages between CD163, Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 and to clarify if plasma sCD163 has diagnostic and risk stratification potential. Soluble CD163 was 1.3-fold (p = 0.015) higher in AAA compared to patients without arterial disease. The difference remained significant after adjusting for age and sex. sCD163 correlated with the thickness of the ILT (rs = 0.26; p = 0.02) but not with the AAA diameter or volume. A high aneurysmal CD163 mRNA was connected to increases in NQO1, HMOX1, and Nrf2 mRNA. Further studies are needed to analyze the modulation of the CD163/HO-1/NQO1 pathway with the overall goal of minimizing the detrimental effects of hemolysis.
Pharmacologic Comparison of High-Dose Hesperetin and Quercetin on MDCK II Cell Viability, Tight Junction Integrity, and Cell Shape
Authors: Nakashima Mio , Goda Natsuko , Tenno Takeshi , Kotake Ayaka , Inotsume Yuko , Amaya Minako , Hiroaki Hidekazu
Published: April 2023

The modulation of tight junction (TJ) integrity with small molecules is important for drug delivery. High-dose baicalin (BLI), baicalein (BLE), quercetin (QUE), and hesperetin (HST) have been shown to open TJs in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) II cells, but the mechanisms for HST and QUE remain unclear. In this study, we compared the effects of HST and QUE on cell proliferation, morphological changes, and TJ integrity. HST and QUE were found to have opposing effects on the MDCK II cell viability, promotion, and suppression, respectively. Only QUE, but not HST, induced a morphological change in MDCK II into a slenderer cell shape. Both HST and QUE downregulated the subcellular localization of claudin (CLD)-2. However, only QUE, but not HST, downregulated CLD-2 expression. Conversely, only HST was shown to directly bind to the first PDZ domain of ZO-1, a key molecule to promote TJ biogenesis. The TGFβ pathway partially contributed to the HST-induced cell proliferation, since SB431541 ameliorated the effect. In contrast, the MEK pathway was not involved by both the flavonoids, since U0126 did not revert their TJ-opening effect. The results offer insight for using HST or QUE as naturally occurring absorption enhancers through the paracellular route.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Novel Approaches for Structural Health Monitoring II
Authors: Surace Cecilia
Published: April 2023

The emphasis of this Special Issue is on showcasing the most recent advancements in the field of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), accounting for all its applications in mechanical systems and civil structures or infrastructures [...]
Novel Highly Dispersed Additive for Proton-Conducting Composites
Authors: Aparnev Aleksandr I. , Loginov Anton V. , Uvarov Nikolai , Ponomareva Valentina , Bagryantseva Irina , Manakhov Anton , Al-Qasim Abdulaziz S. , Golovakhin Valeriy V. , Bannov Alexander G.
Published: April 2023

The proton conductivity and structural properties of (1–x)CsH2PO4–xZnSnO3 composites with compositions of x = 0.2–0.8 were studied. Zinc stannate ZnSnO3 was prepared by the thermal decomposition of zinc hydroxostannate ZnSn(OH)6, which was synthesized by hydrolytic codeposition. To optimize the microstructure of ZnSnO3, thermal decomposition products of ZnSn(OH)6 were characterized by thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and electron microscopy. The study reveals that the thermolysis of ZnSn(OH)6 at temperatures of 300–520 °C formed an X-ray amorphous zinc stannate with a high surface area of 85 m2/g possessing increased water retention, which was used as a matrix for the formation of the composite electrolytes CsH2PO4–ZnSnO3. The CsH2PO4 crystal structure remained in the composite systems, but dispersion and partial salt amorphization were observed due to the interface interaction with the ZnSnO3 matrix. It was shown that the proton conductivity of composites in the low-temperature region increased up to 2.5 orders of magnitude, went through a smooth maximum at x = 0.2, and then decreased due to the percolation effect. The measurement of the proton conductivity of the ZnSnO3–CsH2PO4 composites revealed that zinc stannate can be used as a heterogeneous additive in other composite solid electrolytes. Therefore, such materials can be applied in hydrogen production membrane reactors.
Condition and Performance Assessment of Irrigation Infrastructure at Agri-Parks in Gauteng Province, South Africa
Authors: Mutema Macdex , Dhavu Khumbulani , Mothapo Manoshi
Published: April 2023

South African agriculture accounts for 62% of the national water demand. Almost 45% of the water is wasted. Therefore, irrigation systems need to improve their water-use efficiency (WUE). However, the WUE of smallholder irrigation schemes in the country, including Agri-Parks, is not precisely known. A study was performed at four Agri-Parks (Rooiwal, Soshanguve, Tarlton, and Westonaria) in Gauteng province to assess the condition and performance of the irrigation systems, as part of a project that aimed to develop a WUE model for smallholder irrigation systems. The Agri-Parks were equipped with efficient irrigation systems in forms of drip and microjets. The assessments were performed at the system component level in February–March 2021. A Condition Assessment Model (CAM), developed by ARC-NRE/AE, was used for the condition assessment. Enumerators observed the system components visually and assigned conditions, which they uploaded into the model to generate condition indices (CIs). Water conveyance efficiency (CE) and distribution uniformity (DU) were assessed on delivery and infield systems, respectively. The CI values ranged 4–6, implying significant deterioration had occurred. The CE was 61–78%, while the DU was 60–95%. The infield system CI correlated positively with the DU, suggesting the CI could predict the DU in drip systems, which was encouraging for the proposed WUE model. However, further research covering a longer period and more Agri-Parks is recommended.
Exploring Bi-Directional Context for Improved Chatbot Response Generation Using Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Tran Quoc-Dai Luong , Le Anh-Cuong
Published: April 2023

The development of conversational agents that can generate relevant and meaningful replies is a challenging task in the field of natural language processing. Context and predictive capabilities are crucial factors that humans rely on for effective communication. Prior studies have had a significant limitation in that they do not adequately consider the relationship between utterances in conversations when generating responses. This study aims to address this limitation by proposing a novel method that comprehensively models the contextual information of the current utterance for response generation. A commonly used approach is to rely on the information of the current utterance to generate the corresponding response, and as such it does not take advantage of the context of a multi-turn conversation. In our proposal, different from other studies, we will use a bi-directional context in which the historical direction helps the model remember information from the past in the conversation, while the future direction enables the model to anticipate its impact afterward. We combine a Transformer-based sequence-to-sequence model and the reinforcement learning algorithm to achieve our goal. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model through qualitative evaluation of some generated samples, in which the proposed model increases 24% average BLEU score and 29% average ROUGE score compared to the baseline model. This result also shows that our proposed model improves from 5% to 151% for the average BLEU score compared with previous related studies.
Immersive Virtual-Reality System for Aircraft Maintenance Education: A Case Study
Authors: Gómez-Cambronero Águeda , Miralles Ignacio , Tonda Anna , Remolar Inmaculada
Published: April 2023

Aircraft maintenance is a highly relevant procedure in many industries, yet obtaining qualified personnel to carry it out is a difficult task. Training in such techniques is complex and requires access to facilities and materials that are not readily available. Virtual reality can be a tool to improve this situation. This paper presents the whole process of design, development, and evaluation of a virtual environment that allows users to perform some of the main tasks required in aircraft maintenance after landing or for take-off. By following a user-centered design methodology and the Octalysis framework to apply motivation and engagement techniques, a gamified virtual environment was developed that allows the user to practice specific aircraft maintenance techniques. The environment was tested by users of different profiles who answered questionnaires to evaluate the perceived gamification, usability, and the feeling of sickness from the experience. The analysis of the data corroborates the good performance of the VR environment in these fields.
XR Technology Deployment in Value Creation
Authors: Krodel Tim , Schott Vera , Ovtcharova Jivka
Published: April 2023

With increasing computing power and data transmission performance of information technologies, the application scenarios for Extended Reality (XR) technologies in industries are growing. Despite the ongoing scientific investigation of industrial XR applications for over 25 years, these technologies are still considered emerging. Within this paper, we present an industry- and business-process agnostic approach for classifying the deployment purposes of XR technologies in value creation. We identified two major research streams regarding the role of XR technologies in value creation: (1) the research initiatives focusing on business-process-specific use case analysis and (2) industry-oriented research reviews. This results in limited identification of suitable application scenarios for new use cases and restricted transferability of the existing use case to future deployments. First, we provide a qualitative analysis of the current research streams. Then, in the second step, by abstracting the XR technology from the existing business processes and the industry-specific context, the generic purposes for XR technologies in value creation are identified and defined. The summary of these deployment purposes results in a taxonomy that enables the identification and transfer of potential use cases of XR technologies in value creation.
A Full-Coverage Path-Planning Algorithm for a Glass-Curtain-Wall-Cleaning Robot Driven by Ropes
Authors: Zhang Dong , Li Yuao , Jia Pei , Jiao Xin , Zheng Yueshuo , Wang Guoliang , Li Zhihao , Zhang Minglu , Wang Jingtian , Li Manhong
Published: April 2023

Rope-driven robots are increasingly being applied for the efficiently cleaning of glass curtain walls. However, increasingly complex wall surfaces and the various shapes of obstacles may block the robot and reduce coverage. In this study, three-DOF rope-driven cleaning robots and a full-coverage path-planning algorithm were developed to achieve global operation. The robot adopts a five-rope parallel configuration, and four winches are mounted on the wall and one on the ground to produce 3D motion performance. We used a grid method to build the wall model to mark obstacles, and then we decomposed it according to the wall curvature to better access cleaning subareas. To further increase the cleaning coverage rate, a full-coverage path-planning algorithm based on an improved priority heuristic was designed, which does not ignore the inset area of U-shaped obstacles. By introducing two sets of priority criteria to judge the forward direction, the robot can switch directions to cover a whole area when encountering U-shaped obstacles. Furthermore, by planning a return route requiring the least amount of time when entering a dead zone, an escape strategy was developed to prevent the robot from being unable to choose a direction. The experimental results show that the robot, after applying the proposed path-planning algorithm, could complete the global cleaning of complex glass walls with various obstacles.
Assessment of the Sea Surface Salinity Simulation and Projection Surrounding the Asian Waters in the CMIP6 Models
Authors: Jin Shanshan , Pan Haidong , Xu Tengfei
Published: April 2023

Sea surface salinity (SSS) is a crucial indicator that is used to monitor the hydrological cycle in the ocean system. In this study, we evaluated the simulation skill of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models in reproducing the SSS in the Asian Marginal Seas (AMSs). The results show that the AMSs’ SSS simulated by most CMIP6 models is generally in good agreement with the observations in terms of spatial patterns and seasonal variability. However, these models tend to overestimate the SSS in the Eastern Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal by up to 1.3 psu, while they underestimate the SSS in the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the Southern South China Sea, and the Indonesian Seas, with the bias exceeding −1.5 psu. Additionally, the seasonal variations in the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea exhibit large biases with phase shift or reversal in some CMIP6 models. Notably, the observed magnitudes in the AMSs are significantly higher than the global average of 0.2 psu, ranging from 0.22 to 1.19 psu. Furthermore, we calculated the projected trends in sea surface salinity under different future scenarios by using the CMIP6 models. The results reveal relatively larger SSS freshening trends in the second half of the 21st century compared to the first half. Specifically, the freshening trends for the Shared Socio-Economic Pathway (SSP) of low- (global radiative forcing of 2.6 W/m2 by the year 2100), medium- (global radiative forcing of 4.5 W/m2 by 2100), and high-end (8.5 W/m2 by 2100) pathways are 0.05–0.21, 0.12–0.39, and 0.28–0.78 psu/century, respectively. The most rapid freshening trends of SSS are observed in the East China Seas and the Indonesian Seas, which are over two times greater than the global mean. On the other hand, the SSS freshening trends in the Arabian Sea are slightly lower than the global mean SSS freshening trend.
A Comparative Study on Four Methods of Boundary Layer Height Calculation in Autumn and Winter under Different PM2.5 Pollution Levels in Xi’an, China
Authors: Sun Haiyan , Wang Jiaqi , Sheng Li , Jiang Qi
Published: April 2023

In this paper, L-band sounding and surface observation data are used to calculate the boundary layer height (BLH) and evaluated CMA (China Metrological Administration Numerical Forecast System) and ERA5 in Xi’an for 2017–2021 using the Richardson (Ri) and Nozaki methods. For different PM2.5 pollution levels, the correlation between the vertical profile of meteorological factors and BLH is explored. There is a certain negative correlation between BLH and PM2.5 concentration. The BLH mean values of Nozaki, Ri, ERA5, and CMA from high to low are ~980 m, ~640 m, ~410 m, and ~240 m, respectively. The highest correlation is between ERA5 and CMA BLH with r2 > 0.85 for all pollution processes, while it between other methods is significantly lower (r2 < 0.58). The observational BLH is generally higher than the model results. Nozaki has a good adaptability on the light pollution, while Ri is more applicable to the stable boundary layer. In moderate and higher pollution, the ERA5 has a slightly better performance than CMA in BLH, while in light pollution there is a significant underestimation for both. Overall, the correlation between any two BLH methods gradually increases with increasing pollution level. In this study, there is about ~30% probability of polluted weather when BLH < 200 m and only <7% probability when BLH > 2000 m. It is difficult to simulate the neutral boundary layer and inversion processes for CMA and ERA5, but ERA5 has higher forecasting skills than CMA. This study can provide the data and theoretical support for the development of haze numerical forecast.
Stability Switching in Lotka-Volterra and Ricker-Type Predator-Prey Systems with Arbitrary Step Size
Authors: Kekulthotuwage Don Shamika , Burrage Kevin , Helmstedt Kate J. , Burrage Pamela M.
Published: April 2023

Dynamical properties of numerically approximated discrete systems may become inconsistent with those of the corresponding continuous-time system. We present a qualitative analysis of the dynamical properties of two-species Lotka-Volterra and Ricker-type predator-prey systems under discrete and continuous settings. By creating an arbitrary time discretisation, we obtain stability conditions that preserve the characteristics of continuous-time models and their numerically approximated systems. Here, we show that even small changes to some of the model parameters may alter the system dynamics unless an appropriate time discretisation is chosen to return similar dynamical behaviour to what is observed in the corresponding continuous-time system. We also found similar dynamical properties of the Ricker-type predator-prey systems under certain conditions. Our results demonstrate the need for preliminary analysis to identify which dynamical properties of approximated discretised systems agree or disagree with the corresponding continuous-time systems.
Apparent Aging during Accelerated Cycling Aging Test of Cylindrical Silicon Containing Li-Ion Cells
Authors: Morales Torricos Pablo , Endisch Christian , Lewerenz Meinert
Published: April 2023

Accelerated cyclic aging tests are very important for research and industry to quickly characterize lithium-ion cells. However, the accentuation of stress factors and the elimination of rest periods lead to an apparent capacity fade, that can be subsequently recovered during a resting phase. This effect is attributed to the inhomogeneous lithium distribution in the anode and is observable with differential voltage analysis (DVA). We tested cylindrical 18,650 cells with Li(NixCoyAlz)O2-graphite/silicon chemistry during two cycling and resting phases. The capacity, the pulse resistance, the DVA, and the capacity difference analysis are evaluated for cells cycled at different average SOC and current rates. An apparent capacity loss of up to 12% was reported after 200 FCE for cells cycled under the presence of pressure gradients, while only 1% were at low-pressure gradients. The subsequent recovery was up to 80% of the apparent capacity loss in some cases. The impact of silicon cannot be estimated as it shows no features in the dV/dQ curves. We observe a recovery of apparent resistance increase, which is not reported for cells with pure graphite anodes. Finally, we demonstrate the strong impact of apparent aging for the lifetime prediction based on standard accelerated cyclic aging tests.
Material Flow Analysis of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling in Europe: Environmental and Economic Implications
Authors: Bruno Martina , Fiore Silvia
Published: April 2023

This study aimed at a quantitative analysis of the material flows associated with End of Life (EoL) lithium-ion batteries’ (LIBs) materials in Europe. The European electric vehicles fleet in 2020 was taken as a case study, assuming a 10-year lifetime for the batteries and that the related EoL LIBs would be processed by existing recycling plants via pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, or their combination in sequence. The economic implications (recycling operative costs compared to the revenues from the sales of the recycled metals) and the environmental performances (CO2 eq. emitted, energy demand and circularity performances) were assessed. Based on the gathered results, the existing European recycling capacity will overlook over 78% of the forecasted EoL LIBs. The treatment efficiencies of the full-scale recycling processes allow for the recovery of over 90% of copper, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, 87% of aluminum, and only 42% of lithium and 35% of iron entering the recycling facilities. In overall, LIBs recycling in 2030 will involve the emission of 3.7 Mt of CO2 eq. and an energy demand of 33.6 GWh. Hydrometallurgy presents the best economic and environmental trade-off compared to other recycling strategies. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that current European LIBs’ recycling infrastructure will be inadequate in the near future and the direction (i.e., hydrometallurgy) that its strengthening should pursue.
How Cell Design Affects the Aging Behavior: Comparing Electrode-Individual Aging Processes of High-Energy and High-Power Lithium-Ion Batteries Using High Precision Coulometry
Authors: Jagfeld Sebastian Michael Peter , Birke Kai Peter , Fill Alexander , Keil Peter
Published: April 2023

The aging behavior of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for the development of electric vehicles and many other battery-powered devices. The cells can be generally classified into two types: high-energy (HE) and high-power (HP) cells. The cell type used depends on the field of application. As these cells differ in their electrical behavior, this work investigates whether both cell types also show different aging behavior. More precisely, the occurring capacity loss and internal side reactions are analyzed via the charge throughput. For comparison, aging tests are carried out with a high-precision battery tester, allowing the application of High Precision Coulometry (HPC). This enables early detection of aging effects and also allows us to break down the capacity loss into electrode-individual processes. A total of two sub-studies are performed: (1) a cyclic study focusing on lithium plating; and (2) an accelerated calendar aging study. It is found that HE cells exhibit stronger cyclic aging effects (lithium plating) and HP cells exhibit stronger calendar aging effects. The higher lithium plating can be explained by the higher diffusion resistance of the lithium ions within the electrodes of HE Cell. The higher calendar aging fits to the larger electrode surfaces of the HP cell. These results give deep insights into the proceeding aging in a novel way and are interesting for the selection of the appropriate cell type in the context of battery development. In a next step, the measured capacity losses could also be used for a simple parameterization of battery aging models.
Climate Change and Human Activities, the Significant Dynamic Drivers of Himalayan Goral Distribution (Naemorhedus goral)
Authors: Haq Shiekh Marifatul , Waheed Muhammad , Ahmad Riyaz , Bussmann Rainer W. , Arshad Fahim , Khan Arshad Mahmood , Casini Ryan , Alataway Abed , Dewidar Ahmed Z. , Elansary Hosam O.
Published: April 2023

The distribution of large ungulates is more often negatively impacted by the changing climate, especially global warming and species with limited distributional zones. While developing conservation action plans for the threatened species such as the Himalayan goral (Naemorhedus goral Hardwicke 1825; a mountain goat that mostly inhabits rocky cliffs), it is imperative to comprehend how future distributions might vary based on predicted climate change. In this work, MaxEnt modeling was employed to assess the habitat suitability of the target species under varying climate scenarios. Such studies have provided highly useful information but to date no such research work has been conducted that considers this endemic animal species of the Himalayas. A total of 81 species presence points, 19 bioclimatic and 3 topographic variables were employed in the species distribution modeling (SDM), and MaxEnt calibration and optimization were performed to select the best candidate model. For predicted climate scenarios, the future data is drawn from SSPs 245 and SSPs 585 of the 2050s and 2070s. Out of total 20 variables, annual precipitation, elevation, precipitation of driest month, slope aspect, minimum temperature of coldest month, slope, precipitation of warmest quarter, and temperature annual range (in order) were detected as the most influential drivers. A high accuracy value (AUC-ROC > 0.9) was observed for all the predicted scenarios. The habitat suitability of the targeted species might expand (about 3.7 to 13%) under all the future climate change scenarios. The same is evident according to local residents as species which are locally considered extinct in most of the area, might be shifting northwards along the elevation gradient away from human settlements. This study recommends additional research is conducted to prevent potential population collapses, and to identify other possible causes of local extinction events. Our findings will aid in formulating conservation plans for the Himalayan goral in a changing climate and serve as a basis for future monitoring of the species.