bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum procalcitonin has no significance in the diagnosis of periprosthesis joint infection before total hip and knee replacement
Authors: Sun Xiaobo , Zhang Haitao , Liu Yuting , Lai ZhiWei , Zeng Yirong
Published: November 2023

Background

Currently, there is no “gold standard” for early diagnosing PJI. The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a challenging problem in the clinic. As we know, many serum markers have been used in the early diagnosis of PJI. The aim of this study was to validate the value of PCT in the diagnosis of PJI.

Methods

A retrospective review of 77 patients with revision arthroplasties from January 2013 to July 2020 was conducted. PJI was defined using the modified Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria combined with follow-up results. Besides medical history, clinical and laboratory data was gathered. Preoperative blood was taken for serum PCT and other biomarkers measurement. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the biomarkers’ diagnostic performance and optimal cut-off value.

Results

Forty-one patients were identified as the PJI group (27 hips and 14 knees), while thirty-six patients were identified as the aseptic loosening (AL) group (33 hips and 3 knees). The AUCs for C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Platelets (PLT), Fibrinogen (FIB), and Procalcitonin (PCT) were 0.845 (95% CI 0.755–0.936, p < 0.001), 0.817 (95% CI 0.718–0.916, p < 0.001), 0.728 (95% CI 0.613–0.843, p < 0.001), 0.810 (95% CI 0.710–0.910, p < 0.001) and 0.504 (95% CI 0.373–0.635, p = 0.950), respectively. Higher Area under the Curve (AUC) values were obtained for the combinations of PCT and CRP (AUC = 0.870) (95% CI, 0.774–0.936), PCT and ESR (AUC = 0.817) (95% CI, 0.712–0.896), PCT and PLT (AUC = 0.731) (95% CI, 0.617–0.825), PCT and FIB (AUC = 0.815) (95% CI, 0.710–0.894). The serum PCT indicated a sensitivity of 19.51% and a specificity of 83.33% for diagnosing PJI. When the optimal cut-off value for PCT was set as 0.05 ng/ml, its positive and negative likelihood ratios were 57.1% and 47.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, serum PCT appeared to be no reliable biomarker in differentiating PJI from aseptic loosening before revision arthroplasties. However, PCT combined with other biomarkers further increases the diagnostic accuracy.
The path to Net Zero carbon emissions for veterinary practice
Authors: Watson Jeremy A. , Klupiec Corinna , Bindloss Jane , Morin Mariane
Published: November 2023

The urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement is a compelling reason for the entire veterinary profession to act on climate change because of its impact on animal health. The aim of this perspective is to provide a business framework that veterinary practices can use to implement the path to Net Zero carbon emissions. Practice management is identified as a key stakeholder capable of implementing significant change within the sector. Climate related business opportunities and challenges are identified and integrated into a stepwise process for practices to follow. The pathway requires establishing a culture of sustainability within the veterinary team, measuring and reporting emissions, setting targets and systematically prioritizing reductions. Practices can begin this process immediately by reducing emissions under direct control of the business (Scope 1) and emissions from electricity purchases (Scope 2). To complete the pathway, emissions from all other activities (Scope 3) will need to be reduced and offset. Reduction of Scope 3 emissions is more challenging and will require collaboration between all supply chain stakeholders. The progression of climate change is now inevitable and a proactive approach from veterinary leaders, in particular practice management, will provide new opportunities, manage risks and inspire the broader veterinary sector to join their efforts to achieve a better future for animal health.
Dose- and substrate-dependent reduction of enteric methane and ammonia by natural additives in vitro
Authors: Battelli Marco , Nielsen Mette Olaf , Nørskov Natalja P.
Published: November 2023

Ruminants contribute to global warming by emitting greenhouse gasses, particularly methane (CH4) which is a product of rumen fermentation. The use of feed additives able to modulate rumen fermentation is a promising strategy to reduce enteric CH4 and ammonia (NH3) emissions. Among the various strategies investigated, plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) have attracted attention due to their apparent potential to reduce enteric CH4 and NH3 emissions, and it would be possible to use such compounds as feed additives in organic production systems. In an in vitro system simulating rumen fermentation, we have tested the impact of different classes of naturally occurring PSMs; catechin and quercetin (flavonoids), salicylic acid (phenolic acid) and tannic acid (hydrolysable tannin). The PSMs were added to two different basal feeds (maize and grass silages) at three inclusion doses 1.5, 3 and 6% of the feed dry matter (DM). CH4 production was significantly lowered upon addition of quercetin to two basal feeds at doses of 3 and 6%, and this without changes in concentrations of total volatile fatty acid (VFA) produced during fermentation. Quercetin, as the only tested additive, reduced CH4 production, and when added to maize silage and grass silage, the reduction increased linearly with increasing dose, ie., by 51 and 43%, respectively, at a dose of 3% of feed DM and by 86 and 58%, respectively, at a dose of 6% of feed DM. Moreover, quercetin significantly reduced NH3 concentration by >12% at doses of 3 and 6% in feed DM irrespective of the basal feed used as compared to when the basal feeds were incubated alone. Although none of the other additives affected CH4 formation, several additives had significant impacts on concentrations of NH3 and VFAs in the incubated fluid after fermentation. This study demonstrated a dose-dependent ability of quercetin to reduce CH4 emission from rumen fermentation, however, the magnitude of the suppression of CH4 depended on the basal feed. Furthermore, quercetin reduced NH3 concentration irrespective of the basal feed type. These findings encourage to in vivo studies to verify whether quercetin can reduce CH4 emission also in cows.
Application of Vision Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Smart Farming
Authors: Zou Xiuguo , Liu Zheng , Zhu Xiaochen , Zhang Wentian , Qian Yan , Li Yuhua
Published: November 2023

With the rapid advancement of technology, traditional farming is gradually transitioning into smart farming [...]
What Drives the Alien Parrot Richness and Occurrence in Urban Green Spaces along the Annual Cycle in Buenos Aires City, Argentina?
Authors: Santiago Sebastián Martín , Paes Cavalcante Nínive , Leveau Lucas Matías
Published: November 2023

Biological invasions are often one of the main causes of global biodiversity loss. Parrots are among the most globally traded taxa and have successfully invaded urban areas. Studies analyzing alien parrot–habitat relationships are scarce in cities of the southern hemisphere. This study aims to determine habitat characteristics influencing exotic parrot species richness, presence, and composition in urban parks in Buenos Aires City and to analyze variations during breeding and non-breeding seasons. A total of 35 parks were sampled during the breeding season and the non-breeding season, and habitat variables at local and landscape scales were measured. Parrot species richness was positively associated with tree species richness and a shorter distance to the La Plata River throughout the year. During the non-breeding season, parrot species richness increased in parks with a higher abundance of tree genera such as Eugenia, Podocarpus, Olea, and Washingtonia. However, during the breeding season, parrot species richness decreased with increased environmental noise. Taxonomic richness was higher during the breeding season. The occurrence of different species and composition depended differentially on each variable, and it varied between seasons. Our findings suggest that exotic parrot richness and presence may be influenced not only by tree diversity and park proximity to green corridors but also by specific exotic tree species providing resources for the parrots. Future urban green space designs should prioritize native tree planting to support local biodiversity over exotic trees that benefit invasive bird species.
The Effect of a Diet Supplemented with Organic Minerals and l-Carnitine on Egg Production and Chemical Composition and on Some Blood Traits of Pheasant Hens (Phasianus colchicus)
Authors: Kowalczuk-Vasilev Edyta , Flis Marian , Bielak Agata , Klebaniuk Renata , Gugała Dariusz , Karpiński Mirosław , Rytlewski Grzegorz , Grela Eugeniusz R.
Published: November 2023

The study aimed to determine the effect of replacing 75% of inorganic calcium, iron, zinc, and copper salts with organic forms (glycine chelates of these elements) with or without the addition of l-carnitine on some reproductive traits and the blood lipid and mineral profile, as well as mineral and fatty acid profile of pheasant egg yolk. The study was performed on three groups of pheasant hens using glycine chelates with calcitriol (group II) or analogical treatment with the addition of l-carnitine at the level of 100 mg/kg of feed (group III) instead of Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn salts (control). The replacement of inorganic forms with glycinates contributed to an increase in the number of laid eggs with a concomitant lower share of rejected eggs. The supplementation of organic forms of minerals improved mineral absorption and bioavailability in blood serum as well as in the egg yolk of experimental groups. Egg yolk fat was characterized by a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a favorable ratio of PUFA ω-3/ω-6. The proposed nutritional supplementation of the pheasant’s diet might be a good strategy for increasing the nutritional reserves of poultry and improving their reproduction.
Nutritional Value of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria Produced with Batch and Continuous Cultivation: Potential Use as Feed Material in Poultry Nutrition
Authors: Uguz Seyit , Sozcu Arda
Published: November 2023

Recently, the demand for new alternative feedstuffs that do not contain chemical residue and are not genetically modified has been increased for sustainability in poultry production. In this respect, the usage of algae as animal feed is very promising as an alternative feed ingredient that reduces pollutant gases from animal production facilities. The aim of the current study is to investigate the usage possibility of algae, through determining nutritional value and production cost, as a feed ingredient in poultry nutrition. Three microalgae species, including Scenedesmus sp., Ankistrodesmus sp., and Synechococcaceae, were produced with batch and continuous cultivation to determine the difference in the lipid, protein, carbohydrate, fatty acid, and amino acid profiles, as well as the color characteristics and production cost. The highest lipid content of 72.5% was observed in algae biomass produced from Synechococcaceae with batch cultivation, whereas the highest protein level was found in algae biomass produced by Synechococcaceae under continuous cultivation practice (25.6%). The highest content of PUFA was observed in Scenedesmus sp. harvested from both batch and continuous cultivation (35.6 and 36.2%), whereas the lowest content of PUFA was found in Synechococcaceae harvested with continuous cultivation (0.4%). Continuously cultivated of Scenedesmus sp. had higher carbohydrate content than batch-cultivated Scenedesmus sp. (57.2% vs. 50.1%). The algae biomass produced from Synechococcaceae was found to have a higher content of essential amino acids, except lysine and histidine, compared to Scenedesmus sp. and Ankistrodesmus sp. Cultivation practices also affected the amino acid level in each algae species. The continuous cultivation practice resulted in a higher level of essential amino acids, except glycine. Synechococcaceae had richer essential amino acid content except for proline and ornithine, whereas continuous cultivation caused an incremental increase in non-essential amino acids. The lightness value was found to be the lowest (13.9) in Scenedesmus sp. that was continuously cultivated. The current study indicated that Scenedesmus sp. could be offered for its high PUFA and lysine content, whereas Synechococcaceae could have potential due to its high content of methionine and threonine, among the investigated microalgae and Cyanobacteria.
The Surface Free Energy of Resin-Based Composite in Context of Wetting Ability of Dental Adhesives
Authors: Szalóki Melinda , Szabó Zsófia , Martos Renáta , Csík Attila , Szőllősi Gergő József , Hegedűs Csaba
Published: November 2023

The surface roughness, surface free energy (SFE) of composites, and composite wettability by dental adhesives are determining factors in achieving a strong and durable adhesion (e.g., composite repair, luting adhesively bonded indirect restorations). In this study, the SFE of one nanohydrid and two bulk-fill composites was investigated in relation to the wetting ability of five different dental adhesives. The profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurement justified that the sandblasting produced a significantly rough surface in which the different filler amounts, filler distribution, and resin-filler ratio participated. The SFE of the tested composite was between 45.65 and 49.07 mJ/m2 regardless of surface treatment. Despite the similarity in SFE, the adhesives wet the surface of the composites in different ways that were between 16.01° and 35.10°. The contact angle of solvent-free dental adhesive was lower due to sandblasting supporting the micromechanical retention. Based on our results, it was found that sandblasting, the most frequently recommended surface treatment, does not change the surface energy but causes a change in the contact angle, which can be explained by the different surface tension of the dental adhesives. It was concluded that the dental adhesive parameters have a more important role in wettability.
Evaluating Pile-Supported Embankment Considering the Soil Anisotropy Effect
Authors: Zhuang Yan , Chen Jie , Wang Yunlong , Fan Hu , Chen Zhi , Li Jinxin
Published: November 2023

It is an economical way to use the pile-supported embankment for the construction of the embankment over soft soil. The combined use of piles and reinforcement effectively reduces the differential settlement of the embankment surface. However, the previous analysis of embankment stress and settlement did not take into account the anisotropy in the embankment filler. In this paper, the UMAT subroutine is developed by using the material subroutine interface in ABAQUS 2016 finite element software. The anisotropy of soil cohesion and friction angle has been incorporated into the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion so that it can consider the anisotropy of soil. The accuracy of the anisotropic yield criterion in this paper is verified by an ABAQUS source program and related engineering examples. It is found that the anisotropy value of soil cohesion is inversely proportional to the stress ratio on the pile–soil interface while being directly proportional to the tensile stress applied to the geogrid. The results show that the anisotropy of the friction angle decreases with the soil arching effect but increases by 23.1% with the tensile stress on the geogrid. The position of the settlement plane remains relatively constant at 2.3 m as the friction angle anisotropy coefficient increases. These research results provide valuable theoretical guidance for on-site construction design.
Long-Term Stability of Er:YAG Laser Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
Authors: Yaneva Blagovesta , Tomov Georgi , Karaslavova Emiliya , Romanos Georgios E.
Published: November 2023

Background: Nonsurgical periodontal therapy is the first step of periodontal diseases treatment. It could be performed with various instruments and in recent years lasers have been tested too. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the long-term clinical effectiveness of Er:YAG laser monotherapy in the treatment of moderate chronic periodontitis. Methods: 451 teeth (1099 periodontal pockets) from 30 patients with moderate chronic periodontitis are allocated for subgingival scaling and root planing into two groups—hand instrumentation (control) and Er:YAG laser instrumentation with 100 mJ/15 Hz (test). Patients are examined for probing pocket depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, plaque presence at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after instrumentation. Results: One year after therapy significant reduction of all clinical parameters examined is observed. The pocket depth decreases with 1.55 mm for the control group and 1.70 mm in the test group. The attachment level gain reveals 1.09 mm for hand instrumentation and 0.59 for laser instrumentation. The bleeding on probing reduces more significantly in the test group, where one year after treatment the index is 19.1%, whereas in the control group, it is 33.8%. Conclusions: The Er:YAG laser demonstrates similar clinical effectiveness to hand instrumentation in the non-surgical periodontal treatment. Better long-term stability is observed in the test group.
Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Methods for Users’ Physical and Environmental Security: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Szymoniak Sabina , Depta Filip , Karbowiak Łukasz , Kubanek Mariusz
Published: November 2023

Artificial Intelligence is an indispensable element of the modern world, constantly evolving and contributing to the emergence of new technologies. We meet it in everyday applications, primarily using intelligent systems that aim to improve our lives. Artificial Intelligence techniques must inspire users’ trust because they significantly impact virtually every industry and person. For this reason, systems using Artificial Intelligence are subject to many requirements to verify their trustworthiness in various aspects. This review focused on users’ physical and environmental security, considering the safety and robustness dimensions of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. We examined these Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence solutions and dimensions because security is one of the most-critical aspects of human life and can be considered in many different contexts. We examined the trustworthiness of Artificial Intelligence techniques in systems supporting road safety and securing computer network users. Also, we analyzed the challenges and requirements of the newly designed solutions using Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence methods. Verifying Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence solutions and their practical use will increase users’ physical and environmental security.
A Study on the Normalized Delineation of Airspace Sectors Based on Flight Conflict Dynamics
Authors: Peng Yating , Wen Xiangxi , Kong Jiabin , Meng Yanling , Wu Minggong
Published: November 2023

The study of airspace sector demarcation can help controllers to deal with complex air situations, provide reference for air traffic control services, reduce the workload of controllers, and ensure safe and efficient airspace operation. Based on complex network theory, this paper proposes a sector division method based on a mean shift clustering algorithm and a Voronoi diagram. Firstly, a flight conflict network is constructed based on the structural characteristics of the airborne flight situation, combined with the three-dimensional velocity barrier method and the aircraft protected area model. Secondly, six network topology indexes, such as the total node degree, average point strength and network density, are selected to construct the flight-situation-assessment index system, and the busy and idle time segments of the airspace are divided according to the comprehensive network indexes; finally, based on the historical flight data, the airborne aircraft in the busy and idle time segments are clustered using the mean shift clustering algorithm and the Voronoi diagram method, respectively, so as to obtain a sector division scheme. The simulation results show that this method can equalize the network topology indexes and provide a reference for the scientific allocation of controllers’ energy.
Using Eye Tracking to Reveal Responses to the Built Environment and Its Constituents
Authors: Rosas Hernan J. , Sussman Ann , Sekely Abigail C. , Lavdas Alexandros A.
Published: November 2023

Eye-tracking technology has numerous applications in both commercial and research contexts. The recent introduction of affordable wearable sensors has significantly broadened the scope of potential uses, spanning fields such as computer gaming, education, entertainment, health, neuromarketing, and psychology, among others. Another development is the use of downloadable software, which permits participants to record their responses to presented images with the use of calibrated webcams without leaving their homes, allowing for easier recruitment of larger numbers of study volunteers online. This paper reviews findings from seven Building Studies conducted by the Human Architecture + Planning Institute with iMotions-Online eye-tracking software, highlighting the significance of the new technology and its ability to assess the human experience of the built environment, as well as its limitations. Overall, images with a certain type of organized complexity, such as that found in nature and pre-modern architecture, attracted the gaze faster and kept it for significantly longer, as compared to images lacking these features. These results add to our existing knowledge about environmental complexity and give us insights into non-conscious and early conscious actions such as first gaze attraction, helping us understand the role of specific morphological features in the architectural/environmental experience.
Multi-Index Analysis of Spatiotemporal Variations of Dry Heat Waves and Humid Heat Waves in China
Authors: Li Li , Wang Lei , Feng Tao , Tang Jie , Huang Jinhai , Cai Zelin
Published: November 2023

Heat waves, particularly humid heat waves that occur together with high temperatures and humidity, pose a severe hazard to human health in the context of global warming. In this work, daily observations from more 1500 sites are used to define dry and humid heat waves in a warm season (May to September) and assess their spatiotemporal characteristics during 1960–2015. Dry heat waves are identified with daily maximum temperatures, while humid heat waves are identified based on the wet bulb temperature, derived from both temperature and humidity. We compare dry and humid heat waves from various aspects based on multiple heat wave indices, including their frequency, duration, and intensity. Results suggest that the occurrence of both dry and humid heat wave days in China is higher in the southern than in the northern part of China, due to the higher air temperature and humidity therein. Compared to dry heat waves, humid heat waves are of higher amplitude but shorter duration. The long-term trend analysis shows that the occurrence of both dry and humid heat waves has increased overall over the last 50 years, with an especially rapid increase in the last 20 years, which may be related to China’s rapid warming since the late 1980s. The future projections with multiple global climate models indicate that China will experience more frequent, stronger, and longer-duration dry and humid heat waves in the future, under both intermediate and high-emission pathways.
Pulsed Electric Field Applications for the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Food Waste and By-Products: A Critical Review
Authors: Chatzimitakos Theodoros , Athanasiadis Vassilis , Kalompatsios Dimitrios , Mantiniotou Martha , Bozinou Eleni , Lalas Stavros I.
Published: November 2023

The food processing industry is a continuously developing sector that uses innovative technologies to efficiently process food products. During processing, food industries generate substantial amounts of by-products in the form of waste materials. This food waste consists of organic matter rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and flavonoids. Improper management of food waste can adversely affect both the environment and human health, leading to environmental pollution and the release of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, proper food waste management has become an urgent global issue. The presence of bioactive compounds (mainly polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, but also carotenoids, alkaloids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates) in food waste holds the potential to transform them into valuable resources. Several sectors, including food and energy, have recognized food waste as an innovative source. Recently, much emphasis has been placed on optimizing the extraction yield of such bioactive compounds through the utilization of environmentally friendly and sustainable methodologies and solvents. Pulsed electric field (PEF)-assisted extraction is an emerging technique that holds promise for the utilization of waste materials. PEF technology can efficiently optimize the extraction of valuable compounds within a shorter time while minimizing solvent and energy consumption. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of PEF technology and its implications for recovering bioactive compounds from food waste. The integration of innovative technologies like PEF in the food processing industry can play a crucial role in managing food waste sustainably, reducing environmental impact, and harnessing the full potential of bioactive compounds contained in these waste materials. The objective of this critical review is to provide an overview of the utilization of PEF pretreatment for food by-products and to conduct a comparative analysis with other extraction techniques.
Hypoxia-Induced Biosynthesis of the Extracellular Matrix Molecules, Perlecan and Fibronectin, Promotes the Growth of Pleomorphic Adenoma Cells In Vitro Models
Authors: Maruyama Satoshi , Yamazaki Manabu , Abé Tatsuya , Cheng Jun , Saku Takashi , Tanuma Jun-ichi
Published: November 2023

Salivary pleomorphic adenoma is histopathologically characterized by its colorful stroma with myxoid, chondroid, and hyaline appearances, due to enhanced biosynthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and poor vascularity. Thus, pleomorphic adenoma cells embedded in the stroma typically survive under hypoxic conditions. We determined the expression kinetics of ECM molecules, such as perlecan and fibronectin (FN), under hypoxia in SM-AP1 cells which are duct epithelial differentiated cells, and in SM-AP4 cells, which are myoepithelial differentiated cells, cloned from pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland. We investigated hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-inducing pathways through a variety of ECM molecules in association with their cellular proliferation and migration. We observed that hypoxic conditions with elevated HIF-1α protein levels induced increased expression of perlecan and FN in SM-AP cells than in controls. Moreover, perlecan and FN knockdown reduced the proliferation of SM-AP1 and SM-AP4 cells under hypoxia. Further, SM-AP1 cell migration was enhanced by both perlecan and FN knockdown, whereas SM-AP4 cell migration was increased by perlecan knockdown and inhibited by fibronectin knockdown. The results indicated that pleomorphic adenoma cells can survive under hypoxic conditions by promoting cell proliferation via enhanced synthesis of ECM molecules. Overall, ECM molecules may be a new anti-tumor target under hypoxic conditions.
Trajectory Tracking and Obstacle Avoidance of Robotic Fish Based on Nonlinear Model Predictive Control
Authors: Wang Ruilong , Wang Ming , Zhang Yiyang , Zhao Qianchuan , Zheng Xuehan , Gao He
Published: November 2023

The attainment of accurate motion control for robotic fish inside intricate underwater environments continues to be a substantial obstacle within the realm of underwater robotics. This paper presents a proposed algorithm for trajectory tracking and obstacle avoidance planning in robotic fish, utilizing nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). This methodology facilitates the implementation of optimization-based control in real-time, utilizing the present state and environmental data to effectively regulate the movements of the robotic fish with a high degree of agility. To begin with, a dynamic model of the robotic fish, incorporating accelerations, is formulated inside the framework of the world coordinate system. The last step involves providing a detailed explanation of the NMPC algorithm and developing obstacle avoidance and objective functions for the fish in water. This will enable the design of an NMPC controller that incorporates control restrictions. In order to assess the efficacy of the proposed approach, a comparative analysis is conducted between the NMPC algorithm and the pure pursuit (PP) algorithm in terms of trajectory tracking. This comparison serves to affirm the accuracy of the NMPC algorithm in effectively tracking trajectories. Moreover, a comparative analysis between the NMPC algorithm and the dynamic window approach (DWA) method in the context of obstacle avoidance planning highlights the superior resilience of the NMPC algorithm in this domain. The proposed strategy, which utilizes NMPC, demonstrates a viable alternative for achieving precise trajectory tracking and efficient obstacle avoidance planning in the context of robotic fish motion control within intricate surroundings. This method exhibits considerable potential for practical implementation and future application.
About the Need for a More Adequate Way to Get an Understanding of the Experiencing of Aesthetic Items
Authors: Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: November 2023

We live in times when neuroscientific methods have become standard methods that many researchers can easily use. While this offers excellent opportunities to understand brain activities linked with aesthetic processing, we face the problem of using sophisticated techniques without a proper and valid theoretical foundation of aesthetics. A further problem arises from sophisticated methods often demanding strict constraints in presenting and experiencing aesthetic stimuli. However, when experiencing aesthetic items, contextual factors matter, e.g., social and situational affordances are essential in triggering a true and deep “Kunsterlebnis” (Experience of Art). Additionally, in Art, it is often not the artwork as an object that matters but the close relationship with and the processing of the artwork. However, art is only one facet of the whole aesthetic domain, beside, e.g., design, architecture, everyday aesthetics, dance, literature, music, and opera. In the present paper, I propose a dynamic and holistic aesthetic perspective that includes the respective context, situation, cognitive and affective traits and state of the beholder, ongoing processes of understanding, Zeitgeist, and other cultural factors, which can be applied to different aesthetic domains. When ignoring such temporal and dynamic factors, we will not understand the qualia of aesthetic processing. These considerations might help researchers in the field of aesthetics to better understand the experiencing of aesthetic items of all kinds—if we ignore these factors, we are missing the essence of experiencing aesthetic items, especially artworks. We aim to sensitize and inform readers about these ideas to inspire a deeper understanding of experiencing aesthetic items and the advancement of a theoretical framework addressing the experiencing of aesthetics from different domains.
Reducing Work Withdrawal Behaviors When Faced with Work Obstacles: A Three-Way Interaction Model
Authors: Zhang Jing , Su Di , Smith Andrew P. , Yang Lei
Published: November 2023

Work withdrawal behavior is a type of negative reaction when employees face obstacles at work. Its negative impact on individuals and organizations has caught the attention of academic circles and managers. In this study, data from 596 full-time employees were collected using two timepoint measurements one month apart. The internal mechanism of the link between obstructive stress and job withdrawal behavior was analyzed, and the combined effects of work control and cognitive flexibility on the negative effects of obstructive stress were analyzed in terms of the work demand–control–personal model. The results showed that negative work rumination played a complete mediating role between obstructive stress and work withdrawal behavior, and cognitive flexibility, obstructive stress, and work control had a significant three-way interaction. The results suggest that more attention should be paid to the role of employee cognition to avoid employees’ withdrawal behavior in the face of work obstacles. In addition, when providing work resources to employees, the organization should also consider ensuring that work resources can be fully utilized to play a positive role in buffering work obstacles.
Comprehensive Review of Direct and Indirect Pozzolanic Reactivity Testing Methods
Authors: Elyasigorji Farzaneh , Farajiani Farhad , Hajipour Manjili Milad , Lin Qian , Elyasigorji Sina , Farhangi Visar , Tabatabai Habib
Published: November 2023

The production of portland cement is among the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions that adversely affect the environment. Identifying sustainable materials to partially replace portland cement in concrete, such as pozzolanic materials, is crucial in addressing this issue. These materials mainly consist of silica and alumina that react with the available calcium hydroxide to form strength-bearing phases such as calcium silicate hydrates. Understanding the degree of pozzolanic reactivity of materials using efficient reactivity test methods is an important consideration. The paper thoroughly reviews the available literature related to direct and indirect pozzolanic reactivity test methods that have been utilized over the years. Direct methods quantify the amount of consumed calcium hydroxide, whereas indirect methods assess changes in the physical properties of the specimen due to pozzolanic reactions. The aim of this paper is to identify affordable, time-saving, and effective direct and indirect methods. Based on this study, the Frattini, electrical conductivity, and pH tests are considered the most time-efficient methods to assess pozzolanic materials. Electrical conductivity and pH tests are also easy to perform. In contrast, other methods are more time-consuming.
Temperature-Dependent Hydrogenation, Hydrodeoxygenation, and Hydrogenolysis of Anisole on Nickel Catalysts
Authors: Zhang Shuya , Liu Xiaochen , Xu Yuanjie , Tang Yu
Published: November 2023

Hydrogenation stands out as one of the most promising techniques for converting biomass-derived molecules into valuable products. The expected products of upgrading biomass molecules include hydrocarbon, oxygenate, and methane. Ni-based catalysts have attracted considerable interest owing to their unique properties and relatively low cost. In this work, NiO prepared by the calcination and urea precipitation methods, namely NiO–C and NiO–U, is investigated for the hydrogenation of anisole. It is found that reaction temperature exerts a significant influence on the hydrogenation pathways. At 150 °C, C–reduced NiO proves more inclined towards hydrogenation, while U–reduced NiO demonstrates a tendency for hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). Moreover, as the temperature rises, both nickel catalysts change the reaction route to hydrogenolysis and eventually only produce methane at 300 °C, whereas metallic Ni is formed as the catalytic active phase. In situ FTIR experiments suggest the hydrogenolysis pathway and the formation of methane. This work investigates a route to produce methane from biomass molecules.
Pysanka-Inspired Electrode Modification with Aptamer Encapsulation in ZIF-8 for Urine Creatinine Electrochemical Biosensing
Authors: Ganguly Antra , Paul Anirban , Prasad Shalini
Published: November 2023

Drawing inspiration from the several thousand beautiful Pysanky egg art of Ukraine, we have developed a novel material, Aptamer–Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs)@ZIF-8, that can be used for building sensitive and highly stable POC biosensors for longitudinal health mapping. Here, we demonstrate a sensitive and specific novel electrochemical biosensor, made of a novel synthesized in situ encapsulated aptamer-AuNPs@ZIF-8 composite, for monitoring levels of creatinine (0.1–1000 μg/mL). In this work, we have reported the synthetic protocol for the first-of-a-kind in situ encapsulation of aptamer and AuNPs together in a ZIF-8 matrix, and explored the characteristic properties of this novel material composite using standard analytical techniques and its application for biosensor application. The as-synthesized material, duly characterized using various physicochemical analytical methods, portrays the characteristics of the unique encapsulation strategy to develop the first-of-a-kind aptamer and AuNP encapsulation. Non-faradaic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Chronoamperometry were used to characterize the interfacial electrochemical properties. The biosensor performance was first validated using artificial urine in a controlled buffer medium. The stability and robustness were tested using a real human urine medium without filtration or sample treatment. Being versatile, this Ukrainian-art-inspired biosensor can potentially move the needle towards developing the next generation of sample-in-result-out robust POC diagnostics.
Time Series Homogenization with ACMANT: Comparative Testing of Two Recent Versions in Large-Size Synthetic Temperature Datasets
Authors: Domonkos Peter
Published: November 2023

Homogenization of climatic time series aims to remove non-climatic biases which come from the technical changes in climate observations. The method comparison tests of the Spanish MULTITEST project (2015–2017) showed that ACMANT was likely the most accurate homogenization method available at that time, although the tested ACMANTv4 version gave suboptimal results when the test data included synchronous breaks for several time series. The technique of combined time series comparison was introduced to ACMANTv5 to better treat this specific problem. Recently performed tests confirm that ACMANTv5 adequately treats synchronous inhomogeneities, but the accuracy has slightly worsened in some other cases. The results for a known daily temperature test dataset for four U.S. regions show that the residual errors after homogenization may be larger with ACMANTv5 than with ACMANTv4. Further tests were performed to learn more about the efficiencies of ACMANTv4 and ACMANTv5 and to find solutions for the problems occurring with the new version. Planned changes in ACMANTv5 are presented in the paper along with related test results. The overall results indicate that the combined time series comparison can be kept in ACMANT, but smaller networks should be generated in the automatic networking process of the method. To improve further the homogenization methods and to obtain more reliable and more solid knowledge about their accuracies, more synthetic test datasets mimicking the true spatio-temporal structures of real climatic data are needed.
Progress in the Application of Portable Ultrasound Combined with Artificial Intelligence in Pre-Hospital Emergency and Disaster Sites
Authors: Gao Xing , Lv Qi , Hou Shike
Published: November 2023

With the miniaturization of ultrasound and the development of artificial intelligence, its application in disaster scenes and pre-hospital emergency care has become more and more common. This study summarizes the literature on portable ultrasound in pre-hospital emergency and disaster scene treatment in the past decade and reviews the development and application of portable ultrasound. Portable ultrasound diagnostic equipment can be used to diagnose abdominal bleeding, limb fracture, hemopneumothorax, pericardial effusion, etc., based on which trauma can be diagnosed pre-hospital and provide guiding suggestions for the next triage and rescue; in early rescue, portable ultrasound can guide emergency operations, such as tracheal intubation, pericardial cavity puncture, and thoracic and abdominal puncture as well as improve the accuracy and timeliness of operation techniques. In addition, with the development of artificial intelligence (AI), AI-assisted diagnosis can improve the diagnosis level of ultrasound at disaster sites. The portable ultrasound diagnosis system equipped with an AI robotic arm can maximize the pre-screening classification and fast and concise diagnosis and treatment of batch casualties, thus providing a reliable basis for batch casualty classification and evacuation at disaster accident sites.
Research on Data Link Channel Decoding Optimization Scheme for Drone Power Inspection Scenarios
Authors: Yu Haizhi , Zhang Kaisa , Zhao Xu , Zhang Yubing , Cui Bingfeng , Sun Shujuan , Liu Gengshuo , Yu Bo , Ma Chao , Liu Ying , Gao Weidong
Published: November 2023

With the rapid development of smart grids, the deployment number of transmission lines has significantly increased, posing significant challenges to the detection and maintenance of power facilities. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a common means of power inspection. In the context of drone power inspection, drone clusters are used as relays for long-distance communication to expand the communication range and achieve data transmission between patrol drones and base stations. Most of the communication occurs in the air-to-air channel between UAVs, which requires high reliability of communication between drone relays. Therefore, the main focus of this paper is on decoding schemes for drone air-to-air channels. Given the limited computing resources and battery capacity of a drone, as well as the large amount of power data that needs to be transmitted between drone relays, this paper aims to design a high-accuracy and low-complexity decoder for LDPC long-code decoding. We propose a novel shared-parameter neural-network-normalized minimum sum decoding algorithm based on codebook quantization, applying deep learning to traditional LDPC decoding methods. In order to achieve high decoding performance while reducing complexity, this scheme utilizes codebook-based weight quantization and parameter sharing methods to improve the neural-network-normalized minimum sum (NNMS) decoding algorithm. Simulation experimental results show that the proposed method has a better BER performance and low computational complexity. Therefore, the LDPC decoding algorithm designed effectively meets the drone characteristics and the high channel decoding performance requirements. This ensures efficient and reliable data transmission on the data link between drone relays.
Excessive Glucose and Fructose Intake Aggravates the Pathogenesis of Rat Experimental Colitis
Authors: Okada Kohki , Matsuo Kano , Amada Miku , Kashihara Saki , Katsuragi Koto , Doumae Miharu , Moriwaki Masaki , Yamauchi Ryouhei , Yoshida Jun
Published: November 2023

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a relapsing and remitting disease that causes chronic inflammation and ulceration of colonic tissue, especially in the rectum region. Although sugars are rapidly digested and absorbed and can be efficiently utilized as energy in the body, they are also known to promote inflammation. Herein, we aimed to examine the effects of special diets containing excess glucose (Glu) or fructose (Fru) on the pathogenesis of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in Wistar rats. The model rats (termed UC rats or UCR) were divided into three groups: DSS group, UCR fed a regular diet; DSS + Glu group, UCR fed a special diet mixed with glucose at 63% calories; DSS + Fru group, UCR fed a special diet mixed with fructose at 63% calories. The DSS + Glu and DSS + Fru groups exhibited a lower weight and colon length than the DSS group. The DSS + Fru group had a lower diet and DSS intake than the other two groups. The microscopic findings revealed that the DSS + Glu and DSS + Fru groups tended to have higher severity scores than the DSS group. The DSS + Fru group tended to have higher serum and colonic tissue concentrations of inflammatory cytokines than the DSS + Glu group. Collectively, these findings suggest that excessive glucose and fructose intake can aggravate intestinal inflammation.
Bibliometric Insights into the Implications of Urban Built Environment on Travel Behavior
Authors: Gao Chao , Lai Xinyi , Li Shasha , Cui Zhiwei , Long Zhiyou
Published: November 2023

With the rapid pace of global urbanization, understanding the impact of the urban built environment on travel behavior has become increasingly significant for developing sustainable and efficient transportation systems. This study conducts a bibliometric review of related research over the past two decades (1997–2023), utilizing 1745 publications from the Web of Science database through network analysis and content analysis. It provides a comprehensive quantitative analysis encompassing publication trends, national and institutional collaborations, and keyword evolution clustering perspectives. The results reveal that (1) academic interest in exploring the implications of the urban built environment on travel behavior has grown markedly, especially in the past decade, with emerging technological approaches and research perspectives; (2) the USA, P.R.CHINA, and the United Kingdom are major research forces in this field, with notable contributions from research institutions in P.R.CHINA and the USA; (3) the “Transportation Research Part” series journals demonstrate extensive influence both in terms of publication count and citation count; (4) through keyword co-occurrence network analysis, three development stages along with five major clusters were identified: travel behavior modeling and public health, active transportation and sustainable development, urban development and carbon emissions, land use and transportation integration, and urban transportation systems and machine learning. Overall, sustained research remains warranted within this field, particularly focusing on selecting new built environment metrics while integrating emerging technologies into travel behavior modeling frameworks. The insights from this study have implications for urban transportation planning and policy, offering guidance on future research directions and policymaking.
Enhancing Privacy Preservation in Verifiable Computation through Random Permutation Masking to Prevent Leakage
Authors: Yang Yang , Song Guanghua
Published: November 2023

Outsourcing computation has become increasingly popular due to its cost-effectiveness, enabling users with limited resources to conduct large-scale computations on potentially untrusted cloud platforms. In order to safeguard privacy, verifiable computing (VC) has emerged as a secure approach, ensuring that the cloud cannot discern users’ input and output. Random permutation masking (RPM) is a widely adopted technique in VC protocols to provide robust privacy protection. This work presents a precise definition of the privacy-preserving property of RPM by employing indistinguishability experiments. Moreover, an innovative attack exploiting the greatest common divisor and the least common multiple of each row and column in the encrypted matrices is introduced against RPM. Unlike previous density-based attacks, this novel approach offers a significant advantage by allowing the reconstruction of matrix values from the ciphertext based on RPM. A comprehensive demonstration was provided to illustrate the failure of protocols based on RPM in maintaining the privacy-preserving property under this proposed attack. Furthermore, an extensive series of experiments is conducted to thoroughly validate the effectiveness and advantages of the attack against RPM. The findings of this research highlight vulnerabilities in RPM-based VC protocols and underline the pressing need for further enhancements and alternative privacy-preserving mechanisms in outsourcing computation.