bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating gender expertise into the Canadian Armed Forces: challenges for change agents and culture change
Authors: Tait-Signal Victoria , Febbraro Angela R.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Gender Advisors (GENADs) have played a key role in the efforts of military organizations worldwide to integrate gender perspectives, and culture change, within the defence and security context. Military organizations, however, continue to face challenges in regard to diversity and inclusion, including limited representation of women and other diverse groups who do not fit the white male, masculine stereotype, and subtle and overt expressions of prejudice and stigma towards under-represented and marginalized groups. In such an organizational context, the integration of gender perspectives has faced challenges, and transformative culture change has remained elusive. In particular, the experience of GENADs suggests that there may be unique challenges to serving as “gender experts” within military organizations. This paper, therefore, examines the lived experience of GENADs within the context of military organizations, as illustrated by GENADs in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Methods

We consider two qualitative studies on the lived experience of GENADs and focus on the shared theme of legitimacy of gender expertise at both individual and systemic levels.

Results

This analysis highlights challenges that gendered power relations may pose for GENADs as individual change agents, and for systemic, transformative culture change, within existing military organizations, while reaffirming the importance of understanding the lived experience of GENADs in their pursuit of more equitable institutional and operational outcomes.

Conclusion

Using social-psychological theories of tokenism, we consider more broadly what it means to be the gender person within masculinized military organizations and conclude with reflections on the potential contours of transformative culture change within the military context.
Positive effects of parent–child group emotional regulation and resilience training on nonsuicidal self-injury behavior in adolescents: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Cheng Junxiang , Zhao Juan , Song Baoli , Han Hong , Liu Na , Chen Yangjie , Liu Xiaomei , Dong Yue , Bian Weina , Liu Zhifen , Han Shifan
Published: March 2024

Background

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents is a growing global concern. However, effective interventions for treating NSSI are limited.

Method

A 36-week quasi-experimental study design of parent–child group resilience training (intervention group) for adolescents aged 12–17 years was used and compared with treatment-as-usual (control group). The primary endpoint was the frequency of NSSI assessed with the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory (OSI), and the secondary endpoints were the levels of depression, hope, resilience, and family adaptability and cohesion as assessed by the 24-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-24), Herth Hope Scale (HHS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, second edition (FACES-II-CV), respectively.

Result

A total of 118 participants completed the trial. Both groups showed a significant reduction in NSSI frequency after 12, 24, and 36 weeks of intervention (p< 0.05), although the intervention group did not differ significantly from the control group. After 12, 24, and 36 weeks of intervention, the CD-RISC, HHS, HAMD-24, and FACES-II-CV scores in the intervention and control groups improved over baseline (p< 0.05). Furthermore, the intervention group had higher scores on the CD-RISC, HHS, and FACES-II-CV and lower scores on the HAMD-24 than the control group after 12, 24, and 36 weeks of intervention (p  < 0.05).

Conclusion

Parent–child group emotional regulation and resilience training showed promise as treatment options for NSSI among adolescents, leading to increased hope, resilience, and improved family dynamics among NSSI teens. Moreover, NSSI frequency significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to baseline.
AIP-based Professional Intervention Program for Adversity for trauma and stress reduction in groups: a pilot study in Ethiopia
Authors: Woldemariam Solomon , Ashman Dorothy , Carvalho Esly , Wong Sik-Lam , Hoersting Raquel
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Drawing from the principles of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and the AIP model, the Professional Intervention Program for Adversity (PIPA) was developed with the objective of amalgamating low-intensity group exercises into a unified framework, as a comprehensive intervention for group therapy. The PIPA Program integrates various aspects of EMDR therapy—such as stabilization, resourcing, desensitization, reprocessing, and forming beliefs about the self and future—into a cohesive program. The program’s structure includes self-regulation exercises, the Pillars of Life, the Flash Technique, and the Quadrants exercise.

Methods

The PIPA Program was administered to more than 220 individuals with a high probability of traumatization by the two-year civil war in Ethiopia (2020-2022).

Results

The results of this study show a statistically significant improvement in PTSD symptoms on PCL-5 scores (from M = 38.58 to M = 20.59) after completing the entire PIPA Program and statistically significant lower SUDS scores within the program segments of the Flash Technique and the Quadrants exercises.

Discussion

Future studies should explore the long-term effects of the PIPA Program and its broader application across different therapeutic contexts. The findings suggest that the PIPA Program is a promising group-based intervention for trauma treatment that is safe and effective, especially in non-clinical settings and for culturally diverse populations.
Early predictors of intensive care unit admission among COVID-19 patients in Qatar
Authors: Abuyousef Safae , Alnaimi Shaikha , Omar Nabil E. , Elajez Reem , Elmekaty Eman , Abdelfattah-Arafa Eiman , Barazi Raja , Ghasoub Rola , Rahhal Ala , Hamou Fatima , Al-Amri Maha , Karawia Ahmed , Ajaj Fatima , Alkhawaja Raja , Kardousha Ahmed , Awaisu Ahmed , Abou-Ali Adel , Khatib Mohamad , Aboukamar Mohammed , Al-Hail Moza
Published: March 2024

Background

COVID-19 is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to explore the early predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission among patients with COVID-19.

Methods

This was a case–control study of adult patients with confirmed COVID-19. Cases were defined as patients admitted to ICU during the period February 29–May 29, 2020. For each case enrolled, one control was matched by age and gender.

Results

A total of 1,560 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included. Each group included 780 patients with a predominant male gender (89.7%) and a median age of 49 years (interquartile range = 18). Predictors independently associated with ICU admission were cardiovascular disease (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16–2.32, p = 0.005), diabetes (aOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.08–2.13, p = 0.016), obesity (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03–2.08, p = 0.034), lymphopenia (aOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.80–4.02, p < 0.001), high AST (aOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.53–4.36, p < 0.001), high ferritin (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.40–2.74, p < 0.001), high CRP (aOR = 4.09, 95% CI: 2.81–5.96, p < 0.001), and dyspnea (aOR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.77–3.54, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Having cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, lymphopenia, dyspnea, and increased AST, ferritin, and CRP were independent predictors for ICU admission in patients with COVID-19.
Insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, diastolic to systolic blood pressure ratio and epicardial fat are related to sedentary time, and inversely related to physical activity in school-aged children
Authors: Vasileva Fidanka , Carreras-Badosa Gemma , Bassols Judit , Serrano-Ferrer Juan , Font-Lladó Raquel , López-Ros Victor , Osiniri Inés , Martínez-Calcerrada Jose-Maria , San Millán Marta , López-Bermejo Abel , Prats-Puig Anna
Published: March 2024

Background

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for the overall health. Objectives are: (1) To compare metabolic (MRM) and cardiovascular-risk-markers (CRM) in children according to their PA-level; (2) to explore the associations of MRM and CRM with PA and sedentary time (ST); and (3) to identify the associations between MRM and CRM in less (LA) and more active (MA) children.

Methods

A total of 238 apparently healthy school-aged children were enrolled (132 boys/106 girls; 9.1 ± 1.8 years) and body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) and blood pressure were assessed. Fasting venous blood sampling was performed to assess insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Epicardial fat, interventricular septal and left ventricular posterior wall thicknesses were assessed by high-resolution ultrasonography. PA and ST were assessed by enKid-questionnaire. Children were classified based on enKid-score as being LA and MA (below and above 50th percentile for PA).

Results

MA-children had lower values for: BMI SDS, diastolic-to-systolic blood pressure ratio, HOMA-IR and hsCRP (7.02 to 61.5% lower, p = 0.040 to p < 0.0001) compared to LA-children. MRM and CRM were positively associated with ST (p = 0.003 to p < 0.001), and negatively associated with PA (p = 0.044 to p < 0.001). Finally, MRM were positively associated with CRM (p = 0.008 to p < 0.0001). Interestingly, the latter associations were observed in LA-children but were not present in MA-children.

Conclusion

More PA is associated with better cardio-metabolic profile in school-aged children. PA seems to modulate the associations between MRM and CRM, thus reinforcing the idea that fostering PA in children may lower the risk for development of a cardio-metabolic disease.
Key point generation as an instrument for generating core statements of a political debate on Twitter
Authors: Ehnert Philip , Schröter Julian
Published: March 2024

Identifying key statements in large volumes of short, user-generated texts is essential for decision-makers to quickly grasp their key content. To address this need, this research introduces a novel abstractive key point generation (KPG) approach applicable to unlabeled text corpora, using an unsupervised approach, a feature not yet seen in existing abstractive KPG methods. The proposed method uniquely combines topic modeling for unsupervised data space segmentation with abstractive summarization techniques to efficiently generate semantically representative key points from text collections. This is further enhanced by hyperparameter tuning to optimize both the topic modeling and abstractive summarization processes. The hyperparameter tuning of the topic modeling aims at making the cluster assignment more deterministic as the probabilistic nature of the process would otherwise lead to high variability in the output. The abstractive summarization process is optimized using a Davies-Bouldin Index specifically adapted to this use case, so that the generated key points more accurately reflect the characteristic properties of this cluster. In addition, our research recommends an automated evaluation that provides a quantitative complement to the traditional qualitative analysis of KPG. This method regards KPG as a specialized form of Multidocument summarization (MDS) and employs both word-based and word-embedding-based metrics for evaluation. These criteria allow for a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the KPG output. Demonstrated through application to a political debate on Twitter, the versatility of this approach extends to various domains, such as product review analysis and survey evaluation. This research not only paves the way for innovative development in abstractive KPG methods but also sets a benchmark for their evaluation.
Poop Is Cool! Animal “Bathrooms” Help Animals And Plants
Authors: Lautenschlager Laís , Feeley Kenneth
Published: March 2024

Many animals eat fruits and then get rid of any seeds that they swallow through defecation (pooping). This can be good for plants because it moves seeds around, and the seeds can grow into new plants using the dung (poop) as compost. In some cases, many animals will poop in the same spot, creating “bathroom” areas called latrines that help them to bond with other individuals of their species, communicate, and mark their home regions. These latrines can also attract many other animals that eat seeds, insects, and even poop. Unfortunately, humans are causing many animals to become less common or even extinct as we destroy their habitats or hunt them for food and fur. If we lose these animals, we also lose all the good things they do for nature. We must protect natural habitats so these important animals can keep living—and pooping!
Between nature and culture – Interpreting students’ sexuality in physical education
Authors: Böhlke Nicola , Zander Benjamin , Rode Daniel
Published: March 2024

Introduction

As sexuality in physical education (PE) is often treated as a taboo subject, social media platforms, online chats, and internet forums are emerging as spaces where it is negotiated more openly and broadly by current and former actors of the field. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the discursive construction of sexuality in PE in such online communication.

Methods

In line with The Sociology of Knowledge Approach to Discourse (SKAD) we investigate basic schemes of interpretation of sexuality with a heterogeneous sample of threads (17 threads from seven different online forums) on different PE situations in Germany. The threads are analyzed using grounded theory coding procedures.

Results

Our discourse analysis reveals that the multifaceted and often controversial online discussions are structured by two dominant schemes of interpreting students’ sexuality in PE, both of which are differentiated in complex ways: The online communication draws on – and by that reproduces – a nature and a culture perspective on constellations of body, sex, gender, and sexuality. We detail how from each perspective, different knowledge about these constellations, different everyday phenomena and problems in PE, and different norms for dealing with these phenomena and problems become important.

Discussion

Discussing these results in the context of previous literature, we argue that it is important to address sexuality in a subject-specific approach and take the discursive knowledge and fundamental schemes of interpretation into account that shape the (im-)possibilities of addressing sexuality in PE.
Case report: Primary vulvar adenocarcinoma of mammary gland type—its genetic characteristics by focused next-generation sequencing
Authors: Hu Lina , Tiesinga James
Published: March 2024

Mammary-like vulvar adenocarcinoma (MLVA) is an exceedingly rare subtype of vulvar adenocarcinoma that shares features with mammary gland tissue. Due to its rarity and lack of consensus, MLVA presents diagnostic challenges to pathologists. We present the case of a 59-year-old female with an ulcerated mass on the right side of the external genitalia, diagnosed as MLVA. Comprehensive immunohistochemistry (IHC) and gene sequencing studies were performed to characterize the tumor. IHC analysis revealed triple expression of hormonal receptors (estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2), supporting the mammary gland origin of the tumor. Gene sequencing identified unique genetic mutations associated with the expression of hormonal markers. One fusion gene (ERBB2-NAGLU) has not been reported in any tumors, and other mutations with unique mutation types have not been previously reported in MLVA. Our findings shed light on the molecular characteristics of MLV and may help improve the diagnosis and treatment of this rare type of vulvar adenocarcinoma.
On the Evolution of Stress and Microstructure in Radio Frequency-Sputtered Lead-Free (Ba,Ca)(Zr,Ti)O3 Thin Films
Authors: Dahl-Hansen Runar Plünnecke , Stange Marit Synnøve Sæverud , Sunde Tor Olav , Ræder Johan Henrik , Rørvik Per Martin
Published: March 2024

Thin-film piezoelectrics are widely investigated for actuators and energy harvesters, but there are few alternatives to toxic lead zirconate titanate. Biocompatible Ca- and Zr-modified BaTiO3 (BCZT) is one of the most promising lead-free alternatives due to its high piezoelectric response. However, the dielectric/piezoelectric properties and structural integrity of BCZT films, which are crucial for their applications, are strongly influenced by the substrate upon which the film is grown and the related processing methods. Here, the in-plane stress, microstructure, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of 100–500 nm thick high-temperature RF-sputtered BCZT films on industrially relevant Si-based substrates were investigated. Obtaining polycrystalline piezoelectric films required deposition temperatures ≥ 700 °C, but this induced tensile stresses of over 1500 MPa, which caused cracking in all films thicker than 200 nm. This degraded the dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric properties of films with larger electrode areas for applications. Films on SrTiO3, on the other hand, had a compressive residual stress, with fewer defects and no cracks. The grain size and surface roughness increased with increasing deposition temperature. These findings highlight the challenges in processing BCZT films and their crucial role in advancing lead-free piezoelectric technologies for actual device applications.
Meteorological and Agricultural Drought Risk Assessment via Kaplan–Meier Survivability Estimator
Authors: Cetinkaya Cem Polat , Gunacti Mert Can
Published: March 2024

Dry periods and drought are inherent natural occurrences. However, due to the increasing pressures of global warming and climate change, these events have become more frequent and severe on a global scale. These phenomena can be traced with various indicators and related indices proposed by various scholars. In general, drought risk assessment is done by modeling these indicators and determining the drought occurrence probabilities. The proposed adaptation introduces the “Kaplan–Meier estimator”, a non-parametric statistic traditionally used in medical contexts to estimate survival functions from lifetime data. The study aims to apply this methodology to assess drought risk by treating past droughts as “events” and using drought indicators such as the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Mapping these results for a better understanding of the drought risks on larger spatial scales such as a river basin is also within the expected outcomes. The adapted method provides the probability of non-occurrence, with inverted results indicating the likelihood of drought occurrence. As a case study, the method is applied to SPI and SPEI values at different time steps (3, 6, and 12 months) across 27 meteorological stations in the Gediz River Basin, located in Western Turkey—a region anticipated to be profoundly affected by global climate change. The results are represented as the generated drought risk maps and curves, which indicate that (i) drought risks increase as the considered period extends, (ii) drought risks decrease as the utilized indicator timescales increase, (iii) locally plotted drought curves indicate higher drought risks as their initial slope gets steeper. The method used enables the generation of historical evidence based spatially distributed drought risk maps, which expose more vulnerable areas within the river basin.
Characterization of Nutritional Potential of Amaranthus sp. Grain Production
Authors: Mătieș Alexandru , Negrușier Cornel , Roșca Mare Oana , Mintaș Olimpia Smaranda , Zanc Săvan Gabriela , Odagiu Antonia Cristina Maria , Andronie Luiza , Păcurar Ioan
Published: March 2024

The growing demand for nutritious foods has spurred investigations into alternative sources of nutrition beyond traditional options. For this reason, the present study approaches amaranth, which is a plant with high nutritional potential. Based on the unique pedoclimatic conditions of the Somes meadow in Transylvania and the known adaptability of amaranth varieties to diverse environments, we hypothesize that certain amaranth varieties of South American origin will demonstrate their potential for morphological development, grain biomass yield, and quantitative characteristics when cultivated in this specific environment. Our study aims to identify if, based on morpho-productive traits, the six amaranth varieties under investigation in a specific environment are suitable for consumption as functional food. A bifactorial trial was implemented with the following factors: amaranth species and amaranth varieties. Two species and seven varieties of amaranth were studied. Differences are reported between morpho-productive and quantitative traits of the seven amaranth varieties studied in this research. The Pearson simple correlations show that morphological traits moderately contribute to grain fresh biomass yield, while morphological traits and fresh biomass strongly contributed to grains dry biomass yield. Our study shows that while current research offers valuable perspectives on the performance and nutritional composition of amaranth varieties studied, there are recommended more studies conducted across diverse environments.
Incorporation of Photoperiod Insensitivity and High-Yield Genes into an Indigenous Rice Variety from Myanmar, Paw San Hmwe
Authors: Win Khin Thanda , Hlaing Moe Moe , Hlaing Aye Lae Lae , Maung Zin Thu Zar , Oo Khaing Nwe , Nwe Thinzar , Moe Sandar , Lin Thein , Saw Ohm Mar , Aung Thado , Swe Mai Swe , Lar San Mar , Sin Ei Shwe , Yamagata Yoshiyuki , Angeles Enrique R. , Matsue Yuji , Yasui Hideshi , Thein Min San , Win Naing Kyi , Ashikari Motoyuki , Yoshimura Atsushi
Published: March 2024

Paw San Hmwe (PSH) is an indigenous rice variety from Myanmar with a good taste, a pleasant fragrance, and excellent elongation ability during cooking. However, its low yield potential and strong photoperiod sensitivity reduce its productivity, and it is vulnerable to climate changes during growth. To improve the photoperiod insensitivity, yield, and plant stature of PSH, the high-yield genes Grain number 1a (Gn1a) and Wealthy Farmer’s Panicle (WFP), together with the photoperiod insensitivity trait, were introgressed into PSH via marker-assisted backcross breeding and phenotype selection. For the photoperiod insensitivity trait, phenotypic selection was performed under long-day conditions during the dry season. After foreground selection of Gn1a and WFP via simple sequence repeat genotyping, genotyping-by-sequencing was conducted to validate the introgression of target genes and determine the recurrent parent genome recovery of the selected lines. The improved lines were insensitive to photoperiod, and the Gn1a and WFP introgression lines showed significantly higher numbers of primary panicle branches and spikelets per panicle than the recurrent parent, with comparative similarity in cooking and eating qualities. This study successfully improved PSH by decreasing its photoperiod sensitivity and introducing high-yield genes via marker-assisted selection. The developed lines can be used for crop rotation and double-season cropping of better-quality rice.
Effect of Tannic Acid on Antioxidant Function, Immunity, and Intestinal Barrier of Broilers Co-Infected with Coccidia and Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Zhang Zhengfan , Xu Pengtao , Liu Chengao , Chen Jing , Ren Bingbing , Du Encun , Guo Shuangshuang , Li Peng , Li Lanlan , Ding Binying
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of tannic acid on the antioxidative function, immunity, and intestinal barrier of broilers co-infected with coccidia and Clostridium perfringens (CCP). A total of 294 1-day-old arbor acres(AA) broilers were divided into three groups: control group (CON), CCP co-infected group (CCP), and 1000 mg/kg TA + CCP co-infected group (CTA). This trial lasted for 28 days. The results showed that the CCP group decreased the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels and increased the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the jejunum (p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of GSH-Px3 and CAT in the liver and jejunum, and the mRNA levels of GSH-Px3, SOD, HO-1, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase I (NQO1) in the liver were down-regulated by CCP challenge (p < 0.05). In addition, the Keap1 and Nrf2 mRNA levels in the liver and jejunum, jejunal glutathione S-transferase (GST), and heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were upregulated in the CCP group compared with CON (p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8), IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in the jejunum were elevated, and jejunal mRNA levels of IL-10, zonula occludens protein1 (ZO-1), claudin-1, claudin-2, and occludin were decreased in the CCP treatment (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 1000 mg/kg TA increased the activity of GSH-Px, T-SOD, CAT, and T-AOC and decreased the contents of H2O2 and MDA in the jejunum (p < 0.05). Compared with the CCP group, TA decreased the mRNA level of Keap1 and Nrf2 in the liver and jejunum, increased the GSH-Px3, SOD, and CAT mRNA in the liver, and alleviated the rise of IL-8, IL-1β, iNOS, and IFN-γ and decrease in IL-10, occludin gene expression in the jejunum (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 1000 mg/kg TA to the diet improved the jejunal barrier, mitigated the jejunal inflammation, and increased the antioxidant capacity of the liver and jejunum through the activation of the transcription factor Nrf2 downstream of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway in broilers with NE condition.
Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Toxicological Mechanism and Risk of Nitrate Exposure in Bufo gargarizans Embryos
Authors: Xie Lei , Niu Ziyi , Xiao Shimin , Wang Hongyuan , Zhang Yongpu
Published: March 2024

In recent years, nitrate (NO3-N) pollution in water bodies has been increasing due to the excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Exposure to NO3-N during the development of amphibian embryos may have lasting effects on the growth and development of individuals and even threaten their survival, but the toxicity mechanism of NO3-N in amphibian embryos prior to thyroid morphogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, Bufo gargarizans was selected as the model organism to investigate the toxic effects of 10 mg/L and 100 mg/L NO3-N exposure (N10 and N100) on amphibian embryos using methimazole (MMI) and exogenous thyroxine (T4) as the reference groups. We found that T4, MMI, N10 and N100 inhibited B. gargarizans embryo growth and development, with MMI and N100 showing the earliest and strongest effects. Transcriptome analysis revealed that MMI and NO3-N (especially N100) significantly downregulated genes related to thyroid morphogenesis and cholesterol metabolism, while upregulating genes related to inflammation and apoptosis. Together, these results contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms by which NO3-N disrupts B. gargarizans embryonic development, reveal the potential risks of NO3-N pollution to other aquatic organisms, and provide insights into the conservation of a broader ecosystem.
Identification and Functional Validation of Two Novel Antioxidant Peptides in Saffron
Authors: Long Yiyang , Tao Han , Wang Shiyu , Xing Bingcong , Wang Zhineng , Liu Kexin , Shao Qingsong , Gao Fei
Published: March 2024

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most expensive spices in the world, boasting rich medicinal and edible value. However, the effective development of active natural substances in saffron is still limited. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the saffron stigma protein, and the main effect peptides have not been identified. In this study, the total protein composition of saffron stigmas was analyzed, and two main antioxidant peptides (DGGSDYLGK and VDPYFNK) were identified, which showed high antioxidant activity. Then, the stability of two peptides was further evaluated. Furthermore, our results suggested that these two peptides may protect HepG2 cells from H2O2-induced oxidative damage by significantly improving the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reducing the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Collectively, we identified two peptides screened from the saffron protein possessing good antioxidant activity and stability, making them promising candidates for use as functional foods, etc., for health promotion. Our findings indicated that proteomic analysis together with peptide identification is a good method for exploitation and utilization of spice plants.
A Co-Simulation Model Integrating a Musculoskeletal Human Model with Exoskeleton and Power Tool Model
Authors: Molz Carla , Scherb David , Löffelmann Christopher , Sänger Johannes , Yao Zhejun , Lindenmann Andreas , Matthiesen Sven , Weidner Robert , Wartzack Sandro , Miehling Jörg
Published: March 2024

Working at and above head height with a power tool represents a common activity in craft and assembly applications. To assist and protect the user from overload and injuries in these situations, the development and use of application-specific support systems, such as exoskeletons and power tools, have greatly increased in recent years. Thus, the integration of aspects of the user-centered product development of support systems in the early phases of product development process has high potentials. A common approach to integrate the user early in the product development process is the use of musculoskeletal human models, which allow the evaluation of effects on the human body. This could also be applicable in the mentioned use case to enable the evaluation of the interactions for the user. Therefore, a co-simulation model for virtual modelling and simulating human–machine interactions is presented. The co-simulation model is made up of a musculoskeletal human model and the models of the technical systems (exoskeleton and power tool). By applying the co-simulation model, the impact of technical systems on the human body can be taken into account to derive design alternatives for the technical system due to the requirements of the user. The paper describes the design of the co-simulation model and particularly, the interaction of the submodels. The evaluation of the co-simulation model is carried out with the help of a subject study for the selected use case working at and above head height. The results show plausible results for the muscle loads considering the support by an exoskeleton. Furthermore, the comparison of simulated results to measured muscle activations via surface electromyography shows a good agreement. Thus, the co-simulation model passes the test for functionality and seems to be applicable for the derivation of design alternatives of technical systems regarding the user needs. In future, the co-simulation model will be further validated with a higher number of subjects and to implement design alterations in the technical systems.
A Sensor Drift Compensation Method with a Masked Autoencoder Module
Authors: Kwon Seokjoon , Park Jae-Hyeon , Jang Hee-Deok , Nam Hyunwoo , Chang Dong Eui
Published: March 2024

Deep learning algorithms are widely used for pattern recognition in electronic noses, which are sensor arrays for gas mixtures. One of the challenges of using electronic noses is sensor drift, which can degrade the accuracy of the system over time, even if it is initially trained to accurately estimate concentrations from sensor data. In this paper, an effective drift compensation method is introduced that adds sensor drift information during training of a neural network that estimates gas concentrations. This is achieved by concatenating a calibration feature vector with sensor data and using this as an input to the neural network. The calibration feature vector is generated via a masked-autoencoder-based feature extractor trained with transfer samples, and acts as a prompt to convey sensor drift information. Our method is tested on a 3-year gas sensor array drift dataset, showing that a neural network using our method performs better than other models, including a network with additional fine tuning, demonstrating that our method is efficient at compensating for sensor drift. In this study, the effectiveness of using prompts for network training is confirmed, which better compensates for drifts in new sensor signals than network fine-tuning.
Deep Learning-Based Wave Overtopping Prediction
Authors: Alvarellos Alberto , Figuero Andrés , Rodríguez-Yáñez Santiago , Sande José , Peña Enrique , Rosa-Santos Paulo , Rabuñal Juan
Published: March 2024

This paper analyses the application of deep learning techniques for predicting wave overtopping events in port environments using sea state and weather forecasts as inputs. The study was conducted in the outer port of Punta Langosteira, A Coruña, Spain. A video-recording infrastructure was installed to monitor overtopping events from 2015 to 2022, identifying 3709 overtopping events. The data collected were merged with actual and predicted data for the sea state and weather conditions during the overtopping events, creating three datasets. We used these datasets to create several machine learning models to predict whether an overtopping event would occur based on sea state and weather conditions. The final models achieved a high accuracy level during the training and testing stages: 0.81, 0.73, and 0.84 average accuracy during training and 0.67, 0.48, and 0.86 average accuracy during testing, respectively. The results of this study have significant implications for port safety and efficiency, as wave overtopping events can cause disruptions and potential damage. Using deep learning techniques for overtopping prediction can help port managers take preventative measures and optimize operations, ultimately improving safety and helping to minimize the economic impact that overtopping events have on the port’s activities.
Research Progress of Enhanced Thermal Evacuation and Cooling Technology for High-Speed Motors
Authors: Yan Shaohang , Qiang Mingchen , Zhao Qi , Hou Yu , Lai Tianwei
Published: March 2024

In high-speed motors, there is a huge amount of heat generation from core and winding losses, which may result in thermal failures or motor performance deterioration. In the prevention of heat accumulation, efficient cooling technology is critical for smooth and reliable motor movement. This paper summarizes the diverse application of high-speed motor and thermal requirements, such as in electrical devices, turbo-machinery, and high-precision machine tools. Three paths of case convection—cooling, internal ventilation cooling and spindle core cooling—are analyzed. Methods for configuring thermal resistance and improving cooling efficiency are summarized. Among them, coolant flow characteristics and flow channel shapes, gas supply ventilation systems, and methods to reduce air resistance, as well as axial cooling and integrated heat pipe structures, are extensively investigated. Finally, the development prospects of high-speed motor cooling are also forecasted. At present, the primary research directions are to reduce the heat generated by the heat source, utilize the latent heat of the coolant, optimize the cooling flow path of the shell, design an axial air-cooling circulation system, and enhance the heat dissipation of the spindle.
Regionalization of the Onset and Offset of the Rainy Season in Senegal Using Kohonen Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Faye Dioumacor , Kaly François , Dieng Abdou Lahat , Wane Dahirou , Fall Cheikh Modou Noreyni , Mignot Juliette , Gaye Amadou Thierno
Published: March 2024

This study explores the spatiotemporal variability of the onset, end, and duration of the rainy season in Senegal. These phenological parameters, crucial for agricultural planning in West Africa, exhibit high interannual and spatial variability linked to precipitation. The objective is to detect and spatially classify these indices across Senegal using different approaches. Daily precipitation data and ERA5 reanalyses from 1981 to 2018 were utilized. The employed method enables the detection of key dates. Subsequently, the Kohonen algorithm spatially classifies these indices on topological maps. The results indicate a meridional gradient of the onset, progressively later from the southeast to the northwest, whereas the end follows a north–south gradient. The duration varies from 45 days in the north to 150 days in the south. The use of self-organizing maps allows for classifying the onset, end, and duration of the season into four zones for the onset and end, and three zones for the duration of the season. They highlight the interannual irregularity of transitions, with both early and late years. The dynamic analysis underscores the complex influence of atmospheric circulation fields, notably emphasizing the importance of low-level monsoon flux. These findings have tangible implications for improving seasonal forecasts and agricultural activity planning in Senegal. They provide information on the onset, end, and duration classes for each specific zone, which can be valuable for planning crops adapted to each region.
Fast Impedance Spectrum Construction for Lithium-Ion Batteries Using a Multi-Density Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Zhu Ling , Peng Jichang , Meng Jinhao , Sun Chenghao , Cai Lei , Qu Zhizhu
Published: March 2024

Effectively extracting a lithium-ion battery’s impedance is of great importance for various onboard applications, which requires consideration of both the time consumption and accuracy of the measurement process. Although the pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) excitation signal can inject the superposition frequencies with high time efficiency and an easily implementable device, processing the data of the battery’s impedance measurement is still a challenge at present. This study proposes a fast impedance spectrum construction method for lithium-ion batteries, where a multi-density clustering algorithm was designed to effectively extract the useful impedance after PRBS injection. According to the distribution properties of the measurement points by PRBS, a density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) was used for processing the data of the lithium-ion battery’s impedance. The two key parameters of the DBSCAN were adjusted by a delicate workflow according to the frequency range. The validation of the proposed method was proved on a 3 Ah lithium-ion battery under nine different test conditions, considering both the SOC and temperature variations.
Application of DIY Electrodermal Activity Wristband in Detecting Stress and Affective Responses of Students
Authors: Lim Kenneth Y. T. , Nguyen Thien Minh Tuan , Nguyen Duc Minh Anh , Posada-Quintero Hugo F.
Published: March 2024

This paper describes the analysis of electrodermal activity (EDA) in the context of students’ scholastic activity. Taking a multidisciplinary, citizen science and maker-centric approach, low-cost, bespoken wearables, such as a mini weather station and biometric wristband, were built. To investigate both physical health as well as stress, the instruments were first validated against research grade devices. Following this, a research experiment was created and conducted in the context of students’ scholastic activity. Data from this experiment were used to train machine learning models, which were then applied to interpret the relationships between the environment, health, and stress. It is hoped that analyses of EDA data will further strengthen the emerging model describing the intersections between local microclimate and physiological and neurological stress. The results suggest that temperature and air quality play an important role in students’ physiological well-being, thus demonstrating the feasibility of understanding the extent of the effects of various microclimatic factors. This highlights the importance of thermal comfort and air ventilation in real-life applications to improve students’ well-being. We envision our work making a significant impact by showcasing the effectiveness and feasibility of inexpensive, self-designed wearable devices for tracking microclimate and electrodermal activity (EDA). The affordability of these wearables holds promising implications for scalability and encourages crowd-sourced citizen science in the relatively unexplored domain of microclimate’s influence on well-being. Embracing citizen science can then democratize learning and expedite rapid research advancements.
Evaluation of Antibiotic Biodegradation by a Versatile and Highly Active Recombinant Laccase from the Thermoalkaliphilic Bacterium Bacillus sp. FNT
Authors: Sánchez-SanMartín Jorge , Márquez Sebastián L. , Espina Giannina , Cortés-Antiquera Rodrigo , Sun Junsong , Blamey Jenny M.
Published: March 2024

Laccases are industrially relevant enzymes that have gained great biotechnological importance. To date, most are of fungal and mesophilic origin; however, enzymes from extremophiles possess an even greater potential to withstand industrial conditions. In this study, we evaluate the potential of a recombinant spore-coat laccase from the thermoalkaliphilic bacterium Bacillus sp. FNT (FNTL) to biodegrade antibiotics from the tetracycline, β-lactams, and fluoroquinolone families. This extremozyme was previously characterized as being thermostable and highly active in a wide range of temperatures (20–90 °C) and very versatile towards several structurally different substrates, including recalcitrant environmental pollutants such as PAHs and synthetic dyes. First, molecular docking analyses were employed for initial ligand affinity screening in the modeled active site of FNTL. Then, the in silico findings were experimentally tested with four highly consumed antibiotics, representatives of each family: tetracycline, oxytetracycline, amoxicillin, and ciprofloxacin. HPLC results indicate that FNTL with help of the natural redox mediator acetosyringone, can efficiently biodegrade 91, 90, and 82% of tetracycline (0.5 mg mL−1) in 24 h at 40, 30, and 20 °C, respectively, with no apparent ecotoxicity of the products on E. coli and B. subtilis. These results complement our previous studies, highlighting the potential of this extremozyme for application in wastewater bioremediation.
Dissecting the Long-Term Effect of Stress Early in Life on FKBP5: The Role of miR-20b-5p and miR-29c-3p
Authors: Cattane Nadia , Di Benedetto Maria Grazia , D’Aprile Ilari , Riva Marco Andrea , Cattaneo Annamaria
Published: March 2024

Exposure to early-life stress (ELS) has been related to an increased susceptibility to psychiatric disorders later in life. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying this association are still under investigation, glucocorticoid signaling has been proposed to be a key mediator. Here, we used two preclinical models, the prenatal stress (PNS) animal model and an in vitro model of hippocampal progenitor cells, to assess the long-term effect of ELS on FKBP5, NR3C1, NR3C2, and FoxO1, four stress-responsive genes involved in the effects of glucocorticoids. In the hippocampus of male PNS rats sacrificed at different time points during neurodevelopment (PND 21, 40, 62), we found a statistically significant up-regulation of FKBP5 at PND 40 and PND 62 and a significant increase in FoxO1 at PND 62. Interestingly, all four genes were significantly up-regulated in differentiated cells treated with cortisol during cell proliferation. As FKBP5 was consistently modulated by PNS at adolescence (PND 40) and adulthood (PND 62) and by cortisol treatment after cell differentiation, we measured a panel of miRNAs targeting FKBP5 in the same samples where FKBP5 expression levels were available. Interestingly, both miR-20b-5p and miR-29c-3p were significantly reduced in PNS-exposed animals (both at PND40 and 62) and also in the in vitro model after cortisol exposure. Our results highlight the key role of miR-20b-5p and miR-29c-3p in sustaining the long-term effects of ELS on the stress response system, representing a mechanistic link possibly contributing to the enhanced stress-related vulnerability to mental disorders.
Functions of Differentially Regulated miRNAs in Breast Cancer Progression: Potential Markers for Early Detection and Candidates for Therapy
Authors: Subramanian Kumar , Sinha Raghu
Published: March 2024

Breast cancer remains a major global health concern, emphasizing the need for reliable biomarkers to enhance early detection and therapeutic interventions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved small non-coding RNA (~22 nt in length) molecules, which are aberrantly expressed in cancer and seem to influence tumor behavior and progression. Specific miRNA dysregulation has been associated with breast cancer initiation, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Understanding the functional roles of these miRNAs provides valuable insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer progression. The diagnostic potential of miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for early breast cancer detection is a burgeoning area of research. This review aims to elucidate the functions of differentially regulated miRNAs in breast cancer progression and assess their potential as markers for early detection, stage-specific biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, the ability of specific miRNAs to serve as prognostic indicators and predictors of treatment response highlights their potential clinical utility in guiding personalized therapeutic interventions.
A Community Information Model and Wind Environment Parametric Simulation System for Old Urban Area Microclimate Optimization: A Case Study of Dongshi Town, China
Authors: Huang Yanyan , Tu Ruixin , Tuerxun Wutikeer , Jia Xudong , Zhang Xu , Chen Xiaokang
Published: March 2024

In the context of an increasingly extreme climate, Urban Heat Island (UHI) mitigation of communities through ventilation has recently attracted more attention. To explore the impact mechanisms of different morphological renovation schemes on its wind and thermal environment, this paper selected the Laozheng Community as a case study and: (1) analyzed measured data to quantitatively investigate the UHI within the community; (2) established the CIM-WTEPS system to construct community information models and to conduct wind environment parametric simulation for seven micro-renovation schemes across three levels; (3) performed correlation analyses between morphology indicators and wind environment indicators; (4) conducted the thermal environment parametric simulation of the community under different schemes. The results reveal that: (1) the Laozheng Community exhibits the Urban Heat Island Intensity (UHII) of up to 6 °C; (2) apart from the “ Hollowing “ scheme, which deteriorates the community wind environment, all other schemes optimize it, potentially increasing the average wind speed by up to 0.03m/s and in the renovated area by up to 0.42 m/s; (3) building density is highly correlated with the average wind speed and the proportion of calm wind area, with correlation coefficients of −0.916 (p < 0.01) and 0.894 (p < 0.01), respectively; (4) the adding of shading facilities can enhance the proportion of areas with lower Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) without adversely affecting the optimization effects of the wind environment, achieving an maximum increase of 3.1%. This study provides a reference for optimizing the community’s microclimate through morphological micro-renovations and detailed operations, aiding designers in better controlling community morphology for in future community renewal and design planning, thereby creating a more hospitable outdoor environment.