bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Music and movement pedagogy in basic education: a systematic review
Authors: del Barrio Luis , Arús Mª Eugènia
Published: June 2024

The use of movement in music education addresses the most natural way to express and represent music itself through the body. It belongs to the history of pedagogy in music education and empirical research from the 1970s. For this study, we conducted a systematic review of works that link music and movement pedagogy, from early childhood to secondary education, to establish a revision framework of the existing literature as a reference to advance in the field of pedagogy and music education research. We analysed 29 articles found in the Scopus database from 2013 to 2023. The results are presented in a PRISMA 2020 Flow Diagram and can be categorised into two emerging areas of intervention: (1) Music and Movement Education; (2) Teaching with Music and Movement in Special Education. Research findings are analysed and presented, and their contributions to education and teaching implications are discussed. Music education and movement pedagogy fosters correlative physical, cognitive, and emotional development and promotes education for all students as an inclusive musical pedagogical approach.
Filling two needs with one deed: a combinatory mucosal vaccine against influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Vieira Antão Ana , Oltmanns Friederike , Schmidt Anna , Viherlehto Vera , Irrgang Pascal , Rameix-Welti Marie-Anne , Bayer Wibke , Lapuente Dennis , Tenbusch Matthias
Published: June 2024

Influenza A Virus (IAV) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are both responsible for millions of severe respiratory tract infections every year worldwide. Effective vaccines able to prevent transmission and severe disease, are important measures to reduce the burden for the global health system. Despite the strong systemic immune responses induced upon current parental immunizations, this vaccination strategy fails to promote a robust mucosal immune response. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity and efficacy of a mucosal adenoviral vector vaccine to tackle both pathogens simultaneously at their entry site. For this purpose, BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally with adenoviral vectors (Ad) encoding the influenza-derived proteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and nucleoprotein (NP), in combination with an Ad encoding for the RSV fusion (F) protein. The mucosal combinatory vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies as well as local IgA responses against both viruses. Moreover, the vaccine elicited pulmonary CD8+ and CD4+ tissue resident memory T cells (TRM) against the immunodominant epitopes of RSV-F and IAV-NP. Furthermore, the addition of Ad-TGFβ or Ad-CCL17 as mucosal adjuvant enhanced the formation of functional CD8+ TRM responses against the conserved IAV-NP. Consequently, the combinatory vaccine not only provided protection against subsequent infections with RSV, but also against heterosubtypic challenges with pH1N1 or H3N2 strains. In conclusion, we present here a potent combinatory vaccine for mucosal applications, which provides protection against two of the most relevant respiratory viruses.
Effects of low-intensity home-based exercise on cognition in older persons with mild cognitive impairment: a direct comparison of aerobic versus resistance exercises using a randomized controlled trial design
Authors: Krootnark Kitsana , Chaikeeree Nithinun , Saengsirisuwan Vitoon , Boonsinsukh Rumpa
Published: June 2024

Background

It has been reported that both aerobic exercise and resistance exercise can improve cognitive function in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but it is unclear which type of exercise has a higher impact on cognitive function. Additionally, low-intensity exercise is considered safe for the elderly and can be done at home. This study aimed to compare the effects of 3-month low-intensity home-based exercises, aerobic versus resistance exercises, on cognitive function in people with MCI.

Methods

This study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial conducted in a suburban community. Ninety eligible participants aged 60–80 years were randomly assigned into aerobic exercise, resistance exercise or control group (30 in each group). The aerobic and resistance exercise groups underwent 3 months of low-intensity exercise at home (35 min/day, 5 days/week). The control group performed their usual daily activities. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Thai version (MoCA), Trail Making Test Part A and B (TMT-A, TMT-B), Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), forward and backward Digit Span Test (DST-F, DST-B) and Stick Design Test (SDT) were administered before training, 3-month after training and 3-month follow-up.

Results

All participants completed a 3-month exercise program, but during the follow-up, data were gathered from 28, 27, and 26 participants in the aerobic, resistance, and control groups, respectively. Both aerobic and resistance groups showed significant improvements in all outcome measures during posttraining and follow-up, except SDT, while there was no cognitive improvement in control group at posttraining and follow-up. Compared to those in the control group, the aerobic group had significant improvements in MoCA, TMT-A, TMT-B, and SCWT, while resistance group had significant improvements in MoCA and TMT-B at posttraining and follow-up. There were no differences in any outcome measures between aerobic and resistance groups, except SCWT, which was significantly greater in the aerobic group than in the resistance group posttraining.

Conclusion

Low-intensity exercise, whether aerobic or resistance training, was effective at improving cognitive function in older people with MCI, and the effects were sustained at the 3-month follow-up.

Clinical trial registration:thaiclinicaltrials.org, TCTR20231110003.
Impact of white matter hyperintensity volumes estimated by automated methods using deep learning on stroke outcomes in small vessel occlusion stroke
Authors: Lee Minwoo , Suh Chong Hyun , Sohn Jong-Hee , Kim Chulho , Han Sang-Won , Sung Joo Hye , Yu Kyung-Ho , Lim Jae-Sung , Lee Sang-Hwa
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Although white matter hyperintensity (WMH) shares similar vascular risk and pathology with small vessel occlusion (SVO) stroke, there were few studies to evaluate the impact of the burden of WMH volume on early and delayed stroke outcomes in SVO stroke.

Materials and methods

Using a multicenter registry database, we enrolled SVO stroke patients between August 2013 and November 2022. The WMH volume was estimated by automated methods using deep learning (VUNO Med-DeepBrain, Seoul, South Korea), which was a commercially available segmentation model. After propensity score matching (PSM), we evaluated the impact of WMH volume on early neurological deterioration (END) and poor functional outcomes at 3-month modified Ranking Scale (mRS), defined as mRS score >2 at 3 months, after an SVO stroke.

Results

Among 1,718 SVO stroke cases, the prevalence of subjects with severe WMH (Fazekas score ≥ 3) was 68.9%. After PSM, END and poor functional outcomes at 3-month mRS (mRS > 2) were higher in the severe WMH group (END: 6.9 vs. 13.5%, p < 0.001; 3-month mRS > 2: 11.4 vs. 24.7%, p < 0.001). The logistic regression analysis using the PSM cohort showed that total WMH volume increased the risk of END [odd ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.01, 1.00–1.02, p = 0.048] and 3-month mRS > 2 (OR, 95% CI; 1.02, 1.01–1.03, p < 0.001). Deep WMH was associated with both END and 3-month mRS > 2, but periventricular WMH was associated with 3-month mRS > 2 only.

Conclusion

This study used automated methods using a deep learning segmentation model to assess the impact of WMH burden on outcomes in SVO stroke. Our findings emphasize the significance of WMH burden in SVO stroke prognosis, encouraging tailored interventions for better patient care.
Intuitive and versatile bionic legs: a perspective on volitional control
Authors: Voß Matthias , Koelewijn Anne D. , Beckerle Philipp
Published: June 2024

Active lower limb prostheses show large potential to offer energetic, balance, and versatility improvements to users when compared to passive and semi-active devices. Still, their control remains a major development challenge, with many different approaches existing. This perspective aims at illustrating a future leg prosthesis control approach to improve the everyday life of prosthesis users, while providing a research road map for getting there. Reviewing research on the needs and challenges faced by prosthesis users, we argue for the development of versatile control architectures for lower limb prosthetic devices that grant the wearer full volitional control at all times. To this end, existing control approaches for active lower limb prostheses are divided based on their consideration of volitional user input. The presented methods are discussed in regard to their suitability for universal everyday control involving user volition. Novel combinations of established methods are proposed. This involves the combination of feed-forward motor control signals with simulated feedback loops in prosthesis control, as well as online optimization techniques to individualize the system parameters. To provide more context, developments related to volitional control design are touched on.
Neurovascular retinal impairment in early-treated adults with phenylketonuria
Authors: Buonamassa Rosa , Boscia Giacomo , Gaudiomonte Marida , Guerriero Silvana , Fischetto Rita , Montepara Alfonso , Grassi Maria Oliva , Pignataro Maria Grazia , Puzo Pasquale , Giancipoli Ermete , D’addario Marina , Alessio Giovanni , Boscia Francesco , Viggiano Pasquale
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To compare radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vascular plexus parameters and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness between Early-Treated Adults with Phenylketonuria (ETPKU) and controls.

Methods

This observational study was a monocentric, case control study including 36 eyes of 36 participants. Among these, 18 were early-treated PKU (ETPKU) and 18 were controls. A SD-OCTA (XR Avanti AngioVue OCTA; Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA) was employed to assess the OCT and OCTA parameters of all the participants. The main outcome measures were the RPC vessels density (VD) %, and the pRNFL thickness.

Results

The average pRNFL thickness was significantly reduced in ETPKU (110.78 ± 12.48 μm) compared to controls (113.22 ± 13.95 μm), p = 0.046. The mean VD% of the small vessels of the RPC plexus was 52.31 ± 2.2 in ETPKU and 50.71 ± 3.2 in controls (p = 0.049), while the VD% of all the radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) was 58.5 ± 2.2 in ETPKU and 55.08 ± 3.4 in controls (p < 0.001). By contrast, there were no differences in age, sex, and IOP between the two groups.

Conclusion

Through structural OCT and OCTA, we observed thinning of the nerve fibers accompanied by an increase in perfusion of the RPC plexus. Thus, our conclusions suggest that OCTA may serve as a noninvasive method to identify novel retinal biomarkers in ETPKU.
Genetics of causal relationships between circulating inflammatory proteins and postherpetic neuralgia: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liu WenHui , Hu HuiMin , Li Chen , Li YiFan , Mao Peng , Fan BiFa
Published: June 2024

Objective

According to data from several observational studies, there is a strong association between circulating inflammatory cytokines and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), but it is not clear whether this association is causal or confounding; therefore, the main aim of the present study was to analyze whether circulating inflammatory proteins have a bidirectional relationship with PHN at the genetic inheritance level using a Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods

The Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) database was used for our analysis. We gathered data on inflammation-related genetic variation from three GWASs of human cytokines. These proteins included 91 circulating inflammatory proteins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), macrophage inflammatory protein 1b (MIP-1b), and CXC chemokine 13 (CXCL13). The PHN dataset was obtained from the FinnGen biobank analysis round 5, and consisted of 1,413 cases and 275,212 controls. We conducted a two-sample bidirectional MR study using the TwoSampleMR and MRPRESSO R packages (version R.4.3.1). Our main analytical method was inverse variance weighting (IVW), and we performed sensitivity analyses to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy, as well as the potential influence of individual SNPs, to validate our findings.

Results

According to our forward analysis, five circulating inflammatory proteins were causally associated with the development of PHN: interleukin (IL)-18 was positively associated with PHN, and IL-13, fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF-19), MIP-1b, and stem cell growth factor (SCF) showed reverse causality with PHN. Conversely, we found that PHN was closely associated with 12 inflammatory cytokines, but no significant correlation was found among the other inflammatory factors. Among them, only IL-18 had a bidirectional causal relationship with PHN.

Conclusion

Our research advances the current understanding of the role of certain inflammatory biomarker pathways in the development of PHN. Additional verification is required to evaluate the viability of these proteins as targeted inflammatory factors for PHN-based treatments.
Case report: Time response of plasma clozapine concentrations on cessation of heavy smoking
Authors: Qi Lingyan , Ma Botao , Fan Hongzhen , Qi Siyuan , Yang Fude , An Huimei
Published: June 2024

Smoking cessation in patients treated with clozapine might lead to elevated plasma concentrations and severe side effects. This case report investigated the trajectory of clozapine plasma concentrations over time after smoking cessation in a Chinese inpatient with schizophrenia. This case report delineates the temporal response of plasma clozapine concentrations and dose-corrected clozapine plasma concentrations in a 33-year-old inpatient with schizophrenia who had a substantial smoking history and ceased smoking abruptly during dose titration. This case report presents a sudden increase in plasma clozapine concentrations and dose-corrected plasma clozapine concentrations after smoking cessation, followed by a rapid decline in dose-corrected plasma clozapine concentrations during the initial 2 weeks and a return to pre-cessation levels approximately 1 month later. The findings suggest that clinicians and pharmacists should adjust clozapine dosage in accordance with changes in smoking status, taking into consideration the temporal effects. Post-smoking cessation adjustments to clozapine dosage should be coupled with therapeutic drug monitoring, especially for patients with heavy smoking habits. Moreover, the advice of the clinical pharmacist should be considered in complex cases to ensure safe use of clozapine.
Rice breeding for low input agriculture
Authors: Jyoti Subroto Das , Singh Gurjeet , Pradhan Anjan Kumar , Tarpley Lee , Septiningsih Endang M. , Talukder Shyamal K.
Published: June 2024

A low-input-based farming system can reduce the adverse effects of modern agriculture through proper utilization of natural resources. Modern varieties often need to improve in low-input settings since they are not adapted to these systems. In addition, rice is one of the most widely cultivated crops worldwide. Enhancing rice performance under a low input system will significantly reduce the environmental concerns related to rice cultivation. Traits that help rice to maintain yield performance under minimum inputs like seedling vigor, appropriate root architecture for nutrient use efficiency should be incorporated into varieties for low input systems through integrated breeding approaches. Genes or QTLs controlling nutrient uptake, nutrient assimilation, nutrient remobilization, and root morphology need to be properly incorporated into the rice breeding pipeline. Also, genes/QTLs controlling suitable rice cultivars for sustainable farming. Since several variables influence performance under low input conditions, conventional breeding techniques make it challenging to work on many traits. However, recent advances in omics technologies have created enormous opportunities for rapidly improving multiple characteristics. This review highlights current research on features pertinent to low-input agriculture and provides an overview of alternative genomics-based breeding strategies for enhancing genetic gain in rice suitable for low-input farming practices.
Chemical constituent characterization and determination of Quisqualis fructus based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and HPLC combined with fingerprint and chemometric analysis
Authors: Yang Lin , Dai Lei , Qin Weihan , Wang Yiwu , Zhao Jianing , Pan Shuxiang , He Dan
Published: June 2024

Quisqualis fructus (QF) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that it has a long history in the therapeutic field of killing parasites, eliminating accumulation, and stopping diarrhea. However, the therapeutic material basis of QF is remaining ambiguous nowadays. The geographical origin differences of QF are also usually ignored in the process of medication. In this study, the alcohol–aqueous soluble constituents in QF from different origins were systematically characterized and accurately measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) respectively. Chemometric analysis was performed for origin differentiation and screening of potential quality marker (Q-marker). Finally, A total of 106 constituents were tentatively characterized in positive and negative ion modes, including 29 fatty acids, 26 organic acids, 11 amino acids and derivatives, 10 glycosides, 9 alkaloids and derivatives, and 21 other constituents. QF from different origins were effectively distinguished and 16 constituents were selected as the potential Q-markers subsequently. Four representative components (trigonelline, adenosine, ellagic acid, and 3,3’-di-O-methylellagic acid) in QF samples were simultaneously determined. HPLC fingerprint analysis indicated that the similarity between 16 batches of QF was in the range of 0.870–0.999. The above results provide some insights for the research on the pharmacodynamic constituents, quality control, and geographical discrimination of QF.
Mapping the populist mind: A network approach to integrate sociological and psychological models of the populist radical right
Authors: Komáromy Dániel , Rooduijn Matthijs , Schumacher Gijs
Published: June 2024

Who supports the populist radical right (PRR)? And under what circumstances? We theorize that social status-related envy (SSRE) is the construct that integrates personality- and grievance-based theories of PRR support. To assess our theory, we estimate psychological network models on German survey data to map the complex relationships between PRR support, Big Five personality traits, facets of narcissism, political attitudes, and multiple constructs measuring objective and subjective social status. Our findings confirm previous studies detecting two routes to PRR support: a disagreeable and an authoritarian one. The Bifurcated Model of Status-Deprived Narcissistic Right-Wing Populism claims that SSRE is the distant predictor of PRR support and the two constructs are connected by two pathways. The middle-class route is characterized by disagreeable narcissism (Rivalry) and nativism, while the lower-class route by Neuroticism (potentially Vulnerable Narcissism) and authoritarian right-wing populism. Moreover, we find preliminary support for our expectation that PRR voting is explained by the activation of narcissistic traits by SSRE.
An investigation into academic burnout, enjoyment and engagement in EFL learning among Chinese junior high school students
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Wang Jian , Ke Xinli
Published: June 2024

With the booming of Positive Psychology, a growing scholarly interest has emerged in language learners’ psychological well-being. However, limited research has been conducted on the emotions of Chinese EFL learners. Therefore, this study aimed to quantitatively examine the burnout, enjoyment, and engagement levels among 387 junior high school EFL learners. The findings revealed that the students experienced low levels of burnout but high levels of enjoyment and engagement in learning. Furthermore, significant gender and grade differences were observed in these variables. The study also found strong negative associations between burnout and both enjoyment and engagement, along with significant positive correlations between enjoyment and engagement. Additionally, it was discovered that enjoyment, rather than burnout, significantly predicted English learning engagement. Interestingly, the study also revealed that enjoyment fully mediated the relationship between engagement and burnout. These findings highlight the importance of promoting enjoyment in order to reduce burnout and foster increased engagement among language learners. This article concludes with the theoretical and pedagogical implications for EFL instruction.
Development of number line estsimation in Chinese preschoolers: a comparison between numerical and non-numerical symbols
Authors: Li Mengxia , Yang Jiahui , Lei Xiaohan
Published: June 2024

To examine the level of number line estimation (NLE) in Chinese children with respect to representations of both numerical (Arabic numerals) and non-numerical symbols (dots), a total of 192 Chinese preschoolers aged between 4 and 5 years participated in four different NLE tasks. These tasks were paired to evaluate the accuracy and patterns of children’s estimations in both numerical and non-numerical symbol contexts. Our findings indicate that, for Chinese preschoolers, relatively precise numerical symbol representations begin to emerge as early as 4 years of age. The accuracy of number line estimates for both 4- and 5-year-old children gradually increases in tasks involving both numerical and non-numerical symbols. Additionally, the development and patterns observed in the number line estimates of 4- and 5-year-old Chinese preschoolers are similar in both numerical symbol and non-numerical symbol tasks. These results indicate that the initiation of relatively precise numerical symbol representation and the turning point in the developmental trajectory, where the relatively precise representation for numerical symbols surpasses that of non-numerical ones, occur earlier in Chinese children than in their Western counterparts.
Counter acts: practices of ‘anti-anti racism’ in France and the USA
Authors: Garner Steve
Published: June 2024

In various European countries, the post-fascist nationalist and populist parties identified by Ignazi in the early 1990s ‘silent counter-revolution’ now hold power, at least as part of coalitions. The values they represent can no longer be described as marginal to the national conversations on identity, immigration and security, issues that revolve around racialized understandings of the social world. In recent years we have observed similar phenomena in the Americas and Asia (with the Trump, Bolsonaro and Modi regimes). Moreover, state actors and social movements have developed initiatives aimed at undermining and reversing any small—sometimes symbolic—progress made toward equality. Various attacks on academic concepts relating to racism in the UK, France and the USA, for example, are not isolated stand-alones but elements of a global pushback against such ideas, orchestrated and encouraged by the nationalist political right, working through media, government and funded civil society organisations. These discourses redraw national identity to portray antiracist work as unpatriotic and indeed threatening to the nation. One of the strands in France’s long and fractious conversation about its colonial history and postcolonial present has constructed an opposition between republican values and Muslims. The American right’s long war on racial equality has generated a campaign to eradicate ‘critical race theory’ from education. These two examples illustrate and identify common elements and specifics in a global trend whereby the concepts used by activists and social scientists to understand and frame struggles for racial equality are deliberately and strategically invalidated and vilified in the public domain, and ideologically produced as un-patriotic. I call this discourse ‘anti-anti racism’. These efforts are part of wider campaigns, or ‘counter acts’, aimed at reversing progressive political gains from the last half century.
Assessing the agroecological performance and sustainability of Community Supported Agriculture farms in Flanders, Belgium
Authors: Savels Ruben , Dessein Joost , Lucantoni Dario , Speelman Stijn
Published: June 2024

Agroecology is receiving increasing attention and recognition as a concept for transitions to more sustainable agricultural and food systems. There is however a lack of characterization of agroecology in agricultural and food systems, while integrated and holistic measurements of their sustainability are scarce. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is considered to be a system explicitly based on agroecological principles and practices which shows potential in the face of the sustainability challenges in agriculture and food systems, but its link with agroecology and its holistic sustainability performance have remained understudied. Therefore, we applied the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) to 24 Community Supported Agriculture farms in the Flanders region of Belgium in order to characterize agroecology and to assess their multidimensional sustainability performance. Our results show that Community Supported Agriculture farms can be characterized as advanced agroecological systems, highlighted by their high to very high performance on many of the elements of agroecology. Moreover, our results show positive outcomes on several sustainability criteria across environmental, social and economic dimensions such as soil health, presence of natural vegetation and pollinators and ecological management of pests and diseases, as well as dietary diversity and profitability criteria like gross value, added value and net revenue. The integration and role of animals in these agroecosystems and the importance of - and dependence on - labor are however identified as two critical aspects regarding the agroecological transitions and sustainability of Community Supported Agriculture. Our findings emphasize the exemplary role Community Supported Agriculture could play in broader agroecological transitions, which, coupled with their high performance on several sustainability criteria, highlight the potential contribution of Community Supported Agriculture, and by extension of agroecology itself, to more sustainable agricultural and food systems in Flanders and beyond.
Design and Experiment for Flexible Clamping and Conveying Device for Green Leafy Vegetable Orderly Harvester
Authors: Jin Yue , Wang Jinwu , Chen Jia , Song Zhiyu , Zhang Renlong , Zhou Ran
Published: June 2024

Due to the advantages of improving vegetable quality and reducing labor, technology for the orderly harvesting of green leafy vegetables has always been the focus of research. The core of the technology is the clamping and conveying device. At present, technology for the orderly harvesting of green leafy vegetables has several difficult problems, such as the plugging of the clamping and conveying device, great damage caused by mechanical clamping and high transportation loss. A green leafy vegetable is essentially a viscoelastic body and plastic deformation is an important index to measure its mechanical damage. Therefore, based on vegetable linear viscoelastic characteristics, we determined the deformation and plastic damage mechanism caused by orderly clamping and conveying. A rheological constitutive model and mathematical equations of the damage deformation value were constructed for the green leafy vegetable mechanical clamping process. Viscoelastic parameters of green leafy vegetable samples were obtained by creep experiments. The elastic clamping force and clamping spacing were analyzed systematically when the flexible clamping and conveying device was clamping, conveying and collecting. Under different spring stiffness and clamping time combinations, green leafy vegetable plastic damage deformation values were calculated and the vegetable damage regularity analyzed. After comprehensive consideration, we concluded that, when the harvester forward speed was 0.6 km/h, the optimal parameter combination of the flexible clamping and conveying device was a conveying roller rotation speed of 80 r/min, and a spring stiffness combination of 2.0 N/mm and 0.6 N/mm. Finally, a bench test verified that the mechanized harvest effect was best under a combination of parameters. Thus, we proved that the method is appropriate for studying the effects of clamping and conveying devices on green leafy vegetable damage based on viscoelastic rheological characteristics.
Crop Root Rows Detection Based on Crop Canopy Image
Authors: Liu Yujie , Guo Yanchao , Wang Xiaole , Yang Yang , Zhang Jincheng , An Dong , Han Huayu , Zhang Shaolin , Bai Tianyi
Published: June 2024

Most of the current crop row detection algorithms focus on extracting crop canopy rows as location information. However, for some high-pole crops, due to the transverse deviation of the position of the canopy and roots, the agricultural machinery can easily cause the wheel to crush the crop when it is automatically driven. In fact, it is more accurate to use the crop root row as the feature for its location calibration, so a method of crop root row detection is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the ROI (region of interest) of the crop canopy is extracted by a semantic segmentation algorithm, then crop canopy row detection lines are extracted by the horizontal strip division and the midpoint clustering method within the ROI. Next, the Crop Root Representation Learning Model learns the Representation of the crop canopy row and crop root row to obtain the Alignment Equation. Finally, the crop canopy row detection lines are modified according to the Alignment Equation parameters to obtain crop root row detection lines. The average processing time of a single frame image (960 × 540 pix) is 30.49 ms, and the accuracy is 97.1%. The research has important guiding significance for the intelligent navigation, tilling, and fertilization operation of agricultural machinery.
Sowing Date as a Factor Affecting Soybean Yield—A Case Study in Poland
Authors: Serafin-Andrzejewska Magdalena , Helios Waldemar , Białkowska Monika , Kotecki Andrzej , Kozak Marcin
Published: June 2024

Soybean is the crop of the future, especially for countries with a high demand for food and feed protein. Therefore, soybean cultivation is moving north to countries at higher latitudes, where temperatures, photoperiodism, and rainfall distribution are not always able to meet soybean requirements. The aim of this study was to evaluate three sowing dates as a factor influencing soybean cultivars yield and seed chemical composition in agroclimatic conditions of south-western Poland. In the years 2016–2019, a field experiment was conducted in Lower Silesia region, near Wroclaw, with three sowing dates: early (mid-April), 10-day delayed (at the turn of April and May), and 20-day delayed (first half of May), and two soybean cultivars: Merlin and Lissabon. In this location, soybean sowing is recommended in mid-April, possibly at the turn of April and May. The cultivars tested differed in yield and yield component values in the years of research, but generally, the Lissabon was better suited to local conditions. Results were discussed with findings of other domestic research, to investigate the problem of the soybean sowing date in Poland. The recommended sowing date for soybean was found to vary from region to region. These differences are due to the length of the growing season in each location and the varied adaptation of cultivars to the local climatic conditions.
Deep Learning-Based Super-Resolution Reconstruction and Segmentation of Photoacoustic Images
Authors: Jiang Yufei , He Ruonan , Chen Yi , Zhang Jing , Lei Yuyang , Yan Shengxian , Cao Hui
Published: June 2024

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is an emerging imaging technique that offers real-time, non-invasive, and radiation-free measurements of optical tissue properties. However, image quality degradation due to factors such as non-ideal signal detection hampers its clinical applicability. To address this challenge, this paper proposes an algorithm for super-resolution reconstruction and segmentation based on deep learning. The proposed enhanced deep super-resolution minimalistic network (EDSR-M) not only mitigates the shortcomings of the original algorithm regarding computational complexity and parameter count but also employs residual learning and attention mechanisms to extract image features and enhance image details, thereby achieving high-quality reconstruction of PAI. DeepLabV3+ is used to segment the images before and after reconstruction to verify the network reconstruction performance. The experimental results demonstrate average improvements of 19.76% in peak-signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and 4.80% in structural similarity index (SSIM) for the reconstructed images compared to those of their pre-reconstructed counterparts. Additionally, mean accuracy, mean intersection and union ratio (IoU), and mean boundary F1 score (BFScore) for segmentation showed enhancements of 8.27%, 6.20%, and 6.28%, respectively. The proposed algorithm enhances the effect and texture features of PAI and makes the overall structure of the image restoration more complete.
AST-PG: Attention-Based Spatial–Temporal Point-of-Interest-Group Model for Real-Time Point-of-Interest Recommendation
Authors: Yu Huarui , Cheng Zesheng
Published: June 2024

Research on next-point-of-interest (POI) recommendation has become a new focus in the field of POI recommendation in recent years. The goal of POI recommendation tasks is to predict a user’s future movement trajectory based on their current state and historical behavioral information. Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of neural network-based next-POI recommendation engines. However, most existing models only consider the correlation between consecutive visits, neglecting the complex dependencies of the POIs in the area and category features, as well as the processing of unstructured time series. This paper presents a new Attention-Based Spatial–Temporal Point-of-Interest-Group (AST-PG) model for POI recommendation. The model consists of a spatial module and a temporal module combined with each other by a multiple-attention mechanism. The spatial module in the proposed model groups the POIs based on geographic and category features, while the temporal module develops a uniform-length time trajectory vector for the unstructured temporal features. Comprehensive experimental results on two real datasets demonstrate that the proposed model of this study is superior to the state-of-the-art POI recommendation models in terms of performance.
Reliability Prediction for New Prefabricated Track Structures Based on the Fuzzy Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis Method
Authors: Huang Chao , Wu Jun , Shan Zhi , Wang Qing’e , Yu Zhiwu
Published: June 2024

This paper aims to address the problems of safety and durability in China’s ballastless track structures, particularly the lack of accurate analysis and methods for predicting the reliability of the new type of prefabricated track structure during the design phase. We propose a reliability prediction method for a new prefabricated track structure, the modular assembled track structure with built-in position retention. By adopting the fuzzy Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (fuzzy FMECA) method, a comprehensive assessment of fault severity, fault occurrence probability, and fault detection difficulty is conducted on the CRTS II slab track structure and the modular assembled track structure with built-in position retention. Consequently, a fault mode hazard assessment model for the new prefabricated track structure is constructed. Based on the assessment model and using a similar product method, a reliability prediction model for the new prefabricated track structure is established, and reliability prediction for the track structure is conducted. The research results indicate that the modular assembled track structure with built-in position retention has lower hazard levels and higher reliability compared to the CRTS II slab track structure. This study provides a scientific basis for the design optimization of new prefabricated track structures, helping to improve their safety and reliability, reduce operating and maintenance costs, and thereby promote the green and low-carbon development of the railway.
Analysis of Kinematic Variables According to Menstrual Cycle Phase and Running Intensity: Implications for Training Female Athletes
Authors: Domínguez-Muñoz Carolina , del Campo Juan , García Alberto , Guzmán José , Martínez-Gallego Rafael , Ramón-Llin Jesús
Published: June 2024

Depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, different values of running kinematic variables can be obtained. The aim of this study is to analyze whether there are changes in the kinematic variables in running throughout the menstrual cycle and to relate them to running performance and injury prevention. Eight regular female runners and triathletes performed a maximal treadmill test, as well as a submaximal test (6′ stages at 50%, 60% and 80% of maximal aerobic speed) in each of the phases of the menstrual cycle: menstruation phase (day 2.4 ± 0.7), follicular phase (day 10.4 ± 2.2) and luteal phase (day 21.8 ± 2.1). Running dynamics were measured using RunScribe. For parametric data, a general linear model of repeated measures was applied, with two intrasubject independent variables, menstrual cycle phases (with three levels: Menstruation, Follicular, and Luteal) and running intensity (with four levels relative to the maximum speed reached in the test: 100%, 80%, 60%, and 50%). For variables with non-normal distributions, Friedman tests were performed with Wilcoxon post-tests adjusted for significance according to Bonferroni. The maximum stance velocity from foot strike to the point of maximum pronation (°/s) was higher in the menstruation phase than in the follicular and luteal phases (p = 0.008), the step rate (s/min) was higher in the follicular phase than in the menstruation and luteal phases (p = 0.049), the vertical velocity (m/s) was lower in the follicular phase than in the menstruation (p = 0.004) and luteal phases (p = 0.003), and the contact time (ms) was lower in the luteal phase than in the menstruation and follicular phases. These results suggest that training at high intensities could be a factor in greater risk of injury in female athletes, especially in the menstruation phase, finding in the luteal phase and at an intensity of 80% a greater efficiency in the running.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Evaluation of Air Quality and Thermo-Hygrometric Conditions for the Conservation of Heritage Manuscripts and Printed Materials in Historic Buildings: A Case Study of the Sala del Dottorato of the University of Perugia as a Model for Heritage Preservation and Occupants’ Comfort
Authors: Moretti Elisa , Sciurpi Fabio , Proietti Maria Giulia , Fiore Monica
Published: June 2024

The Sala del Dottorato (Hall of Graduates) is a magnificent library in the University of Perugia which plays the double role of providing optimal conservation of valuable books and manuscripts while also hosting important events. This double role is closely connected to contrasting indoor microclimatic conditions. This paper presents the results of a multidisciplinary study, begun in 2019, which investigates optimal conditions for the conservation of volumes by monitoring thermo-hygrometric and air quality parameters. The study describes the current conditions of the Hall (in terms of air temperature, relative humidity and concentration of CO2), highlighting critical aspects, defining strategies for their mitigation and control, and outlining future developments. Improvement measures relate to the installation of a permanent monitoring system with alarm settings and data storage, technical interventions on the windows, and the restoration of several volumes. The paper shows the importance of monitoring as an instrument of control in real time and provides guidelines for management to be implemented according to indoor microclimatic conditions.
The Influence of Game-Related Statistics on the Final Results in FIBA Global and Continental Competitions
Authors: Komić Jasmin , Simović Slobodan , Čaušević Denis , Alexe Dan Iulian , Wilk Michal , Rani Babina , Alexe Cristina Ioana
Published: June 2024

Sport, particularly in the realm of professional competition, is a domain of human endeavor that is increasingly dependent on the use of analytical statistical information. Consequently, mathematics and statistics are becoming increasingly crucial elements in sports. Although experts recognize the importance of analytics in women’s basketball, the literature addressing this subject remains limited. The objective of this study is to employ quantitative methodologies to discover prevailing patterns in global women’s basketball representation. The entities examined in this article were the games contested during the 2021 Olympic Games, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2023 continental championships. Two regression models were created for the research, using thirteen standard variables observed in the game. The evaluation of the regression model was conducted using the stepwise regression method, incorporating dimensionality reduction based on the outcomes of factor analysis. Among the 14 models that were observed, 13 of them exhibited strong and moderate linkages, while only 1 displayed weak connections and lacked statistical significance. The primary factors that account for the disparity between winning and losing teams in games are primarily associated with shooting accuracy toward the basket. When examining individual championships, the percentage surpassed 50% in all cases except for AfroBasket. However, when considering the overall results, the significance of shooting rose to 86%. The variable representing offensive rebound efficiency had a significant influence on the outcome, being present in all individual competitions, whereas defensive rebound efficiency was only considered in the overall results.
Metabolic Rate Measuring with Indirect Calorimetry for Thermal Comfort Evaluation
Authors: Jin Rui , Liu Xianze , Zhang Huan , Ye Tianzhen , Zheng Wandong
Published: June 2024

The metabolic rate (MET) is a fundamental parameter influencing thermal comfort. In this paper, the MET is obtained by indirect calorimetry to propose equations and related laws applicable to the environment at an altitude of 4 m, so as to enrich the research. Here, experiments with 30 healthy male subjects are conducted at sitting, 2, 4, and 6 km/h walking speeds in various ambient environments controlled by the climate chamber. The MET, thermal sensation vote (TSV), and heart rate (HR) were collected during the experiments. The results indicate that the ambient environments have little impact on MET, but it is obvious for HR. The linear relationship between walking speed, HR, and MET is fitted to be MET = 28.38 × Speed + 62.25 and MET = 3.67 × HR − 195.56. Moreover, the TSV and five kinds of predicted mean vote (PMV) calculated by various sources of MET are compared. For sitting activity, a slight difference from the MET could cause a significant difference in PMV, which leads to the PMV that may be above, below, or close to the TSV. For the 2 km/h walking activity, five kinds of PMV are close to TSV. However, for the 4 km/h walking activity, PMV is always higher than TSV. These findings are significant in elucidating the relationship between MET and thermal comfort.
A Deep Learning Approach for Intrusion Detection Systems in Cloud Computing Environments
Authors: Aljuaid Wa’ad H. , Alshamrani Sultan S.
Published: June 2024

Cloud computing services have become indispensable to people’s lives. Many of their activities are performed through cloud services, from small companies to large enterprises and individuals to government agencies. It has enabled clients to use companies’ services on demand at the lowest cost anywhere, anytime, over the Internet. Despite these advantages, cloud networks are vulnerable to many types of attacks. However, as the adoption of cloud services accelerates, the risks associated with these services have also increased. For this reason, solutions have been implemented to improve cloud security, such as monitoring networks, the backbone of the cloud infrastructure, and detecting and classifying cyberattacks. Therefore, an intrusion detection system (IDS) is one of the essential defenses for detecting attacks in the cloud computing network. Current IDSs encounter some challenges in handling and simultaneously analyzing the large scale of traffic found in the cloud environment, and this affects the accuracy of cyberattack detection. Therefore, this research proposes a deep learning-based model by leveraging advanced convolutional neural networks (CNNs)-based model architecture to detect cyberattacks in the cloud environment efficiently. The proposed CNN-based model for intrusion detection consists of multiple significant stages: dataset collection, preprocessing, the SMOTE balance data strategy, feature selection, model training, testing, and performance evaluation. Experiments have demonstrated that the proposed model is highly effective in protecting cloud networks against various potential attacks. With over 98.67% accuracy, precision, and recall, the model has proven its ability to detect and classify network intrusions. Detailed analyses show that the model is proficient in securing cloud security measures and mitigating the risks associated with evolving security threats.
Enhancement of Three-Dimensional Computational Integral Imaging via Post-Processing with Visibility Coefficient Estimation
Authors: Cho Hyunji , Yoo Hoon
Published: June 2024

This paper introduces an enhancement technique for three-dimensional computational integral imaging by utilizing a post-processing method. Despite the advantages of computational integral imaging systems, the image quality of the systems can suffer from scattering artifacts due to occluding objects during image reconstruction. The occluding objects in out-of-focus locations, especially, can offer scattering artifacts to other objects at in-focus locations. In this study, we propose a novel approach to remove scattering artifacts in reconstructed images from computational integral imaging reconstruction (CIIR). Unlike existing methods such as synthetic aperture integral imaging systems with pre-processing methods, our technique focuses on a post-processing method to remove scattering artifacts. Here, the scattering artifacts are analyzed using a dehazing model with spectral analysis. To enhance the quality of reconstructed images, we introduce a visibility model and an estimation method for a visibility coefficient, a crucial parameter of the dehazing model. Our experimental results from computer simulations indicate that the proposed method is superior to existing computational integral imaging reconstruction (CIIR) methods.