bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Temporal Zn Fertilization along with Zn Solubilizing Bacteria in Enhancing Zinc Content, Uptake, and Zinc Use Efficiency in Wheat Genotypes and Its Implications for Agronomic Biofortification
Authors: Khalili Azizullah , Qayyum Abdul , Khan Sami Ullah , Ullah Iltaf , Khalofah Ahlam
Published: October 2023

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a vital cereal crop for food security in Pakistan. In Zn-deficient soils, its productivity and quality suffer, affecting grain yield, Zn bioavailability, and nutrition, which can lead to malnutrition. Field experiments were conducted using factorial randomized block design at the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) Tarnab, Peshawar, Pakistan to evaluate the impact of wheat genotypes (G1-TRB-72-311 synthetic hexaploid, G2-TRB-89-348 advanced line, and G3-Pirsabak-19-approved variety), Zn application methods (AM1: no Zn application, AM2: seed priming with 0.5% Zn, AM3: soil application of 10 kg ha−1 Zn, and AM4: foliar application of 0.5% Zn), and the experiment also explored the use of ZSB (BF1: with bacteria, BF0: without bacteria) to cope with Zn deficiency. The study revealed significant impacts on wheat’s Zn content, uptake, and nutrient efficiency, arising from genotypes variance, Zn application approaches, and ZSB. TRB-72-311 synthetic hexaploid genotype with 0.5% foliar Zn and ZSB excelled, enhancing grain (17.8%) and straw Zn (23.1%), increasing total Zn uptake (55.0%), reducing grain phytic acid (11.7%), and boosting Zn-related efficiencies in wheat. These results prompt further discussion regarding the potential implications for agricultural practices. In conclusion, utilizing the TRB-72-311 genotype with 0.5% foliar Zn application and ZSB enhances wheat’s Zn content, uptake, grain quality, and addresses malnutrition.
Anti-Drift Technology Progress of Plant Protection Applied to Orchards: A Review
Authors: Li Shaobo , Li Jianping , Yu Shaomeng , Wang Pengfei , Liu Hongjie , Yang Xin
Published: October 2023

In orchard plant protection application, an anti-drift strategy can effectively reduce drift in the non-target area, reduce spray drift in the environment, and avoid spray leakage and overspraying. To clarify the future development direction of orchard plant protection mechanization technology, this review introduces the development status of an anti-drift spray nozzle and the impact of different types of spray nozzles on the potential of drift, and then, it analyzes the research progress on air-assisted spraying, recycling spraying, profiling spraying, target variable spraying technologies, and plant protection UAVs. It also provides a general analysis of the above spraying technologies on the amount of drift and the impact of pesticide deposition. Finally, combined with the characteristics of orchard plant protection, the paper presents the research and development of anti-drift nozzles, pesticide adjuvant, air-assisted spraying technology, electrostatic, recycling spraying technology, profiling and target variable spraying technology, and plant protection UAVs. The review provides a reference for the development of an anti-drift strategy for orchard plant protection production.
A Real-Time Nut-Type Classifier Application Using Transfer Learning
Authors: Özçevik Yusuf
Published: October 2023

Smart environments need artificial intelligence (AI) at the moment and will likely utilize AI in the foreseeable future. Shopping has recently been seen as an environment needing to be digitized, especially for payment processes of both packaged and unpackaged products. In particular, for unpackaged nuts, machine learning models are applied to newly collected dataset to identify the type. Furthermore, transfer learning (TL) has been identified as a promising method to diminish the time and effort for obtaining learning models for different classification problems. There are common TL architectures that can be used to transfer learned knowledge between different problem domains. In this study, TL architectures including ResNet, EfficientNet, Inception, and MobileNet were used to obtain a practical nut-type identifier application to satisfy the challenges of implementing a classifier for unpackaged products. In addition to the TL models, we trained a convolutional neural network (CNN) model on a dataset including 1250 images of 5 different nut types prepared from online-available and manually captured images. The models are evaluated according to a set of parameters including validation loss, validation accuracy, and F1-score. According to the evaluation results, TL models show a promising performance with 96% validation accuracy.
Calibration of Viscous Damping–Stiffness Control Force in Active and Semi-Active Tuned Mass Dampers for Reduction of Harmonic Vibrations
Authors: Maślanka Marcin
Published: October 2023

Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are commonly used to mitigate vibrations in civil structures. There is a growing demand for new solutions that offer similar effectiveness as TMDs but with reduced mass. In this context, this paper investigates active (ATMD) and semi-active (STMD) tuned mass dampers with relative displacement and velocity feedback. The control force of the ATMD is assumed to be the sum of viscous damping and either positive or negative stiffness forces. This control force is calibrated for a specific parameter K such that the effectiveness of the ATMD in reducing harmonic vibrations matches that of the TMD with K times larger mass. The optimal calibration is derived based on the mathematical reformulation of an existing optimal acceleration feedback control algorithm. The control approach for the ATMD is then applied to the STMD. Subsequently, the sub-optimal STMD is analyzed, with a focus on its limitations arising from the clipping of active forces. Finally, the paper presents a calibration of the STMD using a numerical optimization method. It is demonstrated that the maximum achievable performance of the numerically optimized STMD matches that of the TMD with three times larger mass.
Design and Optimization of a Toothed-Plate Single-Roller Crushing Device for Waste Plastic Film
Authors: Guo Kai , Yang Hongguang , Cao Mingzhu , Shen Haiyang , Chen Xulei , Gu Fengwei , Wu Feng , Hu Zhichao
Published: October 2023

Waste plastic film often contains an abundance of impurities, such as crop stems and soil. To address this issue, a toothed-plate single-roller crushing device for waste plastic film was developed. By analyzing the movement and force pattern of the film, the feeding speed, the number of toothed plates, and the crushing roller rotation speed were used as test factors, and the size qualification rate and the impurity content of the crushed film were used as test indexes. Through a Box–Behnken test design, regression analysis, and ANOVA, a model between factors and indexes was established. The results showed that the size qualification rate and the impurity content of the crushed film were 82.55% and 9.57%, and the errors in the prediction and test values were 6.14% and 8.38%, which proved them to have good reliability. The findings of this study provide essential technical and equipment support for the resource recovery of waste plastic films.
Performance Analysis of Container Effect in Deep Learning Workloads and Implications
Authors: Park Soyeon , Bahn Hyokyung
Published: October 2023

Container-based deep learning has emerged as a cutting-edge trend in modern AI applications. Containers have several merits compared to traditional virtual machine platforms in terms of resource utilization and mobility. Nevertheless, containers still pose challenges in executing deep learning workloads efficiently with respect to resource usage and performance. In particular, multi-tenant environments are vulnerable to the performance of container-based deep learning due to conflicts of resource usage. To quantify the container effect in deep learning, this article captures various event traces related to deep learning performance using containers and compares them with those captured on a host machine without containers. By analyzing the system calls invoked and various performance metrics, we quantify the effect of containers in terms of resource consumption and interference. We also explore the effects of executing multiple containers to highlight the issues that arise in multi-tenant environments. Our observations show that containerization can be a viable solution for deep learning workloads, but it is important to manage resources carefully to avoid excessive contention and interference, especially for storage write-back operations. We also suggest a preliminary solution to avoid the performance bottlenecks of page-faults and storage write-backs by introducing an intermediate non-volatile flushing layer, which improves I/O latency by 82% on average.
The Influence of Spent Portable Battery Waste on the Aquatic Environment
Authors: Smical Irina , Muntean Adriana , Micle Valer , Sur Ioana Monica
Published: October 2023

Spent portable batteries belong to the category of hazardous waste, sometimes dumped together with non-hazardous municipal waste in landfills, resulting in various aquatic environments. Their presence in the aquatic environment leads to changes in its quality and its contamination with heavy metals or other toxic elements. This paper highlights the portable battery waste’s influence on the aquatic environment in stagnant conditions. Therefore, three types of batteries and three solutions with different pH values were used to represent the possible media existing in nature: acid (pH = 4.00), rainwater (pH = 5.63), and alkaline (pH = 8.00). After 180 days, the results showed changes in the chromatics and composition of the initial solutions. The analyses showed decreased pH, increased conductivity, and the transfer of several heavy metals into solutions (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Fe). Thus, there were slight exceedances of the maximum allowed values for water quality class I (Order no. 161/2006) in the case of Cu and Pb and higher exceedances in the case of Zn, Ni, and Fe. Zinc–carbon batteries stand out because of the release of Pb and Fe ions. The same applies to lithium manganese dioxide batteries because of Ni ions as well as zinc–manganese alloy batteries because of Cu and Zn ions. Altogether, the negative influence of spent batteries on the aquatic environment is noticed, and the measures for the implementation of safe disposal and processing are necessary.
Passive Films Formed on Fe- and Ni-Based Alloys in an Alkaline Medium: An Insight into Complementarities between Electrochemical Techniques and Near-Field Microscopies (AFM/SKPFM)
Authors: Benaioun N. E. , Moulayat N. , Hakiki N. E. , Ramdane H. , Denys E. , Florentin A. , Khodja K. D. , Heireche M. M. , Bubendorff J. L.
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the natural passivation process of two types of stainless steels (AISI 316 and AISI 304) and a nickel-based alloy (Inconel 600) as a function of immersion time in an alkaline medium. As shown by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), the oxide film growth on each substrate is only influenced by trenches formed during the polishing step and does not depend on the chemical composition. The evolution of EIS measurements is explained by this growth mode. After 3 days of immersion, the formed film constitutes a protective barrier against alloy dissolution, as shown by Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy (SKPFM).
Special Issue on Applications of Artificial Intelligence on Social Media
Authors: Wang Huan , Zhang Wen
Published: October 2023

The explosive expansion of social media platforms across the globe, including the likes of TikTok, WeChat, Twitter, and Facebook, has ushered in an era of unparalleled possibilities for individuals to forge connections and chronicle their social engagements [...]
Modeling and Testing for Slotted Disk Springs Considering Linearly Gradient Thickness and Friction
Authors: Du Xinxin , Sun Zengchun
Published: October 2023

The slotted disk spring has been widely used given its nonlinear characteristics. However, the number of studies on them is limited, and the influences of nonuniform thickness have not been investigated theoretically and experimentally. Additionally, the hysteresis caused by friction has been neglected in most studies. By introducing the symmetric friction condition and the dimensionless thickness variation parameter, the present study establishes a mathematical model for slotted disk springs with linearly graded thickness. By treating the slotted segment as a number of cantilever beams with both a linearly gradient thickness and width, a new analytical formula is developed to characterize the load–deflection of slotted disk springs based on the moment equilibrium equation. The proposed model allows the direct quantification of the influences of the thickness variation parameter and the symmetric friction condition on the load–deflection characteristics. To validate the proposed model, slotted disk springs with different parameter configurations are designed and tested. Comparisons between measured and theoretical results illustrate that the proposed model can effectively describe the load–deflection characteristics of slotted disk springs with both uniform thickness and linearly gradient thickness. Due to the hypothetic linear variable width of slotted segments, the proposed model has a better performance in predicting slotted disk springs with rectangular slots.
Analysis of Grinding Flow Field under Minimum Quantity Lubrication Condition
Authors: Ni Weihua , Ding Zishan , Sun Jian
Published: October 2023

The flow field around the grinding wheel prevents grinding fluid from entering the grinding area, which deteriorates machining conditions and reduces the quality of the workpiece. MQL (Minimum Quantity Lubrication) grinding uses compressed gas to improve the ability of the grinding fluid to pass through the flow field of the grinding wheel so that a small amount of the grinding fluid can meet the cooling and lubrication requirements and reduce the cost of using grinding fluid. In this study, we investigated the flow field of grinding wheels under MQL conditions and obtain the rules that influence factors such as grinding fluid flow rate, grinding wheel linear speed and compressed gas pressure affect the flow rate of grinding fluid. The simulation method was used to simulate the flow field of the grinding wheel and the trajectory of the grinding fluid droplets. The simulation results show that these factors are important ones affecting the effective flow rate of grinding fluid. Meanwhile, the experimental results verify that these factors have the same influence pattern on the effective flow rate and grinding temperature.
The Mechanical Properties of Functionally Graded Lattice Structures Derived Using Computer-Aided Design for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Top Neslihan , Şahin İsmail , Gökçe Harun
Published: October 2023

This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of Functionally Graded Lattice Structures (FGLSs) and to determine their industrial application possibilities through additive manufacturing. For this purpose, lattice structures with uniform and horizontal, vertical and radially graded configurations are designed using auxetic unit cells were fabricated with RGD720 photopolymer resin using Material Jetting. FGLSs are compared with uniform structures in regards with deformation behavior, structural strength and energy absorption. The results showed that the most significant deviation in the strut diameters of the uniform lattice structures was seen in the rotation lattice structure at 8.2%. The lowest deviation was seen in the chiral structure, which deviated by 5.4%. The lowest deviations (between 3.4% and 9%) in FGLSs were obtained in chiral structures. The highest relative density value (0.3049 g/cm3) among all configurations was observed in the vertically graded chiral structure. The lowest relative density value (0.1865 g/cm3) was obtained in uniform re-entrant structures. According to the compression test results, the highest compressive stress (2.61513 MPa) and elastic modulus (84.63192 MPa) were formed in the rotation structure. The maximum energy absorption capacity value (19.381 KJ) and the maximum specific energy absorption value (3649.905 KJ/kg) were obtained in the uniform chiral structure.
Feasibility Analysis of Online Uncertainty Metrics for PMU-Based State Estimation
Authors: Frigo Guglielmo , Grasso-Toro Federico
Published: October 2023

The ever-increasing penetration of renewable energy sources and distributed generation needs developing and deploying more sophisticated and precise control techniques. The paradigm shift from high-rotational inertia towards inverter-connected facilities has made modern power systems subject to strongly non-stationary operating conditions. In this context, phasor measurement units (PMUs) represent a promising solution due to their accuracy and time synchronization. The current paper further develops the concepts recently published proposing performance assessment of PMUs relying on metrics specifically defined to quantify the estimation accuracy, reporting latency, and response time. Our focus is on determining the confidence interval associated with these metrics and thus derive a robust approach for their application in measurement-based network controlling efforts. The configuration of the used simulation model is detailed, and the state estimation results as a function of the selected measurement weighing criteria are presented, concluding as a possible application of the reliability metrics in Weighted Least Squares and Discrete Kalman Filter state estimators, highlighting the performance enhancement as well as the theoretical limits of the proposed approach.
Optimizing Ambulance Allocation in Dynamic Urban Environments: A Historic Data-Driven Approach
Authors: Kang Seongho , Cheong Taesu
Published: October 2023

In this study, we present a methodology to solve the multi-period ambulance relocation problem based on historical data. We present a methodology to convert historical data in latitude–longitude coordinates into cell-based network data. Then, we propose a mixed-integer programming model that utilizes the converted data for the concomitant problem. Patient incidence is highly uncertain. Rather than simply covering historical demand, we propose a methodology that allows ambulances to reach as many locations as possible at any given time within a limited amount of time, the golden time. We experimented with real data from Seoul, South Korea, and show that the proposed mathematical model can derive an efficient ambulance operation policy with fewer ambulances.
The Reaction–Diffusion Models in Biomedicine: Highly Accurate Calculations via a Hybrid Matrix Collocation Algorithm
Authors: Izadi Mohammad , Srivastava Hari M.
Published: October 2023

A hybrid efficient and highly accurate spectral matrix technique is adapted for numerical treatments of a class of two-pint boundary value problems (BVPs) with singularity and strong nonlinearity. The underlying model is a reaction-diffusion equation arising in the modeling of biomedical, chemical, and physical applications based on the assumptions of Michaelis–Menten kinetics for enzymatic reactions. The manuscript presents a highly computational spectral collocation algorithm for the model combined with the quasilinearization method (QLM) to make the proposed technique more efficient than the corresponding direct spectral collocation algorithm. A novel class of polynomials introduced by S.K. Chatterjea is used in the spectral method. A detailed proof of the convergence analysis of the Chatterjea polynomials (ChPs) is given in the L2 norm. Different numerical examples for substrate concentrations with all values of parameters are performed for the case of planar and spherical shapes of enzymes. For validation, these results are compared with those obtained via wavelet-based procedures and the Adomian decomposition scheme. To further improve the approximate solutions obtained by the QLM–ChPs method, the technique of error correction is introduced and applied based on the concept of residual error function. Overall, the presented results with exponential convergence indicate that the QLM–ChPs algorithm is simple and flexible enough to be applicable in solving many similar problems in science and engineering.
Comparative Evaluation of Postoperative Facial Swelling and Occlusion in Orthognathic Treatment with Clear Aligners versus Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rosenberg Stacy Ann , Rossouw P. Emile , Barmak Basir A. , Michelogiannakis Dimitrios , Javed Fawad
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the postoperative facial swelling (FS) and occlusion attained with clear aligner therapy (CAT) and fixed orthodontic therapy (OT) after orthognathic surgery (OS). The focused question was “Is there a difference in postoperative FS and occlusion attained with CAT and fixed OT after OS?” Indexed databases were searched up to and including October 2023 using different keywords. Original clinical studies that compared postoperative FS and occlusion attained with CAT and fixed OT after OS were included. Risk of bias (RoB) and quality of evidence were also assessed. Four retrospective studies were included. One study reported no difference in postoperative FS among patients that underwent CAT or fixed OT after OS. In one study, patients treated with CAT demonstrated less FS in the first post-surgical week than individuals that underwent fixed OT. In one study, postoperative occlusion was comparable among patients that underwent CAT or fixed OT, whereas in another, postoperative occlusion was better in patients that underwent fixed OT than CAT. All studies had a moderate RoB and none of the investigations were based on power-adjusted data. Based upon the sparsity and questionable quality of available evidence, there is a need to render a firm conclusion. However, it seems that CAT and fixed OT are comparable in relation to postoperative occlusion and FS after OS.
DP-YOLO: Effective Improvement Based on YOLO Detector
Authors: Wang Chao , Wang Qijin , Qian Yu , Hu Yating , Xue Ying , Wang Hongqiang
Published: October 2023

YOLOv5 remains one of the most widely used real-time detection models due to its commendable performance in accuracy and generalization. However, compared to more recent detectors, it falls short in label assignment and leaves significant room for optimization. Particularly, recognizing targets with varying shapes and poses proves challenging, and training the detector to grasp such features requires expert verification or collective discussion during the dataset labeling process, especially in domain-specific contexts. While deformable convolutions offer a partial solution, their extensive usage can enhance detection capabilities but at the expense of increased computational effort. We introduce DP-YOLO, an enhanced target detector that efficiently integrates the YOLOv5s backbone network with deformable convolutions. Our approach optimizes the positive sample selection during label assignment, resulting in a more scientifically grounded process. Notably, experiments on the COCO benchmark validate the efficacy of DP-YOLO, which utilizes an image size of [640, 640], achieves a remarkable 41.2 AP, and runs at an impressive 69 fps on an RTX 3090. Comparatively, DP-YOLO outperforms YOLOv5s by 3.2 AP, with only a small increase in parameters and GFLOPSs. These results demonstrate the significant advancements made by our proposed method.
Experimental Study of the Influence of Stitched Nylon Threads in Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Two-Dimensional Multilayer Composite on Tensile Strength
Authors: Lira-Martinez Manuel Alejandro , Gaona-Tiburcio Citlalli , Almeraya-Calderon Facundo , Jaquez-Muñoz Jesus Manuel , Zalapa-Garibay Manuela Alejandra
Published: October 2023

Stitched filaments are known to modify the mechanical properties of glass-fiber-reinforced polymers 2D (GFRPs 2D), so studying the effect on mechanical properties is underway to determine the critical variables involved. This research focuses on the study of the tensile strength effect of stitched low-density Barkley FBA BGQS15-15 nylon monofilament on biaxial E-Glass Saertex 830 g/m2 (+/−45°) cured with Polyester Sypol Resin 8086 CCP using a vacuum infusion process. Four specimens were made with longitudinal distances between the stitched reinforcements of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cm, respectively. Tensile strength tests based on standard ASTM D3039 were performed to study how stitching can affect toughness, Young’s modulus, deformation, ultimate strength, and yield strength. The results indicated that the stitching increases Young’s modulus up to 99.2%, UTS is increased by up to +3.14%, deformation decreases by up to −41.66%, and toughness decreases by up to −36.89%. Although the stitching’s main function is to increase interlaminar resistance, it also induces the formation of stress concentrations by the new threads, and premature failure in the matrix was shown.
Social Network Characteristics and Depressive Symptoms of Italian Public Health Medical Residents: The Public Health Residents’ Anonymous Survey in Italy (PHRASI)
Authors: Stacchini Lorenzo , Catalini Alessandro , De Nicolò Valentina , Cosma Claudia , Gallinoro Veronica , Ancona Angela , Berselli Nausicaa , Caminiti Marta , Mazza Clara , Minutolo Giuseppa , Cedrone Fabrizio , Gianfredi Vincenza ,   on Behalf of the Working Group on Public Mental Health 2021/2022 of the Medical Residents’ Assembly of the Italian Society of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine
Published: October 2023

Despite the high impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social interactions and healthcare workers’ (HWs’) mental health, few studies have investigated the association between social network characteristics and HWs’ mental health, particularly during the pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to assess the associations between public health residents’ (PHRs’) social network characteristics and depression. We used data from the Public Health Residents’ Anonymous Survey in Italy (PHRASI), a nationwide cross-sectional study. Social network characteristics were self-reported. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Linear and logistic models adjusted for age, sex, physical activity, and alcohol were used. A moderation analysis by sex was also performed. A total of 379 PHRs participated in the survey (58% females, median age of 30 years). More peer-to-peer (odds ratio OR = 0.62 (0.47–0.83)) and supervisor support (OR = 0.49 (0.36–0.68)), more social participation ((OR) = 0.36 95% CI (0.25–0.50)), and having a partner (OR = 0.49 (0.25–0.96)) were significantly associated with a lower risk of clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Work-to-private-life interference was significantly associated with a higher risk of clinically relevant depressive symptoms (OR = 1.77 (1.28–2.45)). Promoting a supportive work environment and social participation as well as reducing work-to-private life interference can contribute to reducing the high burden among PHRs.
The Psychometric Properties and Effectiveness of the Approach-Avoidance Job Crafting Scale among Chinese Kindergarten Teachers
Authors: Lin Xiaoqing , Jiao Runkai , Li Feifei , Lu Di , Yin Hang , Jiang Xintong
Published: October 2023

Job crafting is an important concept associated with many positive outcomes, particularly for kindergarten teachers. Specifically, job crafting can play a key role in improving kindergarten teachers’ work experiences and reducing professional dysfunction, considering their stressful work environment. However, the existing scale that integrates the most accepted theories of job crafting—approach–avoidance theory—has not been examined for efficacy in a multicultural context. Thus, in this study, 1273 Chinese kindergarten teachers were selected as subjects to explore the psychological properties of the German version of the Approach-Avoidance Job Crafting Scale (AAJCS) within the Chinese culture context. The sample was randomly divided into two subsamples. In Sample 1 (N = 618), item analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted. In Sample 2 (N = 655), CFA, reliability, and criterion-related validity tests were conducted. The results showed that job crafting has two independent components, each containing four factors, and the third-order model had the best fit. The reliability and validity of the scale were good, suggesting that AAJCS is an appropriate tool for measuring job crafting in a kindergarten population. Future research is needed to test the validity and reliability of the AAJCS on other populations.
Assessing Stigma towards Mental Illness in Relation to Demographics Attitudes and Past Experiences among Pharmacy Students in a Jordanian University Sample
Authors: Bazzari Amjad H. , Bazzari Firas H.
Published: October 2023

Stigma towards mental illness poses a significant risk for negative mental health outcomes. Efforts have been undertaken to mitigate self-stigma and stigmatizing behaviors among the public; however, few have considered stigma among healthcare providers, including pharmacists. This study aimed to assess the level of stigma towards mental illness, using the 15-item version of the Opening Minds Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC), and associated factors among pharmacy students and was conducted via a printed questionnaire. A total of 125 students participated and the mean total stigma score was 47.9 with 58.4% of the participants scoring above 45, the midpoint of the possible range of scores. The stigma score was independent of participant demographics, except for grade point average. Higher total stigma scores were observed among subjects who have been prescribed a neuropsychiatric drug before, those who believe that pharmacists should have a role in mental healthcare, those who believe that pharmacists are qualified enough to provide mental health support, and those who are willing to seek help from a pharmacist. The results indicate an overall high stigma score among pharmacy students, which highlights the importance of enhancing pharmacy students’ awareness and knowledge regarding mental healthcare through incorporating additional courses and/or training programs in pharmacy education curricula.
A Statistical Analysis of Energy Consumption Survey of Public Buildings in a Hot Summer and Cold Winter Coastal Zone of China
Authors: Gong Xuemei , Li Yixuan , Cai Junwei , Ma Zhenjun , He Siyuan , Pan Benben , Lei Xiaoyu
Published: October 2023

Public buildings consume the largest proportion of total energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in the building sector of China. Enhancing building energy efficiency becomes a necessary way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy waste. In this study, 10-year real data from 2000 buildings covering five different types of public buildings in a hot summer and cold winter zone in eastern coastal China were investigated to analyze energy-saving potential (ESP) and the impacts of various influencing factors on building energy performance. The concept of energy consumption limit (ECL) was proposed and used for identifying high energy-consuming buildings and the calculation of ESP. Hotels, shopping malls, and office buildings were the top three types of buildings with high ESP. ESP for the high energy-consuming buildings based on the benchmark limits was more than 18%, and that for three-star hotels and shopping malls was 51%. In addition, a correlation analysis between energy consumption and influencing factors was carried out, which laid the foundation for the development of building energy performance assessment and diagnosis tools.
Estimation of Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Potential Based on High-Resolution Images and Digital Surface Models
Authors: Hu Mengjin , Liu Zhao , Huang Yaohuan , Wei Mengju , Yuan Bo
Published: October 2023

Buildings are important components of urban areas, and the construction of rooftop photovoltaic systems plays a critical role in the transition to renewable energy generation. With rooftop solar photovoltaics receiving increased attention, the problem of how to estimate rooftop photovoltaics is under discussion; building detection from remote sensing images is one way to address it. In this study, we presented an available approach to estimate a building’s rooftop solar photovoltaic potential. A rapid and accurate rooftop extraction method was developed using object-based image classification combining normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and digital surface models (DSMs), and a method for the identification of suitable rooftops for solar panel installation by analysing the geographical restrictions was proposed. The approach was validated using six scenes from Beijing that were taken using Chinese Gaofen-2 (GF-2) satellite imagery and Pleiades imagery. A total of 176 roofs in six scenarios were suitable for PV installation, and the estimated photovoltaic panel area was 205,827 m2. The rooftop photovoltaic potential was estimated to total 22,551 GWh. The results indicated that the rooftop photovoltaic potential estimation method performs well.
Ferritin Is Secreted from Primary Cultured Astrocyte in Response to Iron Treatment via TRPML1-Mediated Exocytosis
Authors: Yu Xiaoqi , Xiao Zhixin , Xie Junxia , Xu Huamin
Published: October 2023

Impaired iron homeostasis has been proven to be one of the critical contributors to the pathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Ferritin is considered an intracellular protein responsible for storing cytosolic iron. Recent studies have found that ferritin can be secreted from cells independent of the classical endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi system. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the secretion of ferritin in the brain were not elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrated that the primary cultured astrocytes do have the ability to secrete ferritin, which is enhanced by iron treatment. Increased ferritin secretion was accompanied by increased protein expression of ferritin response to iron stimulation. Further study showed that iron-induced expression and secretion of ferritin could be inhibited by CQ or 3-MA pretreatment. In addition, the knockdown of transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) antagonized iron-induced ferritin secretion, accompanied by further increased intracellular protein levels of ferritin. Further study demonstrated that ferritin colocalized with LAMP1 in iron-treated astrocytes. On the contrary, ras-associated protein 27a (Rab27a) knockdown further enhanced iron-induced ferritin secretion and decreased intracellular protein levels of ferritin. Furthermore, we also showed that the secretory autophagy protein tripartite motif containing 16 (TRIM16) and sec22b decreased in iron-treated astrocytes. These results suggested that astrocytes might secrete ferritin via TRPML1-mediated exocytosis. This provides new evidence for the mechanisms underlying the secretion of ferritin in primary cultured astrocytes under a high iron environment.
Circulating Tumour DNA as Biomarker for Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wullaert Lissa , van Rees Jan M. , Martens John W. M. , Verheul Henk M. W. , Grünhagen Dirk J. , Wilting Saskia M. , Verhoef Cornelis
Published: October 2023

Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is a potential biomarker that could contribute to more judicious patient selection for personalised treatment. This review and meta-analysis gives an overview of the current knowledge in the literature investigating the value of ctDNA in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases for studies published prior to the 26th of May 2023. Studies investigating the association between ctDNA and oncological outcomes in patients undergoing curative-intent local therapy for CRLM were included. Meta-analyses were performed to pool hazard ratios (HR) for the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). A total of eleven studies were included and nine were eligible for meta-analyses. Patients with detectable ctDNA after surgery experienced a significantly higher chance of recurrence (HR 3.12, 95% CI 2.27–4.28, p < 0.000010) and shorter OS (HR 5.04, 95% CI 2.53–10.04, p < 0.00001) compared to patients without detectable ctDNA. A similar association for recurrence was found in patients with detectable ctDNA after the completion of adjuvant therapy (HR 6.39, 95% CI 2.13–19.17, p < 0.0009). The meta-analyses revealed no association between detectable ctDNA before surgery and the RFS and OS. These meta-analyses demonstrate the strong association between detectable ctDNA after treatment and oncological outcomes in CRLM patients.
Study of [Bmim]Cl/LiCl Co-Solvent Dissolution of Waste Wool
Authors: Wang Ming , Zhang Ge , Zhou Jinli , Cao Hanrui , Zheng Junjie , Jing Huan , Du Lixin
Published: October 2023

Waste wool was subjected to dissolution using an ionic liquid solvent, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole chloride salt ([Bmim]Cl), with lithium chloride (LiCl) as an additive. This study’s objective was to examine the impact of LiCl on keratin’s solubility in [Bmim]Cl and characterise the structure and properties of keratin post-dissolution and regeneration. The results indicated that LiCl exhibits efficient solubility in [Bmim]Cl, enhancing keratin dissolution. Investigations employing Infrared, XRD and small-angle X-scattering spectroscopy, along with SDS-PAGE, demonstrated a degradation of the α-helical keratin structure during the dissolution process. This was accompanied by a reduction in molecular weight; however, keratin retained its protein nature. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) results revealed that keratin could proliferate on the slide surface or establish a continuous film. An integrative analysis suggested that wool protein macromolecules could be deconstructed by [Bmim]Cl and LiCl actions, inducing minor structural alterations in wool. This study proposes a groundwork for future research into keratin’s adsorption behaviour on textile materials, without significantly modifying the wool keratin structure or function.
Analytical Performance and Concordance with Next-Generation Sequencing of a Rapid, Multiplexed dPCR Panel for the Detection of DNA and RNA Biomarkers in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Cabrera Kerri , Gole Jeffrey , Leatham Bryan , Springer Matthew J. , Smith Molly , Herdt Leah , Jacky Lucien , Brown Bradley A.
Published: October 2023

FDA approval of targeted therapies for lung cancer has significantly improved patient survival rates. Despite these improvements, barriers to timely access to biomarker information, such as nucleic acid input, still exist. Here, we report the analytical performance and concordance with next-generation sequencing (NGS) of a highly multiplexed research-use-only (RUO) panel using digital PCR (dPCR). The panel’s analytical sensitivity and reactivity were determined using contrived DNA and RNA mixes. The limit of blank was established by testing FFPE curls classified as negative by pathology. Concordance was established on 77 FFPE samples previously characterized using the Oncomine Precision Assay®, and any discordant results were resolved with Archer Fusionplex® and Variantplex® panels. The analytical sensitivity, reported as the estimated mutant allele fraction (MAF), for DNA targets ranged from 0.1 to 0.9%. For RNA targets (ALK, RET, ROS, NTRK 1/2/3 Fusions, and MET Exon 14 skipping alteration), the analytical sensitivity ranged from 23 to 101 detected counts with 5 ng of total RNA input. The population prevalence-based coverage ranged from 89.2% to 100.0% across targets and exceeded 99.0% in aggregate. The assay demonstrated >97% concordance with respect to the comparator method.
Serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone Levels Might Indicate Premenopausal Endometrial Lesions
Authors: Yao Yingsha , Shi Liujing , Zhu Xiaoming
Published: October 2023

Background: Endometrial proliferative lesions (EPL) usually refer to endometrial hyperplasia (EH) and endometrial cancer (EC). Among patients with premenopausal EPL who wish to preserve their fertility, only those with EH and early-stage EC have the possibility to undergo fertility preservation therapy. However, there is currently a lack of specific and reliable screening criteria and models for identifying these patients. Methods: This study utilized a retrospective diagnostic study design. The training set included medical record information that met the criteria between August 2017 and October 2022, while the validation set consisted of medical record information that met the criteria from November 2022 to May 2023. The endometrial pathological test served as the gold standard. The serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level before endometrial sampling and a regression model were employed to predict EPL. Results: The study included a total of 1209 patients with PCOS (1119 in the control group and 90 in the endometrial proliferative lesion group) and 5366 women without PCOS (5249 in the control group and 117 in the proliferative lesion group). In the case of PCOS patients aged 20–39 years, the most effective screening threshold for AMH was found to be a serum AMH level of ≤5.39 ng/mL. The model used for this group was logit(p) = −2.562 − 0.430 × AMH + 0.127 × BMI + 1.512 × hypertension + 0.956 × diabetes −1.145 × regular menstruation. On the other hand, for non-PCOS women aged 20–39 years, the optimal screening threshold for AMH was determined to be a serum AMH value of ≤2.18 ng/mL. The model used for this group was logit(p) = −3.778 − 0.823 × AMH + 0.176 × BMI + 2.660 × diabetes −1.527 × regular menstruation −1.117 × dysmenorrhea. It is important to note that all of these findings have successfully passed internal verification. Conclusion: For PCOS and non-PCOS women aged 20–39 years, the serum AMH test and related multiple regression models were obtained for the warning of EPL.
High-Frequency Ultrasound Imaging to Distinguish High-Risk and Low-Risk Dermatofibromas
Authors: Li Danhua , Yang Feiyue , Zhao Yang , Wang Qiao , Ren Weiwei , Sun Liping , Shan Dandan , Qin Chuan
Published: October 2023

Background: Dermatofibroma has various pathological classifications, some of which pose a risk of recurrence and metastasis. Distinguishing these high-risk dermatofibromas based on appearance alone can be challenging. Therefore, high-frequency ultrasound may provide additional internal information on these lesions, helping to identify high-risk and low-risk dermatofibroma early. Methods: In this retrospective study, 50 lesions were analyzed to explore the correlation between clinical and high-frequency ultrasound features and dermatofibroma risk level. Based on their pathological features, the lesions were divided into high-risk (n = 17) and low-risk (n = 33) groups. Subsequently, an identification model based on significant high-frequency ultrasound features was developed. Results: Significant differences were observed in the thickness, shape, internal echogenicity, stratum basal, and Doppler vascular patterns between the high-risk and low-risk groups. The median lesion thickness for the high-risk dermatofibroma group was 4.1 mm (IQR: 3.2–6.1 mm), while it was 3.1 mm (IQR: 1.3–4.2 mm) for the low-risk dermatofibroma group. In the high-risk dermatofibroma group, irregular morphology was predominant (70.6%, 12/17), the most common being dermis-to-subcutaneous soft tissue penetration (64.7%, 11/17), and heterogenous internal echogenicity was observed in the majority of cases (76.5%, 13/17). On the other hand, regular morphology was more prevalent in the low-risk dermatofibroma group (78.8%, 26/33), primarily limited to the dermis layer (78.8%, 26/33), with homogeneous internal echogenicity also being prevalent in the majority of cases (81.8%, 27/33). Regarding the Doppler vascularity pattern, 69.7% (23/33) of low-risk dermatofibromas had no blood flow, while 64.7% (11/17) of high-risk dermatofibromas had blood flow. Conclusion: High-frequency ultrasound is crucial in distinguishing high-risk and low-risk dermatofibromas, making it invaluable for clinical management.
Flow Sorting, Whole Genome Amplification and Next-Generation Sequencing as Combined Tools to Study Heterogeneous Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Fardoos Rabiah , Christensen Claus , Øbro Nina Friesgaard , Overgaard Ulrik Malthe , Als-Nielsen Bodil , Madsen Hans Ole , Marquart Hanne Vibeke
Published: October 2023

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods have been introduced for immunoglobulin (IG)/T-cell receptor (TR) gene rearrangement analysis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoma (LBL). These methods likely constitute faster and more sensitive approaches to analyze heterogenous cases of ALL/LBL, yet it is not known whether gene rearrangements constituting low percentages of the total sequence reads represent minor subpopulations of malignant cells or background IG/TR gene rearrangements in normal B-and T-cells. In a comparison of eight cases of B-cell precursor ALL (BCP-ALL) using both the EuroClonality NGS method and the IdentiClone multiplex-PCR/gene-scanning method, the NGS method identified between 29% and 139% more markers than the gene-scanning method, depending on whether the NGS data analysis used a threshold of 5% or 1%, respectively. As an alternative to using low thresholds, we show that IG/TR gene rearrangements in subpopulations of cancer cells can be discriminated from background IG/TR gene rearrangements in normal B-and T-cells through a combination of flow cytometry cell sorting and multiple displacement amplification (MDA)-based whole genome amplification (WGA) prior to the NGS. Using this approach to investigate the clonal evolution in a BCP-ALL patient with double relapse, clonal TR rearrangements were found in sorted leukemic cells at the time of second relapse that could be identified at the time of diagnosis, below 1% of the total sequence reads. These data emphasize that caution should be exerted when interpreting rare sequences in NGS experiments and show the advantage of employing the flow sorting of malignant cell populations in NGS clonality assessments.
The Role of Luminal Apposing Metal Stents on the Treatment of Malignant and Benign Gastric Outlet Obstruction
Authors: Rimbaș Mihai , Lau Kar Wai , Tripodi Giulia , Rizzatti Gianenrico , Larghi Alberto
Published: October 2023

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a clinical syndrome traditionally managed by surgical gastrojejunostomy or enteral stenting. The surgical approach is burdened with a high rate of adverse events (AEs), while enteral stenting has a limited long-term clinical effectiveness, with the need for repeat procedures. The availability of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) has resulted a shift in the treatment paradigm of GOO. Indeed, endoscopists are now able to create a stable anastomosis between the stomach and small bowel under endosonographic guidance. EUS-guided gastro-enteroanastomosis (EUS-GE) has the theoretical advantage of a durable luminal patency resulting from stent placement away from the site of obstruction, free from surgical-related AEs. This approach could be especially valuable in terminally ill patients with a limited life expectancy. The present paper reviews procedural techniques and clinical outcomes of EUS-GE in the context of both malignant and benign GOOs.