bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex difference in the associations among risk factors with depression in a large Taiwanese population study
Authors: Tseng Hsin , Lee Jia-In , Geng Jiun-Hung , Chen Szu-Chia
Published: March 2023

Background

Depression is a common psychiatric health issue affecting an estimated 5% of adults worldwide, and it can lead to disability and increased economic burden. Consequently, identifying the factors associated with depression as early as possible is a vital issue. The aim of this study was to explore these associations in a large cohort of 121,601 Taiwanese participants in the Taiwan Biobank, and also to identify sex differences in the associations.

Methods

The study cohort included 77,902 women and 43,699 men (mean age, 49.9 ± 11.0 years), who were further classified into those with depression (n = 4,362; 3.6%) and those without depression (n = 117,239; 96.4%).

Results

The results of multivariable analysis showed that female sex (vs. male sex; odds ratio = 2.578; 95% confidence interval = 2.319–2.866; p < 0.001) was significantly associated with depression. Older age, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, low systolic blood pressure (SBP), smoking history, living alone, low glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high triglycerides, and low uric acid were significantly associated with depression in the men. In the women, older age, DM, hypertension, low SBP, smoking history, alcohol history, education level of middle and high school (vs. lower than elementary school), living alone, high body mass index (BMI), menopause, low HbA1c, high triglycerides, high total cholesterol, low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and low uric acid were significantly associated with depression. Further, there were significant interactions between sex and DM (p = 0.047), smoking history (p < 0.001), alcohol use (p < 0.001), BMI (p = 0.022), triglyceride (p = 0.033), eGFR (p = 0.001), and uric acid (p = 0.004) on depression.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results showed sex differences in depression, and the women were significantly associated with depression compared to men. Furthermore, we also found sex differences among the risk factors associated with depression.
Occupational low back pain prevention capacity of nurses in China: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Qianru , Liu Xue , Lin Huijing , Sun Yu , Geng Li , Lyu Yongli , Wang Mengna
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Nurses have a high prevalence of occupational low back pain, especially since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased the nurses' workloads. It has brought a huge burden on nurses and their professional development. Nurses' occupational low back pain prevention capacity is the logical starting point and core of interventions to prevent its occurrence. To date, there is no study investigating it with a scientific scale. Therefore, a multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the current status of nurses' capacity in occupational low back pain prevention and its influencing factors in China.

Methods

Using a two-stage, purposive and convenience mixed sampling method, 1331 nurses from 8 hospitals across 5 provinces (Hubei, Zhejiang, Shandong, Henan, and Sichuan) in the southern, western, northern, and central areas of mainland China were involved in this study. The demographic questionnaire and occupational low back pain prevention behavior questionnaire were used for data collection. The descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, and multiple stepwise linear regression were used for data analysis.

Results

The results showed that the occupational low back pain prevention behavior questionnaire score was 89.00 (80.00, 103.00) [M (Q1, Q3)], which indicated that nurses' ability was at a moderate level. Participation in prevention training before, perceived stress at work, and working hours per week were predictors for nurses' occupational low back pain prevention capacity.

Discussion

To improve nurses' prevention ability, nursing managers should organize various training programs, strengthen regulations to reduce nurses' workload and stress, provide a healthy workplace, and offer incentives to motivate nurses.
ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale score as the predictor of all-cause mortality in Poland and Czechia
Authors: Kozela Magdalena , Pająk Andrzej , Szafraniec Krystyna , Ayuso-Mateos José Luis , Bobak Martin , Lu Wentian , Pikhart Hynek , Polak Maciej , Sanchez-Niubo Albert , Stepaniak Urszula , Haro Josep Maria
Published: March 2023

Background

The ATHLOS consortium (Aging Trajectories of Health–Longitudinal Opportunities and Synergies) used data from several aging cohorts to develop a novel scale measuring healthy aging comprehensively and globally (ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale). In the present study, we assessed the predictive performance of the ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale for all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

Data from the Polish and Czech HAPIEE (Health Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe) prospective cohorts were used. There were 10,728 Poles and 8,857 Czechs recruited. The ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale score was calculated for all participants using data from the baseline examination carried out from 2002 to 2005. The follow-up for all-cause mortality was completed over 14 years. The associations between quintiles of the ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale and all-cause mortality were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

A total of 9,922 Polish and 8,518 Czech participants contributed ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale and mortality data with 1,828 and 1,700 deaths, respectively. After controlling for age, the ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale score was strongly associated with mortality in a graded fashion for both genders and countries (hazard ratios for lowest vs. highest quintile were 2.98 and 1.96 for Czech and Polish women and 2.83 and 2.66 for Czech and Polish men, respectively). The associations were only modestly attenuated by controlling for education, economic activity, and smoking, and there was further modest attenuation after additional adjustment for self-rated health.

Conclusion

The novel ATHLOS Healthy Aging Scale is a good predictor of all-cause mortality in Central European urban populations, suggesting that this comprehensive measure is a useful tool for the assessment of the future health trajectories of older persons.
Untreated substance use disorder affects glycemic control: Results in patients with type 2 diabetes served within a network of community-based healthcare centers in Florida
Authors: Horigian Viviana E. , Schmidt Renae D. , Duan Rui , Parras Daniel , Chung-Bridges Katherine , Batycki Jacob N. , Espinoza Kevin , Taghioff Peyman , Gonzalez Sophia , Davis Carly , Feaster Daniel J.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Patients with diabetes and comorbid substance use disorders (SUD) experience poor diabetes management, increased medical complications and mortality. However, research has documented that patients engaged in substance abuse treatment have better management of their comorbid conditions. The current study examines diabetes management among patients with type 2 diabetes, with and without comorbid SUD, receiving care at Florida-based Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) of Health Choice Network (HCN).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted using deidentified electronic health records of 37,452 patients with type 2 diabetes who received care at a HCN site in Florida between 2016 and 2019. A longitudinal logistic regression analysis examined the impact of SUD diagnosis on achievement of diabetes management [HbA1c < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol)] over time. A secondary analysis evaluated, within those with an SUD diagnosis, the likelihood of HbA1c control between those with and without SUD treatment.

Results

The longitudinal assessment of the relationship between SUD status and HbA1c control revealed that those with SUD (N = 6,878, 18.4%) were less likely to control HbA1c over time (OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.49–0.63). Among those with SUD, patients engaged in SUD treatment were more likely to control HbA1c (OR = 5.91; 95% CI = 5.05–6.91).

Discussion

Findings highlight that untreated SUD could adversely affect diabetes control and sheds light on the opportunity to enhance care delivery for patients with diabetes and co-occurring SUD.
COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients after 2 years of pandemic: Outcome and impact of antiviral treatments in a single-center study
Authors: Pinchera Biagio , Buonomo Antonio Riccardo , Trucillo Emilia , Susini Stefano , D’Agostino Alessia , Di Filippo Isabella , Tanzillo Anastasia , Villari Riccardo , Carrano Rosa , Troisi Roberto Ivan , Gentile Ivan
Published: March 2023

More than 2 years after the pandemic, the availability of vaccination and the use of monoclonal antibodies and direct antivirals have changed the fate of COVID-19, allowing for a better management of the disease, reducing hospitalization rates, and improving survival. This study aims to describe the outcome of COVID-19 in a cohort of solid organ transplant recipients and the impact of novel antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study. We enrolled solid organ transplant recipients with COVID-19 attending the A.O.U. Federico II of Naples and followed up from January 2022 to July 2022. We enrolled 40 SOTs with COVID-19. Our experience highlights the favorable impact of therapies with antivirals and monoclonal antibodies in the early stages of COVID-19. Interesting data concern the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on COVID-19, in particular the role of Mycophenolate (associated with deterioration to severe COVID-19) and Everolimus (protective for progression to severe disease) needs to be investigated. Our experience also confirms the fundamental role of vaccination and in particular the importance of the booster dose.
Bioponics: The Next Revolution in Soilless Agriculture
Authors: Vanacore Lucia , Cirillo Chiara
Published: March 2023

Our food system is slowly becoming more environmentally friendly in response to global challenges such as climate change, the environmental damage caused by intensive agriculture, the increasing human population, and the growth of cities. Soilless agriculture, which involves growing plants without the use of soil, is a unique type of environmentally friendly food-production system. There are several soilless agriculture techniques, including bioponics. Bioponics is a new technique that aims to replace chemical fertilizers with organic or natural ones. These environmentally friendly fertilizers are recycled from plant- or animal-based waste materials, through the activity of microorganisms like bacteria. Therefore, bioponics is a sustainable method of producing fruits and vegetables, as it not only limits the use of chemical fertilizers but also conserves water and land resources and recycles important nutrients.
How Has Our Climate Changed Already?
Authors: Sarkar Ria , Orth Rene , Vogel Martha M.
Published: March 2023

It is easy to recognize that Earth’s climate is changing. Scientists agree that the climate changes they observe are mostly caused by humans, primarily due to the greenhouse gases emitted by the burning of fossil fuels. Climate change has severe consequences—it leads to glaciers melting; sea levels rising; increased numbers of dangerous heatwaves, wildfires and droughts; decrease yields from food crops; and loss of ecosystems. We can monitor changes in Earth’s climate by tracking the global average temperature. In this article, we will introduce the concept of climate and discuss how Earth’s climate has changed in the past decades. We conclude with an explanation of the Paris Agreement, a treaty that nations have created to work together to limit global warming and to avoid the most dangerous of its impacts.
Coordinated inauthentic behavior: An innovative manipulation tactic to amplify COVID-19 anti-vaccine communication outreach via social media
Authors: Murero Monica
Published: March 2023

Coordinated inauthentic behavior (CIB) is a manipulative communication tactic that uses a mix of authentic, fake, and duplicated social media accounts to operate as an adversarial network (AN) across multiple social media platforms. The article aims to clarify how CIB's emerging communication tactic “secretly” exploits technology to massively harass, harm, or mislead the online debate around crucial issues for society, like the COVID-19 vaccination. CIB's manipulative operations could be one of the greatest threats to freedom of expression and democracy in our society. CIB campaigns mislead others by acting with pre-arranged exceptional similarity and “secret” operations. Previous theoretical frameworks failed to evaluate the role of CIB on vaccination attitudes and behavior. In light of recent international and interdisciplinary CIB research, this study critically analyzes the case of a COVID-19 anti-vaccine adversarial network removed from Meta at the end of 2021 for brigading. A violent and harmful attempt to tactically manipulate the COVID-19 vaccine debate in Italy, France, and Germany. The following focal issues are discussed: (1) CIB manipulative operations, (2) their extensions, and (3) challenges in CIB's identification. The article shows that CIB acts in three domains: (i) structuring inauthentic online communities, (ii) exploiting social media technology, and (iii) deceiving algorithms to extend communication outreach to unaware social media users, a matter of concern for the general audience of CIB-illiterates. Upcoming threats, open issues, and future research directions are discussed.
Fertilizers for food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa: An overview of soil health implications
Authors: Dimkpa Christian , Adzawla William , Pandey Renu , Atakora Williams K. , Kouame Anselme K. , Jemo Martin , Bindraban Prem S.
Published: March 2023

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces chronic food insecurity associated with soil degradation and the peculiar aftermath of climate change and exacerbated by rising population and historically poor agricultural practices. Notably, use of mineral fertilizers has the potential to counteract soil degradation in SSA; it drives an increased agricultural production required to feed the rising population while sustaining the quality and health of soils. However, limited financial resources deprive SSA of the promise of fertilizers, wherein application rates are historically low, and regimes are characterized by unbalanced nutrient composition and poor fertilizer quality. Although current global fertilizer use is generally characterized by low efficiency, SSA is most affected due to the already low usage and the quality of available fertilizer products. About 70% of fertilizer-nitrogen is lost through unregulated transformation to ammonia, nitrous oxide, and nitrate that are either volatilized or emitted into the atmosphere or leached into water bodies. Similarly, the preponderance of fertilizer-phosphorus is lost via run-off and leaching, unavailing it to plants while overloading streams and rivers and, together with nitrate, causing eutrophication. These environmental problems are accentuated in SSA where fertilizer quantity and quality issues are already a limiting factor. Notably, recent advances happening outside of SSA indicate that nutrients, when strategically formulated, such as by nano packaging, (bio)polymer encapsulation, and tunable to respond to environmental cues, can provide multiple outcomes, particularly, healthy soils with higher productivity. Therefore, presumably, a proper synthesis of the gamut of soil properties influencing plant nutrient release and availability, options for plant exposure and uptake is critical for realizing these benefits in SSA. Despite these possibilities, there is a lack of deeper context on fertilizer-related issues as they affect food and nutrition security and the health of soils in SSA. This paper provides an overview of the fertilizer-nutrient and associated agronomic, food insecurity and soil environmental challenges and opportunities, which though not exclusive to SSA per se, can be reasoned with the peculiarity of the region. This provides the impetus to increase fertilizer use efficiency, improve soil and environmental health, sustainable crop production, and food and nutrition security in SSA.
Numerical modeling of solar wind and coronal mass ejection in the inner heliosphere: A review
Authors: Zhang Man , Feng Xueshang , Li Huichao , Xiong Ming , Shen Fang , Yang Liping , Zhao Xinhua , Zhou Yufen , Liu Xiaojing
Published: March 2023

The predictions of plasma parameters in the interplanetary medium are the core of space weather forecasts, and the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) numerical simulation is an important tool in the prediction of plasma parameters. Operational space weather forecasts are commonly produced by a heliosphere model whose inner boundary is set at 18 Rs or beyond. Such predictions typically use empirical/physics-based inner boundary conditions to solve the MHD equations for numerical simulation. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the numerical modeling of the inner heliosphere. In this paper, the numerical modeling of solar wind and coronal mass ejection in the inner heliosphere is reviewed. In particular, different inner boundary conditions used in the simulation are investigated since the MHD solutions are predetermined by the treatment of the inner boundary conditions to a large extent. Discussion is made on further development of the heliosphere model.
A cross-sectional study of Canadian children's valuation of literacies across social contexts
Authors: Bremer Emily , Jefferies Philip , Cairney John , Kriellaars Dean
Published: March 2023

Background

Children, on average, do not engage in sufficient physical activity to reap the physical, mental, and social health benefits. Understanding the value that children place on movement across social contexts, and the relative ranking of this valuation, may help us to understand and intervene on activity levels.

Method

This exploratory study examined the valuation of reading/writing, math, and movement across three social contexts (school, home, with friends) among children 6–13 years of age (N = 7,845; 51.3% male). Subjective task values across contexts were assessed with the valuing literacies subscale of the PLAYself. One-way Kruskal-Wallis ANOVAs were performed to test for differences between contexts and between literacies, respectively.

Results

Sex differences and age-related variation were explored. Valuations of reading/writing (d = 1.16) and math (d = 1.33) decreased across context (school > family > friend), while the valuation of movement was relatively stable (d = 0.26). Valuations differed substantially with friends (p < 0.001, d = 1.03). Sex dependent effect sizes were minimal (d = 0.05–0.11).

Conclusions

Movement is highly valued by children across social contexts; thus, programming across contexts should be prioritized to align with their valuation.
Three types of end-to-side microvascular anastomosis training models using rat common iliac arteries
Authors: Xiao Zongyu , Wang Ji , Guo Jingpeng , Pan Qi
Published: March 2023

Background

: Instead of only practicing these perfectly matched end-to-side anastomoses in microsurgical laboratories, we must learn how to perform these so-called “imperfect” end-to-side anastomoses in the laboratory.

Methods

Three types of end-to-side microvascular anastomoses using the rat common iliac artery (CIA), one with the proximal end of the CIA to the contralateral side of the CIA, another with the distal end of the CIA to the contralateral side of the CIA, and the third with the distal end of the CIA to the ipsilateral side of the common iliac vein (CIV), were presented to simulate different end-to-side anastomosis situations in a microsurgical laboratory. Diameters of CIA and CIV, distances between temporary clips, the length of arteriotomy or venotomy, and the distribution of stitches were recorded. The patency rates were evaluated immediately after the anastomosis was completed and 30 min later. After animal euthanasia, the donor vessel was cut close to the anastomotic site, and the orifice size and intimal attachment were evaluated by inspecting them through inside the vessel.

Results

The diameters of the CIA and CIV were 0.8–1.2 mm and 1.2–1.5 mm, respectively. The end-to-side microvascular anastomosis arteriotomy or venotomy is approximately 2.00–2.50 mm, the distance between the aneurysm clips on the recipient CIA or CIV is approximately 4.00–7.00 mm, and the distance between the corner of the arteriotomy or venotomy and the temporary aneurysm clip was 1.00–3.00 mm. Three types of end-to-side anastomoses using the CIA were successfully performed, and 100% patency rates were achieved immediately and 30 min postoperatively. Good distribution of stitches, wide orifice, and intimal attachment were recorded in the study in all groups.

Conclusions

Three types of end-to-side anastomoses using rat CIAs could be efficiently used to mimic three different anastomotic situations.
β-mannanase supplementation in diets reduced in 85 kcal metabolizable energy/kg containing xylanase-phytase improves gain to feed ratio, nutrient usage, and backfat thickness in finisher pigs
Authors: Genova Jansller Luiz , Rupolo Paulo Evaristo , Azevedo Liliana Bury de , Henz Daniela , Carvalho Silvana Teixeira , Kipper Marcos , Gonçalves Giovana de Arruda Castelo , Vilela Hellen Lazarino Oliveira , Pasquetti Tiago Junior , Oliveira Newton Tavares Escocard de , Dietrich Andrei Roberto Manelli , Carvalho Paulo Levi de Oliveira
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to assess the effects of β-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase-phytase on performance, fecal score, blood biochemical and immunological profile, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), digesta passage rate, fecal microbiome, carcass traits and meat quality in finisher pigs (n = 40 entire male hybrid, 26.0 ± 0.9 kg) randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: a control diet containing isolated phytase and xylanase valued at 40 kcal of ME/kg (CD0), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 30 kcal of ME/kg) (CD70), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 45 kcal of ME/kg) (CD85), and CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 60 kcal of ME/kg) (CD100), with 10 pen replicates. Pigs fed CD0 diet showed (P = 0.002) greater ADFI. However, pigs fed CD0 diet showed (P = 0.009) lower G:F than those provided CD70 or CD85 diets. A greater (P < 0.001) superoxide dismutase concentration was observed in pigs fed CD70 diet. Pigs fed CD85 diet showed (P = 0.002) greater digestible protein than pigs fed CD0 or CD100 diets. Pigs fed CD70 diet showed an increase of 11.3% in digestible protein than those fed CD0 diet. In addition, greater (P < 0.001) digestible energy was observed in pigs fed CD85 diet. Pigs fed CD0 or CD100 diets showed greater (P < 0.05) Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio than those fed CD85 diet. The Muribaculaceae was more abundant (P = 0.030) in pigs fed CD70 diet than in those fed CD0 diet. The Prevotella was more abundant (P = 0.045) in pigs fed CD85 diet than in those fed CD100 diet. In conclusion, β-mannanase supplementation in diets containing xylanase-phytase allows reducing 85 kcal of ME/kg because it improves gain to feed ratio, energy and protein usage, and backfat thickness without metabolic and intestinal ecosystem disorders in finisher pigs.
Forced Servoing of a Series Elastic Actuator Based on Link-Side Acceleration Measurement
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Liu Shenghong , Huang Bo , Luo Haowu , Min Feiyan
Published: March 2023

Joint stiffness of an elastic-joint robot can be changed according to joint stiffness requirements. A series elastic actuator (SEA) can reduce the contact stiffness between the body and the environment or human, which can further ensure interactive operation in a human–machine-compatible environment. However, the introduction of the SEA improves the complexity of the robot dynamics model. In this paper, we propose a control schema based on link-side acceleration measurement to eliminate the overshoot and vibration in the transient process of force control. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm that fuses photoelectric encoders and accelerometers is first presented based on the link-side acceleration measurement. Following this, based on the external torque estimation, the vibration reduction control algorithm is designed. The simulation model is built, and the algorithm design and simulation of position control and force control are carried out and finally tested on the real robot platform. The effectiveness of the control algorithm is proved. The experimental results show that the dynamic response of the external force estimation is about 2 ms faster than that of the force sensor, and the error between the estimated external torque and the real external torque is within ±0.16 N·m.
Exploring the Prospective of Weed Amaranthus retroflexus for Biofuel Production through Pyrolysis
Authors: Karaeva Julia , Timofeeva Svetlana , Gilfanov Marat , Slobozhaninova Marina , Sidorkina Olga , Luchkina Ekaterina , Panchenko Vladimir , Bolshev Vadim
Published: March 2023

Amaranthus retroflexus or redroot pigweed is a second generation lignocellulosic fuel. Each biomass sample (leaves, inflorescences and stems) was pyrolyzed in a lab-scale furnace, in a nitrogen atmosphere under non-isothermal conditions at heating rates of 10 °C/min until the furnace temperature reached 550 °C. The pyrolysis characteristics of the three major components were also studied through thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal decomposition of the biomass samples is similar to the process of pyrolysis of lignocellulosic materials and proceeds in three main stages: dehydration, devolatilization, and carbonation. The highest bio-oil yield was obtained for inflorescences (55%) and leaves (45%). Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry analysis was carried out for oil fractions of the pyrolysis liquid from Amaranthus retroflexus. The composition of the pyrolysis oil fraction from the leaves had an overbearing aliphatic hydrocarbon nature whereas the oil fraction from inflorescences and stems was composed mainly of oxygen-containing components. The use of Amaranthus retroflexus biochars can lead to slag formation in power equipment, so it is advisable to use them to produce composite fuel, for example, mixed with coal. The results would help to better understand the thermal behavior of Amaranthus retroflexus biomass and its utilization for fuels or chemicals.
Garlic Field Classification Using Machine Learning and Statistic Approaches
Authors: Sitanggang Imas Sukaesih , Rahmani Intan Aida , Caesarendra Wahyu , Agmalaro Muhammad Asyhar , Annisa Annisa , Sobir Sobir
Published: March 2023

The level of garlic consumption in Indonesia increases as the population grows. This is because most of the ingredients of Indonesian food recipes contain garlic. However, local garlic production is not sufficient to fulfil the demand. Therefore, the Indonesian government imported garlic from other countries to fulfil the demand. To reduce the import capacity of garlic, the government made a regulation to increase the potential area for garlic cultivation in several priority locations in Indonesia, one of which is Sembalun District, East Lombok. To support government regulation, this study presents an application of machine learning and a statistic approach for the garlic field mapping method in Sembalun, Indonesia. This study comprises several steps including the Sentinel-1A images data acquisition, image preprocessing, machine learning and statistic model training, and model evaluation. k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) and maximum likelihood classification (MLC) methods are selected in this study. The performance of k-NN and MLC are compared to other garlic field classification results developed in previous studies using pixel-based and image-based classifications. The comparison results show that the k-NN classification is slightly better than the SVM classification and also that it outperformed the MLC method. In addition, MLC works faster than k-NN in learning the dataset and testing the models. The classification results can be used to estimate garlic production in the study area. The study concludes that the proposed methods are better than other classification models and the statistic approach. The future study will improve dataset quality to increase the model’s accuracy.
The Quantified and Major Influencing Factors on Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Matter in Provincial-Scale Farmland—A Case Study of Shandong Province in Eastern China
Authors: Zhao Xin , Zhang Zhihui , Zhao Mingsong , Song Xiangyun , Liu Xinwei , Zhang Xiaoguang
Published: March 2023

Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important component of soil and plays an important role in improving the soil’s physical and chemical properties. Ascertaining the spatial distribution of soil organic matter and its main controlling factors in the context of provincial scale farming is of important guiding significance for soil carbon sequestration, emission reduction and sustainable utilization. Using 257 soil profiles from the second soil survey in Shandong Province, GIS, we applied geostatistical methods to study the spatial distribution characteristics of SOM in topsoil. In addition, correlation and regression analyses were used to explore the main controlling factors over the spatial variation of SOM. The results showed that the mean amount of SOM in Shandong province ranged from 1.20–74.90 g·kg−1, with a coefficient of variation of 73.52%, which is a medium level of variation. The distribution of SOM in the study area was patchy, with higher levels of organic matter in the central, eastern, and northern parts, and lower levels of organic matter in the south-west. The comprehensive explanatory ability of all factors reached 52.30%. Soil type and parent material were the main controlling factors for the spatial variability of SOM in the Shandong Province, followed by soil texture and land use type, with topography and climatic factors having relatively little influence.
Behavior of Barrier Wall under Hydrogen Storage Tank Explosion with Simulation and TNT Equivalent Weight Method
Authors: Kim Seungwon , Jang Taejin , Oli Topendra , Park Cheolwoo
Published: March 2023

Hydrogen gas storage place has been increasing daily because of its consumption. Hydrogen gas is a dream fuel of the future with many social, economic and environmental benefits to its credit. However, many hydrogen storage tanks exploded accidentally and significantly lost the economy, infrastructure, and living beings. In this study, a protection wall under a worst-case scenario explosion of a hydrogen gas tank was analyzed with commercial software LS-DYNA. TNT equivalent method was used to calculate the weight of TNT for Hydrogen. Reinforced concrete and composite protection wall under TNT explosion was analyzed with a different distance of TNT. The initial dimension of the reinforced concrete protection wall was taken from the Korea gas safety code book (KGS FP217) and studied the various condition. H-beam was used to make the composite protection wall. Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) simulation from LS-DYNA and ConWep pressure had a good agreement. Used of the composite structure had a minimum displacement than a normal reinforced concrete protection wall. During the worst-case scenario explosion of a hydrogen gas 300 kg storage tank, the minimum distance between the hydrogen gas tank storage and protection wall should be 3.6 m.
Medical Big Data and Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare
Authors: Zhang Yudong , Hong Jin , Chen Shuwen
Published: March 2023

Big data have altered the way we manage, explore, evaluate, analyze, and leverage data across many different industries [...]
Investigation of the Two-Way Injection Slurry-Supply Method for the Cu CMP Process
Authors: Bae Chulwoo , Kim Juhwan , Kwak Donggeon , Oh Seungjun , Kim Taesung
Published: March 2023

The effect of the two-way injection method during a copper chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process was investigated. The two-way slurry-injection method has the advantage of not only preventing the degradation of the slurry, but also shortening the process time because the mixing process of the slurry and H2O2 is not required. Compared to the conventional method, the two-way injection method has an equivalent level of less than 9% in material removal rate. In particular, when injecting near the center of the pad, the influence according to the positions and flow rates of the two nozzles is also insignificant, so it deserves to be studied as a slurry-supply method.
Influence of Organic Fertilization and Soil Tillage on the Yield and Quality of Cold-Pressed Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] Seed Cake: An Alternative Feed Ingredient
Authors: Angelopoulou Foteini , Roussis Ioannis , Kakabouki Ioanna , Mavroeidis Antonios , Triantafyllidis Vassilios , Beslemes Dimitrios , Kosma Chariklia , Stavropoulos Panteleimon , Tsiplakou Eleni , Bilalis Dimitrios
Published: March 2023

Camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] oilseed cake has been identified as an alternative protein feedstuff and as a valuable feed resource. Moreover, over the last decades, there has been an increased interest in the organic production of feed supplements. A 2-year field experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three replications, two main plots (conventional tillage: moldboard ploughing at 25 cm followed by rotary hoeing at 10–15 cm, and minimum tillage: chiseling at 25 cm depth followed by rotary hoeing at 10–15 cm), and three sub-plots (organic fertilization type: untreated, vermicompost, and compost) to evaluate the fertilization and tillage system effect on the yield and quality of cold-pressed camelina seed cake. Seed yield and cake yield were only affected by organic fertilization, with the highest values observed in the compost treatment. Crude protein was influenced by both factors examined, and the greatest content was found under conventional tillage and compost application. As for the fatty acid composition of oilseed cake, this can be characterized as a major source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (~52% of total FAs), particularly linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, which were only affected by fertilization, with the highest values found after compost application. To conclude, the cold-pressed cake from camelina seed cultivated under compost fertilization and conventional tillage appears to be an effective alternative to conventionally used protein feed ingredients.
Evaluation of the Machinability of Ti-6Al-4V Titanium Alloy by AWJM Using a Multipass Strategy
Authors: Dekster Lisa , Karkalos Nikolaos E. , Karmiris-Obratański Panagiotis , Markopoulos Angelos P.
Published: March 2023

Non-conventional machining processes offer various advantages, including the capability of processing hard-to-cut materials with a reasonable cost and sufficient productivity. However, depending on the application, different machining strategies need to be employed, in order to increase the flexibility of the process and produce parts with a better quality. In this study, experimental work was conducted and the use of a multipass strategy during slot milling of titanium alloy with abrasive water jet milling (AWJM) was explored, by comparing the effect of different numbers of passes under different process conditions, such as the jet pressure and traverse feed rate. The performance was evaluated by means of the kerf characteristics, and the productivity through material removal rate (MRR) values. The results indicated that the use of a multipass strategy had a considerable impact on the kerf taper angle, apart from the depth of penetration; and although it leads to reduced MRR and cutting efficiency, choosing appropriate values of process parameters, such as a higher jet pressure and moderate traverse feed, in combination with a moderate amount of passes, can be beneficial for AWJM from different points of view.
Simulation-Based Reliability Design Optimization Method for Industrial Robot Structural Design
Authors: Zhang Li-Xiang , Meng Xin-Jia , Ding Zhi-Jie , Han Hong-Xiang
Published: March 2023

Robots are main elements in Industry 4.0. Research on the design optimization of robots has a great significance in manufacturing industries. There inevitably exist various uncertainties in robot design that have an important influence on the reliability of robots. At present, the design optimization of robots considering the uncertainties is mainly focused on joints design and trajectory optimization. However, for the structural design of robots, deterministic design optimization still plays a leading role. In this paper, a simulation-based reliability design optimization method is proposed to improve the reliability of robots’ structural design. In the proposed method, the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS), computer simulation, response surface method (RSM) and SORA (Sequential Optimization and Reliability Assessment) algorithm are integrated to complete the structural design of the robot. Firstly, samples of the uncertainty design variables were obtained by LHS, and then, the reliability performance constraint functions were firstly constructed through the RSM in which the joint simulation of MTLAB and ANSYS was adopted. Afterwards, the reliability design optimization model was established on the basis of the probabilistic reliability theory. At last, the SORA algorithm was employed to realize the optimization. The design optimization problems of the big arm and the small arm of a 6 Kg industrial robot were considered to verify the proposed method. The results showed that the weights of the big arm and the small arm were, respectively, reduced by 7.73% and 25.70% compared with those of the original design, and the design was more effective in ensuring the reliability requirements compared with the deterministic optimization. Moreover, the results also demonstrated that the proposed method has a better computational efficiency compared with the reliability design optimization of the double-loop method.
3D Surface-to-Surface Contact Algorithm for SPH Method and Its Application to Simulation of Impact Failure of Ceramic Plate
Authors: Xiao Yihua , Liu Kun
Published: March 2023

This work presents a three-dimensional (3D) surface-to-surface contact algorithm for SPH method and its application to the simulation of material failure during high velocity impact of a projectile on a ceramic plate. In the present contact algorithm, surfaces of 3D objects represented by SPH particles are reconstructed. Based on the reconstructed surfaces, a box test followed by a crossover test is employed to detect contacts between different objects, and a penalty method is employed to enforce contact conditions between contact pairs identified by contact detection. Validation examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and capability of the algorithm. The calculated results show that the present contact algorithm can achieve high accuracy and it is capable of handling various contact problems, including frictionless and frictional problems as well as small and significant deformation problems. The algorithm is then used to simulate the high velocity impact of a projectile on a ceramic plate. The material failure of the projectile and the ceramic plate is reproduced, and the residual velocity of the projectile is well predicted.
Realism as a Representational Strategy in Depictions of Horses in Ancient Greek and Egyptian Art: How Purpose Influences Appearance
Authors: Delpeut Lonneke , Willekes Carolyn
Published: March 2023

When modern (Western) viewers look at ancient art, the first feature of the image that is often assessed is its relationship to ‘reality’. How ‘real’ the image looks is inextricably linked to its evaluation and therefore the viewer’s estimation of its quality. The more ‘realistic’ an image is deemed, the more it is appreciated for its historic and aesthetic value. This fixation on reality has often affected the assessment of ancient imagery. It can create a bias that limits the researcher’s ability to analyse and interpret the image(s) to their full potential. When studying ancient images, the viewer should always keep in mind its original purpose. Rather than looking for reality through the notion of resemblance, the degree of reality should instead be assessed through the way the subject is being conveyed as the image’s purpose dictates its appearance. This article will use depictions of the horse in ancient Egyptian and Greek art to highlight some of the challenges one encounters when studying ancient images’ relationship with reality. It will show why it is important for scholars to focus on the image/object’s purpose, their resemblance to their subject, and their meaning in terms of the message(s) they are meant to convey.
Cardio-Respiratory and Muscle Oxygenation Responses to Submaximal and Maximal Exercise in Normobaric Hypoxia: Comparison between Children and Adults
Authors: Ušaj Anton , Sotiridis Alexandros , Debevec Tadej
Published: March 2023

As differential physiological responses to hypoxic exercise between adults and children remain poorly understood, we aimed to comprehensively characterise cardiorespiratory and muscle oxygenation responses to submaximal and maximal exercise in normobaric hypoxia between the two groups. Following familiarisation, fifteen children (Age = 9 ± 1 years) and fifteen adults (Age = 22 ± 2 years) completed two graded cycling exercise sessions to exhaustion in a randomized and single-blind manner in normoxia (NOR; FiO2 = 20.9) and normobaric hypoxia (HYP; FiO2 = 13.0) exercises conditions. Age-specific workload increments were 25 W·3 min−1 for children and 40 W·3 min−1 for adults. Gas exchange and vastus lateralis oxygenation parameters were measured continuously via metabolic cart and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Hypoxia provoked significant decreases in maximal power output PMAX (children = 29%; adults 16% (F = 39.3; p < 0.01)) and power output at the gas exchange threshold (children = 10%; adults:18% (F = 8.08; p = 0.01)) in both groups. Comparable changes were noted in most respiratory and gas exchange parameters at similar power outputs between groups. Children, however, demonstrated, lower PETCO2 throughout the test at similar power outputs and during the maintenance of V˙CO2 at the maximal power output. These data indicate that, while most cardiorespiratory responses to acute hypoxic exercise are comparable between children and adults, there exist age-related differential responses in select respiratory and muscle oxygenation parameters.
Construction of a Diagnostic m7G Regulator-Mediated Scoring Model for Identifying the Characteristics and Immune Landscapes of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Hao Liang , Shang Xiliang , Wu Yang , Chen Jun , Chen Shiyi
Published: March 2023

With the increasingly serious burden of osteoarthritis (OA) on modern society, it is urgent to propose novel diagnostic biomarkers and differentiation models for OA. 7-methylguanosine (m7G), as one of the most common base modification forms in post transcriptional regulation, through which the seventh position N of guanine (G) of messenger RNA is modified by methyl under the action of methyltransferase; it has been found that it plays a crucial role in different diseases. Therefore, we explored the relationship between OA and m7G. Based on the expression level of 18 m7G-related regulators, we identified nine significant regulators. Then, via a series of methods of machine learning, such as support vector machine recursive feature elimination, random forest and lasso-cox regression analysis, a total of four significant regulators were further identified (DCP2, EIF4E2, LARP1 and SNUPN). Additionally, according to the expression level of the above four regulators, two different m7G-related clusters were divided via consensus cluster analysis. Furthermore, via immune infiltration, differential expression analysis and enrichment analysis, we explored the characteristic of the above two different clusters. An m7G-related scoring model was constructed via the PCA algorithm. Meanwhile, there was a different immune status and correlation for immune checkpoint inhibitors between the above two clusters. The expression difference of the above four regulators was verified via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Overall, a total of four biomarkers were identified and two different m7G-related subsets of OA with different immune microenvironment were obtained. Meanwhile, the construction of m7G-related Scoring model may provide some new strategies and insights for the therapy and diagnosis of OA patients.
Psychological and Neurophysiological Screening Investigation of the Collective and Personal Stress Resilience
Authors: Lytaev Sergey
Published: March 2023

Methodological approaches to assess the human cognitive status are constantly evolving. At the same time, the creation of new assessment methods is accompanied by traditional research. This paper discusses the direction of research on the search for markers of stress resilience. The basis for the formation of the research algorithm was the assessment of activation factors of emotional states, including preceding stress–sensory (cognitive and informational) and psycho-emotional factors. This was determined using methodological techniques, stress factors, working conditions in professional teams, etc. For an express analysis (25–40 min) of diagnosing stress resistance, a research algorithm was justified, consisting of clinical and psychological testing, as well as EEG with traditional tests and analysis of indicators and spectra. Therefore, this research was aimed at the psychological and neurophysiological substantiation of approaches to express algorithms for assessing cognitive functions and resilience to stress under time deficit. A study on 102 healthy subjects and 38 outpatients of a neuropsychiatric clinic was performed. Basic outcomes: the integrative indicator SCL-90-R—”general index of severity” has a high statistical significance (p < 0.05) in both healthy subjects and neuropsychiatric outpatients. The effectiveness of the Mini-Mult test in conditions of time deficit is determined by the results of the scales of hypochondria, depression, hysteria, paranoia, psychasthenia, schizoid and hypomania (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we used a line of logical thinking techniques. A line of four logical methods is highly informative in assessing the mental status in conditions of time deficit. EEG power indices and spectra in theta, delta and alpha frequency ranges are an effective reflection of cognitive status. In this article, a testing algorithm as a variant for assessing neurocognitive status in screening studies of large groups is discussed.