bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining early learners’ perceptions of inclusion: adaptation of the student version of the perceptions of inclusion questionnaire for first- and second-grade students (PIQ-EARLY)
Authors: Grüter Sandra , Goldan Janka , Zurbriggen Carmen L. A.
Published: June 2023

Promoting the emotional and social development of students with and without special needs is a central goal of implementing inclusive education in the school system. The entry into school, and thus into the formal education system, is accompanied by emotions and changes in self-image and social relationships. For assessing emotional inclusion, social inclusion, and academic self-concept, the Perceptions of Inclusion Questionnaire (PIQ) is a widely used instrument. To date, the paper-pencil questionnaire has been used from third through ninth grades but has not yet been used with younger ages. This paper presents an adapted version of the PIQ for first- and second-grade students, which was used on two measurement time occasions (T1, N = 407, MAge = 7.2; T2, N = 613, MAge = 7.6). Information on students’ reading and listening comprehension was collected from the class teachers to verify whether the adapted questionnaire can be used for all students with different levels of language competencies. Measurement invariance was demonstrated to be at least scalar for all groups considered in the analyses. Students with higher rankings of reading and listening comprehension skills reported significant higher levels of emotional inclusion and academic self-concept while there were no significant differences in social inclusion. The findings suggest that the PIQ-EARLY is a suitable instrument for assessing self-perceived inclusion in first- and second-grade students. The results also highlight the importance of students’ language competencies for adjustment to school in early school years.
The relationship between self-esteem and aggressive behavior among Chinese adolescents: A moderated chain mediation model
Authors: Hu Yuanyan , Cai Yi , Wang Rui , Gan Yihan , He Nianqin
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to examine the relationship between adolescent self-esteem and aggressive behavior. Specifically, a moderated chain mediation model was developed to investigate the mediating role of jealousy and self-control and the moderating role of gender. Data were collected from 652 Chinese adolescents who completed the Self-Esteem Scale, Self-Report Jealousy Scale, Self-Control Scale and Aggressive Behavior Questionnaire. Results showed that adolescent self-esteem may significantly negatively affect aggressive behavior by mediating with jealousy and self-control. Moreover, gender possibly moderates the serial mediating effect of jealousy and self-control between adolescent self-esteem and aggressive behavior. The results have important theoretical and practical implications in that these reveal the influencing factors of adolescent aggressive behavior and the pathways to reduce such behavior.
Using patient-reported outcome measures to assess the effectiveness of social media networking programs for people living with overweight and obesity to adopt a healthier lifestyle
Authors: Saadi Alend , Fellrath Jean-Marc , Bec-Moussally Joanna , Papastathi-Boureau Chrysoula , Blanc Céline , Courtine Valentin , Vanini Léo , Marechal Marc , Authier Florence , Curty Bertrand , Fournier Pierre , Diana Michele , Saillant Stéphane
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Overweight, obesity, and their associated health complications have become a major public health issue. Online approaches have been rarely attempted to address the problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using social media networking for people living with overweight and obesity to adopt a healthier lifestyle with a three-month multidisciplinary healthcare program. Effectiveness was assessed through questionnaires on patient-related outcome measures (PROMs).

Materials and methods

Two non-profit associations designed the program delivered to people living with overweight and obesity in a closed group via Facebook, the popular social network. The three-month program had three main axes, namely nutrition, psychology, and physical activity. Anthropomorphic data and sociodemographic profiles were collected. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the intervention using PROM questionnaires for six different domains, i.e., body image, eating behavior, physical, sexual, social, and psychological functioning.

Results

Six hundred and twenty persons participated in the program; 567 persons consented for the study, and 145 completed the questionnaires entirely. QoL was significantly improved in five out of six domains, i.e., body image, eating behavior, as well as physical, sexual, and psychological functioning. The improvement was valid regardless of age, gender, initial body mass index, person with or without children, educational level (primary versus secondary versus high school), and occupation (employment compared to unemployment or any kind of social assistance). In multivariate analysis, living as a couple was an independent factor correlated to a positive progression in four domains, i.e., body image, eating behavior, as well as physical, and psychological functioning.

Conclusion

This study showed that an online lifestyle intervention might be a promising way of improving the quality of life of people living with overweight or obesity.
Research on the service quality of emergency medical language services during major unexpected public health events
Authors: Xie Jingyi , Ma Siyu
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Emergency Medical Language Services (EMLS) have played a crucial role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Research on the quality and its influencing factors of EMLS is necessary.

Methods

This study used the SERvice QUALity (SERVQUAL) model to determine factors affecting the quality of EMLS during the pandemic. An online questionnaire was completed by 206 participants who received the service in 2021–2022. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that the service provider and service process significantly influenced the Service Results.

Results

In the service process, the evaluation of service content and responsiveness were highly correlated, and both factors significantly affected user satisfaction. In the service provider, tangibility and reliability were highly correlated. The key factors for user willingness to recommend the service were service content and tangibility.

Discussion

Based on the results of the data analysis, it can be inferred that EMLS should be improved and upgraded in terms of service organization, talent cultivation, and service channel expansion. To enhance service organization, an emergency medical language team should establish a close collaboration with local medical institutions and government departments, and an EMLS center should be established with the support of hospitals, government, or civil organizations.
Access to healthcare for people living with HIV: an analysis of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights from an ethical perspective
Authors: Skuban-Eiseler Tobias , Orzechowski Marcin , Steger Florian
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Although HIV has been part of our reality for over 30 years, people living with HIV (PLHIV) still experience restrictions regarding their access to healthcare. This poses a significant ethical problem, especially as it endangers achieving the goal of ending the HIV epidemic worldwide. The aim of this paper is to analyze the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) regarding cases where PLHIV experienced restrictions on their access to healthcare.

Methods

We conducted an analysis of the ECtHR database and were able to identify N = 28 cases dealing with restricted access to healthcare for PLHIV. A descriptive and thematic analysis was conducted to identify ways in which access to healthcare for PLHIV was restricted.

Results

We were able to identify a total of four main categories, with denial of adequate therapeutic support as the main category with N = 22 cases (78.57%). Most of the judgments examined were filed against Russia (N = 12, 42.86%) and Ukraine (N = 9, 32.14%). A large proportion of PLHIV in the cases studied (N = 57, 85.07%) were detainees.

Discussion

The analysis shows a clear condemnation of limited access to healthcare for PLHIV by the ECtHR. Ethical implications of the analyzed cases are discussed in detail.
Urban park system on public health: underlying driving mechanism and planning thinking
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Su Qin , Zhu Yanqun
Published: June 2023

The driving mechanism and planning thinking of the impact of urban park system on public health the mission of urban geography, urban and rural planning or landscape architecture are to coordinate the relationship between people and places, people and nature. The municipal park system is an important part of the urban green space system. In order to effectively play the role of the urban park system in promoting the health of urban residents. This manuscript studies the coupling relationship between the “urban park system” and the “public health system” by building a coordination model, reveals the driving mechanism of the urban park system affecting the benign development of public health, and clarifies the positive driving effect of urban parks on public health. Finally, based on the analysis results, the manuscript considers the optimal development strategy of urban parks from the macro and micro levels to promote the sustainable development of urban public health.
Influences of race/ethnicity in periodontal treatment response and bacterial distribution, a cohort pilot study
Authors: Wang Bing-Yan , Burgardt Grayson , Parthasarathy Kavitha , Ho Daniel K. , Weltman Robin L. , Tribble Gena D. , Hong Jianming , Cron Stanley , Xie Hua
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Periodontitis disproportionately affects different racial and ethnic populations. We have previously reported the higher levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis and lower ratios of Streptococcus cristatus to P. gingivalis may contribute to periodontal health disparities. This prospective cohort study was designed to investigate if ethnic/racial groups responded differently to non-surgical periodontal treatment and if the treatment outcomes correlated to the bacterial distribution in patients with periodontitis before treatment.

Methods

This prospective cohort pilot study was carried out in an academic setting, at the School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dental plaque was collected from a total of 75 African Americans, Caucasians and Hispanics periodontitis patients in a 3-year period. Quantitation of P. gingivalis and S. cristatus was carried out using qPCR. Clinical parameters including probing depths and clinical attachment levels were determined before and after nonsurgical treatment. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, the Kruskal–Wallis test, the paired samples t-test and the chi-square test.

Results

The gains in clinical attachment levels after treatment significantly differed amongst the 3 groups–Caucasians responded most favorably, followed by African-Americans, lastly Hispanics, while numbers of P. gingivalis were highest in Hispanics, followed by African-Americans, and lowest in Caucasians (p = 0.015). However, no statistical differences were found in the numbers of S. cristatus amongst the 3 groups.

Conclusion

Differential response to nonsurgical periodontal treatment and distribution of P. gingivalis are present in different ethnic/racial groups with periodontitis.
Correcting intervertebral rotation and scoliosis simultaneously by oblique lumbar interbody fusion: a 3D analysis of EOS images
Authors: Xu Zhongning , Ge Tenghui , Li Qingyun , Cai Ronghui , Wu Jingye , Sun Yuqing
Published: June 2023

Purpose

With advancements in minimally invasive techniques, oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) has gained widespread acceptance and is now commonly performed for adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS). The objective of this research paper is to evaluate three-dimensional (3D) intervertebral motions in EOS models before and after surgery and subsequently assess the efficacy of the 3D correction achieved through staged OLIF.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 29 consecutive patients diagnosed with ADS were included, with a mean age of 63.6 years, who underwent staged OLIF surgery between 2018 and 2021. Spinopelvic parameters were assessed using EOS images, and 3D models were reconstructed to measure intervertebral motion angles (IMAs) in 70 surgical intervertebral segments, comprising wedge, lordosis, and axial rotation angles. Regression analysis was conducted to compare IMAs in different planes before and after the staged OLIF surgery.

Results

Significant three-dimensional correction was observed in 70 intervertebral segments following the first-stage OLIF. The wedge angles decreased from 5.2°± 4.2° to 2.7°± 2.4° (P < 0.001). The lordosis angles increased from 5.1°± 5.9° to 7.8°± 4.6° (P = 0.014), while the axial rotation angles decreased from 3.8°± 2.6° to 2.3°± 2.1° (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between wedge angles and axial angles preoperatively (P < 0.001, r = 0.43), as well as between corrected wedge angles and corrected axial angles (P < 0.001, r = 0.42).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that intervertebral motions had a correlation between coronal and axial planes in lumbar degenerative scoliosis. First-stage OLIF was efficient at correcting segmental scoliosis by inserting cages while correcting rotation deformity simultaneously, as well as improving the sagittal spinopelvic parameters.
Effect of pre-operative radiation therapy on surgical outcome in retroperitoneal sarcoma
Authors: Jo Sung Jun , Park Sean S. W. , Yoo Gyu Sang , Kim Kyeong Deok , Lim So Hee , Kim Jinseob , Kim Min Jung , Yu Jeong Il , Park Jae Berm , Lee Kyo Won
Published: June 2023

Background

A high rate of locoregional recurrence is one of the major difficulties in successful treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). Although pre-operative radiation therapy (RT) is considered a potential way to improve local recurrence, concerns about the associated treatment toxicity and risk of peri-operative complications need to be addressed. Hence, this study investigates the safety of pre-operative RT (preRTx) for RPS.

Methods

A cohort of 198 patients with RPS who had undergone both surgery and RT was analyzed for peri-operative complications. They were divided into three groups according to the RT scheme: (1) preRTx group, (2) post-operative RT without tissue expander, and (3) post-operative RT with tissue expander.

Results

The preRTx was overall well tolerated and did not affect the R2 resection rate, operative time, and severe post-operative complications. However, the preRTx group was associated with higher incidence of post-operative transfusion and admission to intensive care unit (p = 0.013 and p = 0.036, respectively), where preRTx was an independent risk factor only for the post-operative transfusion (p = 0.009) in multivariate analysis. The median radiation dose was the highest in preRTx group, although no significant difference was demonstrated in overall survival and local recurrence rate.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the preRTx does not add significant post-operative morbidity to the patients with RPS. In addition, radiation dose elevation is achievable with the pre-operative RT. However, a meticulous intra-operative bleeding control is recommended in those patients, and further high-quality trials are warranted to evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes.
Molecular survey of Cytauxzoon spp. and Hepatozoon spp. in felids using a novel real-time PCR approach
Authors: Grillini Marika , Beraldo Paola , Frangipane di Regalbono Antonio , Dotto Giorgia , Tessarin Cinzia , Franzo Giovanni , Marchiori Erica , Modrý David , Simonato Giulia
Published: June 2023

Tick-transmitted apicomplexans of the genera Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon affect a wide range of felids worldwide, but little is known about them. Recently, several studies addressed the species circulating in Europe, their distribution, and their hosts. Molecular assays are the method of choice for their detection. Unfortunately, conventional PCRs already described are time- and cost-consuming and specific for either Hepatozoon or Cytauxzoon detection. This study was developed to evaluate (i) the occurrence of Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon in felids using a fast and cost-saving real-time PCR capable of detecting both protozoa simultaneously, (ii) the distribution of Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon species in north-eastern Italy, and (iii) the involvement of other susceptible felid hosts in the same area. An SYBR® Green-based real-time PCR with primers targeting the 18S-rRNA was validated and applied to 237 felid samples, i.e., whole blood from 206 domestic cats and 12 captive exotic felids, and tissues from 19 wildcats. Positive results were obtained by melting temperature curve analysis due to the specific melting peak (i.e., 81°C Cytauxzoon spp.; 78–78.5°C Hepatozoon spp.). Positive samples were subjected to conventional PCR, followed by sequencing for species identification. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to assess relatedness among European isolates. Data on domestic cats (age class, sex, origin, management, and lifestyle) were recorded, and statistical analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors. A total of 31 (15%) domestic cats were positive for Hepatozoon spp. (i.e., 12 for H. felis, 19 for H. silvestris), while six (2.9%) for C. europaeus. The prevalence of Hepatozoon felis was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in domestic cats, while H. silvestris was higher in strays and animals from the Eastern region (i.e., Friuli-Venezia Giulia). Cytauxzoon europaeus was detected only in stray cats from Friuli-Venezia Giulia (province of Trieste). Among captive felids, one tiger was infected with H. felis and another with H. silvestris; eight out of 19 (42%) wildcats were positive for Hepatozoon spp. (i.e., six with H. felis, two with H. silvestris) and four out of 19 (21%) for Cytauxzoon europaeus. Outdoor lifestyle and origin (i.e., Friuli-Venezia Giulia region) were the most relevant risk factors for H. silvestris and C. europeus infections. Conversely, H. felis was most frequently isolated from domestic cats, suggesting different modes of transmission.
RETRACTED: Case report: A rare case of tumor-to-tumor metastasis: metastatic lobular breast carcinoma to clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Letian , Yuan Pei , Cao Qi , Mu Jiali , Ying Jianming , Guo Changyuan
Published: June 2023

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a rare phenomenon. Although renal cell carcinoma is the most common recipient tumor, metastatic lobular breast carcinoma to clear cell renal cell carcinoma is even rarer, with only one case reported to date. We present a 66-year-old female patient with an invasive lobular carcinoma history who was admitted to the hospital with a right renal mass. The patient received partial nephrectomy. The final established diagnosis is lobular breast carcinoma metastasizing to clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Thus, although rare, the simultaneous or consecutive find of a renal mass in follow-up should be carefully evaluated, especially in high-risk patients, including women with an advanced breast cancer history, as in this scenario.
A Review of Flapping Mechanisms for Avian-Inspired Flapping-Wing Air Vehicles
Authors: Han Jae-Hung , Han Yu-Jeong , Yang Hyeon-Ho , Lee Sang-Gil , Lee Eun-Hyuck
Published: June 2023

This study focuses on the flapping mechanisms found in recently developed biometric flapping-wing air vehicles (FWAVs). FWAVs mimic the flight characteristics of flying animals, providing advantages such as maneuverability, inconspicuousness, and excellent flight efficiency in the low Reynolds number region. The flapping mechanism is a critical part of determining the aerodynamic performance of an FWAV since it is directly related to the wing motion. In this study, the flight characteristics of birds and bats are introduced, the incorporation of these flight characteristics into the development of FWAVs is elucidated, and the utilization of these flight characteristics in the development of FWAVs is explained. Next, the classification and analysis of flapping mechanisms are conducted based on wing motion and the strategy for improving aerodynamic performance. Lastly, the current research gap is elucidated, and potential future directions for further research are proposed. This review can serve as a guide during the early development stage of FWAVs.
Dominant Aggregate Binding Agent Dynamics of Quaternary Ancient Red Soils under Different Land Use Patterns
Authors: Sun Zhongxiu , Duan Siyi , Jiang Yingying , Wang Qiubing , Zhang Ganlin
Published: June 2023

The cementation mechanisms and processes of aggregate binding agents are important in understanding aggregate formation. However, the role of threshold values and the proportions of organic and inorganic binding agents in aggregate formation remain unclear. This research investigated the dominant aggregate binding agent dynamics in a sequence comprising buried ancient red soil unaffected by modern climate changes and human activities, alongside nearby exposed Quaternary ancient red soils subjected to different land use patterns influenced by these factors in northeastern China. By analyzing soil age, aggregate compositions, and organic/inorganic indicators of binding agents, including soil organic matter (SOM), free iron oxide (Fed), poorly crystalline iron oxide (Feo), crystalline iron oxide (Fed-Feo), and total clay particles (TCL), we determined the relative contributions of different binding agents using redundancy analysis (RDA). The results revealed that the buried ancient red soil did not contain dominant binding agents in the aggregate formation before 91.01 ka BP. Due to denudation, the buried ancient red soil was exposed at the surface and experienced the importation of soil organic matter, weathering of silicate-bound iron oxides, and crystallization of poorly crystalline iron oxides resulting from the effects of different land use patterns from 91.01 ka to the present. Under the influence of binding agent dynamics, dominant binding agents in the exposed Quaternary ancient red soils’ aggregate formation changed into SOM and Fed. When the C/(Fed-Feo) molar ratio was less than 2.13, Fed-Feo was the dominant aggregate binding agent. When the C/(Fed-Feo) molar ratio was greater than 2.13, SOM was the dominant aggregate binding agent. The results of this study improve our understanding of aggregate formation and the relationship between soil organic matter and iron oxides.
Towards a Greener Approach for Biomass Valorization: Integration of Supercritical Fluid and Deep Eutectic Solvents
Authors: Vladić Jelena , Jakovljević Kovač Martina , Pavić Valentina , Jokić Stela , Simić Siniša , Paiva Alexandre , Jerković Igor , Duarte Ana Rita
Published: June 2023

A green and sustainable procedure for obtaining Lavandula stoechas extracts with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties was investigated. Green solvents, supercritical CO2, and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) together with ultrasound-assisted extraction were used for the sequential extraction of terpene and polyphenols fractions. After the CO2 extraction of the terpene fraction, the residue material was used in an extraction with different NADES (betaine-ethylene glycol (Bet:EG), betaine-glycerol (Bet:Gly), and glycerol-glucose (Gly:Glu)), intensified with an ultrasound-assisted method (at 30 and 60 °C). In the CO2 extract, the major group of components belonged to oxygenated monoterpenes, while the highest polyphenol content with the dominant rutin (438.93 ± 4.60 µg/mL) was determined in Bet:EG extracts (60 °C). Bet:EG extracts also exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity according to DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Moreover, Bet:EG extracts showed significant inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with minimum inhibitory activity of 0.781–3.125 and 1.563–6.250 mg·mL−1, respectively. By comparing the polyphenolic content and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bet:EG extracts with extracts obtained with conventional solvents (water and ethanol), the superiority of NADES was determined. The established environmentally friendly procedure unifies the requirements of green and sustainable development and modern pharmacognosy because it combines the use of safe alternative solvents, the absence of solvent waste generation, more rational use of resources, and the attainment of safe and quality extracts.
Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Healthy Infants within the First Three Days after Birth
Authors: Cavia-Saiz Mónica , Arnaez Juan , Cilla Amaia , Puente Laura , Garcia-Miralles Laura C. , Muñiz Pilar
Published: June 2023

The clinical relevance of stress biomarkers in newborns is well established. Currently, oxidative stress (OS) parameters are seen to play an important role in neonatal resuscitation guidelines, and a link has been observed between the amount of oxygen delivered and the level of OS and the development of various pathologies. The aim of the current study was to investigate changes in neonatal plasma and urine OS status during the first hours after birth. A lower antioxidant capacity (TAC) and higher levels of malondialdehyde in blood were observed in newborns at the time of birth compared with results 48 h postnatally. The urine revealed a significant and progressive increase in TAC and creatinine during the first 36 h of life, with a progressive decline thereafter. Meanwhile, malondialdehyde in urine samples showed no significant differences over time. Overall, the correlation between blood and urine parameters was poor, except for the relationship between umbilical vein glutathione reduced/oxidized ratio and urine malondialdehyde (r = 0.7; p = 0.004) and between TAC in the umbilical artery and urine (r = −0.547; p = 0.013). The biomarkers evaluated in this study could be established as reference values for neonatal OS.
Prediction of Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay in the MIMIC-IV Dataset
Authors: Hempel Lars , Sadeghi Sina , Kirsten Toralf
Published: June 2023

Accurately estimating the length of stay (LOS) of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in relation to their health status helps healthcare management allocate appropriate resources and better plan for the future. This paper presents predictive models for the LOS of ICU patients from the MIMIC-IV database based on typical demographic and administrative data, as well as early vital signs and laboratory measurements collected on the first day of ICU stay. The goal of this study was to demonstrate a practical, stepwise approach to predicting patient’s LOS in the ICU using machine learning and early available typical clinical data. The results show that this approach significantly improves the performance of models for predicting actual LOS in a pragmatic framework that includes only data with short stays predetermined by a prior classification.
Multiscale Evaluation of Jaw Geometry Reproduction Obtained Via the Use of Selected Orthodontic Materials in Dental Implants and Orthodontics—In Vitro Case Study
Authors: Jakubowicz Michał , Gapiński Bartosz , Marciniak-Podsadna Lidia , Mendak Michał , Mietliński Patryk , Wieczorowski Michał
Published: June 2023

In this paper, the multiscale analysis of the reproduction accuracy of jaw geometry obtained via the use of selected orthodontic materials is discussed. Impressions were made from two types of impression material. An accuracy assessment of the model geometry mapping was performed using noncontact systems, including a fringe projection optical 3D scanner, computed tomography, and a focus variation microscope. Measurements were made in three modes for comparison, as were the silicone and polyether impression materials. These modes were a jaw model and impression, an impression and plaster model, and plaster and jaw models. The research results are presented as colorful maps of deviations. Data analysis showed that deviations were the smallest in the case of silicone and that the best fit occurred between the silicone impression and the plaster model. The conducted research confirmed the validity of the assumptions considering the use of multiscale analysis for geometric analysis. The use of modern multiscale measurement methods allows for shorter and more efficient prosthetic operations. At present, these devices are expensive and complicated to use, but developments in technology should simplify the process, and prosthetic professionals should be aware of the possibilities described in the paper.
Drive-by Methodologies Applied to Railway Infrastructure Subsystems: A Literature Review—Part I: Bridges and Viaducts
Authors: Souza Edson F. , Bragança Cássio , Meixedo Andreia , Ribeiro Diogo , Bittencourt Túlio N. , Carvalho Hermes
Published: June 2023

Bridges and viaducts are critical components of railway transport infrastructures, providing safe and efficient means for trains to cross over natural barriers such as rivers and valleys. Ensuring the continuous safe operation of these structures is therefore essential to avoid disastrous economic consequences and even human losses. Drive-by methodologies have emerged as a potential and cost-effective monitoring solution for accurately and prematurely detecting damage based on instrumented vehicles while minimizing disruptions to train operations. This paper presents a critical review of drive-by methodologies applied to bridges and viaducts. Firstly, the premises of the method are briefly reviewed, and the potential applications are discussed. In sequence, several works involving the use of drive-by methodologies for modal characteristic extraction are presented, encompassing the most important methodologies developed over time as well as recent advancements in the field. Finally, the problem of damage identification is discussed—both in relation to modal and non-modal parameter-based techniques considering the most promising features and the current advancements in the development of methodologies for damage detection based on machine learning algorithms. A comprehensive conclusion is presented at the end of the article, summarizing the achievements and providing perspectives for future developments. By critically assessing the application of drive-by methodologies to bridges and viaducts, this paper contributes to the advancement of knowledge in this crucial area, emphasizing the significance of continuous monitoring for ensuring the integrity and safety of these vital transport infrastructures.
Determination of the Live Weight of Farm Animals with Deep Learning and Semantic Segmentation Techniques
Authors: Guvenoglu Erdal
Published: June 2023

In cattle breeding, regularly taking the animals to the scale and recording their weight is important for both the performance of the enterprise and the health of the animals. This process, which must be carried out in businesses, is a difficult task. For this reason, it is often not performed regularly or not performed at all. In this study, we attempted to estimate the weights of cattle by using stereo vision and semantic segmentation methods used in the field of computer vision together. Images of 85 animals were taken from different angles with a stereo setup consisting of two identical cameras. The distances of the animals to the camera plane were calculated by stereo distance calculation, and the areas covered by the animals in the images were determined by semantic segmentation methods. Then, using all these data, different artificial neural network models were trained. As a result of the study, it was revealed that when stereo vision and semantic segmentation methods are used together, live animal weights can be predicted successfully.
Comparison of Single Control Loop Performance Monitoring Methods
Authors: Pätsi Teemu , Ohenoja Markku , Kukkasniemi Harri , Vuolio Tero , Österberg Petri , Merikoski Seppo , Joutsijoki Henry , Ruusunen Mika
Published: June 2023

Well-performing control loops have an integral role in efficient and sustainable industrial production. Control performance monitoring (CPM) tools are necessary to establish further process optimization and preventive maintenance. Data-driven, model-free control performance monitoring approaches are studied in this research by comparing the performance of nine CPM methods in an industrially relevant process simulation. The robustness of some of the methods is considered with varying fault intensities. The methods are demonstrated on a simulator which represents a validated state-space model of a supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction process. The simulator is constructed with a single-input single-output unit controller for part of the process and a combination of relevant faults in the industry are introduced into the simulation. Of the demonstrated methods, Kullback–Leibler divergence, Euclidean distance, histogram intersection, and Overall Controller Efficiency performed the best in the first simulation case and could identify all the simulated fault scenarios. In the second case, integral-based methods Integral Squared Error and Integral of Time-weighted Absolute Error had the most robust performance with different fault intensities. The results highlight the applicability and robustness of some model-free methods and construct a solid foundation in the application of CPM in industrial processes.
Respiratory Sound Classification by Applying Deep Neural Network with a Blocking Variable
Authors: Yang Runze , Lv Kexin , Huang Yizhang , Sun Mingxia , Li Jianxun , Yang Jie
Published: June 2023

Respiratory diseases are leading causes of death worldwide, and failure to detect diseases at an early stage can threaten people’s lives. Previous research has pointed out that deep learning and machine learning are valid alternative strategies to detect respiratory diseases without the presence of a doctor. Thus, it is worthwhile to develop an automatic respiratory disease detection system. This paper proposes a deep neural network with a blocking variable, namely Blnet, to classify respiratory sound, which integrates the strength of the ResNet, GoogleNet, and the self-attention mechanism. To solve the non-IID data problem, a two-stage training process with the blocking variable was developed. In addition, the mix-up data augmentation within the clusters was used to address the imbalanced data problem. The performance of the Blnet was tested on the ICBHI 2017 data, and the model achieved 79.13% specificity and 66.31% sensitivity, with an average score of 72.72%, which is a 4.22% improvement in the average score and a 12.61% improvement in sensitivity over the state-of-the-art results.
Cataclastic Characteristics and Formation Mechanism of Dolomite Rock Mass in Yunnan, China
Authors: Tian Lin , Liu Wenlian , Zhang Jiaming , Gao Haiyan
Published: June 2023

The dolomite rock mass on the slope of the Yanhe domestic waste incineration power plant was used as the research object. The macro- and micro-structural characteristics of intact rock blocks and rock discontinuities were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using in-hole television, wave velocity testing, three-dimensional laser scanning techniques, photogrammetry, image processing techniques, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study shows that the degree of fracturing generally decreases with depth over the exposed borehole depth range, and the rock masses are generally very fractured. The wave velocity of dolomite generally increases with the depth of the borehole, and the integrity of the dolomite is either broken or extremely broken. The excavation profile reveals six sets of discontinuities and joints that are straight, smooth, interconnected, and largely unfilled. The angles of the structural bodies of different grain sizes are sharp, with roundness being angular and sharp-angled. The smaller the blocks, the more complex the surface morphology. SEM observations show that the ultramicroscopic fractures are not flat and smooth, and the fractures are folded. Fracturing mainly occurs along intercrystalline and crystal interfaces. These fracture features suggest that the fracturing of dolomite is mainly related to the original sedimentary construction and tectonism.
Analyzing the SAR in Human Head Tissues under Different Exposure Scenarios
Authors: Turgut Ahmet , Engiz Begum Korunur
Published: June 2023

This paper deals with the assessment of induced specific absorption rate (SAR) in various human models under different exposure scenarios, including both laboratory measurements and simulations. Firstly, SAR values were measured in a standardized SAR laboratory using a phantom for two radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) sources at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. These laboratory measurements served as a reference for SAR calculations conducted on a specific anthropomorphic mannequin (SAM) using a computer simulation technology (CST) program, thus enabling the determination of antenna location and excitation signal levels for further evaluation. Subsequently, simulations were carried out with CST to evaluate average SAR for the head and for specific head tissues such as the brain, muscles, and fat. Realistic computational human models were also used alongside SAM in CST to explore the influence of gender, age, and tissue type on SAR. Various power levels representing low, moderate, and high RF-EMF exposure were applied to the human models to compare against basic restrictions and reference levels. The simulation results indicate significantly higher SAR values calculated for 1800 MHz compared with 900 MHz. The ratio of the highest SAR values at 1800 MHz to 900 MHz is approximately 1.70 for a baby, 2.59 for a child, and 2.84 for both adult female and adult male. While the SAR values for the brain, fat, muscle, and head are comparable at 900 MHz for the baby, the brain’s SAR value at 1800 MHz stands out significantly from the other tissues. In contrast with the baby, the difference in SAR values between 900 MHz and 1800 MHz is more pronounced for the child, adult female and adult male. The lowest SAR values at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz were obtained for brain tissue in all human models, while the head has the highest SAR value. The maximum SAR change ratio between the brain and the head is calculated to be 4.44 for the male at 1800 MHz. The results reveal that, although the applied electromagnetic field levels were below reference levels for general public local exposure, some local SAR values exceeded the International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection’s basic restriction for the general public at certain power levels, particularly at 1800 MHz. The SAR analysis derived from this study is significant in understanding the impact of wireless technologies on health, establishing safety standards, guiding technology advancement, conducting risk assessments, and increasing public awareness.
Research on Real-Time Obstacle Avoidance Motion Planning of Industrial Robotic Arm Based on Artificial Potential Field Method in Joint Space
Authors: Chen Yu , Chen Liping , Ding Jianwan , Liu Yanbing
Published: June 2023

The artificial potential field method is a highly popular obstacle avoidance algorithm which is widely used in the field of industrial robotics due to its high efficiency. However, the traditional artificial potential field method has poor real-time performance, making it less suitable for modern factory work patterns, and it is difficult to handle situations when the robotic arm encounters singular configurations. In this paper, we propose an improved artificial potential field method in joint space, which effectively improves the real-time performance of the algorithm, and still performs well when the robotic arm falls into a singular configuration. This method solves the gradient of the repulsive potential field in advance by defining the shortest distance from each joint of the robotic arm to the obstacle, and only needs to calculate potential field function once per cycle, which significantly reduces the calculation time. In addition, when a robotic arm falls into a local minimum position in potential field, the algorithm adds a virtual obstacle to make it leave the position, while this virtual obstacle does not require additional input information. Experimental results show that the algorithm obtains short movement paths and requires very little computing time in the face of different obstacles.
The Applicability of Machine Learning Methods to the Characterization of Fibrous Gas Diffusion Layers
Authors: Froning Dieter , Hoppe Eugen , Peters Ralf
Published: June 2023

Porous materials can be characterized by well-trained neural networks. In this study, fibrous paper-type gas diffusion layers were trained with artificial data created by a stochastic geometry model. The features of the data were calculated by means of transport simulations using the Lattice–Boltzmann method based on stochastic micro-structures. A convolutional neural network was developed that can predict the permeability and tortuosity of the material, through-plane and in-plane. The characteristics of real data, both uncompressed and compressed, were predicted. The data were represented by reconstructed images of different sizes and image resolutions. Image artifacts are also a source of potential errors in the prediction. The Kozeny–Carman trend was used to evaluate the prediction of permeability and tortuosity of compressed real data. Using this method, it was possible to decide if the predictions on compressed data were appropriate.
Anomaly Detection of Remote Sensing Images Based on the Channel Attention Mechanism and LRX
Authors: Guo Huinan , Wang Hua , Song Xiaodong , Ruan Zhongling
Published: June 2023

Anomaly detection of remote sensing images has gained significant attention in remote sensing image processing due to their rich spectral information. The Local RX (LRX) algorithm, derived from the Reed–Xiaoli (RX) algorithm, is a hyperspectral anomaly detection method that focuses on identifying anomalous pixels in hyperspectral images by exploiting local statistics and background modeling. However, it is still susceptible to the noises in the Hyperspectral Images (HSIs), which limits its detection performance. To address this problem, a hyperspectral anomaly detection algorithm based on channel attention mechanism and LRX is proposed in this paper. The HSI is feed into the auto-encoder network that is constrained by the channel attention module to generate a more representative reconstructed image that better captures the characteristics of different land covers and has less noises. The channel attention module in the auto-encoder network aims to explore the effective spectral bands corresponding to different land covers. Subsequently, the LRX algorithm is utilized for anomaly detection on the reconstructed image obtained from the auto-encoder network with the channel attention mechanism, which avoids the influence of noises on the anomaly detection results and improves the anomaly detection performance. The experiments are conducted on three HSIs to verify the performance of the proposed method. The proposed hyperspectral anomaly detection method achieves higher Area Under Curve (AUC) values of 0.9871, 0.9916 and 0.9642 on HYDICE urban dataset, AVIRIS aircraft dataset and Salinas Valley dataset, respectively, compared with other six methods. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has better anomaly detection performance than LRX and other algorithms.
Dynamic Interactions between Parallel Grid-Forming Inverters in a Microgrid
Authors: Almutairi Sulaiman Z.
Published: June 2023

The potential instability issues caused by the dynamic interactions between parallel grid-forming inverters are examined. The approach adopted for analysis is s-domain admittance-based eigenvalue and mode shape analysis. This admittance is based on a five-node circuit diagram after the conversion of each electric circuit element and inverter control unit into impedance models. Eigenvalue analysis results show that unstable resonance modes may exist due to the interactions of two parallel inverters. Impacts of transmission line length, the converter control’s virtual impedance unit, and the voltage feed-forward unit are examined via the eigenvalue and mode shape analysis. The results show that the virtual impedance control has a negligible influence on the resonance while the voltage feed-forward unit stabilizes the resonance. Finally, the stability analysis is validated using electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations.
Application of Positive Matrix Factorization for Source Apportionment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in the Adriatic Sea, and the Evaluation of PAH-Related Carcinogenic Risks
Authors: Mandić Jelena , Veža Jere , Kušpilić Grozdan
Published: June 2023

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were studied in 36 sediment samples collected from 29 sites in the central Adriatic Sea. The total concentration of PAH showed high variability, ranging from 42.85 µg kg−1 in open sea sediments to 28,662 µg kg−1 in the sediments of Šibenik Bay. Unsubstituted, parent PAH were dominant PAH compounds in the entire area of Šibenik Bay and most of the stations in the coastal area. In Kaštela Bay, methyl PAH concentrations were higher than the concentrations of unsubstituted PAH, whereas in the sediments along the mid-Adriatic transect, similar concentrations of both PAH fractions were determined. PAH sources were investigated by applying the Positive Matrix Factorization software developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results indicate the presence of four sources, two of which can be considered petrogenic and two pyrogenic. The contribution of the sources to the total concentration PAH at each station indicates the dominance of pyrogenic sources in Šibenik Bay and at most stations in the coastal area. In the sediments along the mid-Adriatic transversal, as well as in Kaštela Bay, PAHs originate mainly from petrogenic sources. The obtained results show that PMF can be a suitable tool for control of PAH pollution and thus, for the management of various activities in the Adriatic region. Seasonal differences between the contributions of sources in the Kaštela and Šibenik bays indicate that the contribution of traffic to the total concentration of PAH was higher during the tourist season. The carcinogenic risk of PAH determined by toxicity equivalent (TEQ) calculations showed an increased carcinogenic risk in the whole area of Šibenik Bay, regardless of the number of PAH compounds considered for the calculations. A low PAH-related carcinogenic risk was found for the rest of the study area.
Rupture and Disruption: Reflections on “Making” and “Knowing” Dance
Authors: Krishnan Hari
Published: June 2023

This essay follows a somewhat unconventional approach to writing about Indian dance in the diaspora. I say “unconventional” because it unfolds as a kind of self-reflexive narration of my own journey as a “doubly diasporic” Indian dancer, born in Singapore but having made my career in North America. In essence, I map my own unconventional paths to understanding Indian dance in the diaspora, outside the tired and troublesome idea of “dance as heritage”. The aim of this critical meditation on my own work is to offer up new possibilities for moving Indian dance into progressive conceptual spaces that direct it out of the discursive field of cultural nationalism that frames the idea of “heritage”.