bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Research on dust control technology and numerical simulation of conical guiding air curtain in fully mechanized excavation face
Authors: Meng Xin , Gao Qiqiang , Li Jie , Zhao Guoan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe dust pollution caused by the operation of fully mechanized heading face poses a serious threat to the safety production of operators and working face. To reduce dust concentration at the fully mechanized heading face, this study analyzed dust samples collected from various positions to understand the particle size distribution characteristics. Based on these findings, a conical diversion air conditioning (CDAC) device was designed to create a radial air curtain for dust control in the roadway cross-section. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was then employed to investigate the airflow and particle dynamics when the cone-shaped deflector was in closed and open states. The results show that in the fully mechanized heading face, the dust distribution in the working area of the roadheader driver is relatively dense, and the dust particles with particle size ≤ 8 μm account for a large proportion. When the CDAC device is deployed, the axial airflow in the roadway is changed into a rotating airflow along the roadway wall, and an air screen is established in the working area of the roadheader driver to block the outward diffusion of dust. When the pressure air outlet is arranged 30 m away from the tunneling head, the pressure air volume is set to 400 m3/min, and the CDAC device can better form the air curtain barrier to block the dust particles. It provides a new method for effectively controlling the dust concentration of the fully mechanized heading face and directly ensuring the health of the roadheader driver.
Sociodemographic predictors of parenting stress among mothers in socio-economically deprived settings in rural and urban Kenya and Zambia
Authors: Okelo Kenneth Odhiambo , Kitsao-Wekulo Patricia , Onyango Silas , Wambui Elizabeth , Hardie Iain , King Josiah , Murray Aja Louise , Auyeung Bonnie 
Published: June 2024

AbstractParental stress occurs when parenting demands exceed the resources available to cope with parenting. Previous research has identified household wealth, educational level, marital status, age, and number of dependent children as predictors of parental stress. However, limited evidence exists from sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the sociodemographic predictors of parenting stress among mothers in Kenya and Zambia. This cross-sectional study utilised baseline secondary data from parenting intervention programs implemented in Kisumu County (rural Kenya), Nairobi County (Urban Kenya), and Chisamba District (rural Zambia). Out of 913 caregivers recruited for the parenting program, 844 with complete data were included in the analysis. The mean age was 1.0 (SD = 0.7) years. Parental stress was measured using the Parental Stress Score (PSS) tool and demographic questionnaires were used to collect demographic information. Mean PSS were compared across study sites, and a multiple linear regression model was used to examine associations between sociodemographic predictors (household income, educational level, marital status, maternal age, child age, and number of children aged < 5 years) and PSS, adjusting for clustering and other predictors. From the results, the mean PSS in rural Kenya was 37.6 [SD = 11.8], in urban Kenya was 48.4 [SD = 4.2], and in rural Zambia was 43.0 [SD = 9.1]. In addition, the significant association between PSS and mothers’ income and educational level was only observed in Kenyan study sites (income: Kenya rural β = -0.40, p < 0.001**; Kenya urban, β = − 0.33, p = .02*; Zambia rural, β = − 0.01, p = 0.7) education: Kenya rural, β = − 0.25, p = .005**; Kenya urban, β = − 0.14, p = 0.07; Zambia rural, β = 0.04, p = 0.3). However, marital status, mother’s age, child’s age, and the number of children below five years were not associated with PSS. The results revealed that mothers’ income and education level were negatively associated with PSS, indicating that higher socioeconomic status can buffer the effects of parental stress.Trial registration Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/) database (ID Number: PACTR20180774832663 Date: 26/July/2018; (ID number: PACTR201905787868050 Date: 06/May/2019.
Fast connectivity gradient approximation: maintaining spatially fine-grained connectivity gradients while reducing computational costs
Authors: Nenning Karl-Heinz , Xu Ting , Tambini Arielle , Franco Alexandre R. , Margulies Daniel S. , Colcombe Stanley J. , Milham Michael P. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBrain connectome analysis suffers from the high dimensionality of connectivity data, often forcing a reduced representation of the brain at a lower spatial resolution or parcellation. This is particularly true for graph-based representations, which are increasingly used to characterize connectivity gradients, capturing patterns of systematic spatial variation in the functional connectivity structure. However, maintaining a high spatial resolution is crucial for enabling fine-grained topographical analysis and preserving subtle individual differences that might otherwise be lost. Here we introduce a computationally efficient approach to establish spatially fine-grained connectivity gradients. At its core, it leverages a set of landmarks to approximate the underlying connectivity structure at the full spatial resolution without requiring a full-scale vertex-by-vertex connectivity matrix. We show that this approach reduces computational time and memory usage while preserving informative individual features and demonstrate its application in improving brain-behavior predictions. Overall, its efficiency can remove computational barriers and enable the widespread application of connectivity gradients to capture spatial signatures of the connectome. Importantly, maintaining a spatially fine-grained resolution facilitates to characterize the spatial transitions inherent in the core concept of gradients of brain organization.
Congenital Myopathy-1B due to RYR 1 Gene Mutation in Three Libyan Families
Authors: Etarhuni Samira , Kara Majdi , Alghazir Nadia 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Introduction We report a series of patients in three different Libyan families diagnosed with congenital myopathy to study the wide clinical variability between these families, and the genetic heterogeneity.
Description of Cases We describe six patients, one patient presented with severe neonatal-onset RYR1-associated myopathy while the other five patients came mainly due to delay in motor development; genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of CMY-1B disease due to RYR1 mutation in all patients. Clinical features of congenital widely varied between the families ranging from profound hypotonia during the neonatal period in one family to a motor delay and abnormal gait during childhood in other two families. Whereas the clinical picture is quite similar in the patients of same family, the patient who presented with severe neonatal presentation of RYR1-associated myopathy also had gastrostomy feeding, respiratory involvement, clubfeet, cleft palate, and undescended testes. The five patients who presented due to delay in motor development all were ambulatory without the need of support, except the youngest one aged 4 years still walking with support. The genetic study in the form of whole-exon sequencing as well as next-generation sequencing showed homozygosity of a gene mutation in five patients and a compound heterozygosity in one patient which presented with neonatal severe hypotonia.
Conclusion CMY-1B disease is a rare autosomal dominant and recessive genetic disorder that has variable clinical presentations. The early diagnosis is very important for genetic counseling as well as avoiding malignant hyperthermia. We also report rare and unusual presentations that may further delay the diagnosis.
One Health Initiative of Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice (OHRP): Implementation on Enhancing Poultry Health and Production, Food Safety and Quality of Chicken Meat in Hong Kong SAR
Authors: Xin Chen , Win Tu Tu Zaw , Nekouei Omid , Paudel Surya , Yau Denis , Ting Lam Chun , Pfeiffer Dirk U. , Conan Anne 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In 2019, the Centre for One Health Applied Research and Policy Advice (OHRP) launched an interdisciplinary research program so far consisting of two independently funded projects that aimed to improve poultry health and production in Hong Kong SAR. The program focuses on applied field research and advanced health management practices through two independent projects fully funded by the Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund of the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: The Poultry Health Assurance Project (PHAP) and the Poultry Health and Production Management Project (PHPM). Specifically, this work established collaborations between academic partners, the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Chicken Breeders Association, and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory of City University of Hong Kong (CityU VDL), with the overarching objective of providing veterinary services to 29 chicken farms in Hong Kong SAR.
In this OHRP-launched program, there are two projects (Project I and Project II): the first one, named Poultry Health Assurance Project (PHAP), was conducted from 2019 to 2022, and the second one, named Poultry Health and Production Management Project from 2022 to 2024. Numerous innovative and sustainable studies and activities, such as implementing intelligent farming practices, have already been conducted. For instance, a mobile application called “Broiler Record APP” has been developed to facilitate data collection data and monitor farm production. Environmental data sensors have been installed in poultry farms to efficiently track and maintain stable temperature and humidity. Moreover, OHRP has introduced free-to-use newsletters and continuing education seminars called the Poultry News-Technology Promotion Information Plan, which aims to introduce farmers to the latest technology, address the need for ongoing education for farm staff, and offer training courses for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the poultry industry. In addition, value chain mapping activities are also conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the poultry value chain in collaboration between researchers from OHRP, City University of Hong Kong (CityU), and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), United Kingdom. With the ambition of establishing a “Hong Kong Chicken Quality” brand through the prudent use of antibiotics, both projects also encompass veterinary clinical activities conducted by HK-registered veterinarians, such as veterinarian prescriptions and veterinary care.

Information
© 2024 Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice (OHRP), City University of Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved. Open Access. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Developing the Songtsam Laigu Lodge
Authors: Whitfield Richard , Lin Li-Chun , Noordzy Gert , Chirumiko Liberty 
Published: June 2024

Summary

Building construction accounts for a large part of the cost of developing any new hotel, but it is only part of the process that must be worked through to establish and launch the property. As explained in the case, the method of construction adopted has a big impact on the time, cost, and quality of the finished hotel and greatly affects the other steps involved (e.g. the initial building design work and how the room fit outs and other pre-opening works are done). As the Songtsam Laigu Lodge mixed traditional
in situ
and more modern prefabricated construction methods, it very effectively illustrates the trade-offs involved.

Information
© The Authors 2024
Developing the Huma Island Resort and Spa
Authors: Whitfield Richard , Lin Li-Chun , Noordzy Gert , Chirumiko Liberty 
Published: June 2024

Summary

Building construction accounts for a large part of the cost for developing any new tropical island resort, but it is only part of the process that must be worked through to establish and launch the property. As explained in the case, the method of construction adopted has a big impact on the time, cost, and quality of the finished property and greatly affects the other steps involved (e.g. the initial building design work and how the room fit outs and other pre-opening work is done). Because Huma Island Resort and Spa mixed traditional
in situ
and more modern prefabricated construction methods, it very effectively illustrates the trade-offs involved.

Information
© The Authors 2024
Exploring the relationship between pavement mean texture depth and mean profile depth: from theoretical derivation to field results
Authors: Ran Maoping , Xiao Shenqing , Li Mingliang , Jiang Ruiqie , Zhou Xinglin , Tan Yiqiu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Pavement mean texture depth (MTD) and mean profile depth (MPD) are common evaluation indicators for characterizing the pavement surface. Clarifying the relationship between the two contributes to coordinate various measurement methods and evaluation criterions. The calculation methods of MTD and MPD were first introduced to trace the similarity between the indicators. Subsequently, the tortuosity area of surface texture was observed using x-ray Computer Tomography (CT). To further determine the model parameter, over 3000 sets of field data in Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport (RIOH) track were measured. Meanwhile, the field results of another track and existing recommended model were also used to validate the model. The results show that the shift relationship between MTD and MPD is theoretically unified into a linear model with a slope of 1 and an intercept related to the surface tortuosity. These tortuous areas, the main difference source between the two indicators, would lead to a greater equivalent texture depth under the coarser gradation or lower the compactness of the asphalt mixture. Even for the different track roads, the determined model (MTD = MPD + 0.03) has a lower mean relative estimation error, indicating good applicability. This study provides theoretical explanation and empirical references for the automated laser-based texture detection.
Thickness measurement of thin films using atomic force microscopy based scratching
Authors: Vasić Borislav , Aškrabić Sonja 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Thin-film thickness measurements using atomic force microscopy (AFM) comprise two steps: 1. AFM scratching in order to produce an exposed film edge, and 2. subsequent AFM measurement of the corresponding step height across the exposed edge. Although the technique is known, many open questions have limited its wider applications. In order to clarify the open questions, here we first demonstrate how to determine the normal force applied during the scratching in contact mode needed to completely remove films from substrates. In order to determine film thickness from processed AFM images, we discuss two procedures based on the histogram method and polynomial step-function fitting. Mechanisms of the scratching process are elucidated by the analysis of lateral forces and their enhancement during the film peeling. Phase maps of scratched domains recorded in amplitude modulation AFM (tapping) mode display a clear contrast compared to pristine films. Therefore, we suggest their utilization as simple indicators of spatial domains with completely removed films. As an example, here the measurements were done on polymer films fabricated by layer-by-layer deposition of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes composed of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), while the applicability of the presented method on other materials is discussed in detail.
Highly sensitive flexible dielectric-response-based taste sensor for generic liquid identification
Authors: Sun Aixin , Wang Jianyu , Hu Xuan , Wang Jianhui , Wan Zhijiang , Wang Yan , Zhu Renping , Wang Li 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Artificial taste sensors mimicking human tongue enables a non-destructive, rapid, and objective method for taste assessment, and the integration of multiple sensing units to fully emulate human gustatory system remains challenge. Here, we present a dielectric-response-based taste (DRT) sensor with a facile structure for generic liquid identification. The representative tastants of the five basic tastes have been identified with a wide range (10 μM–100 mM), a low limit of the detection (5 μM), and long-term stability (>30 d). Moreover, mixtures of tastants can be distinguished by combining the potential and conductance measurement modes of the DRT sensor. An accuracy of 98.98% has been achieved on recognizing the types of six different beverages by the proposed sensor with the assistance of machine learning. The DRT sensor based on the idea of direct acquiring dielectric responses shows excellent performances in transcending human gustatory senses, providing an efficient, stable and low-cost method for applications in food industry, pharmaceutics, and environment monitoring.
Nanoarchitectonics of MXene-based sixteenth-mode flexible SIW antenna for conformal wireless applications
Authors: Sindhu Battina , Siraj Sohel , Sahatiya Parikshit , Nandi Sourav 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
A miniaturized sixteenth-mode nanomaterial-based flexible substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) antenna is demonstrated at an operating frequency of 3.5 GHz. The antenna is designed based on the one-sixteenth mode of a circular SIW cavity. The SIW in this instance is manufactured exclusively with flexible non-textile materials, which makes it unique and novel from the other reported works. The substrate of the proposed antenna is manufactured using PDMS by masking and laser cutting process. The patch on the substrate is made of a 2D nanomaterial MXene, whereas the ground at the bottom is created using copper tape. Vias connecting the patch and ground were filled with silver paste and dried at 80 °C in an oven. With a compact design and flexibility, the proposed flexible SIW antenna offers a unidirectional radiation pattern with a reasonable gain of −3.39 dBi at a 3.5 GHz resonant frequency. Additionally, the antenna is demonstrated for its flexible performance by straining it to the maximum extent without any structural damage. Consequently, the presented flexible SIW antenna can be well suited for conformal wireless applications.
Deployment and development of community wealth building in Canadian mid-sized cities
Authors: Jamal Audrey , Scholten Jordan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In the early 2000s, community wealth building (CWB) emerged as a renewed approach to local economic development. By design, CWB aims to democratize economies by harnessing the power of local assets and keeping wealth circulating in communities. Grounded in the principles of local ownership, and leveraging the purchasing power of anchor institutions, CWB seeks to combat wealth extraction to build a more sustainable and equitable economy. Where cities around the world, from Preston to Cleveland, are experimenting with this model, less is known about CWB in the Canadian context. As such, this research aims to better understand the barriers and facilitators to implementing CWB approaches in four Canadian mid-sized cities. This research is framed through an inclusive economy lens that advocates for the inclusion of local actors, community groups, and non-profits in building their economies. This approach resonates with the mid-sized city scholarship that supports the involvement of non-traditional actors in city-building. This research represents the first exploration of CWB in four Ontario mid-sized cities and offers insights into the strategies that local leaders are using to address challenges and build their economies. Findings from this research highlight the importance of community involvement, the value of local champions, and the importance of cross-sector collaborations. Despite the range of CWB initiatives happening across these Canadian mid-sized cities, this research finds that CWB projects remain on the margins of mainstream economic development policy and practice and advances the importance of more awareness of CWB.
A new important nodes identification method in multi-layer heterogeneous combat network with meta-path centrality
Authors: Sun Lijian , Zhou Yun , Zhu Cheng , Zhang Weiming 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Identifying important nodes is of great significance to improving the stability and security of heterogeneous combat networks. Due to the heterogeneity of nodes and the diversity of connections, heterogeneous combat networks usually are multi-layered. In order to model the combat network more accurately and identify important nodes, this paper proposes a new important nodes identification method in multi-layer heterogeneous combat network (MHCN). This method takes into account not only the topological information between nodes, but also the meta-paths formed by node interactions and the closeness of their associations. Furthermore, it considers the uncertainty of the command and control (C2) structure within MHCN. Specifically, first, tensor representation of MHCN is proposed to represent the intra-layer network and inter-layer network between nodes. Then, meta-path and its calculation method are proposed to capture interaction information between nodes. Next, intra-layer degree centrality, meta-path centrality, combined importance of node and C2 structure entropy are proposed to identify important nodes in MHCN, which can use the interaction characteristics of intra-layer and inter-layer to measure node importance in MHCNs with different C2 structures. Finally, experiments are carried out on real combat network case to verify the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed method. The results provide useful insights for operational guidance and the design of C2 structure.
A Yee-like finite-element scheme for Maxwell’s equations on unstructured grids
Authors: Radu Bogdan , Egger Herbert 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
A novel finite element scheme is studied for solving the time-dependent Maxwell’s equations on unstructured grids efficiently. Similar to the traditional Yee scheme, the method has one degree of freedom for most edges and a sparse inverse mass matrix. This allows for an efficient realization by explicit time-stepping without solving linear systems. The method is constructed by algebraic reduction of another underlying finite element scheme, which involves two degrees of freedom for every edge. Mass-lumping and additional modifications are used in the construction of this method to allow for the mentioned algebraic reduction in the presence of source terms and lossy media later on. A full error analysis of the underlying method is developed, which by construction also carries over to the reduced scheme and allows to prove convergence rates for the latter. The efficiency and accuracy of both methods are illustrated by numerical tests. The proposed schemes and their analysis can be extended to structured grids and in special cases the reduced method turns out to be algebraically equivalent to the Yee scheme. The analysis of this paper highlights possible difficulties in extensions of the Yee scheme to nonorthogonal or unstructured grids, discontinuous material parameters and nonsmooth source terms, and also offers potential remedies.