bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Remote exercise testing in pulmonary hypertension (PHRET)
Authors: Stubbs Harrison , Lua Stephanie , Ingram Jamie , Jani Bhautesh D. , Brewis Melanie , Church Colin , Johnson Martin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractRemote exercise tests for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) would improve the telemedicine strategies in this disease. The PHRET study assessed the validity and feasibility of four remote exercise tests performed by PH patients at home. Participants undergoing diagnostic assessment for PH were included. At baseline, patients completed a 6MWT followed by a range of study tests including a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, a Sit‐to‐Stand (STS), a Step Test (ST), and a tele‐6MWT (T6MWT) performed outside using a GPS‐enabled smartphone. Patients performed these tests at home following discharge and at first follow‐up. Analysis focused on comparing the results of study tests to the standard 6MWT. The discontinuation rate was 15%. Ninety‐seven percent of patients were able to complete a TUG, 92% a STS, 73% a ST, and 49% a T6MWT. At baseline, correlation between the standard 6MWT and study tests, respectively, was T6MWT 0.93, ST 0.78, STS 0.71, and TUG −0.76 (p < 0.001). Direction of change in the study test agreed with the standard 6MWT in 68% of the follow‐up ST, 68% of the STS, 71% of the TUG, and 79% of the T6MWT. Patients were able to complete the tests at home, there were no adverse incidents and ≥92% of patients were happy to continue performing home tests. Remote exercise testing is feasible. The T6MWT was a valid remote measure of exercise capacity, but could only be performed by a limited number of patients. The high discontinuation rate may impact the utility of remote tests.
Action reliability analysis under random‐interval hybrid uncertainty of chain conveyor based on adaptive intelligent extremum surrogate model
Authors: Wen Hao , Hou Baolin , Lin Yubin , Jin Xin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe action responses of controlled mechanisms are often multiparametric, nonlinear, and uncertain. Complex dynamics and limited uncertain information pose difficulties for action reliability analysis. This paper develops an adaptive intelligent extremum surrogate model (AIESM) method for the action reliability under random‐interval hybrid uncertainty of a chain conveyor. First, a dynamic model of the chain conveyor is established, which considers the impact and frictional effects within the mechanical system, the regulating effects of the control system, and the external disturbances of the system. After that, a hybrid kernel extreme learning machine optimized by the sparrow search algorithm is employed as an intelligent surrogate model to construct the initial surrogate model from the hybrid uncertain variables to the limit state function (LSF) response and the extremum surrogate model (ESM) from the random variables to the LSF extremum response. An adaptive infilling strategy combining active learning and opposition‐based learning is applied to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the ESM and reduce the estimation error of action reliability. Finally, the action reliability interval bounds are obtained by Monte Carlo simulation based on the ESM. Two numerical examples are presented to illustrate the validity of the AIESM method. The action reliability interval of the chain conveyor provided by the proposed method is [0.9706, 0.9923].
Fixed‐time integral sliding mode control for admittance control of a robot manipulator
Authors: Sun Yuzhu , Van Mien , McIlvanna Stephen , McLoone Seán , Ceglarek Dariusz 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis article proposes a novel fixed‐time integral sliding mode controller for admittance control to enhance physical human‐robot collaboration. The proposed method combines the benefits of compliance to external forces of admittance control and high robustness to uncertainties of integral sliding mode control (ISMC), such that the system can collaborate with a human partner in an uncertain environment effectively. First, a fixed‐time sliding surface is applied in the ISMC to make the tracking error of the system converge within a fixed time regardless of the initial condition. Then, a fixed‐time backstepping controller (BSP) is integrated into the ISMC as the nominal controller to realize global fixed‐time convergence. Furthermore, to overcome the singularity problem, a nonsingular fixed‐time sliding surface is designed and integrated into the controller, which is useful for practical application. Finally, the proposed controller is validated for a two‐link robot manipulator with uncertainties and external human forces. The results show that the proposed controller is superior in the sense of both tracking error and convergence time, and at the same time, can comply with human motion in a shared workspace.
River regulation effects on zooplankton community assembly: Implications for arid river restoration and conservation
Authors: Li Jiahui , Liang Qiqi , Wang Hang , Montaña Carmen G. , Wang Zhongsuo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractRiver flow reduction and biodegradation are increasingly threatening ecological processes and the health of rivers. Water replenishment is frequently applied to drought‐stricken rivers to conserve biodiversity and restore ecosystems. To evaluate and improve the effects of different water supply regimes on aquatic environments and organisms, we investigated the species composition and community structure of zooplankton in 2020, following water replenishment in the dried section of the Yongding River in Beijing. Slow base flow of water and flow break were trialed in the mountainous and plain river sections, respectively, during the flooding season (June–August), while short‐time pulse high flow was applied outside the flooding season. The results indicated a low‐density but stable zooplankton community structure, as well as low nutrient loads with water purification outputs in the flooding season at the mountainous sites. Meanwhile, the absence of flow at plain sites drove isolated lakes or pools into rapid eutrophication and concurrent outbreaks of pollution‐indicator rotifers. Compared with the disturbances of high flow, continuous base flow was effective in fostering a river system with lower nutrient loads and higher biostability. Our findings support the importance of water‐saving base flows for maintaining aquatic habitats and associated biota, whereas high flows can satisfy the nutrient diffusion and special life activities of aquatic organisms in arid river management.
Challenges in measuring fine sediment ingress in gravel‐bed rivers using retrievable sediment trap samplers
Authors: Maltauro R. , Stone M. , Collins A. L. , Krishnappan B. G. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract“Excess” interstitial fine sediment (<2 mm) is known to cause deleterious impacts on streambed ecosystems. Current methodologies available to assess ingress and its vertical and horizontal components still lack standardization, and the accuracy of commonly used assessments is still debatable. Here, we evaluate three fine sediment trap designs that measure only vertical (V), only horizontal (H), and both vertical and horizontal (HV) ingress mechanisms. Sediment traps were deployed in triplicates to: (i) evaluate measurement variability within traps of the same type; (ii) evaluate the effects of trap design on particle size distributions of infiltrated fine sediment and; (iii) assess methodologies used to calculate vertical and horizontal ingress mechanisms. Ingress rates were recorded for each sediment trap during seven deployment periods (lasting from 2 to 10 days) at a range of flow conditions at four sites. A total of 252 traps were deployed. Results from the triplicate assessment of traps with the same design showed that most measurements presented high variability and that particle size distributions were significantly affected by trap design. Here, different sediment traps were able to estimate directional ingress mechanisms. However, direct comparison between HV with either H or V traps led to an overestimation of horizontal or vertical ingress mechanisms, respectively. Better estimations were found when comparing HV observations to half the accumulation in either H or V, due to the proportional trap volume available for each accumulation mechanism according to trap design.
Prolonged chronic academic stress and its relationship with cytokine dysregulation in health science students
Authors: Rivera Gómez Angie Katherine , Perafán Collazos Jeyson Fernando , Prieto Jerónimo Londoño , Pinzón Paola Vernaza , Ávila González Gloria Inés , Nino Castaño Victoria Eugenia , Dueñas Cuellar Rosa Amalia 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAcademic stress is a problem that affects students due to a number of factors that are considered stressors. These include academic overload and completion of assignments and exams, exacerbated by such external conditions as family, social and economic problems. Together, these can affect emotional and physical health, which may lead in the long term to developing a number of pathologies, given the alteration of immunological homoeostasis with which they are related. Objective: To evaluate the effect of academic stress on the production of cytokines IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐10 in Morphology students in the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Universidad del Cauca during an academic period. Methodology: A descriptive longitudinal study was carried out with a population of 78 students studying Morphology, among the subjects with the highest academic load in the Physiotherapy, Medicine, Nursing and Phonoaudiology programs in the Faculty. Academic stress was assessed in the students by applying the Academic Stress Questionnaire (ASQ), and through quantification of the IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐10 cytokines using the ELISA (Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) technique in three “moments” of the academic semester: Moment 1: beginning of the academic semester; Moment 2: week of evaluations of 70% of the semester; Moment 3: week of final exams. Results: The students perceived stress as “normal” at Moment 1, while at Moments 2 and 3 it was perceived as "quite a lot", with percentages of 48.7% and 50%, respectively. The predominant stressors were: “methodological deficiencies”, “academic overload”, and “exams”, for the three moments of the study. “Physical exhaustion” was the most prevalent stress response at all three moments, followed by “irascible behaviour” (Moment 2 and 3), and “sleep disturbances” (Moment 3). To cope with the stress, the students resorted mainly to "planning and management of personal resources" in the three moments of the study. A progressive increase in the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and TNF‐α and a decrease in IL‐10 were observed at all three moments. A correlation was found between some questions belonging to the "methodological deficiencies", "beliefs about performance", "sleep disturbances", "physical exhaustion" and "irascible behaviour" dimensions with IL‐6, IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IL. −10. Conclusion: The morphology students suffer increased stress indicators (perceived stress and pro‐inflammatory cytokines) throughout the academic period. The “methodological deficiencies”, “academic overload” and “exams” stressors, together with “physical exhaustion”, “sleep disturbances” and “irascible behaviour”, possibly influence the production of the IL‐6, TNF‐α and IL‐10 cytokines.
Pilot randomized controlled trial of biofeedback on reducing psychological and physiological stress among persons experiencing homelessness
Authors: Nyamathi Adeline M. , Salem Benissa E. , Gelberg Lillian , Garfin Dana Rose , Wolitsky‐Taylor Kate , Shin Sanghyuk S. , Yu Zhaoxia , Hudson Angela , Yadav Kartik , Clarke Richard , Alikhani Mitra , van Cise Emily , Lee Darlene 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPeople experiencing homelessness report increased exposure to traumatic life events and higher rates of depression, anxiety, and post‐traumatic stress disorder as compared with the general population. Heart rate variability‐biofeedback (HRV‐BF) has been shown to decrease symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. However, HRV‐BF has not been tested with the most vulnerable of populations, homeless adults. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effectiveness of an HRV‐BF intervention versus a Health Promotion (HP) active control intervention focused on improving mental health symptoms among homeless adults. Guided by a community advisory board, homeless adults residing in Skid Row, Los Angeles (n = 40) were randomized to either the HRV‐BF or an active HP control group and received eight weekly, 30‐min sessions over two months, delivered by a nurse‐led community health worker team. Dependent variables of HRV, mental health, anxiety, depression, and PTSD were measured at baseline, the 8‐week session, and/or 2‐month follow‐up. All intervention sessions were completed by 90% (36/40) of participants. Both the HRV‐BF and HP interventions showed significant increases in HRV from baseline to 2‐month follow‐up, with no significant difference between the intervention groups. The HRV‐BF programme revealed a somewhat greater, although non‐significant, improvement in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms than the HP programme. The usefulness of both interventions, focused on emotional and physical health, warrants future studies to examine the value of a combined HRV‐BF and HP intervention.
Design of high‐performance and sustainable Co‐free Ni‐rich cathodes for next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Ge Hao , Shen Zhiwen , Wang Yanhong , Sun Zhijia , Cao Xiaoman , Wang Chaoyue , Fan Xinyue , Bai Jinsong , Li Rundong , Yang Tianhua , Wu Gang 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGreat attention has been given to high‐performance and inexpensive lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) in response to the ever‐increasing demand for the explosive growth of electric vehicles (EVs). High‐performance and low‐cost Co‐free Ni‐rich layered cathodes are considered one of the most favorable candidates for next‐generation LIBs because the current supply chain of EVs relies heavily on scarce and expensive Co. Herein, we review the recent research progress on Co‐free Ni‐rich layered cathodes, emphasizing on analyzing the necessity of replacing Co and the popular improvment methods. The current advancements in the design strategies of Co‐free Ni‐rich layered cathodes are summarized in detail. Despite considerable improvements achieved so far, the main technical challenges contributing to the deterioration of Co‐free Ni‐rich cathodes such as detrimental phase transitions, crack formation, and severe interfacial side reactions, are difficult to resolve by a single technique. The cooperation of multiple modification strategies is expected to accelerate the industrialization of Co‐free Ni‐rich layered cathodes, and the corresponding synergistic mechanisms urgently need to be studied. More effects will be aroused to explore high‐performance Co‐free Ni‐rich layered cathodes to promote the sustainable development of LIBs.
Lithium sulfide: a promising prelithiation agent for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Huang Junkang , Li Weifeng , Zhang Wenli , Lin Bixia , Wang Yang , Or Siu Wing , Sun Shuhui , Xing Zhenyu 
Published: December 2023

AbstractLithium‐ion batteries are widely used in portable electronics and electric vehicles due to their high energy density, stable cycle life, and low self‐discharge. However, irreversible lithium loss during the formation of the solid electrolyte interface greatly impairs energy density and cyclability. To compensate for the lithium loss, introducing an external lithium source, that is, a prelithiation agent, is an effective strategy to solve the above problems. Compared with other prelithiation strategies, cathode prelithiation is more cost‐effective with simpler operation. Among various cathode prelithiation agents, we first systematically summarize the recent progress of Li2S‐based prelithiation agents, and then propose some novel strategies to tackle the current challenges. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of Li2S‐based prelithiation agents and new research directions in the future.
Traumatic dentoalveolar fracture in a dog—An unusual and misdiagnosed injury
Authors: Fracascio Sabrina , Pignone Víviam Nunes , Guimarães‐Okamoto Priscylla Tatiana Chalfun , Rahal Sheila Canevese , Melchert Alessandra 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe lateral luxation of a tooth is a traumatic dentoalveolar injury, which causes partial or complete tooth displacement and periodontal damage. We report a female mixed‐breed dog referred to the dentistry service with a lateral luxation of the maxillary left canine tooth due to a trauma‐related alveolar bone fracture. This unusual lesion is often misdiagnosed as a tooth fracture and potentially treated with extraction. Another major challenge is the need for emergency treatment since time decreases the number of periodontal ligament cells and hinders the pulp vascular supply. Without endodontic treatment, it may progress to pulp necrosis, root reabsorption and tooth loss. Instead of the classical treatment with a ligature wire, we performed a splint with acrylic resin, followed by root canal therapy and postoperative care. This technique was successful and spared the tooth, which remained structurally and periodontally sound and functional over 2 years of follow‐up.
Temporal covariance of spatial soil moisture variations: A mechanistic error modeling approach
Authors: Hendrickx Marit G. A. , Diels Jan , Janssens Pieter , Schlüter Steffen , Vanderborght Jan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWhen estimating field‐scale average soil moisture from sensors measuring at fixed positions, spatial variability in soil moisture leads to “measurement errors” of the spatial mean, which may persist over time due to persistent soil moisture patterns resulting in autocorrelated measurement errors. The uncertainty of parameters that are derived from such measurements may be underestimated when they are assumed to be independent. Temporal autocorrelation models assume stationary random errors, but such error models are not necessarily applicable to soil moisture measurements. As an alternative, we propose a mechanistic error model that is based on the spatial variability of the water retention curve and assumes a uniform water potential. We tested whether spatial soil moisture variability and its temporal covariance could be predicted based on (1) mean soil moisture, (2) water retention variability, and (3) (co)variances of the van Genuchten parameters using a first‐order expansion of the retention curve. The proposed models were tested in a numerical and a field experiment. For the field experiment, in situ sensor measurements and water retention curves were obtained in a field plot. Both experiments showed that water retention variability under a uniform water potential is a good predictor for spatial soil moisture variability, and that soil moisture errors are strongly correlated in time and neglecting them would be an incorrect assumption. The temporal error covariance could be predicted as a function of the mean moisture contents at two observation times. Further research is required to assess the impact of these temporal correlations on soil moisture predictions.
New insights into the correlation between soil thermal conductivity and water retention in unsaturated soils
Authors: Fu Yongwei , Ghanbarian Behzad , Horton Robert , Heitman Joshua 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe heat transfer and water retention in soils, governed by soil thermal conductivity (λ) and soil water retention curve (SWRC), are coupled. Soil water content (θ) significantly affects λ. Several models have been developed to describe λ(θ) relationships for unsaturated soils. Ghanbarian and Daigle presented a percolation‐based effective‐medium approximation (P‐EMA) for λ(θ) with two parameters: scaling exponent (ts) and critical water content (θc). In this study, we explored the new insights into the correlation between soil thermal conductivity and water retention using the P‐EMA and van Genuchten models. The θc was strongly correlated to selected soil hydraulic and physical properties, such as water contents at wilting point (θpwp), inflection point (θi), and hydraulic continuity (θhc) determined from measured SWRCs for a 23‐soil calibration dataset. The established relationships were then evaluated on a seven‐soil validation dataset to estimate θc. Results confirmed their robustness with root mean square error ranging from 0.011 to 0.015 cm3 cm−3, MAE ranging from 0.008 to 0.013 cm3 cm−3, and R2 of 0.98. Further discussion investigated the underlying mechanism for the correlation between θc with θhc which dominate both heat transfer and water flow. More importantly, this study revealed the possibility to further investigate the general relationship between λ(θ) and SWRC data in the future.
The yeast–human coevolution: Fungal transition from passengers, colonizers, and invaders
Authors: Nenciarini Stefano , Renzi Sonia , di Paola Monica , Meriggi Niccolò , Cavalieri Duccio 
Published: December 2023

AbstractFungi are the cause of more than a billion infections in humans every year, although their interactions with the host are still neglected compared to bacteria. Major systemic fungal infections are very unusual in the healthy population, due to the long history of coevolution with the human host. Humans are routinely exposed to environmental fungi and can host a commensal mycobiota, which is increasingly considered as a key player in health and disease. Here, we review the current knowledge on host‐fungi coevolution and the factors that regulate their interaction. On one hand, fungi have learned to survive and inhabit the host organisms as a natural ecosystem, on the other hand, the host immune system finely tunes the response toward fungi. In turn, recognition of fungi as commensals or pathogens regulates the host immune balance in health and disease. In the human gut ecosystem, yeasts provide a fingerprint of the transient microbiota. Their status as passengers or colonizers is related to the integrity of the gut barrier and the risk of multiple disorders. Thus, the study of this less known component of the microbiota could unravel the rules of the transition from passengers to colonizers and invaders, as well as their dependence on the innate component of the host's immune response.This article is categorized under:
Infectious Diseases > Environmental Factors
Immune System Diseases > Environmental Factors
Infectious Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Judaism and Engagements with Nature: Theology and Practice
Authors: Welch Christina , Amswych Neil 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis chapter explores Jewish engagements with nature through the lens of grassroots Jewish eco-action and sustainability against the background of respect for, and sustainability of the created natural world in Jewish textual sources. It pivots around the work of Reform Rabbi Neil Amswych and his faith-based pioneering work in ecologically focussed interfaith action in Dorset (England), whilst drawing globally on Jewish permaculture initiatives, educational programmes and the ritual of Tu Bish’vat, the New Year of the Trees festival that emphasises both sustainable environmentalism, and the connection between social justice and ecology. It also highlights the importance of Tikkun Olam, the Kabbalistic mystical concept of Healing the World, and how education can help Jews of all ages support this Jewish principle.