bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interlaminar shear and flexural properties of three-dimensional braided glass fiber/polylactic acid composites
Authors: Wang Jing , Lv Dongyang , Chen Zejiu 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
To address the problem of environmental pollution caused by the transitional use of petroleum-based composites, a green and environmentally friendly thermoplastic resin compound molding process is proposed. In this study, continuous glass fiber (GF) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites were prepared. The coupling agent KH550 was used to modify the preforms to enhance the interfacial properties. The three-dimensional (3D) braiding technology and hot pressing were adopted to produce the samples. Then, the crystallinity, transverse shear stress, interlaminar shear, and bending properties of samples were tested. Finally, the effects of GF content, preform thickness, cutting edge, and KH550 concentration on the longitudinal bending properties of composites were investigated. The results showed that GF improved the crystallinity of PLA, and the bending performance was better at a GF content of 40% and a preform thickness of 9 mm. The cutting edge has little effect on the mechanical properties of the composites and can be cut according to the requirements. The best mechanical properties are achieved at a KH550 concentration of 40%.
Effects of Game-based Physical Education Program on Enjoyment in Children and Adolescents : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Mo Weilong , Saibon Jamalsafri Bin , LI Yaming , Li Jiequan , He Yanwu 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objective: The objective of this research was to use a systematic review methodology in order to investigate the impact of a game-based physical education intervention on the enjoyment experienced by children and adolescents.Additionally, a meta-analysis is adopted to identify the factors for enjoyment promotion during their participation in physical education games.
Methods:This study involves a comprehensive search of different databases like Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, EBSCOhost, Cochrane, and Scopus. Specific criteria are established for the selection process to make sure the relevant literature included. The quality assessment of the included researches is conducted based on the guidelines outlined in the Cochrane 5.1 handbook. Review Manager 5.3 software is employed to synthesis the effect sizes. Additionally, bias is assessed using funnel plots, and to identify potential sources of heterogeneity， subgroup analyses are performed.
Results: A total of 1,907 academic papers, out of which 2 articles were identified via other data sources. The present study examined the impact of a pedagogical intervention involving physical education games on the enjoyment experienced by children and adolescents. The results indicated a significant positive effect (MD=0.53, 95%CI:[0.27,0.79], P<0.05) of this intervention on enjoyment. Subgroup analyses further revealed that both boys (MD=0.31, 95%CI:[0.13,0.50], P<0.05) and girls (MD=0.28, 95%CI:[0.05,0.51], P<0.05) experienced increased pleasure compared to traditional physical education. Additionally, children under 12 years of age (MD=0.41, 95%CI:[0.17,0.64], P<0.05) benefited from sessions lasting at least 30 minutes or more per session (MD=0.40, 95%CI:[0.19,0.60], P<0.05), occurring 1 to 3 times per week (MD=0.28, 95%CI:[0.16,0.40], P<0.05), and lasting for more than 3 weeks (MD=0.81, 95%CI:[0.29,1.34], P<0.05). These findings suggest that the implementation of physical education games can be an effective approach to teaching this subject.
Conclusions: 1) Interventions using physical games have been shown to yield beneficial outcomes in terms of enhancing the enjoyment experienced by children and adolescents. 2) The effectiveness of treatments aimed at promoting enjoyment among children and adolescents is influenced by several aspects, including gender, age, duration and frequency of physical activity, as well as the specific cycle of activity used.
Ferroptosis activates retinoic acid inflammation and ignites the development of Silicosis
Authors: Li xingjie , Tan Jinzhuo , Wu Renlan , Zhang Zongde 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Lung cells damage caused by inhalation of silica and silicon crystals leads to Silicosis. Retinoic acid is a mitogen in the development of lung organs and exerts pleiotropic effects on immune reactions. How retinoic acid signaling is engaged in Silicosis remains unknown. We report here that retinoic acid signaling in dendritic cells was activated in silicosis lesions. SiO2 activates the retinoic acid signaling by provoking ferroptosis and triggers a downstream "retinoic acid inflammation" characterized by upregulating cGAS-STING signaling genes and inflammasome-associated IL-1βand IL-1α. Inhibition of ferroptosis in mice relieves silica-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. This cellular retinoic acid response may act as a cytosolic adjuvant to promote extended and upgraded inflammation. Our work unveils a mechanism by which retinoic acid reaction induces cGAS-STING and inflammasome signaling to sustain silica-induced inflammation.
Population dynamics of the citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb, 1913 in an infested orchard in Fars province, southern Iran
Authors: Rumiani Mohammad , Karegar Akbar , Hamzehzarghani Habiballah 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb, 1913 is one of the most important threats limiting the growth of citrus trees around the world. In recent years, efforts have been made to control this pathogen. Determining the number of generations and population peaks of this nematode is necessary for its control. This study was conducted to investigate the fluctuations of the citrus nematode population in Fasa, an important citrus growing city in Fars province, southern Iran, between 2018 and 2019. The results showed that the lowest levels of soil nematodes including second-stage juveniles (J2s) and males, and root nematodes (eggs, juveniles and females) occurred in July. However, the peak of population levels were different for root and soil nematodes. For root nematodes, two peaks were recorded in late May and November, while for soil nematodes, two peaks were recorded in late May and December. From the results, the nematode population in the roots (especially the female ones) was less subject to fluctuations compared to the soil population. In most samples, the nematode populations in the roots decreased with increasing distance from the tree trunk. Overall, the results showed that there are two population peaks per year, suggesting that two generations of the citrus nematode occur in Fasa orchards. From a management perspective, the results of this study can be generalized to all citrus orchards with the same geographic and environmental factors.
Untangling the Mysteries of Turbulence: A Data-Driven Visualization Study of Active Flow Control in Channel and Pipe Flows Using Numerical Simulations
Authors: Sood Ajay Kumar 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This is the first bibliometric study of its kind in this domain and it investigates the use of numerical simulations for research related to turbulent drag reduction in channel and pipe flows using active flow control techniques using data from two databases: Scopus and Web of Science (WOS). A bibliometric analysis of 603 research publications related to active drag reduction using numerical simulations for turbulent channel and pipe flows has been done to analyze the progress in this research domain since the year 1984. The publications have increased significantly in this domain since 2017, one of the biggest reasons for this can be the increased availability of computational resources. Maximum work in this domain has been done by developed nations such as China, USA, UK, and Japan etc. The research can be categorized into four major clusters. The first cluster focuses on research exploring types of active drag reduction methods/agents used and the mechanisms involved. The second cluster involves different types of numerical modelling techniques used for flow control and their analysis. The third and fourth cluster highlights the different types of geometrical configurations used for numerical simulations and their impact on drag reduction and heat transfer related themes respectively.
Assessment of quality of life in patients with heart failure in Khartoum state in 2022, a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: Abdalla Mushrega , Alkhalifamohamed Hussam , Mohamed Raed , Abdalla Ahmed , Eltoum Hassan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background:
Heart failure is a chronic, progressive disease that seriously impacts patients’ quality of life, influenced by several factors. Knowing how heart failure affects patients’ quality of life and its associated factors is crucial for a better patient-centered approach and management. This study aimed to assess the quality of life in patients with heart failure attending the governmental hospitals specializing in heart diseases in Khartoum state, Sudan, in 2022.
Methods:
This hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the governmental hospitals specialized in heart diseases in Khartoum state from October 2022 to November 2022. A probability simple random sampling was applied, and the data were collected by face-to-face interviews method using the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire tool (SF-36). The data were analyzed using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) to find the correlation between the various variables. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Khartoum.
Results:
The study included 107 patients with heart failure. The patients' quality of life was assessed in different domains, and the mean for each was calculated. Patients had poor quality of life in all domains of the SF-36 questionnaire (Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire), especially in the physical health domain (mean score of 8.4 ± 27.2). However, the highest mean was the mean of emotional health (62.6 ± 48.2). The mean of social activities was moderate (31.3 ± 40).
Conclusion:
The study concluded that patients with heart failure in Khartoum state have poor quality of life in all domains of the SF-36 questionnaire.
Oral Contraceptives in Adolescents: A Retrospective population-based study on Blood Pressure and Metabolic Dysregulation
Authors: Araújo Priscila Xavier , Moreira Priscila , Almeida Danilo Candido , Souza Alexandra Aparecida , Franco Maria do Carmo 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to explore the relationship between oral contraceptive use and blood pressure values and in a national cohort of women adolescents and to investigate the level of coexistence of the high blood pressure levels, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance.
Methods
This a retrospective cohort with 14,299 adolescents aged 14 to 17 years. Crude and adjusted analyses were performed using Poisson regression to estimate the prevalence ratios. Data clustering analysis was performed using machine learning approaches supported by an unsupervised neural network of self-organizing maps.
Results
We found that 14.5% (n = 2,076) of the women adolescents use oral contraceptives. Moreover, an increased prevalence of high blood pressure (4.9%), dyslipidemia (31.6%), and insulin resistance (34.7%) was observed among adolescents who use oral contraceptives as compared to those who do not. Our analysis also showed that 2.3% of adolescents using oral contraceptives had both high blood pressure levels and dyslipidemia, whereas 3.2% had high blood pressure levels combined with insulin resistance. The algorithmic investigative approach demonstrated that total cholesterol, LDLc, HDLc, insulin, and HOMA-IR were the most predicted variables to assist classificatory association in the context of oral contraceptive use among women adolescents with high blood pressure.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that oral contraceptives were associated with an increased prevalence of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance among women adolescents. Although the indication of this therapy is adequate to avoid unintended pregnancies, their use must be based on rigorous individual evaluation and under constant control of the cardiometabolic risk factors.
Odor preferred males led to a higher offspring number in the common vole
Authors: Bílková Pavlína , Vlček Jakub , Cvetković Tijana , Štefka Jan , Sedlacek Frantisek 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Very recently, an interesting phenomenon was described in the common vole; vole parents with similar locomotor ability produced significantly larger litters. Positive assortative mating is a tendency to prefer individuals with similar phenotypes. We tested whether this also applies to smell similarity. Odor preference was tested in a T-maze, where each female was presented with two male odors, i. e. shavings together with feces and urine from home boxes. After female preference was established, the female was either paired with a preferred male (chosen) or paired with a non-preferred male (opposite choice). For analysis of the relationship to odour preference, genotyping of MHC Class II DRB was done using amplicon sequencing. In the set of 45 individuals from two populations, we recovered 38 nucleotide haplotypes (alleles). Similarity of alleles in parent pairs according to the indexes of Sørensen-Dice (S-D) and Jaccard were calculated. Values of these indexes in parental pairs with preferred males were higher (more similar) than in not preferred (S-D: F(1, 20) = 8.489, p =0.009, Jaccard: F(1, 20) = 6.563, p = 0.019). The number of offspring in parental pairs with preferred males were higher than in not preferred (F(1, 20 ) = 4.915, p = 0.038). However, the correlation between the mentioned indexes and the number of offspring was very low. The relationship between the success of reproduction and alleles is not clear-cut, this may be influenced by the measure of similarity we used, or by something that we could not detect.
Metabolic pathways engaged by antigen-specific T and B cells after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in multiple sclerosis patients on different immunomodulatory drugs reveal immunosenescence and predict vaccine efficacy.
Authors: De Biasi Sara , Tartaro Domenico Lo , Rau Moritz , Paschalidis Nikolaos , Neroni Anita , Borella Rebecca , Santacroce Elena , Paolini Annamaria , Gibellini Lara , Ciobanu Alin , Cuccorese Michela , Trenti Tommaso , Rubio Ignacio , Vitetta Francesca , Cardi Martina , Argüello Rafael , Ferraro Diana , Cossarizza Andrea 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Disease modifying therapies (DMT) assumed by patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) can influence immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination efficacy. Even if in most treated patients vaccine-induced humoral and cellular responses can be attenuated, scanty data exist on detailed phenotypic, functional and metabolic characteristics of antigen (Ag)-specific cells following the third dose of vaccine. Here, by using flow cytometry and 45-parameter mass cytometry, we broadly investigate the phenotype, function and the single cell metabolic profile (scMEP) of SARS-CoV-2-specific T and B cells up to 8 months after the third dose of mRNA vaccine in a cohort of 93 MS patients treated with different DMT including cladribine, dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, interferon, natalizumab, teriflunomide or anti-CD20. We find that almost all patients develop a detectable and functional immune response to SARS-CoV-2. In particular, we find that different metabolic profiles characterize antigen-specific T and B cell response in FTY- and natalizumab-treated MS patients, who generate a peculiar immune response which is different from all the other MS treatment. Using prediction analysis, we finally describe a SARS-CoV-2 specific immunological signature that could likely predict protection from breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection.
First report of potato spindle tuber viroid isolated from pepper seeds produced in Vietnam
Authors: Tanaka Saori , Murase Ryota , Inoue Yoshimi , Masumoto Masumi , Matsuura Takayuki , Yanagisawa Hironobu 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd; genus Pospiviroid) was detected from pepper (Capsicum annuum) seeds produced in Vietnam, during an export inspection. The PSTVd isolate maintained its viability. To investigate the phylogenetic relationship between PSTVd-VN and other PSTVd variants isolated from other plants, the PSTVd isolate was classified into lethal and severe strains. Inoculated tomatoes (cv. Rutgers) caused severe stunting, with necrosis of the stems and leaf veins. Although the inoculated pepper plants were asymptomatic, the fruits were smaller than the healthy ones. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PSTVd from pepper seeds produced in Vietnam.
Vent microbes help predict thermal adaptation to climate change
Authors: Stefánsson Magnús Örn 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Rapid anthropogenic climate change could push organisms out of their niches, potentially destroying the very resources on which humans rely for sustenance. Here we examine the global movement of Labyrinthulomycetes protist strains that current results indicate evolved during the Neoproterozoic snowball Earth. Our findings show the presence of a genetic variation, at an rRNA gene locus, along a thermal axis that is independent of the protists' global positions and that tropical strains were sampled on a subarctic hydrothermal vent. Assuming a global ubiquity of microbes, thermal adaptation could indicate that the protists have already adapted to the impact of climate warming. In this context, vent communities could conceivably help predict the impact of climate change on the ecology and niche retention of organisms across the warming world.
Is fiscal decentralization in help for internal conflict risks mitigation? Sub-Saharan African countries focus
Authors: TCHEUNTA Joseph Christian NZOMO , YOUNDA Derick Ulrich 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Decentralization has emerged as an important tool for conflict resolution around the world in recent years. This article examines the impact of fiscal decentralization on the risk of internal conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than two decades of experimentation with decentralization contrasts with the rise of multifaceted crises. Using a new dataset of 21 countries from 2002 to 2019, the results of several econometric methods show that fiscal decentralization has a statistically significant effect on internal conflicts risk in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, this effect is contingent on how subnational governments are funded. While policies that rely on intergovernmental transfers and expenditure decentralization increase the risk of internal conflict, policies that rely on financial empowerment of decentralized communities and resource decentralization reduce the risk of internal conflict. This means that increasing regional resources autonomy can lead to secessionist tendencies. Governments should increase intergovernmental transfers and local government spending in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity.
JEL classification : H71, H72, H77, Q34.
Measuring Health Services Quality: Nurses' Perceptions and the SERVPERF Scale
Authors: Alraimi Ammar Ali , Shelke Abhijeet 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This study aimed to assess service quality in the healthcare sector by employing the SERVPERF scale, with a particular focus on nursing staff perceptions. The significance of nursing staff perceptions in evaluating healthcare service quality is emphasized, as they are primarily responsible for patient care. Utilizing the SERVPERF scale, the research investigates the perceived quality of health services in hospitals and examines the predictors of service quality based on the scale's dimensions and items. The five dimensions under consideration include tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, empathy, and safety. Data were collected from a sample of 214 nurses who completed the research survey to determine their perception of service quality. The questionnaire demonstrated high reliability, with an overall Cronbach alpha value of 0.72. The study was conducted in private hospitals situated in Yemen's largest city. The findings reveal that the dimensions of healthcare service quality were rated highly, with the safety dimension scoring the highest and the reliability dimension scoring the lowest. These results have significant implications for measuring healthcare service quality. Although the study is limited to a sample from nursing departments in five hospitals, the findings offer valuable insights for healthcare sector leaders to assess service quality in hospitals.
Pedestrian detection based on improved EfficientDet
Authors: Zhang Chengpeng , Yu Miao , Min Jian , Fu Min , Zheng Bing 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Pedestrian detection plays a critical role in computer vision applications, but the performance of existing algorithms utilizing visible images is inadequate when confronted with poor lighting conditions. Conversely, infrared images deliver superior outcomes in low-light environments. Based on this issue, this study proposes the Double-EfficientDet-Improved (DEDI), a dual-stream model that integrates both visible and infrared imagery by enhancing the EfficientDet network structure. Firstly, the shuffle module is integrated into the backbone network to facilitate inter-channel information exchange within the feature layers. Secondly, by controlling the gradient path of the backbone network, the feature extraction ability is improved and the robustness is stronger. Lastly, a Multi-scale Fusion Module (MFM) is incorporated into the proposed model to harmonize information from both visible and infrared images. Experimental results demonstrate that this DEDI method achieves higher mean average precision (MAP) scores of 74.72\% on the KAIST dataset and 95.13\% on the LLVIP dataset, which is better than other object detection methods.
Thermo-physical Characterisation of Plasters Containing Phase Change Materials (PCMs)
Authors: Baccega Eleonora 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Phase change materials (PCMs) added into building materials largely demonstrated their effect in improving the overall thermal capacity, thus contributing to the reduction of the energy demand for heating and/or cooling. Knowing the thermo-physical properties of the enhanced materials is essential to maximize the achievable effect. The most used technique to do so is the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), but in case of inhomogeneous materials this method turns out to be poorly reliable, mainly due to the small amount of material usually needed to carry out the test. To overcome the main limitations, an alternative set up was realized, which allowed the characterization of different plaster samples enhanced with granular PCM. More specifically, plasters enhanced with 10% by mass of two different PCMs with melting temperatures of 28°C and 27°C, respectively, were considered. At first, a steady-state test was conducted and constant thermal gradients were maintained through which the thermal conductivity of the materials used was estimated. Then, an unsteady-state test was conducted through which the specific heat and the latent heat were estimated, showing a good agreement with values provided by the PCM suppliers. The estimated properties were then validated against experimental data acquired during the monitoring activity under real outdoor conditions of different wall samples on which the PCM-enhanced plasters were applied. With the estimated properties, RMSE values were lower than 1°C for temperatures and lower than 2.50 W/m2 for heat fluxes.