Greater Weight Research Articles

Smart manufacturing as a strategic tool to mitigate sustainable manufacturing challenges: a case approach

Due to the manufacturing sector’s severe negative impacts on sustainable development, sustainable manufacturing is gaining more momentum than ever. Despite the advantages of sustainable manufacturing, academic literature resources report that practitioners still face several challenges while implementing sustainable manufacturing. To eliminate such challenges, numerous mitigation strategies have been proposed, including those that identify Industry 4.0 technologies as a key factor. However, current studies are generally more focused on the application of Industry 4.0 technologies/smart manufacturing in sustainable manufacturing; most fail to provide an in-depth understanding of how these technologies might mitigate the existing adoption challenges of sustainable manufacturing. In this study, the key challenges of sustainable manufacturing are identified through literature review and analyzed with MCDM tools such as the Best-Worst Method and WASPAS method. The results suggest that governmental challenge demonstrates the greatest weight in the final ranking, followed by technological and organizational challenges. Among the sub-challenges, “lack of support from the government in the form of regulations / policies” and “absence of subsidies and incentives” display the most weight. Further, a framework has been proposed to map the collected challenges with relevant mitigating smart manufacturing technologies to bridge the gap remaining from existing studies. Finally, this study contributes to the new field of approaching smart manufacturing as a mitigating strategy for sustainable manufacturing implementation through highlighting the implications and recommendations.

Multivariate analysis for yield and yield-related traits of oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes in Ethiopia

The study aimed to generate information on agro-morphological variability among the 120 oat genotypes in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The result showed that the hierarchical clustering grouped the genotypes into four clusters. The highest number of genotypes grouped into the first cluster (38) followed by the second cluster (35) and the fourth cluster (33) while the lowest genotypes (14) were recorded in the third cluster. High forage yield-producing genotypes were grouped into the second cluster while high grain-producing genotypes were grouped into the third cluster. The intra-cluster genetic distance values ranged from 4.3 (C3) to 2.3 (C1). The minimum inter-cluster genetic distance was recorded at 11.7 (between C1 and C2), while the maximum inter-cluster distance was 63.2 (between C3 and C4). Principal component analysis showed that the first four principal components with eigenvalues greater than one contributed 78.3% of the variability among genotypes. The highest contributing traits in the first component were forage yield production rate, biological yield production rate, panicle length at grain harvest, forage dry matter yield, and number of spikelets per panicle. The traits with the greatest weight on the second component were harvest index, grain yield, number of leaves at forage harvest, and plant height at grain harvest. Proper selection of best yield performing genotypes coupled with high yield contributing traits is very important to yield improvement and future oat breeding program. Therefore, selection based on the traits that had a high contribution to the first two principal components would be effective for yield improvement in oat genotypes.

Protecting the Autonomy of Patients with Severe Mental Illness Through Psychiatric Advance Directive Peer-Facilitation

Protecting the Autonomy of Patients with Severe Mental Illness Through Psychiatric Advance Directive Peer-Facilitation

Quietly angry, loudly happy

Abstract Phone calls are an essential communication channel in today’s contact centers, but they are more difficult to analyze than written or form-based interactions. To that end, companies have traditionally used surveys to gather feedback and gauge customer satisfaction. In this work, we study the relationship between self-reported customer satisfaction (CSAT) and automatic utterance-level indicators of emotion produced by affect recognition models, using a real dataset of contact center calls. We find (1) that positive valence is associated with higher CSAT scores, while the presence of anger is associated with lower CSAT scores; (2) that automatically detected affective events and CSAT response rate are linked, with calls containing anger/positive valence exhibiting respectively a lower/higher response rate; (3) that the dynamics of detected emotions are linked with both CSAT scores and response rate, and that emotions detected at the end of the call have a greater weight in the relationship. These findings highlight a selection bias in self-reported CSAT leading respectively to an over/under-representation of positive/negative affect.

Assessment and mitigation of light pollution

With the improvement of human development level, excessive optical radiation has caused adverse effects on human living and production environment, namely, light pollution. In this paper, a system for assessing the degree of light pollution is studied and methods for more effective intervention of light pollution are proposed. On the basis of collecting data related to light pollution, we first preprocessed and extracted information related to 14 indicators, including brightness, light range, population and distance from the sea, from five dimensions of light intensity, social development, human activities, biodiversity and geographical climate, so as to quantitatively analyze the degree of light pollution. Then combined with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight method (EWM) to calculate the weight of each index, and at last, the sensitivity analysis was used to verify its robustness. Among them, the building distribution density, brightness and distance from the sea have the greatest weight. At the same time, K-means clustering algorithm was used to calculate the standard, and finally an evaluation system was calculated to measure the severity of light pollution.

Influence of the molecular structure of phenylamine antioxidants on anti-migration and anti-aging behavior of high-performance nitrile rubber composites

Abstract The structure of antioxidants significantly affects the anti-migration and thermal-oxidative aging properties of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites, which are crucial for applications in aerospace, biomedical, and fuel cell stack sealing industries. The findings reveal that the migration rate of N-(4-anilino phenyl) maleic imide (MC), with a reactive double bond, is only 15.6%, exhibiting the best extraction resistance. 2,4,6-Tris-(N-1,4-dimethylpentyl-p-phenylenediamino)-1,3,5-triazine (TMPPD), with a greater weight and dendritic structure, follows at 47.7%, while N-isopropyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (4010NA) performs the worst, with 77.8%. Furthermore, after thermal-oxidative exposure, the cross-link density of NBR composites increases, generating oxygenated substances, such as ethers, aldehydes, and acids. The addition of antioxidants in the composites improves the thermal-oxidative aging properties compared to those without any antioxidants. Moreover, antioxidants 4010NA and TMPPD display superior resistance to thermal-oxidative aging properties compared to antioxidant MC.

The Normative Value of Human Rights Treaty Bodies’ Interpretations at the International Court of Justice

Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is not a human rights court, it has recently addressed human rights issues, which has prompted interaction with the opinions of human rights mechanisms. This article will analyze the normative value of human rights treaty monitoring bodies’ interpretations recognized by the ICJ in three cases of its jurisprudence: the Wall Advisory Opinion, the case of Ahmadou Sadio Diallo, and the case of Qatar v. the United Arab Emirates. This analysis indicates that the ICJ has ascribed great normative weight to these interpretations, but it has been reluctant to adopt their views without conducting its own interpretative assessment of the norms. In its most recent case, the ICJ took an approach that completely departs from the interpretation adopted by the relevant treaty body. This article argues that such a position must be considered in light of the growing criticism that treaty bodies are facing about the quality of their reasonings and command of general international law. Accordingly, treaty bodies could enhance their legitimacy by learning from the ICJ’s approach to treaty interpretation, and in addition, could take advantage of the positive aspects of their non-binding character to develop meta-juridical discussions.

Combining loop and thiazide diuretics for acute heart failure across the estimated glomerular filtration rate spectrum: A post-hoc analysis of the CLOROTIC trial.

In patients with acute heart failure (AHF), the addition of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) to furosemide improved diuretic response in the CLOROTIC trial. This work aimed to evaluate if these effects differ across the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) spectrum. This post-hoc analysis of the CLOROTIC trial analysed 230 patients with AHF and explored the influence of eGFR on primary and secondary endpoints. The median eGFR was 43 ml/min/1.73 m2 (range 14-109) and 23% had eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (group 1), 24% from 45 to 59 ml/min/1.73 m2 (group 2), and 53% <45 ml/min/1.73 m2 (group 3). Patients treated with HCTZ had greatest weight loss at 72 h in all three groups, but patients in group 1 had a significantly greater response (-2.1 kg [-3.0 to 0.5]), compared to patients in groups 2 (-1.3 kg [-2.3 to 0.2]) and 3 (-0.1 kg [-1.3 to 0.4]) (p-value for interaction = 0.246). At 96 h, the differences in weight were -1.8 kg (-3.0 to -0.3), -1.4 kg (-2.6 to 0.3), and -0.5 kg (-1.3 to -0.1) in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p-value for interaction = 0.256). There were no significant differences observed with the addition of HCTZ in terms of diuretic response, mortality or rehospitalizations, or safety endpoints (impaired renal function, hyponatraemia, and hypokalaemia) among the three eGFR groups (all p-values for interaction were no significant). The addition of eGFR-adjusted doses of oral HCTZ to loop diuretics in patients with AHF improved diuretic response across the eGFR spectrum. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01647932; EudraCT number: 2013-001852-36.

Optimization of Vehicles Routing Problem using GA For AL-Rasheed municipality, Baghdad, Iraq

There are several problems with waste collection, transportation, processing, and disposal, particularly in major cities. The frequency of garbage collection is an important concern for municipal control. If waste is not disposed of properly, environmental problems such as air pollution and groundwater contamination may occur. This problem raises the alarm for the need for specialized solutions for averting potential calamities that might occur throughout the world. Before deploying to actual situations, computer modeling and planning of waste collection are frequently performed to minimize the negative impact solid waste can have on the environment. As a result, choosing the optimal waste collection policy has a large effect on cost savings. The current study's objective is to apply a genetic algorithm to reach the goals, illustrating the process of selecting the optimal route for the vehicle with the lowest time and greatest weight among several paths. The other goal is to create a schedule for the vehicles in order to decrease them. The schedule will minimize vehicle-related costs such as maintenance, gasoline, work staff salaries, and other vehicle-related costs. In the current study, the MATLAB application R2020a is used to apply reliable data of 10 vehicles from the AL-Rasheed Municipality waste collection vehicles after processing it to be acceptable with the GA. After optimizing the time for routes and weights of lifted trash, the majority of the results improved dramatically. The results reveal that the top five vehicles (8, 6, 7, 1, 4) have a great percentage improvement in the number of collection points (133.3%, 100%, 100%, 66.7%, and 50%), respectively.

Abstract P2065: Mice Under Transverse Aortic Constriction And Treated With Sodium Oxalate May Develop Cardiac Dysfunction

Background: Experimental models are important for studying the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease. The transverse aortic constriction model (TAC) is among the most used in the literature for the study of cardiac hypertrophy. The soluble sodium oxalate (OXA) model generates renal injury but is also associated with cardiac hypertrophy through hypertensive-like lesions. There is little information in the literature on direct hemodynamic recording in both models mentioned, as well as there is no data on the changes caused by the association of these two models. Therefore, our objective is to evaluate whether TAC associated with OXA gavage could be a new model of cardiac dysfunction. Methods and Results: Male C57BL mice were randomized as follows: SHAM animals that received gavage with vehicle or OXA solution, and animals submitted to TAC and gavage with vehicle or OXA solution. Echocardiography and metabolic cage assessment were used to quantify cardiac and renal function. Direct blood pressure (BP) recording was also performed to assess baroreflex sensitivity and histological analysis. The TAC+OXA group had the highest BP values (mean BP:SHAM:100±5.0 vs. TAC+OXA:132±4.8mmHg, p&lt;0.01), the highest pulmonary congestion index, an increase in the double product, an important reduction in autonomic modulation (AM), heart rate variability (HRV) (SD-PI: SHAM+OXA:12.5±1.8 vs. TAC+OXA:2.8±0.2ms, p&lt;0.01) and alpha index (SHAM:3.6±1.0 vs. TAC+OXA:0.6±0.1, p=0.04). The TAC group showed the greatest weight of the ventricles and the greatest increase in blood pressure variability (DP-SBP). The SHAM+OXA group showed an increase in AM and HRV. The three groups showed a significant reduction in reflex tachycardia. Conclusion: TAC surgery provided cardiac hypertrophy, reduction in reflex tachycardia and changes in autonomic modulation. In the absence of TAC, the treatment with OXA for 15 days increased autonomic modulation. TAC surgery in conjunction with OXA gavage caused greater cardiac dysfunction.

Ergebnisqualität und Kosten der allgemeinen und spezialisierten Palliativversorgung in Deutschland im regionalen Vergleich: eine GKV-Routinedatenstudie

ZusammenfassungHintergrundWesentliche Rahmenbedingungen für Palliativversorgung (PV) werden auf regionaler Ebene gesetzt. Der Umfang zum Einsatz kommender Versorgungsformen (ambulant, stationär, allgemein, spezialisiert) variiert regional stark. Welche Ergebnisqualität zu welchen Kosten wird mit der in einer KV-Region (Kassenärztliche Vereinigung) angebotenen PV erreicht?MethodenRetrospektive Beobachtungsstudie mit BARMER-Routinedaten von 145.372 im Zeitraum 2016–2019 Verstorbenen mit PV im letzten Lebensjahr. Vergleich der KV-Regionen hinsichtlich folgender Outcomes: Anteil palliativ versorgter Menschen, die im Krankenhaus verstarben, potenziell belastende Versorgung in den letzten 30 Lebenstagen (Rettungsdiensteinsätze, [intensivmedizinische] Krankenhausaufenthalte, Chemotherapien, Anlage/Wechsel einer PEG-Sonde, parenterale Ernährung), Gesamtversorgungskosten der letzten 3 Lebensmonate, Kosten der PV(‑Formen) des letzten Lebensjahres, Kosten-Effektivitäts-Relationen sowie Patienten‑/Wohnkreismerkmals-adjustierte Kennzahlen.ErgebnisseDie KV-Regionen variierten hinsichtlich der Outcomes (auch adjustiert) der PV deutlich. Über alle Outcomes aggregiert wies Westfalen-Lippe bessere Ergebnisse auf. Die PV-Kosten variierten ebenfalls stark, am stärksten bei spezialisierter ambulanter PV (SAPV). Die günstigste Kosten-Effektivitäts-Relation von Gesamtversorgungskosten zur Sterberate in der Häuslichkeit wies Westfalen-Lippe auf.FazitRegionen mit besserer Ergebnisqualität und günstigerer Kosten-Effektivität können Orientierung für andere Regionen bieten. Es sollte überprüft werden, inwieweit der neue SAPV-Bundesrahmenvertrag die empirischen Erkenntnisse aufgreifen kann. Patientenrelevanten Outcomes sollte stärkeres Gewicht gegeben werden als Parametern, die auf Versorgungsstrukturen abzielen.

Effect of dolutegravir-based first-line antiretroviral therapy on weight and body mass index among adult people living with HIV on follow up at health facilities in Hawassa city administration, Southern Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study

Background The nature and burden of weight gain associated with antiretroviral treatment (ART) using a combination of Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine and dolutegravir (TLD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) has not been thoroughly investigated in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate changes in body weight and body mass index (BMI) in adults who initiated TLD or switched to TLD compared to those who received a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based therapies. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among adult PLWH who had been receiving ART between February 2017 and October 2022 in Hawassa city administration, Sidama region. Linear mixed-effects model was used to examine BMI and body weight trends over time, while a binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with a ≥ 10% weight gain. Results A total of 524 adult PLWH with a median age of 35 (interquartile range: 30–41) years were included. TLD-initiated arm experienced significantly greater mean weight (8.6 kg vs. 4.95 kg, p < 0.0001) and BMI (3.11 kg/m2 vs. 1.84 kg/m2, p < 0.0001) increase than the NNRTI-based arm at two years. However, the switched arm showed no significant difference in weight (5.6 kg) and BMI (2.13 kg/m2) compared to the NNRTI-based arm (p > 0.05). There was a significant interaction effect between ART regimens and time in predicting weight and BMI gain (p < 0.01). Initiating ART with TLD had higher odds of ≥10% body weight gain at two years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.19–3.04). Other baseline factors such as age ≥40 years (AOR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.35–3.02), weight <50kg (AOR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.86–4.84), advanced disease stages (AOR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.1–2.86) and ambulatory-bedridden functional status (AOR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.05–3.8) were also associated with ≥10% weight gain. Conclusion Initiating ART with TLD was significantly associated with greater weight and BMI gain than the NNRTI-based regimens. Therefore, the cardio-metabolic implications of weight gain after the TLD initiation in this population should be monitored and thoroughly investigated.

Motorcyclists’ risky riding scripts: Schematic representations of error and violation behavior

Cognitive aspects play a crucial role in inciting motorcyclists to perform risky riding behaviors. Unfortunately, research on the contribution of scripts as a cognitive factor that facilitates decision making related to riding behavior is lacking. Through two studies, the current research attempted to investigate the roles of different expected events within a rider’s script that lead to risky riding behaviors, particularly lane-splitting, dangerous overtaking, and wrong-way riding. In Study 1, an interview was conducted with motorcyclists to identify the elements in a rider’s script that relate to lane-splitting behavior, dangerous overtaking, and wrong-way riding, within the contexts of both pro-risk and anti-risk riding situations. Subsequently, in Study 2, a survey was administered to motorcyclists to determine the elements of a script with the strongest bearing on a rider’s decision to perform lane-splitting, dangerous overtaking, and wrong-way riding. Findings from Studies 1 and 2 suggest that in certain riding situations, estimates of distance and width of gap between vehicles are the primary script elements with the greatest weight of importance in lane-splitting and dangerous overtaking. With regard to wrong-way riding, road situation and condition, as well as police presence, were the script elements found to have the greatest weight of importance in the performance of the behavior. Based on these results, the intervention for reducing risky riding behavior should use a different approach based on the nature and conception of each risky riding script.

Cultural dimensions of the effects of the covid-19 pandemic on university teachers in schools in Colombia and Mexico

The sudden change generated at the time of the context of the Covid -19 pandemic, in university teachers led them to experience changes as a result of confinement where it implied the development of their academic work from another context and making use of other forms and strategies. educational technologies. Objective: To analyze the cultural dimensions of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on university teachers from three educational centers in Colombia and one in Mexico. Methodology: study design: cognitive cultural anthro- pological, focuses on analyzing how people from different cultures acquire information about the world, how they process it, make decisions and act in ways considered appropriate for other members of their culture (cultural transmission). It is developed in four university centers in Colombia and Mexico, 160 teachers are studied in the first phase of the study through free listings through an open online survey. Findings: the term work overload was included in the four participating sites, with the greatest weight in Bogotá and Cali (Colombia). And in the personal, the presence of COVID-19 itself, negative emotional states, and economic-so- cial effects resulting from prevention measures were highlighted. Also, in complex processes of adaptation, learning and transformation in the use of technological teaching media. Conclusions: the confinement, the uncertainty of the disease, the presence in their families and the changes in the work-family context generated an impact on their professional, personal, economic and social spheres in the teachers of the studied university centers in Colombia and Mexico.

Analysis of Spatial Correlation and Influencing Factors of Building a Carbon Emission Reduction Potential Network Based on the Coordination of Equity and Efficiency

Collaborative promotion of carbon emission reduction has become one of the most significant strategies for China to realize the dual-carbon goal. The purpose of this study is to utilize “relational data” to investigate overall and regional building carbon emission reduction networks based on the coordination of equity and efficiency. Specifically, the difference in importance between equity and efficiency principles is measured by an improved Markov chain. The spatial correlation network is constructed under the principle of coordinating equity and efficiency, and the network is analyzed using the modified gravity model and social network analysis. The results indicate that (1) the long-term “low-efficiency” problem of building carbon emissions is more serious than the long-term “low-equity” problem, and (2) the efficiency principle should be given greater weight in calculating carbon emission reduction potential. (3) The strength of network spatial association is increasing, and the spillover effect is significant, but the network form remains unstable. (4) The network is significantly impacted by geographic proximity, environmental regulations, energy consumption intensity, and the development level of the construction industry. The main achievement will assist developing countries in promoting sustainable development and collaborative carbon emission reduction in the construction sector.

Graphene Oxide: A Comparison of Reduction Methods

This paper presents a comparison of traditional thermal and chemical reduction methods with more recent ionizing radiation reduction via gamma rays and electron beams (e-beams). For GO, all synthesis protocols were adapted to increase production scale and are a contribution of this work. The typical Raman D-band of the GO was prominent (ID/IG ratio increased sixfold). When comparing the GO reduction techniques, dramatic differences in efficiency and GO particle characteristics were observed. Although thermal and chemical reduction are effective reduction methods, as shown through the use of FTIR spectroscopy and the C/O ratio from EDS chemical analysis, the thermal process renders great weight losses, whereas chemical processing may involve the use of hazardous chemical compounds. On the other hand, comparing the gamma rays and e-beam for 80 kGy, the Raman spectra and chemical analysis suggested that the e-beam caused a greater GO reduction: C/O ratio from EDS of 5.4 and 4.1, respectively. In addition to being fast and effective, ionizing radiation reduction processes allow easier control of the reduction degree by adjusting the radiation dose. When the dose increased from 40 to 80 kGy, the Raman spectra and EDS showed that the ID/IG and C/O ratios increased by 15 and 116%, respectively.

BREEDING VALUE OF SHALLOT CULTIVARS AND LOCAL FORMS IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC CHARACTERS FOR THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST-STEPPE OF UKRAINE

Purpose. To indentify the best shallot cultivars and local forms by growing period length, bulb yield, leaf productivity, and bulb weight and number per clump in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Statistical processing, field assessments, computational and analytical methods. Results. Collection shallot accessions were evaluated for growing period lengthand, bulb weight, number and performance. Earlyripening accession ‘Sh-8’ with a vegetation period of 74 days was selected. Local form ‘Sh-1’ from the Kyivska Oblast region turned out to be the best in terms of the mean bulb weight per clump (26.7 g). Accessions from Kyivska (‘Sh-1’, ‘Sh-2’), Dnipropetrovska (‘Sh-6’, ‘Sh-9’), and Chernihivska (‘Sh-10’) Oblasts yielded the most (30.5, 25.4, 18.9, 18.1, and 19.4 t/ha, respectively). The check cultivar, ‘Lira’, yielded 15.5 t/ha. The smallest yields were harvested from the following accessions: ‘Sh-4’ (12.2 t/ha), ‘Sh-7’ (12.0 t/ha), ‘Sh-11’ (11.9 t/ha), ‘Sh-12’ (13.8 t/ha ha), ‘Sh-13 (13.2 t/ha), and ‘Sh-14’ (13.0 t/ha). Two accessions, which came from the Kyivska (‘Sh-3)’ and Dnipropetrovska (‘Sh-6’) Oblasts were found to be best adapted to the environmental conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Their Lewis’s phenotypic stability factors were close to 1. A local form from the Dnipropetrovska Oblast, ‘Sh 9’ was the worst adapted accessions, as its Lewis’s phenotypic stability factor was as high as 1.2. The maximum leaf length was recorded for accessions from the Kyivska (‘Sh-1’, ‘Sh-2’; 38.0 and 35.8 cm, respectively) and Chernihivska (‘Sh-10’; 36.2 cm) Oblasts. Conclusions. Due to this study, shallot accessions with short growing periods, great weights and numbers of bulbs and yield were selected for the conditions in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. ‘Sh-1’ sample originating from the Kyivska Oblast showed the best results in terms of the bulb weight (26.7 g) and yield (30.5 t/ha). However, it turned out to be late-ripening (86 days), and only formed on average 4 bulbs per clump. The maximum leaf length was 38 cm was. ‘Sh-8’, a local form from the Dnipropetrovska Oblast, was the most early-ripening (74 days).

Research trends towards crisis management in social sciences: A bibliometric analysis

AbstractThis research aims to reveal the main trends, gaps and paradigm shifts in crisis management. Data from research dealing with crisis/crisis management in the social sciences literature were examined in this context. The Web of Science database was used to collect research data. The data were analyzed using bibliometric analysis, a quantitative research method. The findings show that crisis management, crisis planning, crisis actions, strategic management and crisis management in public relations were the most intensively studied topics until 2018. But after 2018, research, tourism, Covid‐19 pandemic have shown a trend towards social media. In general, there is an increase in empirical research on crisis management. In this body of research, the United States of America has the greatest weight numerically, however, European countries are better positioned in terms of interest levels and international cooperation. All in all, this research provides a good conceptual framework for future crisis management research.

Analysis of mechanical characteristics of walking and running foot functional units based on non-negative matrix factorization.

Objective: To explore the characteristics of Non-Negative Matrix Factorization (NNMF) in analyzing the mechanical characteristics of foot functional units during walking and running. Methods: Eighteen subjects (9 males and 9 females) were recruited, and the ground reaction force curves of each foot region during walking and running were collected using a plantar pressure measurement system. NNMF was used to extract the mechanical features of different foot regions and to determine the number of foot functional units. The differences between the base matrices of walking and running were compared by traditional t-tests, and the differences in coefficient matrices were compared by one-dimensional statistical parameter mapping. Results: 1) When the number of foot functional units for walking and running were both 2, the Variability Accounted For (VAF) by the matrix exceeded 0.90 (VAF walk = 0.96 ± 0.02, VAF run = 0.95 ± 0.04); 2) In foot functional unit 1, both walking and running exhibited buffering function, with the heel region being the main force-bearing area and the forefoot also participating in partial buffering; 3) In foot functional unit 2, both walking and running exhibited push-off function, with the middle part of the forefoot having a higher contribution weight; 4) In foot functional unit 1, compared to walking, the overall force characteristics of the running foot were greater during the support phase of the 0%-20% stage, with the third and fourth metatarsal areas having higher contribution weights and the lateral heel area having lower weights; 5) In foot functional unit 2, compared to walking, the overall force was higher during the beginning and 11%-69% stages of running, and lower during the 4%-5% and 73%-92% stages. During running, the thumb area, the first metatarsal area and the midfoot area had higher contribution weights than during walking; in the third and fourth metatarsal areas, the contribution weights were lower during running than during walking. Conclusion: Based on the mechanical characteristics of the foot, walking and running can both be decomposed into two foot functional units: buffering and push-off. The forefoot occupies a certain weight in both buffering and push-off functions, indicating that there may be a complex foot function transformation mechanism in the transverse arch of foot. Compared to walking, running completes push-off earlier, and the force region is more inclined towards the inner side of the foot, with the hallux area having a greater weight during push-off. This study suggests that NNMF is feasible for analyzing foot mechanical characteristics.

Opuntia ficus-indica L. Fruits Cold Storage Using Different Packaging Materials

The prickly pear is a non-climacteric fruit and highly perishable. Therefore, it is crucial to find methods to extend its shelf life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the storage behavior of prickly pears under modified atmosphere conditions (2 °C, 90% RH) using different packaging materials (a cardboard box commercially used by the company, a rigid PET (polyethylene terephthalate) box, and a biodegradable plastic flexible bag). The fruits were produced in the Alentejo region and belong to a regional variety usually referred to as the “orange” variety. According to this study, the “orange” variety fruits could be stored at the specified temperature for 30 days. Among the storage methods tested, the biodegradable plastic bag was the most effective in maintaining the fruit’s quality throughout the entire period. The biodegradable package exhibited a weight loss lower than 5% for 30 days of storage, while the cardboard box showed great weight loss (&gt;6%) and more fruit contamination by fungi. Fruit firmness also decreased during storage, going from 10.1 N to 4.35 N, with bigger losses happening in the PET box. Throughout the study, the fruit acidity remained stable with values of 0.03% and 0.02%.