High Level Research Articles

Controlled drainage with subirrigation systems: Reduce water supply by automatic control

Controlled drainage with subirrigation (CDSI) is a viable measure to supply, retain or discharge groundwater, thereby contributing to freshwater availability in agriculture under changing environmental conditions. Relatively simple CDSI systems can be controlled manually to set a few drainage levels. More advanced systems can be controlled remotely to set any drainage level (between a technical maximum and minimum). CDSI potentially improves hydrological conditions for crop growth, but the required external water supply can be large. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to investigate whether external water supply for subirrigation can be reduced by automatic control of CDSI systems in relation to crop water demand. Field measurements of a CDSI pilot in the Dutch sandy Pleistocene uplands were combined with weather forecasts to simulate the optimal drainage level and day by day water demand and supply using the agro-hydrological Soil, Water, Atmosphere, Plant model (SWAP). Firstly, model simulations showed that the water requirement reduced by 60 mm (dry growing season), 253 mm (average growing season) and 348 mm (wet growing season) using a dynamically managed crest level (CDSI-dyn) compared to using a fixed crest level (CDSI-fix), with minor effects on crop yield. Secondly, model simulations showed that a higher hydraulic resistance to downward seepage, a higher ditch water level or deeper roots reduced the water supply (up to 100 mm). Thirdly, accepting 10 % daily crop drought and oxygen stress for CDSI-dyn reduced the water supply requirement with 235–628 mm (dry vs wet growing season) compared to CDSI-fix. In conclusion, the required water volume for CDSI could be substantially reduced by automated control of the drainage level and water supply rate, while maintaining crop yield or accepting minor reductions, which increases the potential of implementation of CDSI systems.

Shaping the Bilingualism of Game-Addicted Players

In today's world, many people who spend more and more time in front of their computer and treat it as something more than a popular pass-time activity are often referred to being game addicted. At the same time, however, many of them, because of being exposed to different forms of dialogic English may be observed to excel the language and react to quite many situations they are exposed to both during the play and out of it. This study is meant to show how gaming addicts shape their bilingualism. Due to our research, it was found that such people who are truly addicted to games often reach a higher level of English much faster when contrasted to average L2 users. The research was based on the surveys filled by 54 carefully selected Internet respondents that fit the definition of a game addicted person (APA, 2022) and a standardized CEFR test they were requested to complete; the same test was also requested to be completed by the people who attend standardized blended L2 classes and who play similar games sporadically for pleasure. Consequently, a correlation between addicted and non-addicted people, and their CEFR test results was carried out. What followed was an analysis of the research results and the their detailed description.

An Empirical and Deep Learning Investigation of Working Conditions and Musculoskeletal Outcomes in Wheat Farmers

Background: In developing countries, various farming activities are performed manually with the help of traditional hand tools. Therefore, agriculture is recognized as one of the risky occupations Objective: This research study aims to identify the critical working conditions of wheat farmers in Rajasthan state, India. Method: Data were collected through the survey conducted on 75 randomly selected wheat farmers of Rajasthan. The survey questionnaire gathered information related to demographic, occupational, and musculoskeletal discomfort faced by the farmers. In addition, a deep learning-based posture detection study of the workers was performed to assess the postural risks through a rapid upper limb assessment score. Result: The collected data were analyzed further for fruitful insights. The survey outcomes showed that awkward posture (41%) and repetitive movement (35%) were the most reported reasons for the severe risks of musculoskeletal disorders among farmers. The posture evaluationbased study outcomes showed that approximately 51% of subjects lie in the action category 4, which shows the higher level of risks in the activities performed by farmers. Conclusion: It is suggested to apply the principles of physical ergonomics in the agriculture sector and spread awareness among the farmers about the agriculture risks associated with farming activities.

Association of serum and synovial adipokines (chemerin and resistin) with inflammatory markers and ultrasonographic evaluation scores in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis- a pilot study.

Chemerin and resistin are adipokines studied as potential markers for early diagnosis and disease severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associations serum and synovial levels of chemerin and resistin with inflammatory parameters and ultrasonographic scores (US) in KOA individuals. Serum was collected from 28 patients with KOA and synovial fluid was obtained from 16 of them. Another 31 age and sex matched cases with no joint disease were included as healthy controls. Concentrations of chemerin, resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined with ELISA. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, serum uric acid (UA) were measured in the patients group. Participants with KOA underwent US assessment using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) scores. Patients with KOA had statistically significant higher level of serum resistin than healthy controls [11.05 (3.78-24.13) ng/mL and 7.23 (3.83-12.19) respectively, p < 0.001]. A strong correlation was found between serum chemerin and ESR (r = 0.434, p = 0.021), uric acid (r = 0.573, p = 0.001) as well as the US (r=-0.872, p < 0.001). Serum resistin demonstrated significant association with TNF-alpha (r = 0.398, p = 0.044). In conclusion, both chemerin and resistin might contribute to inflammatory changes associated with KOA. Further studies are needed to elucidate their potential role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

A Deep Learning Application of Capsule Endoscopic Gastric Structure Recognition Based on a Transformer Model.

Gastric structure recognition systems have become increasingly necessary for the accurate diagnosis of gastric lesions in capsule endoscopy. Deep learning, especially using transformer models, has shown great potential in the recognition of gastrointestinal (GI) images according to self-attention. This study aims to establish an identification model of capsule endoscopy gastric structures to improve the clinical applicability of deep learning to endoscopic image recognition. A total of 3343 wireless capsule endoscopy videos collected at Nanfang Hospital between 2011 and 2021 were used for unsupervised pretraining, while 2433 were for training and 118 were for validation. Fifteen upper GI structures were selected for quantifying the examination quality. We also conducted a comparison of the classification performance between the artificial intelligence model and endoscopists by the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. The transformer-based AI model reached a relatively high level of diagnostic accuracy in gastric structure recognition. Regarding the performance of identifying 15 upper GI structures, the AI model achieved a macroaverage accuracy of 99.6% (95% CI: 99.5-99.7), a macroaverage sensitivity of 96.4% (95% CI: 95.3-97.5), and a macroaverage specificity of 99.8% (95% CI: 99.7-99.9) and achieved a high level of interobserver agreement with endoscopists. The transformer-based AI model can accurately evaluate the gastric structure information of capsule endoscopy with the same performance as that of endoscopists, which will provide tremendous help for doctors in making a diagnosis from a large number of images and improve the efficiency of examination.

Effects of seasonal factors on the milk composition of dairy cows in Tafawa Balewa L.G.A, Bauchi State

This study compared the nutrient composition of milk between cattle breeds of Bunaji, Rahaji, Sokoto gudali and Adamawa gudali for both rainy and dry season. One hundred questionnaires were administered to respondents and 5% had milk yield of 3litre/day. 55% recorded 2 litre/day of milk while 40% had the least yield of 1litre/day. That early lactation produces highest milk quantity. The result of laboratory analysis showed that season have effect on nutrient composition of cow milk. It was observed that the early dry season milk composition was better for Bunaji, Rahaji, Sokoto gudali except for Adamawa gudali. For rainy season comparison, early rainy season milk composition was better for Bunaji, Sokoto gudali, Adamawa gudali except for Rahaji. Moisture content in dry season (70.08%) was lower (P&gt;0.05) than moisture content in rainy season (87.36%) for Bunaji breed, similar result was obtained for Rahaji, Sokoto gudali and Adamawa gudali. The energy content and carbohydrate were higher (P&lt;0.05) in the dry season for Bunaji(132.15KCal and 14.06%), Rahaji (126.20KCal and 14.55%), Sokoto gudali (148.00KCal and 22.05%) and Adamawa gudali (135.18KCal and 20.99%). The crude protein of analysed milk was slightly higher (P&lt;0.05) in rainy season for Bunaji (5.64%), but higher in dry season for Rahaji (5.48%), Sokoto gudali (7.47%) and Adamawa gudali (6.01%). ether extract were all higher in dry season for breeds except Sokoto gudali. crude fibre was higher (5.34% Bunaji, 5.28% Rahaji, 3.45% S. gudali, 4.04% A. gudali) in dry season for all breed. Milk in all the four breeds of cattle have more of the nutrient composition in dry season at a higher level. Seasonal variation and climatic factors like rain, humidity and wind affects milk composition and cattle production in terms of pasture availability and the quality. The herders need to be encouraged to engaged in modern way of herding by possessing land for farming, they can rent it in exchange of crop residues and they can cultivate their personal farm produce and faster yielding pasture can be cultivated.

Enhancing cell phone security through finger vein biometric authentication systems

The growing demand for secure mobile devices has led to the widespread adoption of biometric technologies. While personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, gridlock patterns to safeguard phones and facial recognition have become common, they have certain limitations in terms of security and user convenience. These conventional security measures are riddled with susceptibilities, such as password pilferage, memory lapses in authentication details, and user mistakes in grid pattern creation. Due to the rising occurrence of cell phone incursions and theft, there is an urgent requirement for a strong security system that not only defends data but also shields the device itself. This paper proposes a resilient finger vein biometric security system as a more effective substitute for knowledge-based and password-based authentication techniques. The implementation of finger vein biometrics as a novel approach to enhancing cell phone security. The method employs infrared (IR) light transmission to capture the vein patterns and shadows resulting from the different thicknesses of finger muscles, bones, and tissues. The unique vascular patterns in fingers are difficult to forge, offering a higher level of security compared to other biometric systems. The simulations we conducted indicate an identification accuracy rate of 93.82%, indicating that this technique provides a substantial enhancement in preventing unauthorized access and theft of cell phones. This study examines the technology behind finger vein biometrics, its integration into mobile devices, and the security advantages it offers.

Impact of dexmedetomidine-assisted anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing radical resection of colon cancer

BACKGROUND Radical resection of colon cancer under general anesthesia is one of the main treatment methods for this malignancy. However, due to the physiological characteristics of elderly patients, the safety of perioperative anesthesia needs special attention. As an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, dexmedetomidine (Dex) has attracted much attention from anesthesiologists due to its stabilizing effect on heart rate and blood pressure, inhibitory effect on inflammation, and sedative and analgesic effects. Its application in general anesthesia may have a positive impact on the quality of anesthesia and postoperative recovery in elderly patients undergoing radical resection of colon cancer. AIM To investigate the anesthetic effects of Dex during radical surgery for colon cancer under general anesthesia in elderly patients. METHODS A total of 165 colon cancer patients who underwent radical surgery for colon cancer under general anesthesia at Qingdao University Affiliated Haici Hospital, Qingdao, China were recruited and divided into two groups: A and B. In group A, Dex was administered 30 min before surgery, while group B received an equivalent amount of normal saline. The hemodynamic changes, pulmonary compliance, airway pressure, inflammatory factors, confusion assessment method scores, Ramsay Sedation-Agitation Scale scores, and cellular immune function indicators were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Group A showed less intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations, better pulmonary compliance, and lower airway resistance compared with group B. Twelve hours after the surgery, the serum levels of TLR-2, TLR-4, IL-6, and TNF-α in group A were significantly lower than those of group B (P &lt; 0.05). After extubation, the Ramsay Sedation-Agitation Scale score of group A patients was significantly higher than that of group B patients, indicating a higher level of sedation. The incidence of delirium was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION The use of Dex as an adjunct to general anesthesia for radical surgery in elderly patients with colon cancer results in better effectiveness of anesthesia.

Hydroxyurea: An Old Drug in Need of New Clinical Trials in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms?

Hydroxyurea (Hu) has been a front-line therapeutic agent for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) for many years and still enjoys the endorsement of experts in the field. However, several publications have reported sub-optimal response, the need for treatment interruption because of cytopenias and lack of sustained response. In all these studies, Hu was used as continuous therapy at a daily dose ranging from 500mg to 3000mg. At our Centre we have used Hu as intermittent therapy (akin to schedules used in patients with solid tumours) at 20-30mg/Kg doses, given as a single dose, twice or thrice weekly. We have consistently observed sustained responses without troublesome cytopenias. Concurrent anti-platelet therapy was given on the basis of the results of whole blood platelet aggregation studies, achieving effective thromboprophylaxis. In this report we present our experience in 118 patients treated with intermittent Hu during the past 30 years (median follow-up 8.5 yrs): polycythemia vera – 29; essential thrombocythemia – 84; primary myelofibrosis – 5. Based on the pharmacokinetics of Hu and our experience, we speculate that the efficacy of intermittent Hu therapy without troublesome myelotoxicity over long periods of time is attributable to the following: i) higher plasma level from intake of Hu as a single dose; ii) higher uptake of Hu by cells with higher mitotic activity (i.e. the abnormal clone); and iii) unhindered, normal haemopoiesis on the drug free days each week. We hope that this article will generate interest and contemplation, leading to further publications from Centres using intermittent Hu therapy and randomized clinical studies to compare the two dosage schedules (Continuous Vs Intermittent) in MPN patients.

Influence of chronotype on sleep quality and menstrual regularity in nurses on monthly shift rotations

Abstract Objectives This study was to investigate factors that influence the sleep quality and menstrual cycles of female rotating-shift nurses. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 213 female rotating-shift nurses between the ages of 20 and 45 were recruited from a medical center in Taiwan from November 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed with regard to sleep quality or menstrual cycle. Results Female rotating-shift nurses who perceived a higher level of stress (p &amp;lt; .001), were late chronotypes (p = .020), or were working the night shift (p = .006) were more likely to have poor sleep quality. Late-type nurses working the day shift were more likely to have poor sleep quality than were early- and intermediate-type nurses (p &amp;lt; .001). With regard to menstrual cycles, female rotating-shift nurses who perceived a higher level of stress (p = .008), were working the night shift (p &amp;lt; .001), or had poor sleep quality (p = .001) were more likely to have irregular menstrual cycles. Late-type nurses working the day shift were more likely to have irregular menstrual cycles than were early- and intermediate-type nurses (p = .013). Conclusions A higher likelihood of poor sleep quality was found in female rotating-shift nurses when they perceived high levels of stress, and the interactions between chronotype and shift type could influence sleep quality. Shift type and the interactions between chronotype and shift type could also influence menstrual regularity.

Entangled Mathematics as a Tool of Reasoning in the Mid-Twentieth-Century UK Electricity Industry

In the mid-twentieth century, the identity of those who oversaw the UK electricity grid tentatively and slowly began to shift from those who joined the electricity industry directly from secondary school to a university-educated elite with a higher level of technical education. At the same time, electricity infrastructure became increasingly centralised, leading to the creation of a national grid in 1938, meaning that control of electricity became concentrated in the hands of an ever-smaller group and increasing the stakes in debates over strategy. By using the case studies of power engineer Paul Schiller and mathematician Maurice Davies, this paper traces how the boundaries of what mathematics could or could not be used for were renegotiated between factions within the UK electricity industry. Schiller unsuccessfully attempted to use mathematics, including the authority of academic mathematicians, to reinforce controversial arguments about the strategic direction of the industry in the 1940s. Such arguments failed to resonate with a class of, as Schiller put it, “practical men” that still held considerable influence. Davies on the other hand was employed by the industry in the 1950s to improve efficiency, and was able to implement lasting measures in this effort by using the weather to forecast electricity demand, and successfully defended the usefulness of his work in the 1970s against colleagues who felt that forecasting could be done better with mathematical models without weather inputs. The contrast between these two stories shows how the influence of mathematical thinking was contingent upon existing power dynamics, and reinforce how the history of mathematics should be socially embedded.

A comparative Clinical Trial of Laparoscopic Appendectomy versus Open Appendectomy in uncomplicated Cases

Background: Appendicitis is one of the most frequent causes of acute abdominal pain and usually leads to the surgery called appendectomy. Various advantages can be associated with laparoscopic appendectomy but possible disadvantages include longer operative time and complications. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to find out the differences between laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and open appendectomy (OP) in patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis focusing on operative time, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, postoperative complication rates, and patient satisfaction. Methods: The present study was a comparative randomized clinical trial performed in Farooq Teaching Hospital and Hameed Latif Teaching Hospital from January 2023 to January 2024. Two hundred patients with uncomplicated appendicitis were randomly chosen and divided into the laparoscopic appendectomy(n=100) and the open appendectomy(n=100). Primary outcomes were operative time, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain as assessed by the Visual Analog Scale, and complications. Secondary measures were time to resume normal activities, and patients’ satisfaction, measured on a Likert scale. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test and chi-square test were used for analysis and p≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: Laparoscopic appendectomy took a relatively longer mean operative time (54. 9 ± 14. 2 min) in comparison with open appendectomy (31. 4 ± 11. 1 min) with p&lt;0.001 but overall, the patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy had lesser hospital stay (1. 4 ± 0. 6 days) than those who underwent open appendectomy (2.7 ± 2.5 days, p&lt;0.01). Patients were able to get back to their normal activities sooner (11. 5 ± 3. 1 days; 16. 1 ± 3. 3 days; t = -3. 80; p&lt;0.01) and expressed higher level of satisfaction (4.7 ± 0.6 vs. 3.9 ± 0.7, p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Compared to open appendectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy has a longer operative time, but the advantages include less postoperative recovery time, less postoperative pain and higher postoperative patient satisfaction.

The ‘new achikumbe elite’: linking youth, education and agriculture in Malawi

ABSTRACT The paper looks at an emerging group of urban-based educated individuals. They are termed the ’new achikumbe (modern farmer) elite’ (NAE). With a higher level of formal education, these farmers are engaging in agriculture in commercially oriented and media-savvy ways. They challenge the narratives that educated youth opt for non-agrarian livelihoods. Drawing on scholars who explore the relationship between neoliberal economic changes and emerging educated identities, I use fieldwork data from 2018 to explore how these NAE relate their educated identities to agrarian livelihoods. Using three case studies and the wider concept of educated identities, I show how the NAE mixes agriculture with other opportunities in Malawi’s changing economy in forging a future for themselves.

Research of Professional Adaptation as a Component of Professionalization of Cadets of Educational Organizations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia

The state and society make high demands on the professionalism of a modern Russian police officer. The issue of professionalization, which begins in educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, is becoming relevant. Professionalization of cadets is considered as a relationship between adaptation to service in the internal affairs bodies and self-realization in the service. The article examines the adaptation aspect. The purpose of the study was to describe the professional adaptation of cadets at various stages of training in the context of the professionalization process. The objectives of the study were to analyze the literature on the problem, diagnose the level of professional adaptation of students and compare the results with the findings of other authors. The experimental work was carried out on the basis of one of the educational institutions of higher education of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia with the involvement of 219 students. Questionnaires and testing the level of professional adaptation were used as research methods. As a result of the diagnostics, a higher level of professional adaptation was found in cadets of the 1st and 5th years in relation to the level of 3rd year students. In the works of other researchers, this trend was confirmed; a connection between professional adaptation and motivation, the potential of the cadets' personality, their professional identity and the degree of involvement in educational and service activities is visible. The obtained data are necessary for designing organizational and pedagogical conditions for successful professionalization of cadets. Such a study was conducted in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the first time. But in order to fully reveal the essence and structure of professionalization of cadets at each individual stage of training, the work presented in the article is insufficient and further research is required.

Techno-Economic Analysis of the Solid Oxide Semi-Closed CO2 Cycle for Different Plant Sizes

Abstract This work presents a detailed techno-economic evaluation of the SOS-CO2 cycle, a hybrid semi-closed cycle with solid oxide fuel cells developed by Politecnico di Milano. for different plant sizes, ranging from large utility plants (400 MWel) to industrial applications (50 MWel). The analysis includes the design and sizing of all the cycle components, including specific design optimization models for the most critical cycle components such as the regenerative heat exchanger and the turbine. Results are compared with the performance of the Allam cycle, an oxy-combustion cycle with higher technology readiness level. The results show that the SOS-CO2 cycle maintains high efficiency over the whole size range thanks to the modularity of the fuel cell and the regenerator which counterbalances the decrease in turbomachine efficiency at small sizes. For the utility scale plant, despite its higher specific investment cost (3761 €/kW vs. 2490€/kW), the SOS-CO2 cycle appears to be competitive with the Allam cycle in terms of cost of electricity (128.4 €/MWh and 127.8 €/MWh of the Allam cycle) thanks to its higher efficiency (68.9% vs. 53.1%). At smaller sizes, the higher efficiency and the lower dependance on the economies of scale make the SOS-CO2 more economically advantageous: for the 50 MWel plant, the cost of electricity of the SOS-CO2 is 175.8 €/MWh vs. 205.8 €/MWh of the Allam cycle.

Are HPV Vaccines Well Accepted among Parents of Adolescent Girls in China? Trends, Obstacles, and Practical Implications for Further Interventions: A Five-Year Follow-Up Study

Background: In 2020, the WHO proposed the global strategic goal of accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer (CC). One of the key strategies is that, by 2030, 90% of girls will complete HPV vaccination by age 15. In 2017, HPV vaccines were first marketed in China. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the changes in parents’ knowledge about CC, HPV, HPV vaccines, and acceptance of HPV vaccination 5 years after the introduction of HPV vaccines into China. Associated factors and reasons for refusal by parents were also explored. Methods: A school-based follow-up study was conducted among parents in China from May 2018 to May 2023. Comparison using Chi-square tests was performed to measure the changes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore factors associated with HPV vaccination among teenage girls. Results: The overall cognitive level in terms of CC- and HPV-related knowledge among parents increased, and they expressed more willingness to vaccinate their daughter (35.4% in 2018 vs. 56.6% in 2023). The HPV vaccination rate among teenage girls remained at a low level (4.4% in 2018, 9.8% in 2023). The main obstacles reported by parents were limited knowledge (42.0%), scarcity of the HPV vaccine (29.2%), waiting until their daughter was older (27.5%), safety concerns (14.7%), high cost (9.0%), and effectiveness concerns (4.6%). Parents who are elderly, local residents, have received HPV vaccines themselves, have had experience of vaccinating their children with influenza vaccines, and have a higher knowledge level of CC, HPV and HPV vaccines are more likely to vaccinate their children with HPV vaccines. Conclusions: Although we observed an increment in parents’ knowledge level in terms of CC, HPV, HPV vaccines, and HPV vaccine uptake over the past 5 years, the HPV vaccine coverage among girls still falls short of the WHO’s 2030 target. Comprehensive intervention strategies, including tailored health education among adolescents and their parents, doctor recommendations, and providing financial subsidies or free HPV vaccines are needed in China.

Reference values for respiratory muscle strength measured with the S‐Index Test in well‐trained athletes, e‐sports athletes and age‐matched controls

AbstractRespiratory function assessment is crucial in optimizing athletic performance, safeguarding respiratory health, and ensuring athletes can perform at their peak potential while minimizing the risk of respiratory‐related issues. The S‐Index Test is a dynamic evaluation of respiratory muscle strength. However, no comprehensive reference values regarding the S‐Index Test have been reported yet. A total of 597 participants performed the S‐Index Test. They were either well‐trained athletes (WTA), or e‐sports athletes (ESA), or age‐matched controls (AMC) groups. The differences in S‐Index Test results between sexes and for group–sex, and performance calibre tier–sex interactions were examined. The relationships between S‐Index Test results and age, anthropometric indices and training experience were assessed. Reference values for all the groups were provided. Amongst athletes, the highest values were observed in swimmers and rowers, and the lowest in figure skaters and runners. The S‐Index Test results were different for the group–sex interaction (P = 0.004, 151.6 ± 29.0 cmH2O for WTA males and 109.8 ± 21.6 cmH2O for WTA females, 136.7 ± 28.0 cmH2O for ESA males and 101.8 ± 22.0 cmH2O for ESA females, 128.7 ± 28.8 cmH2O for AMC males and 70.3 ± 24.7 cmH2O for AMC females) and higher in males than females (P &lt; 0.001, 145.1 ± 30.5 cmH2O for males and 100.8 ± 27.6 cmH2O for females). The higher athletic level, presented as performance calibre tier, was not linked to higher respiratory muscle strength in the WTA group (P = 0.094). However, the Bonferroni correction revealed that except for the singular tier in females, there was a significant effect for all the other tiers and sexes (P &lt; 0.001). The obtained results confirm that regardless of the level of physical activity, the anthropometric features are positively linked with respiratory muscle strength. Furthermore, age and training experience were positively correlated with the S‐Index Test results in the WTA group.

Beyond the shore: nurturing future marine biodiversity citizen scientists through Coastal Marine Science Fieldwork programme

ABSTRACT This study aims to assess the impact of the Coastal Marine Science Fieldwork (CMSF) Program in enhancing students' systematic thinking. To prepare students for their role as future global citizens, it is essential to expose them to socioscientific issues and provide first-hand experiences that reveal the interconnectedness of Earth's systems and human activities. Our research yielded the following insights: (1) Students demonstrated a significant increase in systems thinking, environmental nature of science views, and citizen science literacy after the CMSF program, (2) The program afforded students the opportunity to immerse in scientific investigations in ecological environments, effectively bridging the gap between textbook knowledge and the natural world, and (3) Fieldwork opportunities empowered students to assess their compatibility with scientific research, aiding them in making informed career choices in the field of science. This study holds educational significance for students pursuing majors in marine science or related fields at the higher education level. The integration of fieldwork into the learning process allows students to fortify their perspectives on the nature of science, ultimately promoting a greater number of students to consider science as a profession or actively participate in civic action.

The impact of fiscal expenditure fluctuation on cost asymmetry: Evidence from China

AbstractThis study investigates the relationship between district government fiscal expenditure fluctuation and asymmetric cost behaviour in China. Using the unique manual data sets of Chinese A‐listed firms during the period 2003–2018, we find that cost stickiness is a pervasive phenomenon and that fiscal expenditure fluctuation positively affects cost stickiness. The results also demonstrate this effect is more pronounced when labour input is high and the size of the population is large. In addition, our further analysis indicates that higher social welfare incomes and the higher administrative level of a city can influence these results.

Antarctic sensitivity to oceanic melting parameterizations

Abstract. The Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) has experienced accelerated loss of ice over the last decades and could become the main contributor to sea level rise in the coming centuries. However, the associated uncertainty is very large. The main sources of this uncertainty lie in the future scenarios, the climatic forcing and, most notably, the structural uncertainty due to our lack of understanding of ice–ocean interaction processes, in particular, the representation of subshelf basal melt. In this study, we use a higher-order ice sheet model to investigate the impact of these three sources of uncertainty on the contribution of the AIS to sea level in the coming centuries in the context of the Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project for CMIP6 (ISMIP6) but extending the projections to 2500. We test the sensitivity of the model to basal melting parameters using several forcings and scenarios simulated in the CMIP5 and CMIP6 ensembles. Results show a strong dependency on the values of the parameter that controls the heat exchange velocity between ice and ocean as well as the forcing and scenario. Higher values of the heat exchange parameter lead to higher sea level rise, with the contribution depending on the forcing–scenario configuration and reaching in some cases more than 3 m in sea level equivalent by the end of 2500. Idealized simulations considering the individual effects of the atmospheric and the oceanic forcing have been performed, demonstrating that the oceanic forcing plays a dominant role over the western sector of the AIS, while the atmospheric forcing is more important for the eastern sector and the interior.