bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Load-Bearing Performance of Non-Prismatic RC Beams Wrapped with Carbon FRP Composites
Authors: Suparp Suniti , Ejaz Ali , Khan Kaffayatullah , Hussain Qudeer , Joyklad Panuwat , Saingam Panumas
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the influence of CFRP composite wrapping techniques on the load–deflection and strain relationships of non-prismatic RC beams. A total of twelve non-prismatic beams with and without openings were tested in the present study. The length of the non-prismatic section was also varied to assess the effect on the behavior and load capacity of non-prismatic beams. The strengthening of beams was performed by using carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites in the form of individual strips or full wraps. The linear variable differential transducers and strain gauges were installed at the steel bars to observe the load–deflection and strain responses of non-prismatic RC beams, respectively. The cracking behavior of unstrengthened beams was accompanied by excessive flexural and shear cracks. The influence of CFRP strips and full wraps was primarily observed in solid section beams without shear cracks, resulting in enhanced performance. In contrast, hollow section strengthened beams exhibited minor shear cracks alongside the primary flexural cracks within the constant moment region. The absence of shear cracks was reflected in the load–deflection curves of strengthened beams, which demonstrated a ductile behavior. The strengthened beams demonstrated 40% to 70% higher peak loads than control beams, whereas the ultimate deflection was increased up to 524.87% compared to that of the control beams. The improvement in the peak load was more prominent as the length of the non-prismatic section increased. A better improvement in ductility was achieved for the case of CFRP strips in the case of short non-prismatic lengths, whereas the efficiency of CFRP strips was reduced as the length of the non-prismatic section increased. Moreover, the load–strain capacity of CFRP-strengthened non-prismatic RC beams was higher than the control beams.
Quasi-Distributed Fiber Sensor-Based Approach for Pipeline Health Monitoring: Generating and Analyzing Physics-Based Simulation Datasets for Classification
Authors: Zhang Pengdi , Venketeswaran Abhishek , Wright Ruishu F. , Lalam Nageswara , Sarcinelli Enrico , Ohodnicki Paul R.
Published: June 2023

This study presents a framework for detecting mechanical damage in pipelines, focusing on generating simulated data and sampling to emulate distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system responses. The workflow transforms simulated ultrasonic guided wave (UGW) responses into DAS or quasi-DAS system responses to create a physically robust dataset for pipeline event classification, including welds, clips, and corrosion defects. This investigation examines the effects of sensing systems and noise on classification performance, emphasizing the importance of selecting the appropriate sensing system for a specific application. The framework shows the robustness of different sensor number deployments to experimentally relevant noise levels, demonstrating its applicability in real-world scenarios where noise is present. Overall, this study contributes to the development of a more reliable and effective method for detecting mechanical damage to pipelines by emphasizing the generation and utilization of simulated DAS system responses for pipeline classification efforts. The results on the effects of sensing systems and noise on classification performance further enhance the robustness and reliability of the framework.
Rock Crack Recognition Technology Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Li Jinbei , Tian Yu , Chen Juan , Wang Hao
Published: June 2023

The changes in cracks on the surface of rock mass reflect the development of geological disasters, so cracks on the surface of rock mass are early signs of geological disasters such as landslides, collapses, and debris flows. To research geological disasters, it is crucial to swiftly and precisely gather crack information on the surface of rock masses. Drone videography surveys can effectively avoid the limitations of the terrain. This has become an essential method in disaster investigation. This manuscript proposes rock crack recognition technology based on deep learning. First, images of cracks on the surface of a rock mass obtained by a drone were cut into small pictures of 640 × 640. Next, a VOC dataset was produced for crack object detection by enhancing the data with data augmentation techniques, labeling the image using Labelimg. Then, we divided the data into test sets and training sets in a ratio of 2:8. Then, the YOLOv7 model was improved by combining different attention mechanisms. This study is the first to combine YOLOv7 and an attention mechanism for rock crack detection. Finally, the rock crack recognition technology was obtained through comparative analysis. The results show that the precision of the improved model using the SimAM attention mechanism can reach 100%, the recall rate can achieve 75%, the AP can reach 96.89%, and the processing time per 100 images is 10 s, which is the optimal model compared with the other five models. The improvement is relative to the original model, in which the precision was improved by 1.67%, the recall by 1.25%, and the AP by 1.45%, with no decrease in running speed. This proves that rock crack recognition technology based on deep learning can achieve rapid and precise results. It provides a new research direction for identifying early signs of geological hazards.
Method for Using IMU-Based Experimental Motion Data in BVH Format for Musculoskeletal Simulations via OpenSim
Authors: Wechsler Iris , Wolf Alexander , Fleischmann Sophie , Waibel Julian , Molz Carla , Scherb David , Shanbhag Julian , Franz Michael , Wartzack Sandro , Miehling Jörg
Published: June 2023

Biomechanical simulation allows for in silico estimations of biomechanical parameters such as muscle, joint and ligament forces. Experimental kinematic measurements are a prerequisite for musculoskeletal simulations using the inverse kinematics approach. Marker-based optical motion capture systems are frequently used to collect this motion data. As an alternative, IMU-based motion capture systems can be used. These systems allow flexible motion collection without nearly any restriction regarding the environment. However, one limitation with these systems is that there is no universal way to transfer IMU data from arbitrary full-body IMU measurement systems into musculoskeletal simulation software such as OpenSim. Thus, the objective of this study was to enable the transfer of collected motion data, stored as a BVH file, to OpenSim 4.4 to visualize and analyse the motion using musculoskeletal models. By using the concept of virtual markers, the motion saved in the BVH file is transferred to a musculoskeletal model. An experimental study with three participants was conducted to verify our method’s performance. Results show that the present method is capable of (1) transferring body dimensions saved in the BVH file to a generic musculoskeletal model and (2) correctly transferring the motion data saved in the BVH file to a musculoskeletal model in OpenSim 4.4.
DoSDefender: A Kernel-Mode TCP DoS Prevention in Software-Defined Networking
Authors: Wang Dongbin , Zhao Yu , Zhi Hui , Wu Dongzhe , Zhuo Weihan , Lu Yueming , Zhang Xu
Published: June 2023

The limited computation resource of the centralized controller and communication bandwidth between the control and data planes become the bottleneck in forwarding the packets in Software-Defined Networking (SDN). Denial of Service (DoS) attacks based on Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) can exhaust the resources of the control plane and overload the infrastructure of SDN networks. To mitigate TCP DoS attacks, DoSDefender is proposed as an efficient kernel-mode TCP DoS prevention framework in the data plane for SDN. It can prevent TCP DoS attacks from entering SDN by verifying the validity of the attempts to establish a TCP connection from the source, migrating the connection, and relaying the packets between the source and the destination in kernel space. DoSDefender conforms to the de facto standard SDN protocol, the OpenFlow policy, which requires no additional devices and no modifications in the control plane. Experimental results show that DoSDefender can effectively prevent TCP DoS attacks in low computing consumption while maintaining low connection delay and high packet forwarding throughput.
A Ratiometric Fluorescence Amplification Using Copper Nanoclusters with o-Phenylenediamine Sensor for Determination of Mercury (II) in Natural Water
Authors: Phoungsiri Ampika , Lerdpiriyaskulkij Natee , Monvisade Pathavuth , Detsri Ekarat , Mathaweesansurn Arjnarong
Published: June 2023

A simple and rapid method for determining mercury (II) has been developed using L-cysteine-capped copper nanocluster (CuNCs) with o-phenylenediamine (OPD) as the sensor. The characteristic fluorescence peak of the synthesized CuNCs was observed at 460 nm. The fluorescence properties of CuNCs were strongly influenced by the addition of mercury (II). Upon addition, CuNCs were oxidized to form Cu2+. Then, the OPD were rapidly oxidized by Cu2+ to form o-phenylenediamine oxide (oxOPD), as evidenced by the strong fluorescence peak at 547 nm, resulting in a decrease in the fluorescence intensity at 460 nm and an increase in the fluorescence intensity at 547 nm. Under optimal conditions, a calibration curve between the fluorescence ratio (I547/I460) and mercury (II) concentration was constructed with a linearity of 0–1000 µg L−1. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found at 18.0 µg L−1 and 62.0 µg L−1, respectively. The recovery percentage was in the range of 96.8–106.4%. The developed method was also compared with the standard ICP-OES method. The results were found to be not significantly different at a 95% confidence level (tstat = 0.365 < tcrit = 2.262). This demonstrated that the developed method could be applied for detecting mercury (II) in natural water samples.
Growth Monitoring and Yield Estimation of Maize Plant Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in a Hilly Region
Authors: Sapkota Sujan , Paudyal Dev Raj
Published: June 2023

More than 66% of the Nepalese population has been actively dependent on agriculture for their day-to-day living. Maize is the largest cereal crop in Nepal, both in terms of production and cultivated area in the hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal. The traditional ground-based method for growth monitoring and yield estimation of maize plant is time consuming, especially when measuring large areas, and may not provide a comprehensive view of the entire crop. Estimation of yield can be performed using remote sensing technology such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which is a rapid method for large area examination, providing detailed data on plant growth and yield estimation. This research paper aims to explore the capability of UAVs for plant growth monitoring and yield estimation in mountainous terrain. A multi-rotor UAV with a multi-spectral camera was used to obtain canopy spectral information of maize in five different stages of the maize plant life cycle. The images taken from the UAV were processed to obtain the result of the orthomosaic and the Digital Surface Model (DSM). The crop yield was estimated using different parameters such as Plant Height, Vegetation Indices, and biomass. A relationship was established in each sub-plot which was further used to calculate the yield of an individual plot. The estimated yield obtained from the model was validated against the ground-measured yield through statistical tests. A comparison of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Green–Red Vegetation Index (GRVI) indicators of a Sentinel image was performed. GRVI was found to be the most important parameter and NDVI was found to be the least important parameter for yield determination besides their spatial resolution in a hilly region.
Surface-to-Volume Ratio Affects the Toxicity of Nanoinks in Daphnids
Authors: Kakavas Dimitrios , Panagiotidis Konstantinos , Rochfort Keith D. , Grintzalis Konstantinos
Published: June 2023

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has set widely used guidelines that are used as a standardized approach for assessing toxicity in a number of species. Given that various studies use different experimental setups, it is difficult to compare findings across them as a result of the lack of a universally used setup in nano-ecotoxicology. For freshwater species, Daphnia magna, a commonly used filter feeding crustacean, can generate significant molecular information in response to pollutant exposure. One factor that has an effect in toxicity induced from nanomaterials in daphnids is the surface-to-volume ratio of the exposure vessels; however, there is limited information available about its impact on the observed effect of exposure. In this study, daphnids were exposed to silver nanoparticle ink in falcon tubes and Petri dishes for 24 h. Toxicity curves revealed differences in the observed mortality of daphnids, with animals exposed in Petri dishes displaying significantly higher mortality. Differences in the activities of a number of key enzymes involved in the catabolism of macromolecules and phosphate were also observed across the exposure setups, indicating possible differences in the toxicity mechanism of silver nano-ink. Understanding the impact of factors relevant to experimental setups in ecotoxicology can increase the reproducibility of testing, and also reduce experimental costs, time, generated waste, and daphnids used in research.
Joint Flood Risks in the Grand River Watershed
Authors: Unnikrishnan Poornima , Ponnambalam Kumaraswamy , Agrawal Nirupama , Karray Fakhri
Published: June 2023

According to the World Meteorological Organization, since 2000, there has been an increase in global flood-related disasters by 134 percent compared to the previous decades. Efficient flood risk management strategies necessitate a holistic approach to evaluating flood vulnerabilities and risks. Catastrophic losses can occur when the peak flow values in the rivers in a basin coincide. Therefore, estimating the joint flood risks in a region is vital, especially when frequent occurrences of extreme events are experienced. This study focuses on estimating the joint flood risks due to river flow extremes in the Grand River watershed in Canada. For this purpose, the study uses copula analysis to investigate the joint occurrence of extreme river flow events in the Speed and Grand Rivers in the Grand River Watershed in Ontario, Canada. By estimating the joint return period for extreme flows in both rivers, we demonstrate the interdependence of the two river flows and how this interdependence influences the behavior of river flow extreme patterns. Our findings suggest that the interdependence between the two river flows leads to changes in the river flow extreme pattern. Determining the interdependence of floods at multiple locations using state-of-the-art tools will benefit various stakeholders, such as the insurance industry, the disaster management sector, and most importantly, the public.
The Effect of Differentiated Social Studies Curriculum on Secondary School Gifted Students’ Verbal Creativity in İstanbul
Authors: Çetinkaya Çağlar
Published: June 2023

The principal aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a differentiated social studies course curriculum on gifted students’ verbal creativity. This study is important in terms of developing verbal creativity in gifted students through the social sciences curriculum. It is important in terms of being the first study to develop verbal creativity through a differentiation study in the field of social studies for gifted students. Differentiation in social studies was carried out by considering the Integrated Curriculum Model (ICM). For this, the study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pretest–post-test experimental and control groups. The sample consisted of 24 gifted students, 12 in the experimental group and 12 in the control group, selected from secondary schools in Istanbul. While the experimental group received this curriculum-oriented training to develop their verbal creativity skills, the control group received a standard social studies curriculum. In the study, the verbal creativity skills of gifted students were tested using the “Torrance Test of Creative Thinking-Verbal” (TTCT-V) before and after the interventions. In addition, a demographic information form was used to describe the demographic characteristics of the participants. Then, the data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. The findings showed that differentiated activities and instructions showed a significant positive effect on the gifted students’ verbal creativity skills. Therefore, it was concluded that the differentiated social studies curriculum developed for gifted students contributed to students’ verbal creativity skills.
Attention Mechanism-Combined LSTM for Grain Yield Prediction in China Using Multi-Source Satellite Imagery
Authors: Liu Fan , Jiang Xiangtao , Wu Zhenyu
Published: June 2023

Grain yield prediction affects policy making in various aspects such as agricultural production planning, food security assurance, and adjustment of foreign trade. Accurately predicting grain yield is of great significance in ensuring global food security. This paper is based on the MODIS remote sensing image data products from 2010 to 2020, and adds band information such as vegetation index and temperature to form composite remote sensing data as a dataset. Aiming at the lack of models for large-scale forecasting and the need for human intervention in traditional models, this paper proposes a grain production estimation model based on deep learning. First, image cropping and yield mapping techniques are used to process the data to generate training samples. Then the channel and spatial attention mechanism (convolutional block attention module, CBAM) is added to extract spatial information in different remote sensing bands to improve the efficiency of the model. Long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks are added to obtain feature information in the time dimension. Finally, a national-scale grain yield prediction model is constructed. After the study, it was found that the LSTM model using a combination of multi-source satellite images and an attention mechanism can effectively predict grain yield in China. Furthermore, the proposed model was tested on data from 2018 to 2020 showing an average R2 of 0.940 and an average RMSE of 80,020 tons, indicating that it can predict Chinese grain yield better. The model proposed in this paper extracts grain yield information directly from the composite remote sensing data, and solves the problem of small-scale research and imprecise yield prediction in an end-to-end manner.
E-Service-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Mainland Chinese Students Enrolled at a University in Hong Kong
Authors: Yu Lu , Du Meng , Zhou Xiaohua
Published: June 2023

E-learning has been proposed as a sustainable delivery method for higher education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online/e-service-learning was widely adopted around the world as a replacement for face-to-face service learning, providing an opportunity to explore whether e-learning as a sustainable delivery method could be applied to service learning. The present study adopted a qualitative approach to investigate the e-service-learning experiences of Mainland Chinese students studying at a Hong Kong university with regard to their general perceptions about the e-service-learning projects, perceived learning gains, and factors associated with their learning gains. A total of 28 undergraduates who participated in e-service-learning in the 2020/21 academic year were recruited from different faculties of the university. Seven focus groups were established with the participants. The results showed that Mainland Chinese students generally had positive perceptions about their experiences in e-service-learning during the pandemic. They appreciated the convenient and effective online learning and service, although they needed contact that is more direct with service recipients to deepen their reflection. Students perceived that they had improved their problem-solving skills and subject knowledge; they also gained meaningful personal growth and positive emotions through e-service-learning. Facilitators of and barriers to students’ effective learning were also identified. The findings provide important evidence for the effectiveness of e-service-learning from the perspective of Mainland Chinese students at Hong Kong universities and the potential of e-service-learning as a sustainable delivery method for service-learning programs in the post-pandemic era.
Management Models and the Sustainability of Rural Water Supply Systems: An Analytical Investigation in Ha Nam Province, Vietnam
Authors: Toan Truong Duc , Hanh Dang Ngoc , Thu Dao Thi
Published: June 2023

Clean water and sanitation is a global issue that has recently received special attention from governments and international organizations, as they essential to enhance people’s health and foster socio-economic development in different countries. Therefore, one of the United Nations’ Millennium Goals is to ensure access to safe drinking water for all as its target by 2030. However, ensuring water supply in rural regions, especially in developing countries, is a challenge. To meet the target, investing in infrastructure and maintaining the sustainability of water systems is crucial. This study takes into account the role of the management model of rural water supply systems and its relationship with the sustainability of the water systems. A weighing procedure for a sustainability assessment of rural water systems for the current study was proposed, then an ordered logit regression model was applied to examine the relationship between types of water system management models and the sustainability of the water systems in the context of Vietnam. The results from this study showed that type of management model had an influence on the sustainability of rural water supply systems, and the private management model was considered the one that significantly contributed to the sustainability of the rural water systems in the study area. The study provides some lessons learned for researchers in the field of rural water supply to select appropriate approaches to assess the sustainability of water systems and for policymakers to modify current policies toward more sustainable development of water infrastructure in the future, especially in developing countries.
What Research Should Vocational Education Colleges Conduct? An Empirical Study Using Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Chen Yue , Jiang Yuantao , Zheng Aibing , Yue Yunzhu , Hu Zhi-Hua
Published: June 2023

Higher vocational education (HVE) aims to cultivate high-quality technical and skilled talents so that the educated have the professional ethics, scientific culture, professional knowledge, technical skills, and other comprehensive professional qualities and action abilities required for engaging in a specific profession to achieve sustainable career development. Two problems related to critical management strategies for sustainable development activated this study: Should HVE colleges conduct academic research? What types of research should HVE colleges do? This article attempts to empirically study the second question while affirming the answer to the first question. HVE colleges focus on talent cultivation, which does not mean they will never engage in academic research. The key is to decide and evaluate the research types for HVE colleges. First, a survey was conducted on the current status and practical needs of HVE colleges globally and especially in China, and it was found that there is a mutually beneficial relationship between teaching and research in HVE colleges. Then, the positioning of HVE colleges for academic research was analyzed from three aspects—research type, performance assessment, and combination comparison—and three types of research positioning were proposed, i.e., applied research type, educational research type, and comprehensive research type. Then, three assessment index systems of academic research positioning types were designed from two input and output levels, and a research performance assessment model was established using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Finally, taking 22 vocational colleges in Shanghai as examples, a comparative study was conducted on the assessment results of three research types to determine the research types of different HVE colleges. Based on their educational history and academic research resources, HVE colleges can choose their research types. The HVE management department can guide HVE colleges to conduct differentiated academic research and support teaching and talent cultivation through input–output analysis for sustainable educational and teacher development.
A Two-Level Fuzzy Multi-Objective Design of ATO Driving Commands for Energy-Efficient Operation of Metropolitan Railway Lines
Authors: Sánchez-Contreras Gonzalo , Fernández-Rodríguez Adrián , Fernández-Cardador Antonio , Cucala Asunción P.
Published: June 2023

Policies for reducing CO2 and other GHG emissions have motivated an increase in electrification in metropolitan areas, mandating reductions in energy consumption. Metro systems are keystone contributors to the sustainability of cities; they can reduce the energy consumption of cities through the use of the economic driving parameters in their onboard automatic train operation systems (ATO) and through the strategic design of efficient timetables. This paper proposes a two-level optimization method to design efficient, comfortable, and robust driving commands to be programmed in all the interstations of a metro line. This method aims to increase the sustainability of metro operations by producing efficient timetables with economic driving for each interstation while considering comfort restrictions and train mass uncertainty. First, in the eco-driving level, an optimal Pareto front between every pair of successive stations is obtained using a multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm with fuzzy parameters (F-MOPSO). This front contains optimized speed profiles for different running times considering train mass variations. The global problem is stated as a multi-objective combinatorial problem, and a fuzzy greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (F-GRASP) is used to perform an intelligent search for the optimal timetables. Thus, a global front of interstation driving commands is computed for the whole line, showing the minimum energy consumption for different travel times. This method is analyzed in a case study with real data from a Spanish metro line. The results are compared with the minimum running time timetable and a typical timetable design procedure. The proposed algorithms achieve a 24% reduction in energy consumption in comparison to the fastest driving commands timetable, representing a 4% increase in energy savings over the uniform timetable design.
Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc-Lead-Phosphate Glasses Doped with Europium for Radiation Shielding
Authors: El-Khayatt Ahmed M. , Saudi Heba A. , AlRowis Norah H.
Published: June 2023

Appropriate glass systems can provide efficient transparent radiation shielding. The current study involved the preparation of the glass system with a composition of xEu2O3-(15-x)ZnO-10CaO-35PbO-40P2O5 (where x = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt.% Eu2O3). The formation of the glass phase was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The study analyzed physical and structural parameters, such as optical conductivity (σopt), refractive index (n), and optical band gap (Eg), with the amount of Eu2O3. The findings indicate that the optical band gap increased as the Eu2O3 content increased. Additionally, a decrease in Urbach energy (EU) was observed, suggesting an improvement in the orderliness of the glass. The study also determined various parameters for gamma-ray shielding, including mass attenuation coefficient (μm), effective atomic number (Zeff), and kerma coefficient (k). For neutron shielding characteristics, the macroscopic effective removal cross-section (ΣR) of fast neutrons was calculated.
Impacts of Environmental Pollution and Digital Economy on the New Energy Industry
Authors: Liu Xiaohong
Published: June 2023

This study explores the impacts of environmental pollution and the digital economy on the new energy industry with panel data on 30 Chinese provinces from 2005 to 2020. Mean group regression was performed, and fully modified OLS and dynamic OLS were conducted to check the robustness of the results. The authors reached two conclusions: (1) environmental pollution exerts significant negative impacts on the new energy industry. For every 1% increase in environmental pollution, the level of development of the new energy industry drops by 0.1658%. In other words, environmental pollution levels down the new energy industry. (2) The digital economy produces significant positive impacts on the new energy industry. For every 1% increase in the digital economy, the level of development of the new energy industry rises by 0.4262%. That is, the digital economy levels up the new energy industry. Our policy recommendations place equal stress on both the prevention and the control of environmental pollution, strengthening digital infrastructure, enhancing the government’s digital governance and service capabilities, protecting consumer rights, and replacing conventional energy with new energy.
Fuzzy Adaptive Parameter in the Dai–Liao Optimization Method Based on Neutrosophy
Authors: Stanimirović Predrag S. , Ivanov Branislav D. , Stanujkić Dragiša , Kazakovtsev Lev A. , Krutikov Vladimir N. , Karabašević Darjan
Published: June 2023

The impact of neutrosophy has increased rapidly in many areas of science and technology in recent years. Furthermore, numerous applications of the neutrosophic theory have become more usual. We aim to use neutrosophy to enhance Dai–Liao conjugate gradient (CG) iterative method. In particular, we suggest and explore a new neutrosophic logic system intended to compute the essential parameter t required in Dai–Liao CG iterations. Theoretical examination and numerical experiments signify the effectiveness of the introduced method for controlling t. By incorporation of the neutrosophy in the Dai–Liao conjugate gradient principle, we established novel Dai–Liao CG iterations for solving large-scale unconstrained optimization problems. Global convergence is proved under standard assumptions and with the use of the inexact line search. Finally, computational evidence shows the computational effectiveness of the proposed fuzzy neutrosophic Dai–Liao CG method.
On the Quantum Regularization of Singular Black-Hole Solutions in Covariant Quantum Gravity
Authors: Tessarotto Massimo , Cremaschini Claudio
Published: June 2023

The theoretical prediction of the stochastic property of the quantum cosmological constant and the quantum stochastic nature of event horizons has crucial implications on the physics of space-time and black holes in particular. One of these consequences concerns a new mechanism, which is investigated here, for the stochastic regularization of singular black-hole solutions of classical general relativity. The problem is posed in the context of the theory of covariant quantum gravity (CQG-theory), namely the manifestly covariant, constraint-free and finite graviton-mass quantum Hamiltonian approach developed by Cremaschini and Tessarotto (2015–2022), which permits to cast the theory in a frame-independent setting. It is precisely the trajectory-dependence feature of the theory and the intrinsic stochastic property of quantum gravity which turn out to be crucial properties for reaching quantum regularization of classical singular solutions.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake among Minority Populations in Tennessee
Authors: Alcendor Donald J. , Matthews-Juarez Patricia , Williams Neely , Wilus Derek , Tabatabai Mohammad , Hopkins Esarrah , George Kirstyn , Leon Ashley H. , Santiago Rafael , Lee Arthur , Smoot Duane , Hildreth James E. K. , Juarez Paul D.
Published: June 2023

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake among Southern states in the US has been problematic throughout the pandemic. To characterize COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake among medically underserved communities in Tennessee. We surveyed 1482 individuals targeting minority communities in Tennessee from 2 October 2021 to 22 June 2022. Participants who indicated that they did not plan to receive or were unsure whether to receive the COVID-19 vaccine were considered vaccine-hesitant. Among participants, 79% had been vaccinated, with roughly 5.4% not likely at all to be vaccinated in the next three months from the date that the survey was conducted. When focusing particularly on Black/AA people and white people, our survey results revealed a significant association between race (Black/AA, white, or people of mixed Black/white ancestry) and vaccination status (vaccinated or unvaccinated) (p-value = 0.013). Approximately 79.1% of all participants received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals who were concerned with personal/family/community safety and/or wanted a return to normalcy were less likely to be hesitant. The study found that the major reasons cited for refusing the COVID-19 vaccines were distrust in vaccine safety, concerns about side effects, fear of needles, and vaccine efficacy.
Promoting Circular Economy in the Palm Oil Industry through Biogas Codigestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent and Empty Fruit Bunch Pressed Wastewater
Authors: Suksaroj Chaisri , Jearat Kanokwan , Cherypiew Nutthayus , Rattanapan Cheerawit , Suksaroj Thunwadee Tachapattaworakul
Published: June 2023

This research aimed to investigate the biogas production and circular economy perspective in the palm oil industry through codigestion of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) pressing wastewater and palm oil mill effluent (POME). The EFB pressing method constitutes an alternative new technology used to extract the remaining oil, increasing palm oil product; however, it produces highly polluted wastewater. Batch experiments were carried out at 35 °C to investigate the optimal ratios of EFB wastewater, inoculums, and POME. The optimal condition was 45% POME + 50% seed + 5% EFB wastewater. This condition was then used in semicontinuous fermentation where the optimal hydraulic retention time (HRT) totaled 25 days. The accumulated biogas was 18,679 mL/L while the accumulated methane totaled 6778 mL/L. The methane content was 62%, and the COD removal efficiency was 67%. The sludge produced from the HRT 25-days digester complied with the organic compost standard which could be further used to nourish the soil. An economic analysis of the EFB pressing project revealed a higher internal rate ratio with shorter payback compared with the conventional process. These results provide information on the circular economic approach to promote sustainable palm oil processing.
Advances in Spillway Hydraulics: From Theory to Practice
Authors: Schleiss Anton J. , Erpicum Sebastien , Matos Jorge
Published: June 2023

Over the past decades, significant advances have been achieved in hydraulic structures for dams, namely in water release structures such as spillway weirs, chutes, and energy dissipators. This editorial presents a brief overview of the eleven papers in this Special Issue, Advances in Spillway Hydraulics: From Theory to Practice, and frames them in current research trends. This Special Issue explores the following topics: spillway inlet structures, spillway transport structures, and spillway outlet structures. For the first topic of spillway inlet structures, this collection includes one paper on the hydrodynamics and free-flow characteristics of piano key weirs with different plan shapes and another that presents a theoretical model for the flow at an ogee crest axis for a wide range of head ratios. Most of the contributions address the second topic of spillway transport structures as follows: a physical modeling of a beveled-face stepped chute; the description and recent developments of the generalized, energy-based, water surface profile calculation tool SpillwayPro; an application of the SPH method on non-aerated flow over smooth and stepped converging spillways; a physical model study of the effect of stepped chute slope reduction on the bottom-pressure development; an assessment of a spillway offset aerator with a comparison of the two-phase volume of fluid and complete two-phase Euler models included in the OpenFOAM® toolbox; an evaluation of the performance and design of a stepped spillway aerator based on a physical model study. For the third topic of spillway outlet structures, physical model studies are presented on air–water flow in rectangular free-falling jets, the performance of a plain stilling basin downstream of 30° and 50° inclined smooth and stepped chutes, and scour protection for piano key weirs with apron and cutoff wall. Finally, we include a brief discussion about some research challenges and practice-oriented questions.
The effectiveness of use of silage prepared with biopreservative in lactating cows feeding
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Volgograd State Agrarian University”, Russia, Volgograd, Nikolaev S. I. , Ionov V. V. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Volgograd State Agrarian University”, Russia, Volgograd
Published: June 2023

Silage plays an important role in the organization of complete feeding of dairy cattle. Only the availability of high-quality raw materials, as well as the use of more advanced silage technology, can guarantee the receipt of the highest quality feed. Currently, when preparing silage various preservatives are widely used, which have their own positive and negative qualities, allowing us to reduce the loss of nutrients. The purpose of the research was to study the use of silage prepared with Best-Sil bioconservant in feeding lactating cows and its eff ect on their milk productivity and products quality. Scientifi c and farming experiment was carrier out under the conditions of the animal complex “Korshevo” in LLC EkoNivaAgro in the Bobrovsky district of the Voronezh region on animals of Holstein breed. The cows of the control group received a farming ration. The diff erences in feeding cows consisted in the fact that the animals of the experimental groups were fed silage prepared with using the preservative Best-Sil in diff erent dosages such as in the 1st experimental group at a dose of 1,0 g per 1 ton of silage, in the 2nd experimental group 1,5 g/ton of silage and in the 3rd experimental group 2,0 g/t of silage. It has been experimentally proved that the use of silage prepared with the use of the Best-Sil preservative contributes to the improvement of the completeness of feeding and feed conversion, improvement of the state of protein, fat, mineral metabolism, and the quality of products. It was found that it is advisable to introduce silage prepared with using the Best-Sil bioconservant in the amount of 2 g/t into the rations of lactating cows. This dosage allows us to get higher milk productivity, improve the quality of milk, has a positive infl uence on the health of experimental animals and allows us to increase the level of profi tability of production.
Influence of fertilizers on the formation of yield and sowing qualities of spring wheat seeds under the conditions of the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga region
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Penza State Agrarian University”, Russia, Penza, Strogonova A. V. , Karpova L. V. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Penza State Agrarian University”, Russia, Penza
Published: June 2023

Spring wheat is a valuable food and feed crop with a favorable combination of protein and carbohydrates. Breeders are constantly working to create varieties of spring soft wheat that give stable and high yields even under extreme conditions of its cultivation. The use of fertilizers is an important factor in increasing the yield of spring wheat. Wheat is a valuable feed crop, which is widely used as part of compound feed for poultry and pigs. The purpose of the research was to scientifi cally substantiate the choice of the most eff ective method of using liquid mineral fertilizers on the backgrounds of natural soil fertility and application of N16P16K16, their infl uence on the formation of the crop, sowing qualities and yield properties of spring wheat seeds in the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga region. The infl uence of liquid mineral fertilizers on the backgrounds of natural and mineral nutrition on the density of agrocenosis, crop formation, sowing qualities of seeds and their yield properties has been studied. When using liquid forms of complex mineral fertilizers, methods of their application have been identifi ed that positively aff ect the dynamics of plant growth, yield and quality of seed material of spring soft wheat. It was found as a result of the research that in order to form a high yield with the best indicators of sowing qualities and yielding properties of spring wheat seeds of Tulaykovskaya Nadezhda variety under the conditions of the Middle Volga region, it is necessary to observe a set of agrotechnical techniques developed for this region. Against the background of pre–sowing application of fertilizer N16P16K16 (1 centner/ha), seed treatment should be carried out before sowing with the preparation Megamix – Seeds (2 l/t) followed by non-root fertilizing in the phases “tillering” and “ear formation” with the preparation Megamix – Profi (1 l/ha).
THE PROBLEM OF NATIONAL IDENTITY IN THE NOVELS OF I.S. TURGENEV
Authors:   Orel State University, KONYSHEV E.M. , BELOVA T.V. ,   Orel State University, KRIVOLAPOV V.N. ,   Kursk State University
Published: June 2023

The search for the hero of time is inextricably linked in Turgenev’s novels with the problem of national identity. The answer to the question of who Russia needs was determined by how the writer assessed the potential capabilities of the Russian people in different periods of the reform era.
THE NOVEL «DEEP WOUNDS» BY P. PROSKURIN: IDEOLOGY CORRECTED BY BIOGRAPHY. ARTICLE ONE
Authors:   Bryansk State University Named After Academician I.G. Petrovsky, STARTSEVA I.L. , SHARAVIN A.V. ,   Bryansk State University Named After Academician I.G. Petrovsky, ANTYUKHOV A.V. ,   Bryansk State University Named After Academician I.G. Petrovsky, MIKHEICHEVA E.A. ,   Orel State University
Published: June 2023

The article examines the formation of the creative individuality of P. Proskurin, a writer-statesman in the novel «Deep Wounds». The impact of the canon of socialist realism and its simultaneous overcoming under the influence of the “thaw” paradigm by the artist of the word in the work is noted. The aesthetic reality of the novel, organized by the autobiographical component and fiction, is analyzed. The dominant of the mythological projection of Abel-Cain is emphasized in the embodiment of the confrontation between Pavel Kirilin (the prototype of P. Proskurin’s father - Luka Zakharovich Proskurin) and his brother Faddeus Grigoryevich, which acquires a leading significance in the works about the Great Patriotic War.
ARTISTIC ORIGINALITY OF LITERARY POETIC RIDDLES OF THE MAGAZINE «YEZHEMESYACHNYYE SOCHINENIYA, K POL'ZE I UVESELENIYU SLUZHASHCHIYE»
Authors:   Orel State University, STRUKOVA T.V. , DUDINA E.F. ,   Orel State University, ANTYUKHOV A.V. ,   Bryansk State University named after Academician I.G. Petrovsky
Published: June 2023

The article deals with the ideological-artistic and structural-compositional features of literary poetic riddles published in 1755-1759 in the magazine «Yezhemesyachnyye sochineniya, k pol'ze i uveseleniyu sluzhashchiye». It has been established that the authors' riddles reflect the trends of the Enlightenment and the ideological and aesthetic principles of classicism. Poetic texts are characterized not only by an entertaining function, but also by a didactic orientation, which can be traced both at the ideological and artistic, and at the structural and compositional levels. The features that distinguish literary poetic riddles from folklore ones are revealed.
PR-DESIGN TRAINING IN THE SPHERE OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Authors:   Orel State Institute of Culture, AMELICHKIN A.V.
Published: June 2023

The paper deals with the issue of teaching the theoretical and practical aspects of PR-design for bachelor degree students in the field of training 51.03.03 Socio-Cultural Activities, “Management of State Institutions and non-State Organizations of the Socio-Cultural Sphere”. The use of educational PR projects in the educational process contributes to the formation of professional competencies that are in demand by modern employers.
ORGANIZATION OF INDEPENDENT WORK ON THE DISCIPLINE «PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORT» IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FORMATION OF STUDENTS' PROFESSIONAL WORLDVIEW
Authors:   All-Russian State University of Justice, BARKHATOV M.N.
Published: June 2023

The author analyzes the specifics of the modern organization of independent work in the implementation of the technology of forming a professional worldview in physical education and sports classes at the university. Special attention is paid to the content of each stage of the technology. The conclusion is made that the content of the term «professional worldview», which includes the structural elements «Knowledge», «Experience of activity», «Experience of creative activity», «Implementation of an emotional-value relationship», is the basis for the organization of independent work of students.
METHODOLOGY FOR THE USE OF MULTIMEDIA TEACHING TOOLS FOR HIGHER SCHOOL STUDENTS
Authors:   Bryansk State University Named After Academician I.G. Petrovsky, BYCHKOVA N.V. , VOLKOV V.V. ,   Bryansk State University Named After Academician I.G. Petrovsky, LAPYKO T.P. ,   Bryansk State University Named After Academician I.G. Petrovsky
Published: June 2023

The publication deals with the theoretical and methodological aspects of the use of multimedia teaching aids for students of higher education. It discusses the positive feature soft heuse of multimedia teachin gaids, the use of which is carriedut in the process of teaching university students, and by the students them selves in teaching practices in second ary vocational schools and secondary schools. The article provides example soft heuse of various types of multimedia teaching aids, suchas interactive white boardsin the learning process of both students and schoolchildren.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE FORMATION OF ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS
Authors:   Orel State University, GEDULYANOV M.T.
Published: June 2023

The article analyzes the theoretical and practical significance of the implementation of entrepreneurship and innovation in the scientific community in the healthcare sector is relatively slow compared to other areas. The purpose of this article is to study the factors influencing cognitive processes associated with the formation of entrepreneurial competencies of medical students (on the example of dentists), by identifying entrepreneurial awareness as a significant influence on a person’s intentions to identify and use market opportunities. The data in the study of medical students were collected using a questionnaire. The source of the questionnaire is a survey of students. Of the 85 web questionnaires, 57 were returned, representing 67 % of the responses. The results show that the measurement of beliefs in self-efficacy combined with entrepreneurial attitude provides the best analytical model based on mathematical calculations.