bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Nutrition among Female Floorball Players of Extra-Class Teams from Poland and the Czech Republic during the Preparation Period for the League Season
Authors: Białek-Dratwa Agnieszka , Krzywak Zuzanna , Staśkiewicz-Bartecka Wiktoria , Velecký Jiří , Cirocki Artur , Grajek Mateusz , Kowalski Oskar
Published: February 2024

The study aimed to assess the frequency of food intake and to compare the consumption of female extramural players training floorball in Poland and the Czech Republic during the preparation period for the league season. In total, 43 players training floorball in senior clubs participated in the study, including 21 from the Polish and 22 from the Czech clubs. The research tool was based on the standardised questionnaire for the Examination of Eating Behaviours and Opinions on Food and Nutrition (QEB). The study also analysed body composition using the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method, and the research tool was a TANITA MC-780 S MA body composition analyser (Tanita Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). The Polish women’s floorball players had lower results in body fat percentage (FM) and muscle mass (MM) than the Czech team. The mean FM in the players of the Polish team was 18.6% ± 5.4, and the mean MM was 45.8 kg ± 4.2. In the Czech team players, these figures were 19.8% ± 5.4 and 47.8 kg ± 4.2. Despite the similar value of mean BMI in both teams, the highest BMI in the case of female athletes from Poland (17.7), indicating underweight, and the highest BMI in female athletes from the Czech Republic (26.9), indicating overweight, were significant. The study showed differences in both body composition analysis and dietary patterns of the Czech and Polish players. The Czech women’s floorball players had a higher muscle mass and body fat percentage than Polish floorball players. Furthermore, differences in diet were observed among the players of the Czech team compared to the players of the Polish team. The Czech women’s floorball players consumed a slightly higher amount of healthier products, such as whole-grain products. The Polish players took in more meat, processed products and fruit juices. This study is one of the first to assess the nutrition of those involved in floorball. There is a need for further research that focuses on the specifics of the discipline, the exercise capacity of the players and points during the season that require nutritional support. This knowledge would help develop effective nutritional strategies and plan and implement appropriate nutrition education for this group of athletes.
Porcine Mandibular Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell (BMSC)-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Can Promote the Osteogenic Differentiation Capacity of Porcine Tibial-Derived BMSCs
Authors: Zhao Qun , Zhang Xing , Li You , He Zhizhen , Qin Kang , Buhl Eva Miriam , Mert Ümit , Horst Klemens , Hildebrand Frank , Balmayor Elizabeth R. , Greven Johannes
Published: February 2024

Objective: Existing research suggests that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) may promote endogenous bone repair. This may be through the secretion of factors that stimulate repair processes or directly through differentiation into osteoblast-progenitor cells. However, the osteogenic potential of BMSCs varies among different tissue sources (e.g., mandibular versus long BMSCs). The main aim of this study was to investigate the difference in osteogenic differentiation capacity between mandibular BMSCs (mBMSCs) and tibial BMSCs (tBMSCs). Materials and Methods: Bioinformatics analysis of the GSE81430 dataset taken from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was performed using GEO2R. BMSCs were isolated from mandibular and tibial bone marrow tissue samples. Healthy pigs (n = 3) (registered at the State Office for Nature, Environment, and Consumer Protection, North Rhine-Westphalia (LANUV) 81-02.04.2020.A215) were used for this purpose. Cell morphology and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated in mBMSCs and tBMSCs. The expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. In addition, mBMSC-derived extracellular vesicles (mBMSC-EVs) were gained and used as osteogenic stimuli for tBMSCs. Cell morphology and osteogenic differentiation capacity were assessed after mBMSC-EV stimulation. Results: Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the difference in the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway was more pronounced compared to all other examined genes. Specifically, this demonstrated significant downregulation, whereas only 5–7 upregulated genes displayed significant variances. The mBMSC group showed stronger osteogenic differentiation capacity compared to the tBMSC group, confirmed via ALP, ARS, and von Kossa staining. Furthermore, qPCR and WB analysis revealed a significant decrease in the expression of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in the mBMSC group compared to the tBMSC group (TLR4 fold changes: mBMSCs vs. tBMSCs p < 0.05; NF-κB fold changes: mBMSCs vs. tBMSCs p < 0.05). The osteogenic differentiation capacity was enhanced, and qPCR and WB analysis revealed a significant decrease in the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in the tBMSC group with mBMSC-EVs added compared to tBMSCs alone (TLR4 fold changes: p < 0.05; NF-κB fold changes: p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that mBMSC-EVs can promote the osteogenic differentiation of tBMSCs in vitro. The results also provide insights into the osteogenic mechanism of mBMSCs via TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation. This discovery promises a fresh perspective on the treatment of bone fractures or malunions, potentially offering a novel therapeutic method.
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling to Predict CYP3A-Mediated Drug Interaction between Saxagliptin and Nicardipine: Bridging Rat-to-Human Extrapolation
Authors: Lee Jeong-Min , Yoon Jin-Ha , Maeng Han-Joo , Kim Yu Chul
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study was to predict the cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A)-mediated drug–drug interactions (DDIs) between saxagliptin and nicardipine using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model. Initially, in silico and in vitro parameters were gathered from experiments or the literature to construct PBPK models for each drug in rats. These models were integrated to predict the DDIs between saxagliptin, metabolized via CYP3A2, and nicardipine, exhibiting CYP3A inhibitory activity. The rat DDI PBPK model was completed by optimizing parameters using experimental rat plasma concentrations after co-administration of both drugs. Following co-administration in Sprague–Dawley rats, saxagliptin plasma concentration significantly increased, resulting in a 2.60-fold rise in AUC, accurately predicted by the rat PBPK model. Subsequently, the workflow of the rat PBPK model was applied to humans, creating a model capable of predicting DDIs between the two drugs in humans. Simulation from the human PBPK model indicated that nicardipine co-administration in humans resulted in a nearly unchanged AUC of saxagliptin, with an approximate 1.05-fold change, indicating no clinically significant changes and revealing a lack of direct translation of animal interaction results to humans. The animal-to-human PBPK model extrapolation used in this study could enhance the reliability of predicting drug interactions in clinical settings where DDI studies are challenging.
Triphenylphosphonium-Functionalized Gold Nanorod/Zinc Oxide Core–Shell Nanocomposites for Mitochondrial-Targeted Phototherapy
Authors: Joe Ara , Han Hyo-Won , Lim Yu-Ra , Manivasagan Panchanathan , Jang Eue-Soon
Published: February 2024

Phototherapies, such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), combined with novel all-in-one light-responsive nanocomposites have recently emerged as new therapeutic modalities for the treatment of cancer. Herein, we developed novel all-in-one triphenylphosphonium-functionalized gold nanorod/zinc oxide core–shell nanocomposites (CTPP-GNR@ZnO) for mitochondrial-targeted PTT/PDT owing to their good biocompatibility, tunable and high optical absorption, photothermal conversion efficiency, highest reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and high mitochondrial-targeting capability. Under laser irradiation of 780 nm, the CTPP-GNR@ZnO core–shell nanocomposites effectively produced heat in addition to generating ROS to induce cell death, implying a synergistic effect of mild PTT and PDT in combating cancer. Notably, the in vitro PTT/PDT effect of CTPP-GNR@ZnO core–shell nanocomposites exhibited effective cell ablation (95%) and induced significant intracellular ROS after the 780 nm laser irradiation for 50 min, indicating that CTPP in CTPP-GNR@ZnO core–shell nanocomposites can specifically target the mitochondria of CT-26 cells, as well as generate heat and ROS to completely kill cancer cells. Overall, this light-responsive nanocomposite-based phototherapy provides a new approach for cancer synergistic therapy.
Upconversion Photonic Doppler Velocimetry Based on Stimulated Brillouin Scattering
Authors: Chen Long , Liu Cangli , Ma Heli , Tang Longhuang , Jia Xing , Tao Tianjiong , Liu Shenggang , Chen Yongchao , Wang Xiang , Wu Jian , Li Chengjun , Weng Jidong
Published: February 2024

Optical up-conversion photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV) based on stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) with an all-fiber link structure is proposed in this article. Because SBS limits the laser power transmitted by a fiber over long distances, the probe does not have enough outgoing light to reach the measured surface and cannot receive the signal light. Traditionally, SBS is avoided, but it is a phase-conjugated light and shifts down relative to the source light, so it can be used as a reference light in the laser interference structure to achieve up-conversion heterodyne velocimetry. Compared with general homodyne velocimetry (DPS), SBS-PDV naturally upconverts and has more interference fringes and higher resolution at low-speed measurement. In the gas multiple reflection impact compression experiment, the velocity measurement results of SBS-PDV and dual-laser heterodyne Velocimetry (DLHV) are basically consistent, and the accuracy is better than 0.8%. Due to its coaxial heterodyne optical path, this kind of photonic Doppler velocimetry is suitable for low-velocity and long-distance practical applications in the field of shock wave physics.
Stability in Aqueous Solution of a New Spray-Dried Hydrocolloid of High Andean Algae Nostoc sphaericum
Authors: Choque-Quispe David , Ligarda-Samanez Carlos A. , Choque-Quispe Yudith , Froehner Sandro , Solano-Reynoso Aydeé M. , Moscoso-Moscoso Elibet , Carhuarupay-Molleda Yakov Felipe , Peréz-Salcedo Ronald
Published: February 2024

There is a growing emphasis on seeking stabilizing agents with minimal transformation, prioritizing environmentally friendly alternatives, and actively contributing to the principles of the circular economy. This research aimed to assess the stability of a novel spray-dried hydrocolloid from high Andean algae when introduced into an aqueous solution. Nostoc sphaericum freshwater algae were subject to atomization, resulting in the production of spray-dried hydrocolloid (SDH). Subsequently, suspension solutions of SDH were meticulously prepared at varying pH levels and gelling temperatures. These solutions were then stored for 20 days to facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of their stability in suspension. The assessment involved a multifaceted approach, encompassing rheological analysis, scrutiny of turbidity, sedimentation assessment, ζ-potential, and measurement of particle size. The findings from these observations revealed that SDH exhibits a dilatant behavior when in solution, signifying an increase in with higher shear rate. Furthermore, it demonstrates commendable stability when stored under ambient conditions. SDH is emerging as a potential alternative stabilizer for use in aqueous solutions due to its easy extraction and application.
Comprehensive Assessment and Empirical Research on Green and Low-Carbon Technologies in the Steel Industry
Authors: Yang Xinyue , Wang Hao , Gu Yueqing , Liu Wenjie , Pan Chongchao
Published: February 2024

The iron and steel industry is the leading industry supporting China’s industrial sector. Currently, there is less assessment work on green and low-carbon technologies for the iron and steel industry. This study clarifies the overall strategy of technology assessment by researching the relevant theories and methods of technology assessment. The study further establishes a scientific and reasonable comprehensive assessment index system of green and low-carbon technologies for the iron and steel industry from the aspects of technology index, economy and promotion, and application, including factors such as 11 indexes, the amount of energy saving, carbon dioxide emission reduction, and the resource recovery rate by utilising analytical and comprehensive methods and combining with the characteristics of the technologies. By analysing and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the commonly used assessment methods, the entropy weighting method, grey correlation analysis method, and TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution) method are combined and optimised to construct a comprehensive assessment model. The Latin hypercube sampling method is also introduced to analyse the technical parameters in combination with the evaluation model. Finally, fourteen iron and steel green and low-carbon technologies were selected for case assessment and uncertainty analysis of technical parameters, and it was found that the comprehensive assessment result of gas combined cycle power generation technology was optimal. After determining the weights of each assessment indicator through the entropy weighting method, it is concluded that the technical performance indicator > economic indicator > promotional indicator. A comparative analysis of the results under the three preference decisions concludes that technical performance is the main obstacle to improving the comprehensive assessment score of the technology, followed by the economics of the technology. Finally, the uncertainty analysis of the technical parameters shows that the fluctuation of the technical parameters not only affects the performance of the technology, but also affects the weights of the indicators and the comprehensive evaluation results of the technology.
Ahmad Moftizadeh and the Idea of the Islamic Government: A Discursive Tradition Analysis in the Field of Political Islam
Authors: Jong Abbas , Ebrahimzadeh Saman
Published: February 2024

This article explores the idea of political Islam as a discursive tradition within the context of Iranian Kurdistan. It challenges the prevailing essentialist and universalist approaches commonly used in the analysis of political Islam, advocating for a more adaptable and comprehensive interpretation. By conceptualizing political Islam as a discursive tradition, this study sheds light on the complex interconnections, configurations, and historical contingencies influencing Islamist discourses and movements. The paper argues that political Islam should be examined in relation to other phenomena and discourses, acknowledging its dynamic nature within specific temporal and spatial contexts. Focusing on an influential yet underexplored Islamist discursive tradition in Iranian Kurdistan during the 1970s and 1980s, the research acknowledges the hybrid nature of Islamist discourses, drawing from diverse traditions to fulfill particular objectives. In particular, it explores the perspectives of Ahmad Moftizadeh, a Sunni Kurdish Islamist and the founder of the Maktab Quran (MQ). This study investigates Moftizadeh’s views on the Islamic government, positioning it within the framework of discursive tradition. It analyzes his core categories and inquiries within Islamist thought, notably emphasizing Moftizadeh’s alignment of the Islamic government with the Islamic tradition of the Shura, highlighting its central role in the Islamist discursive tradition.
Religion and Strategic Disaster Risk Management in the Better Normal: The Case of the Pagoda sa Wawa Fluvial Festival in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines
Authors: Eballo Arvin Dineros , Eballo Mia Borromeo
Published: February 2024

Religion involves expressing beliefs, performing practices, and obeying norms about what is considered sacred and worthy of worship. While some argue that religion has become irrelevant due to the widespread influence of secularism and scientific reasoning, many still find comfort in the sacred. Scientific research has shown that religion can positively impact health and safety, especially during disasters. Accordingly, religion plays a crucial role in one’s wellbeing. In the Philippines, the sound of church bells calls for parishioners to gather and celebrate, and acts as a warning system for different types of danger, such as earthquakes, typhoons, floods, raids, uprisings, and fires. Filipinos are warned to leave their houses and come to the church to take shelter. Thus, churches have been considered evacuation centers and loci for disaster risk-reduction undertakings. The proponents conducted a qualitative study investigating the disaster risk management strategies developed and implemented by St. Martin of Tours Parish Church in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines, during the “Pagoda sa Wawa” fluvial festival, where safety measures and crowd control are essential in maintaining a prayerful and peaceful experience. The objective of the study was to investigate how festival organizers prioritize the safety of devotees after a tragedy occurred 30 years ago, which resulted in the deaths of 266 people. Furthermore, this study explores the precautionary measures taken during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing devotees’ compliance and resilience for the common good. This study utilized a tripartite method, including reviewing relevant literature, participating in a pagoda fluvial parade, and conducting semi-structured interviews. The results were presented in a format that consisted of context, content, and challenges for the sake of coherence.
Confronting Confederate Monuments: Place-Based Pedagogy for Anti-Racist Preaching
Authors: Stark David M.
Published: February 2024

“Space wins” is a long-held homiletical maxim. Usually, this means that architecture and pulpit style influence how sermons are delivered and heard. What is less frequently considered is how monuments and memorials affect proclamation in space. Among other things, Confederate monuments make claims on space, communicate idealized aesthetics, and preach about hopes for a particular eschatological community. This essay examines pedagogical approaches to preaching that confronts Confederate monuments. It is based upon courses I offered in 2022 at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and through the Association of Chicago Theological Schools D.Min. program in Chicago, Illinois. After articulating a pedagogy drawn from the work of Leonora Tubbs Tisdale and Willie James Jennings, I examine three approaches to place-based pedagogy that serve anti-racist preaching by (1) analyzing monuments within the teaching location, (2) fostering reflective participation in pilgrimage to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and (3) inviting students to research monuments in their home community and confront them through preaching. These approaches can foster preaching that is better attuned to addressing localized histories, better able to identify and confront specific aspects of white supremacy that are concretized in a community, and more adept at offering a gospel proclamation that is finely tuned to the transformative needs of a particular place.
Spiritual Exercises in the Rinzai Zen Tradition: Imminence and Disruption in Ikkyū Sōjun and Hakuin Ekaku
Authors: Taylor Kevin , Kramer Eli
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we will present Rinzai practices from Zen Masters Ikkyū Sōjun (一休宗純, 1394–1481) and Hakuin Ekaku (白隠 慧鶴, 1686–1769) as offering a distinctive kind of spiritual exercise: disruptive reorientation to transcendence (enlightenment) through immanence (a return to the world in all its ugly distractions, beauty, and insight). This paper seeks to explore Hadot’s philosophy as a way of life (PWL) through Rinzai Zen’s unique and often bizarre spiritual exercises. In so doing, this paper hopes to explore new grounds for PWL spiritual exercises in the eccentricities of Japanese Rinzai Zen masters whose approaches wander and diverge yet remain distinctively Rinzai in nature. In the first section, we provide some background on treating spiritual exercises in an intercultural context and explore the exemplarily disruptive spiritual exercises that Rinzai Zen offers PWL practice, especially through poetry, kōans, and meditation in the midst of everyday activity. We then turn to particular examples found in the lives and spiritual practices of Ikkyū and Hakuin. We conclude with reflections on how Rinzai Zen and PWL inform one another through the exploration of “spiritual exercise” and disruption not only as scholarly pursuits but also in terms of our own arts of mindful living today.
Preaching as Protest against the Apophatic Silencing of God’s People
Authors: Willimon Will
Published: February 2024

Throughout church history, there have been those who stressed the limits of our ability to speak with confidence about God and extolled the nobility of silence in the face of God’s ineffability. Dionysius the Areopagite famously asserted, “With regard to the divine, negations are true, whereas affirmations are inadequate”. Apophatic silence is presented as respectful of the mysterious otherness of God. Christian preaching is a practice that refutes all attempts at negative, apophatic theology. Every sermon participates in the wonder of the uniquely Jewish and Christian claim that God not only speaks but also invites, even commands, humanity to speak about God as well. Christian preaching is suspicious of any attempt to sentimentalize silence in the name of humble acknowledgement of human limitations to speak truthfully about God. Preaching therefore requires the courage to speak up and speak out with the God who, in Jesus Christ, has spoken to us. The silencing of the voices of women, persons of color, and others who claim to know that God is with them is an aspect of neocolonial oppression that preaching cannot abide. Preaching is a protest against all those who would tell the voiceless that some things are better left unsaid.
The Establishment and Dissolution of the Subbotnik Communities of Petrovka as a Case Study Reflecting Shifts in Russian Geopolitical Interests toward Raskol’nik Religious Settlements in Southern Caucasus, 1909–1915
Authors: Shahvar Soli
Published: February 2024

Toward the middle of the nineteenth century, a large Subbotnik community established itself in the village of Privol’noe in the Lankaran district of Baku province in Southern Caucasus. By early 1909, however, the names of two small Subbotnik communities—both in the settlement of Petrovka, near Privol’noe—began to appear in the documents of the Baku province administration. While the Privol’noe community has been thoroughly studied, those of Petrovka remain largely unexplored. At their peak, Petrovka’s two Subbotnik communities were divided, belonging to different Jewish streams, and segregated from each other. Based mainly on documents from the National Historical Archives of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NAHARA), this study uncovers these communities and compares their religious life with each other. It does so in the context of the Russo-Ottoman and Irano-Russian geopolitical rivalries in Southern Caucasus. The study explains how and which aspects of this struggle led Russia to originally establish communities like Petrovka at the start of the examined period. It further explores why Russia later lost interest in supporting the Petrovka communities by the end of said period.
Mapping the Jews in the Byzantine Hymnography: The Triodion
Authors: Ioniță Alexandru
Published: February 2024

The Byzantine hymnography was considered a “stumbling stone” of the Jewish–Orthodox Christian dialogue because of the harsh anti-Jewish elements kept in the modern liturgical texts without any revision. This article analyses the often-mentioned texts of the Triodion—the liturgical period before Pascha—using a quantitative approach. The starting point of this research states that we must keep in mind the broader view on the state of the hymnography without labelling the entire Byzantine hymnography as anti-Jewish by looking at some concrete stanzas from Holy Week services. The results demonstrate that we can speak only about very few hymnographical texts containing anti-Jewish elements compared to the entire Triodion. This approach helps us in the Jewish–Christian debates to focus on what exactly are we speaking about, and what precisely those texts are saying. After a short analysis of the content of selected hymns, I propose three concrete categories of hymns that could be more easily approached by either excluding them or transforming them through translation into modern languages.
An SIW Quasi-Pyramid Horn Antenna Based on Patch Coupling Feed for Automotive Radar Sensors
Authors: Zhao Pengchao , Li Na , Zhang Yiqun , Hu Naigang
Published: February 2024

An SIW quasi-pyramidal horn antenna based on patch coupling feed with reduced machining difficulty and facilitated integration with the radar chip is proposed in this paper. Compared with the metal pyramid horn antenna, the Rogers 5880 dielectric substrate based on the SIW structure is used to form the horn structure and waveguide structure, which effectively reduces the difficulty of machining the antenna. The patch coupling feed structure provides a solution for integrating the SIW quasi-pyramid horn antenna with the radar chip. The proposed SIW quasi-pyramid horn antenna element achieves approximately 9 dBi realized gain, about 95% radiation efficiency and 8.2 GHz bandwidth (74.1–82.3 GHz). A four-port inverting power divider was designed to verify the feasibility of forming an array with antenna elements. The designed antenna array achieves approximately 14.5 dBi realized gain, about 80% radiation efficiency and 7.2 GHz bandwidth (74.3–81.5 GHz). Simulation and measurement results maintain good agreement for the antenna array. To further assess the impact of errors on the performance of the proposed antenna array, we have implemented a corresponding error analysis. The proposed antenna element and antenna array show promising potential for application in automotive radar systems.
The Impact of Feature Extraction on Classification Accuracy Examined by Employing a Signal Transformer to Classify Hand Gestures Using Surface Electromyography Signals
Authors: Moslhi Aly Medhat , Aly Hesham H. , ElMessiery Medhat
Published: February 2024

Interest in developing techniques for acquiring and decoding biological signals is on the rise in the research community. This interest spans various applications, with a particular focus on prosthetic control and rehabilitation, where achieving precise hand gesture recognition using surface electromyography signals is crucial due to the complexity and variability of surface electromyography data. Advanced signal processing and data analysis techniques are required to effectively extract meaningful information from these signals. In our study, we utilized three datasets: NinaPro Database 1, CapgMyo Database A, and CapgMyo Database B. These datasets were chosen for their open-source availability and established role in evaluating surface electromyography classifiers. Hand gesture recognition using surface electromyography signals draws inspiration from image classification algorithms, leading to the introduction and development of the Novel Signal Transformer. We systematically investigated two feature extraction techniques for surface electromyography signals: the Fast Fourier Transform and wavelet-based feature extraction. Our study demonstrated significant advancements in surface electromyography signal classification, particularly in the Ninapro database 1 and CapgMyo dataset A, surpassing existing results in the literature. The newly introduced Signal Transformer outperformed traditional Convolutional Neural Networks by excelling in capturing structural details and incorporating global information from image-like signals through robust basis functions. Additionally, the inclusion of an attention mechanism within the Signal Transformer highlighted the significance of electrode readings, improving classification accuracy. These findings underscore the potential of the Signal Transformer as a powerful tool for precise and effective surface electromyography signal classification, promising applications in prosthetic control and rehabilitation.
A Quantitative Study on Factors Influencing User Satisfaction of Micro-Mobility in China in the Post-Sharing Era
Authors: Cheng Wenting , Yang Jierui , Wu Xiaoxuan , Zhang Tengteng , Yin Zhelin
Published: February 2024

In the post-sharing era, the evolution of the shared micro-mobility industry has transitioned from expanding market share to providing precise services. The focus on user satisfaction has shifted from a singular emphasis on functional utility to diversified product values. Product perceived value has emerged as a comprehensive factor for enhancing user satisfaction, aiding companies in formulating precise services, mitigating urban resource wastage, and promoting sustainable urban development. From the perspective of product perceived value, this study combined the analysis of factors affecting user satisfaction of shared micro-mobility and the interaction between these aspects and carried out the following two studies. Research No. 1: By mining the user review data on app platforms related to shared micro-mobility and adopting the latent dirichlet allocation (LDA) algorithm, we have initially identified 17 major factors affecting the satisfaction of users and summarized these factors into four research topics constituting product perceived value. Research No. 2: On the basis of Research No. 1, the content of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) was expanded, and a user satisfaction research model focusing on the perceived value of shared micro-mobility products was constructed. Afterwards, by using the data collected in questionnaire surveys, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to model the user satisfaction of shared micro-mobility through SEM, which was deployed to establish an empirical analysis. It is found that (1) both user expectation and product quality can positively affect the perceived value of products through interactive experience; (2) factors such as user expectation, product quality, interactive experience, and subjective consciousness can positively affect user satisfaction through the perceived value of products, with user expectation delivering the greatest influence; and (3) subjective consciousness has a direct positive effect on users’ willingness to continuously use a product but no significant effect on user satisfaction. These findings expand the user satisfaction theoretical model in the field of shared micro-mobility, constitute suggestions for product development and service promotion in the shared micro-mobility industry, and can provide new ideas and methods for the sustainable development of urban transportation.
Research on Multi-Point Monitoring Data Grid Model and Inversion Positioning Method for Gas Leakage in Oil and Gas Stations
Authors: Meng Ge , Hu Hao
Published: February 2024

The safe and stable operation of oil and gas stations makes a positive contribution to the stability and reliability of the natural gas supply. In order to reduce the impact of leakage and diffusion accidents in the station, it is necessary to develop an effective method to monitor and locate the leakage source quickly and accurately. This study proposes a multi-point monitoring data grid model to achieve the full-coverage monitoring of oil and gas stations. In addition, on this basis, a leakage source inversion positioning model is established to realize the leakage positioning of the station. A field experiment was carried out with an oil and gas station as an example. The results show that the optimal layout of points needs to consider the influence of environmental factors, confirmed by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The optimized data interpolation not only reduces the cost of the monitoring point layout. In addition, through the comparison of multi-objective optimization algorithms and a robustness test, it can be found that the convergence efficiency and accuracy of the inversion positioning algorithm in this study have been greatly improved. Compared with the manual auxiliary positioning method, this method effectively solves the problem of leakage monitoring and positioning of oil and gas stations, and can achieve the purpose of leakage risk monitoring and “reducing cost and increasing efficiency”.
On Third Hankel Determinant for Certain Subclass of Bi-Univalent Functions
Authors: Shakir Qasim Ali , Atshan Waggas Galib
Published: February 2024

This study presents a subclass S(β) of bi-univalent functions within the open unit disk region D. The objective of this class is to determine the bounds of the Hankel determinant of order 3, (Ⱨ3(1)). In this study, new constraints for the estimates of the third Hankel determinant for the class S(β) are presented, which are of considerable interest in various fields of mathematics, including complex analysis and geometric function theory. Here, we define these bi-univalent functions as S(β) and impose constraints on the coefficients │an│. Our investigation provides the upper bounds for the bi-univalent functions in this newly developed subclass, specifically for n = 2, 3, 4, and 5. We then derive the third Hankel determinant for this particular class, which reveals several intriguing scenarios. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of bi-univalent functions and their potential applications in diverse mathematical contexts. Notably, the results obtained may serve as a foundation for future investigations into the properties and applications of bi-univalent functions and their subclasses.
Induced Isotensor Interactions in Heavy-Ion Double-Charge-Exchange Reactions and the Role of Initial and Final State Interactions
Authors: Lenske Horst , Bellone Jessica , Colonna Maria , Gambacurta Danilo , Lay José-Antonio
Published: February 2024

The role of initial state (ISI) and final state (FSI) ion–ion interactions in heavy-ion double-charge-exchange (DCE) reactions A(Z,N)→A(Z±2,N∓2) are studied for double single-charge-exchange (DSCE) reactions given by sequential actions of the isovector nucleon–nucleon (NN) T-matrix. In momentum representation, the second-order DSCE reaction amplitude is shown to be given in factorized form by projectile and target nuclear matrix elements and a reaction kernel containing ISI and FSI. Expanding the intermediate propagator in a Taylor series with respect to auxiliary energy allows us to perform the summation in the leading-order term over intermediate nuclear states in closure approximation. The nuclear matrix element attains a form given by the products of two-body interactions directly exciting the n2p−2 and p2n−2 DCE transitions in the projectile and the target nucleus, respectively. A surprising result is that the intermediate propagation induces correlations between the transition vertices, showing that DSCE reactions are a two-nucleon process that resembles a system of interacting spin–isospin dipoles. Transformation of the DSCE NN T-matrix interactions from the reaction theoretical t-channel form to the s-channel operator structure required for spectroscopic purposes is elaborated in detail, showing that, in general, a rich spectrum of spin scalar, spin vector and higher-rank spin tensor multipole transitions will contribute to a DSCE reaction. Similarities (and differences) to two-neutrino double-beta decay (DBD) are discussed. ISI/FSI distortion and absorption effects are illustrated in black sphere approximation and in an illustrative application to data.
The Shifting Epidemiology of Hepatitis A in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region
Authors: Gloriani Nina G. , de Paz-Silava Sheriah Laine M. , Allison Robert D. , Takashima Yoshihiro , Avagyan Tigran
Published: February 2024

Within the past few decades, improvement in sanitation and economic growth has driven a changing epidemiology of hepatitis A in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) of the World Health Organization (WHO). In this review, we gathered available published information on hepatitis A epidemiology of the countries in the WPR and reviewed the trends reported in the literature from the years 2000 to 2021. Many countries have shifted from high endemicity to low endemicity. Moreover, the administration of the hepatitis A vaccine among children in recent years has shifted disease susceptibility to the older population. Seroprevalence among children has decreased in most countries, while nearly 100% seropositivity is seen in mid adulthood. This is contrary to the epidemiology seen in previous decades when most children achieved immunity by age ten. This also presents a paradox in that better living conditions have caused more vulnerability to the older age groups who are at higher risk for severe disease. Given these trends, we recommend vaccination of vulnerable populations such as the older age groups and inclusion of the hepatitis A vaccine in government immunization programs.
Impact Analysis of H2O Fluxes and High-Frequency Meteorology–Water Quality: Multivariate Constrained Evaporation Modelling in Lake Wuliangsuhai, China
Authors: Sun Yue , Shi Xiaohong , Zhao Shengnan , Li Guohua , Sun Biao , Huotari Jussi
Published: February 2024

It is imperative to elucidate the process of evaporation in lakes, particularly those that are freshwater and are situated in middle and high latitudes. Based on one-year evaporation and high-frequency meteorological–water quality data of Lake Wuliangsuhai, this study analyzed the applicability and driving mechanism of the evaporation model. These dynamics are elucidated by the vorticity covariance method combined with the multivariate constrained evaporation Modelling method. The findings of this study revealed that (1) Lake evaporation (ET) is affected by multiple meteorological–water quality constraints, and the water quality indicators significantly related to ET are also affected by lake stratification. The coupled meteorological–water quality evaporation model can explain 93% of the evaporation change, which is 20% higher than the traditional meteorological Modelling evaporation model. (2) The nighttime ET is mainly affected by the thermal inertia lag, and the nighttime ET loss in Lake Wuliangsuhai accounts for 37.34% of the total evaporation, which cannot be ignored. (3) The actual water surface evaporation of the lake is much smaller than that measured by the pan conversion method and the regional empirical C formula method. The cumulative evaporation of Lake Wuliangsuhai from the non-freezing period to the early glacial period converted from meteorological station data is 1333.5 mm. The total evaporation in the non-freezing period is 2.77~3.68 × 108 m3, calculated by the lake area of 325 km2, while the evaporation calculated by the eddy station is 1.91 × 108 m3. In addition, the ET value measured by the cumulative C formula method was 424.2% higher than that of the model method and exceeded the storage capacity. Low-frequency and limited environmental index observations may lead to an overestimation of the real lake evaporation. Therefore, in situ, high-frequency meteorological–water quality monitoring and the eddy method deserve more consideration in future research on lake evaporation.
The Influence of Time Domain on Flood Season Segmentation by the Fisher Optimal Partition Method
Authors: Li Yanbin , Li Yubo , Feng Kai , Sun Ke , Cheng Zhichao
Published: February 2024

Setting the staged flood limit water level (FLWL) through flood season staging is an important means of fully utilizing reservoir flood resources. The widely-used Fisher optimal partition method requires a certain time domain as the basic unit in determining the optimal staging of a flood season. Currently, 5 and 10 days matching the month and solar terms are usually used as the time unit. This study aimed to analyze the influence of other time-domain units (7 and 15 days) that meet the relevant requirements on the staging results and to provide a scientific basis for the selection of time-domain units in flood season staging. The rationality of the staging scheme was tested using the improved Cunderlik method, and the influence of specific basic units in the Fisher optimal partition method on the staging results was evaluated. The highest relative superiority of 0.9876 was found for 5 d, indicating that this is a suitable time-domain unit. The optimal staging result was determined as 20 June for the first segmentation point and 20 August for the second. A comparison of the staged FLWL with a single fixed FLWL showed that the water level was raised by 1.56 m in the pre-flood season, 0.65 m in the main flood season, and 1.37 m in the post-flood season. Water storage increased by 12.79 million m3 during the flood season, effectively alleviating the mismatch between water supply and storage.
Evaluation of the Health Risk and Distribution Characteristics of Pesticides in Shallow Groundwater, South Korea
Authors: Park Sunhwa , Choi Hyeonhee , Kim Deok-Hyun , Kim Hyun-Koo
Published: February 2024

In this work, a method of simultaneously analyzing pesticide concentration and assessing its risks was developed. Assessments were conducted to evaluate the distribution characteristics and risks to human health of pesticides in shallow groundwater in agricultural areas. We developed multi-residue analytical methods using liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) to analyze 57 pesticides in groundwater. In addition, risk assessments were performed by setting scenarios considering the routes of pesticide infiltration into groundwater. For the simultaneous analysis of 57 pesticides, the liquid–liquid extraction method was applied twice using dichloromethane under acidic and alkaline conditions. The extract was concentrated and analyzed using LC-MS/MS (41 pesticides) and GC-MS/MS (16 pesticides). The precision and accuracy ranges of the analytical methods were 0.1~12.9% (within ±15%) and 80.3~113.6% (within ±20%), respectively. The limit of quantification was found to range from 0.0004 to 0.0677 μg/L. In total, 57 pesticides were monitored in 200 groundwater wells from 2019 to 2020. Twenty-six pesticides, including metolachlor and imidacloprid, were detected, with an average concentration of 0.0008 μg/L in groundwater. The pesticide types and detection levels differed depending on the survey period and surrounding land. When the risks associated with alachlor, metolachlor, and carbofuran were assessed, their health risks when found in groundwater were evaluated to be negligible (non-carcinogenic risk: less than 10−3, carcinogenic risk: less than 10−6).
Integrating Hydrological and Machine Learning Models for Enhanced Streamflow Forecasting via Bayesian Model Averaging in a Hydro-Dominant Power System
Authors: Torres Francisca Lanai Ribeiro , Lima Luana Medeiros Marangon , Reboita Michelle Simões , de Queiroz Anderson Rodrigo , Lima José Wanderley Marangon
Published: February 2024

Streamflow forecasting plays a crucial role in the operational planning of hydro-dominant power systems, providing valuable insights into future water inflows to reservoirs and hydropower plants. It relies on complex mathematical models, which, despite their sophistication, face various uncertainties affecting their performance. These uncertainties can significantly influence both short-term and long-term operational planning in hydropower systems. To mitigate these effects, this study introduces a novel Bayesian model averaging (BMA) framework to improve the accuracy of streamflow forecasts in real hydro-dominant power systems. Designed to serve as an operational tool, the proposed framework incorporates predictive uncertainty into the forecasting process, enhancing the robustness and reliability of predictions. BMA statistically combines multiple models based on their posterior probability distributions, producing forecasts from the weighted averages of predictions. This approach updates weights periodically using recent historical data of forecasted and measured streamflows. Tested on inflows to 139 reservoirs and hydropower plants in Brazil, the proposed BMA framework proved to be more skillful than individual models, showing improvements in forecasting accuracy, especially in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. This method offers a more reliable tool for streamflow prediction, enhancing decision making in hydropower system operations.
Self-actualization of students as a scientific and practical problem
Authors:   S. A. Yesenin Russian State University Ryazan, Sukhov A. N. , Geraskina M. G. ,   Department of Social Psychology and Social Work S. A. Yesenin Russian State University Ryazan
Published: February 2024

The article provides a theoretical justification of the process of self-actualization, describes the results of an empirical study of students’ self-actualization, describes the difficulties in the field of professional self-realization.
Social problems of students
Authors:   Department of Social Work and Psychological and Pedagogical Education FSBEI HE Magnitogorsk State Technical University named after G. I. Nosov, Ispulova S. N. , Makarenko E. A. ,   Department of Social Work and Psychological and Pedagogical Education FSBEI HE Magnitogorsk State Technical University named after G. I. Nosov, Sadovina D. E. ,   Department of Social Work and Psychological and Pedagogical Education FSBEI HE Magnitogorsk State Technical University named after G. I. Nosov
Published: February 2024

In modern society, student youth play an important role in shaping the future development of the country. However, she also faces a number of social problems that affect her well-being, academic achievements and social activities. Students are in the transition period between adolescence and adulthood, and they face many changes and adaptation to a new living environment, which may include moving to another city or country, separation from family, new educational demands, and increased expectations. All of this can create stress, anxiety and other social problems that can negatively impact their health and well-being. Understanding the above issues and the factors influencing them can help develop effective strategies and support programs for students, as well as help create a safe and supportive environment for students.
“Kosovo precedent” or “Kosovo deadlock”?
Authors:   Department of Russian History of the XX–XXI Centuries of Faculty of History of M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Grishaeva L. E.
Published: February 2024

The article provides a thorough analysis of the “Kosovo” international regional confl ict. Based on UN documentary materials, the author analyzes the historical origins of the Kosovo crisis, compares the positions of the parties in its settlement and traces the dynamics of development and prospects for resolving the Kosovo confl ict. This, according to the author, allows us to reveal the essence and identify the consequences of the so-called “Kosovo precedent” in international legal practice from a historical point of view. The author reveals the nature and character of the protracted “Kosovo” confl ict, which carries within itself the distinctive features and characteristics of both international and domestic political types. The author fi nds out the reasons why the Kosovo confl ict periodically escalates. The author proves why the temporary localization of the Kosovo confl ict did not contribute to its fi nal settlement, even with the participation of the United Nations. As a result, Kosovo is still a partially recognized state entity, but the method and consequences of resolving the “Kosovo” crisis have become a precedent for resolving other crisis situations in the world. But has the correct way out of the deadlock been found?