bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
North African Endemism: A New Species of Black Fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) from the Djurdjura Mountains of Algeria
Authors: Adler Peter H. , Haouchine Sabrina , Belqat Boutaïna , Lounaci Abdelkader
Published: February 2024

Discoveries of endemic species highlight areas of biogeographic and conservation interest. Endemic species, however, are often morphologically disguised as more common and widespread species. The larval polytene chromosomes revealed a new species of black fly, Prosimulium fungiforme, from the Djurdjura Mountains of northern Algeria, and its female, male, pupa, and larva are described. The species is chromosomally unique; none of its 11 chromosomal rearrangements are shared with other species. Although the new species structurally resembles Prosimulium rufipes (Meigen) with which it previously has been confused, it can be distinguished from all other known species of Prosimulium in the Western Palearctic based on at least one character in each described life stage. Symbiotic organisms included two species of microsporidia, at least one of which is probably undescribed, one unknown protozoan pathogen novel in simuliids, and the trichomycete fungus Harpella melusinae Léger and Duboscq. Associated simuliid species included at least one new species of the genus Helodon. The new species of Prosimulium is tentatively considered endemic to the mountains of northern Algeria but might be expected in the mountains of eastern Morocco and northern Tunisia and perhaps in Sicily. If its endemic status holds, it would be the only nominal species of black fly unique to Algeria.
Biodiversity and Spatiotemporal Variations of Mecoptera in Thailand: Influences of Elevation and Climatic Factors
Authors: Dokjan Theerapan , Bicha Wesley J. , Suttiprapan Piyawan , Chuttong Bajaree , Chiu Chun-I. , Aupalee Kittipat , Saeung Atiporn , Sulin Chayanit , Srisuka Wichai
Published: February 2024

Ecological analyses of the small and lesser-known insect order Mecoptera in Thailand are presented. Specimens were collected monthly over a period of 12 consecutive months, using both Malaise and pan traps, from 29 sampling sites located in 18 national parks throughout Thailand. A total of 21 species in four genera were identified from 797 specimens, including Panorpa (1 species), Neopanorpa (18 species), Bittacus (1 species), and Terrobittacus (1 species), with the latter genus representing a new genus record to Thailand. Neopanorpa harmandi, N. siamensis, N. byersi, and N. malaisei were the most abundant species, representing 27.4%, 11.3%, 10.3% and 8.8% of the total specimens, respectively. The species with the highest frequency, as indicated by the high percentage of species occurrence (%SO), was N. siamensis (51%), followed by N. byersi (34%), N. harmandi (34%), N. spatulata (27%), and N. inchoata (27%). Eleven species (52%) exhibited specific regional occurrences. N. tuberosa and N. siamensis had the widest distribution, being found in almost all regions except for western and southern regions for the first and second species, respectively. The seasonal species richness of Mecoptera was high during the rainy season in the northern, northeastern, central, eastern, and western regions, with the highest richness observed in July (15 species), followed by the hot (10 species) and cold seasons (7 species), while there was no significant difference in species richness between seasons in the southern region. Multiple regression models revealed a negative association between species richness and abundance of Mecoptera with both elevation and temperature, and a positive association between rainfall and species evenness. It is predicted that climatic changes will have a detrimental effect on the mecopteran community. The results of this study enhance the understanding of the ecological aspects of Mecoptera, offering crucial insights into its biodiversity and distribution, which are vital for conservation and forest management.
The Effects of Temperature on the Development and Survival of Bathycoelia distincta (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a Significant Pest of Macadamia in South Africa
Authors: Muluvhahothe Mulalo , Joubert Elsje , Foord Stefan
Published: February 2024

Temperature is the most influential condition affecting insect development and population dynamics. Understanding its impact and other important factors, such as diet, could provide fine-scale predictions of species abundance and distribution in space and time. The two-spotted stink bug, Bathycoelia distincta Distant (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a significant pest of macadamia in South Africa for which limited information on developmental biology exists. Here, for the first time, variations in key developmental parameters of the B. distincta biology were studied systematically. The developmental duration, survival rate, development rate, lower developmental threshold (Tmin), optimum developmental threshold (Topt), upper developmental threshold (Tmax), and thermal constant were quantified for each developmental stage of B. distincta. In addition, the effect of diet (macadamia nut and sweetcorn) on the developmental duration and survival rate were quantified. This study was conducted at five constant temperatures (18, 21, 22, 25, and 29 °C) with relative humidity (RH) variations. The developmental duration from egg to adult decreased significantly with increased temperature: 21 °C (±60 days) to 29 °C (±32 days). The survival rate was significantly different for instar 2 between temperatures. Nymphs (instars 2 and 4) developed faster on the sweetcorn diet than on a macadamia diet, but the total developmental time did not differ significantly between the diets. Development from egg to adult required 783 degree days (DD), with a Tmin of 13.5 °C, Topt of 29.5 °C, and Tmax of 38 °C. Ongoing global warming will increase the population growth of B. distincta through increased development rate, resulting in more damage to macadamia nuts. Understanding the developmental biology and thresholds for the DD model of B. distincta is fundamental for predicting its phenology and outbreaks in macadamia orchards.
Ultra-High-Frequency ECG in Cardiac Pacing and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: From Technical Concept to Clinical Application
Authors: Nguyên Uyên Châu , Rijks Jesse H. J. , Plesinger Filip , Rademakers Leonard M. , Luermans Justin , Smits Karin C. , van Stipdonk Antonius M. W. , Prinzen Frits W. , Vernooy Kevin , Halamek Josef , Curila Karol , Jurak Pavel
Published: February 2024

Identifying electrical dyssynchrony is crucial for cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The ultra-high-frequency electrocardiography (UHF-ECG) technique allows instantaneous dyssynchrony analyses with real-time visualization. This review explores the physiological background of higher frequencies in ventricular conduction and the translational evolution of UHF-ECG in cardiac pacing and CRT. Although high-frequency components were studied half a century ago, their exploration in the dyssynchrony context is rare. UHF-ECG records ECG signals from eight precordial leads over multiple beats in time. After initial conceptual studies, the implementation of an instant visualization of ventricular activation led to clinical implementation with minimal patient burden. UHF-ECG aids patient selection in biventricular CRT and evaluates ventricular activation during various forms of conduction system pacing (CSP). UHF-ECG ventricular electrical dyssynchrony has been associated with clinical outcomes in a large retrospective CRT cohort and has been used to study the electrophysiological differences between CSP methods, including His bundle pacing, left bundle branch (area) pacing, left ventricular septal pacing and conventional biventricular pacing. UHF-ECG can potentially be used to determine a tailored resynchronization approach (CRT through biventricular pacing or CSP) based on the electrical substrate (true LBBB vs. non-specified intraventricular conduction delay with more distal left ventricular conduction disease), for the optimization of CRT and holds promise beyond CRT for the risk stratification of ventricular arrhythmias.
Significantly Elevated CA 19-9 after COVID-19 Vaccination and Literature Review of Non-Cancerous Cases with CA 19-9 > 1000 U/mL
Authors: Ciesielka Jakub , Jakimów Krzysztof , Tekiela Natalia , Peisert Laura , Kwaśniewska Anna , Kata Dariusz , Chudek Jerzy
Published: February 2024

Background: CA 19-9 is a commonly assessed tumor marker, considered characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and biliary tract cancers; however, the positive predictive value of CA 19.9 is too low, and the usage of CA 19.9 as a screening tool in the healthy population remains controversial. Methods: The presented case illustrates a reversed diagnosis of highly elevated serum CA 19-9 levels in a 54-year-old female complaining of pain in the epigastric region, shortly after COVID-19 vaccination. Laboratory tests showed a significantly elevated level of the CA 19-9 marker (>12,000 U/mL, reference value: <37 U/mL) with normal pancreatic enzyme activity. The patient underwent imaging examination, which showed no abnormalities, except for increased pancreatic dimension and areas of fluid signal in the pancreas in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which may correspond to autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). The patient remains asymptomatic with a recommendation for a follow-up MRI in 12 months. Results: A literature review conducted revealed multi-causal CA 19-9 increases above 1000 U/mL, including non-cancerous diseases of the lung, pancreas, liver, ovary, kidney, and others. The median concentration of CA 19-9 regardless of the cause of disease was 2810 U/mL (IQR ± 6895). The median CA 19-9 values in men and women were 3500 (IQR ± 10,050) and 2455 (IQR ± 3927), respectively, and differ significantly between the compared groups (p < 0.05). There was no difference between CA 19-9 values and the categorized cause of the increase. Conclusions: Conducting differential diagnosis, it should not be forgotten that most international guidelines recommend the use of CA 19-9 only in conjunction with pathology of pancreas in radiological imaging; however, even such a combination can point the diagnostic pathway in the wrong direction. A highly elevated CA 19-9 level, typically associated with PDAC, may be the result of benign disease including AIP related to COVID-19 vaccination.
High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry as a Screening Tool for Hirschsprung’s Disease: A Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Sowulewski Oliver , Bubińska Magdalena , Zagierska Agnieszka , Zagierski Maciej , Szlagatys-Sidorkiewicz Agnieszka
Published: February 2024

Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) is characterized by a congenital absence of enteric ganglion cells in the intestine, posing challenges in diagnosis, particularly in pediatric patients. The gold standard, rectal suction biopsy (RSB), carries risks, prompting an exploration of non-invasive alternatives such as high-resolution anorectal manometry (HR-ARM) for HD screening. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 136 patients suspected of HD between 2018 and 2022, which were stratified into three age groups: ≤12 months, ≤24 months, and >24 months. Criteria for suspicion included delayed meconium passage, unresponsive chronic constipation, and abnormal prior test results. HR-ARM, supplemented by additional tests, confirmed 16 HD cases. HR-ARM exhibited 93.75% sensitivity, 89.47% specificity, 99.03% negative predictive value (NPV), and 55.56% positive predictive value (PPV). Notably, HR-ARM consistently performed well in patients ≤ 2 years old but demonstrated reduced efficacy in older children, which was likely due to complications from chronic constipation. This study underscores HR-ARM’s promise as a non-invasive HD screening tool, especially in younger patients. However, its limitations in older children warrant consideration. Establishing standardized protocols, particularly for assessing the recto-anal inhibitory reflex, is crucial. Further research is imperative to optimize HR-ARM’s diagnostic role across varied age groups in HD assessment.
Adverse Events and Clinical Correlates in Asian Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Diabetes Mellitus: A Report from Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Atrial Fibrillation Registry
Authors: Bucci Tommaso , Nabrdalik Katarzyna , Shantsila Alena , Romiti Giulio Francesco , Teo Wee-Siong , Park Hyung-Wook , Shimizu Wataru , Tse Hung-Fat , Proietti Marco , Chao Tze-Fan , Lip Gregory Y. H. ,   Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Atrial Fibrillation Registry Investigators
Published: February 2024

Aims. To evaluate the adverse events (and its clinical correlates) in a large prospective cohort of Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Material and Methods. We recruited patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) from the Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) AF Registry and included those for whom the diabetic mellitus (DM) status was known. We used Cox-regression analysis to assess the 1-year risk of all-cause death, thromboembolic events, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure and major bleeding. Results. Of 4058 patients (mean age 68.5 ± 11.8 years; 34.4% females) considered for this analysis, 999 (24.6%) had DM (age 71 ± 11 years, 36.4% females). Patients with DM had higher mean CHA2DS2-VASc (2.3 ± 1.6 vs. 4.0 ± 1.5, p < 0.001) and HAS-BLED (1.3 ± 1.0 vs. 1.7 ± 1.1, p < 0.001) risk scores and were less treated with rhythm control strategies compared to patients without DM (18.7% vs. 22.0%). After 1-year of follow-up, patients with DM had higher incidence of all-cause death (4.9% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.001), cardiovascular death (1.3% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.003), and major bleeding (1.8% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.002) compared to those without DM. On Cox regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, heart failure, coronary and peripheral artery diseases and previous thromboembolic event, DM was independently associated with a higher risk of all-cause death (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.00–2.19), cardiovascular death (HR 2.33, 95% CI 1.01–5.40), and major bleeding (HR 1.91, 95% 1.01–3.60). On interaction analysis, the impact of DM in determining the risk of all-cause death was greater in young than in older patients (p int = 0.010). Conclusions. Given the high rates of adverse outcomes in these Asian AF patients with DM, efforts to optimize the management approach of these high-risk patients in a holistic or integrated care approach are needed.
Non-Pharmacological Treatments in Paediatric Migraine
Authors: Baglioni Valentina , Bozza Fabiola , Beatrice Annachiara , Cameli Noemi , Colacino Cinnante Elisa Maria , Lentini Giuliana , Faedda Noemi , Natalucci Giulia , Guidetti Vincenzo
Published: February 2024

Psychological, social, and biological aspects contribute synergistically to the maintenance and chronicity of pain in primary headaches. An integrated intervention seems to be the most appropriate in the management of these conditions, taking advantage not only of pharmacological strategies, but also of different approaches according to the global assessment and patient necessities. In this perspective, non-pharmacological treatments are becoming increasingly used to overcome these issues also in paediatric migraine treatment. Particularly, nutraceuticals, non-invasive neuromodulation, and behavioural approaches are well tolerated and of potential interest. This paper aims to present the main approaches reported in the literature in the management of migraine in children and adolescents presenting an up-to-date review of the current literature. We therefore performed a narrative presentation for each of these three categories: nutraceuticals (riboflavin; magnesium; melatonin; vitamin D; coenzyme Q10; and polyunsaturated fatty acid); non-invasive neuromodulation (trigeminal nerve stimulator; non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation; transcranial magnetic stimulation; and remote electrical neuromodulation), and behavioural therapies (biofeedback; cognitive behavioural therapy; and mindfulness-based therapy). These approaches are increasingly seen as a valid treatment option in primary headache management also in paediatrics, avoiding medication overuse and drug treatment contraindications.
Detailed Finite Element Models for the Simulation of the Laser Shock Wave Response of 3D Woven Composites
Authors: Tserpes Konstantinos , Kormpos Panagiotis
Published: February 2024

This paper presents a numerical study on the laser shock wave propagation in a 3D woven carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) material by means of detailed and homogenized finite element (FE) models. The aim of this study is to numerically characterize the shock wave response of the 3D woven CFRP in terms of back-face velocity profiles and the induced damage, and to investigate whether the detailed FE models could be effectively replaced by homogenized FE models. The 3D woven geometry was designed using the TexGen 3.13.1 software, while the numerical analyses were executed using the R11.0.0 LS-Dyna explicit FE software. A high-strain-rate behavior was considered for the matrix. The fiber bundles in the detailed models were modeled as a high-fiber-content unidirectional composite laminate, with its mechanical properties calculated by micromechanical equations. A progressive damage material model was applied to both the fiber bundles of the detailed model and the homogenized models. The results of the detailed model reveal a considerable effect of the material’s architecture on the shock wave propagation and sensitivity of the back-face velocity profile to the spot location. Consequently, the homogenized model is not capable of accurately simulating the shock wave response of the 3D woven composite. Moreover, the detailed model predicts matrix cracking in the resin-rich areas and in the bundles with high accuracy, as well as fiber failure. On the contrary, the homogenized model predicts matrix cracking in the same areas and no fiber failure.
Special Issue “Health and Performance through Sports at All Ages 2.0”
Authors: Greco Gianpiero
Published: February 2024

This Special Issue, “Health and Performance through Sports at All Ages 2 [...]
Multimodal Rehabilitation Management of a Misunderstood Parsonage–Turner Syndrome: A Case Report during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Santacaterina Fabio , Bravi Marco , Maselli Mirella , Bressi Federica , Sterzi Silvia , Miccinilli Sandra
Published: February 2024

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a young adult presented symptoms that were reported at first evaluation to be a frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). The patient’s history, clinical manifestations related to the onset of pain, unilateral weakness, and physical examination led to a physiotherapy referral. Subsequent instrumental investigations showed an idiopathic brachial neuritis known as Parsonage–Turner Syndrome (PTS). Contrary to recent descriptions in the literature, the patient did not experience PTS either after COVID-19 vaccination or after COVID-19 virus infection. The proposed multimodal treatment, considering the patient’s characteristics, led to a recovery of muscle strength and function of the upper limb, observed even three years after the acute event. The frequency of rehabilitation treatment, the choice of exercises, the dosage, and the methods of execution require further studies in order to define an evidence-based treatment.
Optical and Electromechanical Design and Implementation of an Advanced Multispectral Device to Capture Material Appearance
Authors: Ansari-Asl Majid , Barbieri Markus , Obein Gaël , Hardeberg Jon Yngve
Published: February 2024

The application of materials with changing visual properties with lighting and observation directions has found broad utility across diverse industries, from architecture and fashion to automotive and film production. The expanding array of applications and appearance reproduction requirements emphasizes the critical role of material appearance measurement and surface characterization. Such measurements offer twofold benefits in soft proofing and product quality control, reducing errors and material waste while providing objective quality assessment. Some image-based setups have been proposed to capture the appearance of material surfaces with spatial variations in visual properties in terms of Spatially Varying Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (SVBRDF) and Bidirectional Texture Functions (BTF). However, comprehensive exploration of optical design concerning spectral channels and per-pixel incident-reflection direction calculations, along with measurement validation, remains an unexplored domain within these systems. Therefore, we developed a novel advanced multispectral image-based device designed to measure SVBRDF and BTF, addressing these gaps in the existing literature. Central to this device is a novel rotation table as sample holder and passive multispectral imaging. In this paper, we present our compact multispectral image-based appearance measurement device, detailing its design, assembly, and optical considerations. Preliminary measurements showcase the device’s potential in capturing angular and spectral data, promising valuable insights into material appearance properties.
Collaborative Modality Fusion for Mitigating Language Bias in Visual Question Answering
Authors: Lu Qiwen , Chen Shengbo , Zhu Xiaoke
Published: February 2024

Language bias stands as a noteworthy concern in visual question answering (VQA), wherein models tend to rely on spurious correlations between questions and answers for prediction. This prevents the models from effectively generalizing, leading to a decrease in performance. In order to address this bias, we propose a novel modality fusion collaborative de-biasing algorithm (CoD). In our approach, bias is considered as the model’s neglect of information from a particular modality during prediction. We employ a collaborative training approach to facilitate mutual modeling between different modalities, achieving efficient feature fusion and enabling the model to fully leverage multimodal knowledge for prediction. Our experiments on various datasets, including VQA-CP v2, VQA v2, and VQA-VS, using different validation strategies, demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. Notably, employing a basic baseline model resulted in an accuracy of 60.14% on VQA-CP v2.
Detection Technique Tailored for Small Targets on Water Surfaces in Unmanned Vessel Scenarios
Authors: Zhang Jian , Huang Wenbin , Zhuang Jiayuan , Zhang Renran , Du Xiang
Published: February 2024

Lightweight detection methods are frequently utilized for unmanned system sensing; however, to tackle the challenge of low precision in detecting small targets on the water’s surface by unmanned surface vessels, we present an enhanced method for ship target detection tailored specifically to this context. Building upon the mainstream single-stage Yolov8 object detection model, our approach involves the integration of the Reparameterized Convolutional Spatial Oversampling Attention (RCSOSA) module, replacing the traditional Classic 2D Convolutional (C2f) module to bolster the network’s feature extraction capabilities. Additionally, we introduce a downsampling module, Spatial to Depth Convolution (SPDConv), to amplify the extraction of features relevant to small targets, thereby enhancing detection accuracy. Finally, the Focal Modulation module, based on focal modulation, replaces the SPPF (Spatial Pyramid Pooling with FPN) module, leading to a reduction in channel count, parameter volume, and an augmentation of the network’s feature representation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves a 3.6% increase in mAP@0.5 and a 2.1% improvement in mAP@0.5:0.95 compared to the original Yolov8 model, while maintaining real-time processing capabilities. The research validates the higher accuracy and stronger generalization capabilities of the proposed improved ship target detection method in various complex water surface environments.
Operational Oceanography in Ports and Coastal Areas, Applications for the Management of Pollution Events
Authors: Cucco Andrea , Simeone Simone , Quattrocchi Giovanni , Sorgente Roberto , Pes Andrea , Satta Andrea , Sinerchia Matteo , Perilli Angelo , Ribotti Alberto
Published: February 2024

Maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment were the primary objectives of two European projects that the National Research Council of Italy had participated in, with numerical applications in two areas located in the northern part of Sardinia, Italy. Specifically, two operational Numerical Prediction Systems (NPS) for pollution risk management were developed; the first was applied to the area of the Bonifacio Strait and the Gulf of Asinara and the second to the port of Olbia. These systems are composed of many oceans and particle tracking numerical models. They are forced with meteorological and ocean data provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and Copernicus Marine Service and their outputs have been compared with in situ measurements for preliminary calibration. A web graphical interface was ad hoc designed, specifically responding to projects’ needs, providing online access to a 3-day oceanographic forecast and advanced diagnostic variables like Oil Stranding Time, Risk Score and Water Age. These products, along with the interactive web platform, prove invaluable for marine spatial planning, prevention and emergency management at sea, for the use of competent governmental and local bodies.
Factors Influencing the Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Chlorophyll-a in Jinmeng Bay, China
Authors: Wang Dan , Kuang Cuiping , Wang Gang , Liu Jiantao , Song Wei , Xing Rongrong , Zou Qingping
Published: February 2024

Field observations were combined with a coupled hydrodynamic and water quality model to investigate the spatial and temporal variation in Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in Jinmeng Bay, China. The relatively high Chl-a values were distributed in the inshore waters, mainly due to the abundant nutrient inflow from the Tanghe River. The model’s results indicate that the Chl-a concentration was much higher in seaweed beds surrounded by artificial islands and reefs under the southeasterly wind, largely due to the fact that pollutants are prone to accumulate in coastal areas where flow is attenuated by the presence of natural and artificial marine structures. It was also found that the southwesterly winds suppress the inflow of nutrients from the Tanghe River to the coastal areas, and, therefore, lower the Chl-a levels. River input and wind forcing are the major factors that influence Chl-a concentrations in the anthropogenically influenced bay. This finding provides useful guidance for the prediction and mitigation of green tides in Jinmeng Bay in the future.
Coastal Management: A Review of Key Elements for Vulnerability Assessment
Authors: Cruz-Ramírez Cesia J. , Chávez Valeria , Silva Rodolfo , Muñoz-Perez Juan J. , Rivera-Arriaga Evelia
Published: February 2024

Damaging and accelerated anthropization in coastal areas, as well as the need to adapt to climate change, means we must concentrate on improving management plans based on the diagnoses provided by coastal studies. Among these studies is the vulnerability assessment, obtained from evaluating a set of variables or indicators, which contribute to sustainable development. Since there is no single list of variables to consider in determining coastal vulnerability, 60 vulnerability studies from a period of 29 years (1994–2023), from across the globe, were consulted, and through a statistical mode method, the variables most used by multidisciplinary authors were identified. These studies were organized into groups: ecological, geomorphological, maritime climate, socioeconomic and legislative; creating sets categorized as the minimum indispensable, acceptable, and ideal variables. The results showed that most studies use between six and seven variables from only the maritime climate and geomorphological information groups. The number of variables used by individual studies, on the other hand, was not directly related to the scales (global, national, regional, local), but to the risks, such as flooding and erosion, it resolved. Only two studies included the minimum essential information for the legislative group, which is the presence of protected natural areas. Coastline displacements was the variable most used (43 studies), followed by the geoform type and the rate of sea level change (36), the wave regime (35) and the tidal range (33). The DSSs (Decision Support Systems) for coastal management were also reviewed, showing that these systems focus on a topic with a greater number of variables.
Impact of Operational Configuration Onboard a Drillship on Main Generator Engine Subcomponents Interval and Maintenance Strategies
Authors: Dujmović Josip , Glujić Darko , Kralj Predrag , Pelić Vladimir
Published: February 2024

Maintenance intervals and approaches for marine equipment have been the subject of numerous studies, focusing on previous failure patterns and associated risks. However, in vessels like drillships, operating under high reliability requirements and possessing significant redundancy, maintenance strategies have a critical impact on overall performance. This study investigates the influence of operational configurations on maintenance intervals and approaches for generator engine subcomponents onboard a drillship. Using data on injector failures onboard drillships, we employ the maintenance concept adjustment and design (MA-CAD) method to analyse and determine maintenance intervals across various operational configurations. Initially, we analyse the failure pattern of fuel injectors and propose a reduction in maintenance intervals through Weibull probability distribution fitting. Additionally, a risk analysis is conducted to assess the impact of operational configurations on risk indices related to fuel injector reliability and safety consequences. Our findings reveal that different operational configurations of the power generation plant can lead to changes in risk indices, shifting injector reliability status from unacceptable to undesirable limits. Consequently, maintenance intervals need to be adjusted as well to ensure optimal performance and safety. Furthermore, considering various engine subcomponents and their reliability under different operational configurations suggests the need for tailored maintenance approaches. This research provides insights into optimising maintenance strategies for drillship, ensuring reliability and safety across diverse operational scenarios.
Bibliometric Framing of Research Trends Regarding Public Sector Auditing to Fight Corruption and Prevent Fraud
Authors: Branet Diana-Sabina , Hategan Camelia-Daniela
Published: February 2024

Combating corruption is an important objective of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, with the aim of helping public institutions to act in the interest of citizens. To ensure this objective is met, the spending of public money is controlled by the supreme audit institutions of each country. The objective of this paper is to identify trends in and approaches to the field of auditing in the public sector to combat corruption and prevent fraud. To achieve the proposed objective, a bibliometric analysis of papers published in the journals indexed in Web of Science Clarivate Analytics for the period 2003–2022 was carried out; selection criteria was based on instances of the keywords “public audit fraud”, “supreme institution”, and “fraud” appearing in a sample of 528 articles. The results showed that there was a research interest in this field, with the trend being more pronounced since 2017. The main topics addressed were those related to the performance audit and the fight against corruption, and the most relevant studies were conducted on samples from Nordic European countries. Thus, it is confirmed that the external audit in public sector is an important factor in combating the phenomenon of corruption in the public sector, both by detecting fraud and by offering recommendations aimed at making the activity of this sector more efficient.
Exploring the Relationship between Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial and Non-Financial Reporting: A Study of Large Companies in Greece
Authors: Pagkalou Foteini I. , Galanos Christos L. , Thalassinos Eleftherios I.
Published: February 2024

Academics and professionals alike are highly interested in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Corporate Governance (CG), environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and corporate non-financial reporting (CNFR) and how they can improve a brand’s reputation, financial efficiency, and sustainability within businesses and organisations. The main objective of our study was to examine whether the financial data of large companies can be correlated with the data in their non-financial reports and provide information on the level of corporate governance and corporate responsibility and to examine the correlation between them. For this purpose, we conducted research by examining the 100 largest companies in Greece, over a period of 3 years, collecting both financial and non-financial data from their official reports. Using appropriate quantitative tools such as similarity, classification and econometric methods (stepwise method and panel least-squares method), the correlations between the data for CSR, CG and non-financial actions and key financial performance ratios are evaluated. Our research has revealed a strong link between financial performance and ESG actions of large companies and, in particular, we demonstrated the positive correlation of CSR performance with their total assets and whether they are listed on the stock exchange, and of CG with CSR and EBITDA. This study adds to the existing academic discourse on the relationship between financial and non-financial information of corporations in the areas of Corporate Responsibility and Governance and provides a valuable way to assess the decisions of businesses.
Spatio–Temporal Patterns and Driving Mechanisms of Urban Land High-Quality Use: Evidence from the Greater Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Li Yuying , Chen Danling , Tao Xiangqian , Peng Xiaotao , Lu Xinhai , Zhu Ziyang
Published: February 2024

Efficient urban land use plays a crucial role in promoting regional development and ensuring economic growth. Analyzing the spatio–temporal pattern of urban land high-quality use (ULHU) and identifying its key influencing factors and pathways can contribute to enhancing land use efficiency and achieving high-quality development. This study established a comprehensive measurement indicator system for evaluating ULHU using the entropy method and investigated the spatio–temporal evolution pattern of ULHU in the Greater Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration in the years 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020. Furthermore, a multi-period fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method was adopted to explore the concurrent driving mechanisms that impact ULHU from the configuration perspective. The findings reveal that the level of ULHU has exhibited a significant improvement, increasing from 0.1150 in 2005 to 0.2758 in 2020, with an annual growth rate of 8.739%. The spatial pattern in the PRD region exhibits an incremental distribution, characterized by higher values in the central region and lower values in the peripheral area, as this pattern reveals significant heterogeneity across the region. The configurations for ULHU in the PRD were identified, such as Population-industry-talent driven, Openness-fiscal-talent driven, Population-led, and Population-industry driven. Among these configurations, population density and industrial structure were identified as the core driving factors, while the role of talent resources is gradually diminishing. This study provides practical guidance for promoting the ULHU and optimizing national spatial planning.
Beyond Bleeps and Bounds: The Role of Individual Differences in Understanding Taboo Language from TV Series in the L2
Authors: Pizarro Pedraza Andrea , Suñer Ferran , De Cock Barbara
Published: February 2024

Streaming platforms have transformed series distribution and accessibility, with Spanish-language shows gaining immense popularity, notably “La casa de papel” (Money Heist). This series features a diverse cast of characters whose linguistic diversity extends to the use of taboo language. Previous studies have shown that linguistic immersion, such as staying abroad, significantly impacts knowledge of this kind of language. This paper aims to explore to what extent these and other individual differences affect the comprehension of swear words in TV series. To this end, 33 learners of Spanish at B2 level were asked to translate 14 taboo expressions from the series. They also completed a questionnaire on the exposure to authentic language use through extended stays abroad and TV series as well as their attitudes towards the use of taboo words. The results show that students’ positive attitudes towards taboo expressions and their multilingual status were associated with significantly better comprehension of taboo expressions. Furthermore, students with stay-abroad experience, watching the series in Spanish (with or without captions) and with higher proficiency levels in Spanish were found to perform better on the comprehension test, although no significant effects were found. Pedagogical implications and further directions for research are discussed in light of these findings.
The Effect of Age, Hypertension, and Overweight on Arterial Stiffness Assessed Using Carotid Wall Echo-Tracking in Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Jurko Tomas , Mestanik Michal , Jurkova Eva , Zelenak Kamil , Klaskova Eva , Jurko Alexander
Published: February 2024

Arterial stiffness represents an independent predictor of the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events. Early identification of high-risk individuals is necessary for effective prevention and targeted interventions. Carotid wall echo-tracking is a modern method for an accurate evaluation of the structural and functional properties of carotid arteries. This study aimed to assess age and sex-specific reference values of the echo-tracking parameters of carotid stiffness in 400 healthy children and adolescents and to evaluate the potential early effect of elevated blood pressure and overweight in 69 overweight normotensives, 45 white coat hypertensives, and 44 essential hypertensives. Stiffness index β, pressure–strain elastic modulus (Ep), arterial compliance (AC), and pulse wave velocity β (PWV β) were evaluated using Aloka ProSound F75. Both white coat and essential hypertension were associated with impaired carotid wall properties with the greatest effect on Ep, followed by PWV β, index β, and AC. The excess weight showed a weaker effect on Ep and PWV β. This is the first study to compare the effects of white coat and essential hypertension on carotid arterial stiffness assessed using the echo-tracking technique in childhood and adolescence with direct application of pediatric reference values specific to age and sex.
Ferroelectric Phase Transition in Barium Titanate Revisited with Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Ludt Christian , Meyer Dirk C. , Zschornak Matthias
Published: February 2024

The ferroelectric phase transition of the perovskite barium titanate as well as its technical importance regarding the switching of respective polar properties is well known and has been thoroughly studied, both experimentally and on theoretical grounds. While details about the phase diagram as well as transition temperatures are experimentally well known, the theoretical approaches still face difficulties in contributing a detailed description of these phase transitions. Within this work, a new methodological approach is introduced to revisit the ferroelectric phase transition with first-principles methods. With the chosen ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) method in combination with the applied NpT ensemble, we are able to join the accuracy of density functional theory (DFT) with ambient conditions, realized using a thermostat and barostat in an MD simulation. The derived phase diagram confirms recent corrections in the theoretical models and reproduces the phase boundary pressure dependence of TC. In conclusion of the statistical atomistic dynamics, the nature of the transition can be described in a more detailed way. In addition, this work paves the way towards locally patterned piezoelectrica by means of acoustic standing waves as well as piezoelectrically induced acoustic resonators.
Design of Bismuth Tungstate Bi2WO6 Photocatalyst for Enhanced and Environmentally Friendly Organic Pollutant Degradation
Authors: El Aouni Aicha , El Ouardi Mohamed , Arab Madjid , Saadi Mohamed , Haspel Henrik , Kónya Zoltán , Ben Ali Abdelkader , Jada Amane , BaQais Amal , Ait Ahsaine Hassan
Published: February 2024

In this study, a chemical precipitation approach was adopted to produce a photocatalyst based on bismuth tungstate Bi2WO6 for enhanced and environmentally friendly organic pollutant degradation. Various tools such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, were employed to assess the structural and morphological properties. Hence, the XRD profiles showed a well crystallized Bi2WO6 orthorhombic phase. The photocatalytic performance of the resulting photocatalyst was assessed by the decomposition of Rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) with a decomposition efficiency of 97 and 92%, along with the highest chemical oxygen demand of 82 and 79% during 120 min of illumination, respectively. The principal novelty of the present work is to focus on the changes in the crystalline structure, the morphology, and the optical and the photoelectrochemical characteristics of the Bi2WO6, by tuning the annealing temperature of the designed photocatalyst. Such physicochemical property changes in the as-prepared photocatalyst will affect in turn its photocatalytic activity toward the organic pollutant decomposition. The photocatalytic mechanism was elaborated based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, photocurrent analysis, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and radical trapping measurements. The overall data indicate that the superoxide O2•− and holes h+ are the principal species responsible for the pollutant photodegradation.
Effect of Polymer/Nano-Clay Coatings on the Performance of Concrete with High-Content Supplementary Cementitious Materials under Harsh Exposures
Authors: Abuzeid M. A. , Bassuoni M. T. , Sakr M. R.
Published: February 2024

In recent concrete research, a novel category of coatings has emerged: polymers/nanoparticles blends. The efficacy of such coatings warrants extensive examination across various concrete mixtures, particularly those incorporating high-volume supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to mitigate carbon footprints, an industry imperative. This study used three vulnerable concrete mixtures to assess the effectiveness of ethyl silicate and high-molecular-weight methyl methacrylate blended with 2.5% and 5% halloysite and montmorillonite nano-clay. Findings from physical, thermal, and microstructural analyses confirmed vulnerabilities in concretes with a high water-to-binder ratio (0.6) under severe exposure conditions, notably with high SCM content (40% and 60% fly ash and slag, respectively). Neat ethyl silicate or high-molecular-weight methyl methacrylate coatings inadequately protected those concretes against physical salt attacks and salt–frost scaling exposures. However, the incorporation of halloysite nano-clay or montmorillonite nano-clay in these polymers yielded moderate-to-superior concrete protection compared to neat coatings. Ethyl silicate-based nanocomposites provided full protection, achieving up to 100% improvement (no or limited surface scaling) against both exposures, particularly when incorporating halloysite-based nano-clay at a 2.5% dosage by mass. In contrast, high-molecular-weight methyl methacrylate-based nano-clay composites effectively mitigated physical salt attacks but exhibited insufficient protection throughout the entire salt–frost scaling exposure, peeling off at 15 cycles.
A Sustainable Banana Peel Activated Carbon for Removing Pharmaceutical Pollutants from Different Waters: Production, Characterization, and Application
Authors: Al-sareji Osamah J. , Grmasha Ruqayah Ali , Meiczinger Mónika , Al-Juboori Raed A. , Somogyi Viola , Hashim Khalid S.
Published: February 2024

Due to the growing concerns about pharmaceutical contamination and its devastating impact on the economy and the health of humans and the environment, developing efficient approaches for removing such contaminants has become essential. Adsorption is a cost-effective technique for removing pollutants. Thus, in this work, banana peels as agro-industrial waste were utilized for synthesizing activated carbon for removing pharmaceuticals, namely amoxicillin and carbamazepine from different water matrices. The chemically activated carbon by phosphoric acid (H3PO4) was carbonized at temperatures 350 °C, 450 °C and 550 °C. The material was characterized by several techniques such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Boehm titration, point of zero charge (pHPZC), BET surface area (SBET), the proximate and ultimate analyses, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and thermos-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The SEM of banana peel activated carbon (BPAC) depicted a semi-regular and heterogeneous morphology, characterized by an abundance of pores with diverse forms and sizes. Boehm titration revealed an increase in the amounts of acidic groups by 0.711 mmol/g due to activation by H3PO4. FTIR recorded different peaks suggesting significant modifications in the spectroscopic characteristics of the BPAC surface due to the successful activation and adsorption of the pollutant molecules. The pHpzc of BPAC was calculated to be 5.005. The SBET surface area dramatically increased to 911.59 m2/g after the activation. The optimum conditions were 25 °C, a materials dosage of 1.2 g/L, a saturation time of 120 min, a pollutants mixture of 25 mg/L, and a pH of 5. Langmuir exhibits a slightly better fit than Freundlich with a low value of the residual sum of squares (SSE) and the data were better fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic. Furthermore, the efficacy of BPAC in eliminating pharmaceuticals from Milli Q water, lake water, and wastewater was successfully investigated over the seven cycles. The results of the present work highlighted a potential usage of agro-industrial waste in eliminating organic micropollutants while exhibiting sustainable management of this waste.