bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Fast Reliability Evaluation Strategy for Power Systems under High Proportional Renewable Energy—A Hybrid Data-Driven Method
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Wang Bo , Ma Hengrui , Li Yunshuo , Yang Meilin , Wang Hongxia , Ma Fuqi
Published: March 2024

With the increasing scale of the power system, the increasing penetration of renewable energy, and the increasing uncertainty factors, traditional reliability evaluation methods based on Monte Carlo simulation have greatly reduced computational efficiency in complex power systems and cannot meet the requirements of real-time and rapid evaluation. This article proposes a hybrid data-driven strategy to achieve a rapid assessment of power grid reliability on two levels: offline training and online evaluation. Firstly, this article derives explicit analytical expressions for reliability indicators and component parameters, avoiding the computational burden of repetitive Monte Carlo simulation. Next, a large number of samples are quickly generated by parsing expressions to train convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and the system reliability index is quickly calculated under changing operating conditions through CNNs. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method are verified through an improved RTS-79 testing system. The calculation results show that the method proposed in this article can achieve an online solution of second-level reliability indicators while ensuring calculation accuracy.
Life-Threatening Obstetrical Emergency: Spontaneous Uterine Rupture Associated with Placenta Percreta in the First Trimester of Pregnancy—Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Amza Mihaela , Loghin Mihai-George , Vâlcea Didel-Ionuț , Gică Nicolae , Conea Ileana-Maria , Gorecki Gabriel-Petre , Mirică Alexandra , Sima Romina-Marina , Pleș Liana
Published: March 2024

Background: The greatest risk for the occurrence of the placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is represented by uterine scars, which most frequently result after cesarean sections. Uterine rupture is a rare condition and appears mainly in the third trimester of pregnancy. The association between these two conditions is extremely rare in the first trimester of pregnancy. Methods: We performed a systematic review of abnormal placental adhesions and spontaneous uterine ruptures in the first trimester of pregnancy. We also reported a case of spontaneous uterine rupture in a 12-week pregnancy that presented with massive hemoperitoneum and hemorrhagic shock. Results: A 33-year-old patient with two previous cesarean sections, at the twelfth week of pregnancy at the time to this visit to the emergency room, presented with syncope and intense pelvic–abdominal pain. A clinical examination and ultrasound scan established the diagnosis of hemoperitoneum and hemorrhagic shock. Surgical exploration was performed, uterine rupture was identified, and hemostasis hysterectomy was necessary. The histopathological results showed placenta percreta. There have been eight reported cases of spontaneous uterine rupture in the first trimester of pregnancy associated with PAS. In these cases, it was found that 62.5% of the patients had undergone at least one cesarean section in the past; in 75% of the cases, hysterectomy was performed; and, in 87.5% of the cases, the presence of placenta percreta was confirmed. Conclusions: A high rate of cesarean sections determines the increase in the incidence of placenta accreta spectrum disorders. The possible life-threatening complications caused by this pathology can be observed in early pregnancies.
Circular Economy in Guaiamum and Uçá Crab Waste in Brazil: Potential By-Products—A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Filho Joel Joaquim de Santana , Gaspar Pedro Dinis , Souza Ana Costa de , Paço Arminda do
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to fill a gap in the sustainable management of the reverse supply chain of Guaiamum and Uçá crab waste in Brazil, an endangered species. The study focused on the circular economy, governance, and recent developments, and identified circular economy practices in the utilization of solid waste from the fishing and collection of these species in extractive regions, in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A systematic literature review was conducted in major scientific databases. The selection of the 20 research publications followed pre-established criteria, including relevance to the SDGs and systematic review methodology. The results highlighted key variables related to the characteristics of by-products and the factors that influence the adoption of circular economy practices, in line with relevant SDGs. The most mentioned by-products include animal feed, organic fertilizer, biofuels, crab shell chitin biocomposite derivatives, as well as Chitosan-based composites for food packaging applications due to their non-toxicity, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. The study also identified future research opportunities covering education, policy, and management, in line with the UN SDGs. This study emphasizes the importance of the circular economy for solid crab waste in Brazil, a country with 12% of the world’s mangroves, which are essential both as a nursery for crabs and for ocean nutrition. It also analyzes current trends and initiatives in the reverse management of Guaiamum and Uçá crab waste, in the context of Supply Chain and Sustainable Management.
The Environmental Oxidation of Acetaminophen in Aqueous Media as an Emerging Pharmaceutical Pollutant Using a Chitosan Waste-Based Magnetite Nanocomposite
Authors: Nour Manasik M. , Tony Maha A.
Published: March 2024

Clean water is a precious and limited resource that plays a crucial role in supporting life on our planet. However, the industrial sector, especially the pharmaceutical industry, significantly contributes to water consumption, and this can lead to water body pollution. Fenton’s reagent was introduced in the current investigation to oxidize acetaminophen as an emerging pollutant in such effluents. Therefore, we employed a straightforward co-precipitation method to fabricate chitosan-coated magnetic iron oxide, which is referred to in this study as Chit@Fe3O4. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), scanning electron microscopy (TEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to characterize the sample. It is crucial to treat such effluents due to the rapid increase in emerging pollutants. In this study, a photo-Fenton system was introduced as a combination of a Chit@Fe3O4 catalyst augmented with hydrogen peroxide under ultraviolet (UV) illumination conditions. The results reveal that only 1 h of irradiance time is efficient in oxidizing acetaminophen molecules. Doses of 20 and 200 mg/L of Chit@Fe3O4 and H2O2, respectively, and a pH of 2.0 were recorded as the optimal operational conditions that correspondingly oxidize 20 mg/L of acetaminophen to a 95% removal rate. An increase in the reaction temperature results in a decline in the reaction rate, and this, in turn, confirms that the reaction system is exothermic in nature. The sustainability of the catalyst was verified and deemed adequate in treating and oxidizing acetaminophen, even up to the fourth cycle, achieving a 69% removal rate. A kinetic modeling approach is applied to the experimental results, and the kinetic data reveal that the oxidation system conforms to second-order kinetics, with rate constants ranging from 0.0157 to 0.0036 L/mg·min. Furthermore, an analysis of the thermodynamic parameters reveals that the reaction is exothermic and non-spontaneous, predicting an activation energy of 36.35 kJ/mol. Therefore, the proposed system can address the limitations associated with the homogeneous Fenton system.
Forest Aboveground Biomass Estimation Using Multisource Remote Sensing Data and Deep Learning Algorithms: A Case Study over Hangzhou Area in China
Authors: Tian Xin , Li Jiejie , Zhang Fanyi , Zhang Haibo , Jiang Mi
Published: March 2024

The accurate estimation of forest aboveground biomass is of great significance for forest management and carbon balance monitoring. Remote sensing instruments have been widely applied in forest parameters inversion with wide coverage and high spatiotemporal resolution. In this paper, the capability of different remote-sensed imagery was investigated, including multispectral images (GaoFen-6, Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8) and various SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data (GaoFen-3, Sentinel-1, ALOS-2), in aboveground forest biomass estimation. In particular, based on the forest inventory data of Hangzhou in China, the Random Forest (RF), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Convolutional Neural Networks Long Short-Term Memory Networks (CNN-LSTM) algorithms were deployed to construct the forest biomass estimation models, respectively. The estimate accuracies were evaluated under the different configurations of images and methods. The results show that for the SAR data, ALOS-2 has a higher biomass estimation accuracy than the GaoFen-3 and Sentinel-1. Moreover, the GaoFen-6 data is slightly worse than Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 optical data in biomass estimation. In contrast with the single source, integrating multisource data can effectively enhance accuracy, with improvements ranging from 5% to 10%. The CNN-LSTM generally performs better than CNN and RF, regardless of the data used. The combination of CNN-LSTM and multisource data provided the best results in this case and can achieve the maximum R2 value of up to 0.74. It was found that the majority of the biomass values in the study area in 2018 ranged from 60 to 90 Mg/ha, with an average value of 64.20 Mg/ha.
Iterative Reconstruction of Micro Computed Tomography Scans Using Multiple Heterogeneous GPUs
Authors: Chou Wen-Hsiang , Wu Cheng-Han , Jin Shih-Chun , Chen Jyh-Cheng
Published: March 2024

Graphics processing units (GPUs) facilitate massive parallelism and high-capacity storage, and thus are suitable for the iterative reconstruction of ultrahigh-resolution micro computed tomography (CT) scans by on-the-fly system matrix (OTFSM) calculation using ordered subsets expectation maximization (OSEM). We propose a finite state automaton (FSA) method that facilitates iterative reconstruction using a heterogeneous multi-GPU platform through parallelizing the matrix calculations derived from a ray tracing system of ordered subsets. The FSAs perform flow control for parallel threading of the heterogeneous GPUs, which minimizes the latency of launching ordered-subsets tasks, reduces the data transfer between the main system memory and local GPU memory, and solves the memory-bound of a single GPU. In the experiments, we compared the operation efficiency of OS-MLTR for three reconstruction environments. The heterogeneous multiple GPUs with job queues for high throughput calculation speed is up to five times faster than the single GPU environment, and that speed up is nine times faster than the heterogeneous multiple GPUs with the FIFO queues of the device scheduling control. Eventually, we proposed an event-triggered FSA method for iterative reconstruction using multiple heterogeneous GPUs that solves the memory-bound issue of a single GPU at ultrahigh resolutions, and the routines of the proposed method were successfully executed on each GPU simultaneously.
Image Processing Techniques for Improving Quality of 3D Profile in Digital Holographic Microscopy Using Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Kim Hyun-Woo , Cho Myungjin , Lee Min-Chul
Published: March 2024

Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM) is a 3D imaging technology widely applied in biology, microelectronics, and medical research. However, the noise generated during the 3D imaging process can affect the accuracy of medical diagnoses. To solve this problem, we proposed several frequency domain filtering algorithms. However, the filtering algorithms we proposed have a limitation in that they can only be applied when the distance between the direct current (DC) spectrum and sidebands are sufficiently far. To address these limitations, among the proposed filtering algorithms, the HiVA algorithm and deep learning algorithm, which effectively filter by distinguishing between noise and detailed information of the object, are used to enable filtering regardless of the distance between the DC spectrum and sidebands. In this paper, a combination of deep learning technology and traditional image processing methods is proposed, aiming to reduce noise in 3D profile imaging using the Improved Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models (IDDPM) algorithm.
Assessing Motor Variability during Squat: The Reliability of Inertial Devices in Resistance Training
Authors: García-Aguilar Fernando , López-Fernández Miguel , Barbado David , Moreno Francisco J. , Sabido Rafael
Published: March 2024

Movement control can be an indicator of how challenging a task is for the athlete, and can provide useful information to improve training efficiency and prevent injuries. This study was carried out to determine whether inertial measurement units (IMU) can provide reliable information on motion variability during strength exercises, focusing on the squat. Sixty-six healthy, strength-trained young adults completed a two-day protocol, where the variability in the squat movement was analyzed at two different loads (30% and 70% of one repetition maximum) using inertial measurement units and a force platform. The time series from IMUs and force platforms were analyzed using linear (standard deviation) and non-linear (detrended fluctuation analysis, sample entropy and fuzzy entropy) measures. Reliability was analyzed for both IMU and force platform using the intraclass correlation coefficient and the standard error of measurement. Standard deviation, detrended fluctuation analysis, sample entropy, and fuzzy entropy from the IMUs time series showed moderate to good reliability values (ICC: 0.50–0.85) and an acceptable error. The study concludes that IMUs are reliable tools for analyzing movement variability in strength exercises, providing accessible options for performance monitoring and training optimization. These findings have implications for the design of more effective strength training programs, emphasizing the importance of movement control in enhancing athletic performance and reducing injury risks.
An Empirical Evaluation of a Generative Artificial Intelligence Technology Adoption Model from Entrepreneurs’ Perspectives
Authors: Gupta Varun
Published: March 2024

Technologies, such as Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT), are prime examples of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is a constantly evolving area. SMEs, particularly startups, can obtain a competitive edge, innovate their business models, gain business value, and undergo a digital transformation by implementing these technologies. Continuous but gradual experimentation with these technologies is the foundation for their adoption. The experience that comes from trying new technologies can help entrepreneurs adopt new technologies more strategically and experiment more with them. The urgent need for an in-depth investigation is highlighted by the paucity of previous research on ChatGPT uptake in the startup context, particularly from an entrepreneurial perspective. The objective of this research study is to empirically validate the Generative AI technology adoption model to establish the direction and strength of the correlations among the adoption factors from the perspectives of the entrepreneurs. The data are collected from 482 entrepreneurs who exhibit great diversity in their genders, the countries in which their startups are located, the industries their startups serve, their age, their educational levels, their work experience as entrepreneurs, and the length of time the startups have been on the market. Collected data are analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique, which results in a statistical examination of the relationships between the adoption model’s factors. The results indicate that social influence, domain experience, technology familiarity, system quality, training and support, interaction convenience, and anthropomorphism are the factors that impact the pre-perception and perception phase of adoption. These factors motivate entrepreneurs to experiment more with the technology, thereby building perceptions of its usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment, three factors that in turn affect emotions toward the technology and, finally, switching intentions. Control variables like age, gender, and educational attainment have no appreciable effect on switching intentions to alternatives of the Generative AI technology. Rather, the experience factor of running businesses shows itself to be a crucial one. The results have practical implications for entrepreneurs and other innovation ecosystem actors, including, for instance, technology providers, libraries, and policymakers. This research study enriches the Generative AI technology acceptance theory and extends the existing literature by introducing new adoption variables and stages specific to entrepreneurship.
Anomalous Gold Concentrations in Hypersaline Wetland Sediments (Laguna Honda, South Spain) Caused by Nanoparticles Used in Agricultural Practices: Environmental Transformation
Authors: Medina-Ruiz Antonio , Jiménez-Millán Juan , Abad Isabel , Jiménez-Espinosa Rosario
Published: March 2024

Illite-rich sediments from the Laguna Honda wetland, an eutrophicated hypersaline wetland with waters enriched in Mg and Ca surrounded by olive groves in the Guadalquivir Basin River (South Spain), are polluted by elevated concentrations of gold (up to 21.9 ppm) due to agricultural practices. The highest gold contents appear in the shore sediments of the lake, where up to 20 µm homoaggregates of fused gold nanoparticles (AuNp) are found. Small nanoaggregates of up to six fused gold nanoparticles and very few isolated nanoparticles around 1 nm in size can also be observed to form heteroaggregates of AuNp-mica, especially in the deeper sediments in the central part of the wetland, where Au concentrations are lower (up to 1.89 ppm). The high nanoparticle concentration caused by the inappropriate application of pesticides favors nanoparticle collision in the wetland’s Mg- and Ca-rich waters and the fast coagulation and deposition of Au homoaggregates in the gold-rich shore sediment of the lake. The interaction of gold nanoparticles with the abundant illite particles in the wetland’s hypersaline waters promotes the simultaneous formation of low-density Au-illite heteroaggregates, which are transported and deposited in the less-rich-in-gold sediments of the central part of the lake. The small sizes of the isolated AuNp and AuNp-fused contacts of the aggregates suggest modifications in the original nanoparticles involving dissolution processes. The presence of bacterial communities resistant to heavy metal stress (Luteolibacter and Maricaulis), as well as the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and particularly sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) communities from the shore sediments, favored the high-Eh and low-pH conditions adequate for the destabilization and transport of AuNp.
Short-Term Effects of Primary and Secondary Particulate Matter on Ceramide Metabolism, Pro-Inflammatory Response, and Blood Coagulation
Authors: Zhang Bin , Xu Hongbing , He Xinghou , Wang Tong , Li Mengyao , Shan Xuyang , Zhu Yutong , Liu Changjie , Zhao Qian , Song Xiaoming , Sun Yele , Zheng Lemin , Huang Wei
Published: March 2024

Evidence of the precise biological pathway responsible for acute cardiovascular events triggered by particulate matter (PM) exposure from anthropogenic emissions is sparse. We investigated the associations of biomarkers relevant to the pathophysiology of atherothrombosis (ceramide metabolism, pro-inflammatory response, and blood coagulation) with primary and secondary components in particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5). A total of 152 healthy participants were followed with four repeated clinical visits between September 2019 and January 2020 in Beijing. Exposure to ambient inorganic aerosols (sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and chloride), as well as organic aerosols (OA) in PM2.5, was measured by a real-time aerosol chemical speciation monitor, and sources of OA were performed by positive matrix factorization. We found significant increases of 101.9–397.9% in ceramide indicators associated with interquartile-range increases in inorganic aerosols and OA prior to 72 h of exposure. Higher levels of organic and inorganic aerosols in PM2.5 were associated with increases of 3.1–6.0% in normal T cells regulated upon activation and expressed and secreted relevant to the pro-inflammatory response; increases of 276.9–541.5% were observed in D-dimers relevant to coagulation. Detrimental effects were further observed following OA exposure from fossil fuel combustion. Mediation analyses indicated that ceramide metabolism could mediate the associations of PM2.5 components with pro-inflammatory responses. Our findings expand upon the current understanding of potential pathophysiological pathways of cardiovascular events posed by ambient particulates and highlight the importance of reducing primary and secondary PM from anthropogenic combustions.
The Contribution of Open Source Software in Identifying Environmental Crimes Caused by Illicit Waste Management in Urban Areas
Authors: Massarelli Carmine , Uricchio Vito Felice
Published: March 2024

This study focuses on the analysis, implementation and integration of techniques and methods, also based on mathematical algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI), to acquire knowledge of some phenomena that produce pollution with an impact on environmental health, and which start from illicit practices that occur in urban areas. In many urban areas (or agroecosystems), the practice of illegal waste disposing by commercial activities, by abandoning it in the countryside rather than spending economic resources to ensure correct disposal, is widespread. This causes an accumulation of waste in these areas (which can also be protected natural areas), which are then also set on fire to reduce their volume. Obviously, the repercussions of such actions are many. The burning of waste releases contaminants into the environment such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and furans, and deposits other elements on the soil, such as heavy metals, which, by leaching and percolating, contaminate water resources such as rivers and aquifers. The main objective is the design and implementation of monitoring programs against specific illicit activities that take into account territorial peculiarities. This advanced approach leverages AI and GIS environments to interpret environmental states, providing an understanding of ongoing phenomena. The methodology used is based on the implementation of mathematical and AI algorithms, integrated into a GIS environment to address even large-scale environmental issues, improving the spatial and temporal precision of the analyses and allowing the customization of monitoring programs in urban and peri-urban environments based on territorial characteristics. The results of the application of the methodology show the percentages of the different types of waste found in the agroecosystems of the study area and the degree of concentration, allowing the identification of similar areas with greater criticality. Subsequently, through network and nearest neighbour analysis, it is possible to start targeted checks.
Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses Induced by Bivalent DNA Vaccines Expressing Fusion Capsid Proteins of Porcine Circovirus Genotypes 2a and 2b
Authors: Meas Sochanwattey , Chaimongkolnukul Khuanjit , Narkpuk Jaraspim , Mekvichitsaeng Phenjun , Poomputsa Kanokwan , Wanasen Nanchaya , Roshorm Yaowaluck Maprang
Published: March 2024

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the main causative agent of porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD) that profoundly impacts the swine industry worldwide. While most of the commercial PCV vaccines are developed based on PCV genotype 2a (PCV2a), PCV genotype 2b (PCV2b) has become predominant since 2003. In this study, we developed and evaluated DNA-based bivalent vaccines covering both PCV2a and PCV2b. We generated a new immunogen, PCV2b-2a, by combining consensus sequences of the PCV2a and PCV2b capsid proteins (Cap2a and Cap2b) in a form of fusion protein. We also examined whether modifications of the PCV2b-2a fusion protein with a signal sequence (SS) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) fusing with interleukine-4 (IL-4) (GI) could further improve the vaccine immunogenicity. An immunogenicity study of BALB/cAJcl mice revealed that the DNA vector pVAX1 co-expressing PCV2b-2a and GI (pVAX1.PCV2b-2a-GI) was most potent at inducing both antibody and cellular immune responses against Cap2a and Cap2b. Interestingly, the vaccines skewed the immune response towards Th1 phenotype (IgG2a > IgG1). By performing ELISA and ELISpot with predicted epitope peptides, the three most immunogenic B cell epitopes and five putative T cell epitopes were identified on Cap2a and Cap2b. Importantly, our DNA vaccines elicited broad immune responses recognizing both genotype-specific and PCV2-conserved epitopes. Sera from mice immunized with the DNAs expressing PCV2b-2a and PCV2b-2a-GI significantly inhibited PCV2a cell entry at serum dilution 1:8. All these results suggest a great potential of our PCV2b-2a-based vaccines, which can be further developed for use in other vaccine platforms to achieve both vaccine efficacy and economical production cost.
Development of a Potency Assay for Nous-209, a Multivalent Neoantigens-Based Genetic Cancer Vaccine
Authors: Bartolomeo Rosa , Troise Fulvia , Allocca Simona , Sdruscia Giulia , Vitale Rosa , Bignone Veronica , Petrone Anna Maria , Romano Giuseppina , D’Alise Anna Morena , Ruzza Valentino , Garzia Irene , Leoni Guido , Merone Rossella , Lanzaro Francesca , Colloca Stefano , Siani Loredana , Scarselli Elisa , Cotugno Gabriella
Published: March 2024

Quality control testing of vaccines, including potency assessment, is critical to ensure equivalence of clinical lots. We developed a potency assay to support the clinical advancement of Nous-209, a cancer vaccine based on heterologous prime/boost administration of two multivalent viral vector products: GAd-209 and MVA-209. These consist of a mix of four Adeno (Great Ape Adenovirus; GAd) and four Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vectors respectively, each containing a different transgene encoding a synthetic polypeptide composed of antigenic peptide fragments joined one after the other. The potency assay employs quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-Q-PCR) to quantitatively measure the transcripts from the four transgenes encoded by each product in in vitro infected cells, enabling simultaneous detection. Results showcase the assay’s robustness and biological relevance, as it effectively detects potency loss in one component of the mixture comparably to in vivo immunogenicity testing. This report details the assay’s setup and validation, offering valuable insights for the clinical development of similar genetic vaccines, particularly those encoding synthetic polypeptides.
SARS-CoV-2 Symptoms during the Omicron Surge Differ between Boosted and Vaccinated Non-Boosted Persons
Authors: Montecalvo Marisa A. , Visintainer Paul , Drugge Elizabeth , Kowalski Katherine , Raffa Rosemarie , McKenna Donna , Moronta Christine , Wormser Gary P.
Published: March 2024

Purpose: To determine the impact of booster COVID-19 vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Background: The Omicron surge of infections provided an opportunity to evaluate symptoms in relation to booster receipt. Methods: At a US medical college, the number, type, and duration of symptoms were evaluated for 476 students or employees, factoring in days between last vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Results: Compared with vaccinated non-boosted individuals, boosted individuals reported a significantly higher frequency of nasal congestion (57.9% vs. 44.4%, p = 0.018) and nasal congestion and/or sore throat (77.2% vs. 62.0%, p = 0.003); in contrast, the frequency of body/muscle aches was significantly less among boosted individuals (22.1% vs. 32.4%, p = 0.038). With each one week increase in time since booster receipt, the probability of fever increased significantly by 4.4% (OR 1.044, 95% CI 1.01, 1.07, p = 0.001), and the probability of cough increased significantly by 4.8% (OR 1.048, 95% CI 1.01, 10.8, p= 0.010). Conclusions: Within a medical college population, during the first 7 months of the Omicron surge of infections, compared with vaccinated non-boosted individuals, boosted individuals significantly more often reported the following: nasal congestion as well as nasal congestion and/or sore throat. In contrast, body/muscle aches were reported significantly less often. The rates of fever and cough each significantly increased as time since booster dose receipt increased. These data suggest that having had a booster vaccination, as well the timing of receiving it, impacts the clinical manifestations of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections. Additional studies are needed to precisely define SARS-CoV-2 symptoms in relation to booster vaccinations.
Low Measles Vaccination Coverage and Spatial Analysis of High Measles Vaccination Dropout in Ethiopia’s Underprivileged Areas
Authors: Shiferie Fisseha , Gebremedhin Samson , Andargie Gashaw , Tsegaye Dawit A. , Alemayehu Wondwossen A. , Fenta Teferi Gedif
Published: March 2024

(1) Background: Measles remains a major cause of disease and death worldwide, especially in the World Health Organization African Region. This study aimed to estimate the coverage of measles vaccinations and map the spatial distribution of measles vaccination dropout in Ethiopia; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ethiopia’s underprivileged areas. The study included 3646 mothers/caregivers of children. ArcGIS for the spatial analysis, Global Moran’s I statistic for spatial autocorrelation, and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics for hot spot analysis were applied; (3) Results: Overall, coverages of measles-containing-vaccine first- and second-doses were 67% and 35%, respectively. Developing regions had the lowest coverages of measles-containing-vaccine first- and second-doses, 46.4% and 21.2%, respectively. On average, the measles vaccination dropout estimate was 48.3%. Refugees had the highest measles vaccination dropout estimate (56.4%). The hot spot analysis detected the highest burden of measles vaccination dropout mainly in the northeastern parts of Ethiopia, such as the Afar Region’s zones 1 and 5, the Amhara Region’s North Gondar Zone, and peripheral areas in the Benishangul Gumuz Region’s Assosa Zone; (4) Conclusions: The overall measles vaccination coverages were relatively low, and measles vaccination dropout estimates were high. Measles vaccination dropout hot spot areas were detected in the northeastern parts of Ethiopia.
An Analysis of the Correct Frequency of the Service Inspections of German Passenger Cars—A Case Study on Kazakhstan and Poland
Authors: Nurkusheva Saltanat , Bembenek Michał , Berdychowski Maciej , Gajdzik Bożena , Wolniak Radosław
Published: March 2024

This article presents a case study on estimating the real service inspection intervals for German-brand passenger cars in Kazakhstan and Poland. This study aimed to identify disparities between the official recommendations of manufacturers for car maintenance and the real data collected in these two countries. The following passenger cars were examined: Audi A6, Q5, and Q8; Porsche Cayenne and Cayenne coupe; and Volkswagen Passat, Polo, Teramont, Tiguan, Touareg, Arteon, Golf, T-Cross, Tiguan all space, Touran, T-Roc, and Up. To assess the difference between real and recommended values, the manufacturer criteria of a recommended mileage of 15,000 and 30,000 km or a time frame of 365 and 730 days to the first service inspection were applied. The data analysis showed that in Kazakhstan, 31.4% of cars did not meet the warranty conditions, while in Poland, it was 21.0%. The dominant criterion that was not met was the time criterion. The assessment of these factors emphasizes the importance of customizing vehicle maintenance schedules to the specific conditions and driving behaviors prevalent in each country. The practical contribution of the article lies in uncovering the discrepancies between official manufacturer recommendations for car maintenance and the actual data collected in Kazakhstan and Poland. By identifying specific models, Volkswagen Touareg and Tiguan in Kazakhstan and Volkswagen Up in Poland, for which the maintenance intervals deviated significantly from those recommended, this study offers valuable insights for optimizing service schedules and improving the efficiency of maintenance practices in these countries. From a scientific perspective, this article contributes by providing empirical evidence of real-world maintenance behaviors for German-brand passenger cars.
Effects of Clay Content on Non-Linear Seepage Behaviors in the Sand–Clay Porous Media Based on Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Yin Yu , Cui Ziteng , Zhang Xiao , Song Jian , Zhang Xueyi , Chen Yongqiang , Dou Zhi
Published: March 2024

Clay is widely encountered in nature and directly influences seepage behaviors, exerting a crucial impact on engineering applications. Under low hydraulic gradients, seepage behaviors have been observed to deviate from Darcy’s law, displaying a non-linear trend. However, the impacts of clay content on non-linear seepage behavior and its pore-scale mechanisms to date remain unclear. In this study, constant-head seepage experiments were conducted in sand–clay porous media under various hydraulic gradients. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) technology was utilized to monitor the bound-water and free-water contents of sand–clay porous media under different seepage states. The results show a threshold hydraulic gradient (i0) below which there is no flow, and a critical hydraulic gradient (icr) below which the relationship between the hydraulic gradient (i) and seepage velocity (v) is non-linear. Both hydraulic gradients increased with clay content. Moreover, the transformation between bound water and free water was observed during the seepage-state evolution (no flow to pre-Darcy or pre-Darcy to Darcy). As the hydraulic gradient reached the i0, the pore water pressure gradually overcame the adsorption force of the bound-water film, reducing the thickness of the bound-water film, and causing non-linear seepage behavior. When i0 < i < icr, the enlarging hydraulic gradient triggers the thinning of bound water and enhances the fluidity of pore water. Moreover, the increasing clay content augments the bound-water content required for the seepage state’s change.
Bacterial Zoonotic Diseases and Male Reproduction
Authors: Okeleji Lateef Olabisi , Ajayi Lydia Oluwatoyin , Odeyemi Aduragbemi Noah , Amos Victor , Akanbi Bosede Grace , Onaolapo Moyinoluwa Comfort , Olateju Bolade Sylvester , Adeyemi Wale Johnson , Ajayi Ayodeji Folorunsho
Published: March 2024

Bacterial zoonotic diseases hold significant public health importance due to their substantial contribution to human morbidity and mortality. These infections have been implicated in reducing the fertility rate among couples of reproductive age. Despite the increasing prevalence of infertility and sub-fertility in men, there has been limited investigation into the possible effects of bacterial zoonotic infections on the male reproductive system. The purpose of this review is to describe common bacterial zoonotic diseases and their effects on human reproduction in order to unveil the hidden roles these infections could play in male factor infertility. While there is a dearth of information on this subject from human studies, available evidence from experimental animals suggests that bacterial zoonotic diseases impair male reproductive functions and structures primarily through the activation of the inflammatory response and distortion of the antioxidant system, resulting in the generation of oxidative species. In light of the limited research on bacterial zoonotic diseases and their role in male reproduction, efforts must be directed towards the subject to unravel the underlying pathological mechanisms and reduce the incidence among the human populace, either through preventive or curative measures.
Traditional and Nontraditional Family Structures: Influence on Students’ Academic Ability, Achievement, and Readiness
Authors: Camarao Michael Kennedy G.
Published: March 2024

The study aimed to measure the influence of traditional and nontraditional family structures on the academic ability and achievement of students in elementary, and their readiness in high school academic work. The study utilized a descriptive-correlation design which was employed to randomly select 179 students from a basic education institution in Tacurong City. The result of the study showed that there is a significant difference between the standard scores of students in traditional and nontraditional families in terms of their academic ability, achievement, and readiness. It can also be inferred that students who performed well in ability test, also performed well in achievement and readiness tests. Subsequently, those who had high achievement scores in grade six were more ready in their academic works in high school. Thus, it is necessary to increase the involvement of parents in school to monitor their children’s progress and performance. It is also integral to nurture an educational environment that supports students from diverse family structures.
Mindanao State University-General Santos City Graduates as Employees: Perspective of Employers
Authors: Ulanday Diane Mae P. , Toquero Cathy Mae D.
Published: March 2024

Employers’ responses about graduate performance are indispensable for analyzing the institution’s performance against the standards set in the context of its legal and educational mandates. The study aimed to describe the performance of MSU graduates based on the perspectives of the employers. The study used descriptive research design involving 129 employers from various industries across the private and public sectors in SOCCSCKARGEN region inclusive of General Santos, Sarangani, and South Cotabato which have provided job opportunities to MSU-GSC graduates. The findings suggested that the graduate attributes of the employed MSU graduates are highly satisfactory, useful, and matched with the needs in the workplace as assessed by the employers. The employers expressed that personal attributes of graduates are more advantageous and necessary than their practical competence. However, they observed that MSU graduates as employees lack relevant skills, training, and work experience and need to upgrade their qualifications for employment. In general, the findings of the employer satisfaction survey present a positive image for MSU-GSC graduates. The study recommends that continuous enhancement of the curriculum of MSU-GSC and improvement of the quality of instruction must be done to ensure they fit the graduate attributes to the needs of the labor market.
Acil Servise Motosiklet Kazası Nedeniyle Başvuran Hastalar ile Araç İçi Trafik Kazası Nedeniyle Başvuran Hastaların Travma Skorlarının ve Prognozunun Karşılaştırılması
Authors: İmal Ersin , Şaşmaz Muhammed İkbal , Yaldız Demet
Published: March 2024

Amaç: Bu çalışmada acil servise araç içi trafik kazası veya motosiklet kazası ile başvuran çoklu travma hastalarının travma skorlarını ve prognozlarının karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır.

Yöntem: Çalışma Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Acil Servisi’ne çoklu travma ile başvuran 100 araç içi trafik kazalı ve 75 motosiklet kazalı olguda yapıldı. Olguların Yaralanma Ciddiyet Skoru (ISS), Kısaltılmış Yaralanma Skoru (AIS), Glasgow Koma Skoru (GKS), prognozları ve klinik özellikleri kaydedilmiştir.

Bulgular: Olguların araç içi trafik kazası grubundakilerin %75’i erkek, motosiklet kazası olgularının ise %94,7’si erkek idi. Yaş ortalaması araç içi trafik kazası ile başvuran olgularda 37,29 ± 16,02 saptanırken, motosiklet kazalı olgularda 37,85 ± 15,40 saptanmıştır. En sık yaralanma bölgesi araç içi trafik kazalı olgularda %76 ve motosiklet kazası nedeniyle gelen olgularda ise %74,6 ile ekstremite yaralanması olduğu belirlendi. Travma skorları incelendiğinde GKS ortalaması araç içi trafik kazalı olgularda 13,30 ± 3,56 motosiklet kazası nedeniyle gelen olgularda 13,0 ± 3,09 dur. ISS ortalaması araç içi trafik kazasında 24,28 ± 16,69 saptanırken, motosiklet kazası nedeniyle gelen olgularda ise 22,25 ± 17,32 saptanmıştır. AIS skorları karşılaştırıldığında araç içi trafik kazalı hastalarda 3,59 ± 1,20, motosiklet kazası nedeniyle gelen olgularda 3,40 ± 1,26 saptanmıştır. Travma skorları arasındaki fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmamıştır. Araç içi trafik kazalı olgularda cerrahi girişim oranı %24, motosiklet kazalı olgularda %21,3 saptandı. Olguların her iki grubunda da mortalite %8 olarak saptandı.

Sonuç: Çalışmada araç içi trafik kazası ve motosiklet kazası nedeniyle başvuran multitravmalı hastalar incelendi. İki grup da travma skorları açısından anlamlı benzer özellikler göstermiştir.
The Gaziantep Model: Integrated Mother-Child Health Services for Healthy Communities After Disasters
Authors: Çalıkoğlu Elif Okşan , Karadağ Mehmet , Bayrak Bulucu Beril , Otucu Ruhm Filiz , Balat Ayşe
Published: March 2024

This article discusses the Gaziantep Model, which focuses on integrated mother-child health services in the aftermath of disasters, with a particular focus on the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey. The model emphasizes the importance of maternal and child health in building healthy communities post-disaster and offers a comprehensive approach to address physical and mental health. The Gaziantep model uses a hybrid structure of mobile and fixed healthcare services to provide care at both individual and societal levels. It also recognizes the importance of healthcare staff's well-being. The article highlights the significant impact of the earthquakes, including damage to healthcare facilities and the strain on healthcare personnel, especially in regions with a high population of Syrian refugees. Gaziantep, with its existing maternal and infant mortality challenges, serves as a suitable province for implementing this model. The article emphasizes the long-term consequences of disasters on maternal and child health, including increased risks during pregnancy, mental health issues, and developmental challenges for children. The Gaziantep model aims to foster collaboration among various agencies and organizations, develop targeted interventions, and collect data to improve maternal and child health, reduce burnout among medical personnel, and enhance the overall well-being of communities. It involves the partnership of Gaziantep University, the ZERU Association, Gaziantep Provincial Health Directorate, and Gaziantep Municipality. Overall, the Gaziantep Model offers a comprehensive approach to address the unique healthcare needs of mothers, children, and families in the aftermath of disasters, with a focus on collaboration and long-term community health.
INTERELASI KOMPENSASI DAN BEBAN KERJA TERHADAP TURNOVER INTENTION PADA SEKTOR INDUSTRI TEKSTIL DI BANDUNG
Authors: Devy Devy , Sitompul Grace Orlyn
Published: March 2024

Examine the impact of compensation and work pressure on the desire of workers to quit the textile industry sector companies in Bandung. The research is a quantitative research involving 100 employees working in the textile industry in Bandung. The Data were taken using questionnaires and data processed using statistical methods to predict the linear dependent variable with SPSS version 25. The achievement of the following research analysis is the result of commensurate findings and some that are not and simultaneously the impact of compensation and workload on the employee's desire to resign. The achievement of the explanation analysis showed that the compensation effect did not show a big impact on the employee's intention to leave the company on the other hand the complexity of the work has a high value as a driving factor that causes employees to leave their jobs.

Key words: Compensation, Workload, Turnover Intention
Pengaruh Profitabilitas, Likuiditas dan Ukuran Perusahaan terhadap Nilai Perusahaan pada Perusahaan Pertambangan
Authors: Abas Faisal , Damayanti Damayanti
Published: March 2024

Firm value is the company's performance as reflected by the share price formed by the supply and demand of the capital market. The research conducted aims to examine the effect of profitability, liquidity and company size on firm value in mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). The population used in the research conducted are mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange(IDX) for the 2020-2022 period. Data collection techniques in research conducted using documentation data with the sampling method, namely purposive sampling method. The research samples were thirteen companies for three years, so the number of observations was 36. The data used in the research was secondary data. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression analysis techniques. The results showed that profitability had a significant positive effect on firm value, liquidity had an insignificant negative effect on firm value, and similarly company size had a non-significant negative effect on firm value.

Keywords: Profabilitas, Likuiditas, Ukuran Perusahaan, Nilai Perusahaan
Pengaruh Cost of Loanable Fund, Overhead Cost, Risk Factor dan Dana Pihak Ketiga (DPK) terhadap Margin Murabahah pada Bank Umum Syariah di Indonesia
Authors: Hidayah Hikmatul , Yusroni Nanang , Nuha Muhamad Ulin
Published: March 2024

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif yang dilakukan pada bank umum syariah di Indonesia selama tahun 2014-2018. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh biaya pinjaman, overhead, faktor risiko dan modal pihak ketiga (DPK) terhadap profitabilitas murabahah pada bank umum syariah di India, Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan data sekunder yang diperoleh dengan mengunduh laporan keuangan dari situs resmi bank umum syariah. Total penelitian ini mencakup 14 bank umum syariah di Indonesia. Teknik pengambilan sampel dengan kriteria bank umum syariah di Indonesia menyajikan laporan keuangan periode 2014-2018. Ada 9 contoh bank syariah komersial yang bisa digunakan yaitu Bank Aceh Syariah, Bank NTB Syariah, Bank BCA Syariah, Bank Bukopin Syariah, Bank Muamalat Indonesia, Bank BNI Syariah, Bank BRI Syariah, Bank Mandiri Syariah, Bank Mega Syariah. . Teknik analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah regresi linier berganda model data panel untuk memperoleh gambaran yang utuh tentang hubungan antar variabel. Analisis statistik yang digunakan adalah aplikasi pengolahan data Eviews 10 dan Microsoft Excel 2010. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pada saat yang bersamaan variabel biaya pinjaman, biaya overhead, faktor risiko dan modal secara simultan pihak ketiga (DPK) berpengaruh positif. berdampak pada margin murabahah. dengan nilai 0.034275. Secara parsial cost of debt berpengaruh negatif signifikan dengan nilai -2,513302, overhead tidak berpengaruh signifikan dengan nilai 0,367139, faktor risiko berpengaruh positif dengan nilai 2,179696 dan dana nikah ketiga (Dpk) tidak berpengaruh signifikan berpengaruh pada nilai -0.886711. Hasil blok masing-masing bank menunjukkan bahwa Bank NTB Syariah memiliki margin murabahah terendah dan Bank Mega Syariah memiliki margin murabahah tertinggi