bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Immediate Impacts of COVID-19 on Low-Income Households: Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Zakaria Roza Hazli , Sabri Mohamad Fazli , Satar Nurulhuda Mohd , Magli Amirah Shazana
Published: May 2023

This study unravelled the economic impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on low-income households. The asymmetric economic impacts of the pandemic that are biased towards the poor, young, and women have been well established. However, micro evidence on the poor is limited, thus demanding detailed understanding to design an effective targeted assistance. In this study, data were gathered from face-to-face interviews using a sampling frame provided by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Online data collection was dismissed to ensure all low-income households had the same chance to participate, as some might have no online access. Logistic regressions were estimated to identify the characteristics of households that suffered job loss and income reduction. The findings revealed that one in ten households experienced job loss during the pandemic, while one third survived with lower income. The extent of income reduction was rather severe, as the pandemic had reduced income generation by more than half among the affected households. The regression outcomes showed that the higher-income households among the low-income households had higher chances of experiencing income reduction. A similar scenario was noted for less-educated households. Notably, the adverse impacts were not biased toward female-headed households, as is widely perceived. There was no evidence that economic sectors explained job losses, but households involved in the agriculture, domestic, and transportation sectors had higher chances of suffering from income reduction. These results suggest that monetary government assistance should not rely on general indicators, such as female-headed households and below-poverty-line income (PLI). Instead, a more effective measure is to look at other characteristics, such as employment type, education level, and job sectors.
The Impact of In-Vehicle Traffic Lights on Driving Characteristics in the Presence of Obstructed Line-of-Sight
Authors: Zhang Yunshun , Xie Qishuai , Gao Minglei , Guo Yuchen
Published: May 2023

In-vehicle traffic lights (IVTLs) have been identified as a potential means of eco-driving. However, the extent to which they influence driving characteristics in the event of obstructed on-road traffic lights (ORTLs) has yet to be fully examined. Firstly, the situation of partially deployed IVTLs in both vehicles was analyzed to identify the factors that affect driving characteristics. Through the following distance model, relative vehicle speed, acceleration and deceleration, and following distance were recognized as the contributing factors. The evaluation indicators for driving characteristics were thereby further established. Then, a hardware-in-the-loop simulation platform was built using PreScan 8.5-MATLAB/Simulink R2018b joint simulation software and a Logitech G29 device. IVTLs were implemented using modules in the joint simulation software. Finally, under the scenarios of obstructed ORTLs and various deployment conditions of IVTLs, the original data were collected from 50 experimental subjects with simulated driving. The subjects included 25 males and 25 females, all of whom were non-professional drivers, with ages ranging from 20 to 40 years old. The conclusion was reached that IVTLs could improve driving comfort by approximately 10% in sunny weather (p = 0.008 < 0.05, p = 0.023 < 0.05; p = 0.046 < 0.05, p = 0.001 < 0.05), driving maneuverability by approximately 30% in foggy weather (p = 0.033 < 0.05), and driving safety by approximately 50% in the ORTLs obstructed by a truck scenario (p = 0.019 < 0.05). In general, even if only one vehicle was equipped with IVTLs, certain gain effects on the driving characteristics of both vehicles could still be provided.
Research on Cold Chain Logistics Transportation Scheme under Complex Conditional Constraints
Authors: Xu Bin , Sun Jie , Zhang Zhiming , Gu Rui
Published: May 2023

A mathematical model is proposed to minimize the sum of vehicle fixed cost, fuel cost, carbon-emission cost, cooling cost, time-penalty cost and split-compensation cost, on the basis of considering the three-level cold-chain-logistics network of manufacturer, distribution center, and seller. The model is constructed based on the constraints of customer time window, vehicle load, demand-splitable, and semi-open driving of multiple distribution centers. We to divide the customer areas according to geographical locations and to carry out the transportation processes in stages. The target solution, which includes vehicle routing, service time and type, cargo details, etc., has been formulated. A two-stage hybrid-heuristic-path-scheme solution algorithm that combines a taboo table, a genetic algorithm, an optimal-path-generation algorithm, a load-capacity-constraint algorithm, and a time-window-constraint algorithm is designed in view of the complexity of the model and the uniqueness of the solution scheme. This paper aims to reasonably plan the resource allocation of cold chain logistics enterprises, reduce the comprehensive cost of cold chain transportation, improve customer satisfaction, and respond to the green logistics policy advocated by the state by reducing vehicle transit time and fuel consumption, and promote energy conservation and emission reduction.
Sustainable Development Education for Training and Service Teachers Teaching Mathematics: A Systematic Review
Authors: Su Chia Shih , Díaz-Levicoy Danilo , Vásquez Claudia , Hsu Chuan Chih
Published: May 2023

This study conducted a systematic review following the guidelines of the PRISMA statement, with the aim of analyzing the scientific production on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in in-service and pre-service mathematics teachers. Out of 211 articles identified in the indexed databases, WOS, SCOPUS, and SciELO, 16 were selected for an exhaustive analysis. It was determined that this topic is still in the process of development, focusing on aspects such as learning content, pedagogy, and the learning environment. Most studies employed qualitative methodologies. Contextualization in sustainability is the most advanced competency. The results highlight the importance of continuing to investigate and develop effective strategies to integrate ESD in the continuous education and training of mathematics teachers. It is essential to address the development of competencies in ecological and mediational facets, ensure solid knowledge of mathematical content, employ adequate pedagogical strategies, and understand the relationship between the environment and mathematics. These findings offer insights into the prevailing trend of integrating ESD into mathematics education through ESD elements and didactic competencies, as evidenced by recent studies involving both practicing and pre-service teachers. This understanding may promote the enhancement of the quality of mathematics education practices within this domain.
Performance of Monofacial and Bifacial Silicon Heterojunction Modules under Desert Conditions and the Impact of PV Soiling
Authors: Abdallah Amir A. , Kivambe Maulid , Aïssa Brahim , Figgis Benjamin W.
Published: May 2023

The performance and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) modules in a desert climate depends, among other factors, on the solar irradiance, operating temperature, and soiling rate. Since the impacts of these environmental factors depend on the type of PV module technology, an assessment of the PV technology to be deployed in the desert climate is crucial for the bankability of PV projects. In this work, the indoor and outdoor performance of monofacial and bifacial silicon heterojunction PV module technologies were assessed. For the indoor measurements, a comparison of the current-voltage (IV) characteristics was performed at standard testing condition and at different temperatures. The two module technologies showed similar temperature coefficients and expected performance within the measurement uncertainty. Comparing the specific energy yield of the modules installed in the Outdoor Test Facility (OTF), the bifacial module showed a 15% higher energy yield than the monofacial module and is attributed to the contribution of the bifacial rear side, thanks to the reflected irradiance received by the bifacial module and the high albedo of 0.43 measured at the OTF. Moreover, the bifacial module was found to be less sensitive to the PV soiling than the monofacial module. The results showed that the frequency of module cleaning could be reduced for the bifacial module compared with the monofacial module, resulting in a remarkable decrease in the module cleaning cost and PV site Operation and Maintenance cost.
The Role of Information Sources on Tourist Behavior Post-Earthquake Disaster in Indonesia: A Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) Approach
Authors: Pahrudin Pahrudin , Hsieh Tsung-Hua , Liu Li-Wei , Wang Chia-Chun
Published: May 2023

The earthquake disaster has an impact on tourist visit intention. This study aims to investigate tourist behavior in the post-earthquake disaster linkage between information sources (word of mouth and electronic word of mouth) and risk perception toward tourists’ visit intentions to a destination in Indonesia. This study applies the SOR theory to predict tourists’ behavior in the destination aftermath. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model was used to examine the hypothesis of the study. The result found that information sources (electronic word of mouth and word of mouth) significantly influenced visit intention in the time of post-earthquake disaster. The risk perception has not significantly influenced visit intention in post-earthquake disasters. The discussion and conclusion of the study are discussed herein. Overall, the findings of the study may contribute to the theory by adding information sources to predict tourist behavior post-earthquake disaster and also gives a practical contribution to the tourism sector, stakeholders, tourism marketers, and policymakers in Indonesia to enhance the marketing strategy by considering destination promotion through word of mouth (offline) and electronic word of mouth (online) and its mechanism on tourists’ travel decision in the time of aftermath.
Profiling Consumers: Examination of Chinese Gen Z Consumers’ Sustainable Fashion Consumption
Authors: Zhang Yanbo , Liu Chuanlan , Lyu Yanru
Published: May 2023

The textile and apparel industry is widely recognized for its negative impact on the environment and society, and China is one of the largest fashion-consumption markets worldwide. There has been a growing awareness and effort to address these concerns in China, and Chinese Gen-Z consumers are playing a crucial role in shaping sustainable practices. This study aimed to identify and profile Gen-Z consumers with substantial engagement in sustainable fashion consumption in China. Data were collected from 292 Chinese Gen-Z adults from three major cities, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, using a convenience sampling strategy and the snowball approach. Cluster analysis was employed, and two groups were identified: passionate eco-conscious consumers and indifferent fashion consumers. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and the Crosstabs approach were utilized to examine the differences between the identified groups. The results revealed that passionate eco-conscious consumers valued classic design, high quality, and versatility, would like to pay more money for high-quality fashion clothing, and expressed their uniqueness through their fashion choices compared to indifferent fashion consumers. They actively sought sustainability knowledge and preferred supporting physical stores that sell second-hand clothing. Female Gen-Z consumers demonstrated a greater inclination towards sustainable fashion consumption in comparison to their male counterparts. A persona of Chinese Gen-Z consumers with high-level involvement in sustainable fashion consumption was created and presented for better marketing to Gen-Z consumers in China.
Regeneration of Panel Housing Estates from the Perspective of Thermal Technology, Sustainability and Environmental Context (Case Study of the City of Ostrava, Czech Republic)
Authors: Kubečková Darja
Published: May 2023

The future of panel housing estates is influenced by a number of factors. Although panel housing estates have seen their share of commentary and analysis from both supporters and de-tractors, there has been no comprehensive effort to explore the field of panel housing estates in terms of building thermal regeneration measures. This article focuses on the links between thermo-technical regeneration measures in panel housing estates, and the application of External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) and their impact on the urban environment of panel housing estates. The paper contains three main sections in which we (1) synthesize the literature, sources, building physics context, and assumptions for the occurrence of biodeterization in the facades of prefab residential housing located in housing estates; (2) compare the case studies and their results from the 2010–2021 field reconnaissance, in situ diagnostics, and laboratory analyses; and (3) identify/illustrate common features, the extent to which the quality of prefab residential housing located in housing estates with ETICS exterior surfaces is influenced by the environmental context, whereby we understand the whole process of the environmental assessment framework as an interrelated complexity of the interacting links between the environment, urban planning, architecture and construction sectors, supporting a holistic approach to the issue at hand. The results show that regeneration work, on the one hand, improves the urbanized environment and the energy potential of a housing estate; on the other hand, we encounter new manifestations of defects and disorders in the form of biodegradation of facades that we did not expect.
Super Typhoon Rai’s Impacts on Siargao Tourism: Deciphering Tourists’ Revisit Intentions through Machine-Learning Algorithms
Authors: Cahigas Maela Madel L. , Ong Ardvin Kester S. , Prasetyo Yogi Tri
Published: May 2023

Super Typhoon Rai damaged Siargao’s tourism industry. Despite the reconstruction projects, there was still evidence of limited resources, destructed infrastructures, and destroyed natural resources. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the significant factors influencing tourists’ intentions to revisit Siargao after Super Typhoon Rai using feature selection, logistic regression (LR), and an artificial neural network (ANN). It employed three feature-selection techniques, namely, the filter method’s permutation importance (PI), the wrapper method’s Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE), and the embedded method’s Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO). Each feature-selection technique was integrated into LR and the ANN. LASSO-ANN, with a 97.8146% model accuracy, was found to be the best machine-learning algorithm. The LASSO model performed at its best with a 0.0007 LASSO alpha value, resulting in 35 subfeatures and 8 primary features. LASSO subsets underwent the ANN model procedure, and the optimal parameter combination was 70% training size, 30% testing size, 30 hidden-layer nodes, tanh hidden-layer activation, sigmoid output-layer activation, and Adam optimization. All eight features were found to be significant. Among them, hedonic motivation and awareness of Typhoon Rai’s impact were considered the top-tier post-typhoon tourism factors, as they maintained at least 97% prediction accuracy. The findings could be elaborated by combining feature-selection techniques, utilizing demographic characteristics, assessing Siargao’s tourism before the typhoon, and expanding the context and participant selection. Nevertheless, none of the existing studies explored the combination of feature selection, LR, and ANNs in a post-typhoon tourism context. These unique methods and significant findings represent the study’s novelty. Furthermore, practical contributions were provided through economic resolutions focusing on tourism activities and communication revamping by the government, media outlets, and transportation companies.
Evaluation of Urban Ecological Environment Quality Based on Improved RSEI and Driving Factors Analysis
Authors: Chen Na , Cheng Gang , Yang Jie , Ding Huan , He Shi
Published: May 2023

Monitoring the quality of the urban ecological environment has become one of the important elements of promoting a sustainable urban development. The remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) provides a new research direction in urban ecological environment monitoring, combined with remote sensing. However, by using the principal component analysis method in RSEI, the calculation results are complicated and the workload is huge. To effectively assess the urban ecological environment, an improved remote sensing ecological index (IRSEI) was created to improve the ease of data use by using the entropy weighting method with spatiotemporal characteristics and seasonal variations. Furthermore, a geographically weighted regression model was used to quantify the impact of human activities on the urban ecological environment quality. The results showed that the IRSEI could provide a new method for monitoring the urban ecological environment quality, which makes the work easier while ensuring the validity of the results. It was concluded that (1) seasonal differences in the ecological quality of the study area were evident in the IRSEI model and the overall ecological environment quality of Jining City had been on an upward trend in the past 20 years; (2) the ecological quality in the study area was unevenly distributed spatially, with the southwestern part being better than the northeastern part, and the ecological grade being predominantly between moderate and good; and (3) the spatial aggregation effect of the IRSEI was increasing with time. The geographically weighted regression (GWR) revealed the influence of human activities on the ecological environment quality, among which economic level was positively related to ecological improvement, but the population density and night light index were negatively related to improvements in the ecological environment; road network density only showed a negative correlation in 2020. As Jining urbanizes, attention should be paid to protecting the built environment and population distribution.
Evaluating the Outcomes of Monetary and Fiscal Policies in the EU in Times of Crisis: A PLS-SEM Approach
Authors: Fedajev Aleksandra , Pantović Danijela , Milošević Isidora , Vesić Tamara , Jovanović Aleksandra , Radulescu Magdalena , Stefan Maria Cristina
Published: May 2023

The asymmetric level of integration within the European Union (EU) regarding membership in the European Monetary Union (EMU) has resulted in inconsistent responses to crises such as the Great Recession of 2007–2009 and the European sovereign debt crisis of 2010–2013. Furthermore, it has led to varying outcomes of monetary and fiscal policies implemented across EU countries. This paper aims to investigate the impact of monetary and fiscal policies on economic development and employment through the inflation channel in the EU between 2007 and 2015, using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that the outcomes of monetary policy have been mixed between EMU and non-EMU countries, resulting in different measures and negative spillover effects of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) policy on countries outside of the EMU. Meanwhile, the ability of fiscal policy to lower inflation and boost economic growth and employment has been limited, which means that the impact of fiscal policy on both economic development and employment and inflation has been minor. Based on the findings of this study, there should be better coordination of monetary and fiscal policies at the EU level to support the macroeconomic stability of the Union during times of crisis.
Supporting and Sustaining Equitable STEAM Activities in High School Classrooms: Understanding Computer Science Teachers’ Needs and Practices When Implementing an E-Textiles Curriculum to Forge Connections across Communities
Authors: Fields Deborah , Kafai Yasmin
Published: May 2023

While the last two decades have seen an increased interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) in K-12 schools, few efforts have focused on the teachers and teaching practices necessary to support these interventions. Even fewer have considered the important work that teachers carry out not just inside classrooms but beyond the classroom walls to sustain such STEAM implementation efforts, from interacting with administrators to recruiting students and persuading parents about the importance of arts and computer science. In order to understand teachers’ needs and practices regarding STEAM implementation, in this paper, we focus on eight experienced computer science teachers’ reflections on implementing a STEAM unit using electronic textiles, which combine crafting, circuit design, and coding so as to make wearable artifacts. We use a broad lens to examine the practices high school teachers employed not only in their classrooms but also in their schools and communities to keep these equitable learning opportunities going, from communicating with other teachers and admins to building a computer science (CS) teacher community across district and state lines. We also analyzed these reflections to understand teachers’ own social and emotional needs—needs important to staying in the field of CS education—better, as they are relevant to engaging with learning new content, applying new pedagogical skills, and obtaining materials and endorsements from their organizations to bring STEAM into their classrooms. In the discussion, we contemplate what teachers’ reported practices and needs say about supporting and sustaining equitable STEAM in classrooms.
Cold Ironing Implementation Overview in European Ports—Case Study—Croatian Ports
Authors: Glavinović Roko , Krčum Maja , Vukić Luka , Karin Ivan
Published: May 2023

Cold ironing technology, recognized as a tool to reduce emissions while ships are at berth, has been introduced in several European ports aligning with the international and European environmental and legal framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study aims to identify the prospects for cold ironing technology’s introduction into Croatian state-owned ports according to European sustainable conditions. The authors surveyed a group of port experts and stakeholders. Response analysis showed that the technology implementation in Croatian ports is feasible, but only 40% of state-owned ports currently dispose of a minimum electric connection power of more than 1 kV. Furthermore, the analysis showed that all surveyed experts confirmed a cold ironing technology application perspective in state-owned ports. Substantial investments and financing demands have to be concerned to achieve sustainable implementation. Significant efforts are still needed to overcome the challenges in the technology application requiring cooperation between stakeholders. The international legislative regulations implemented by the IMO insist on the safety of ships and people, respecting both the security of navigation at sea and overall operations in the port.
Carbon Emissions in Transportation: A Synthesis Framework
Authors: Ferrer Ana Luiza Carvalho , Thomé Antonio Márcio Tavares
Published: May 2023

With the growing concern worldwide regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their impacts on human health and the environment, transportation has become a central theme in their mitigation, responsible for 15% of anthropogenic GHG, 23% of global energy-related, and 8.7 Gt CO2-eq emissions. This study’s objective was to comprehensively review the current state of carbon mitigation in the transportation sector. This was conducted through a systematic literature review based on the multi-level perspective of socio-technical transition theory and structural contingency theory. In total, 30 review papers covering 3561 original articles were selected for full-text examination. The main findings were related to the fact that in order to build resilience against climate change, transportation services must adapt to the current scenario and act quickly to avert future changes. Enablers, barriers, benefits, disadvantages, and metrics in carbon emission reduction were identified. A comprehensive framework and a dynamic co-word analysis emphasised the interrelationships among the dimensions of sustainability transition in transportation. Important trade-offs among the transition dimensions are context-dependent and should be adapted to different countries and transport modes to succeed. The study sheds light on the need to investigate mitigation’s often-neglected consequences and disadvantages.
Key Practices for Incorporating Sustainability in Project Management from the Perspective of Brazilian Professionals
Authors: Ferrarez Ricardo P. F. , Valle Claudia G. B. do , Alvarenga Jeferson C. , Dias Fabricio da C. , Vasco Diego A. , Guedes André L. A. , Chinelli Christine K. , Haddad Assed N. , Soares Carlos A. P.
Published: May 2023

Project management has incorporated sustainability concepts, but their relationship is still widely discussed. In this article, we research key practices for incorporating sustainability in project management from the perspective of 919 Brazilian professionals with experience in the field. We used factor analysis to explore the relationship between 37 sustainability practices. The results showed that these sustainability practices can be grouped into five key practices: environmental efficiency, compliance, social responsibility, continuous improvement and lessons learned, and project success. We also used word clouds to highlight the main themes in the practices encompassed by each key practice. The results contribute to project leaders and other project management professionals directing their efforts toward improving sustainability actions related to these practices in project management processes.
Construction and Optimization Strategy of County Ecological Infrastructure Network Based on MCR and Gravity Model—A Case Study of Langzhong County in Sichuan Province
Authors: Feng Mao , Zhao Wanmin , Zhang Tao
Published: May 2023

Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization, there is a passive adaptation state shown in urban and rural ecological spaces. Due to the shrinking of ecological patches and the fracture of corridors, problems such as the obstruction of ecological processes, the decline of ecosystem services, and the loss of biodiversity occur. Considering that county ecological space is the key level to undertake provincial ecological security patterns and implement ecological demonstration projects, the construction of a county ecological infrastructure (EI) network is beneficial to the protection of regional ecological security, the improvement of the structures and functions of farmland ecosystems, and the enhancement of the quality of human settlements. In this study, taking Langzhong County in Sichuan Province as an example, a method path for an EI network construction was explored, and an optimization strategy for ecological patterns was proposed. Firstly, morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and a patch importance index were employed to identify ecological sources. Secondly, by constructing a landscape resistance surface and adopting a minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, potential EI corridor paths were extracted. Thirdly, the interaction force values between ecological sources were calculated with a gravity model and important ecological corridors were identified for priority protection and restoration. Finally, an EI corridor network was optimized by combining network structure indexes (α, β, and γ) with the field situation, and stepping stone patches and ecological breakpoints were identified. Based on the analysis results, an ecological protection pattern, which involved three vertical and two horizontal ecological belts, four ecological control zones, and six clusters of EI networks in Langzhong County, was put forward, aiming at protecting 50 ecological sources, repairing 105 ecological corridors of different grades, adding 9 stepping stone patches near long-distance corridors and 15 at the intersection of ecological corridors, and repairing 18 ecological breakpoints. This study has guiding significance for the optimization of county ecological patterns, the construction of farmland forest belts, and site selection of ecological restoration projects.
Design of an Automated Algorithm for Delimiting Land Use/Soil Valuation Classes as a Tool Supporting Data Processing in the Land Consolidation Procedure
Authors: Leń Przemysław , Maciąg Michał , Maciąg Klaudia
Published: May 2023

The consolidation of land to improve the agrarian structure and provide for sustainable rural development is a complex and multi-faceted process, and its efficiency depends on a considerable number of factors associated with its respective stages of desk studies and fieldwork. In order to ensure the highest-quality concepts and their efficient implementation, various measures are undertaken to improve, among other things, the methods for acquiring, collecting, and processing spatial data representing elements of reality saved in cadastral databases. There are a wide variety of available solutions oriented towards land consolidation improvement, but most of them refer to modifications that are difficult to implement due to, for instance, high costs, high technical requirements, and the absence of relevant legal regulations. Our study aimed to find a practical and applicable solution to a material problem in terms of land consolidation projects in Poland, a task associated with the necessity of converting cadastral database objects so that they were suitable for appraising the value of land, and designing new farmsteads based on the value of land held by particular participants of the land consolidation project. It involved the development and implementation of a self-designed algorithm for automated processing of auxiliary land-use/soil-valuation class objects into separate classes representing soil class contours and land use contours, in compliance with the current regulations governing the structure of the cadastre in Poland. The work resulted in the development of an innovative tool, making it possible, among other functions, to align object-generating methods as preferred by the administrator of the cadastral database. The designed algorithm model reduces data processing time to several seconds, while simultaneously eliminating the risk of error. The tool was thoroughly evaluated and then implemented at the Subcarpathian Office of Land Surveying and Agricultural Areas in Rzeszów, which is in charge of land consolidation projects in south-eastern Poland.
Time Optimal Feedback Control for 3D Navier–Stokes-Voigt Equations
Authors: Li Yunxiang , Bin Maojun , Shi Cuiyun
Published: May 2023

In this article, we discuss a time optimal feedback control for asymmetrical 3D Navier–Stokes–Voigt equations. Firstly, we consider the existence of the admissible trajectories for the asymmetrical 3D Navier–Stokes–Voigt equations by using the well-known Cesari property and the Fillippove’s theorem. Secondly, we study the existence result of a time optimal control for the feedback control systems. Lastly, asymmetrical Clarke’s subdifferential inclusions and asymmetrical 3D Navier–Stokes–Voigt differential variational inequalities are given to explain our main results.
Extended Exton’s Triple and Horn’s Double Hypergeometric Functions and Associated Bounding Inequalities
Authors: Parmar Rakesh Kumar , Choi Junesang , S. Saravanan
Published: May 2023

This paper introduces extensions H4,p and X8,p of Horn’s double hypergeometric function H4 and Exton’s triple hypergeometric function X8, taking into account recent extensions of Euler’s beta function, hypergeometric function, and confluent hypergeometric function. Among the numerous extended hypergeometric functions, the primary rationale for choosing H4 and X8 is their comparable extension type. Next, we present various integral representations of Euler and Laplace types, Mellin and inverse Mellin transforms, Laguerre polynomial representations, transformation formulae, and a recurrence relation for the extended functions. In particular, we provide a generating function for X8,p and several bounding inequalities for H4,p and X8,p. We explore the utilization of the H4,p function within a probability distribution. Most special functions, such as the generalized hypergeometric function, the Beta function, and the p-extended Beta integral, exhibit natural symmetry.
Coefficient Bounds for Symmetric Subclasses of q-Convolution-Related Analytical Functions
Authors: El-Deeb Sheza M. , Cotîrlă Luminita-Ioana
Published: May 2023

By using q-convolution, we determine the coefficient bounds for certain symmetric subclasses of analytic functions of complex order, which are introduced here by means of a certain non-homogeneous Cauchy–Euler-type differential equation of order m.
Real-Time Monitoring and Management of Hardware and Software Resources in Heterogeneous Computer Networks through an Integrated System Architecture
Authors: Aldea Constantin Lucian , Bocu Razvan , Solca Robert Nicolae
Published: May 2023

The theoretical and practical progress that has occurred in the field of computer networks during the past fifteen years has enhanced the economical efficiency and social relevance of related real-world use cases. Nevertheless, this ubiquitous usage has also introduced numerous security risks. Therefore, monitoring hardware and software resources represents one of the main instruments used in order to prevent potential attacks and to ensure the security and reliability of a network. Various solutions have been reported in the related scientific literature. In essence, most of the existing approaches are not suitable to implement a real-time hardware monitoring and management solution, particularly in heterogeneous networks. Therefore, the main contribution of this paper is represented by an architectural and implementational model, which is effective in order to build an interconnected system that can help system and network administrators to secure a network. This requirement is met by considering symmetrical design and implementation features related to various operating systems. Thus, the existing symmetrical relationships among identified parameters allow for the data to be wrapped into the same custom network packages, which are transported over the communication medium or are stored using the same data structures or tables. The system has been thoroughly assessed considering several real-world use case scenarios, and the results demonstrate that the proposed model can be applied to software-defined networks, which can be protected by relevant intrusion detection systems (IDS).
The Association between Internet Use and Depression Risk among Chinese Adults, Middle-Aged and Older, with Disabilities
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Li Anqi , Cui Niuniu , Guo Bin , Khan Hafiz T. A. , Zhang Lei
Published: May 2023

Background: Globally, nearly 15% of people suffer from various kinds of disabilities, and China has the largest disabled population in the world. The poor mental health status of people with disabilities has become an essential issue in most countries. The main aim of this study was to explore the potential impact of internet use on depression risk among middle-aged and older adults with different types of disabilities. Methods: The data used in this study were obtained from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) collected by Peking University. A binary logit model was used to analyze the impact of internet use on the depression risk among adults with disabilities, and the substitute variable method and the propensity score matching method were used to examine the robustness of the results. Results: (1) Internet use was negatively associated with depression risk among disabled people, and the higher the frequency of their internet use, the lower the probability of their depression risk. (2) Different social activities related to the internet had different impacts on the depression risk, and the decline in depression risk was mainly related to watching videos, watching news, and chatting via the internet. (3) Internet use reduced the depression risk of adults with physical disabilities, but had no impact on those with other types of disabilities. Conclusions: Our study suggests that internet use may have a positive spillover effect on decreasing the depression risk of disabled people, but the reduction effect is significantly affected by the social activities related to the internet and the types of disabilities.
Children Growing Up with Severe Disabilities as a Result of Snakebite Envenomations in Indigenous Villages of the Brazilian Amazon: Three Cases and Narratives
Authors: de Farias Altair Seabra , Cristino Joseir Saturnino , da Costa Arévalo Macio , Carneiro Junior Alceonir , Gomes Filho Manoel Rodrigues , Ambrosio Sediel Andrade , Nickenig Vissoci João , Wen Fan Hui , Azevedo Machado Vinícius , Sachett Jacqueline , Monteiro Wuelton
Published: May 2023

Snakebites are a major public health problem in the Brazilian Amazon and may lead to local complications and physical deficiencies. Access to antivenom treatment is poorer in indigenous populations compared to other populations. In this study, we report three cases of long-term severe disabilities as a result of Bothrops atrox snakebites in indigenous children, according to the narratives of the parents. The three cases evolved to compartment syndrome, secondary bacterial infection and extensive necrosis. The cases are associated with delayed antivenom treatment due to very fragmented therapeutic itineraries, which are marked by several changes in means of transport along the route. The loss of autonomy at such an early stage of life due to a disability caused by a snakebite, as observed in this study, may deprive children of sensory and social experiences and of learning their future roles in the community. In common to all cases, there was precarious access to rehabilitation services, which are generally centralized in the state capital, and which leads to a prolonged hospitalization of patients with severe snakebite, and distances them from their territory and family and community ties. Prospective studies should be conducted in the Amazon that estimate the burden of disabilities from snakebites in order to formulate public policies for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients through culturally tailored interventions.
Viral Co-Infections and Antiviral Immunity in Honey Bees
Authors: Durand Tristan , Bonjour-Dalmon Anne , Dubois Eric
Published: May 2023

Over the past few decades, honey bees have been facing an increasing number of stressors. Beyond individual stress factors, the synergies between them have been identified as a key factor in the observed increase in colony mortality. However, these interactions are numerous and complex and call for further research. Here, in line with our need for a systemic understanding of the threats that they pose to bee health, we review the interactions between honey bee viruses. As viruses are obligate parasites, the interactions between them not only depend on the viruses themselves but also on the immune responses of honey bees. Thus, we first summarise our current knowledge of the antiviral immunity of honey bees. We then review the interactions between specific pathogenic viruses and their interactions with their host. Finally, we draw hypotheses from the current literature and suggest directions for future research.
African Swine Fever Virus Interaction with Host Innate Immune Factors
Authors: Afe Ayoola Ebenezer , Shen Zhao-Ji , Guo Xiaorong , Zhou Rong , Li Kui
Published: May 2023

African swine fever virus (ASFV) adversely affects pig farming owing to its 100% mortality rate. The condition is marked by elevated body temperature, bleeding, and ataxia in domestic pigs, whereas warthogs and ticks remain asymptomatic despite being natural reservoirs for the virus. Breeding ASFV-resistant pigs is a promising solution for eradicating this disease. ASFV employs several mechanisms to deplete the host antiviral response. This review explores the interaction of ASFV proteins with innate host immunity and the various types of machinery encompassed by viral proteins that inhibit and induce different signaling pathways, such as cGAS-STING, NF-κB, Tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β), ubiquitination, viral inhibition of apoptosis, and resistance to ASFV infection. Prospects for developing a domestic pig that is resistant to ASFV are also discussed.
Global Population Structure of Apple Mosaic Virus (ApMV, Genus Ilarvirus)
Authors: Çelik Ali , Morca Ali Ferhan , Coşkan Sevgi , Santosa Adyatma Irawan
Published: May 2023

The gene sequence data for apple mosaic virus (ApMV) in NCBI GenBank were analyzed to determine the phylogeny and population structure of the virus at a global level. The phylogenies of the movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP) genes, encoded by RNA3, were shown to be identical and consisted of three lineages but did not closely correlate with those of P1 and P2, suggesting the presence of recombinant isolates. Recombination Detection Program (RDP v.4.56) detected significant recombination signal in the P1 region of K75R1 (KY883318) and Apple (HE574162) and the P2 region of Apple (HE574163) and CITH GD (MN822138). Observation on several diversity parameters suggested that the isolates in group 3 had higher divergence among them, compared to isolates in groups 1 and 2. The neutrality tests assigned positive values to P1, indicating that only this region experiencing balanced or contracting selection. Comparisons of the three phylogroups demonstrated high Fixation index (FST) values and confirmed genetic separation and the lack of gene flow among them. Additionally, ±500 bp of partial MP + ‘intergenic region’ + partial CP coding regions of two Turkish isolates from apple and seven from hazelnut were sequenced and determined that their phylogenetic positions fell within group 1 and 3, respectively.
Transcriptomic Analysis of mRNA Expression Profiles in the Microglia of Mouse Brains Infected with Rabies Viruses of Varying Virulence
Authors: Liu Jundan , Li Wangchang , Yu Dongling , Jin Rong , Hou Hualin , Ling Xiaoqing , Kiflu Abraha Bahlbi , Wei Xiankai , Yang Xiaogan , Li Xiaoning , He Yongming , Luo Ting Rong
Published: May 2023

Rabies is a lethal encephalitis caused by the rabies virus (RABV) with a fatality rate near 100% after the onset of clinical symptoms in humans and animals. Microglia are resident immune cells in the central nervous system. Few studies have been conducted on the functional role of microglia in RABV infection. Here, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of mRNA expression profiles in the microglia of mouse brains intracerebrally infected with RABV. We successfully isolated single microglial cells from the mouse brains. The survival rate of dissociated microglial cells was 81.91%–96.7%, and the purity was 88.3%. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 22,079 differentially expressed mRNAs identified in the microglia of mouse brains infected with RABV strains (rRC-HL, GX074, and CVS-24) of varying virulence at 4 and 7 days post-infection (dpi) compared to the control group. The numbers of DEGs versus the control at 4 and 7 dpi in mice infected with rRC-HL, GX074, and CVS-24 were 3622 and 4590, 265 and 4901, and 4079 and 6337. The GO enrichment analysis showed that response to stress, response to external stimulus, regulation of response to stimulus, and immune system process were abundant during RABV infection. The KEGG analysis indicated that the Tlr, Tnf, RIG-I, NOD, NF-κB, MAPK, and Jak-STAT signaling pathways were involved in RABV infection at both 4 and 7 dpi. However, some phagocytosis and cell signal transduction processes, such as endocytosis, p53, phospholipase D, and oxidative phosphorylation signaling pathways, were only expressed at 7 dpi. The involvement of the Tnf and Tlr signaling pathways prompted us to construct a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of these pathways. The PPI revealed 8 DEGs, including Mmp9, Jun, Pik3r1, and Mapk12. Notably, Il-1b interacted with Tnf and Il-6 with combined scores of 0.973 and 0.981, respectively. RABV causes significant changes in mRNA expression profiles in the microglia in mice. 22,079 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified in the microglia of mice infected with RABV strains of varying virulence at 4 and 7 dpi. The DEGs were evaluated using GO, KEGG, and PPI network analysis. Many immune pathways were up-regulated in RABV-infected groups. The findings will help elucidate the microglial molecular mechanisms of cellular metabolism dysregulated by RABV and may provide important information for investigating RABV pathogenesis and therapeutic methods.
Influence of Increased Freshwater Inflow on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Budgets in a Dynamic Subtropical Estuary, Barataria Basin, Louisiana
Authors: Jung Hoonshin , Nuttle William , Baustian Melissa M. , Carruthers Tim
Published: May 2023

Coastal Louisiana is currently experiencing high rates of wetland loss and large-scale ecosystem restoration is being implemented. One of the largest and most novel restoration projects is a controlled sediment diversion, proposed to rebuild and sustain wetlands by diverting sediment- and nutrient-rich water from the Mississippi River. However, the impact of this proposed sediment diversion on the nutrient budget of the receiving basin is largely unknown. A water quality model was developed to investigate the impact of the planned Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion on the nutrient budget of the Barataria Basin (herein referred to as ‘the Basin’). The model results indicate that the planned diversion will increase TN and TP pools by about 38% and 17%, respectively, even with TN and TP loadings that increase by >300%. Water quality model results suggest that the increase of nutrients in the basin will be mitigated by increased advection transport (i.e., decreased residence time from ~170 days to ~40 days, leading to greater flushing) and increased removal via assimilation, denitrification, and settling within the Basin. Advection transport resulted in higher TN removal in the Basin than other processes, such as uptake or denitrification. Approximately 25% of the additional TN loading and 30% of the additional TP loading were processed within the Basin through the assimilation of phytoplankton and wetland vegetation, denitrification, and burial in the sediment/soils. These nutrient budgets help to better understand how the planned large-scale sediment diversion project may change the future ecological conditions within the estuaries of coastal Louisiana and near-shore northern Gulf of Mexico.