bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiobjective-Based Decision-Making for the Optimization of an Urban Passenger Traffic System Structure
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Song Yajing , Zhou Ge , Song Ziwen , Xi Cong
Published: September 2023

Urbanization has aggravated the conflict between continuously increasing urban travel demands and limited supply. Moreover, the inability to expand urban roads due to previous land planning and utilization has resulted in significant traffic congestion, traffic safety issues, and environmental problems. To address these problems, this work attempted to develop a multiobjective model to optimize the passenger traffic system while considering carbon emissions, transport costs, and resource utilization. In addition, the ideal point method and entropy weight method were combined to obtain the optimal solution. Based on the operational data on traffic modes and travel data on passengers in Harbin, the northern capital of China, the proposed method was used to solve the case in Harbin. The results show that the proportion of buses increased by 1.05%, that of subways increased by 36.60%, that of taxis decreased by 11.86%, and that of private cars decreased by 25.78% after optimization. Furthermore, the analyses of the results show that the optimized passenger traffic system structure can promote the sustainable development of urban transport and demonstrate the practicality of the proposed method for solving multiobjective optimization problems. Relative to the ideal point method and genetic algorithm, the proposed method is more applicable for optimizing the passenger traffic structure in Harbin. In addition, this study explored the sensitivity of the optimization goals to the four motorized modes. The results show that subways and private cars are the key areas to prioritize in adjusting the urban passenger traffic system structure. Based on the analysis results, recommendations for the development of transportation in Harbin are given. This study provides a reference for decision-makers to formulate policies for the urban sustainable development of Harbin as well as for transportation development in other cities.
Revealing the Governance Dynamics of the Coffee Chain in Colombia: A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Samoggia Antonella , Fantini Andrea
Published: September 2023

Coffee is one of the most highly traded commodities in global markets. However, the coffee sector experiences significant value chain asymmetries and inequalities, both at the local and global levels. While market instruments may address these imbalances, there is an increasing recognition of the need for governance models that ensure fairness throughout the coffee supply chains, from agricultural production to the roasting and consumption of coffee. This article aims to provide a state-of-the-art review and analysis of research studies on governance dynamics within the coffee chain in Colombia. Colombia is a key coffee-producing country at the global level, with relevant coffee chain governance features. The review encompasses articles published from 2008 to 2023, a period that coincides with significant political and economic transformations in Colombia. The analysis and discussion of the findings highlight key issues and insights for further research to identify potential strategies promoting equity and sustainability within Colombian coffee chain governance.
Tropically Adapted Passive Building: A Descriptive-Analytical Approach Using Multiple Linear Regression and Probability Models to Predict Indoor Temperature
Authors: Salleh Siti Fatihah , Suleiman Ahmad Abubakar , Daud Hanita , Othman Mahmod , Sokkalingam Rajalingam , Wagner Karl
Published: September 2023

The quest for energy efficiency in buildings has placed a demand for designing and modeling energy-efficient buildings. In this study, the thermal energy performance of a tropically adapted passive building was investigated in the warm tropical climate of Malaysia. Two mock-up buildings were built to represent a “green”, made of clay brick double-glazed passive building and a conventional, made of concrete “red” building. The mean indoor temperature of the passive building was found to be always lower than that of the red building throughout the experiment during different weather constellations. Our research builds upon existing work in the field by combining multiple linear regression models and distribution models to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting the indoor temperature of a building. The results from the fitted multiple linear regression models indicate that walls and windows are critical components that considerably influence the indoor temperature of both passive buildings and red buildings, with the exception of passive buildings during the hot season, where the roof has a greater influence than the window. Furthermore, the goodness-of-fit test results of the mean indoor temperature revealed that the Fréchet and Logistic probability models fitted the experimental data in both cold and hot seasons. It is intended that the findings of this study would help tropical countries to devise comfortable, cost-effective passive buildings that are green and energy efficient to mitigate global warming.
Urban Comprehensive Carrying Capacity and Urbanization in Northeast China
Authors: Ren Wanxia , Xue Bing , Xie Xiao , Zhao Bingyu , Li Jingzhong , Han Bin
Published: September 2023

The scientific evaluation and identification of the relationship between urban comprehensive carrying capacity and urbanization in Northeast China, a famous old industrial base, is an important basis for realizing the overall revitalization of the region. Using a panel data set of 34 prefecture-level cities in Northeast China from 2003 to 2019, this study constructs an ordinary panel data model to identify the relationship between urban comprehensive carrying capacity and urbanization. The results show that urbanization has significantly positive effects on urban comprehensive carrying capacity, and there is a significant inverted U-shaped curve relationship between urban comprehensive carrying capacity and comprehensive urbanization in Northeast China, especially in the shrinking cites. In addition, the economic urbanization variables of the fixed-asset investment, the total retail sales of social consumer goods, and the social urbanization variable of internet users play significantly important roles in forming of the inverted U-shaped curve relationship with the urban comprehensive carrying capacity of the shrinking cities in Northeast China. Hence, innovation-driven economic regrowth, promoting equalization of basic public services, alleviating talent outflow, and strengthening the leading roles of the core cities are effective measures for improving urban comprehensive carrying capacity and urbanization quality in Northeast China.
Organizational Health Behavior Index (OHBI): A Tool for Measuring Organizational Health
Authors: Jaafari Muath , Alzuman Abad , Ali Zaiba , Tantry Ansarullah , Ali Rahila
Published: September 2023

Organizational health helps companies achieve their goals, gain a competitive edge, and boost employee engagement and well-being by determining a company’s ability to establish, communicate, and implement a unified business strategy while retaining highly engaged employees. The current study aimed to develop and validate an original two-subscale measure that evaluates organizational health behavior determinants, including a quantitative 5-point Likert-type “Subscale A” of 16 items in 5 dimensions (awareness, appreciation, relations, employee engagement, and internal communication) and a qualitative “Subscale B” of 10 items in 3 dimensions (employee persona, organizational culture, and employee voice) called the Organization Health Behavior Index (OHBI). The combination of the two methodologies enhances the study’s credibility, validity, and applicability, as well as its contribution to the field of organizational health behavior research. Furthermore, the study included three sample groups and a sample of 3510 respondents from five sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: agriculture, education, government, health, and logistics. This research includes various stages in the development and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the OHBI. These stages include conducting reliability analysis, performing exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and finalizing the scale. The model’s fit indices, such as the chi-squared test, comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker–Lewis index (TLI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR), collectively demonstrated a favorable fit for the model. The findings presented in this study offer support for the reliability and validity of the OHBI scale. The OHBI scale comprehensively encompasses the necessary psychometric properties related to its construction and validation, thereby establishing its validity and reliability as a robust measure of organizational health behavior. The OHBI can help create an environment at work that boosts productivity, engagement, and retention. Organizations can compare their health behavior ratings to industry standards or best practices using the index.
The influence of Socio-Psychological Factors on Residents’ Willingness to Practice Sustainable Waste Handling in Dammam City, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Labib Ossama Ahmed , Abd Manaf Latifah Binti , Bin Sharaai Amir Hamzah , Zaid Siti Sarah Binti Mohamad , Khalil Muhammed Salisu
Published: September 2023

An increase in solid waste production may affect sustainable solid waste handling practices such as indirect disposal and sanitary landfilling. The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of Dammam residents’ participation in sorting and recycling by comparing sustainable waste handling practices from different income level groups according to family income levels to determine the impacts of independent variables on the willingness of residents to participate in sustainable waste handling practices. There was a statistically significant difference between low and high levels of awareness and perceived behavior control in Dammam City households’ willingness to sort waste and recycle; however, at the middle level, there was only a significant difference in perceived behavior control. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference between high and middle levels in government facilitators regarding sorting and recycling willingness in Dammam City. The descriptive analysis comprised 450 participants (37.8%) in middle levels, (44.2%), high levels, and (18%) low levels. The results of the participants’ attitudes consisted of sorting (57.1%) and recycling (55.1%), as well as awareness (46.9%) and sorting and recycling (47.1%) in high-income levels. In perceived behavior control, the participants’ results were 47.7% for sorting and 49.6% for recycling in the middle level. Regarding, MI, SI, and GF, the participants’ results in the high-income levels were greater than the others (44.2%, 51.1%, and 57.1%, respectively) toward sorting and recycling. Only awareness between low-income and high-income groups and between the middle-income and high-income groups was significant; therefore, it was supported in some instances and not in others.
Structural Characteristics of Intergovernmental Water Pollution Control Cooperation Networks Using Social Network Analysis and GIS in Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration, China
Authors: Lin Jiangyang , Tian Yuanhong , Yao Qian , Shi Yong
Published: September 2023

Water pollution exhibits distinct negative externalities, necessitating trans-regional collaborative governance among basin governments. However, few studies have examined the structural features of water pollution collaboration networks among local governments in China from a spatial analysis perspective. This study focuses on 27 central cities in the Yangtze River Delta, collecting 109 policy texts and evidence of cooperative actions on water pollution governance among these cities. By utilizing a combination of social network analysis and GIS spatial analysis, the research visualizes the results and delves into the overall structure and internal features of the network. The results indicate that the density of the water pollution cooperation network is 0.75, suggesting that a relatively stable and closely connected network for collaborative governance of water pollution has been formed. Furthermore, the water pollution cooperation in the Yangtze River Delta exhibits a typical “multi-center” network structure, with Shanghai–Suzhou, Nanjing, and Hangzhou as the core, forming three city clusters with tighter cooperation. Suzhou, Shanghai, and Jiaxing have the highest degree of centrality, which are 51, 46, and 44, respectively. The analysis of degree centrality reveals that cities with higher levels of economic development or those that serve as provincial capitals often play a leading role in the cooperation network. The study also observes that adjacent cities or local governments closer to the core cities are more likely to establish cooperative relationships; this phenomenon is not limited by provincial administrative boundaries.
A Systematic Review of Factors Influencing Signage Salience in Indoor Environments
Authors: Li Chuancheng , Guo Haixu , Yin Mengya , Zhou Xilin , Zhang Xinshuang , Ji Qunfeng
Published: September 2023

Wayfinding signage is an intermediary public facility that coordinates the relationship between space and people, and it is crucial to help people find their way in complex indoor environments. In people’s cognitive behaviour towards wayfinding signs, the visual salience of the signs is the prerequisite and key to ensuring their effective operation. This paper aims to review published research articles on the effect of indoor environments on the saliency of wayfinding signs. The literature review was conducted by PICO methodology to formulate the research question and develop search strategies. Relevant research articles were identified by systematically searching electronic databases, including Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, and EBSCO. This paper summarises two categories of factors influencing signage salience: (1) floor plan factors and (2) environmental factors. This study examined and condensed the attributes of wayfinding signage and their impact on how pedestrians perceive visuals while navigating. Exploring the elements that influence the visual prominence of indoor signs enhances our comprehension of how pedestrians engage with visually guided information indoors. Furthermore, this offers a theoretical foundation for the realm of indoor wayfinding.
Ecotourism Development in the Russian Areas under Nature Protection
Authors: Maksanova Lyudmila , Bardakhanova Taisiya , Budaeva Darima , Mikheeva Anna , Lubsanova Natalia , Sharaldaeva Victoria , Eremko Zinaida , Andreeva Alyona , Ayusheeva Svetlana , Khrebtova Tatyana
Published: September 2023

The subject of this study is the Russian areas where the use of natural resources is restricted, and economic activities must be developed with due regard for the need to protect natural ecosystems from harmful human impacts. Areas under nature protection, particularly national parks, also fall into this category and make an important contribution to nature conservation. They are also the basis for the development of ecotourism, as in other parts of the world. Russia, along with other countries, adheres to a variety of concepts and tools for the development of ecotourism in PAs. In this paper, we examine the essential characteristics and implementation domains of state policy for promoting ecotourism development, using the Zabaikalsky National Park (ZNP) and the Tunkinsky National Park (TNP) as illustrative examples. Both parks are situated in the Lake Baikal basin. In this study, we rely on theoretical and practical approaches, and legislative and regulatory documents on the development of PAs and ecotourism. The analytical framework employed in this study encompasses eight fundamental areas of operation for national parks, specifically regarding the establishment of favorable conditions for ecotourism. Our information sources comprise official state reports, documents, and materials pertaining to the studied parks, as well as data obtained from expedition research, GPS tracks, and photo-sharing websites (social networks). Our findings show that efforts are being made in the parks to create favorable conditions for ecotourism development. These efforts include improving management practices, implementing functional zoning strategies, developing conceptual and design solutions, developing infrastructure, securing funding, engaging local communities, and promoting ecotourism services. Furthermore, our analysis has identified both strengths and weaknesses in the parks’ approaches to ecotourism development (attracting private investment, infrastructure and staffing, monitoring of recreational impact). The TNP, being larger in size and better developed economically, has a more significant social and economic impact on people than the ZNP. The two studied parks demonstrate the implementation of the federal agenda for the development of ecotourism in national parks. It is important to remember that the positive effects of ecotourism initiatives in national parks can take time to materialize and require ongoing monitoring and evaluation. Documenting the parks’ progress toward sustainable ecotourism as an acceptable type of economic activity in PAs can help identify successful strategies and areas for improvement, which contributes to biodiversity conservation and the well-being of local communities.
Learning Analytics in Supporting Student Agency: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hooshyar Danial , Tammets Kairit , Ley Tobias , Aus Kati , Kollom Kaire
Published: September 2023

Student agency, or agency for learning, refers to an individual’s ability to act and cause changes during the learning process. Recently, learning analytics (LA) has demonstrated its potential in promoting agency, as it enables students to take an active role in their learning process and supports the development of their self-regulatory skills. Despite the growing interest and potential for supporting student agency, there have yet to be any studies reviewing the extant works dealing with the use of LA in supporting student agency. We systematically reviewed the existing related works in eight major international databases and identified 15 articles. Analysis of these articles revealed that most of the studies aimed to investigate student or educators’ agency experiences, propose design principles for LA, and to a lesser extent, develop LA methods/dashboards to support agency. Of those studies developing LA, none initially explored student agency experiences and then utilized their findings to develop evidence-based LA methods and dashboards for supporting student agency. Moreover, we found that the included articles largely rely on descriptive and diagnostic analytics, paying less attention to predictive analytics and completely overlooking the potential of prescriptive learning analytics in supporting agency. Our findings also shed light on nine key design elements for effective LA support of student agency, including customization, decision-making support, consideration of transparency and privacy, and facilitation of co-design. Surprisingly, we found that no studies have considered the use of LA to support student agency in K–12 education, while higher education has been the focal point of the LA community. Finally, we highlighted the fields of study and data visualization types that the studies mostly targeted and, more importantly, identified eight crucial challenges facing LA in its support of student agency.
Landscape Performance: Farmer Interactions across Spatial Scales
Authors: Strauser John , Stewart William P.
Published: September 2023

Agricultural lands in the north-central United States represent some of the most uniform and non-sustainable landscapes in human history. The conformity in land-use practices reflects a broad social agreement, albeit unspoken, of having an influence on agricultural practices and is referred to as a normative landscape. Implementing conservation agricultural practices requires engaging such social agreements in ways that question and disrupt them. By using a mixed methods approach to support the application of the influence of a normative landscape, this study examines two research questions: (1) How do regionally normative landscapes influence site-based farming practices? And (2) To what extent do aspects (i.e., crop areas, buffer areas, and living areas) of individual farms contribute to the development of those regionally normative landscape meanings? When examining the first research question, an analysis of 21 interviews with farmers in Wisconsin and Illinois’ Driftless Region revealed two recurrent themes: “road farming” was a common way in which farmers communicated with each other about farm practices, and land-based learning events were opportunities to foster dialogue about farming activities that shape normative ideals. The results from the thematic analysis connect site-based farming practices within a broader regional context. A quantitative analysis of a survey of 82 farmers in the same region indicates that social agreement to evaluate the farming practices of others is strongest for crop areas. Our findings suggest that farmers and professionals wanting to improve conservation outcomes should use local events that reflect sustainable practices to disrupt and re-envision regional norms to spread conservation farming practices.
Improved Deep Reinforcement Learning for Intelligent Traffic Signal Control Using ECA_LSTM Network
Authors: Zai Wenjiao , Yang Dan
Published: September 2023

Reinforcement learning is one of the most widely used methods for traffic signal control, but the method experiences issues with state information explosion, inadequate adaptability to special scenarios, and low security. Therefore, this paper proposes a traffic signal control method based on the efficient channel attention mechanism (ECA-NET), long short-term memory (LSTM), and double Dueling deep Q-network (D3QN), which is EL_D3QN. Firstly, the ECA-NET and LSTM module are included in order to lessen the state space’s design complexity, improve the model’s robustness, and adapt to various emergent scenarios. As a result, the cumulative reward is improved by 27.9%, and the average queue length, average waiting time, and CO2 emissions are decreased by 15.8%, 22.6%, and 4.1%, respectively. Next, the dynamic phase interval tgap is employed to enable the model to handle more traffic conditions. Its cumulative reward is increased by 34.2%, and the average queue length, average waiting time, and CO2 emissions are reduced by 19.8%, 30.1%, and 5.6%. Finally, experiments are carried out using various vehicle circumstances and unique scenarios. In a complex environment, EL_D3QN reduces the average queue length, average waiting time, and CO2 emissions by at least 13.2%, 20.2%, and 3.2% compared to the four existing methods. EL_D3QN also exhibits good generalization and control performance when exposed to the traffic scenarios of unequal stability and equal stability. Furthermore, even when dealing with unique events like a traffic surge, EL_D3QN maintains significant robustness.
The Design of an Intelligent Lightweight Stock Trading System Using Deep Learning Models: Employing Technical Analysis Methods
Authors: Yu SeongJae , Yang Sung-Byung , Yoon Sang-Hyeak
Published: September 2023

Individual investors often struggle to predict stock prices due to the limitations imposed by the computational capacities of personal laptop Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) when running intensive deep learning models. This study proposes solving these GPU constraints by integrating deep learning models with technical analysis methods. This integration significantly reduces analysis time and equips individual investors with the ability to identify stocks that may yield potential gains or losses in an efficient manner. Thus, a comprehensive buy and sell algorithm, compatible with average laptop GPU performance, is introduced in this study. This algorithm offers a lightweight analysis method that emphasizes factors identified by technical analysis methods, thereby providing a more accessible and efficient approach for individual investors. To evaluate the efficacy of this approach, we assessed the performance of eight deep learning models: long short-term memory (LSTM), a convolutional neural network (CNN), bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM), CNN Attention, a bidirectional gated recurrent unit (BiGRU) CNN BiLSTM Attention, BiLSTM Attention CNN, CNN BiLSTM Attention, and CNN Attention BiLSTM. These models were used to predict stock prices for Samsung Electronics and Celltrion Healthcare. The CNN Attention BiLSTM model displayed superior performance among these models, with the lowest validation mean absolute error value. In addition, an experiment was conducted using WandB Sweep to determine the optimal hyperparameters for four individual hybrid models. These optimal parameters were then implemented in each model to validate their back-testing rate of return. The CNN Attention BiLSTM hybrid model emerged as the highest-performing model, achieving an approximate rate of return of 5 percent. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the performance of various deep learning and hybrid models in predicting stock prices. These findings can assist individual investors in selecting appropriate models that align with their investment strategies, thereby increasing their likelihood of success in the stock market.
RETRACTED: Assessment Capacity of the Armeo® Power: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Galeoto Giovanni , Berardi Anna , Mangone Massimiliano , Tufo Leonardo , Silvani Martina , González-Bernal Jerónimo , Seco-Calvo Jesús
Published: September 2023

The use of robotics in rehabilitating motor functions has increased exponentially in recent decades. One of the most used robotic tools is undoubtedly the Armeo® Power, which has proved to have excellent qualities as a rehabilitation tool. However, none of these studies has investigated the ability of Armeo® Power to assess the upper limb by correlating the data resulting from the software with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The present study aims to evaluate the variability between the standardized PROMs, Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS), Fugl–Meyer upper limb assessment (FMA-UL), and the Armeo® Power measurements. To evaluate the correlation between SULCS and FMA-UL and the strength and joint assessments obtained with the Armeo® Power, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used. A total of 102 stroke survivors were included in this cross-sectional study, and all participants finished the study. The results showed many statistically significant correlations between PROM items and Armeo® Power data. In conclusion, from this study, it can be stated that Armeo® Power, based on the analysis of the data collected, can be an objective evaluation tool, which can be combined with the operator-employee traditional evaluation techniques, especially when compared to a patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).
Effects of BPA Exposure and Recovery on the Expression of Genes Involved in the Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in Male Mice
Authors: Li Changqing , Shen Nan , Yang Shaohua , Wang Hui-Li
Published: September 2023

Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) has led to an increased risk of obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLDs). However, it is as yet unclear if the damage caused by BPA is able to be repaired sufficiently after exposure has ceased. Therefore, this project aims to investigate the effects of BPA on the hepatic lipid metabolism function and its potential mechanisms in mice by comparing the BPA exposure model and the BPA exposure + cessation of drug treatment model. Herein, the male C57BL/6 mice were exposed in the dose of 50 μg/kg/day and 500 μg/kg/day BPA for 8 weeks, and then transferred to a standard chow diet for another 8 weeks to recover. Based on our previous RNA-seq study, we examined the expression patterns of some key genes. The results showed that the mice exposed to BPA manifested NAFLD features. Importantly, we also found that there was a significant expression reversion for SCD1, APOD, ANGPT4, PPARβ, LPL and G0S2 between the exposure and recovery groups, especially for SCD1 and APOD (p < 0.01). Notably, BPA could significantly decrease the level of APOD protein (p < 0.01) whereas there was an extremely significant increase after the exposure ceased. Meanwhile, APOD over-expression suppressed TG accumulation in the AML12 cells. In conclusion, the damage caused by BPA is able to be repaired by the upregulation of APOD and exposure to BPA should be carefully examined in chronic liver metabolic disorders or diseases.
Forecast of Fine Particles in Chengdu under Autumn–Winter Synoptic Conditions
Authors: Yang Jingchao , Wang Ge , Zhang Chao
Published: September 2023

We conducted an evaluation of the impact of meteorological factor forecasts on the prediction of fine particles in Chengdu, China, during autumn and winter, utilizing the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST)733 objective weather classification software and the Community Multiscale Air Quality model. This analysis was performed under four prevailing weather patterns. Fine particle pollution tended to occur under high-pressure rear, homogeneous-pressure, and low-pressure conditions; by contrast, fine particle concentrations were lower under high-pressure bottom conditions. The forecasts of fine particle concentrations were more accurate under high-pressure bottom conditions than under high-pressure rear and homogeneous-pressure conditions. Moreover, under all conditions, the 24 h forecast of fine particle concentrations were more accurate than the 48 and 72 h forecasts. Regarding meteorological factors, forecasts of 2 m relative humidity and 10 m wind speed were more accurate under high-pressure bottom conditions than high-pressure rear and homogeneous-pressure conditions. Moreover, 2 m relative humidity and 10 m wind speed were important factors for forecasting fine particles, whereas 2 m air temperature was not. Finally, the 24 h forecasts of meteorological factors were more accurate than the 48 and 72 h forecasts, consistent with the forecasting of fine particles.
Procedure for Handling and Storage of Onchocerca volvulus Microfilariae Obtained from Skin Snips for Downstream Genetic Work
Authors: Hedtke Shannon M. , Kode Anusha , Ukety Tony O. , Mande Jöel L. , Abhafule Germain M. , Raciu Anuarite A. , Uvon Claude B. , Jada Stephen R. , Hotterbeekx An , Siewe Fodjo Joseph Nelson , Mitreva Makedonka , Sebit Wilson , Colebunders Robert , Grant Warwick N. , Kuesel Annette C.
Published: September 2023

WHO and endemic countries target elimination of transmission of Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite causing onchocerciasis. Population genetic analysis of O. volvulus may provide data to improve the evidence base for decisions on when, where, and for how long to deploy which interventions and post-intervention surveillance to achieve elimination. Development of necessary methods and tools requires parasites suitable for genetic analysis. Based on our experience with microfilariae obtained from different collaborators, we developed a microfilariae transfer procedure for large-scale studies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) comparing safety and efficacy of ivermectin, the mainstay of current onchocerciasis elimination strategies, and moxidectin, a new drug. This procedure is designed to increase the percentage of microfilariae in skin snips suitable for genetic analysis, improve assignment to metadata, and minimize time and materials needed by the researchers collecting the microfilariae. Among 664 microfilariae from South Sudan, 35.7% and 39.5% failed the mitochondrial and nuclear qPCR assay. Among the 576 microfilariae from DRC, 16.0% and 16.7% failed these assays, respectively. This difference may not only be related to the microfilariae transfer procedure but also to other factors, notably the ethanol concentration in the tubes in which microfilariae were stored (64% vs. ≥75%).
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Polish Pediatric Patients from an Expert Perspective
Authors: Borszewska-Kornacka Maria K. , Mastalerz-Migas Agnieszka , Nitsch-Osuch Aneta , Jackowska Teresa , Paradowska-Stankiewicz Iwona , Kuchar Ernest , Mazela Jan , Helwich Ewa , Czech Marcin , Lauterbach Ryszard , Pinkas Jarosław , Wielgoś Mirosław , Wysocki Jacek
Published: September 2023

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen causing respiratory tract infections in infants, affecting over 90% of children within the first two years of life. It may cause lower respiratory tract infections, which constitute a significant healthcare burden both in the primary and secondary care settings. Meanwhile, the data regarding RSV disease in Poland is scarce, and published data significantly differs from the numbers reported for other countries with longstanding surveillance and reporting systems. A literature review and an expert panel were conducted to (1) understand the healthcare burden of RSV infections in Poland; (2) collect data on infection seasonality, patient pathway, and management patterns; and (3) evaluate RSV infection surveillance in Poland. According to the literature, RSV is the major agent responsible for non-influenza respiratory diseases in Poland. The reported rates of hospitalization for RSV infections are 267.5/100,000 for children under 5 years of age and 1132.1/100,000 for those under 1 year of age. Comparisons with data from other countries suggest that these values may be underestimated, possibly due to insufficient access to microbiological testing and a low awareness of RSV. Infections occur mainly between December and April, however, this pattern has changed following the implementation of preventive measures for coronavirus disease 2019 in the past few years. According to available reports, bronchodilators, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and X-ray imaging have been frequently used. The surveillance system in Poland has limitations, but these may be overcome due to recent changes in healthcare law as well as the availability and reimbursement of diagnostic tests.
Post-Thaw Parameters of Buck Semen Quality after Soy Lecithin Extender Supplementation with Fumaric Acid
Authors: Saratsi Aikaterini , Samartzi Foteini , Panagiotidis Ioannis , Basioura Athina , Tsiokos Dimitrios , Ligda Christina , Rekkas Constantinos A.
Published: September 2023

The supplementation of cryopreservation media with antioxidants improves the post-thaw quality and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. To maximize the fertility of frozen–thawed buck spermatozoa, further research is required to overcome obstacles that have yielded controversial results and standardize protocols. In the present work, the effect of adding fumaric acid (a well-described antioxidant) to a soy lecithin semen extender on certain quality parameters of spermatozoa following freezing and thawing was examined for the first time. Five sexually mature Skopelos bucks were used, and ejaculates were collected with an artificial vagina. The semen samples (98 samples, five replicates) were diluted (400 × 106 spermatozoa/mL) with OviXcell®, supplemented with fumaric acid (0 mM, 2.15 mM, 10 mM or 30 mM), equilibrated (5 °C; 3 h), packed (0.5 mL straws), frozen and stored (−196 °C) until further processing. After thawing, the spermatozoa total and progressive motility (CASA), viability (eosin–nigrosin), membrane functional integrity (HOST), acrosome integrity (SpermBlue®) and mitochondrial function (Rhodamine-123/SYBR-14/PI) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA, followed by Duncan’s test; significance was set at 0.05. The addition of 2.15 mM fumaric acid improved (p < 0.05) spermatozoa viability, membrane functional integrity, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial function compared to all other concentrations. The addition of 30 mM fumaric acid decreased (p < 0.05) spermatozoa viability and mitochondrial function compared to all other concentrations. These results indicate a beneficial effect of a 2.15 mM fumaric acid addition to a soy lecithin extender on post-thaw buck spermatozoa quality. Further research is required to evaluate the in vivo fertility of frozen–thawed buck spermatozoa treated with fumaric acid, as well as to elucidate the mechanism of action of fumaric acid in spermatozoa.
Tillage Practices Affected Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L., Longdan No.8) by Regulating Soil Moisture and Temperature in Semi-Arid Environment
Authors: Peng Zhengkai , Yang Hongwei , Li Qian , Cao Hong , Ma Jian , Ma Shengfa , Qiao Yan , Jin Jiaojiao , Ren Panrong , Song Zhanshu , Liu Pengfei
Published: September 2023

Tillage practices can regulate soil environmental factors and, thus, affect crop yield. Farmers’ acceptance of this is not high because of a lack of awareness, and, in the dryland farming region of the Longdong Loess Plateau in China, the lack of acceptance is due to the established use of the no-till operation. It is urgent to explore suitable tillage practices for maize (Zea mays L., Longdan No.8) planting in this area. The impact of tillage practices on the soil water content, soil temperature, field water consumption structure, yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize was determined. Six tillage practices were implemented in 2021 and their effects were determined in 2021 and 2022, including conventional tillage with no straw (T), conventional tillage with straw incorporated (TS), subsoiling tillage with no straw (SST), subsoiling tillage with straw incorporated (SSTS), no-tillage with no straw (NT) and no-tillage with straw mulching (NTS). Over two years, compared to T, the soil volumetric water content (SWv) with SSTS was significantly increased in the 5–10 cm soil layer at the V12 (big flare stage of maize) stage in 2022. SSTS significantly reduced soil temperature (ST) in the 20 and 25 cm soil depths at the V12 stage, and in every soil layer of the R2 (grain-filling stage of maize) stage. SSTS significantly reduced soil evaporation during the growing season (Ec), and significantly increased crop transpiration (Tc) when compared to T. Compared with T, SST and SSTS significantly increased biomass yield (BY), by 29.7–32.1 and 41.2–53.5%, respectively, increased grain number per ear by 6.3–16.5 and 10.4–38.8%, respectively, improved grain yield (GY) by 4.9–6.9 and 6.2–13.7%, respectively; SSTS significantly increased WUE by 5.5–15.4%. The correlation between soil volumetric water content at the V12 stage and grain yield was highly significant; the ST at the R2 stage had a significant positive correlation with grain number per ear, GY, and BY. Therefore, subsoiling tillage with straw incorporated increased the soil moisture content and reduced the soil temperature, optimized the water consumption structure, and improved the effective utilization of soil water, resulting in the accumulation of a higher biomass yield, and increased the number of ears, obtaining a higher yield, and improved water use efficiency. Therefore, subsoiling tillage with straw incorporated is a suitable tillage practice in the dry farming area of Longdong Loess Plateau, China.
Development of Monthly Scale Precipitation-Forecasting Model for Indian Subcontinent using Wavelet-Based Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Yeditha Pavan Kumar , Anusha G. Sree , Nandikanti Siva Sai Syam , Rathinasamy Maheswaran
Published: September 2023

In the present work, a wavelet-based multiscale deep learning approach is developed to forecast precipitation using the lagged monthly rainfall, local climate variables, and global teleconnections such as IOD, PDO, NAO, and Nino 3.4 as predictors. The conventional methods are limited by their inability to capture the high precipitation variability in time and space. The proposed multiscale method was tested and validated over the Krishna River basin in India. The results from the proposed methods were compared with contemporary models based on Multiple Linear Regression and Neural Networks. Overall, the forecasting accuracy was higher using the wavelet-based hybrid models than the single-scale models. The wavelet-based methods yielded results with 13–34% reduced error when compared with the best single-scale models. The proposed multi-scale model was then applied to the different climatic regions of the country, and it was shown that the model could forecast rainfall with reasonable accuracy for different climate zones of the country.
Research Progress on the Decomposition Process of Plant Litter in Wetlands: A Review
Authors: Zhou Xinyu , Dong Kun , Tang Yukun , Huang Haoyu , Peng Guosen , Wang Dunqiu
Published: September 2023

Wetland is a transitional area where terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems interact and influence each other, and it is an important ecosystem on the Earth’s surface. Due to the special characteristics of wetland ecology, the decomposition of wetland plant litter is slightly different from litter in forests, grasslands, and meadows and other traditional areas. The role of litter mineralization in the wetland ecological C cycle and the functional role of plant litter have been neglected. This study analyzes the decomposition mechanism and decomposition model of wetland litter material and focuses on the effects of the decomposition process of wetland litter material on the structure of the soil fauna community, decomposition of soil organic matter, sediment properties, and the dynamic changes in the C cycle of the biological system by combining domestic and international studies from recent years. Finally, we propose that the direction of future research on wetland litter decomposition should be to reveal the mechanism of wetland biodiversity and ecology, as well as the ecological correlation between aboveground and belowground biodiversity, with a view to providing a decision-making basis for wetland phytoremediation and wetland wastewater treatment.
Improved Representation of Groundwater–Surface Water Interactions Using SWAT+gwflow and Modifications to the gwflow Module
Authors: Yimer Estifanos Addisu , Bailey Ryan T. , Piepers Lise Leda , Nossent Jiri , Van Griensven Ann
Published: September 2023

Recent water availability and scarcity problems have highlighted the importance of surface–groundwater interactions. Thus, groundwater models are coupled with surface water models. However, this solution is complex, needing code modifications and long computation times. Recently, a new groundwater module (gwflow) was developed directly inside the SWAT code to tackle these issues. This research assesses gwflow’s capabilities in representing surface–groundwater system interactions in the Dijle catchment (892.54 km2), a groundwater-driven watershed in Belgium. Additional developments were made in SWAT+gwflow to represent the interaction between the groundwater and soil (gwsoil). The model was calibrated for monthly mean streamflow at the catchment outlet (1983 to 1996) and validated for two periods (validation 1: 1975 to 1982 and validation 2: 1997 to 2002). It was found that the SWAT+gwflow model is better at representing the total flow (NSE of 0.6) than the standalone SWAT+ (NSE of 0.4). This was confirmed during two validation periods where the standalone model scored unsatisfactory monthly NSE (0.6 and 0.1), while the new model’s NSE was 0.7 and 0.5. Additionally, the SWAT+gwflow model simulations better depict the groundwater via baseflow and attain proper water balance values. Thus, in a highly groundwater-driven catchment, the simplified representation of groundwater systems by the standalone SWAT+ model has pitfalls. In addition, the modification made to the gwflow module (gwsoil) improved the model’s performance, which, without such adjustment, overestimates the streamflow via saturation excess flow. When including the gwsoil mechanism, thereby providing a more accurate representation of water storage and movement, groundwater is transferred to the soil profile, increasing the overall soil water content and thereby increasing lateral flow. This novel modification can also have implications for other distributed hydrological models to consider such exchanges in their modeling scheme.
Spinal Meningothelial Meningioma in a Dog
Authors: Pazarbasilar Ilayda , Demirtaş Oya Burçin , Nazır Nur Beyza , Atalay Vural Sevil , Beşaltı Ömer
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study is to report clinical, MRI, surgical, and histological findings of spinal meningothelial meningioma in a dog. The study material was a 9 years old, spayed dog with a history of progressive nonambulatory tetraparesis. The dog had intact cranial and spinal reflexes and deep pain perception. Magnetic resonance images revealed a mass located at the left side C2-C3 level, hyperintense in T1W, isointense on T2W, and well contrast enhancing on postcontrast T1. The mass was microsurgically resected and sub-gross. The dog’s neurological status was improved at one week and survived for 15 months without signs of metastasis. Histological and histochemical workup revealed grade I, meningothelial meningioma. Surgical intervention for spinal meningioma can be suggested as the sole treatment in dogs.
Rapid determination of chicken meat ratios in Beef Mixtures and Beef Sausages by Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy
Authors: Tarcan Batuhan , Küplülü Özlem
Published: September 2023

This study aims to determine the percentage of chicken meat in beef and chicken mixtures, which is the most common form of beef adulteration. Ground beef and beef sausages were prepared with mixtures containing chicken meat, ranging from 0.0% to 100.0% with 5.0% increments, and analyzed using a near-infrared spectroscopy device. Optimal analysis conditions were determined through the examination of a wide range of regression models. The best regression model for ground beef mixtures yielded the following results: RMSEC (Root Mean Square Error of Calibration): 2.35, RMSEV (Root Mean Square Error of Validation): 3.36, R2C (R-Value Calibration): 0.99, R2V (R-Value Validation): 0.98. The results for beef sausages were as follows: RMSEC: 2.56, RMSEV: 3.66, R2C: 0.99, R2V: 0.98. As a result, the chicken meat content in beef mixtures was detected with a margin of error of 2.05%, while the chicken meat content in beef sausages was detected with a margin of error of 2.12%.
PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN TEPUNG KACANG MERAH UBI JALAR UNGU TERHADAP SIFAT ORGANOLEPTIK FORMULA INSTAN MP-ASI BAYI USIA 6-12 BULAN
Authors: Devi Lufita , Fitriyaningsih Eva
Published: September 2023

The use of purple sweet potato and kidney beans attempts to increase the efficiency and economic value of purple sweet potato and kidney beans. One of them is the diversity of processed products from purple sweet potatoes and red beans, one of the uses for purple sweet potatoes and kidney beans is added to complementary foods. Purple sweet potatoes are high in carbohydrates and beans are good for vegetable protein. The aim of this research was to see the effect of red bean flour and purple sweet potato 10%, 20%, 30% on organoleptic properties (taste, aroma, texture and color). The research used experimental design with non factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 3 repetitions. organoleptic test (taste, aroma, texture and color) in the Food Technology Laboratory of the Department of Nutrition, Poltekkes Kemenkes Aceh. There was a significant effect of adding 10%, 20% and 30% purple sweet potato red bean flour mixture to the organoleptic properties (color, taste, aroma and texture) of MP-ASI with P-value 0.05. In terms of color, panelists preferred FII treatment (20%), in terms of taste of panelists, treatment of FI (10%), in terms of aroma, panelists preferred FII treatment (20%), in terms of panelist texture, FII treatment (20%) with somewhat favorable responses. . Conclusion, the addition of 10%, 20% and 30% red bean flour and purple sweet potato has a significant effect on the organoleptic properties (color, taste, aroma and texture) of the instant MP-ASI formula.Keywords: MP-ASI, red bean flour, purple sweet potato flour