bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Objective Optimization of Back-to-Back Starting for Pumped Storage Plants under Low Water Head Conditions Based on the Refined Model
Authors: Feng Chen , Li Guilin , Zheng Yuan , Zhou Daqing , Mai Zijun
Published: August 2022

Pumped storage plants (PSP) must switch frequently between various working conditions. Moreover, PSPs can fall easily into an S-shaped zone under low water head conditions, especially during back-to-back starting (BTBS), which reduces the stability and safety of unit operation. In this paper, a nonlinear PSP model for BTBS is established by combining an electrical subsystem with a refined hydraulic-mechanical subsystem. The influences of the hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical factors on the BTBS process are investigated quantitatively. Choosing the speed overshoot and speed stable time as the optimization objectives, and considering a variety of constraints, the multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is introduced to study and optimize two typical startup strategies. The results show that: (1) The parameters of a hydraulic-mechanical-electrical system have a significant impact on BTBS process, and the most unfavorable working condition corresponds to the lowest water head; (2) In the control schemes, a novel constant excitation voltage strategy is proposed based on the multi-objective optimization scheme. Compared with the constant excitation current strategy or single-objective, the optimization strategy proposed can considerably improve the speed overshoot and the speed stable time by at least 68.27% and 3.22% under the worst working conditions. (3) It is further verified that the problem of trapping in the S-shaped region under various working conditions may be avoided by the obtained optimal control scheme. The results give prominence to the effectiveness of the proposed optimization strategy for maintaining the safety and stabilization of PSP operation.
The Roles of Non-Textual Elements in Sustaining ESL and EFL Learning: A Scoping Review
Authors: Lai Belinda , Tan Kim Hua , He Mengyu , Mohd Said Nur-Ehsan , Muslim Nazri
Published: August 2022

This scoping review identifies the roles of non-textual elements and how these roles have changed in sustaining the teaching and learning of English as an additional language (EAL) in the last five years. Much of the research regarding non-textual elements has shown that they have significantly contributed to learners’ motivation, active participation, and communication. However, a systematic synthesis of how these roles have changed over the last five years, in terms of the types of non-textual elements used as a result of the growing access to technologies, is lacking. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, a scoping review of 50 studies from 2018 to 2022 was carried out, filtered from the ERIC, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The studies were compiled considering two characteristics: the roles and types of non-textual elements in enhancing English as a second language (ESL)/English as a foreign language (EFL) in classrooms. The results show that 29 out of the 50 studies used non-textual elements in complementary roles and 21 studies used them in supplementary roles to enhance the teaching and learning of ESL and EFL in recent years. Educators prefer to utilize non-textual elements in dominantly complementary roles rather than supplementary roles to create a sustainable EAL (ESL and EFL) learning environment. Non-textual elements help learners capture and recall information far longer than texts alone. A revised dual method using non-textual elements in a combination of both supplementary and complementary roles, and also utilizing both technologically driven and traditional approaches, is the way forward in sustaining effective EAL learning
Changes in Logistics Activities in Poland as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Rokicki Tomasz , Bórawski Piotr , Bełdycka-Bórawska Aneta , Szeberényi András , Perkowska Aleksandra
Published: August 2022

The main objective of this article is to identify the direction of change in logistical activities and their critical segments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in a country that is an important logistical hub of Europe. The specific objectives are to identify changes in logistical activities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine the dynamics of changes in business revenues and in quantitative parameters for total logistics services and their segments during the pandemic, to establish the relationship between the economic situation and parameters related to logistics services, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the method of purposive selection, Poland, which is well developed in logistics and aspires to be a crucial logistical hub of Europe, was selected for the study. The analysed period covered the years 2015–2021. The material sources were the literature on the subject and data from reports on individual logistics segments. Dynamic indicators with a fixed and variable base, coefficient of variation and Kendall’s tau correlation coefficient were used for analysis and presentation. It was found that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes in logistics activities. These changes included digitalisation, the development of the e-commerce market, multi-channel sales and the development of these services, and the introduction of automation and artificial intelligence. In all activities, 2020 was the most challenging year, but there was generally a reduction in revenue growth and, less often, stagnation. Logistics companies gained in the second year of the pandemic (2021) when implemented solutions generated record revenues. Among the winning segments were logistics services in general, especially sea freight forwarding, warehousing services, courier services related to e-commerce, and a lesser extent, freight transport. Losses were incurred in the segment related to passenger transport. COVID-19 became a positive catalyst for change. The logistics industry ultimately benefited from the pandemic. Additionally, due to the pandemic, logistics operations have had greater sustainability, contributing to resource conservation and environmental protection.
With the Continuing Increase in Sub-Saharan African Countries, Will Sustainable Development of Goal 1 Ever Be Achieved by 2030?
Authors: Atangana Ernestine
Published: August 2022

The poor in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in a worse predicament than their counterparts in other regions. The goal of this study was to establish the key drivers of poverty in SSA by looking at how economic variables affect growth and poverty. Data from ten SSA nations—upper-middle-income countries (UMIC), lower-middle-income countries (LMIC), and low-income countries (LIC)—were analyzed based on historical values from 2015 to 2019. From the six economic variables studied, the best model reveals that 78% of the differences in poverty can be accounted for using a methodical, statistical approach. Poverty and unemployment rates have a substantial positive relationship (p = 0.001662). The gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate and poverty have a slight link, which is significant at the 10% level (p = 0.067) but is not a significant contributor to poverty alleviation. The secondary school enrolment rate has no bearing on poverty variation (p = 0.33). Increased GDP does not necessarily correspond to poverty reduction. Unemployment, on the other hand, is a major contributor to poverty in the region. Moreover, education (secondary school ennoblement) plays a less important role in reducing poverty, whereas per capita personal consumer spending and GDP growth rate have a bigger impact on poverty reduction. The proposed theoretical and numerical model works on general indicators and trends; it does not guarantee that people in the UMIC, LMIC, and LIC countries may not fall below the international poverty line ($1.90 per day). The poverty rates are predicted to climb by more than 2% by 2030, postponing poverty elimination in the SSA region by almost five years. This signifies that more than half of the SSA population will remain poor.
Walkable Cities: Using the Smart Pedestrian Net Method for Evaluating a Pedestrian Network in Guimarães, Portugal
Authors: Fonseca Fernando , Fernandes Escolástica , Ramos Rui
Published: August 2022

Evidence for the benefits of walking has attracted the attention of researchers and practitioners and encouraged them to develop healthier and more sustainable walkable cities. Many methods and approaches have been developed to measure walkability; namely, by using land use attributes. This paper examines the transferability of the Geographic Information System (GIS) based multi-criteria method developed in the Smart Pedestrian Net (SPN) research project to evaluate the level of walkability in a pedestrian network in Guimarães, Portugal. The method involves the assessment of 19 built environment and streetscape attributes, which were scored by a group of experts following the analytic hierarchy process. The method proved to be efficient in evaluating the pedestrian network and in mapping walkability in the study area. Around 65% of the street lengths scored above 0.60, indicating that the overall pedestrian conditions are favourable, with the best performance criteria being those related to accessibility and street connectivity. The method also allowed for the identification of different levels of walkability within the study area and the lack of a pedestrian network of highly scored streets. According to the results, the SPN method could be replicated in other cities to evaluate walkability and could be a useful planning tool to support policies towards developing more walkable cities.
Effects of Ecological Water Conveyance on Soil Salinization in the Shiyang River Basin’s Terminal Lake—Qingtu Lake—Area
Authors: Yang Jianxia , Zhao Jun , Zhu Guofeng , Wen Yuanyuan , Wang Yanqiang , Liu Jialiang , Yang Zhihui
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: Recently, secondary soil salinization has frequently occurred in ecological water conveyance and irrigation areas. Therefore, monitoring the information on soil salinization in the conveyance irrigation area and analyzing the change process of soil salinization are of great significance to both environmental improvement and salinization management. (2) Methods: This study takes the Shiyang River’s terminal lake—Qingtu Lake—and its surroundings as the research area. The salinization index was extracted by remote sensing data and methods, and a comprehensive salinization model (CSI) was established. Firstly, the spatial distribution regular of soil salinization, since ecological water conveyance was explored, and the change trends in soil salinization were analyzed. Secondly, the relationship between the change characteristics of soil salinization and groundwater, water area changes and land use types were analyzed. (3) Results: The Kappa coefficient between the soil salinization extracted by CSI and the measured data reached 0.703, and CSI can accurately monitor soil salinization information. From 2011 to 2020, the non-salinized land increased by 2.1%, mild and moderate salinization decreased by 5.7% and 3.9%, respectively, and severe salinization increased by 7.5%. The salinization in the lake area showed a decreasing trend, and the periphery of the lake area showed an increasing trend. Groundwater, water area changes and land use type have certain influences on soil salinization in the study area. (4) Conclusion: Since ecological water conveyance, the total proportion of soil salinized area in Qingtu Lake and its surrounding areas has not changed much, but there are certain changes between different grades of salinized land. The areas with changes to the level of salinization are mainly shallow, unstable water areas, saline–alkali land, wetlands and sandy land, and there are secondary salinization problems in these areas.
The Importance of Adding Short-Wave Infrared Bands for Forest Disturbance Monitoring in the Subtropical Region
Authors: Li Xi , Chen Yao , Jiang Shixiong , Wang Chongqing , Weng Sunxian , Rao Dengyong
Published: August 2022

Forest disturbance, such as harvest and fire, can cause a huge amount of carbon emission from soil to the atmosphere. Monitoring forest disturbance at a high spatial resolution is critical for soil carbon modeling. The short-wave infrared bands are important bands in monitoring forest disturbance. However, many high spatial resolution satellites do not contain the short-wave infrared bands in their band designs, and whether the lack of short-wave infrared (SWIR) bands will cause a large influence on forest disturbance monitoring remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the values of adding SWIR bands in forest disturbance monitoring using the modified continuous monitoring of land disturbance (COLD) approach. Results showed that without the SWIR bands the accuracy of detecting forest disturbance will be reduced by 19–26%. The highest accuracy of modified COLD using the optimal band combination with SWIR bands was 76.3% for monitoring harvest and 86.6% for monitoring fire, while it decreased to 49.8% in detecting harvest and 67.6% in detecting fire without using any SWIR bands. The results demonstrated the importance of adding SWIR bands in forest disturbance monitoring and would guide users to select the satellite data with at least one SWIR band to monitor forest disturbance for improving the soil carbon modeling.
Development of a Proposed Set of Indicators for Assessing Food Company Commitments and Practices Regarding Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Mackay Sally , Renker-Darby Ana , Robinson Ella , Shaw Grace , Sacks Gary
Published: August 2022

There is widespread recognition that a transformation of food systems is needed to improve environmental sustainability. As part of efforts to hold food companies accountable for their role in improving the environmental sustainability of food systems, there is a critical role for monitoring and benchmarking of company actions. This study aimed to develop a proposed set of metrics for assessing the commitments and practices of food companies regarding environmental sustainability. Guided by an inventory of existing sustainability reporting frameworks and benchmarking initiatives, we proposed 37 indicators for assessment, categorised into ten domains, covering strategy, packaging, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, water, biodiversity, food waste, compliance and reducing animal-sourced foods. We refined the indicators after consultation with academic experts. We discussed implementation feasibility with sustainability managers from three major food companies in New Zealand. Feedback highlighted the need to pilot test methods for applying the indicators in practice, including assessment of a company’s impact across the supply chain, refining indicator scoring criteria, and weighting indicators based on company- and sector-specific priority areas of focus. Assessment of food companies using the proposed set of metrics can improve accountability for action and inform government regulatory responses.
Response of Antioxidant Enzyme Activities of the Green Microalga Chlorococcum sp. AZHB to Cu2+ and Cd2+ Stress
Authors: Qiu Changen , Wang Weidong , Zhang Yuheng , Zhou Guang-Jie , Bi Yonghong
Published: August 2022

The green microalga Chlorococcum sp. AZHB, isolated from a wastewater treatment plant, can endure extremely environments contaminated by heavy metals, but little information is available about the physiological changes of microalgal cells after exposure to heavy metals. In this study, the response of antioxidant enzyme activities of this microalgal species were examined in batch cultures exposed to different concentrations of Cu2+ or Cd2+ for 10 days. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased with the increasing concentration of Cu2+ and Cd2+ from 0 to 200 mg/L. The activity of catalase (CAT) increased with the increase in concentrations of Cu2+ and Cd2+ from 0–0.1 mg/L and 0–5 mg/L, respectively, and decreased from 0.1 mg/L Cu2+ and 5 mg/L Cd2+, respectively. Our results suggest that the defense mechanisms of Chlorococcum sp. AZHB to heavy metals should be involved in the improvement of the antioxidant enzyme activity in microalgal cells.
The Impact of Air Cargo on Regional Economic Development: Evidence from Chinese Cities
Authors: Zhou Jun , Leng Liang , Shi Xiaofa
Published: August 2022

This study explored the impact of the air cargo industry on the regional economy by regressing panel data for 91 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2019. By using the total employment and the employment of the 19 sub-industries as indicators of regional economic development, results show that only the growth of employment in the manufacturing sector is significantly and positively associated with the growth of air cargo volume. This study then explores the heterogeneity of the impact of air cargo on manufacturing employment in different types of cities by using a dummy variable interaction term and finds that in terms of the elasticity of growth of air cargo on manufacturing employment, southwest, and northwest regions are significantly higher than other regions, inland cities are significantly higher than coastal port cities, and major gateway cities are significantly lower than non-major gateway cities. Our research shows that air cargo development can lead to manufacturing industry clustering, while air cargo infrastructure development is more important for the economic development of inland regions and secondary gateway cities.
Research on Supply Chain Quality Decision Model Considering Reference Effect and Competition under Different Decision-Making Modes
Authors: Jiang Minglin , Lin Xiaowei , Zhou Xideng , Qiao Hongfang
Published: August 2022

The reference effect of consumers’ product quality and service quality is an important behavioral factor that affects consumers’ purchase decisions. In this paper, considering the inherent dynamics of the operation mode, the two were combined into a product-service supply chain composed of a manufacturer and two competitive retailers, and the service reference effect was further divided into horizontal and vertical service reference effects. Differential game models between the manufacturer and the retailers were constructed. Using the continuous dynamic programming theory, the manufacturer’s quality level strategy, retailer’s service level strategy and supply chain system performance under the modes of no cost sharing decision, cost sharing decision and centralized decision were analyzed and compared. Main findings: The optimal strategy of product quality under centralized decision is greater than the corresponding value under cost sharing contract decision. Compared with decentralized decision making of no cost sharing, cost sharing contract cannot promote the manufacturer to improve product quality. Different from previous studies, the service quality under centralized decision making is not higher than other decisions. When the horizontal reference effect of service quality meets a certain condition, the supply chain profit under centralized decision making is lower than the corresponding value under decentralized decision making.
Analysis of Atmospheric Pollutant Data Using Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Costa Emanoel L. R. , Braga Taiane , Dias Leonardo A. , Albuquerque Édler L. de , Fernandes Marcelo A. C.
Published: August 2022

Atmospheric pollution is a critical issue in our society due to the continuous development of countries. Therefore, studies concerning atmospheric pollutants using multivariate statistical methods are widely available in the literature. Furthermore, machine learning has proved a good alternative, providing techniques capable of dealing with problems of great complexity, such as pollution. Therefore, this work used the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) algorithm to explore and analyze atmospheric pollutants data from four air quality monitoring stations in Salvador-Bahia. The maps generated by the SOM allow identifying patterns between the air quality pollutants (CO, NO, NO2, SO2, PM10 and O3) and meteorological parameters (environment temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity and standard deviation of wind direction) and also observing the correlations among them. For example, the clusters obtained with the SOM pointed to characteristics of the monitoring stations’ data samples, such as the quantity and distribution of pollution concentration. Therefore, by analyzing the correlations presented by the SOM, it was possible to estimate the effect of the pollutants and their possible emission sources.
Indirect Analysis of Concrete Slump Using Different Metaheuristic-Empowered Neural Processors
Authors: Safayenikoo Hamed , Nejati Fatemeh , Nehdi Moncef L.
Published: August 2022

Estimating the mechanical parameters of concrete is significant towards achieving an efficient mixture design. This research deals with concrete slump analysis using novel integrated models. To this end, four wise metaheuristic techniques of biogeography-based optimization (BBO), salp swarm algorithm (SSA), moth-flame optimization (MFO), and wind driven optimization (WDO) are employed to optimize a popular member of the neural computing family, namely multilayer perceptron (MLP). Four predictive ensembles are constructed to analyze the relationship between concrete slump and seven concrete ingredients including cement, water, slag, fly ash, fine aggregate, superplasticizer, and coarse aggregate. After discovering the optimal complexities by sensitivity analysis, the results demonstrated that the combination of metaheuristic algorithms and neural methods can properly handle the early prediction of concrete slump. Moreover, referring to the calculated ranking scores (RSs), the BBO-MLP (RS = 21) came up as the most accurate model, followed by the MFO-MLP (RS = 17), SSA-MLP (RS = 12), and WDO-MLP (RS = 10). Lastly, the suggested models can be promising substitutes to traditional approaches in approximating the concrete slump.
Phosphorus Management in Slovakia—A Case Study
Authors: Bakalár Tomáš , Pavolová Henrieta , Šimková Zuzana , Bednárová Lucia
Published: August 2022

Recently, phosphorus (P) has become a material that is the focus of many countries, including the EU, due to its scarcity. EU countries significantly depend on P export/import due to a lack of extraction and deposits. In this paper, an economic analysis of P management in Slovakia as a source for responsible and sustainable exploitation and reuse is presented based on available P sources, whether traditional (P rock mining), recovery and recycling (from surface water, un/treated wastewater, sewage sludge, sewage sludge ash) or alternative (from urine, manure, slaughter waste, steelmaking slag). The current state in Slovakia shows that there is no P rock mined, and no P is recovered or recycled from any resources. All the P is imported, mostly from other EU countries. But there are several possible P sources, except for mining, with estimated available sources of surface water (14,933 t per year), treated wastewater (285 t per year), sewage sludge (49,125 t per year), urine (433,806 t per year), manure (1,626,132 t per year), slaughter waste (456 t per year) and steelmaking slag (4214 t per year). The explicit identification of an effective P management strategy in Slovakia was done by a Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis, and the corresponding factors were identified and quantified. As there are no P deposits mined and no P recovery facilities from existing sources at present in Slovakia, there is a declining trend in cattle breeding and in the produced amount of manure and urine, absence of the P recovery from sewage sludge ash, the low estimated potential of available P compounds from sewage sludge, low estimated potential of available P compounds from steelmaking slags in connection with lack of governmental support, instability of steel production, reduction of manure production due to the reduction of cattle breeding, reduction of slaughter waste production due to the reduction of animal waste production, significant dependence on P import and the low number of potential P deposits are the main results of the SWOT analysis that suggests that the P management should be guided by the principles of a retreat strategy.
Gameful Green: A Systematic Review on the Use of Serious Computer Games and Gamified Mobile Apps to Foster Pro-Environmental Information, Attitudes and Behaviors
Authors: Boncu Ștefan , Candel Octav-Sorin , Popa Nicoleta Laura
Published: August 2022

As the issues related to climate change intensify, new methods to raise awareness of environmental issues, foster pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors, and offer a viable alternative to traditional environmental education are needed. In recent years, various computer games and mobile apps targeting sustainability-related information, attitude, and behaviors have been developed. In this systematic review, we aimed to verify which pro-environmental information, attitudes, and behaviors are targeted by serious games and gamified apps, how their efficiency is tested, and the main results. A total of 29 studies were included in the analysis. The results show that serious games and apps were used to decrease energy consumption, water spending, and food consumption, and increase sustainable mobility. Furthermore, technology was used to offer pro-environmental education regarding a myriad of issues. Most interventions were successful and some of them did have significant effects while others provided only short-term changes. The limitations of the current approaches are discussed together with some future expansions that can help develop more efficiency in this domain.
Modeling the Impact of Deficit Irrigation on Corn Production
Authors: Painagan Marilyn S. , Ella Victor B.
Published: August 2022

Deficit irrigation or intentional under-irrigation offers the potential for sustainable water resources management. The DSSAT CERES-Maize and AquaCrop models were coupled to simulate the effects of deficit irrigation on corn yield and water productivity. The models were calibrated and validated using observed values of crop and biomass yield under 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% depletion of the available soil water. Model simulation results showed that a 15% level of deficit irrigation results in maximum yield while a 60% level of deficit irrigation leads to maximum water productivity. Results suggest that it is not necessary to use large amounts of water in order to obtain high crop yield. The net irrigation application depths ranged from 60 mm to 134 mm, with a depth of 77 mm as optimum under 60% deficit irrigation when applied at the start of tasseling to grain filling. This study demonstrated the applicability of deficit irrigation as a water-saving management strategy for corn production systems. Crop models such as DSSAT CERES-Maize and AquaCrop proved to be viable tools to support decision making in corn production systems in the Philippines, especially when employing deficit irrigation.
The River Runs Through It: Naturalising Social Policy and Welfare
Authors: Nordensvärd Johan , Ketola Markus , Urban Frauke
Published: August 2022

This paper reconceptualises social rights through an integration of human welfare and environmental welfare. This is essential if we are making a case for the radical policy changes required to respond to the current environmental crisis, such as maximum living standards and maximum income. As living standards and the demand for social rights increase across the world, this will lead to a concomitant pressure on nature. A maximum living standard based on an ecological footprint is a starting point to think about the need to grant legal rights and resources to nature. Following Polanyi, both humans and the environment are fictitious commodities; we therefore need to rethink our approach to social policy and decommodification to include the environment. This requires approaching social rights from an ecological perspective and breaking the anthropocentric barriers welfare policies create between society and nature. Here, we draw on the work of Michel Serres on ‘the natural contract’ in order to rethink the content of the social contract and develop an argument in favour of decommodifying nature. Using rivers as legal entities in New Zealand as our example, we illustrate how this theoretical approach could provide the foundations for sustainable eco-social policies in general and maximum living standards in particular.
Pseudoaneurysm after Radical Prostatectomy: A Case Report and Narrative Literature Review
Authors: Della Corte Marcello , Amparore Daniele , Sica Michele , Clemente Erica , Mazzuca Daniela , Manfredi Matteo , Fiori Cristian , Porpiglia Francesco
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: We report a very unusual presentation of pseudoaneurysm developed following a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection. The patient was a 66-year-old male, admitted at the Emergency Department 20 days after discharge from RARP due to chest pain, lipothymia and occult bleeding, necessitating a blood transfusion and a moderate increase of serum troponin. Angiography showed a pseudo-aneurysm involving the inferior-epigastric artery pubic branch. The patient underwent percutaneous embolization with complete resolution. The aim of this study is to offer an overview on pseudoaneurysms developed as radical prostatectomy complications; (2) Methods: A literature search was conducted on Scopus and PubMed for pseudoaneurysms after RARP to analyze all the previously published cases. The search terms used were “pseudoaneurysm” and “prostatectomy” using the Boolean Operator “AND”. We used the default search strategy “all fields”; (3) Results: Herein, a narrative review is proposed to facilitate the approach to this emerging clinical challenge, due to both an implementing in diagnosis imaging techniques and a spread of robotic surgery in prostate cancer; (4) Conclusions: The management of radical prostatectomy complications still remains barely uniformed and needs to be precisely calibrated as the initial cure approach itself.
Self-Weighted Quasi-Maximum Likelihood Estimators for a Class of MA-GARCH Model
Authors: Xie Danni , Liang Xin , Liang Ruilin
Published: August 2022

In financial time series analysis, symmetric and asymmetric GARCH models have become essential models for measuring the characteristics of economic volatility. In this article, we propose the consistency and asymptotic normality properties of the self-weighted quasi-maximum likelihood estimation without assuming the existence of the second moment for the moving average model with a class of GARCH error. Numerical simulation shows that the parameter estimation performs well; empirical analysis shows that the self-weighted quasi-maximum likelihood estimation of the moving average model with a class of GARCH error can improve the data fitting effect and prediction ability.
A Novel Reversible Data Hiding Algorithm Based on Enhanced Reduced Difference Expansion
Authors: Nguyen Thai-Son , Huynh Van-Thanh , Vo Phuoc-Hung
Published: August 2022

Reversible data hiding is a data-hiding technique which has the ability to recover the original version from stego-images after the secret information is extracted. In this paper, we propose a novel reversible data-hiding scheme based on an enhanced reduced difference-expansion technique. In the proposed scheme, the original image is divided into non-overlapping quad-blocks for embedding data. Then, to enhance the security, the secret bits are encrypted based on the encryption key and a symmetry-based strategy. To improve embedding capacity further, two adjacent encrypted bits are converted into a corresponding decimal digit. Difference expansion (DE) technique is applied to embed a decimal form instead of a binary version. Moreover, to maintain the good image quality, the enhanced reduced difference-expansion technique is used to reduce the original difference values so that it is suitable for decimal embedding. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed scheme has achieved better performance in comparison with previous solutions.
Distributed Optimal Placement Generators in a Medium Voltage Redial Feeder
Authors: Lekhuleni Teddy , Twala Bhekisipho
Published: August 2022

Distributed generation (DG) is an important issue for distribution networks for power loss improvement. However, the location and size of generators remain a challenge for existing techniques. This work investigates the optimal placement of a distributed generator on a medium voltage radial feeder. Simulated annealing optimisation is used to find an optimal bus of connecting a distributed generator variable-spider. The optimisation technique is then applied to a power flow Matlab program that incorporates the Newton–Raphson method. DigSilent PowerFactory simulations software is used to validate the results that are obtained from the Matlab program. The results indicate that the optimal bus for a 14-bus radial feeder loaded at 5 MVA while using a 1.5 MW DG is bus 11. This is because connecting the distributed generator at bus 11 resulted in maximum loss reduction on the feeder. The Matlab tool proposed in this study can be used to find the optimal bus where a distributed generator can be connected to a medium voltage radial feeder, thereby improving power quality and fulfilling load demand with minimal size to make the system economical.
Some Generalization of the Method of Stability Investigation for Nonlinear Stochastic Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Shaikhet Leonid
Published: August 2022

It is known that the method of Lyapunov functionals is a powerful method of stability investigation for functional differential equations. Here, it is shown how the previously proposed method of stability investigation for nonlinear stochastic differential equations with delay and a high order of nonlinearity can be extended to nonlinear mathematical models of a much more general form. An important feature is the combination of the method of Lyapunov functionals with the method of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). Some examples of applications of the proposed method of stability research to known mathematical models are given.
Combining Two Exponentiated Families to Generate a New Family of Distributions
Authors: Alsolami Eatemad , Alsulami Dawlah
Published: August 2022

This article presents a new technique to generate distributions that have the ability to fit any complex data called the exponentiated exponentiated Weibull-X (EEW-X) family, and the exponentiated exponentiated Weibull exponential (EEWE) distribution is presented as a member of this family. The new distribution’s unknown parameters were calculated by applying the maximum likelihood method. Some statistical properties, such as quantile, Rényi entropy, order statistics, and median are obtained for the proposed distribution. A simulation study was performed for different cases to investigate the estimation method’s performance. Three real datasets have been applied in which the new distribution has shown more flexibility compared to some other distributions.
How Innovation Ecosystem Synergy Degree Influences Technology Innovation Performance—Evidence from China’s High-Tech Industry
Authors: He Xiangwu , Xia Ming , Li Xiuxian , Lin Hui , Xie Zhimin
Published: August 2022

The technology innovation of high-tech industries has become an important support for the innovation-driven strategy. This study introduces innovation ecosystem synergy as a moderating variable from a systemic and holistic perspective based on the traditional perspective of innovation factor input-output, and helps construct a technology innovation performance driving model based on the Cobb–Douglas knowledge production function, which enriches the discussion perspective and theoretical model research on technology innovation performance. With a sample of 28 provinces in mainland China, this study empirically analyzed the moderating mechanism of innovation performance by innovation synergy in high-tech industries during the two stages of technology development and technology transformation. The findings of the study are as follows: (1) Independent research and development has a positive and significant impact on technology development performance; product innovation has a positive and significant impact on technology transformation performance; (2) Technology introduction can weaken technology development performance due to technology dependence and the inhibitory effect on independent innovation, and inefficient technology renovation can negatively and significantly affect technology transformation performance.; (3) The degree of synergy has a positive and significant impact on the performance of technology development innovation and technology transformation innovation. The degree of synergy has a positive moderating effect on the innovation performance of independent R&D and technology development, as well as product innovation and technology renovation, and a negative moderating effect on the innovation performance of technology introduction and technology development, but no significant moderating effect on technology renovation and technology transformation performance. The research results can provide a reference for the improvement of the technology innovation performance of regional high-tech industries.
HBM4EU Chromates Study—Genotoxicity and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Workers Exposed to Hexavalent Chromium
Authors: Tavares Ana , Aimonen Kukka , Ndaw Sophie , Fučić Aleksandra , Catalán Julia , Duca Radu Corneliu , Godderis Lode , Gomes Bruno C. , Janasik Beata , Ladeira Carina , Louro Henriqueta , Namorado Sónia , Nieuwenhuyse An Van , Norppa Hannu , Scheepers Paul T. J. , Ventura Célia , Verdonck Jelle , Viegas Susana , Wasowicz Wojciech , Santonen Tiina , Silva Maria João ,   on behalf of the HBM4EU Chromates Study Team
Published: August 2022

A study was conducted within the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) to characterize occupational exposure to Cr(VI). Herein we present the results of biomarkers of genotoxicity and oxidative stress, including micronucleus analysis in lymphocytes and reticulocytes, the comet assay in whole blood, and malondialdehyde and 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine in urine. Workers from several Cr(VI)-related industrial activities and controls from industrial (within company) and non-industrial (outwith company) environments were included. The significantly increased genotoxicity (p = 0.03 for MN in lymphocytes and reticulocytes; p < 0.001 for comet assay data) and oxidative stress levels (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001 for MDA and 8-OHdG levels in pre-shift urine samples, respectively) that were detected in the exposed workers over the outwith company controls suggest that Cr(VI) exposure might still represent a health risk, particularly, for chrome painters and electrolytic bath platers, despite the low Cr exposure. The within-company controls displayed DNA and chromosomal damage levels that were comparable to those of the exposed group, highlighting the relevance of considering all industry workers as potentially exposed. The use of effect biomarkers proved their capacity to detect the early biological effects from low Cr(VI) exposure, and to contribute to identifying subgroups that are at higher risk. Overall, this study reinforces the need for further re-evaluation of the occupational exposure limit and better application of protection measures. However, it also raised some additional questions and unexplained inconsistencies that need follow-up studies to be clarified.
Insights into the Seasonal Olfactory Mechanism of Geosmin in Raw Water of Huangpu River
Authors: Luo Fei , Chen Hui , Wu Xiaoxin , Liu Lili , Chen Yuean , Wang Zhiping
Published: August 2022

Since the 1990s, the raw water of Huangpu River in Shanghai, China, has intermittently encountered off-flavor contamination. In this work, the concentrations of typical odor, geosmin, in raw water of Huangpu River are found to shift along with the seasons. However, microbes recognized as the producer of geosmin such as Cyanobacteria and Actinobacteria are not consistent with the shift of geosmin. Cyanobacteria blooms in summer rather than winter, whereas Actinobacteria thrives in winter. Representational difference analysis (RDA) reveals that microbes associated with blooming algae have positive co-occurrence correlations with the concentrations of geosmin and nutrients in winter, whereas those within Cyanobacteria and Planctomycete are in a positive correlation with temperature and thrive in summer. This causes the concentration of geosmin in raw water to appear to depend on the abundance of Actinobacteria rather than that of Cyanobacteria. However, combining with the synthesis and storage properties of geosmin in algae, as well as the decomposition properties of algae with Actinobacteria, geosmin might be synthesized by Cyanobacteria in summer, which is stored in cells of Cyanobacteria and released only via the decomposition of Actinobacteria in winter. This potential olfactory mechanism of geosmin is quite different from that derived from pure culture of odor producers or correlation analysis of bacteria and odors; thus, providing insights into the mechanism of practical off-flavor events.
A Newly Isolated Alcaligenes faecalis ANSA176 with the Capability of Alleviating Immune Injury and Inflammation through Efficiently Degrading Ochratoxin A
Authors: Zheng Rui , Qing Hanrui , Ma Qiugang , Huo Xueting , Huang Shimeng , Zhao Lihong , Zhang Jianyun , Ji Cheng
Published: August 2022

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins that threatens food and feed safety. Biodegradation of OTA has gained much attention. In this study, an Alcaligenes faecalis strain named ANSA176, with a strong OTA-detoxifying ability, was isolated from donkey intestinal chyme and characterized. The strain ANSA176 could degrade 97.43% of 1 mg/mL OTA into OTα within 12 h, at 37 °C. The optimal levels for bacterial growth were 22–37 °C and pH 6.0–9.0. The effects of ANSA176 on laying hens with an OTA-contaminated diet were further investigated. A total of 36 laying hens were assigned to three dietary treatments: control group, OTA (250 µg/kg) group, and OTA + ANSA176 (6.2 × 108 CFU/kg diet) group. The results showed that OTA decreased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and egg weight (EW); meanwhile, it increased serum alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), immunoglobulin G (IgG), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and glutathione reductase (GR). However, the ANSA176 supplementation inhibited or attenuated the OTA-induced damages. Taken together, OTA-degrading strain A. faecalis ANSA176 was able to alleviate the immune injury and inflammation induced by OTA.
First Molecular Identification of Bulinus africanus in Lake Malawi Implicated in Transmitting Schistosoma Parasites
Authors: Alharbi Mohammad H. , Iravoga Cynthia , Kayuni Sekeleghe A. , Cunningham Lucas , LaCourse E. James , Makaula Peter , Stothard J. Russell
Published: August 2022

The freshwater snail genus Bulinus plays a vital role in transmitting parasites of the Schistosoma haematobium group. A hybrid schistosome between S. haematobium and S. mattheei has been recently detected using DNA-based identification methods in school children along the Lake Malawi shoreline in Mangochi District. This finding raised the need for contemporary revaluation of local interactions between schistosomes and snails, with a particular focus on snail species within the Bulinus africanus group. In 2017 and 2018, malacological surveys sampled several freshwater sites in Mangochi District. Collected snails (n = 250) were characterised using cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1), with DNA barcoding of the ‘Folmer’ region and a rapid PCR-RFLP typing assay with double digestion with HaeIII and SacI restriction enzymes. DNA cox1 sequence analysis, with phylogenetic tree construction, suggested the presence of at least three B. africanus group taxa in Lake Malawi, B. globosus, alongside first reports of B. africanus and B. angolensis, which can be differentiated by PCR-RFLP methods. In addition, a total of 30 of the 106 B. africanus group snails (28.30%) were positive to the Schistosoma-specific screen using real-time PCR methods. This study provides new insight into the recent changes in the epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis as likely driven by a new diversity of B. africanus group snails within the Lake.
A Web of Science-Based Bibliometric Analysis of Global Noma Publications
Authors: Azañedo Diego , Visconti-Lopez Fabriccio J. , Hernández-Vásquez Akram
Published: August 2022

The World Health Organization recognizes noma as a global health problem and has suggested prioritizing research into this disease. A bibliographic search of original articles published in the Web of Science database up to 2022 was performed. A bibliometric analysis was carried out with the bibliometrix package in R and VOSviewer. We identified 251 articles published in 130 journals. The first publication was in 1975, the highest number of publications was in 2003, and the average number of citations per document was 12.59. The author with the highest number of publications was Enwonwu CO, and the Noma Children’s Hospital had the highest number of articles on this topic. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was the journal with the most publications, and the study by Petersen PE was the most cited. The country of corresponding authors that had the most publications and the most significant number of total citations was the United States. “Children” and “Reconstruction” were the most used keywords. In conclusion, there are few publications on noma worldwide, confirming the neglected status of this disease. Urgent actions are needed to increase evidence in regard to the epidemiology of noma and public health interventions to mitigate the ravages of this disease.
The Subjective Well-Being of Elderly Migrants in Dongguan: The Role of Residential Environment
Authors: Liu Yuxi , Jia Li , Xiao Junhui , Chen Qin , Gan Qihui , Huang Jie , Zhu Xianglei , Zhang Chichen , Wan Chonghua
Published: August 2022

To examine the association between community and individual-level residential environment in relation to subjective well-being (SWB) amongst 470 elderly migrants in China, this community-based survey was conducted. The manner and extent to which the SWB of these elderly migrants is influenced by their residential environment was the main area of focus. The Scale of Happiness of the Memorial University of Newfoundland was used to assess SWB. SWB was found to be associated significantly with environmental factors such as social cohesion, closeness to the nearest facility of recreation, the density of recreation facilities, financial facilities, and health facilities. The health facility density (B = 0.026, p < 0.001) and recreation facility density (B = 0.032, p < 0.001) had positive associations with SWB, while financial facility density (B = −0.035, p < 0.001) had a negative association. The primary determinants of SWB for elderly migrants ranged from individual to environmental factors. Through the enhancement of the accessibility to healthcare facilities in their new homes, in addition to promoting recreational activities and social services, the SWB amongst elderly migrants could be enhanced further.