bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Vegetation Canopy Spectral Features and Species Discrimination in Reclamation Mining Area Using In Situ Hyperspectral Data
Authors: Wang Xu , Xu Hang , Zhou Jianwei , Fang Xiaonan , Shuai Shuang , Yang Xianhua
Published: June 2024

The effective identification of reclaimed vegetation species is important for the subsequent management of ecological restoration projects in mining areas. Hyperspectral remote sensing has been used for identifying vegetation species. However, few studies have focused on mine-reclaimed vegetation. Even if there are studies in this field, the methods used by the researches are mainly traditional discriminant analyses. The environmental conditions of reclaimed mining areas lead to significant intraclass spectral differences in reclaimed vegetation, and there is uncertainty in the identification of reclaimed vegetation species using traditional classification models. In this study, in situ hyperspectral data were used to analyze the spectral variation in the reclaimed vegetation canopy in mine restoration areas and evaluate their potential in the identification of reclaimed vegetation species. We measured the canopy spectral reflectance of five vegetation species in the study area using the ASD FieldSpec 4. The spectral characteristics of vegetation canopy were analyzed by mathematically transforming the original spectra, including Savitzky–Golay smoothing, first derivative, reciprocal logarithm, and continuum removal. In addition, we calculated indicators for identifying vegetation species using mathematically transformed hyperspectral data. The metrics were submitted to a feature selection procedure (recursive feature elimination) to optimize model performance and reduce its complexity. Different classification algorithms (regularized logistic regression, back propagation neural network, support vector machines with radial basis function kernel, and random forest) were constructed to explore optimal procedures for identifying reclaimed vegetation species based on the best feature metrics. The results showed that the separability between the spectra of reclaimed vegetation can be improved by applying different mathematical transformations to the spectra. The most important spectral metrics extracted by the recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm were related to the visible and near-infrared spectral regions, mainly in the vegetation pigments and water absorption bands. Among the four identification models, the random forest had the best recognition ability for reclaimed vegetation species, with an overall accuracy of 0.871. Our results provide a quantitative reference for the future exploration of reclaimed vegetation mapping using hyperspectral data.
A Quantile-Conserving Ensemble Filter Based on Kernel-Density Estimation
Authors: Grooms Ian , Riedel Christopher
Published: June 2024

Ensemble Kalman filters are an efficient class of algorithms for large-scale ensemble data assimilation, but their performance is limited by their underlying Gaussian approximation. A two-step framework for ensemble data assimilation allows this approximation to be relaxed: The first step updates the ensemble in observation space, while the second step regresses the observation state update back to the state variables. This paper develops a new quantile-conserving ensemble filter based on kernel-density estimation and quadrature for the scalar first step of the two-step framework. It is shown to perform well in idealized non-Gaussian problems, as well as in an idealized model of assimilating observations of sea-ice concentration.
A W-Shaped Self-Supervised Computational Ghost Imaging Restoration Method for Occluded Targets
Authors: Wang Yu , Wang Xiaoqian , Gao Chao , Yu Zhuo , Wang Hong , Zhao Huan , Yao Zhihai
Published: June 2024

We developed a novel method based on self-supervised learning to improve the ghost imaging of occluded objects. In particular, we introduced a W-shaped neural network to preprocess the input image and enhance the overall quality and efficiency of the reconstruction method. We verified the superiority of our W-shaped self-supervised computational ghost imaging (WSCGI) method through numerical simulations and experimental validations. Our results underscore the potential of self-supervised learning in advancing ghost imaging.
Multilayer Perceptron-Based Wearable Exercise-Related Heart Rate Variability Predicts Anxiety and Depression in College Students
Authors: Li Xiongfeng , Zou Limin , Li Haojie
Published: June 2024

(1) Background: This study aims to investigate the correlation between heart rate variability (HRV) during exercise and recovery periods and the levels of anxiety and depression among college students. Additionally, the study assesses the accuracy of a multilayer perceptron-based HRV analysis in predicting these emotional states. (2) Methods: A total of 845 healthy college students, aged between 18 and 22, participated in the study. Participants completed self-assessment scales for anxiety and depression (SAS and PHQ-9). HRV data were collected during exercise and for a 5-min period post-exercise. The multilayer perceptron neural network model, which included several branches with identical configurations, was employed for data processing. (3) Results: Through a 5-fold cross-validation approach, the average accuracy of HRV in predicting anxiety levels was 89.3% for no anxiety, 83.6% for mild anxiety, and 74.9% for moderate to severe anxiety. For depression levels, the average accuracy was 90.1% for no depression, 84.2% for mild depression, and 82.1% for moderate to severe depression. The predictive R-squared values for anxiety and depression scores were 0.62 and 0.41, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The study demonstrated that HRV during exercise and recovery in college students can effectively predict levels of anxiety and depression. However, the accuracy of score prediction requires further improvement. HRV related to exercise can serve as a non-invasive biomarker for assessing psychological health.
Synthetic Data Enhancement and Network Compression Technology of Monocular Depth Estimation for Real-Time Autonomous Driving System
Authors: Jun Woomin , Yoo Jisang , Lee Sungjin
Published: June 2024

Accurate 3D image recognition, critical for autonomous driving safety, is shifting from the LIDAR-based point cloud to camera-based depth estimation technologies driven by cost considerations and the point cloud’s limitations in detecting distant small objects. This research aims to enhance MDE (Monocular Depth Estimation) using a single camera, offering extreme cost-effectiveness in acquiring 3D environmental data. In particular, this paper focuses on novel data augmentation methods designed to enhance the accuracy of MDE. Our research addresses the challenge of limited MDE data quantities by proposing the use of synthetic-based augmentation techniques: Mask, Mask-Scale, and CutFlip. The implementation of these synthetic-based data augmentation strategies has demonstrably enhanced the accuracy of MDE models by 4.0% compared to the original dataset. Furthermore, this study introduces the RMS (Real-time Monocular Depth Estimation configuration considering Resolution, Efficiency, and Latency) algorithm, designed for the optimization of neural networks to augment the performance of contemporary monocular depth estimation technologies through a three-step process. Initially, it selects a model based on minimum latency and REL criteria, followed by refining the model’s accuracy using various data augmentation techniques and loss functions. Finally, the refined model is compressed using quantization and pruning techniques to minimize its size for efficient on-device real-time applications. Experimental results from implementing the RMS algorithm indicated that, within the required latency and size constraints, the IEBins model exhibited the most accurate REL (absolute RELative error) performance, achieving a 0.0480 REL. Furthermore, the data augmentation combination of the original dataset with Flip, Mask, and CutFlip, alongside the SigLoss loss function, displayed the best REL performance, with a score of 0.0461. The network compression technique using FP16 was analyzed as the most effective, reducing the model size by 83.4% compared to the original while maintaining the least impact on REL performance and latency. Finally, the performance of the RMS algorithm was validated on the on-device autonomous driving platform, NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin, through which optimal deployment strategies were derived for various applications and scenarios requiring autonomous driving technologies.
Multi-Agent System Based Cooperative Control for Speed Convergence of Virtually Coupled Train Formation
Authors: Liu Chuanzhen , Xu Zhongwei
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates the problem of spacing control between adjacent trains in train formation and proposes a distributed train-formation speed-convergence cooperative-control algorithm based on barrier Lyapunov function. Considering practical limitations such as communication distance and bandwidth constraints during operation, not all trains can directly communicate with the leader and obtain the expected trajectory it sends, making it difficult to maintain formation consistency as per the predetermined ideal state. Furthermore, to address the challenge of unknown external disturbances encountered by trains during operation, this paper designs a distributed observer deployed on each train in the formation. This observer can estimate and dynamically compensate for unknown reference trajectories and disturbances solely based on the states of adjacent trains. Additionally, to ensure that the spacing between adjacent trains remains within a predefined range, a safety hard constraint, this paper encodes the spacing hard constraint using barrier Lyapunov function. By integrating nonlinear adaptive control theory to handle model parameter uncertainties, a barrier Lyapunov function-based adaptive control method is proposed, which enables all trains to track the reference trajectory while ensuring that the spacing between them remains within the preset interval, therefore guaranteeing the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. Finally, a practical example using data from the Guangzhou Metro Line 22, specifically the route from Shiguang Road Station to Chentougang Station over three stations and two sections, is utilized to validate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithm.
Methods of Analysis of Phytoestrogenic Compounds: An Up-to-Date of the Present State
Authors: Adam-Dima Ines , Olteanu Andreea Alexandra , Olaru Octavian Tudorel , Popa Daniela Elena , Purdel Carmen
Published: July 2024

Phytoestrogens, natural compounds with structural similarity to 17-β-estradiol, are known to have potential health benefits, including in hormone-dependent malignancies. The therapeutic interest and some safety concerns observed triggered the need to develop accurate methods to assess their level in different matrices. This narrative review examines the existing analytical methods used to isolate, quantify, and characterize phytoestrogens and their metabolites in plants, foods, and biological samples. Different conventional and modern extraction techniques, such as ultrasonication-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, or enzyme-assisted extraction, were presented and compared. The advantages and limitations of the existing analytical methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography using different sensitive detectors, gas chromatography often coupled with mass spectrometry, and immunoassay methods, are highlighted, along with the need for ongoing research to improve the sensitivity and selectivity of the analysis.
Substantial and Rapid Increase in Soil Health across Crops with Conversion from Conventional to Regenerative Practices
Authors: Lekberg Ylva , McLeod Morgan , Bullington Lorinda S. , DuPre Mary Ellyn , De La Roca Gabriela , Greenbaum Shawn , Rousk Johannes , Ramsey Philip W.
Published: June 2024

Interest in soil health is growing, though the speed and effectiveness of management practices in improving it are uncertain. We measured biological, chemical, and physical indicators of soil health within a working farm zero, five, and nine years after transitioning from regular applications of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides to cover cropping, compost additions, organic amendments, and rotational grazing. We quantified microbial biomass and composition, soil organic matter (SOM), nutrient availabilities, and water stable aggregates in an avocado orchard, a citrus orchard, a pasture, and a vegetable garden. We found substantial and consistent increases in SOM, water stable aggregates, and microbial biomass, especially during the first five years, whereas nutrient availabilities showed no consistent change. Fungal and bacterial communities shifted but not fungal–bacterial biomass ratios or richness. However, fungal guilds responded differently to shifts in management. The biomass of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased in most crops, and fungal saprotroph relative abundance and richness generally increased, whereas putative fungal pathogens showed the opposite response. Overall, we found substantial and rapid increases in indicators associated with improved soil health following the transition from conventional to regenerative management.
Teaching Sustainability through Traditional Sporting Games
Authors: Luchoro-Parrilla Rafael , Lavega-Burgués Pere , Pic Miguel
Published: June 2024

Traditional sports games (TSGs), deeply rooted in local culture, serve as valuable resources for educating in sustainable development, aligning with guidelines set forth by international resolutions such as the Agenda 2030. This study investigated how ethnomotor variables in the educational use of TSGs with objects influenced emotional well-being and the acquisition of significant and contextualised physical and social sustainability learning involving various educational agents. The study adopted a qualitative and inductive approach centred on an ethnomotor intervention to promote sustainable learning within and beyond the educational setting. A total of 226 primary school students aged between 11 and 12 from seven primary education centres in the Canary Islands, Spain participated. Seven intervention sessions were conducted, including out-of-school activities involving family members and in-school activities with the collaboration of teaching staff and a specialised researcher. Various data collection instruments were employed (field notes, questionnaires, and interviews). A content analysis of qualitative data was conducted and subsequently transformed into quantitative data. For statistical analyses of these data, multidimensional frequency areas, crosstab (Pearson’s chi-square), associated effect size (Cramer’s V), and decision trees were utilised. This research discusses the relevance of TSGs as tools for promoting physically and socially sustainable learning. Furthermore, the role of various educational agents, including family members, teachers, and teacher-researchers, in developing these experiences is highlighted. The findings also highlight emotional well-being (psychosocial and socio-emotional affectivity) as a key aspect in the process of meaningful and contextualised sustainable learning.
Geotourism Product as an Indicator for Sustainable Development in Poland
Authors: Miśkiewicz Krzysztof
Published: June 2024

Geotourism products are goods and services of the tourism industry that support sustainable development based on geological heritage, as exemplified by the success of UNESCO Global Geoparks. Geological and geomorphological objects are promoted and become available for sightseeing thanks to geoproducts: geotourism infrastructure and services, as well as handicrafts and merchandising inspired by geodiversity, or foods and cosmetics produced based on abiotic nature resources. This contributes to both nature conservation and the socio-economic growth of regions. This article presents an analysis of the development of the geotourism product concept concerning regional development in Poland. The types, locations, and characteristics of Polish geotourism products are presented, which allows for identifying geotourism areas. Due to the significant contribution of geotourism products to regional development, they are proposed as an indicator of sustainability.
The Role of Cultural Institutions in Promoting Well-Being, Inclusion, and Equity among People with Cognitive Impairment: A Case Study of La Pedrera—Casa Milà and the Railway Museum of Catalonia
Authors: Delfa-Lobato Laia , Feliu-Torruella Maria , Granell-Querol Andrea , Guàrdia-Olmos Joan
Published: June 2024

Background: Museums and cultural institutions are increasingly aware of the needs and interests of the society they serve. Simultaneously, these institutions play a more significant role in public health and well-being, such as by conducting activities for people with cognitive impairment. Moreover, they prioritize their contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations within the framework of the 2030 Agenda, thus connecting both objectives. Method: A comparative case study was conducted to determine how the characteristics of cultural institutions conducting activities for individuals with cognitive impairment can affect their outcomes and promote well-being, inclusion, and equity. Data-collection techniques included non-participant observations, interviews, and document reviews. Results: This research suggests that certain characteristics of cultural institutions can influence the management and execution of cultural activities aimed at people with cognitive impairment, as well as their ability to promote well-being, inclusion, and equity. Conclusions: The characteristics of cultural institutions influence the management and execution of cultural activities aimed at people with cognitive impairment, as well as their impacts and benefits. Collaboration between diverse institutions enhances outcomes, promoting well-being, inclusion, and equity among participants.
Feasibility of Natural Fibre Usage for Wind Turbine Blade Components: A Structural and Environmental Assessment
Authors: Pender Kyle , Bacharoudis Konstantinos , Romoli Filippo , Greaves Peter , Fuller Jonathan
Published: June 2024

There are two key areas of development across wind turbine blade lifecycles with the potential to reduce the impact of wind energy generation: (1) deploying lower-impact materials in blade structures and (2) developing low-impact blade recycling solution(s). This work evaluates the feasibility of using natural fibres to replace traditional glass and carbon fibres within state-of-the-art offshore blades. The structural design of blades was performed using Aeroelastic Turbine Optimisation Methods and lifecycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of designs. This enabled the matching of blade designs with preferred waste treatment strategies for the lowest impact across the blade lifecycle. Flax and hemp fibres were the most promising solutions; however, they should be restricted to use in stiffness-driven, bi-axial plies. It was found that flax, hemp, and basalt deployment could reduce Cradle-to-Gate Global Warming Potential (GWP) by around 6%, 7%, and 8%, respectively. Cement kiln co-processing and mechanical recycling strategies were found to significantly reduce Cradle-to-Grave GWP and should be the prioritised strategies for scrap blades. Irrespective of design, carbon fibre production was found to be the largest contributor to the blade GWP. Lower-impact alternatives to current carbon fibre production could therefore provide a significant reduction in wind energy impact and should be a priority for wind decarbonisation.
Asymmetry Considerations in Constructing Control Charts: When Symmetry Is Not the Norm
Authors: Etgar Ran
Published: June 2024

Control charts (esp. X¯-chart) are proven and useful tools to preserve process alignment with its design mean. The control charts’ limits are designed symmetrically around the process’s mean. The assumption of symmetry is justifiable when assuming that the measurements are infinite. Typically, these assumptions are warranted since the measuring resolution is significantly (by orders of magnitude) lower than the deviation of the controlled process. However, when the measuring device has a resolution of the same order of magnitude as the standard deviation of the controlled process, the symmetrical nature is no longer justified. In low-resolution measurement process control, symmetry is not the norm and both these control limits should be built asymmetrically. To help remedy this issue, this article explores the asymmetrical nature of the low-resolution measurement and suggests a new (asymmetric) control limit based on false-alarm-required probabilities. This represents a novel approach to the problem
Cyber Evaluation and Management Toolkit (CEMT): Face Validity of Model-Based Cybersecurity Decision Making
Authors: Fowler Stuart , Joiner Keith , Ma Siqi
Published: July 2024

The Cyber Evaluation and Management Toolkit (CEMT) is an open-source university research-based plugin for commercial digital model-based systems engineering tools that streamlines conducting cybersecurity risk evaluations for complex cyber-physical systems. The authors developed this research tool to assist the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with the cybersecurity evaluation of complicated systems operating in an increasingly contested and complex cyber environment. This paper briefly outlines the functionality of the CEMT including the inputs, methodology, and outputs required to apply the toolkit using a sample model of the process applied to a generic insider threat attack. A face validity trial was conducted on the CEMT, surveying subject-matter experts in the field of complex cybersecurity analysis and risk assessment to present the generic case study and gather data on the expected benefits of a real-world implementation of the process. The results of the face validity broadly supports the effectiveness and usability of the CEMT, providing justification for industry research trials of the CEMT.
The Flavoring Agent Ethyl Vanillin Induces Cellular Stress Responses in HK-2 Cells
Authors: Cox Ashley J. , Brown Kathleen C. , Valentovic Monica A.
Published: July 2024

Flavored e-cigarettes are a popular alternative to cigarette smoking; unfortunately, the extrapulmonary effects are not well-characterized. Human proximal tubule cells were cultured for 24 or 48 h with 0–1000 µM ethyl vanillin (ETH VAN) and cytotoxicity evaluated. Mitochondrial health was significantly diminished following 48 h of exposure, accompanied by significantly decreased spare capacity, coupling efficiency, and ATP synthase expression. ETH VAN at 24 h inhibited glycolysis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) was increased at 100 μM relative to 500–1000 μM. The downstream proapoptotic marker cleaved caspase-3 subsequently showed a decreasing trend in expression after 48 h of exposure. The autophagy biomarkers microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3 (LC3B-I and LC3B-II) were measured by Western blot. LC3B-II levels and the LC3B-II/LC3B-I ratio increased at 24 h, which suggested activation of autophagy. In contrast, by 48 h, the autophagy biomarker LC3B-II decreased, resulting in no change in the LC3B-II/LC3B-I ratio. Mitophagy biomarker PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) expression decreased after 48 h of exposure. The downstream marker Parkin was not significantly changed after 24 or 48 h. These findings indicate that the flavoring ETH VAN can induce energy pathway dysfunction and cellular stress responses in a renal model.
Clinical Prediction Rules for In-Hospital Mortality Outcome in Melioidosis Patients
Authors: Chayangsu Sunee , Suankratay Chusana , Tantraworasin Apichat , Khorana Jiraporn
Published: July 2024

Background: Melioidosis, a disease induced by Burkholderia pseudomallei, poses a significant health threat in tropical areas where it is endemic. Despite the availability of effective treatments, mortality rates remain notably elevated. Many risk factors are associated with mortality. This study aims to develop a scoring system for predicting the in-hospital mortality from melioidosis using readily available clinical data. Methods: The data were collected from Surin Hospital, Surin, Thailand, during the period from April 2014 to March 2017. We included patients aged 15 years and above who had cultures that tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei. The clinical prediction rules were developed using significant risk factors from the multivariable analysis. Results: A total of 282 patients with melioidosis were included in this study. In the final analysis model, 251 patients were used for identifying the significant risk factors of in-hospital fatal melioidosis. Five factors were identified and used for developing the clinical prediction rules, and the factors were as follows: qSOFA ≥ 2 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.39, p= 0.025), abnormal chest X-ray findings (OR = 5.86, p < 0.001), creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL (OR = 2.80, p = 0.004), aspartate aminotransferase ≥50 U/L (OR = 4.032, p < 0.001), and bicarbonate ≤ 20 mEq/L (OR = 2.96, p = 0.002). The prediction scores ranged from 0 to 7. Patients with high scores (4–7) exhibited a significantly elevated mortality rate exceeding 65.0% (likelihood ratio [LR+] 2.18, p < 0.001) compared to the low-risk group (scores 0–3) with a lower mortality rate (LR + 0.18, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.84, indicating good model performance. Conclusions: This study presents a simple scoring system based on easily obtainable clinical parameters to predict in-hospital mortality in melioidosis patients. This tool may facilitate the early identification of high-risk patients who could benefit from more aggressive treatment strategies, potentially improving clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
Introduction to the Number of e-Folds in Slow-Roll Inflation
Authors: Di Marco Alessandro , Orazi Emanuele , Pradisi Gianfranco
Published: July 2024

In this review, a pedagogical introduction to the concepts of slow-roll inflationary universe and number of e-folds is provided. In particular, the differences between the basic notion of number of e-folds (Ne), total number of e-folds (NT) and number of e-folds before the end of inflation (N) are outlined. The proper application of the number of e-folds before the end of inflation is discussed both as a time-like variable for the scalar field evolution and as a key parameter for computing inflationary predictions.
Galaxy Group Ellipticity Confirms a Younger Cosmos
Authors: Rong Yu
Published: July 2024

We present an analysis of the ellipticities of galaxy groups, derived from the spatial distribution of member galaxies, revealing a notable incongruity between the observed local galaxy groups and their counterparts in the Lambda cold dark matter cosmology. Specifically, our investigation reveals a substantial disparity in the ellipticities of observed groups with masses 1013.0<Mh<1014.5M⊙h−1 exhibiting significantly higher ellipticities (at a confidence level of approximately 4σ) compared to their simulated counterparts. Notably, the consistent use of the same group finder for identifying galaxy groups in both observational and simulated datasets underscores the robustness of this result. This observation may imply a potential incongruence between the inferred age of the Universe from observations and the predictions of the model, which aligns with the younger Universe hypothesis suggested by the elevated fraction of observed satellite pairs with correlated line-of-sight relative velocities compared to simulations. Our findings significantly strengthen the plausibility of a younger age for our Universe.
Prevalence of Hepatitis D in People Living with HIV: A National Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
Authors: Schinas Georgios , Antonopoulou Nikolina , Vamvakopoulou Sofia , Tsachouridou Olga , Protopapas Konstantinos , Petrakis Vasileios , Petrakis Emmanouil C. , Papageorgiou Despoina , Metallidis Simeon , Papadopoulos Antonios , Barbounakis Emmanouil , Kofteridis Diamantis , Panagopoulos Periklis , Lekkou Alexandra , Paliogianni Fotini , Akinosoglou Karolina
Published: June 2024

This study assesses the prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Greece. Given the compounding effects of HDV and hepatitis B (HBV) on liver disease progression, as well as the emergence of new therapeutic options such as bulevirtide, understanding regional disparities and the epidemiological impact of such co-infections is vital. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted utilizing 696 serum samples from PLWHIV attending five major university hospitals. The methodology included HDV antibody detection by ELISA and HDV RNA confirmation. Of the 30 HBsAg-positive samples analyzed, the study population was primarily male (93%), with a median age of 54 years. Participants had been on antiretroviral therapy for a median of 10 years, and the median CD4 count was 738 (539–1006) copies/mL. Additional serological findings revealed a 7% prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) IgG antibodies and a 55% prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG antibodies. Seroreactivity for syphilis (RPR/VDRL/TPHA positive) was identified in 33% of the participants. The results indicated a low HDV prevalence, with only one individual (3%) testing positive for anti-HDV IgG antibodies and none for HDV RNA. This indicates a lower prevalence of HDV among PLWHIV with chronic HBV in Greece compared to global data.
Serological Evidence of Zika Virus Infections in Sudan
Authors: Adam Awadalkareem , Wenzel Robert , Unger Elisabeth , Reiche Sven , Jassoy Christian
Published: June 2024

Little is known about the frequency of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in Sudan. The aim of this study was to obtain data on the prevalence of ZIKV infections and the immunity of the population in the country. To this end, 198 sera obtained between December 2012 and January 2013 in different regions in Sudan were examined for neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV, dengue virus (DENV), and yellow fever virus (YFV). The sera were non-randomly selected. The neutralization titers were compared with each other and with the WHO 1st International Standard for anti-Asian lineage Zika virus antibody. Twenty-six sera neutralized ZIKV. One-third of these sera had higher neutralization titers against ZIKV than against DENV-2 and -3. Two sera showed higher neutralization titers than the WHO standard for ZIKV antibodies. These data suggest occasional ZIKV infections in Sudan. The low percentage of sera in this cohort that neutralized ZIKV indicates that, in the study period, the population was susceptible to ZIKV infection.
Molecular Characterization of Feline Parvovirus from Domestic Cats in Henan Province, China from 2020 to 2022
Authors: Yu Zuhua , Wang Wenjie , Yu Chuan , He Lei , Ding Ke , Shang Ke , Chen Songbiao
Published: July 2024

Carnivore protoparvovirus-1, feline parvovirus (FPV), and canine parvovirus (CPV) continue to spread in companion animals all over the world. As a result, FPV and CPV underwent host-to-host transfer in carnivorous wild-animal hosts. Here, a total of 82 fecal samples of suspected cat FPV infections were collected from Henan Province from 2020 to 2022. The previously published full-length sequence primers of VP2 and NS1 genes were used to amplify the targeted genes of these samples, and the complete gene sequences of 11 VP2 and 21 NS1 samples were obtained and analyzed. Analysis showed that the amino acid homology of the VP2 and NS1 genes of these isolates was 96.1–100% and 97.6–100%, respectively. The phylogenetic results showed that the VP2 and NS1 genes of the local isolates were mainly concentrated in the G1 subgroup, while the vaccine strains were distributed in the G3 subgroup. Finally, F81 cells were inoculated with the local endemic isolate Luoyang-01 (FPV-LY strain for short) for virus amplification, purification, and titer determination, and the pathogenesis of FPV-LY was detected. After five generations of blind transmission in F81 cells, cells infected with FPV-LY displayed characteristic morphological changes, including a round, threadlike, and wrinkled appearance, indicative of viral infection. The virus titer associated with this cytopathic effect (CPE) was measured at 1.5 × 106 TCID50/mL. Subsequent animal regression tests confirmed that the virus titer of the PFV-LY isolate remained at 1.5 × 106 TCID50/mL, indicating its highly pathogenic nature. Cats exposed to the virus exhibited typical clinical symptoms and pathological changes, ultimately succumbing to the infection. These results suggest that the gene mutation rate of FPV is increasing, resulting in a complex pattern of gene evolution in terms of host preference, geographical selection, and novel genetic variants. The data also indicate that continuous molecular epidemiological surveillance is required to understand the genetic diversity of FPV isolates.
Agricultural and Technology-Based Strategies to Improve Water-Use Efficiency in Arid and Semiarid Areas
Authors: Alharbi Saif , Felemban Abrar , Abdelrahim Ahmed , Al-Dakhil Mohammed
Published: June 2024

Justification: Water-use efficiency (WUE) is the amount of carbon assimilated as biomass or grain produced per unit of water the crop uses, and it is considered a critical factor in maintaining the balance between carbon gain and water loss during photosynthesis, particularly in the face of global warming and drought challenges. Improving agricultural WUE is essential for sustainable crop production in water-scarce regions. Objective: This article explores the significance of WUE enhancement in agriculture, especially under drought conditions, and discusses various strategies to optimize WUE for improved crop productivity. Methods: We searched the scientific literature for articles on water-use efficiency published between 2010 and 2023 and selected the 42 most relevant studies for a comprehensive overview of strategies, technologies, and approaches to investigate sustainable agricultural practices to improve water-use efficiency in agriculture, particularly focusing on agronomic methods such as mulching, cover crops, canopy management, deficit irrigation, and irrigation modernization. Results: This review highlights several practical techniques for enhancing WUE, including sustainable irrigation practices, crop-specific agronomic strategies, and innovative technological solutions. By adopting these approaches, farmers can improve water management efficiency, reduce crop vulnerability to water stress, and ultimately enhance agricultural sustainability. In conclusion, improving water-use efficiency is an essential factor for ensuring food security in the face of climate change and water scarcity. By implementing innovative strategies and exploiting the power of technology, we can enhance WUE in agriculture, optimize crop production, conserve natural resources, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Assessment of Flood Hazard Mapping Using a DEM-Based Approach and 2D Hydrodynamic Modeling
Authors: Amellah Omayma , Mignosa Paolo , Prost Federico , Aureli Francesca
Published: June 2024

DEM-based approaches for assessing flood-prone areas have recently gained extensive attention due to their parsimony and cost-effectiveness. This work aims to test the capability of the Geomorphic Flood Index (GFI) to delineate flood-prone areas and the results performances while downscaling the calibration map. The accuracy was tested by examining the sensitivity to the exponent of the power function linking the flow depth in the river network and the upslope contributing area. Two approaches were selected: the first consisted of calibrating the GFI using a flood map generated through a 2D-SWE hydrodynamic model. The second consisted of correlating water depths with their corresponding upslope areas. The geomorphological model is able to effectively delineate flood susceptibility areas which, although on average larger than that obtained using the hydrodynamic model, provide a good starting point for any subsequent in-depth analysis. After calibration, an Objective Function of 0.21 and an Area Under the ROC Curve AUC = 92%, which is among the highest if compared with other cases in the literature, were obtained. Positive feedback was also obtained using a calibration map that covers only a rather limited portion of the basin. However, the small values of the scaling exponent obtained after calibration with the first method indicate substantial independence of the river depths from the upslope contributing areas. This leads to the belief that a simple power function is not particularly suitable for describing the relationships between these two variables.
Considerações sobre a atualidade da teoria social de Marx no contexto da pós-modernidade
Authors: Zacarias Inez Rocha , Dourado Elziane  (Ziza D) Olina , Aquino Isaura Gomes de Carvalho , Escurra María Fernanda
Published: July 2024

O presente artigo, resultado de reflexões suscitadas a partir da participação das autoras no grupo de estudos e pesquisas sobre O Capital, de Karl Marx, tece considerações teóricas e metodológicas com o objetivo de afirmar a atualidade do pensamento marxiano, com ênfase na natureza radical da sua crítica e historicidade. Tais considerações são recuperadas no contexto do debate da pós-modernidade e de suas sérias implicações para a vida social e a ciência. É importante registrar que o artigo representa uma primeira aproximação que exigiu, considerando os limites objetivos postos em um texto desta natureza, priorizar alguns aspectos inicialmente considerados relevantes que, longe de esgotar as inúmeras reflexões suscitadas neste processo de estudo, abrem caminho para seu aprofundamento e continuidade.
The Relationship Between Inflation and Welfare
Authors: Yavuz Akinci Vildan , Demiröz Murat Dündar
Published: June 2024

The fact that prices of goods and services do not fluctuate for a long period of time shapes the welfare level of countries through direct and indirect effects on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is of great importance in terms of preventing the distribution of income, which is one of the main economic policy objectives. In many countries with high levels of welfare, the common feature that stands out is that the general level of prices does not fluctuate significantly. The same is actually true for many developing countries. The importance of this issue for Türkiye, which is in the same country classification, has been the main motivation for this study. In this study, the relationship between the change in the general level of prices and the level of welfare has been tried to be revealed by using quarterly data between 1987-2017. Since there is no single variable that can be taken as the basic measure of welfare level in many national and international sources, we first obtain a welfare index from a utility function we use. Then, before establishing the relationship between this index and inflation rates, which are the main indicator of the general level of prices, the stationarity of the series is determined by Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips Perron unit root tests. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration test, it is found that there is a long-run relationship between inflation and welfare. Moreover, the Granger causality test showed that there is a causality between these two variables from inflation to welfare. Finally, the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model is estimated, and Impulse-Response and Variance Decomposition analysis are performed. The study shows that price changes in Türkiye reduce the rate of welfare growth, but do not prevent welfare growth as a whole.
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT OF THE SOCIAL SPHERE IN TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES OF UKRAINE
Authors: Hordiienko Vitalii
Published: June 2024

The article identifies one of the priorities for the development of the Ukrainian state - the fundamental reform of the management system. In the context of modern challenges and trends, public management of the social sphere in territorial communities of Ukraine is becoming more and more relevant. The peculiarities of public management of the social sphere in the territorial communities of Ukraine are analyzed, in particular, the study of theoretical and practical aspects of the organization and implementation of social services, as well as their impact on the quality of life of the community. It was determined that the task and purpose of the municipal government is to satisfy all the needs of the local community through the use of public-authority measures, the use of local resources and ensuring control. It was emphasized that the main goal of social protection of the population at the level of the territorial community is to increase the level and quality of life by improving the system of social support, in the context of which priority areas were highlighted. The results of the conducted research on the problems of local self-government in the social sphere, as well as the conditions of modern decentralization of power, made it possible to define digitalization as one of the key strategies of effective management of the development of the social sphere at the level of the territorial community. It was determined that one of the most acute problems is the need for optimal synchronization of two important reform processes: development of the social sphere of new quality and decentralization. As a result of the research, it was concluded that the application of organizational and legal forms can have two directions. The first is the formation of joint communal enterprises, the participants of which can be one or more communities of the future district. The second is the formation of associations of already existing communal institutions. As part of the redistribution of functions and powers in the social sphere through the decentralization reform, the possibility of removing some of these functions and powers from administrative custody and transferring them to the sphere of purely market relations was considered. It is summarized that in order to successfully manage the development of the social sphere at the level of territorial communities, it is necessary to move from a traditional approach aimed at solving current problems to a program-project approach that takes into account the specifics of each region and industry and promotes digitalization. The importance of improving the information and management system, which creates conditions for the activation of business, civil society and the development of the social sphere of territorial communities, is emphasized.
IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE MECHANISMS FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATIONAL VALUES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES (THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN)
Authors: Antonova Lyudmila , Larin Stanislav
Published: June 2024

The protection of national interests in states outside the EU has one extremely important difference - such states do not have the necessary political, institutionalized mechanism to consolidate all resources without exception to solve this problem. Such states outside the EU have to create the necessary level of resources, including political ones, on their own to solve the problem of protecting their own national values. In this case, a situation arises in which their own resource base becomes insufficient, which requires such states to seek additional external sources of resources. This process is cyclical, and therefore forms a new global reality, when, in defense of their systems of national values, states consolidate around them either states that are identical in ethnic and cultural composition, common historical past; or through direct expansion and imposition of their own ideologies.
In the article, the authors emphasize two types of states: the first, which actually defend their systems of national values, and the second, which only proclaim the values of their states. The first type of states includes the Commonwealth of Nations, which unites the countries of the Anglo-Saxon legal family.
The second type includes states united by the totalitarian camp of the communist regime that existed from 1923 to 1991 and had the USSR as its center. Using the method of historicism and historical and legal analysis, the authors have made a quite logical and only correct conclusion about the effectiveness of the approaches underlying the existence of each agglomeration and union of countries. That is why the article focuses on the analysis of the process of implementation of the State mechanisms for protection of national values in countries which implement, rather than proclaim, the democratic path of development and the system of civil rights and freedoms, recognizing a person as the highest value of the State, in particular, the United States of America, Great Britain, and Japan.
The authors of the article determine the application of a systematic approach to the implementation of state mechanisms for the protection of national values in foreign countries and identify their main conclusions for implementation in the domestic practice of functioning of state mechanisms for the protection of national values in Ukraine.
THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN PROVIDING PSYCHOLOGICAL AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES
Authors: Sokyrko Mykhailo
Published: June 2024

The article examines the role of the church as an effective institution of civil society in providing psychological and humanitarian assistance to the population of united communities. The spiritual and psychological aspects of the activities of religious organizations are considered. Real examples of the provision of psychological and humanitarian aid through the service of the church in the united communities of the Mykolaiv region are presented. Also, the key historical and political-legal principles of interaction between the church and the state from the ancient period, the Soviet era, to the present are defined.
The regulatory and legal framework that determines the activities of religious organizations, as well as the exercise of the right to religion and cases of its restriction, is considered. The concept of  «sect» and its features are defined. Statistical data on the number of religious organizations in the Mykolaiv region are presented.
The role of the church in the political and state-building processes of modern Ukraine, the process of creation of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine is studied.