bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Indigenous Floral Foods’ Commercialization among Rural Households: The Outcome of Double and Triple Hurdles in Amathole District Rural Community
Authors: Onomu Achoja Roland
Published: September 2024

Indigenous foods are used to prepare delicious delicacies (Imefino) in South Africa, and are consumed for their medicinal, food security, and nutritional value. Many of them are rich in macro- and micronutrients and contribute to improving the households’ income. However, the commercialization of many indigenous foods remains problematic with poor market penetration. This study investigates the commercialization status and determinants of indigenous floral food (IFF) commercialization using descriptive statistics, and the double- and triple-hurdle analysis. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect cross-sectional data from 240 rural households in Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The result shows that most (60%) of the rural households rely solely on agriculture and agricultural-related activities as their source of employment. Ironically, among the rural household heads who are solely engaged in agriculture, most (83%) do not sell IFFs despite being involved solely in agriculture. More so, there is poor commercialization of IFF with the evidence of a low-commercialization index and low-income generation from IFF. However, IFF consumed for medicinal value has a higher commercialization index. Indigenous foods show potential for commercialization if well harnessed. The results also show that if the rural householder is a male and adds value to indigenous floral foods, he is more likely to make a decision that entails him being involved in the commercialization of indigenous floral foods. The result further proves that the influence of households’ willingness to pay for the improved seed of IFFs will not necessarily affect the intensity of IFF commercialization. Household size is among the determinants of IFF commercialization. Commercialization indicators reveal that rural household heads are committing to IFF commercialization. Based on the study’s overall findings, factors such as seasonality, price, demand fluctuation, and other identified challenges in this study affect IFF commercialization. Programs addressing value addition and the domestication of indigenous floral foods, application of marketing philosophy, and marketing mix, among others, are recommended.
Sustainable Mining and Processing of Mineral Resources
Authors: Pavloudakis Francis , Roumpos Christos , Spanidis Philip-Mark
Published: September 2024

The global mineral extraction industry is undergoing rapid transformation [...]
Research on the Location Selection Problem of Electric Bicycle Battery Exchange Cabinets Based on an Improved Immune Algorithm
Authors: Zou Zongfeng , Yang Weihao , Sheng Shirley Ye , Yan Xin
Published: September 2024

The rise of new energy technologies has accelerated progress towards sustainable development, and many companies are beginning to invest in renewable resource-related facilities. Electric bicycles have always been an important mode of green transportation; however, they also have problems such as slow charging, difficult charging, and that burning and short circuiting may occur during charging. Electric bicycle battery exchange cabinets effectively solve these problems by exchanging low batteries with full batteries instead of charging. However, current battery exchange cabinets face the problems of insufficient construction and unreasonable site selection. Therefore, this paper proposes a location selection model for electric bicycle battery exchange cabinets based on point demand theory, aiming to maximize rider satisfaction and the service capacity of exchange cabinets. The immune algorithm is introduced to solve the location model; however, the traditional immune algorithm has some problems such as poor stability and slow convergence. In this paper, the mutation process of the traditional immune algorithm is improved by introducing multi-point mutation, guided mutation, and local search. Finally, based on the data of electric bicycle riders in Shanghai, we verify that the location model based on point demand theory performs well on two objective functions of rider satisfaction and battery exchange cabinet service capability. We also expand the application of point demand theory to location models. Then, by conducting experiments with different parameter groups, through sensitivity analysis and convergence analysis, we verified that the improved immune algorithm performs better than the traditional immune algorithm in its accuracy, search accuracy, stability, and convergence.
Reflective Adversarial Attacks against Pedestrian Detection Systems for Vehicles at Night
Authors: Chen Yuanwan , Wu Yalun , Cui Xiaoshu , Li Qiong , Liu Jiqiang , Niu Wenjia
Published: September 2024

The advancements in deep learning have significantly enhanced the accuracy and robustness of pedestrian detection. However, recent studies reveal that adversarial attacks can exploit the vulnerabilities of deep learning models to mislead detection systems. These attacks are effective not only in digital environments but also pose significant threats to the reliability of pedestrian detection systems in the physical world. Existing adversarial attacks targeting pedestrian detection primarily focus on daytime scenarios and are easily noticeable by road observers. In this paper, we propose a novel adversarial attack method against vehicle–pedestrian detection systems at night. Our approach utilizes reflective optical materials that can effectively reflect light back to its source. We optimize the placement of these reflective patches using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and deploy patches that blend with the color of pedestrian clothing in real-world scenarios. These patches remain inconspicuous during the day or under low-light conditions, but at night, the reflected light from vehicle headlights effectively disrupts the vehicle’s pedestrian detection systems. Considering that real-world detection models are often black-box systems, we propose a “symmetry” strategy, which involves using the behavior of an alternative model to simulate the response of the target model to adversarial patches. We generate adversarial examples using YOLOv5 and apply our attack to various types of pedestrian detection models. Experiments demonstrate that our approach is both effective and broadly applicable.
Deformation and Stress of Rock Masses Surrounding a Tunnel Shaft Considering Seepage and Hard Brittleness Damage
Authors: Zhao Zhenping , Chen Jianxun , Fang Tengfei , Liu Weiwei , Luo Yanbin , Wang Chuanwu , Dong Jialiang , Li Jian , Wang Heqi , Huang Dengxia
Published: September 2024

The mechanical and deformation behaviors of the surrounding rock play a crucial role in the structural safety and stability of tunnel shafts. During drilling and blasting construction, seepage failure and hard brittleness damage of the surrounding rock occur frequently. However, previous discussions on stress deformation in the surrounding rock did not consider these two factors. This paper adopts the theory of elastoplastic to analyze the effects of seepage and hard brittleness damage on the stress and deformation of the surrounding rock of a tunnel shaft. The seepage effect is equivalent to the volumetric force, and a mechanical model of the surrounding rock considering seepage and hard brittleness damage was established. An elastoplastic analytical formula for surrounding rock was derived, and its rationality was verified through numerical examples. Based on these findings, this study revealed the plastic zone as well as stress and deformation laws governing the behavior of surrounding rock. The results showed that the radius of a plastic zone had a significant increase under high geostress conditions, considering the hard brittleness damage characteristics of the surrounding rock. The radius of the plastic zone increased with an increase in the initial water pressure and pore pressure coefficient, and the radius of the plastic zone increased by 5.5% and 3.8% for each 0.2 MPa increase in initial water pressure and 0.2 increase in pore pressure coefficient, respectively. Comparing the significant effects of various factors on the radius of the plastic zone, the effect of support resistance inhibition was the most significant, the effect of the seepage parameter promotion was the second, and the effect of the hard brittleness index promotion was relatively poor. The hard brittleness index and water pressure parameters were positively correlated with the tangential and radial stresses in the surrounding rock, and the radial stresses were overall smaller than the tangential stresses. The deformation of the surrounding rock was twice as large as the initial one when hard brittleness damage and seepage acted together. These findings can provide a reference for the stability evaluation of the surrounding rock in tunnel shafts.
Modified Heisenberg Commutation Relations and the Infinite-Square Well Potential: Some Simple Consequences
Authors: González Mauricio Contreras , Herrera Roberto Ortiz , Gonzalez José Mauricio
Published: September 2024

We explore some consequences of modifying the usual Heisenberg commutation relations of two simple systems: first, the one-dimensional quantum system given by the infinite square-well potential, and second, the case of a gas of N non-interacting particles in a box of volume V, which permit obtaining analytical solutions. We analyse two possible cases of modified Heisenberg commutation relations: one with a linear and non-linear dependence on the position and another with a linear and quadratic dependence on the momentum. We determine the eigenfunctions, probability densities, and energy eigenvalues for the one-dimensional square well for both deformation cases. For linear and non-linear x deformation dependence, the wave functions and energy levels change substantially when the weight factor associated with the modification term increases. Here, the energy levels are rescaled homogeneously. Instead, for linear and quadratic momentum p deformation dependence, the changes in the energy spectrum depend on the energy level. However, the probability densities are the same as those without any modification. For the non-interacting gas, the position deformation implies that the ideal gas state equation is modified, acquiring the form of a virial expansion in the volume, whereas the internal energy is unchanged. Instead, the ideal gas state equation remains unchanged at the lowest order in β for the momentum modification case. However, the temperature modifies the internal energy at the lowest order in β. Thus, this study indicates that gravity could generate forces on particles by modifying the Heisenberg commutation relations. Therefore, gravitation could be the cause of the other three forces of nature.
A Qualitative Survey on Community Detection Attack Algorithms
Authors: Tekin Leyla , Bostanoğlu Belgin Ergenç
Published: September 2024

Community detection enables the discovery of more connected segments of complex networks. This capability is essential for effective network analysis. But, it raises a growing concern about the disclosure of user privacy since sensitive information may be over-mined by community detection algorithms. To address this issue, the problem of community detection attacks has emerged to subtly perturb the network structure so that the performance of community detection algorithms deteriorates. Three scales of this problem have been identified in the literature to achieve different levels of concealment, such as target node, target community, or global attack. A broad range of community detection attack algorithms has been proposed, utilizing various approaches to tackle the distinct requirements associated with each attack scale. However, existing surveys of the field usually concentrate on studies focusing on target community attacks. To be self-contained, this survey starts with an overview of community detection algorithms used on the other side, along with the performance measures employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the community detection attacks. The core of the survey is a systematic analysis of the algorithms proposed across all three scales of community detection attacks to provide a comprehensive overview. The survey wraps up with a detailed discussion related to the research opportunities of the field. Overall, the main objective of the survey is to provide a starting and diving point for scientists.
A Study on the Heterogeneity of China’s Provincial Economic Growth Contribution to Carbon Emissions
Authors: Tian Ruiqin , Xia Miaojie , Zhang Yuqi , Xu Dengke , Lu Shan
Published: September 2024

Achieving “dual carbon” targets by containing carbon emissions while sustaining economic growth is challenging. This study examines the varying carbon dependency levels among China’s 30 provincial-level administrative units, considering spatial correlations in emissions. Using a semi-parametric varying coefficient spatial autoregressive panel model on 2004–2019 panel data, this study shows the following: (i) The relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions forms an “S”-shaped curve, with the contribution decreasing as tertiary industry grows, defining three stages of carbon dependency. (ii) There is significant heterogeneity in carbon dependency across provinces, with some advancing to “weak dependency” or an “economic carbon peak” due to advantages and policies. (iii) Dependency levels shift over time, with “weak dependency” being the predominant stage, though transitions occur. (iv) A positive spatial spillover effect in emissions was noted. This study recommends tailored policies for each provincial-level administrative unit based on their carbon dependency and development stage.
A Systematic Review on Extended Reality-Mediated Multi-User Social Engagement
Authors: Wang Yimin , Gong Daojun , Xiao Ruowei , Wu Xinyi , Zhang Hengbin
Published: September 2024

The metaverse represents a post-reality universe that seamlessly merges physical reality with digital virtuality. It provides a continuous and immersive social networking environment, enabling multi-user engagement and interaction through Extended Reality (XR) technologies, which include Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). As a novel solution distinct from traditional methods such as mobile-based applications, the technical affordance of XR technologies in shaping multi-user social experiences remains a complex, multifaceted, and multivariate issue that has not yet been thoroughly explored. Additionally, there is a notable absence of mature frameworks and guidelines for designing and developing these multi-user socio-technical systems. Enhancing multi-user social engagement through these technologies remains a significant research challenge. This systematic review aims to address this gap by establishing an analytical framework guided by the PRISMA protocol. It analyzes 88 studies from various disciplines, including computer science, social science, psychology, and the arts, to define the mechanisms and effectiveness of XR technologies in multi-user social engagement. Quantitative methods such as descriptive statistics, correlation statistics, and text mining are used to examine the manifestation of mechanisms, potential system factors, and their effectiveness. Meanwhile, qualitative case studies identify specific measures by which system factors enhance multi-user social engagement. The study provides a pioneering framework for theoretical research and offers practical insights for developing cross-spatiotemporal co-present activities in the metaverse. It also promotes critical reflection on the evolving relationship between humans and this emerging digital universe.
The Development and Consumer Acceptance of Shoe Prototypes with Midsoles Made from Mushroom Mycelium Composite
Authors: Wolfe Megan , Cao Huantian
Published: September 2024

This research developed shoe soles using a biodegradable and renewable composite made of King Oyster mushroom mycelium. An exploratory approach was used to develop biodegradable shoe prototypes using the mushroom mycelium composite as the midsoles. An online survey was conducted to evaluate the consumer acceptance of the shoe prototypes and a wear test with undergraduate college students was conducted to evaluate the consumer acceptance, wearability, and comfort of the shoe prototype. The survey results indicated that consumers liked the new sustainable footwear and were likely to purchase it. Indian consumers liked the new shoes more and would be more willing to purchase the new shoes than the U.S. consumers. The young age group would be more willing to buy this sustainable shoe prototype than the old age group. The consumers who were frequent consumers of sustainable products, willing to pay more for an environmentally friendly product, and cared about the environment were more likely to purchase this sustainable shoe prototype. The wear test with a small sample of four college students had split opinions on the comfort and wearability of the shoes. Still, all of them liked the concept of shoe materials and biodegradable shoes made from renewable materials.
The Effect of Major, Education, and Skill Match on Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention among Culinary Arts Graduates
Authors: Na Tae-Kyun , Jung In-Young , Han Saem
Published: September 2024

This study aims to investigate the impact of job match on turnover intention and job satisfaction within the culinary industry. To achieve this purpose, the study analyzes data from 264 graduates of culinary-related programs who participated in the Graduate Occupational Mobility Survey (GOMS). The findings revealed that the better the match between a graduate’s major and their job, the more significantly turnover intention decreases and job satisfaction increases. In contrast, skill and educational matches were found to have no statistically significant impact on these outcomes. Additionally, the primary reasons for turnover include low salaries, inadequate job match, and uncertainty about future opportunities within the organization. Therefore, to ensure that culinary graduates can smoothly transition into the culinary field after graduation, educational institutions and the industry must continuously develop HR systems and programs that reflect the values of these graduates.
New Insights into Rabbit Viral Diseases
Authors: Esteves Pedro J. , Abrantes Joana , Lopes Ana M.
Published: September 2024

Viruses are responsible for many devastating rabbit diseases that impact their health and welfare and put their conservation and economic revenue at risk [...]
Ubiquitin-Mediated Effects on Oncogenesis during EBV and KSHV Infection
Authors: Mund Rachel , Whitehurst Christopher B.
Published: September 2024

The Herpesviridae include the Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) and the Kaposi Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV), both of which are oncogenic gamma-herpesviruses. These viruses manipulate host cellular mechanisms, including through ubiquitin-mediated pathways, to promote viral replication and oncogenesis. Ubiquitin, a regulatory protein which tags substrates for degradation or alters their function, is manipulated by both EBV and KSHV to facilitate viral persistence and cancer development. EBV infects approximately 90% of the global population and is implicated in malignancies including Burkitt lymphoma (BL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. EBV latency proteins, notably LMP1 and EBNA3C, use ubiquitin-mediated mechanisms to inhibit apoptosis, promote cell proliferation, and interfere with DNA repair, contributing to tumorigenesis. EBV’s lytic proteins, including BZLF1 and BPLF1, further disrupt cellular processes to favor oncogenesis. Similarly, KSHV, a causative agent of Kaposi’s Sarcoma and lymphoproliferative disorders, has a latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) and other latency proteins that manipulate ubiquitin pathways to degrade tumor suppressors, stabilize oncogenic proteins, and evade immune responses. KSHV’s lytic cycle proteins, such as RTA and Orf64, also use ubiquitin-mediated strategies to impair immune functions and promote oncogenesis. This review explores the ubiquitin-mediated interactions of EBV and KSHV proteins, elucidating their roles in viral oncogenesis. Understanding these mechanisms offers insights into the similarities between the viruses, as well as provoking thought about potential therapeutic targets for herpesvirus-associated cancers.
A Population-Based Study of SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Responses to Vaccination in Manitoba
Authors: Martens Brielle , Van Caeseele Paul , Bullard Jared , Loeppky Carla , Wei Yichun , Reimer Joss , McKinnon Lyle R. , Shaw Souradet Y. , Kindrachuk Jason , Stein Derek R.
Published: September 2024

Understanding variables that influence antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccination within a population can provide valuable information on future vaccination strategies. In this population-based study, we examined the antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccination in Manitoba using residual serum specimens collected between January 2021 and March 2022 (n = 20,365). Samples were tested for spike and nucleocapsid IgG against SARS-CoV-2 using clinically validated assays. We assessed the impacts of multiple factors on post-vaccination antibody titres including type of vaccine, age, sex, geographic location, number of doses received, and timing of vaccination. Our investigation demonstrated that vaccination with one dose of Moderna mRNA-1273 elicited higher anti-spike IgG titres overall compared to Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccination, while one dose of Pfizer BNT162b2 followed by a second dose of Moderna mRNA-1273 exhibited higher titres than two doses of Pfizer BNT162b2 or Moderna mRNA-1273, irrespective of age. Age and time post-vaccination had considerable effects on antibody responses, with older age groups exhibiting lower anti-spike IgG titres than younger ages, and titres of those vaccinated with Pfizer BNT162b2 waning faster than those vaccinated with Moderna mRNA-1273 or a combination of Pfizer BNT162b2 and Moderna mRNA-1273. Antibody titres did not appear to be affected by sex or geographic location. Our results identify how factors such as age and type of vaccine can influence antibody responses to vaccination, and how antibody titres wane over time. This information highlights the importance of tailoring vaccine regimens to specific populations, especially those at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and can be used to inform future vaccination strategies, scheduling of booster doses, and public health measures.
Immunogenicity Analysis of Chikungunya Virus DNA Vaccine Based on Mutated Putative N-Linked Glycosylation Sites of the Envelope Protein
Authors: Kim Kwangwook , Moon Seo Young , Kim Seungyeon , Ouh In-Ohk , Lee Yookyoung , Lim Heeji
Published: September 2024

Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Recently, CHIKV has spread rapidly worldwide, raising global concerns. However, there is only one approved vaccine is available to prevent CHIKV infection; therefore, different platform vaccines development is a public health priority. The CHIKV genome encodes four non-structural polyproteins (nsP1-4) and one structural polyprotein (capsid, envelope 3, envelope 2, 6 K, and envelope 1). Previous studies have shown that N-linked glycans in viral proteins play important roles in regulating immune responses. Accordingly, in this study, we designed four CHIKV DNA vaccine candidates with mutated N-glycosylation sites in the full-length E and E I/II proteins. Our results indicated that immunization of mice with the vaccine elevated the cytokines levels, including IFN-γ, associated with T cell immune response. Furthermore, the truncated E protein with a deleted E III domain (E I/II) exhibited better immunogenicity than the full-length E protein, and N-linked glycosylation of E I/II protein induced a higher cell-mediated immune response. Overall, our study demonstrates that N-linked glycosylation of the E I/II proteins of CHIKV significantly enhances cell-mediated immune responses, laying the foundation for the development of potential vaccination strategies against CHIKV.
COVID-19 Vaccination and Vaccine Hesitancy in the Gaza Strip from a Cross-Sectional Survey in 2023: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Associations with Health System Interventions
Authors: Majer Jennifer , Elhissi Jehad H. , Mousa Nabil , John-Kall Jill , Kostandova Natalya
Published: September 2024

Background: Preventing COVID-19 in Gaza is crucial due to the devastation of advanced health services infrastructure by war. Despite the high protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines against severe disease, a 2021 survey in Gaza found only half of the population was vaccinated, and one-third was vaccine-hesitant. This follow-up study conducted in March 2023 aimed to re-evaluate vaccination levels, hesitancy, exposure to vaccine promotion efforts, and other risk factors in Gaza. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey with multistage stratified sampling was used. Associations of primary exposures and other determinants with vaccine status and hesitancy were quantified using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. Results: In 2023, 63.5% of adults received at least one vaccine dose compared to 49.1% in 2021 (p < 0.001). Vaccine hesitancy prevalence was 31.7% in 2023 versus 34.1% in 2021 (p = 0.395). Adjusted odds of vaccination were 4.2 times higher among those referred by health workers compared to those not referred. Adjusted odds of vaccine hesitancy among those who received information on the vaccine from health workers were 0.3 times that of people who did not receive information. Conclusions: Results suggest health workers could play a crucial role in future vaccination strategies, as their vaccine promotion efforts were linked to better vaccine outcomes. Investing in the skills development of community health workers to contribute to these efforts is recommended.
Cost-Effectiveness of Hepatitis E Vaccination Strategies among Patients with Chronic Liver Diseases in China: A Model-Based Evaluation
Authors: Wang Fengge , Zhou Lu , Wagner Abram L. , Chen Zixiang , Lu Yihan
Published: September 2024

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide, primarily transmitted through contaminated water and food. In patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), HEV infection might worsen the prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis E vaccination strategies in CLD patients. A decision tree–Markov cohort model was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of universal-vaccination, vaccination-following-screening, and no-vaccination strategies in 100,000 CLD patients over their lifetimes, simulating cohorts aged ≥16 years, ≥40 years, and ≥60 years, based on the licensed vaccination ages and typical ages of CLD onset, from a societal perspective. Model parameters were retrieved and estimated from previous publications and government data. The outcomes included HEV-related cases, costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Compared to no-vaccination, universal-vaccination reduced HEV-related cases by 32.8% to 39.6%, while vaccination-following-screening reduced them by 38.1% to 49.3%. Furthermore, universal-vaccination showed ICERs of USD 6898.33, USD 6638.91, and USD 6582.69 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) for cohorts aged ≥16, ≥40, and ≥60 years, respectively. Moreover, the vaccination-following-screening strategy significantly enhanced cost-effectiveness, with ICERs decreasing to USD 6201.55, USD 5199.46, and USD 4919.87 per QALY for the cohorts. Additionally, one-way sensitivity analysis identified the discount rate and utility for CLD patients as the key factors influencing ICER. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated the vaccination-following-screening strategy was cost-effective with probabilities of 92.50%, 95.70%, and 95.90% for each cohort. Hepatitis E vaccination in CLD patients costs less than GDP per capita for each QALY gained in China. The vaccination-following-screening strategy may be the optimal option, especially in those over 60 years.
Evaluating the Compatibility of Three Aluminum Salt-Adjuvanted Recombinant Protein Antigens (Trivalent NRRV) Combined with a Mock Trivalent Sabin-IPV Vaccine: Analytical and Formulation Challenges
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Hamana Atsushi , Bird Christopher , Dotson Brandy , Saleh-Birdjandi Soraia , Volkin David B. , Joshi Sangeeta B.
Published: September 2024

In this work, we describe compatibility assessments of a recombinant, trivalent non-replicating rotavirus vaccine (t-NRRV) candidate with a mock trivalent Sabin inactivated polio vaccine (t-sIPV). Both t-sIPV and t-NRRV are incompatible with thimerosal (TH), a preservative commonly used in pediatric pentavalent combination vaccines (DTwP-Hib-HepB) distributed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), preventing the development of a heptavalent combination. The compatibility of t-NRRV with a mock DTwP-Hib-HepB formulation is described in a companion paper. This case study highlights the analytical and formulation challenges encountered when combining a mock t-sIPV vaccine (unadjuvanted) with Alhydrogel® (AH) adjuvanted t-NRRV. Selective and stability-indicating competition ELISAs were implemented to monitor antibody binding to each of the six antigens (±AH). Simple mixing caused the undesired desorption of t-NRRV from AH with the concomitant binding of t-sIPV to AH. Although the former effect was mitigated by dialyzing sIPV bulks, decreased sIPV storage stability was observed at accelerated temperatures in the bivalent combination with a rank-ordering of P[8] > P[6] > P[4] and sIPV3 > sIPV2 > sIPV1. The compatibility of AH-adsorbed t-sIPV with alternative preservatives was evaluated, and parabens (methyl, propyl) were identified for potential use in this multi-dose bivalent formulation. Along with a companion paper, the lessons learned are discussed to facilitate the future formulation development of pediatric combination vaccines with new antigens.
Zooplankton Index for Shallow Lakes’ Assessment: Elaboration of a New Classification Method for Polish Lakes
Authors: Ochocka Agnieszka
Published: September 2024

Due to its fundamental position in the aquatic food chain linking primary producers (phytoplankton) to higher trophic levels (fish), zooplankton has a crucial influence on the structure and function of lakes. The scientific literature shows that zooplankton is an effective indicator of eutrophication. However, according to the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, zooplankton is still not included as one of the biological components for assessing the ecological status of lakes. In Poland, the zooplankton-based method (ZIPLAs) has been developed to assess the ecological status of deep stratified lakes. Shallow lakes function differently from deep lakes, and literature data show that the response of zooplankton indices to eutrophication parameters is much weaker than in deep lakes. This paper presents the Zooplankton Index for Shallow Lakes’ Assessment (ZISLA), a new method for assessing ecological status based on zooplankton community structure. The ZISLA includes the body size index of Daphnia cucullata (BSI), the percentage share of high trophy-indicating rotifer species (IHTROT), the number of rotifer species (NROT), and the Margalef index (D). The ZISLA shows a strong, significant correlation with total phosphorus and total nitrogen (Spearman’s coefficient (R = −0.77, R = −0.74; p < 0.0001) and slightly weaker with Secchi disk visibility (R = 0.72; p < 0.0001). The ZISLA index shows a statistically significant good/moderate distinction for all water quality parameters.
Parameters Variation of Natural Gas Hydrate with Thermal Fluid Dissociation Based on Multi-Field Coupling under Pore-Scale Modeling
Authors: Li Zhengyi , Wang Zhiyuan , Ji Hongfei
Published: September 2024

The permeability, heat conductivity, and reaction rate will be varied with the change of natural gas hydrate saturation when thermal fluid is injected into the natural gas hydrate reservoirs. In order to characterize the variation of the physical field parameters with hydrate saturation, DDF-LBM was applied to simulate the hydrate dissociation process by thermal fluid injection under pore-scale modelling. Based on the forced conjugate heat transfer case, the relaxation frequency of the thermal lattice in the pores is corrected. Based on the P-T phase equilibrium relationship of hydrates and considering the heat absorbed by the hydrate reaction, the solid–liquid state of the hydrate lattice is judged in real time, and the dynamic simulation of the heat flow solidification multi-physics field is realized. The simulation results show that the dissociation rate of the hydrates by thermal fluid injection was higher than that by heating the hydrate surface alone and was positively correlated with the hydrate saturation. On the basis of the above results, this paper provided exponential fitting equations between different hydrate saturations and average permeability, effective thermal conductivity, and inherent reaction rate. The fitting results show that saturation has a negative correlation with relative permeability and effective thermal conductivity, and a positive correlation with the inherent reaction rate. The above results can provide a reference basis for accurately describing the heat and mass transfer of natural gas hydrate under the macroscale.
A Forecast Heuristic of Back Propagation Neural Network and Particle Swarm Optimization for Annual Runoff Based on Sunspot Number
Authors: Sun Feifei , Lu Xinchuan , Yang Mingwei , Sun Chao , Xie Jinping , Sheng Dong
Published: September 2024

Runoff prediction is of great importance to water utilization and water-project regulation. Although sun activity has been considered an important factor in runoff, little modeling has been constructed. This study put forward a forecast heuristic combining back propagation neural network (BPNN) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) for annual runoff based on sunspot number and applied it to the Yellow River of China for the period 1956–2016 and assessed the contribution of the sunspot number by placing sole BPNN modeling on the time series as a contrast. First, the heuristic is made up of BPNN calibration and PSO optimization: (1) we use historical data to calibrate BPNN models and obtain a prediction of the sunspot number for training and testing stages; (2) we use the PSO to minimize the difference between the predicted runoff of both BPNN and a linear equation for forecasting stage. Second, the application offers interesting findings: (1) while BPNN calibration obtains first-class forecasting with the ratio >85% with <20% absolute error in training and testing stages, the PSO can achieve similar performance in the forecasting stage; (2) the heuristic can achieve better prediction in years with a lower sunspot number; (3) besides the influence of the sun activity, atmospheric circulation, water usage, and water-project regulation do play important roles on the measured or natural runoff to some extent. This study could provide useful insights into further forecasting of measured and natural runoff under this forecast heuristic in the world.
Assessment of Surface Water Availability in the Riyadh Region Using Integrated Satellite Data and Field Measurements (2001 to 2024)
Authors: Alharbi Raied Saad
Published: September 2024

Surface water availability in arid regions like the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia is a significant concern due to its low and highly variable rainfall. This study represents the first comprehensive attempt to estimate surface runoff in the Riyadh region by integrating satellite data with field measurements, including dam observations, for enhanced accuracy. Utilizing the advanced Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks–Dynamic Infrared Rain Rate near-real-time (PDIR-Now) dataset, the study covers a 23-year period from 2001 to 2023. The research aimed to determine runoff coefficients, which are critical for predicting how much rainfall contributes to surface runoff. Analysis of annual runoff volumes and rainfall data from 39 dams, divided into calibration and validation sets, led to a runoff coefficient of 0.059, indicating that 5.9% of rainfall contributes to runoff. The calibration process, validated by statistical measures such as mean bias (0.23 mm) and RMSE (0.94 mm), showed reasonable model accuracy but also highlighted areas for refinement. With an average annual rainfall of 89.6 mm, resulting in 1733.1 million cubic meters (mil. m3) of runoff, the study underscores the importance of localized calibration and ongoing model refinement to ensure sustainable water management in the face of environmental and climatic challenges.
Robust Secondary Controller for Enhanced Frequency Regulation of Hybrid Integrated Power System
Authors: Farooq Zahid , Lone Shameem Ahmad , Fayaz Farhana , Nazir Masood Ibni , Rahman Asadur , Alyahya Saleh
Published: September 2024

This present article examines the frequency control of a dual-area interconnected hybrid power system that integrates conventional as well as non-conventional sources with additional support from electric vehicles. The complicated, non-linear behavior of the system adds to the grid’s already high level of complexity. To navigate this complex environment, it becomes essential to develop a resilient controller. In this respect, a robust secondary controller is developed to handle the problem. The controller is developed while taking into account the intricate design of the contemporary power system. An extensive comparison between well-established controllers is presented to verify the efficacy of the proposed controller. An AI-based optimization technique, namely, COVID-19, is employed to obtain optimal values for different parameters of the controller. This work also investigates the effect of the FACTS device as a static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) on the dynamics of the system. Moreover, it also investigates the role of electric vehicles (EVs) and an SSSC on system stability. Further, the developed system is subjected to significant load variations and intermittent solar and wind disturbances to check the response of the optimal controller under dynamic conditions. The results demonstrate that the proposed controller reactions successfully handle system disturbances, highlighting the strength of the proposed controller design. Lastly, a case study on an IEEE-39 bus system is carried out to check the optimality of the proposed secondary controller.
Advancements in Intelligent Technologies Approaches for Forest Fire Detection: A Comparative Study
Authors: Sairi Amira , Labed Said , Miles Badreddine
Published: September 2024

Forest fires pose a significant threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and communities worldwide, leading to severe environmental impacts such as soil degradation, reduced air quality, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Effective forest fire prevention and management are a critical global challenge, with detection and suppression technologies constantly evolving. This paper provides a comparative study of various forest fire detection techniques, including watchtowers, satellites, wireless sensor networks (WSN), cameras, and drone systems. By examining the advantages and limitations of each method, the paper highlights specific examples of recent research using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to illustrate their effectiveness and the problems. A detailed comparison table is included to summarize the performance and applicability of these techniques. The study concludes by evaluating the current state of fire detection technologies and proposing future research directions to enhance early fire detection systems. This comprehensive review aims to inform ongoing efforts in wildfire management and advance the development of more efficient detection strategies.
Strategy for the Treatment of Newborns and Children in the First Year of Life with Malignant Tumors in the Moscow Multidisciplinary Medical Center
Authors:   V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky Scientific and Practical Center of Specialized Medical Care for Children, Sharoev T.A. , Adueva U.G. , Krapivkin A.I. ,   M.F. Vladimirsky Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute,   Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education
Published: September 2024

Tumors of newborns and children of the first year of life are a rare pathology of childhood. Examination and treatment of patients in the first year of life have features due to the age of the patient, anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the patient's body, the structure of tumors in children of this age group. Based on their own clinical material (198 patients), the authors present a strategy for organizing work with children in the first year of life with malignant solid tumors. All children received diagnostic and therapeutic care in the conditions of one medical institution – V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky Scientific and Practical Center of Specialized Medical Care for Children in the period from 2011 to May 2022. There were no publications based on such a large clinical material collected in one medical center in the literature of the Russian Federation.
Socioeconomic Inequalities Worsen the Risk of Death in CKD: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Italy
Authors: Giaccari Marta , Marino Claudia , Ferraro Pietro Manuel , Cesaroni Giulia , Davoli Marina , Agabiti Nera
Published: September 2024

Key Points

Socioeconomic position is associated with mortality in patients with CKD.

Socioeconomic inequalities are stronger in men then in women.

There was no evidence of association between deprivation and ESKD.

Background

Few studies have explored the effect of socioeconomic position on CKD. This study aims to fill this gap using a large Italian cohort of patients with CKD.

Methods

We analyzed a cohort of incident CKD cases from the Lazio Regional Health Information System from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2021. We used the deprivation index (DI), a five-category census-block indicator that integrates several dimensions of disadvantage. The outcomes were mortality and ESKD. We characterized the health status of patients in the 2 years before CKD identification and followed each participant from the index date to the end of follow-up (i.e., the date of the outcome, of emigration, or December 31, 2022, whichever came first). We used Cox proportional hazard models to investigate the association between DI and outcomes (hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval [CI]).

Results

From 2012 to 2021, 127,457 new cases (55.9% men) were diagnosed. The average age was 72.2 (±13.7) for men and 74.4 (±14.8) for women. During an average follow-up of 4.3 years (±3.2), 57,158 patients died (45%), and 5994 developed ESKD (5%). The age-adjusted association between DI and mortality was higher in men than in women (P value interaction = 0.02), hazard ratios for the extreme categories of DI (very high versus very low) were 1.16, 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.21 for men, and 1.08, 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.13, for women. There was no evidence of association between DI and ESKD.

Conclusions

In this population, socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with a higher risk of death, but not of ESKD, in patients with CKD.
Современный состав сообщества рыб галечно-валунных участков приливно-отливной зоны Авачинского залива (Юго-Восточная Камчатка)
Authors:   Pacific Geographical Institute FEB RAS, Kamchatka Branch Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Tokranov A. M.
Published: September 2024

Based on the materials collected in 1998 and 2014-2023 in the littoral of three different areas of the Avacha Gulf (north-eastern coast of the Avacha Bay, Krasheninnikov and Starichkov Islands), information on the current fish species composition in pebble-boulder areas of the intertidal zone of this gulf is provided, and the community structure of this biotope littoral ichthyofauna is analyzed. It is shown that 17 representatives of ichthyofauna from 8 families are currently registered here. The fish community of pebble-boulder areas of the Avacha Gulf intertidal zone is everywhere monodominant with absolute dominance (on average, 99.2 % in number; in different areas, from 67.0 to 99.5 %) of the stone cockscomb Alectrias alectrolophus, represented by individuals of all size and age groups (16-143 mm long from fingerlings to fish aged 7 years). The total proportion of the remaining species in the period of research in the pebble-boulder areas of the intertidal zone of the surveyed areas averaged 0.8 % in number (in the littoral of Starichkov Island, 33.0; Krasheninnikov Island, - 4.9; and the north-eastern part of the Avacha Bay, just 0.5 %), and these were mostly smaller juveniles. Comparison of the results obtained in 2021-2023 for the Avacha Bay with the data available for 2018-2020 indicates no fundamental changes in the composition of the this biotope fish community occurred there after the harmful algae bloom in the autumn of 2020.
Статус таймырской чайки Larus heuglini taimyrensis Buturlin, 1911 в Охотоморском регионе
Authors:   Pacific Geographical Institute FEB RAS, Kamchatka Branch Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Artukhin Yu. B.
Published: September 2024

Based on the literature data and the author's observations, it is established that the Sea of Okhotsk is an area of regular migrations of Taimyr gulls during autumn and spring seasons, but has no significance for their wintering. The first observation of the Taimyr gull was recorded in the Kamchatka waters of Shelikhov Gulf (April 29, 2020 at N59.547°, E156.831°), which became its farthest flight to the east.
Intelligent robots on Mars: the first step towards the colonization of the Red Planet
Authors:   Institute of Mathematical Machines and Systems Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Yashchenko V.O.
Published: September 2024

The article discusses highly intelligent humanoid robots and their advantages in preparation for colonizing Mars. It describes the advantages of using robots, such as reducing the cost of the mission, since they do not need equipment to protect them from cosmic radiation, different temperatures, and other hazards, making them perfect not only for flight but also for work in the uninhabitable environment of Mars. No need for life-sustaining resources, as transferring resources from Earth to Mars is energy-, time-, and cost-intensive. Long operating time and increased safety in the extreme conditions of Mars, because working on solar panels, can provide themselves with energy and work for a long time without constant replenishment of energy resources. As such, they can operate on Mars for much longer periods of time, providing constant activity and continuously relaying information back to Earth. The possibilities of using robots to build the infrastructure of a Martian base are discussed and current developments of humanoid robots such as Atlas, Valkyrie, and Optimus are reviewed. At the same time, attention is drawn to an important obstacle in the use of these robots, which is expressed in their lack of intelligence comparable to human intelligence, and a solution is proposed in the form of the application of a new technology – multidimensional, multi-connected receptor-effector neural-like growing networks to create an artificial brain. The missions of robotic Mars rovers and the prospects for the expedition of intelligent humanoid robots to Mars are discussed. Overall, the paper sheds light on the significance and advantages of using robots in the future colonization of Mars.