bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Campus Green Spaces Be Restorative? A Case Study from Tanzania
Authors: Kanelli Argyro Anna , Vardaka Maria Lydia , Malesios Chrisovaladis , Katima Zainab Jamidu , Kalantzi Olga-Ioanna
Published: January 2024

Evidence from studies in the global north has shown the beneficial effects of green spaces (GS) for our psychological and physiological health. In this study, we examine whether the connection between GS, wellbeing, and restoration is also applicable to low/middle-income countries (LMICs), using Tanzania as a case study. During May–July 2021, an online survey was conducted among 108 students and/or staff of the University of Dar es Salaam. Information was provided regarding exposure to campus’s green spaces (CGSs) measured by the NDVI and subjective questions relevant to accessibility/availability of CGS, duration and frequency of visits, as well as perceived greenness. Self-reported questions were also used for assessing the quality of CGSs and motives for using them. Mental wellbeing and restoration were measured with the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Short Scale ((S)WEMWBS) and the Restoration Outcome Scale (ROS), respectively, while the Nature Relatedness Scale (NR-6) was used to determine the feelings and thoughts of our participants towards nature. Generalized linear regression indicated a positive relationship between the need to be close to nature and relaxation as motivators for visiting CG; (S)WEMWBS (p < 0.05). The same correlation was observed for the ROS (p < 0.01). The ROS was also positively associated with the NDVI (p < 0.01), age group of 18–25 (p < 0.05), and employment status (full time p < 0.01, part time p < 0.05). Our findings confirm that GS can be considered an effective tool for promoting SDG 3 and SDG 11 in LMICs. More importantly, urban planners should focus on the motives for using such places in order to make them inclusive and multifunctional.
Application of Granular Microbial Preparation and Silicon Dioxide Analcime for Bioremediation of Ecocide Areas
Authors: Havryliuk Olesia , Bida Iryna , Hovorukha Vira , Bielaieva Yana , Liubinska Alla , Gladka Galyna , Kalinichenko Antonina , Zaimenko Nataliia , Tashyrev Oleksandr , Dziuba Oksana
Published: January 2024

As a result of the Kakhovka dam explosion, a huge area of soil was contaminated with toxic organic waste of various origins. The sustainability of soil ecosystems affected by floods requires effective approaches to eliminate the consequences as quickly as possible. Therefore, the goal of this work was to study the efficiency of the application of granular microbial preparation (GMP) and silicon dioxide preparation Analcime for the degradation of toxic organic waste to restore the soil after floods as well as man-made and natural disasters using model ecosystems. It is based on the combination of microbial fermentation of organic waste via GMP, improvement in soil quality via silicon dioxide preparation Analcime (Na[AlSi2O6]·H2O), followed by the application of phytoremediation methods for affected soil bioremediation. Such parameters as time detention (Td) and degradation coefficient (Dc) served to estimate the efficiency of organic waste degradation. The detoxification efficiency was determined via growth inhibition coefficients of indicator plants. The coefficient of waste degradation (Dc) via GMP was four–eight-fold higher compared to untreated variants and ranged from 35.1 to 41.8. The presence of methane in the variants of the experiment with GMP indicated the complete degradation of solid waste to final non-toxic products. The addition of GMP and Analcime enhanced the viability and antioxidant protection systems of seedlings of test plants (Cucumis sativus «Konkurent» and Amaranthus caudatus L.). The proposed approach is promising to be applied in the polluted sites of Europe or Asia for soil treatment as well as alternative energy obtaining.
A Comparison between Uneven-Aged Forest Stands from the Southern Carpathians and Those from the Banat Mountains
Authors: Crişan Vlad , Dincă Lucian , Târziu Dumitru , Oneţ Aurelia , Oneţ Cristian , Cântar Ilie-Cosmin
Published: January 2024

In this paper, uneven-aged stands from two important Romanian mountain areas—the Southern Carpathians and Banat Mountains—are compared with the purpose of studying the stationary conditions of uneven-aged forest stands in order to determine which management strategies are best suited to these forests and other Romanian forests with a similar structure. The study is based on silvicultural practices and natural growth conditions related to uneven-aged forest stands. The analysed surface represents 20% of Romania’s forests and includes all uneven-aged forest stands in the Southern Carpathians and half of the Romanian Western Carpathians. It has been concluded that the Southern Carpathians and Banat Mountains contain a relatively reduced percentage of uneven-aged stands compared with the total number of stands due to their composition and less favourable stationary conditions of the stands. This section highlights the novelty of the work carried out in this study on uneven-aged forest stands from two landscape reliefs in Romania.
Development of a Sustainable Educational Programme for Judo Coaches of Older Practitioners: A Transnational European Partnership Endeavor
Authors: Ciaccioni Simone , Guidotti Flavia , Palumbo Federico , Forte Roberta , Galea Envic , Sacripanti Attilio , Lampe Nuša , Lampe Špela , Jelušić Toma , Bradić Slaviŝa , Lascau Maria-Loredana , Rodica-Borza Alina , Camacho Pérez Raúl , Rodríguez-Montero Fernando Diéguez , Kapan Mesut , Gezeker Kaya , Capranica Laura , Tessitore Antonio
Published: January 2024

Following the European recommendations on sustainable educational skills, a strong need has emerged to provide judo coaches with solid and updated knowledge, competences, and attitudes to train older judo practitioners (≥65 years old). This study illustrates the participatory research methodology used to develop and validate the content of the “Educating Judo Coaches for Older practitioners” (EdJCO) online educational programme. From seven countries, 22 judo and sport science experts of the EdJCO team engaged in a four-phase iterative process: (i) a systematic literature review; (ii) seven national focus groups involving 88 experts and an online survey involving 470 judo coaches; (iii) the online EDJCO programme development; and iv) the educational programme evaluation engaging 51 judo coaches as potential end-users. The EdJCO programme encompasses six modules on organization, aging, safety, physiology, psychology, and coaching methodology. Despite the overall positive evaluations, the experts were required to streamline the online programme to meet the coaches’ demands, and to provide a comprehensive handbook to further deepen their knowledge. The cooperation among university scholars, experts from the International Judo Federation Academy, national-level sports clubs, and the judo coaches of older practitioners of different backgrounds and nationalities built a sustainable educational programme suitable for end-users to boost their teaching and training potential across their lifespan.
Green Certificates Research: Bibliometric Assessment of Current State and Future Directions
Authors: Chrysikopoulos Stamatios K. , Chountalas Panos T. , Georgakellos Dimitrios A. , Lagodimos Athanasios G.
Published: January 2024

In recent years, sustainability initiatives and the prominence of renewables have emerged as pivotal priorities in addressing environmental, ecological, and socioeconomic challenges. Within this context, green certificates—representing proof of electricity generation from renewable sources—have gained substantial recognition, enabling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to clean energy. This study employs a bibliometric analysis to chart the evolution and current state of green certificates research. Drawing from the Scopus database, we sourced bibliographic data, resulting in a refined dataset of 940 documents spanning from 2000 to 2022. Through performance analysis, we systematically evaluated the landscape of green certificates research, assessing publication trends, identifying influential works, spotlighting prolific authors, highlighting leading academic institutions, mapping regional research hotspots, and pinpointing the top publishing journals in the domain. Employing science mapping techniques—such as co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and bibliographic coupling—we delineated the collaborative patterns and the conceptual and intellectual structure of the field. This was further augmented by content analysis, revealing four salient research themes, emphasizing the consistent and central focus on support mechanisms and policies for renewable energy sources, sustainable renewable technologies and market dynamics, technological innovations and green certificate trading, and renewable energy sources investment strategies. Building on these findings, the paper concludes by outlining practical implications and prospective research avenues. These encompass a detailed understanding of renewable energy support mechanisms, the pivotal role of electricity disclosure in enhancing transparency, and the transformative potential of emergent technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, in the green certificate trading landscape. The research also emphasizes the fundamental role of guarantees of origin in advancing sustainability goals, the dynamic discourse on green hydrogen certification standards, and the intricate dynamics of trading mechanisms in shaping investment strategies.
Navigating Sustainability: Revealing Hidden Forces in Social–Ecological Systems
Authors: Gonzalez-Redin Julen , Gordon Iain J. , Polhill J. Gareth , Dawson Terence P. , Hill Rosemary
Published: January 2024

During the 1992 Rio Conference, the sustainable development agenda envisioned a transformative change for the management of natural resources, where the well-being of human society would be enhanced through the sustainable use of natural capital. Several decades on, relentless economic growth persists at the expense of natural capital, as demonstrated by biodiversity decline, climate change and other environmental challenges. Why is this happening and what can be done about it? We present three agent-based models that explore the social, economic and governance factors driving (un)sustainability in complex social–ecological systems. Our modelling results reinforce the idea that the current economic system fails to safeguard the natural capital upon which it relies, leading to the prevailing decoupling between the economic and natural systems. In attempting to find solutions for such disjunction, our research shows that social–ecological systems are complex, dynamic and non-linear. Interestingly, results also reveal that there are common factors to most social–ecological systems that have the potential to improve or diminish sustainability: the role of financial entities and monetary debt; economic speculation; technological development and efficiency; long-term views, tipping point management and government interventions; and top-down and bottom-up conservation forces. These factors can play a dual role, as they can either undermine or enhance sustainability depending on their specific context and particular conditions. Therefore, the current economic system may not be inherently unsustainable, but rather specific economic mechanisms, decision-making processes and the complex links between economic and natural systems could be at the root of the problem. We argue that short- and medium-term sustainability can be achieved by implementing mechanisms that shift capitalist forces to support environmental conservation. Long-term sustainability, in contrast, requires a more profound paradigm shift: the full integration and accounting of externalities and natural capital into the economy.
From Flora to Solar Adaptive Facades: Integrating Plant-Inspired Design with Photovoltaic Technologies
Authors: Jalali Sara , Nicoletti Eleonora , Badarnah Lidia
Published: January 2024

Recognizing the significance of solar energy as a vital renewable energy source in building envelope design is becoming more and more important and needs urgent attention. Exploring solar adaptation strategies found in plants offers a wide range of effective design possibilities that can substantially improve building performance. Thus, integrating solar technologies with biomimetic solar adaptive solutions could establish a suitable combination towards a sustainable design. In this context, this study follows an interdisciplinary approach to provide a link between plants’ solar adaptation strategies, building integrated photovoltaics and building envelope design. To do so, a framework has been presented using data synthesis and classification to support the potential integration of three photovoltaic (PV) technologies with plant-inspired building envelope design, facilitating a harmonizing approach between biomimetic design and the application of photovoltaic technologies in buildings.
New Accurate Approximation Formula for Gamma Function
Authors: Mahmoud Mansour , Almuashi Hanan
Published: January 2024

In this paper, a new approximation formula for the gamma function and some of its symmetric inequalities are established. We prove the superiority of our results over Yang and Tian’s approximation formula for the gamma function of order v−9.
Navigation Route Planning for Tourism Intelligent Connected Vehicle Based on the Symmetrical Spatial Clustering and Improved Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Peng Jian , Wen Bowei , Su Mingzhan
Published: January 2024

The intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) decision-making system needs to match tourist interests and search for the route with the lowest travel cost when recommending POIs (Points of Interest) and navigation tour routes. In response to this research objective, we construct a navigation route-planning model for tourism intelligent connected vehicles based on symmetrical spatial clustering and improved fruit fly optimization algorithm. Firstly, we construct the POI feature attribute clustering algorithm based on the spatial decision forest to achieve the optimal POI recommendation. Secondly, we construct the POI spatial attribute clustering algorithm based on the SA-AGNES (Spatial Accessibility-Agglomerative Nesting) to achieve the spatial modeling between POIs and ICV clusters. On the basis of POI feature attribute and spatial attribute, we construct the POI recommendation algorithm for the ICV navigation routes based on the attribute weights. On the basis of the recommended POIs, we construct the tourism ICV navigation route-planning model based on the improved fruit fly optimization algorithm. Experiments prove that the proposed algorithm can accurately output POIs that match tourists’ interests and needs, and find out the ICV navigation route with the lowest travel cost. Compared with the commonly used map route-planning methods and traditional route-searching algorithms, the proposed algorithm can reduce the travel costs by 15.22% at most, which can also effectively reduce the energy consumption of the ICV system, and improve the efficiency of sight-seeing and traveling for tourists.
Optimization of an Air Conditioning Pipes Production Line for the Automotive Industry—A Case Study
Authors: Laroca Ana , Pereira Maria Teresa , Silva Francisco J. G. , Oliveira Marisa J. G. P.
Published: January 2024

The following work aims to show how a combination of continuous improvement (CI) and Lean tools can reduce waste and process variability along an air-conditioned pipe production line (PL), calculate its capacity, and improve its efficiency to achieve the expected productivity. A variability study focused on the PL’s balancing was conducted to identify and reduce possible bottlenecks, as well as to evaluate the line’s real capacity. Several layout improvements were made to upgrade the line’s operational conditions and reduce unnecessary movements from the workers. The Constant Work-In-Progress (CONWIP) methodology was also applied to ease the component’s production management in the preparation stage. Additional modifications were implemented to support production and to contribute to the increases in efficiency, quality, and safety on the line. The results revealed an increase in the line’s capacity, associated with an efficiency rise from 28.81% to 47.21% from February to June 2023. The overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) in the same period increased by 18%. This demonstrates that, by interactively applying a mix of tools and methodologies, it is possible to achieve better performance of production lines. This knowledge can help scholars and practitioners to apply the same set of tools to solve usual problems in cell and production lines with performance below expectations.
Influencing Factor Identification and Simulation for Urban Metro System Operation Processes—A Resilience Enhancement Perspective
Authors: Li Kang , Xiahou Xiaer , Wu Zhou , Shi Peng , Tang Lingyi , Li Qiming
Published: January 2024

When confronted with rainstorms and flood disturbances, the operational processes of urban metro systems demonstrate vulnerabilities to attacks, inadequate resistance, and sluggish recovery characteristics. The flood resilience of UMS operational processes requires urgent enhancements. This paper aims to enhance the flood resilience of urban metro operation processes by proposing a three-stage PEL resilience enhancement framework: prevention resilience, response resilience, and learning resilience. Additionally, it summarizes the influencing factors on UMS flood resilience from five dimensions: natural-physical-social-management-economic (NPSME). By employing system dynamics as a simulation tool, this study elucidates the logical interconnections among these influential factors. Furthermore, by utilizing economic change conditions as an illustrative example, it effectively simulates the response characteristics of both standardized benchmark scenarios and economic change scenarios. Based on these simulation results, corresponding strategies for flood resilience enhancement are proposed to offer valuable insights for metro operation management. The Nanjing metro system was taken as a case study, where relevant historical data were collected and strategies were simulated for different development scenarios to validate the effectiveness and rationality of the proposed method for enhancing resilience. The simulation results demonstrate that changes in economic conditions and population structure are the primary factors influencing the enhancement of flood resilience in UMS operations.
A Next-Generation Adenoviral Vaccine Elicits Mucosal and Systemic Immunogenicity and Reduces Viral Shedding after SARS-CoV-2 Challenge in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Tedjakusuma Sarah N. , Lester Colin A. , Neuhaus Elena D. , Dora Emery G. , Gutierrez Samanta , Braun Molly R. , Tucker Sean N. , Flitter Becca A.
Published: January 2024

As new SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge and impact communities worldwide, next-generation vaccines that enhance protective mucosal immunity may have a significant impact on productive infection and transmission. We have developed recombinant non-replicating adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) vaccines delivered by mucosal administration that express both target antigen and a novel molecular adjuvant within the same cell. Here, we describe the immunogenicity of three unique SARS-CoV-2 rAd5 vaccine candidates and their efficacy following viral challenge in non-human primates (NHPs). Intranasal immunization with rAd5 vaccines expressing Wuhan, or Beta variant spike alone, or Wuhan spike and nucleocapsid elicited strong antigen-specific serum IgG and IgA with neutralizing activity against multiple variants of concern (VOC). Robust cross-reactive mucosal IgA was detected after a single administration of rAd5, which showed strong neutralizing activity against multiple VOC. Additionally, mucosal rAd5 vaccination increased spike-specific IFN-γ producing circulating T-cells. Upon Beta variant SARS-CoV-2 challenge, all the vaccinated NHPs exhibited significant reductions in viral load and infectious particle shedding in both the nasal passages and lower airways. These findings demonstrate that mucosal rAd5 immunization is highly immunogenic, confers protective cross-reactive antibody responses in the circulation and mucosa, and reduces viral load and shedding after SARS-CoV-2 challenge.
Wasserstein-Enabled Leaks Localization in Water Distribution Networks
Authors: Ponti Andrea , Giordani Ilaria , Candelieri Antonio , Archetti Francesco
Published: January 2024

Leaks in water distribution networks are estimated to account for up to 30% of the total distributed water; moreover, the increasing demand and the skyrocketing energy cost have made leak localization and adoption ever more important to water utilities. Each leak scenario is run on a simulation model to compute the resulting values of pressure and flows over the whole network. The values recorded by the sensors are seen as features of one leak scenario and can be considered as the signature of the leak. The key distinguishing element in this paper is to consider the entire distribution of data, representing a leak as a probability distribution. In this representation, the similarity between leaks can be captured by the Wasserstein distance. This choice matches the physics of the system as follows: the equations modeling the generation of flow and pressure data are non-linear. The signatures obtained through the simulation of a set of leak scenarios are non-linearly clustered in the Wasserstein space using Wasserstein barycenters as centroids. As a new set of measurements arrives, its signature is associated with the cluster with the closest barycenter. The location of the simulated leaks belonging to that cluster are the possible locations of the observed leak. This new framework allows a richer representation of pressure and flow data embedding both the modeling and the computational modules in a space whose elements are discrete probability distribution endowed with the Wasserstein distance. Experiments on benchmark and real-world networks confirm the feasibility of the proposed approach.
An Integrated Current–Wave–Sediment Model for Coastal and Estuary Simulation
Authors: Lai Yong G.
Published: January 2024

An integrated current–wave–sediment model is developed for coastal and estuary applications. The new model aims to improve the existing ones in both the physical process representation and the numerical techniques. Two areas of improvements are emphasized: the numerical procedure and a new general sediment sub-model. The numerical procedure adopts the one-model one-mesh approach to improve the model accuracy, efficiency and user friendliness. One model is developed which includes three major sub-models: current flow, wave dynamics and sediment transport. The three are tightly coupled during the solution process by exchanging data among sub-models within the same time step. Further, one unstructured geophysical mesh is adopted for all three sub-models and the mesh allows the most flexible polygonal shapes with an arbitrary number of sides. The current flow sub-model is an extension of the existing river hydraulic model (SRH-2D), the wave sub-model follows the third-generation theory implemented in SWAN which solves the multi-frequency multi-direction wave action balance equation and the sediment sub-model is a new development adopting a general multi-size non-equilibrium sediment transport formulation but tailored for coastal applications. In this paper, the theory, the governing equations and the numerical methods are presented; the new model is then verified and validated using selected experimental cases. It is shown that the new model may predict the current–wave–sediment dynamics well. In addition, model sensitivity results are also discussed to shed light on future needs.
Capacity and Mechanisms of Phosphate Adsorption on Lanthanum-Modified Dewatered Sludge-Based Biochar
Authors: Mo Jingjing , Li Qian , Sun Xiaojie , Zhang Hongxia , Xing Meiyan , Dong Bin , Zhu Hongxiang
Published: January 2024

Using sewage sludge to produce biochar-based adsorbents to remove phosphate (P) from water can be a sustainable and cost-effective method of waste management. However, the adsorption efficiency of sewage sludge biochar is not high. In this study, lanthanum-modified sludge-based biochar (La-SBBC) was synthesized by combining lanthanum nitrate with dewatered sludge. La-SBBC exhibited the highest removal efficiency of 99.06% for an initial P concentration of 15 mg/L at pH 3.0 with a dosage of 1.3 g/L. The maximum adsorption capacity of La-SBBC for P was 152.77 mg/g at 35 °C. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 ≥ 0.973) and the Freundlich isothermal adsorption model (R2 ≥ 0.928). Multilayer chemisorption was identified as the controlling process. The primary mechanisms of P adsorption by La-SBBC involved electrostatic interactions, precipitation, and inner sphere complexation. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process of La-SBBC was a spontaneous endothermic reaction. The fixed-bed experiment demonstrated that La-SBBC had significant practical utility. La-SBBC maintained 76.6% of the original P removal efficiency after six cycles. Therefore, La-SBBC can be used as a promising adsorbent for P in practical applications.
A Tool for Identifying Suitable Places for the Placement of Blue-Green Infrastructure Elements, a Case Study on the Cities of the Moravian-Silesian Region, Czech Republic
Authors: Teichmann Marek , Szeligova Natalie , Faltejsek Michal , Chvatik Stepan
Published: January 2024

The aim of this contribution is to present the R-WIM (Rainwater Information Management) tool, which was created based on an extensive database of territory parameters, weather, surface runoff, etc., and in accordance with the requirements of municipalities. This tool was created especially for the purpose of identifying places where it is appropriate to implement elements of blue-green infrastructure. This tool was created on the basis of the smart urbido s.r.o. software 2.0, which allows working with a wide range of graphic and non-graphic information so that it is possible to link them together functionally and computationally, and to model the necessary spatial phenomena within the environment of selected cities of the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic.
Water Footprints of Dairy Milk Processing Industry: A Case Study of Punjab (India)
Authors: Sharma Hanish , Singh Pranav K. , Kaur Inderpreet , Singh Ranvir
Published: January 2024

A robust assessment of water used in agriculture, including livestock production systems and supply chains, is critical to inform diversification and the development of productivity and sustainable food production systems. This paper presents a detailed analysis of water used and consumed in nine dairy milk processing plants spread across Punjab, India’s leading dairy milk-producing state. Over the five years (2015–2019), the direct water use (DWU) was quantified at 3.31 L of groundwater per kg of milk processed. Only about 26% of the direct water used was consumed, including evaporative losses in various milk processing operations, while the remaining 74% was returned as effluent discharges. The average total water footprint (TWF), accounting for both direct and indirect water consumption, was quantified at 9.0 L of water per kg of milk processed. The majority share (~89%) of the total water footprint was contributed by the indirect water footprint associated with the consumption of electricity (energy) in dairy milk processing activities. The plant’s milk processing capacity and processing products mix also affected significant seasonal and annual variations in the direct and indirect water footprints of dairy milk processing. The analysis also found an inverse relationship between the average total water footprint and the average monthly amount of milk processed in the study plants. Therefore, efforts to reduce the indirect water footprint (associated with energy consumption), the treatment and recycling of effluent discharges, and the optimization of milk processing capacity, the dairy processing product mix, and the locations of dairy processing plants are expected to help reduce the water footprint of dairy processing in the state.
Aging Mechanisms of Lithium-ion Batteries
Authors: Seok Jangwhan , Lee Wontae , Lee Hyunbeom , Park Sangbin , Chung Chanyou , Hwang Sunhyun , Yoon Won-Sub
Published: January 2024

Modern society is making numerous efforts to reduce reliance on carbon-based energy systems. A notable solution in this transition is the adoption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as potent energy sources, owing to their high energy and power densities. Driven by growing environmental challenges, the application scope of LIBs has expanded from their initial prevalence in portable electronic devices to include electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESSs). Accordingly, LIBs must exhibit long-lasting cyclability and high energy storage capacities to facilitate prolonged device usage, thereby offering a potential alternative to conventional sources like fossil fuels. Enhancing the durability of LIBs hinges on a comprehensive understanding of the reasons behind their performance decline. Therefore, comprehending the degradation mechanism, which includes detrimental chemical and mechanical phenomena in the components of LIBs, is an essential step in resolving cycle life issues. The LIB systems presently being commercialized and developed predominantly employ graphite anode and layered oxide cathode materials. A significant portion of the degradation process in LIB systems takes place during the electrochemical reactions involving these electrodes. In this review, we explore and organize the aging mechanisms of LIBs, especially those with graphite anodes and layered oxide cathodes.
EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGERIAL ACTIONS AND DECISIONS DURING THE STATE FINANCIAL AUDIT OF LOCAL BUDGETS
Authors:   Chernivtsi Institute of Trade and Economics of KNUTE, Chernivtsi, Chornovol Alla , Tabenska Julia ,   Chernivtsi Institute of Trade and Economics of KNUTE,Chernivtsi
Published: January 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the effectiveness of managerial actions and decisions during the state financial audit of local budgets. The author notes that a promising driving mechanism for eliminating violations in the management of budget funds and state assets is the introduction of effective procedures for the system of public financial audit. Public financial audit should be understood as verification and analysis by the state financial control body of the actual state of affairs regarding the legal and effective use of state or communal funds and property, other state assets, correctness of accounting and reliability of financial statements, internal control system. It is generalized that the state financial audit of the local budget is aimed at conducting and analyzing the legality and efficiency of the formation and implementation of local budgets. The articles highlights the correctness of accounting conducted by audited entities; reliability of financial and budgetary reporting of audit objects; functioning of the internal control system and the state of internal audit; the state of use of property, funds, land, natural resources that are in the communal ownership of territorial communities, villages, settlements, cities, districts, and objects of their common property, which are managed by district and regional councils. It is investigated that the distribution of control powers in the Ukrainian realities is as follows: the State Treasury Service of Ukraine carries out preliminary and current control in treasury servicing of local budgets, and the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine and the State Audit Office of Ukraine - subsequent (retrospective) control during external audits. Taking into account the norms of legislation in the field of control at the local level, the mechanisms of external state financial control (audit) at the local level include: audit carried out by the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine (financial audit and performance audit); state financial audit, which is carried out by the State Audit Office of Ukraine. In turn, budget managers represented by their heads conduct internal control and internal audit at the local level.
OPTIMIZATION OF COST MANAGEMENT PROCESS OF TRADE ENTERPRISES UNDER THE TERMS OF CRISIS
Authors:   Chernivtsi Institute of Trade and Economics of KNUTE, Chernivtsi, Gut Liubov
Published: January 2024

The issue of optimization of enterprise’s cost management during the economic crisis is quite relevant. The current crisis has accelerated the development of new trends that will have a decisive impact on the activities of trade enterprises in future. In particular, these trends are the following: the trend of change (evolution) of the business model; clear purpose formulation; significant focus on reduction in costs, increase of consumer influence. ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT OF ENTERPRISES Issue II (82), 2021 41 In this regard, it is extremely important for any company to find new ways of cost optimization and a quick response to changing external conditions, taking into account modern technological and technical solutions in order to continue the efficient and smooth operation under current crisis conditions. The aim of the article is to develop an effective mechanism for optimization of the cost management process of trade enterprises in crisis conditions. The following general scientific methods were used in the process of research: the method of system analysis - to clarify the main categories of research; the abstract and logical method - for theoretical generalization and conclusions about the essence of cost management, the main stages of this process; the graphical method - to visualize the theoretical and analytical material to reflect the main optimization aspects of the cost management process under crisis operating conditions. The article substantiates the necessity for optimization of the cost management process of trade enterprises in crisis conditions. The main scientific approaches to cost management and some of their shortcomings are considered. The author proposes the main elements for optimization of the cost management process of trade enterprises under crisis conditions, which will allow them to get out of the crisis with the least losses and maintain the acquired market position. A special attention is paid to substantiation of the importance of the management process automation and the need to invest in new types of advertising, the development of omni-channels and the development of secure non-cash payment systems. The proposed optimization elements of the cost management system can help stabilize the enterprise’s financial position and maintain an appropriate efficiency level during the crisis. Prospects for further research in this area are to expand the system of KPIs in terms of cost management and their further application in practical activities of trade enterprises.
MODIFIKASI PERILAKU PERIKSA PAYUDARA SENDIRI MELALUI MEDIA KALENDER SADARI
Authors: Indargairi I , Sintawati S
Published: January 2024

Periksa Payudara Sendiri (SADARI) merupakan cara termurah dan teraman dalam melakukan deteksi dini kanker payudara. Namun, tidak banyak remaja atau wanita yang rutin melakukan SADARI. Oleh sebab itu, diperlukan sebuah pendekatan baru dimana remaja wanita mampu bertanggungjawab dalam manajemen diri perilaku SADARI secara rutin setiap bulan. Pemberian edukasi berbasis Kalender SADARI yang di-follow up selama tiga bulan diharapkan mampu memodifikasi perilaku remaja wanita dalam melakukan SADARI untuk meningkatkan kulaitas hidup mereka dan sebagai langkah dalam deteksi awal kanker payudara. Penelitian ini menggunakan quasi eksperimen dengan pretest-postest control group design. Jumlah sampel sebanyak 94 responden.  Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan accidental sampling. Responden dibagi dalam kelompok intervensi (48 siswa) dan kelompok kontrol (46 siswa). Data dikumpulkan menggunakan kuesioner data demografi, kuesioner perilaku SADARI, dan isian praktik SADARI siswi selama 3 bulan pada Kalender SADARI. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara kedua kelompok (p=0.078), namun responden pada kelompok intervensi maupun kelompok kontrol secara konsisten melakukan SADARI selama tiga bulan berturut-turut. Dari hasil penelitian ini diharapkan pihak sekolah dapat memberi program pendidikan bagi siswa tentang pentingnya melakukan SADARI untuk memfasilitasi pencegahan dan deteksi dini kanker payudara melalui kalender SADARI.

 Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is the cheapest and safest way to detect breast cancer early. However, not many teenagers or women regularly do BSE. Therefore, a new approach is needed where young women are able to take responsibility for self-management of BSE behavior on a regular basis every month. Providing education based on the BSE Calendar which is followed up for three months is expected to be able to modify the behavior of young women in carrying out BSE to improve their quality of life and as a step in early detection of breast cancer. This research used a quasi-experiment with a pretest-posttest control group design. The total sample was 94 respondents. The sampling technique uses accidental sampling. Respondents were divided into intervention groups (48 students) and control groups (46 students). Data was collected using a demographic data questionnaire, a BSE behavior questionnaire, and filling in female students' BSE practice for 3 months on the BSE Calendar. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.078), but respondents in the intervention group and control group consistently performed BSE for three consecutive months. From the results of this research, it is hoped that schools can provide educational programs for students about the importance of doing BSE to facilitate the prevention and early detection of breast cancer through the BSE calendar.
Música y riesgos en un mundo existencial y generizado - Un desafío actual para la sociedad
Authors: Bohlin Margareta
Published: January 2024

El  discurso  se  puede  extraer  desde  estudios  multi-metodológicos  que  usan estadísticas, análisis de discurso críticos y fenomenológicos. Personas de todas las edades participan en actividades que suponen un riesgo para su salud, por ejemplo, estar expuestos a contextos musicales con altos niveles de sonido. Sin embargo, es importante no solo observar los riesgos como amenazas, sino también como algo que puede potenciar experiencias y oportunidades positivas.
Recomendaciones del informe mundial sobre audición para la prevención del daño auditivo en entornos recreativos
Authors: Tavartkiladze George
Published: January 2024

De  acuerdo  a  las  estadísticas  de  la  OMS,  casi  el  40%  de  los  adolescentes y adultos jóvenes de entre 12 y 35 años en países de ingresos medios y altos están expuestos a niveles de sonido potencialmente dañinos en entornos recreativos.
Programa Nacional del cuidado del oído y la audición en Malasia
Authors: Zainon Hafiz Izny
Published: January 2024

Millones de personas en el mundo viven con una pérdida auditiva discapacitante que  podría  haberse  prevenido  o  manejado  de  manera  efectiva  a  través  de  una atención y cuidado auditivos eficaz (EHC, por sus siglas en inglés). Muchas personas con  pérdida  auditiva  pueden  recibir  apoyo  mediante  la  identificación  temprana y  las  intervenciones  adecuadas.  El  cuidado  del  oído  y  la  audición  se  refiere  a intervenciones  integrales  basadas  en  evidencia  para  prevenir,  identificar y  tratar las enfermedades del oído y la pérdida auditiva, y para rehabilitar y apoyar a las personas con pérdida auditiva.
Resumenes XVI Jornadas Científicas.
Authors: Jornadas cientificas XVI
Published: January 2024

Se ponen a su disposición los resumenes de los trabajos presentados en el marco de las XVI Jornadas Cientificas: 131 Junto a ud.
Report Review : Arab Development Report 2023 Climate Change and Sustainable Development in the Arab States
Authors: AbouShamala Nawaf
Published: January 2024

يتصدى هذا التقرير لقضية حيوية مصيرية الطابع والتي تتعلق بالتغيرات المناخية وتداعياتها على أنماط التنمية الحالية والمستقبلية في الدول العربية. وهي القضية التي لا تشغل بال الدول العربية فقط، بل إنها موضع اهتمام العالم بأسره، حيث أصبحت التغيرات المناخية وما ينجم عنها من تأثيرات تمثل مهددا حقيقيا لجهود الدول التنموية في أبعادها الاقتصادية والاجتماعية، وهذا بالنظر لما يرتبط بتلك التغيرات من تنامي ظواهر ومخاطر عديدة مثل التصحر والجفاف والعواصف والحرائق والفيضانات والسيول، وتغير معدلات ومواسم هطول الأمطار، وهي الظواهر التي تتفق جميعها في إضرارها بالأمن الاقتصادي والإنساني، ما جعلها تتصدر أجندة العمل الدولي والإقليمي، بل وتحظى باهتمام ومتابعة واسعة من قبل شرائح وفئات واسعة من المجتمعات.
A Survey on 3D Skeleton-Based Action Recognition Using Learning Method
Authors: Ren Bin , Liu Mengyuan , Ding Runwei , Liu Hong
Published: January 2024

Three-dimensional skeleton-based action recognition (3D SAR) has gained important attention within the computer vision community, owing to the inherent advantages offered by skeleton data. As a result, a plethora of impressive works, including those based on conventional handcrafted features and learned feature extraction methods, have been conducted over the years. However, prior surveys on action recognition have primarily focused on video or red-green-blue (RGB) data-dominated approaches, with limited coverage of reviews related to skeleton data. Furthermore, despite the extensive application of deep learning methods in this field, there has been a notable absence of research that provides an introductory or comprehensive review from the perspective of deep learning architectures. To address these limitations, this survey first underscores the importance of action recognition and emphasizes the significance of 3-dimensional (3D) skeleton data as a valuable modality. Subsequently, we provide a comprehensive introduction to mainstream action recognition techniques based on 4 fundamental deep architectures, i.e., recurrent neural networks, convolutional neural networks, graph convolutional network, and Transformers. All methods with the corresponding architectures are then presented in a data-driven manner with detailed discussion. Finally, we offer insights into the current largest 3D skeleton dataset, NTU-RGB+D, and its new edition, NTU-RGB+D 120, along with an overview of several top-performing algorithms on these datasets. To the best of our knowledge, this research represents the first comprehensive discussion of deep learning-based action recognition using 3D skeleton data.
Pregnancy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Special Combination
Authors: Izquierdo Viviana Parra , Ovalle Carolina Pavez , Costa Valeria , Leguízamo Ana María , Ordoñez Juan Sebastián Frías , Hani Albis
Published: January 2024

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a spectrum of chronic immune-mediated diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Onset typically occurs in early adulthood. The incidence of this disease has increased worldwide. Its prevalence has increased in Colombia and occurs predominantly in women. Considering that this disease is not curable, the main objective of management is to achieve remission. Many women are affected by IBD during different stages of their lives, including their reproductive life, pregnancy, and menopause. Because of this, the way the disease is managed in women of reproductive age can affect the course of IBD. Treatment and health maintenance strategies are very relevant; for patients with a desire to conceive, remission of the disease is very important at the time of conception and throughout the pregnancy to ensure adequate outcomes for both mother and fetus. Also, remission is necessary at least 3 months prior to conception. It is well known that active disease during conception and pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes. In addition, active perianal disease is an indication of cesarean delivery, resulting in an increased risk of intestinal surgery and post-operative complications.
Opium Effects on Pancreatobiliary System in Opium Abusers Evaluated by Endoscopic Ultrasonography
Authors: Sotoudehmanesh Rasoul , Ali Asgari Ali , Bagheri Mohammad , Rahimi Roya
Published: January 2024

Background: Opium use is a significant social and public health issue. There are numerous effects of opium documented as affecting the pancreatobiliary system. The aim of the study was to assess the pancreatobiliary changes in patients with opium addiction by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Methods: During the study period, consecutive patients who were referred for EUS of submucosal upper gastrointestinal lesions were included. The history of opium addiction and clinical symptoms were recorded prospectively. Diameters of the common bile duct (CBD), pancreatic duct (PD), size of the ampulla of Vater, and gallbladder abnormalities were evaluated using EUS. Results: A total of 254 patients (53.1% male, mean age of 55.4±14.2 years) were studied. A history of opium addiction was present in 56 patients (22.0%). Choledocholithiasis was found in two patients (3.6%) and one control (0.5%) patient (P=0.06). Gallbladder stones were found in 13 opium-addict (23.2%) and 16 control (8.1%) patients (P=0.002). The mean diameter of the CBD, size of the ampulla of Vater (P<0.001), and PD (P=0.04) were all significantly greater in patients with opium addiction. Conclusion: Dilation of the biliary and PDs is seen more commonly in patients addicted to opium. However, the clinical implications of these findings need to be further evaluated in future studies.
Impact of Various Risk Factors on the Positive Fecal Immunochemical Test for Colorectal Cancer in the Iranian Population
Authors: Milani Nasrin , Darband Tayyebeh Jalayernia , Mousa-Farkhani Ehsan , Goshayeshi Ladan , Kabiri Mona
Published: January 2024

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most prevalent cancer with high mortality worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of CRC based on the positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) result in the Iranian population. Methods: The present study was conducted on the health assessment data recorded in the SINA (Integrated Health Information System) in 2018 and 2019 from individuals who had participated in the national program, including asymptomatic people aged 50-69 years or had risk factors of CRC such as family or past personal history of CRC as well as symptomatic individuals, for the early detection and prevention of CRC in Mashhad, Iran. Results: The study participants included 140,463 eligible individuals, of whom 8258 (5.88%) and 145 (2.21%) were positive for FIT and diagnosed with colon cancer, respectively. Unfortunately, only 654 people had undergone colonoscopy. Our results indicated that age, fast food intake (≥two units per day), family history of CRC in first or second-degree relatives, some gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and CRC, as well as bleeding per anus, constipation, abdominal cramp, and losing body weight were associated with increased risk of positive FIT. However, some other factors, including having a hard job, physical activity, and Iranian nationality (compared to non-Iranians), were associated with a low risk of positive FIT screening tests for CRC. Conclusion: A high number of high-risk persons in Mashhad were positive for the FIT test in 2018-2019, and many of them were diagnosed with CRC, according to the colonoscopy results. Therefore, screening is highly recommended as the first step in the early detection of CRC.