bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competitive Green Supply Chain Transformation with Dynamic Capabilities—An Exploratory Case Study of Chinese Electronics Industry
Authors: Ye Ying , Lau Kwok Hung
Published: July 2022

Extant studies identify different strategic approaches for businesses to integrate environment management (EM) into corporate supply chain management (SCM) to create different competitive market advantages. With increasing market uncertainties, stakeholder complexities, constraints of resources, companies nowadays are required to develop more context-specific solutions for mitigating sustainability risk and improving market performance in supply chain sustainability practices. To address the challenges faced by businesses, this study aims to explore how a company adapts green supply chain strategies for a competitive transformation. Specifically, we aim to identify different green supply chain capabilities that form hybrid choices of green solutions for a company to leverage an adaptive green shift. Through an extensive literature review, this study proposes a conceptual framework for exploration which is based on a qualitative in-depth case study in the electronics industry—one of the most polluting manufacturing sectors in China. The findings show that supply chain characteristics play a significant role in the selection of different green SCM solutions by businesses. We find different hybrid choices of strategic decisions are being made by the case company operating with high-volume and high-value supply chains respectively. High-volume supply chains adopt both operational pollution and waste control strategies and incremental green product strategies to balance cost of operational change and develop a competitive eco-efficient market expansion. In contrast, high-value supply chains adopt radical green product innovation strategies and operational waste prevention strategies to balance cost of product innovation and build operational efficiency to expand in a competitive eco-differentiation market. A mix of dynamic capabilities involved in different supply chain green transformations are also identified.
Bank Interest Margin and Green Lending Policy under Sunflower Management
Authors: Li Xuelian , Lu Tinghui , Lin Jyh-Horng
Published: July 2022

Sunflower management is a type of management style in which a chief executive officer (CEO) ignores information and attempts to confirm the board’s prior beliefs. The CEO’s accommodating behavior may reduce incentive conflicts but also stimulate diligent board monitoring. The present article aims to develop a contingent claim utility model to investigate the effect of green lending on bank spread behavior and board monitoring under sunflower management. The principal advantage of the contingent claim utility approach is the explicit treatment of uncertainty and diligent board monitoring, which play a prominent role in discussions of intermediary behavior. Additionally, banks may earn goodwill from a green lending policy, thus yielding environmental improvements. In this study, we explore the goodwill effect on the bank’s interest margin determination and board monitoring. We use the comparative statistics method to analyze the result of changes in the theoretical model’s exogenous parameters. Moreover, we use empirical data as a baseline for numerical simulations to explain the comparative statistics. Our main findings are that increasing green lending reduces interest margins and enforces diligent board monitoring. The increase in goodwill garnered from improvements to the bank’s green lending reputation was found to enhance the interest margins but ease active board monitoring. From these results, we outline implications such as implementing intangible goodwill asset accumulation from bank customers’ green awareness via green lending publicity that increases the bank interest margin under sunflower management, thereby affecting banking stability.
Eco-Driving in Railway Lines Considering the Uncertainty Associated with Climatological Conditions
Authors: Blanco-Castillo Manuel , Fernández-Rodríguez Adrián , Fernández-Cardador Antonio , Cucala Asunción P.
Published: July 2022

Eco-driving is a keystone in energy reduction in railways and a fundamental tool to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals in the transport sector. However, its results in real applications are subject to uncertainties such as climatological factors that are not considered in the train driving optimisation. This paper aims to develop an eco-driving model to design efficient driving commands considering the uncertainty of climatological conditions. This uncertainty in temperature, pressure, and wind is modelled by means of fuzzy numbers, and the optimisation problem is solved using a Genetic Algorithm with fuzzy parameters making use of an accurate railway simulator. It has been applied to a realistic Spanish high-speed railway scenario, proving the importance of considering the uncertainty of climatological parameters to adapt driving commands to them. The results obtained show that the energy savings expected without considering climatological factors account for 29.76%, but if they are considered, savings can rise up to 34.7% in summer conditions. With the proposed model, a variation in energy of 5.32% is obtained when summer and winter scenarios are compared while punctuality constraints are fulfiled. In conclusion, the model allows the operator to estimate better energy by obtaining optimised driving adapted to the climate.
Understanding Revisit Intention towards Religious Attraction of Kartarpur Temple: Moderation Analysis of Religiosity
Authors: Rehman Asad Ur , Shoaib Muhammad , Javed Mohsin , Abbas Zuhair , Nawal Ayesha , Zámečník Roman
Published: July 2022

This study examines the effect of destination image, cultural contact and perceived risk on revisit intention of Sikh pilgrims to Kartarpur temple, mediated by tourist satisfaction. The literature has debated the moderating effect of religiosity in a different tourism context. However, studies rarely investigate the moderating role of religiosity in the relationship of destination image, cultural contact and perceived risk with tourist satisfaction. This study follows a cross-sectional approach and self-administered survey method to collect data from 613 Sikh pilgrims who visited Kartarpur temple. A quantitative study with covariance-based structural equation modeling was employed to examine the research hypothesis through Amos 2 version. The results show that tourists’ satisfaction partially mediates the relationship of destination image and cultural contact with revisit intention. Nevertheless, perceived risk significantly affects the revisit intention effect via tourist satisfaction. So, tourist satisfaction was the significant mediator between destination image, cultural contact, perceived risk and revisit intentions. The findings confirm that the religiosity of Sikh pilgrims significantly moderates the relationship of destination image, cultural contact and perceived risk with revisit intentions. Practically, the findings offer the managers of such attractions to formulate suitable marketing strategies for developing the revisit intention and sustainable branding.
Comparative Study on the Isothermal Reduction Kinetics of Iron Oxide Pellet Fines with Carbon-Bearing Materials
Authors: Hammam Abourehab , Nasr Mahmoud I. , El-Sadek Mohamed H. , Omran Mamdouh , Ahmed Abdallah , Li Ying , Xiong Yuandong , Yu Yaowei
Published: July 2022

The isothermal reduction of iron oxide pellet fines–carbon composites was investigated at temperatures of 900–1100 °C. The reduction reactions were monitored using the thermogravimetric (TG) technique. Alternatively, a Quadruple Mass Spectrometer (QMS) analyzed the CO and CO2 gases evolved from the reduction reactions. The effect of temperature, carbon source, and reaction time on the rate of reduction was extensively studied. The phase composition and the morphological structure of the reduced composites were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the reduction rate was affected by the temperature and source of carbon. For all composite compacts, the reduction rate, as well as the conversion degree (α) increased with increasing temperature. Under the same temperature, the conversion degree and the reduction rate of composites were greater according to using the following carbon sources order: Activated charcoal > charcoal > coal. The reduction of the different composites was shown to occur stepwise from hematite to metallic iron. The reduction, either by activated charcoal or charcoal, is characterized by two behaviors. During the initial stage, the chemical reaction model (1 − α)−2 controls the reduction process whereas the final stage is controlled by gas diffusion [1 − (1 − α)1/2]2. In the case of reduction with coal, the reduction mechanism is regulated by the Avrami–Erofeev model [−ln (1−α)2] at the initial stage. The rate-controlling mechanism is the 3-D diffusion model (Z-L-T), namely [(1−α)−1/3−1]2 at the latter stage. The results indicated that using biomass carbon sources is favorable to replace fossil-origin carbon-bearing materials for the reduction of iron oxide pellet fines.
Large Scale Energy Signature Analysis: Tools for Utility Managers and Planners
Authors: Oh Sukjoon , Gardner John F.
Published: July 2022

Building energy signature analysis is a well-established tool for understanding the temperature sensitivity of building energy consumption and measuring energy savings. This tool has been used to measure energy savings of residential, commercial, and even industrial buildings. The public availability of electricity loads (i.e., hourly electricity demand (MW)) from entire Balancing Authorities (BAs) provide an interesting opportunity to apply this approach to a large aggregate load. In this paper, we explore that opportunity for BAs and show that the correlations for large geographical areas are surprisingly coherent when the change-point linear regression analysis is used with the daily interval data of electricity demand and outside air temperature. The change-point linear regression models of all the BAs, except WAUW and OVEC, show R2 of 0.70 or more and CV-RMSE of 10.0% or less. We also suggest an analysis method that allows for meaningful comparisons between BAs and to assess changes in time for a given BA which could be used to interpret changes in load patterns year-to-year, accounting for changes in weather. This approach can be used to verify the impact of energy efficiency programs on a building component/system-wide basis. This study shows the annual electricity demand reductions for SCL and IPCO are 136,655 MWh (1.5%) and 182,053 MWh (1.1%), respectively.
ICT and Environmental Sustainability: A Comparative Study
Authors: Shaaban-Nejad Samin , Shirazi Farid
Published: July 2022

This study investigates the role of information and communication technology (ICT), political instability and violence, and international protocols on global carbon emissions. Our empirical analysis used archival data for 146 economies from 1996 to 2019. The study’s estimates are also based on subsamples from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries. The study found that ICT has statistically significant impacts on reducing CO2 emissions globally, but the extension of the impact for OECD member countries is considerably more substantial. Therefore, the subject of study is considered to be among the first few studies to measure the effects of violence and regional conflicts on global warming—a notable result for conflict regions around the world. Additionally, the authors narrowed down the findings to a micro level and conducted a comparative study between Canada and the United Kingdom to evaluate the countries’ performances concerning climate mitigation initiatives.
Rural Residents’ Intention to Participate in Pro-Poor Tourism in Southern Xinjiang: A Theory of Planned Behavior Perspective
Authors: Wang Qi , Liao Yue’e , Gao Jun
Published: July 2022

It is well recognized that the sustainability of pro-poor tourism (PPT) lies in the continuous support and participation of the poor themselves. Previous studies have attempted to explore the effectiveness and patterns of pro-poor tourism, yet few have empirically explored the determinants of the poor’s intention to participate in PPT. Drawing on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study investigates the impacts of the attitude of rural residents towards PPT, the perception of support for PPT, and the participation behavioral control of PPT on their intention to participate in PPT in Southern Xinjiang, China. One thousand and twelve valid questionnaires were collected via a household survey in six National Pilot Villages of PPT in Southern Xinjiang. According to the results, the locals’ attitude towards PPT and their participation behavioral control of PPT both positively affected their intention to participate in PPT. However, there was no significant correlation between the perception of support for PPT and their participation intention. This study highlights the importance of endogenous impetuses for residents of remote poverty-stricken areas with harsh environmental conditions, such as Southern Xinjiang, to participate in state-aided projects.
Spatio-Temporal Variation of Precipitation in the Qinling Mountains from 1970 to 2100 Based on CMIP6 Data
Authors: Zhang Zhaopeng , Duan Keqin , Liu Huancai , Meng Yali , Chen Rong
Published: July 2022

Estimating future precipitation changes in the Qinling Mountains has significance, for understanding how to reveal the basic characteristics of the atmospheric water cycle in mountainous areas under the action of monsoons and the temporal- and spatial-variation mechanism of water resources in the ‘central water tower’, under the background of climate change. Based on four scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) of the CMIP6 model, the Taylor diagram method was used to select the best regional simulation model, according to historical observation data (1970–2014). On this basis, the precipitation change and circulation background of the Qinling Mountains over the next 86 years (2015–2100) were analyzed. The results show that the simulation effect of the optimal mode is better than that of the single mode. Under the four scenarios, the variation trends of the annual precipitation in the Qinling Mountains from 2015 to 2100 were 4.4 mm/10a, 18.5 mm/10a, 18.1 mm/10a, and 19.1 mm/10a, respectively. By the middle of this century (2041–2060), compared with the reference period of 1995–2014, the average annual precipitation in the Qinling Mountains under the four scenarios will increase by 64.1 mm, 7 mm, 28.8 mm, and −51 mm, respectively. By the end of this century (2081–2100), the average annual precipitation under the four scenarios will increase by 29.5 mm, 77.2 mm, 82.9 mm, and 21.2 mm, respectively. The abnormal increase (decrease) of water vapor, transported northward from the western Pacific and the Bay of Bengal, is the main reason for the abnormal increase (decrease) of precipitation in the flood season in the Qinling Mountains. With the increase in emission scenarios, the influence of the South Asian summer monsoon on precipitation in the Qinling Mountains becomes more significant.
Micromagnetic Simulation of Saturation Magnetization of Nanocrystalline Soft Magnetic Alloys under High-Frequency Excitation
Authors: Guo Kaihang , Zou Liang , Dai Lingjun , Zhang Li
Published: July 2022

In order to explore the magnetic moment rotation in nanocrystalline soft magnetic alloys under high-frequency sinusoidal excitation, based on G. Herzer’s stochastic anisotropy theory and symmetry principle, a three-dimensional model of nanocrystalline alloy was established, and a sinusoidal alternating magnetic field with a frequency f of 1 kHz to 10 kHz and an amplitude H of 0.1 T to 0.8 T was applied to the model. The magnetic moment movement in the magnetization process is investigated at the mesoscopic and macroscopic levels by defining the magnetic moment deflection velocity ω and magnetization rate v, respectively. The results show that ω is positively correlated with the alternating magnetic field f and H, and the increase of f has a particularly significant effect on ω growth compared with the increase of H. Then the function relation between ω and f and H is obtained by fitting. In which the coefficient of f is much larger than that of H, about 2.5 times that of H. Finally, the magnetization curve is measured by an AC measuring device, and the functional relations between v and the alternating magnetic fields f and H are obtained, in which the coefficient of f is much larger than that of H, about 2.75 times that of H. This value is approximately the same as that of the ω analysis, at the same time the relative error is only 9.1%.
Evaluation of Parameter Identification of a Real Manipulator Robot
Authors: Urrea Claudio , Agramonte Rayko
Published: July 2022

Given the widespread use of the Kalman filter in robotics, an increasing number of researchers devote themselves to its study and application. This work underscores the importance of this filter while analyzing the modifications made to the same to improve its performance and reduce its deficiencies in some fields and presenting some of its applications in robotics. The following methods are presented in this study: least squares (LS), Hopfield Neural Networks (HNN), Extended Kalman filter (EKF), and Unscented Kalman filter (UKF). These methods are used in the parameter identification of a Selective Compliant Assembly Robot Arm (SCARA) robot with 3-Degrees of Freedom (3-DoF) and a clamp at its end. The dynamic model of this robot is obtained and employed to identify its parameters; then, the identification results are compared considering the difference between the obtained parameters and the real values of the robot parameters; in this comparison, the good results yielded by the LS and UKF method stand out. Subsequently, the obtained parameters through each method are validated by measuring different performance indexes—during trajectory tracking—such as: Residual Mean Square Error (RMSE), Integral of the Absolute Error (IAE), and the Integral of the Square Error (ISE). In this way, a comparison of the robot’s performance is possible.
Enhancing BDI Agents Using Fuzzy Logic for CPS and IoT Interoperability Using the JaCa Platform
Authors: Karaduman Burak , Tezel Baris Tekin , Challenger Moharram
Published: July 2022

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are complex systems interacting with the physical world where instant external changes and uncertain events exist. The Internet of Things is a paradigm that can interoperate with a CPS to increase the CPS’s network and communication capabilities. In the literature, software agents, particularly belief–desire–intention (BDI) agents, are considered options to program these heterogeneous and complex systems in various domains. Moreover, fuzzy logic is a method for handling uncertainties. Therefore, the enhancement of BDI with fuzzy logic can also be employed to improve the abilities, such that autonomy, pro-activity, and reasoning, which are essentials for intelligent systems. These features can be applied in CPSs and IoT interoperable systems. This study extends the CPSs and IoT interoperable systems using fuzzy logic and intelligent agents as symmetric paradigms that equally leverage these domains as well as benefit the agent & artifact approach. In this regard, the main contribution of this study is the integration approach, used to combine the CPS and IoT augmented with fuzzy logic using BDI agents. The study begins with constructing the design primitives from scratch and shows how Jason BDI agents can control the distributed CPS. The study then performs the artifact approach by encapsulating a fuzzy inference system, utilizing time-based reasoning, and benefiting from symmetric fuzzy functions. Lastly, the study applies the self-adaptiveness method and flexibility plan selection, considering the run-time MAPE-K model to tackle run-time uncertainty.
Traveling Waves in Shallow Seas of Variable Depths
Authors: Pelinovsky Efim , Kaptsov Oleg
Published: July 2022

The problem of the existence of traveling waves in inhomogeneous fluid is very important for enabling an explanation of long-distance wave propagations such as tsunamis and storm waves. The present paper discusses new solutions to the variable-coefficient wave equations describing traveling waves in fluid layers of variable depths (1D shallow-water theory). Such solutions are obtained by using the transformation methods when variable-coefficient equations can be reduced to the constant coefficient equation when the existence of traveling waves is evident. It is shown that there is a wide class of monotonic bottom profiles (discrete set) that allow the existence of traveling waves that are not reflected in a strongly inhomogeneous water medium. Their temporal shape changes with distance, mainly near the water–land boundary (shoreline). Traveling waves can transfer the wave energy over a long distance that is often observed at the transoceanic propagation of tsunami waves.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Inhibitory Effects of Plant-Derived Sterilants on Rodent Population Abundance
Authors: Wen Xuanye , Yuan Shuai , Li Limei , Dai Quanhua , Yang Li , Jiang Fan , Lin Xiao
Published: July 2022

Owing to their low minimal environmental risk and other ethical considerations, plant-derived sterilants are used to control rodent populations. However, the effects of plant-derived sterilants are not immediate, and their efficacy on rodent control is controversial, which negatively affects sterilant research and application. Here, a meta-analysis of the available literature was conducted to evaluate the effects of two plant-derived sterilants, triptolide and curcumol, on rodent populations. Using a random-effects and a fixed-effects model, we calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and relative risk (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). After the application of plant-derived sterilants, the rodent population density tended to decrease. Three outcome-related measures in rodents, i.e., capture rate (RR = 0.31, 95% CI [0.20, 0.47]), pregnancy rate (RR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.40, 0.61]), and sperm survival rate (WMD = −17.53, 95% CI [−28.96, −6.06]), significantly decreased, as shown by a significant reduction of ovarian, uterine, and testicular organ coefficients. However, the number of effective rodent holes did not change significantly after the interventions, indicating that the studied sterilants did not directly eradicate the rodent populations. This study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the inhibitory mechanisms of plant-derived sterilants on rodent populations and for the rational use of these sterilants.
Polyomavirus BK Genome Comparison Shows High Genetic Diversity in Kidney Transplant Recipients Three Months after Transplantation
Authors: Mineeva-Sangwo Olga , Martí-Carreras Joan , Cleenders Evert , Kuypers Dirk , Maes Piet , Andrei Graciela , Naesens Maarten , Snoeck Robert
Published: July 2022

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a human DNA virus generally divided into twelve subgroups based on the genetic diversity of Viral Protein 1 (VP1). BKPyV can cause polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN) after kidney transplantation. Detection of BKPyV DNA in blood (viremia) is a source of concern and increase in plasma viral load is associated with a higher risk of developing PVAN. In this work, we looked for possible associations of specific BKPyV genetic features with higher plasma viral load in kidney transplant patients. We analyzed BKPyV complete genome in three-month samples from kidney recipients who developed viremia during their follow-up period. BKPyV sequences were obtained by next-generation sequencing and were de novo assembled using the new BKAnaLite pipeline. Based on the data from 72 patients, we identified 24 viral groups with unique amino acid sequences: three in the VP1 subgroup IVc2, six in Ib1, ten in Ib2, one in Ia, and four in II. In none of the groups did the mean plasma viral load reach a statistically significant difference from the overall mean observed at three months after transplantation. Further investigation is needed to better understand the link between the newly described BKPyV genetic variants and pathogenicity in kidney transplant recipients.
Hepatitis B and C in Immigrants and Refugees in Central Brazil: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Immunization
Authors: Martins Thaynara Lorrane Silva , Silva Grazielle Rosa da Costa e , Silva Carla de Almeida , Gomes Davi Oliveira , Diniz e Silva Bruno Vinícius , Carneiro Megmar Aparecida dos Santos , Pacheco Leonora Rezende , Araujo Natalia Motta de , Zanchetta Margareth Santos , Teles Sheila Araujo , Caetano Karlla Antonieta Amorim
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Eliminating hepatitis B and C in immigrant and refugee populations is a significant challenge worldwide. Given the lack of information in Brazil, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of infections caused by hepatitis B and C viruses and factors associated with hepatitis B in immigrants and refugees residing in central Brazil. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted from July 2019 to January 2020 with 365 immigrants and refugees. Hepatitis B was detected by a rapid immunochromatographic test, enzyme immunoassay, and chemiluminescence, and hepatitis C by rapid immunochromatographic test. Multiple analysis was used to assess factors associated with hepatitis B infection. Results: Of the participants, 57.8% were from Haiti and 35.6% were from Venezuela. Most had been in Brazil for less than 2 years (71.2%). The prevalence of HBV infection and exposure was 6.6% (95% CI: 4.5–9.6%) and 27.9% (95% CI: 23.6–2.8%), respectively, and 34% had isolated anti-HBs positivity. Reporting a sexually transmitted infection was statistically associated with HBV infection (OR: 7.8; 95% CI: 2.3–26.4). No participant with positive anti-HCV serology was found. Conclusions: The study showed that participants were outside the reach of prevention and control actions for hepatitis B. Therefore, public health strategies must be designed to reach, inform, and vaccinate this group.
The Cholesterol Transport Inhibitor U18666A Interferes with Pseudorabies Virus Infection
Authors: Song Byeongwoon
Published: July 2022

Many viruses require the maintenance of lysosomal cholesterol homeostasis for a successful infection; however, the role of lysosomal cholesterol homeostasis in the alphaherpesvirus life cycle is not clear. Here we show that the lysosomal cholesterol transport inhibitor U18666A interferes with the replication of pseudorabies virus (PRV), a member of the alphaherpesvirus subfamily. The treatment with U18666A caused a significant reduction in the production of infectious virus particles. The U18666A treatment was shown to suppress the release of PRV particles. Pretreating PRV virions with U18666A did not affect virus production, whereas pretreating target cells with U18666A led to a substantial reduction in virus yield. Our previous study showed that two cyclodextrin derivatives, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HPγCD), can rescue the cholesterol accumulation defect in primary fibroblasts derived from a Niemann–Pick disease type C (NPC) patient. Here, we demonstrate that treatment with HPβCD or HPγCD not only rescues the U18666A-induced cholesterol accumulation but also rescues the U18666A-induced inhibition of PRV production. Collectively, our data suggest that U18666A interferes with PRV infection via altering cellular functions that are critical for the viral life cycle and may include lysosomal cholesterol homeostasis.
Real-World Safety, Effectiveness, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Treated with Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir: Updated Data from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R)
Authors: Cornberg Markus , Stoehr Albrecht , Naumann Uwe , Teuber Gerlinde , Klinker Hartwig , Lutz Thomas , Möller Hjördis , Hidde Dennis , Lohmann Kristina , Simon Karl-Georg
Published: July 2022

Using data from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (Deutsche Hepatitis C-Register, DHC-R), we report the real-world safety and effectiveness of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) treatment and its impact on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in underserved populations who are not typically included in clinical trials, yet who will be crucial for achieving hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination. The DHC-R is an ongoing, non-interventional, multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study on patients treated for chronic HCV infection in Germany. The data cutoff was 17 January 2021. The primary effectiveness endpoint was sustained virologic response at post-treatment Week 12 (SVR12). Safety outcomes were assessed in all patients receiving GLE/PIB. PROs were assessed using the SF-36 survey. Of 2354 patients, 1964 had valid SVR12 data (intention-to-treat analysis). Of these, 1905 (97.0%) achieved SVR12 with rates similar across the comorbidities analyzed, except for people who actively use drugs (PWUD (active)) (86.4%). Excluding those who discontinued treatment and did not achieve SVR12, or were reinfected with HCV, the rate was 99.3%, with similar results regardless of comorbidity. PWUD (active) and those with psychiatric disorders had the most meaningful improvements in PROs. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 631/2354 patients (26.8%), and serious AEs in 44 patients (1.9%). GLE/PIB was highly effective and well tolerated in this real-world study of patient groups key to HCV elimination.
An Optimized Checkerboard Method for Phage-Antibiotic Synergy Detection
Authors: Nikolic Isidora , Vukovic Darija , Gavric Damir , Cvetanovic Jelena , Aleksic Sabo Verica , Gostimirovic Sonja , Narancic Jelena , Knezevic Petar
Published: July 2022

Phage-antibiotic synergy is a promising therapeutic strategy, but there is no reliable method for synergism estimation. Although the time-kill curve assay is a gold standard, the method is not appropriate for fast and extensive screening of the synergy. The aim is to optimize the checkerboard method to determine phage-chemical agent interactions, to check its applicability by the time-kill curve method, and to examine whether the synergy can be obtained with both simultaneous and successive applications of these agents. In addition, the aim is to determine interactions of the Pseudomonas phage JG024 with ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, or ceftriaxone, as well as the Staphylococcus phage MSA6 and SES43300 with ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and oxacillin. The results show that the optimized checkerboard method is reliable and that results correspond to those obtained by the time-kill curve. The synergy is detected with the phage JG024 and ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the phage SES43300 with ciprofloxacin against MRSA. The synergy was obtained after simultaneous applications, and in the case of P. aeruginosa, after application of the second agent with delay of one hour, indicating that simultaneous application is the best mode of synergy exploitation for therapy. The checkerboard method can be used for thorough clinical studies on synergy and in the future for personalized therapy when infections are caused by multiple resistant bacteria.
Relationships between Fish Communities and Habitat before and after a Typhoon Season in Tropical Mountain Streams
Authors: Wang Yi-Kuang , Wang Lizhu , Kuo Rey-Lin
Published: July 2022

The responses of habitat and fish communities to extreme hydrological and habitat disturbance in typhoon-prone mountain streams are not studied much. Such landscape–climate settings may provide a unique opportunity for fish to evolve without special habitat adaptation and involve different assembly rules compared to temperate regions. This study aimed to compare fish communities and habitat factors before and after the typhoon season and to test the influences of various aspects of habitat on fish assemblages between seasons. Fish and habitats were surveyed at 30 wadable stream sites in March and December 2010 in tropical southern Taiwan. Habitat variables differed between the pre-typhoon and post-typhoon seasons. Higher species richness and the total number of fish caught in the pre-typhoon season indicated fast recovery. Benthic fish were more vulnerable to typhoon disturbances than sub-benthic fish. Contrary to the original hypothesis, fish communities were more strongly related to physical habitats than water quality and riparian conditions. In addition, consistently high fish variance explained by habitat measures in the dry seasons indicated that environmental filtering predominated. Dominant fish species were related to main habitat gradients, characterized by low species richness but high beta-diversity. Our findings provide implications for fish conservation in typhoon-prone mountain streams.
Water Level Prediction Model Applying a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)–Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) Method for Flood Prediction
Authors: Cho Minwoo , Kim Changsu , Jung Kwanyoung , Jung Hoekyung
Published: July 2022

The damage caused by floods is increasing worldwide, and if floods can be predicted, the economic and human losses from floods can be reduced. A key parameter of flooding is water level data, and this paper proposes a water level prediction model using long short-term memory (LSTM) and a gated recurrent unit (GRU). As variables used as input data, meteorological data, including upstream and downstream water level, temperature, humidity, and precipitation, were used. The best results were obtained when the LSTM–GRU-based model and the Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS) meteorological data were included in the input data when experiments were performed with various model structures and different input data formats. As a result of the experiment, the mean squared error (MSE) value was 3.92, the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (NSE) value was 0.942, and the mean absolute error (MAE) value was 2.22, the highest result in all cases. In addition, the test data included the historical maximum water level of 3552.38 cm in the study area, and the maximum water level error was also recorded as 55.49, the lowest result. Through this paper, it was possible to confirm the performance difference according to the composition of the input data and the time series prediction model. In a future study, we plan to implement a flood risk management system that can use the predicted water level to determine the risk of flooding, and evacuate in advance.
CALCULATION MODEL OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BOX GIRDER UNDER COMBINED TORSION SHEAR AND BENDING
Authors:   ZAO «GORPROJECT», BULKIN S.A.
Published: July 2022

The article provides a calculation model of the complex resistance of reinforced concrete box-section structures on the combined action of bending and torsional moments, longitudinal and shear forces after the formation of spatial cracks. The calculation model allows taking into account all the main external influences for a reinforced concrete element of a box rectangular cross section: torsional (T) and bending (M) moments, shear (Q) and longitudinal (N) forces. In this case, the action of the torsion and the shear force is reduced to the action of the flow of tangential forces along the rectangular contour of the section.
TIME FACTOR AT THE GEOTECHNICAL BIM DESIGN
Authors:   Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, NEVZOROV A.L.
Published: July 2022

The information model spreading throughout all lifetime of a building has to take into consideration the changes in the materials properties over time. Unlike the man-made structures with the well-defined properties, the soils are characterized by heterogeneity and variability of characteristics. The soils properties, such as a compressibility and a shear strength, are changed due to building loads, seasonal freezing-thawing processes, water content variations and other factors. The latent, slowly developing geological processes can take place at the ground. Moreover, some soils properties used for prediction, for example, a long-term settlement caused by a secondary consolidation, dissolution or decomposition of soil particles, vibration are not always determined by ordinary surveys. These properties should be verified in situ observation. The geotechnical information models, the use of which is expected for a long time, should be created not for separate building sites, but for the territories of large enterprises, cities, or urban areas with the same type of geological conditions. This work should be preceded by the development of the technical standards, software and documents defining the responsibilities and rights of survey and design companies, investors, and municipal administrations, including the ownership of soil survey data. As an example, the geotechnical challenges of the Arkhangelsk city territory are discussed. The main factors that should be accepted in model are following: the presence of multi-meter peat and soft clayey soils deposits, the settlement of which has not stabilized for decades, as well as fluctuations of the groundwater level caused by the setting up of drainages and clogging of their filters.
RESISTANCE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMES OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WITH INDIRECT REINFORCEMENT IN OVER-EXTREME LIMIT STATES
Authors:   Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, QUOC PHAN DINH , ILIUSHCHENKO T.A. ,   South West State University; Research Institute of Building Physics of Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, AMELINA M.A. ,   South West State University
Published: July 2022

The results of studies of monolithic reinforced concrete frames of multi-storey buildings and reinforced concrete frames simulating fragments of such frames in over-extreme limit states caused by special actions are presented. Two options for reinforcing the beams of the frames are considered: with double reinforcement, which ensures the operation of the beam when the force flows in the frame and, accordingly, the sign of the moment change; option with double reinforcement and installation of additional indirect reinforcement in the support zones of the beams for the entire height of the section. Primary and secondary design models were built using volumetric finite elements for concrete and reinforcement rods. The obtained design parameters of deformations, crack patterns and frame failure patterns for all options are compared with each other and with the results of testing physical models of these structures. To assess the effect of mixed reinforcement on the limiting deformations of compressed concrete in over-extreme limit states, based on the theory of plasticity of concrete and reinforced concrete G.A. Geniyeva, deformation dependencies are constructed for a typical reinforced concrete element reinforced with rods in one direction and meshes in the other two under uniaxial compression and volumetric deformation. It has been established that the use of indirect reinforcement in combination with double longitudinal reinforcement in bending elements under static-dynamic loading conditions significantly increases the ultimate deformation of the compressed zone. This reinforcement option can working way to protect monolithic reinforced concrete frames of multi-storey buildings from progressive collapse under special actions.
Explicit algebraic solution of Zolotarev's First Problem for low-degree polynomials
Authors: Rack Heinz Joachim , Vajda Robert
Published: July 2022

E.I. Zolotarev's classical so-called First Problem (ZFP), which was posed to him by P.L. Chebyshev, is to determine, for a given \(n\in{\mathbb N}\backslash\{1\}\) and for a given \(s\in{\mathbb R}\backslash\{0\}\), the monic polynomial solution \(Z^{*}_{n,s}\) to the following best approximation problem: Find\[\min_{a_k}\max_{x\in[-1,1]}|a_0+a_1 x+\dots+a_{n-2}x^{n-2}+(-n s)x^{n-1}+x^n|,\]where the \(a_k, 0\le k\le n-2\), vary in \(\mathbb R\). It suffices to consider the cases \(s>\tan^2\left(\pi/(2n)\right)\).

In 1868 Zolotarev provided a transcendental solution for all \(n\geq2\) in terms of elliptic functions. An explicit algebraic solution  in power form to ZFP, as is suggested by the problem statement, is available only for \(2\le n\le 5.^1\)

We have now obtained an explicit algebraic solution to ZFP for \(6\le n\le 12\) in terms of roots of dedicated polynomials.

In this paper, we provide our findings for \(6\le n\le 7\) in two alternative fashions, accompanied by concrete examples. The cases \(8\le n\le 12\) we treat, due to their bulkiness, in a separate web repository.

\(^1\) Added in proof: But see our recent one-parameter power form solution for \(n=6\) in  [38].
On the unique solvability and numerical study of absolute value equations
Authors: Mohamed Achache
Published: July 2022

The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, we consider the unique solvability of absolute value equations (AVE), \(Ax-B\vert x\vert =b\), when the condition \(\Vert A^{-1}\Vert <\frac{1}{\left\Vert B\right\Vert }\) holds. This is a generalization of an earlier result by Mangasarian and Meyer for the special case where \(B=I\).

Secondly, a generalized Newton method for solving the AVE is proposed. We show under the condition \(\Vert A^{-1}\Vert <\frac{1}{4\Vert B\Vert }\), that the algorithm converges linearly global to the unique solution of the AVE.

Numerical results are reported to show the efficiency of the proposed method and to compare with an available method.
Infinitely homoclinic solutions in discrete hamiltonian systems without coercive conditions
Authors: Khelifi Fathi
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we investigate the existence of infinitely many solutions for the second-order self-adjoint discrete Hamiltonian system$$\Delta\left[p(n)\Delta u(n-1)\right]-L(n)u(n)+\nabla W(n,u(n))=0, \tag{*}$$where \(n\in\mathbb{Z}, u\in\mathbb{R}^{N}, p,L:\mathbb{Z}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^{N\times N}\) and \(W:\mathbb{Z}\times\mathbb{R}^{N}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}\) are no periodic in \(n\). The novelty of this paper is that \(L(n)\) is bounded in the sense that there two constants \(0<\tau_1<\tau_2<\infty\) such that$$\tau_1\left|u\right|^{2}<\left(L(n)u,u\right)<\tau_2\left|u\right|^{2},\;\forall n\in\mathbb{Z},\; u\in\mathbb{R}^{N},$$\(W(t,u)\) satisfies Ambrosetti-Rabinowitz condition and some other reasonable hypotheses, we show that (\(*\)) has infinitely many homoclinic solutions via the Symmetric Mountain Pass Theorem. Recent results in the literature are generalized and significantly improved.
A two-point eighth-order method based on the weight function for solving nonlinear equations
Authors: Torkashvand Vali
Published: July 2022

In this work, we have designed a family of with-memory methods with eighth-order convergence. We have used the weight function technique. The proposed methods have three parameters. Three self-accelerating parameters are calculated in each iterative step employing only information from the current and all previous iteration. Numerical experiments are carried out to demonstrate the convergence and the e?ciency of our iterative method.
Approximation by matrix transform in generalized grand Lebesgue spaces with variable exponent
Authors: Testici Ahmet , Israfilov Daniyal
Published: July 2022

In this work the Lipschitz subclass of the generalized grand Lebesgue space with variable exponent is defined and the error of approximation by matrix transforms in this subclass is estimated.
On the development and extensions of some classes of optimal three-point iterations for solving nonlinear equations
Authors: Zhanlav Tugal , Khuder Otgondorj
Published: July 2022

We develop a new families of optimal eight--order methods for solving nonlinear equations. We also extend some classes of optimal methods for any suitable choice of iteration parameter. Such development and extension was made using sufficient convergence conditions given in [14]. Numerical examples are considered to check the convergence order of new families and extensions of some well-known methods.
Evaluación de desempeño docente y su influencia en el Derecho a la educación de calidad
Authors: Infante Salas Jenifer
Published: July 2022

La evaluación de desempeño docente, ha sido uno de los temas más polémicos en época de pandemia. Es por ello que resulta imprescindible considerar el ámbito de la evaluación de desempeño docente realizado de forma anual por el Ministerio de Educación para considerar si se ha permitido mejorar el derecho a la calidad educativa establecido en la Constitución política del Estado Peruano. El estudio se llevó a cabo mediante la revisión bibliográfica de artículos científicos de revistas usando motores de búsquedas como Google Académico, además de indexadores o plataformas como en Scielo, Redalyc, Scopus, entre otras. Como resultado de la investigación se ha podido evidenciar que el Ministerio de Educación no realiza de forma permanente evaluaciones a los docentes, pese a que la educación actual exige el desarrollo de nuevas competencias. Se concluye que la falta de evaluación de desempeño docente constante, no permite mejorar la calidad educativa.
Social Changes of Salt Pan Workers in Karippu Manigal
Authors: M Roopa
Published: July 2022

This Article deals with the novel “Karippu Manigal‟ which reflects the social changes in the lives of salt harvesters. The novel Karippu Manigal is the harrowing depiction of the lives of salt pan workers. Man’s fundamental needs are Food, Clothing, and Shelter which are produced by the working class, but their lives halts at the margin. A tamil proverbs goes like this, “Food without salt is waste”, which shows the immense use of salt in food. Though we enjoy the salt in food, we fail to know about the salt harvesters who produce that. Through this novel Rajam Krishnan portrays the appaling lives of workers in salt pans like their poor living condition, lower wages without proper standard income and their sufferings are not only constrained to money but also to physical illness such as young having grey hair at an early age, eye problems and many others. Author has also shown the other side of worker’s suffering due to employers and contractors. Rajam Krishnan clearly demonstrates that, without striving earnestly, social changes ain't possible. The objective of this dissertation is to show that only a revolution against capitalism will serve as a root cause for the social changes in the lives of salt harvesters which is proved through the novel “Karippu Manigal”.
The Novel Literature Shows the Social Change of Marginalized People
Authors: K Bhuvaneswari
Published: July 2022

Literature has always served as an important source that widely reflects the social changes at all levels. Contemporary literature like novels are no exception to this phenomenon. This paper seeks to explore the social progress and changes experienced by marginalised sections of the society such as deva dasis, widows. destitute women, transgenders and tribal people with reference to the selected novels. An attempt has been made to unfurl how education aids deva dasis and widows to attain progress in their lives, how destitute women stand on their own and live independently, as well as the social progress in the lives of tribals and the growing social acceptance of transgenders in our society.