bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Paths and Patterns of App-Switching Experiences in Mobile Searches
Authors: Liang Shaobo , Wu Dan , Dong Jing
Published: October 2022

Mobile searches have become the main channel for people to search for information, and mobile searches have received attention in the field of information-seeking behavior. Especially as users use various apps to search network information, the app-switching behaviors in mobile searches have also attracted scholars’ attention in recent years. Research on app-switching behaviors in mobile searches can help to further understand users’ search motivations, evaluate search results, and improve users’ mobile search experiences. This study recruited participants (n = 30) and conducted a 15-day user experiment. This study collected all participants’ mobile phone log data during the experiment and identified the app-switching behaviors in mobile searches through a log collection tool. This study aimed to discover the app-switching behavior paths and patterns in mobile searches. Firstly, the basic characteristics of app-switching behaviors in mobile searches were analyzed, as were the app-switching paths in mobile searches from the perspective of switching probability between apps. Then, the different behaviors in mobile search sessions were identified and app-switching behavior patterns were put forward. These behavior patterns summarize user behavior changes in mobile search sessions. This paper focused on analyzing app-switching behavior paths under different patterns and found apparent differences in app-switching behavior paths. This study examined mobile search behavior from the perspective of app-switching. The research of this paper can help to better understand the relationship between users’ mobile search behaviors and app interactions and is an excellent supplement to the analysis of mobile search behaviors.
Study on the Influence of Population Urbanization on Agricultural Eco-Efficiency and on Agricultural Eco-Efficiency Remeasuring in China
Authors: Chen Fei , Qiao Guotong , Wang Na , Zhang Dandan
Published: October 2022

China is still in the growth period of population urbanization; meanwhile, it is a large agricultural country where high-quality agricultural development requires a high agro-ecological efficiency level. Based on panel data from 31 provinces and cities in China from 2001 to 2020, the paper constructs an agricultural eco-efficiency evaluation index system that is more in line with China’s current agricultural production situation. Meanwhile, the undesired output super-efficiency SBM model is used to measure it. Combining the PVAR and panel Tobit models, the paper explores the effect of population urbanization on agro-ecological efficiency and the interaction mechanism in China. The results show that: (1) In the whole of China, and the western region of China in particular, agro-ecological efficiency tended to decrease during the research time, and ended up at an inefficient level. In the eastern and northeastern regions, agro-ecological efficiency has been at a moderate level for a long time, while in the central region it has fluctuated more and is now at a low level of efficiency. (2) Increases and decreases in population urbanization have both had a significant negative impact on agro-ecological efficiency, but the economic development and improved transportation infrastructure brought by population urbanization have had a positive impact on agro-ecological efficiency. (3) The paper’s results provide the current agro-ecological efficiency situation in each province of China, and clarify the causal effect of population urbanization on agro-ecological efficiency, which can provide a reference basis for subsequent policy formulation and for further research to be carried out.
Emergency Management against Natural Hazards in the Acropolis of Athens
Authors: Dandoulaki Miranda , Evripiotis Ioannis , Gaspari Maria , Katsaros Miltiadis , Linaki Eleni , Serraos Konstantinos
Published: October 2022

Using the case of the Acropolis of Athens, this paper aims to broaden current knowledge on risk and emergency management in archaeological complexes of high visitation. More specifically, it focuses on the protection of visitors and staff and intends to provide guidelines towards an emergency response plan for geodynamic and meteorological hazards in the Athens Acropolis archaeological site, along with a risk reduction and preparedness strategy. To this end, the paper first analyzes the main challenges arising from the everyday use of the archaeological site and the high visitor flows, mainly during summer. Secondly, it sets out the main parameters for drawing up an emergency evacuation plan for staff and visitors. Finally, it proposes preparedness guidelines, including training and information for all involved, together with a roadmap towards reducing existing risk and the implementation of necessary infrastructure interventions against residual risk. To finish, we conclude that challenges in emergency planning for the Acropolis of Athens do not arise solely from the unique conditions of the place and restrictions associated with the universal value of the monument but point towards reducing high residual risk and improving risk governance.
Immune Responses of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus to a New Strain of Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Elsharkawy Mohsen Mohamed , Alotibi Fatimah O. , Al-Askar Abdulaziz A. , Kamran Muhammad , Behiry Said I. , Alasharari Salam S. , Galal Fatma H. , Adnan Muhammad , Abdelkhalek Ahmed
Published: October 2022

Evaluating a novel fungal strain’s pathogenicity to important pests and their involved immune responses may give crucial data on a broad scale for future use in pest management strategies. Date palms are mostly destroyed by invading populations of red palm weevils; thus, developing natural biopesticides for them requires a comprehensive screening program of plant secondary metabolites. In this research, we examined the pathogenicity of a new strain of Beauveria bassiana on an important agricultural pest, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, by measuring the relative activity of defensive enzymes and detoxifying enzymes in certain larval instars. Our findings reveal that the B. bassiana strain may infect the instars of R. ferrugineus, and its pathogenicity to the larvae steadily increases as the spore concentration increases. Seven days after inoculation, the LC50 (the median lethal concentration) of B. bassiana was 490.42 × 105 and 2974.47 × 108 spores/mL for the second and fourth instar R. ferrugineus, respectively, and the LC50 of B. bassiana for each R. ferrugineus instar decreased with infection time, indicating a significant dose effect. Infected R. ferrugineus larvae of the second instars showed considerable changes in the activity of both protecting and detoxifying enzymes (peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, Cytochrome P450, glutathione S transferase (GST), and esterase) as infection time progressed. In addition, R. ferrugineus larvae that were infected with B. bassiana had enzyme activity that persisted from 24 to 48 h, which was much longer than in the control group. Lethality of B. bassiana resulted in elevated expressions of GST, Esterase, and Cytochrome P450 responsive genes. In conclusion, the results of this research indicate that B. bassiana may be utilized as a bio-insecticide to suppress young larvae of R. ferrugineus in an integrated pest management program.
Teachers’ Turnover Intentions in View of Implementing a Flexible Learning System: An Extended Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Costan Felix , Gonzales Gamaliel , Gonzales Roselyn , Valle Lislee , Dela Cruz Jacquiline , Alcantara Gerly , Mahilum Ryan , Lauro Maria Diana , Atibing Nadine May , Burdeos Angelo , Yamagishi Kafferine , Ocampo Lanndon
Published: October 2022

Recent reports associate teachers’ turnover intentions as a response to disruptions and transition of the teaching-learning process (e.g., flexible learning) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explores the antecedents of teachers’ intention to teach in a flexible learning system (FLS) and their turnover intentions via an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB). Using a cross-sectional survey, 417 valid responses were analyzed to model this phenomenon, with self-efficacy and digital nativity as antecedent variables and job satisfaction and organizational commitment as predictors of teachers’ attitudes. We also examined whether the intention to teach in FLS is moderated by age. Results from Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) generate insights from the 12 hypothesized paths of the proposed model. We uncover salient findings such as (1) the extended TPB model explains 61% of the overall variations of intention to teach in FLS, (2) attitude is positively explained by job satisfaction and organizational commitment, (3) digital nativity and self-efficacy positively influence the attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control in the context of teaching in FLS, with perceived behavioral control as the strongest predictor of teaching intention, (4) the negative relationship between intention to teach in FLS and turnover intention of teachers, and (5) age has no moderating effect on the teachers’ intention to teach in FLS. Some practical insights and future research works are outlined in light of these findings.
Daily Activity Space for Various Generations in the Yogyakarta Metropolitan Area
Authors: Shalihati Sakinah Fathrunnadi , Kurniawan Andri , Giyarsih Sri Rum , Marwasta Djaka , Dharmowijoyo Dimas Bayu Endrayana
Published: October 2022

Two indices of activity space measurements using Euclidian distance measurements have been argued to be able to measure specific visited out-of-home activity locations closer to activity space definitions than other methods. However, the Euclidian distance does not consider any barriers or obstacles, such as the existence of public spaces (e.g., army bases, government offices and airports) or natural barriers (e.g., mountains, hills and agricultural fields that have no road infrastructure). Therefore, this study tries to fill the research gap by measuring the two indices using road network distance. Moreover, this study tries to determine whether the activity space of different generations, namely Generations (Gens) X, Y and Z, is significantly different, and whether some socio-demographic and activity pattern variables can help differentiate the activity space measurements. Using the 2019 Yogyakarta Metropolitan Area (YMA) dataset, this study confirms that measuring activity space using road network distance statistically gives different results from activity space measured using Euclidian distance. Moreover, this study confirms that the oldest generation had opposite activity space patterns in comparison to Gens Y and Z. Unlike the younger ones, the oldest generation visited out-of-home activity locations nearer to their home locations on weekdays but expanded to visit farther out-of-home locations on weekends. Trade-off mechanisms were found between weekdays and weekends, by which Gens X and Y significantly visited out-of-home activity locations farther from their home more often on weekends than on weekdays. However, all generations were observed to visit out-of-home activity locations near their out-of-home activity anchors every day, whereas the oldest tended more often to visit the activity locations farther from their out-of-home activity anchors than the younger generations on Fridays and Sundays.
Evaluation Strategies on the Thermal Environmental Effectiveness of Street Canyon Clusters: A Case Study of Harbin, China
Authors: Li Guanghao , Cheng Qingqing , Zhan Changhong , Yocom Ken P.
Published: October 2022

Urban overheating significantly affects people’s physical and mental health. The addition of street trees is an essential, economical, and effective means by which to mitigate urban heat and optimize the overall thermal environment. Focusing on typical street canyon clusters in Harbin, China, landscape morphology was quantified by streetscape interface measurements (sky view factor, tree view factor, and building view factor). Through ENVI-met simulations, the correlation mechanism between streetscape interface measurements and thermal environment was evaluated, and optimization methods for assessing the thermal environment of urban streets were proposed. The results revealed: (1) The thermal environment optimization efficiency of general street canyon types was greatest when street tree spacing was 12 m. At present, the smaller spacing has not been simulated and may yield better thermal environment results. The average decrease in temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH) and mean radiant temperature (MRT) was 0.78%, 2.23%, and 30.20%, respectively. (2) Specific street canyon types should adopt precise control strategies of streetscape interface according to their types to achieve the optimal balance between thermal environment optimization and cost. (3) Streetscape interface measurements and thermal environment indexes show quadratic correlation characteristics, and are critical points for further investigation. The conclusions are more specific than previous research findings, which are of great significance for decreasing the urban heat island effect at the block scale, improving residents’ physical and mental health, and improving the urban environment quality.
Impact Mechanism and Effect of Agricultural Land Transfer on Agricultural Carbon Emissions in China: Evidence from Mediating Effect Test and Panel Threshold Regression Model
Authors: Tang Ying , Chen Menghan
Published: October 2022

In order to identify the mechanism and effect of agricultural land transfer on agricultural carbon emissions, a study was conducted by analyzing the panel data of 30 provincial-level administrative regions from 2005 to 2019. Both the intermediary effect model and panel threshold regression model are applied to test the correlation between agricultural land transfer and agricultural carbon emissions, which provides some clarity on the mechanism of agricultural land transfer affecting agricultural carbon emissions and its future trends. The research results are as follows. Firstly, agricultural land transfer has a positive effect on agricultural carbon emissions, and agricultural factor input plays a mediating role between agricultural land transfer and agricultural carbon emissions. More specifically, the input of agricultural chemical elements has a positive impact on agricultural carbon emissions, while the input of agricultural machinery elements has a negative impact on agricultural carbon emissions. Secondly, under the threshold constraint of the urbanization level, the relationship between agricultural land transfer and agricultural carbon emissions is characterized by an inverted “U” shape, with a threshold value of 0.73. In view of these findings, more attention should be directed to addressing the negative impact of agricultural land transfer on the ecological environment. Furthermore, various targeted measures should be taken to reduce the ecological risk carried by agricultural land transfer, to increase the effort made on achieving the goals of agricultural carbon emission reduction, and to promote the green and sustainable development of the agricultural industry.
An Evaluation of the Uses of Different Environmental Enrichments on a Broiler Farm with the Help of Real-Time Monitoring via a Farmer-Assistant System
Authors: Spieß Fabian , Reckels Bernd , Sürie Christian , Auerbach Monika , Rautenschlein Silke , Distl Ottmar , Hartung Joerg , Lingens Jan Berend , Visscher Christian
Published: October 2022

Modern broilers are usually raised in barren environments in large enclosed halls. Various environmental enrichment elements such as perches, elevated platforms, and similar structures were proposed for these barns with the aim of improving the welfare and well-being of the birds. This study compares and evaluates three different types of environmental enrichment. In 2 identical barns, 8100 Ross 308 broilers were housed divided between a control group (CG) and a trial group (TG). In the TG, three types of environmental enrichment (perches, elevated platforms, and a combined structure) were used. A real-time monitoring device (FAS = farmer-assistance system) suspended from the ceiling was used in combination with single photographs to count the number of birds on the enrichment elements. In addition, the body weights of individual birds and their foot pad dermatitis (FPD) scores were collected at days 14, 21 and 28 in both barns. No differences in these parameters were seen between TG and CG. Birds showed highest preference for the elevated platforms (average 31.93 kg/m2), followed by the combined structure (average 21.36 kg/m2) and the perches (0.35 kg/m2). Overall, this study shows that Ross 308 broiler birds significantly prefer elevated platforms over combined structures or simple perches.
Factors Influencing Chinese College Students’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ability: The Moderating Effect Test Based on Entrepreneurial Atmosphere
Authors: Zhao Lin , Li Hongxia , Chen Lei
Published: October 2022

Background: Innovation and entrepreneurship education is the fundamental way to apply talent training in colleges and universities. The improvement of innovation and entrepreneurship ability is the embodiment of the success of innovation and entrepreneurship education. This paper discusses the influence mechanisms of entrepreneurial consciousness, entrepreneurial motivation, and entrepreneurial cognition on innovation and entrepreneurship ability. It analyzes the effect of the entrepreneurial atmosphere on the relationship between entrepreneurial consciousness, entrepreneurial motivation, and innovation and entrepreneurship ability. Methods: Based on the data from 1944 questionnaires, we used SPSS24.0 and AMOS22.0 software to analyze the composition and influencing factors of college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship ability. We constructed a structural equation model for empirical research. Results: The results showed that the scale of innovation and entrepreneurship ability had good reliability and validity. Entrepreneurial consciousness, entrepreneurial motivation, and entrepreneurial cognition had significant positive effects on innovation and entrepreneurship ability. Entrepreneurial atmosphere plays a moderating effect in the process that entrepreneurial consciousness affects innovation and entrepreneurship ability and entrepreneurial motivation affects innovation and entrepreneurship ability. Finally, based on China’s national conditions, we proposed suggestions to improve college students’ innovation and entrepreneurship ability from the two aspects of education and base construction to provide a reference for colleges and universities to transport entrepreneurial talents to society.
Prediction of Photovoltaic Power by the Informer Model Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Wu Ze , Pan Feifan , Li Dandan , He Hao , Zhang Tiancheng , Yang Shuyun
Published: October 2022

Accurate prediction of photovoltaic power is of great significance to the safe operation of power grids. In order to improve the prediction accuracy, a similar day clustering convolutional neural network (CNN)–informer model was proposed to predict the photovoltaic power. Based on correlation analysis, it was determined that global horizontal radiation was the meteorological factor that had the greatest impact on photovoltaic power, and the dataset was divided into four categories according to the correlation between meteorological factors and photovoltaic power fluctuation characteristics; then, a CNN was used to extract the feature information and trends of different subsets, and the features output by CNN were fused and input into the informer model. The informer model was used to establish the temporal feature relationship between historical data, and the final photovoltaic power generation power prediction result was obtained. The experimental results show that the proposed CNN–informer prediction method has high accuracy and stability in photovoltaic power generation prediction and outperforms other deep learning methods.
An Adaptive Traffic-Calming Measure and Effectiveness Evaluation in a Large Urban Complex of Shanghai, China
Authors: Wang Jindong , Ying Jianguo , Jiang Shengchuan
Published: October 2022

The rapid development of the motor vehicle brings convenience to our life; however, it also increases the burden on traffic networks and the environment, especially when road space is limited. Traffic calming has proved to be an effective solution for the improvement of traffic safety and travel quality. However, most traffic-calming measures are investigated and carried out without any adaptive ability. Such measures cannot adapt to changing traffic requirements. There is a mismatch between static measures and dynamic traffic. In this study, we propose an adaptive traffic-calming measure using deep reinforcement learning. Traffic volume is controlled at intersections according to the state of dynamic traffic. Then, we take a large urban complex (the Jinding nine-rectangle-grid area) in Shanghai, China, as an example. Further, based on applied static traffic-calming measures, we consider the characteristics of the nine plots, along with traffic demand, to design traffic-calming measures. Finally, the effectiveness of the measures is evaluated in SUMO (Simulation of Urban Mobility). The experimental results show that the proposed measure can increase driving speed under the speed limit and reduce traffic volume in a peak period. The results indicate that the proposed measure is an effective and novel solution for traffic calming in the large urban complex.
A Critical Analysis of Risk Factors and Strategies to Improve Mental Health Issues of Construction Workers
Authors: Newaz Mohammad Tanvi , Giggins Helen , Ranasinghe Udara
Published: October 2022

Previous research has enabled construction professionals to consider appropriate mental health interventions for improved mental health outcomes. However, the heterogeneity of such interventions in contemporary studies makes it difficult for practitioners to keep up to date with relevant alternatives. Thus, the aim of this research is to critically analyse mental health risk factors and identify strategies intended to mitigate risks and promote employees’ mental health in the construction industry. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was employed following PRISMA guidelines, and 58 articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for data synthesis. In total, 100 risk factors and 76 preventive strategies were extracted and clustered into a taxonomy consisting of an individual level, workgroup level and organisational level. Strategies were further evaluated based on the type of prevention and financial significance. A critical content analysis of selected studies can suggest recommendations for future research, including the gap in mental health studies in the construction industry as well as the need for empirical research emphasis on generic forms of risks and strategies to cover more individual (e.g., age, profession), workgroup (e.g., team, trade, project) and organisational (e.g., culture, policy) factors that appropriately fit into construction workplace settings. The findings herein can broaden the mental health knowledge of industry practitioners, and could assist in mental health-related decision-making by developing best practices for boosting the mental wellbeing of the construction workforce.
A Conceptual Framework for BIM Process Flow to Mitigate the Causes of Fall-Related Accidents at the Design Stage
Authors: Rafindadi Aminu Darda’u , Shafiq Nasir , Othman Idris
Published: October 2022

Safety training is essential in enhancing safe environments, attitudes, and employee safety behaviour. It has been recognized that the construction industry must tackle the inefficiencies of conventional safety training methods. Using innovative training practices for construction workers is one of the most effective ways to improve safety performance. There is a lack of a standard framework and of necessary information for building information modelling (BIM) process flow needed by designers and safety and health officers to aid construction workers’ safety and job hazard identification (JHI) at the design stage. This study aims to create a framework for BIM process flow to minimize the causes of fall-related accidents in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. This framework was developed based on an integrative review approach and other empirical findings. The connection of the different components makes up the framework. This research recommends practical enhancements, innovation, and adjustments to construction employees’ safety training and JHI. One of the suggested framework’s research advantages is that it evolved through expert validation and contains the necessary components to facilitate practical construction safety training and JHI. These components could serve as a starting point for developing guidelines for practical safety training and JHI.
A Review of the Public Transport Services Based on the Blockchain Technology
Authors: Enescu Florentina Magda , Birleanu Fernando Georgel , Raboaca Maria Simona , Bizon Nicu , Thounthong Phatiphat
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the technical aspects and challenges in existing public transport services. This review highlights the challenges and solutions for the main subsystems of public transport services, being focused on the influence of public transportation in an urban area with high demographics to identify solutions based on blockchain technology for future development of the current management platforms. More than 2000 research papers, published since 2018 and until now, have been analyzed in Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. The keywords used for the analysis of blockchain integration in public transport are related to technology, services, management, the use of electric vehicles, and the impact of public transport on the environment. In this research, we analyzed why there is a need for integrating the blockchain technologies in public transport.
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights, Financial Development and Green Low-Carbon Endogenous Economic Growth
Authors: Zhu Yuan , Wan Bingyue , Tian Lixin
Published: October 2022

This paper considers the protection of intellectual property rights and financial development in the green low-carbon endogenous economic growth model, and also considers the total financing scale of the firms in the financial development sector, the transformation ability of the R&D sector to the advanced technology of developed countries, and the intensity of intellectual property protection, which gives the household utility function to a household. After maximizing the utility function, this paper analyzes the economic growth rate and mainly finds that the economic growth rate increases with the increase of technological transformation capacity parameters, two kinds of production efficiency parameters, and the total financing scale of the firms, and in addition it decreases with the increase of the technical level of developing countries relative to developed countries. Then, considering the improvement degree of intermediate goods, R&D efficiency and financial frictional coefficient, the relationship between it and the economic growth rate is obtained. This paper finds that the economic growth rate increases with the increase of the degree of improvement; R&D efficiency parameter; the probability that any R&D project can bring positive returns; technical level; the investment in reducing carbon emissions; the amount of energy invested in the final goods production sector; and it decreases with the increase of the financial frictional coefficient.
The Influence of COVID-19 and Psychosocial Risks on Burnout and Psychosomatic Health Problems in Non-University Teachers in Spain during the Peak of the Pandemic Regressions vs. fsQCA
Authors: Gómez-Domínguez Valentina , Gómez-Domínguez Teresa , Navarro-Mateu Diego , Giménez-Espert María del Carmen
Published: October 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers had to adapt to the changes caused by remote working, experiencing prolonged stress situations that together with psychosocial factors can lead to burnout and psychosomatic health problems. This study focused on analyzing the influence of COVID-19 and psychosocial risks on psychosomatic problems and burnout at the peak of the pandemic in Spain, from March to April 2020. It combined two methodologies, hierarchical regression models (HRM) and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). The two methodologies demonstrated greater predictive power for psychosocial demand factors (workload and role conflict) on burnout and psychosomatic health problems. In addition, the fsQCA models demonstrated the contribution of job insecurity and the lack of organizational justice, resources and COVID-19 information. These results can be used by educational managers to improve the daily work of teachers, impacting on the quality of teaching, as well as their response to pandemics, which will benefit society.
Assessment of Environmental Impact of Aquaculture Ponds in the Western Delta Region of Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Nagaraju T. Vamsi , Malegole Sunil B. , Chaudhary Babloo , Ravindran Gobinath
Published: October 2022

Aquaculture is persistent and well-established in the delta region of Andhra Pradesh. In recent years, the expansion of aquaculture has conferred positive economic growth in the newly formed state. However, the enormous development of aqua ponds increases the effluents from aquaculture which contain various chemical compounds that can cause negative impacts when released into the environment. This paper presents the effect of unengineered aquaculture on the environment in the delta region of Andhra Pradesh. The expansion rate of aquaculture practice in the delta region has been carried out using remote sensing and a geospatial information system. An experimental investigation was carried out on soil and water samples collected from the aquaculture ponds to evaluate the water quality parameters and soil characterization. Analysis of the geotechnical properties and microstructure was carried out to determine the interaction between the soil and the aquaculture contaminants. Based on the geospatial data and field survey, the aquaculture practice in the delta region of Andhra Pradesh was intensive and extended towards the northeast from the southwest. Between 2016 and 2020, aquaculture practice significantly increased by 6.08%. Moreover, the water quality parameters and pond bottom soil showed a higher concentration of ammonia and nitrates. Further, aquaculture leachate may interact with the subsoil and have a negative impact on soil mineralogy and hydraulic conductivity. The extensive experimental data and field surveys reveal that adequate guidelines are needed to control the pollution load on the ecosystem.
What Causes Burnout in Special School Physical Education Teachers? Evidence from China
Authors: Sang Guoqiang , Yuan Chuang , Wang Min , Chen Jun , Han Xingye , Zhang Ruibao
Published: October 2022

Special physical education is considered a challenging process concerned with the development of the physical and mental health of students with physical disabilities. Special physical education teachers face pressures from society, parents, schools, and themselves, which can easily lead to burnout and increase levels of teacher attrition. In our paper, we explore the significant effects of role and job stress (divided into role ambiguity and conflict, and stressors and stress responses, respectively), teaching efficacy (divided into general and personal teaching efficacy), job satisfaction (divided into internal and external job satisfaction), and social support (divided into objective and subjective support) on burnout (divided into emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment). We chose to conduct an empirical analysis using data from different regions of China. Our study results showed that role conflict, general teaching efficacy, job satisfaction, and objective support were the main factors influencing burnout among special physical education teachers in China. Stressors were the main factors influencing emotional exhaustion. General teaching efficacy, job stress, and role conflict significantly influenced depersonalization. Internal job satisfaction and personal teaching efficacy mainly influenced feelings of reduced personal accomplishment. Attributes such as seniority, marriage status, gender, academic titles, and education level also affected burnout. Additionally, we verified that there are regional disparities in the factors influencing burnout. Finally, our study of burnout among special physical education teachers could improve the physical and mental health of students with physical disabilities.
Bibliometric Analysis on Sustainable Supply Chains
Authors: Reyes-Soriano Franklin Enrique , Muyulema-Allaica Juan Carlos , Menéndez-Zaruma Christina Michelle , Lucin-Borbor Jorge Manuel , Balón-Ramos Isabel Del Roció , Herrera-Brunett Gerardo Antonio
Published: October 2022

In recent years, efforts have been expanded to create and adopt tools that contribute to mitigating the environmental impact caused by industrial development. In this sense, the objective of this article is twofold: (i) to identify the countries worldwide that have generated and disseminated the most information on sustainable supply chains (SSCs) and (ii) to recognize the organizations that have interacted most with each other to generate greater scientific contributions on SSCs. Methodologically, the starting point was a bibliometric scan, and a systematic review of the literature focusing on SSCs was carried out. The search engine used was the Dimensions platform, limited only to the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, and the articles had to belong to the categories of engineering and economics. For the network visualization, VOSviewer was used, as it allows the connections to be visualized in a network graph. The findings of this paper show the existing links between organizations worldwide whose purpose is the study and scientific dissemination of SSCs. The countries that have generated the greatest scientific contribution in the last three years with respect to SSCs were China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy and the Netherlands. In addition, the organizations that have interacted the most belong to the European Union.
Chemical Models for Understanding the Emergence of Homo-Chirality of Phospholipids for Origin of Life Studies
Authors: Skorda Fryni , Chieffo Carolina , Fiore Michele
Published: October 2022

In the prebiotic world, the chemical assembly of biotic building blocks led to racemic mixtures; however, homo-chirality emerged in the racemic prebiotic soup. Polymers and other molecules assembled from mixtures of enantiomers rather than racemic ones. Understanding how symmetry breaking happens is one of the most challenging fields of research in origin of life studies. With this article, we aim to shed light on one of the problems: in the absence of physical examples for use in a laboratory scale, what are the best models to use to simulate the conditions and lead to homo-chiral symmetry breaking? In this perspective, we suggest looking to chemical models that can represent a poorly studied class of prebiotic compounds in the context of symmetry breaking: the phospholipids.
Discrete Memristance and Nonlinear Term for Designing Memristive Maps
Authors: Ramadoss Janarthanan , Almatroud Othman Abdullah , Momani Shaher , Pham Viet-Thanh , Thoai Vo Phu
Published: October 2022

Chaotic maps have simple structures but can display complex behavior. In this paper, we apply discrete memristance and a nonlinear term in order to design new memristive maps. A general model for constructing memristive maps has been presented, in which a memristor is connected in serial with a nonlinear term. By using this general model, different memristive maps have been built. Such memristive maps process special fixed points (infinite and without fixed point). A typical memristive map has been studied as an example via fixed points, bifurcation diagram, symmetry, and coexisting iterative plots.
(ψ,ϕ)-Contractions under a Class of Transitive Binary Relations
Authors: Khan Faizan
Published: October 2022

The present article is devoted to prove some fixed point results for (ψ,ϕ)-contractions in the framework of metric space equipped with a locally finitely G-transitive relation. The results proved in this article improve and weaken some existing fixed point results available in the literature. Finally, an example is provided for attesting to the credibility of my results.
A Chaotic Genetic Algorithm with Variable Neighborhood Search for Solving Time-Dependent Green VRPTW with Fuzzy Demand
Authors: Fan Hao , Ren Xiaoxue , Zhang Yueguang , Zhen Zimo , Fan Houming
Published: October 2022

Aiming at the time-dependent green vehicle routing problem with fuzzy demand, this paper comprehensively considers the dispatch costs, time window penalty costs, fuel costs, and the effects of vehicle travel speed, road gradient, and vehicle load on fuel consumption, a mixed integer programming model is formulated based on pre-optimization and re-optimization strategies. The traditional vehicle routing problems are modeled based on a symmetric graph. In this paper, considering the influence of time-dependent networks on route optimization, modeling is based on an asymmetric graph, which increases the complexity of the problem. In the pre-optimization stage, a pre-optimization scheme is generated based on the credibility measure theory; in the re-optimization stage, a new re-optimization strategy was used to deal with the service failure node In order to solve this problem, we developed a chaotic genetic algorithm with variable neighborhood search, pseudo-randomness of chaos was introduced to ensure the diversity of initial solutions, and adaptive neighborhood search times strategy and inferior solution acceptance mechanism were proposed to improve the performance of the algorithm. The numerical results show that the model and algorithm we proposed are effective.
Nonlocal Gravity: Fundamental Tetrads and Constitutive Relations
Authors: Mashhoon Bahram
Published: October 2022

Nonlocal gravity (NLG) is a classical nonlocal generalization of Einstein’s theory of gravitation based on a certain analogy with the nonlocal electrodynamics of media. The history dependence enters NLG through a constitutive relation involving a causal kernel that should ultimately be determined via observational data. The purpose of this paper is to reformulate nonlocal gravity such that the nonlocal aspect of the constitutive relation directly connects measurable quantities as in the nonlocal electrodynamics of media. The resulting constitutive relation turns out to coincide with the recent suggestion of Puetzfeld, Obukhov, and Hehl. With the new constitutive relation of NLG, it is possible to show that de Sitter spacetime is not a solution of NLG.
The Effects of Single and Combined Stressors on Daphnids—Enzyme Markers of Physiology and Metabolomics Validate the Impact of Pollution
Authors: Michalaki Anna , McGivern Allan , Poschet Gernot , Büttner Michael , Altenburger Rolf , Grintzalis Konstantinos
Published: October 2022

The continuous global increase in population and consumption of resources due to human activities has had a significant impact on the environment. Therefore, assessment of environmental exposure to toxic chemicals as well as their impact on biological systems is of significant importance. Freshwater systems are currently under threat and monitored; however, current methods for pollution assessment can neither provide mechanistic insight nor predict adverse effects from complex pollution. Using daphnids as a bioindicator, we assessed the impact in acute exposures of eight individual chemicals and specifically two metals, four pharmaceuticals, a pesticide and a stimulant, and their composite mixture combining phenotypic, biochemical and metabolic markers of physiology. Toxicity levels were in the same order of magnitude and significantly enhanced in the composite mixture. Results from individual chemicals showed distinct biochemical responses for key enzyme activities such as phosphatases, lipase, peptidase, β-galactosidase and glutathione-S-transferase. Following this, a more realistic mixture scenario was assessed with the aforementioned enzyme markers and a metabolomic approach. A clear dose-dependent effect for the composite mixture was validated with enzyme markers of physiology, and the metabolomic analysis verified the effects observed, thus providing a sensitive metrics in metabolite perturbations. Our study highlights that sensitive enzyme markers can be used in advance on the design of metabolic and holistic assays to guide the selection of chemicals and the trajectory of the study, while providing mechanistic insight. In the future this could prove to become a useful tool for understanding and predicting freshwater pollution.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Are Novel Targets of APETx-like Toxins from the Sea Anemone Heteractis magnifica
Authors: Kalina Rimma S. , Kasheverov Igor E. , Koshelev Sergey G. , Sintsova Oksana V. , Peigneur Steve , Pinheiro-Junior Ernesto Lopes , Popov Roman S. , Chausova Victoria E. , Monastyrnaya Margarita M. , Dmitrenok Pavel S. , Isaeva Marina P. , Tytgat Jan , Kozlov Sergey A. , Kozlovskaya Emma P. , Leychenko Elena V. , Gladkikh Irina N.
Published: October 2022

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are prototypical ligand-gated ion channels, provide cholinergic signaling, and are modulated by various venom toxins and drugs in addition to neurotransmitters. Here, four APETx-like toxins, including two new toxins, named Hmg 1b-2 Metox and Hmg 1b-5, were isolated from the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica and characterized as novel nAChR ligands and acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) modulators. All peptides competed with radiolabeled α-bungarotoxin for binding to Torpedo californica muscle-type and human α7 nAChRs. Hmg 1b-2 potentiated acetylcholine-elicited current in human α7 receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Moreover, the multigene family coding APETx-like peptides library from H. magnifica was described and in silico surface electrostatic potentials of novel peptides were analyzed. To explain the 100% identity of some peptide isoforms between H. magnifica and H. crispa, 18S rRNA, COI, and ITS analysis were performed. It has been shown that the sea anemones previously identified by morphology as H. crispa belong to the species H. magnifica.
Mycotoxin Production and the Relationship between Microbial Diversity and Mycotoxins in Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd cv. Huangguan Pear
Authors: Li Huimin , Zhang Yang , Gao Congcong , Gao Qi , Cheng Yudou , Zhao Min , Guan Junfeng
Published: October 2022

Mycotoxins are generated by a series of fungal pathogens in postharvest fruit, resulting in serious health threat to consumers and great economic loss to the fruit storage industry. The microbial differences between rotten and healthy fruit during storage and their relationship with mycotoxin production have not been fully studied. In this study, differences in microbial diversity between rotten and healthy fruit after 30 days of storage at ambient temperature were investigated using high-throughput sequencing technology in ‘Huangguan’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd cv. Huangguan) harvested from five different producing regions of Hebei province, China. The bacterial genus Gluconobacter was much more abundant in rotten fruit (76.24%) than that in healthy fruit (32.36%). In addition, Komagataeibacter and Acetobacter were also relatively higher in abundance in rotten fruit. In contrast, bacterial genera Pantoea, Alistipes, Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG were found to be more abundant in healthy fruit. Fungal genera including Botryosphaeria, Colletotrichum, Valsa, Alternaria, Rosellinia, Fusarium, and Trichothecium were found to be abundant in rotten fruit. The results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that there were significant differences in the microbial diversity of different regions. PAT (patulin) was detected in all rotten fruit samples, while tenuazonic acid (TeA), alternariol (AOH), and alternariolmonomethyl ether (AME) were only detected in samples collected from one region (Weixian). Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and Pearson correlation analysis showed that the abundance of Alistipes and Pantoea were negatively correlated with the contents of PAT, suggesting that bacterial genera Alistipes and Pantoea have potential in reducing mycotoxin production in ‘Huangguan’ pear.
First Polycipivirus and Unmapped RNA Virus Diversity in the Yellow Crazy Ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes
Authors: Lee Chih-Chi , Hsu Hung-Wei , Lin Chun-Yi , Gustafson Nicolas , Matsuura Kenji , Lee Chow-Yang , Yang Chin-Cheng Scotty
Published: October 2022

The yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes is a widespread invasive ant that poses significant threats to local biodiversity. Yet, compared to other global invasive ant species such as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) or the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), little is known about the diversity of RNA viruses in the yellow crazy ant. In the current study, we generated a transcriptomic database for A. gracilipes using a high throughput sequencing approach to identify new RNA viruses and characterize their genomes. Four virus species assigned to Dicistroviridae, two to Iflaviridae, one to Polycipiviridae, and two unclassified Riboviria viruses were identified. Detailed genomic characterization was carried out on the polycipivirus and revealed that this virus comprises 11,644 nucleotides with six open reading frames. Phylogenetic analysis and pairwise amino acid identity comparison classified this virus into the genus Sopolycivirus under Polycipiviridae, which is tentatively named “Anoplolepis gracilipes virus 3 (AgrV-3)”. Evolutionary analysis showed that AgrV-3 possesses a high level of genetic diversity and elevated mutation rate, combined with the common presence of multiple viral strains within single worker individuals, suggesting AgrV-3 likely evolves following the quasispecies model. A subsequent field survey placed the viral pathogen “hotspot” of A. gracilipes in the Southeast Asian region, a pattern consistent with the region being recognized as part of the ant’s native range. Lastly, infection of multiple virus species seems prevalent across field colonies and may have been linked to the ant’s social organization.
Development and Validation of a Bioinformatic Workflow for the Rapid Detection of Viruses in Biosecurity
Authors: Waite David W. , Liefting Lia , Delmiglio Catia , Chernyavtseva Anastasia , Ha Hye Jeong , Thompson Jeremy R.
Published: October 2022

The field of biosecurity has greatly benefited from the widespread adoption of high-throughput sequencing technologies, for its ability to deeply query plant and animal samples for pathogens for which no tests exist. However, the bioinformatics analysis tools designed for rapid analysis of these sequencing datasets are not developed with this application in mind, limiting the ability of diagnosticians to standardise their workflows using published tool kits. We sought to assess previously published bioinformatic tools for their ability to identify plant- and animal-infecting viruses while distinguishing from the host genetic material. We discovered that many of the current generation of virus-detection pipelines are not adequate for this task, being outperformed by more generic classification tools. We created synthetic MinION and HiSeq libraries simulating plant and animal infections of economically important viruses and assessed a series of tools for their suitability for rapid and accurate detection of infection, and further tested the top performing tools against the VIROMOCK Challenge dataset to ensure that our findings were reproducible when compared with international standards. Our work demonstrated that several methods provide sensitive and specific detection of agriculturally important viruses in a timely manner and provides a key piece of ground truthing for method development in this space.