bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Walking the Talk: Unraveling the Influence of the Sustainability Features of Leather Alternatives on Consumer Behavior toward Running Shoes
Authors: Yadav Shraddha , Xu Yingjiao , Hergeth Helmut
Published: January 2024

This study seeks to explore the impact of the sustainable features of running shoes on consumers’ inclination to pay a premium price. This research delves into the mediating effect of perceived sustainability and the moderating roles of environmental consciousness and animal conservation in the association between the sustainability features of running shoes and consumers’ willingness to pay a premium. Data were gathered through an online survey distributed on Amazon MTurk. This study employed a one-way ANOVA to assess the influence of sustainability features on consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for running shoes. Mediation analysis was conducted using PROCESS model 4, and moderation analysis was performed using PROCESS model 1 in SPSS 28.0. The findings revealed the significant impact of sustainability features on consumers’ willingness to pay a premium. Perceived sustainability was identified as a partial mediator in the relationship between sustainability features and the willingness to pay a premium. Furthermore, environmental consciousness and animal conservation were identified as moderators influencing the relationship between sustainability features and consumers’ willingness to pay a premium.
Atmospheric PM2.5 Prediction Model Based on Principal Component Analysis and SSA–SVM
Authors: Gong He , Guo Jie , Mu Ye , Guo Ying , Hu Tianli , Li Shijun , Luo Tianye , Sun Yu
Published: January 2024

This paper uses an enhanced sparrow search algorithm (SSA) to optimise the support vector machine (SVM) by considering the emission of air pollution sources as the independent variable. Consequently, it establishes a PM2.5 concentration prediction model to improve the prediction accuracy of fine particulate matter PM2.5 concentration. First, the principal component analysis is applied to extract key variables affecting air quality from high-dimensional air data to train the model while removing unnecessary redundant variables. Adaptive dynamic weight factors are introduced to balance the global and local search capabilities and accelerate the convergence of the SSA. Second, the SSA–SVM prediction model is defined using the optimised SSA to continuously update the network parameters and achieve the rapid prediction of atmospheric PM2.5 concentration. The findings demonstrate that the optimised SSA–SVM prediction method can quickly predict atmospheric PM2.5 concentration, using the cyclic search method for the best solution to update the model, proving the method’s effectiveness. Compared with other methods, this approach has a small prediction error, a high prediction accuracy and better practical value.
Semantic and Instance Segmentation in Coastal Urban Spatial Perception: A Multi-Task Learning Framework with an Attention Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Hanwen , Liu Hongyan , Kim Chulsoo
Published: January 2024

With the continuous acceleration of urbanization, urban planning and design require more in-depth research and development. Street view images can express rich urban features and guide residents’ emotions toward a city, thereby providing the most intuitive reflection of their perception of the city’s spatial quality. However, current researchers mainly conduct research on urban spatial quality through subjective experiential judgment, which includes problems such as a high cost and a low judgment accuracy. In response to these problems, this study proposes a multi-task learning urban spatial attribute perception model that integrates an attention mechanism. Via this model, the existing attributes of urban street scenes are analyzed. Then, the model is improved by introducing semantic segmentation and instance segmentation to identify and match the qualities of the urban space. The experimental results show that the multi-task learning urban spatial attribute perception model with an integrated attention mechanism has prediction accuracies of 79.54%, 78.62%, 79.68%, 77.42%, 78.45%, and 76.98% for the urban spatial attributes of beauty, boredom, depression, liveliness, safety, and richness, respectively. The accuracy of the multi-task learning urban spatial scene feature image segmentation model with an integrated attention mechanism is 95.4, 94.8, 96.2, 92.1, and 96.7 for roads, walls, sky, vehicles, and buildings, respectively. The multi-task learning urban spatial scene feature image segmentation model with an integrated attention mechanism has a higher recognition accuracy for urban spatial buildings than other models. These research results indicate the model’s effectiveness in matching urban spatial quality with public perception.
Competitiveness Evaluation and Cooperation Network Analysis of Tourist Attractions from the Perspective of Co-Opetition in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD)
Authors: Chen Hang , Lu Cong , Wang Yuewei , An Lidan
Published: January 2024

Cooperation among tourist attractions has encouraged a new form of competition among tourist destinations. Regional tourism cooperation can create win–win scenarios for participating tourist destinations, such as complementary advantages and improved comprehensive competitiveness. This study constructed a competitiveness measurement model and evaluated the competitiveness of tourist attractions. The index variables were set to modify and establish the gravity models (GMs). The cooperation network was established using Ucinet 6.0 software, and the competitive value of the tourist attractions and the structure characteristics of the network were analyzed. The results indicate that the competitiveness of tourist attractions in Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province is strong, while that of attractions in Anhui Province and Shanghai is weak. Tourist attractions in Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou have strong gravity for cooperation. Furthermore, the density of the cooperation network is high. The core members of the network are mainly distributed in the eastern region of the YRD and play a core role in the tourism cooperation therein. The cooperation network can be divided into four subgroups at level 2 and seven subgroups at level 3. The conclusions of this study can help the government formulate more targeted regional tourism cooperation policies.
Multi-Scale Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Ecosystem Health in the Harbin–Changchun Urban Agglomeration, China
Authors: Guo Yingchu , Xu Dawei , Xu Jia , Yang Ziyi
Published: January 2024

Urban agglomerations represent the pinnacle of spatial organization for fully developed cities. Gaining insight into the ecosystem health status of urban agglomerations in various geographical and temporal settings is essential for the long-term sustainability of both humans and the environment. Nevertheless, current research overlooks the impacts of human activities on the well-being of ecosystems, along with the effects of scaling and their implications for ecological management policies and future urban growth plans. This study enhances and refines the classic model and establishes the Vigor Organization Resilience Services Human activities (VOR-SH) evaluation model to assess the ecosystem health of the Harbin–Changchun urban agglomeration on three scales. The results reveal that the changes in the five indicators of ecosystem health within the Harbin–Changchun urban agglomeration differed across three unique periods from 2000 to 2020. In particular, energy, organization and human activities increased, whereas resilience and ecosystem services decreased. On all three scales, the overall ratings for ecosystem health showed improvement. Multi-scale spatial autocorrelation showed strong positive spatial correlations between ecosystem health clusters in the studied area. Multi-scale review results help locate key regions on a grid scale, coordinate regional management at the district-county scale and monitor huge ecosystems at the city scale. This study improves the ecosystem health model and expands multi-scale regulatory theory. This study’s findings help guide urban expansion and environmental management.
Toxicity of a Common Glyphosate Metabolite to the Freshwater Planarian (Girardia tigrina)
Authors: Pochron Sharon T. , Sasoun Samy , Maharjan Siddhartha , Pirzada Wali U. , Byrne Samantha , Girgis Mary , Jacobellis Morgan A. , Mitra Johanna A. , Miranda Alec S. , Gelder Grace Van , Khan Sayeed
Published: January 2024

To establish meaningful policy directives for sustainable agrochemical use, we require baseline knowledge of the impacts of agrochemicals on non-target organisms. The widespread use of the herbicide glyphosate has resulted in the global presence of its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). AMPA is commonly found in water bodies, including freshwater systems. We investigated the effects of AMPA exposure on the survivorship, regenerative abilities, and locomotion of the brown planarian (Girardia tigrina), a water-dwelling flatworm commonly found in freshwater ecosystems. In a series of experiments, we bisected and then exposed planarians to realistic field doses of AMPA for seven days and then fourteen days. For the 14-day experiment, we exposed planarians to two concentrations consistent with the high and low ranges of concentrations observed in water systems. Compared to the control group, we found that planarians exposed to AMPA for fourteen days (un-bisected for the first seven days and recovering from bisection for the subsequent seven) exhibited slower regeneration from the tail segment. Our findings highlight the potential ecological impacts of AMPA contamination on planarian populations. Quantifying the effects of AMPA exposure on planarians contributes to our understanding of the ecological consequences of our current and common agricultural practices on our freshwater ecosystems.
Enterprise Digital Transformation and Compliance in Cross-Regional Development: A Dynamic Capabilities Perspective
Authors: Yan Shaojun , Xi Yiyang , Wu Zhaoxiang
Published: January 2024

The cross-regional development of enterprises has comparative advantages, but it also brings a new challenge to internal control. To address this challenge, this study suggests enterprise digital transformation as a solution and empirically tests the effect of enterprise digital transformation on the violation of nonlocal subsidiaries as a proxy of compliance in cross-regional development. Using the unique data from the internal control survey questionnaire of Chinese listed companies, this study measures the level of enterprise digital transformation. The empirical results reveal a significant negative correlation between the level of enterprise digital transformation and the degree of violation of nonlocal subsidiaries. The findings remain robust after a series of heterogeneity tests. The mechanism test reveals that enterprise digital transformation strengthens the governance over the violation of nonlocal subsidiaries by alleviating information asymmetry and improving internal control quality. The heterogeneity analysis addresses the issues regarding the factors influencing the effect of enterprise digital transformation including strategic focus, technical input-efficiency balance, and the role of organizational culture. And the results of heterogeneity analysis indicate that the governance effect of enterprise digital transformation is more pronounced at the business level rather than the functional level and at the transformation stage where technical investment and efficiency are balanced. Additional analysis indicates that the governance effect of enterprise digital transformation is more pronounced in nonlocal subsidiaries established through autonomous investment. Furthermore, economic benefit analysis reveals that enterprise digital transformation promotes cost reduction and the increase in efficiency in nonlocal subsidiaries. This study enriches the quantification and economic consequences of enterprise digital transformation, and it also offers valuable implications for promoting digital transformation in traditional enterprises and strengthening internal control and compliance in the context of cross-regional development.
Emotional Knowledge in a Sample of University Students
Authors: Sainz-Gómez Marta , Bermejo Rosario , Ruiz-Melero María José
Published: January 2024

Background: One of the current challenges in higher education is the development of students’ emotional competencies, and consequently, how these competencies can be trained. Moreover, this must be addressed within the UN framework of inclusive, equitable, quality education (United Nations Agenda 2030; SDG 4). Methods: The present study the following objectives: (1) to study the degree of interest and the level of general knowledge that students studying for Education degrees perceive themselves to have; (2) to examine the perception of the participants of variables of emotional knowledge, according to their degree program and year of study; (3) to analyze the relationship between these emotional knowledge variables and perceived emotional intelligence (EI), using Spearman’s Rho test; and (4) to study the predictive capacity of the study variables on future teachers’ emotional knowledge variables through a linear regression analysis. The study sample contained a total of 434 university students from three degree programs at two universities in Spain. Two instruments were used: an ad hoc questionnaire, which assessed perceived emotional knowledge according to three variables (general knowledge of EI, where the level of training in EI is considered; intrapersonal knowledge of EI; and theoretical/practical knowledge related to teaching), and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24), which assesses metaknowledge of emotional states (attention, clarity, and repair). Results: The results of this study show that there are differences in students’ self-perceived knowledge of EI depending on their course and degree, and indicate that students present high interest, while their perceived level of knowledge is low. In addition, emotional clarity is the EI variable that was identified as being important in the emotional knowledge of future teachers, and therefore, a key skill to stimulate in a theoretical/practical way during their initial training. Conclusion: This study shows evidence of the importance of social–emotional competencies in initial teacher training.
Review on Design Research in CNC Machine Tools Based on Energy Consumption
Authors: Wu Hongyi , Wang Xuanyi , Deng Xiaolei , Shen Hongyao , Yao Xinhua
Published: January 2024

CNC machine tools play an important role in manufacturing and are characterized by high total energy consumption and low energy efficiency. The energy consumption characteristics of the machine tool itself determine the total energy consumption and pollutant emission during its service life. Therefore, it is particularly important to design machine tools with energy consumption as the optimization target to analyze the composition of energy consumption and related characteristics, build a corresponding model based on reliability verification, guide the structural design and optimization according to the model, and ultimately use the evaluation system to evaluate and judge the overall energy consumption. In this paper, from four perspectives—the composition of the energy consumption of machine tools, modeling methods, design and optimization methods, and evaluation methods—with energy consumption optimization as the entry point, we analyze the research on CNC machine tools based on energy consumption around the world. The research results indicate that we should look forward to the role of energy consumption in the design of machine tools.
Synthesis of 2,6-Diaminotriptycene Conjugates with Chiral Auxiliaries: Towards the Scalable Resolution of Crucial Triptycene Intermediates
Authors: Preda Giovanni , Casali Emanuele , Porta Alessio , Pasini Dario
Published: January 2024

Triptycenes are tridimensional molecular scaffolds with interesting properties for applications in materials science: molecular rigidity and preorganization, tailorable chromophores, and, with an appropriate substitution pattern, chirality. The separation of the two enantiomers of chiral triptycenes has been the subject of increasing interest in recent years, with limited success. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of new organic compounds, in which a chiral triptycene scaffold, derivatized in the 2 and 6 positions with amino groups, has been functionalized with different enantiopure chiral auxiliaries, forming diastereoisomeric couples. The properties of such compounds, in terms of the optimization of their chromatographic separation, are elucidated with the aid of computational calculations of preferred conformations and molecular polarities.
FeynGrav and Recent Progress in Computational Perturbative Quantum Gravity
Authors: Latosh Boris
Published: January 2024

This article reviews recent progress in computational quantum gravity caused by the framework that efficiently computes Feynman’s rules. The framework is implemented in the FeynGrav package, which extends the functionality of the widely used FeynCalc package. FeynGrav provides all the tools to study quantum gravitational effects within the standard model. We review the framework, provide the theoretical background for the efficient computation of Feynman rules, and present the proof of its completeness. We review the derivation of Feynman rules for general relativity, Horndeski gravity, Dirac fermions, Proca field, electromagnetic field, and SU(N) Yang–Mills model. We conclude with a discussion of the current state of the FeynGrav package and discuss its further development.
An Accurate Prediction Method of Human Assembly Motion for Human–Robot Collaboration
Authors: Zhou Yangzheng , Luo Liang , Li Pengzhong
Published: January 2024

In the process of human–robot collaborative assembly, robots need to recognize and predict human behaviors accurately, and then perform autonomous control and work route planning in real-time. To support the judgment of human intervention behaviors and meet the need of real-time human–robot collaboration, the Fast Spatial–Temporal Transformer Network (FST-Trans), an accurate prediction method of human assembly actions, is proposed. We tried to maximize the symmetry between the prediction results and the actual action while meeting the real-time requirement. With concise and efficient structural design, FST-Trans can learn about the spatial–temporal interactions of human joints during assembly in the same latent space and capture more complex motion dynamics. Considering the inconsistent assembly rates of different individuals, the network is forced to learn more motion variations by introducing velocity–acceleration loss, realizing accurate prediction of assembly actions. An assembly dataset was collected and constructed for detailed comparative experiments and ablation studies, and the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Complex Network-Based Resilience Capability Assessment for a Combat System of Systems
Authors: Chen Wenyu , Li Weimin , Zhang Tao
Published: January 2024

With the increasing complexity and frequency of interactions among a large number of heterogeneous nodes within a combat system of systems (SoS), evaluating the capability of the SoS to withstand external attacks and interferences has become an increasingly challenging and urgent issue. However, the complexity of a combat SoS often brings about difficulties in quantitative analysis. This paper proposes a method to assess the resilience of a combat SoS. Firstly, a network model of a combat SoS is constructed, taking into account multi-functional composite nodes. Secondly, the combat capability model of the combat SoS is built based on the capabilities of the kill chains and kill networks. Lastly, an approach is proposed to calculate the combat capability of the system based on the network’s two-terminal connectivity. Moreover, based on the SoS’s combat capability, the resilience is analyzed from the dimensions of anti-destruction, survival, and recovery. The simulation experiments show that, compared to other methods, the method in this paper for calculating the combat capability of the combat SoS does not depend on the number of kill chains and aligns with the combat processes and actual patterns. Additionally, the resilience measurement method can effectively analyze its capability to cope with external interferences.
A Fulminant Case of Adenovirus Genotype C108 Infection in a Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Recipient with x-Linked Lymphoproliferative Syndrome Type 1
Authors: Becken Bradford A. , Lamson Daryl M. , Gonzalez Gabriel , Patel Sachit , St. George Kirsten , Kajon Adriana E.
Published: January 2024

A 3-year-old male with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1 underwent an unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant (UUCBT). The week prior to transplant the patient tested positive for adenovirus (HAdV) with a viral load of <190 copies/mL and was started on cidofovir. UUCBT proceeded as scheduled, and the patient engrafted on day +19. The patient’s HAdV load in serum continued to rise with resulting hepatic dysfunction, despite ongoing therapy with cidofovir and HAdV specific T-cell infusions. The patient died 6 months after transplantation having never cleared the virus. Next generation whole genome sequencing and sequence data analyses identified an intertypic recombinant HAdV-C P1H2F2 closely related (99.6% similarity) to genotype C108 in the isolates from three blood specimens obtained during the last week of life. Incidentally, the de novo assembly strategy enabled the detection of an adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) genome in the DNA purified from the plasma isolates. Proteotyping analysis revealed minor differences in the predicted amino acid sequences for E1A, E1B 19K, E1B 55K, DNA polymerase, penton base, and fiber. None of the mutations previously described for HAdV-C5 variants resistant to cidofovir were identified. In silico restriction enzyme analysis revealed a distinct Sac I profile for the identified virus, supporting its designation as a C108 variant.
An Aptamer-Based Proteomic Analysis of Plasma from Cats (Felis catus) with Clinical Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Authors: Curtis Benjamin E. , Abdo Zaid , Graham Barbara , LaVoy Alora , Evans Samantha J. M. , Santangelo Kelly , Dean Gregg A.
Published: January 2024

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a systemic disease manifestation of feline coronavirus (FCoV) and is the most important cause of infectious disease-related deaths in domestic cats. FIP has a variable clinical manifestation but is most often characterized by widespread vasculitis with visceral involvement and/or neurological disease that is typically fatal in the absence of antiviral therapy. Using an aptamer-based proteomics assay, we analyzed the plasma protein profiles of cats who were naturally infected with FIP (n = 19) in comparison to the plasma protein profiles of cats who were clinically healthy and negative for FCoV (n = 17) and cats who were positive for the enteric form of FCoV (n = 9). We identified 442 proteins that were significantly differentiable; in total, 219 increased and 223 decreased in FIP plasma versus clinically healthy cat plasma. Pathway enrichment and associated analyses showed that differentiable proteins were related to immune system processes, including the innate immune response, cytokine signaling, and antigen presentation, as well as apoptosis and vascular integrity. The relevance of these findings is discussed in the context of previous studies. While these results have the potential to inform diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative investigations, they represent only a first step, and will require further validation.
Microwave Treatment of Three Different Types of Sewage Sludge Based on Their Solar Drying Exposure Time: Effect on Microorganisms, Water Content and Agronomic Aspects
Authors: Kodom Piyabalo , Aragón-Barroso Antonio J. , Koledzi Edem K. , Segbeaya Kwamivi , González-López Jesús , Osorio Francisco
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to treat sewage sludge through microwave irradiation at a laboratory scale. The objective was to investigate the effect of microwave irradiation on microorganisms, water content, organic matter, and agronomic nutrients present in sewage sludge. Three types of sewage sludges obtained from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant were considered: Sludge A (raw sludge), Sludge B (subjected to 15 days of solar exposure, achieving 48% dryness), and Sludge C (exposed to solar conditions and left open to the air for 23 months, reaching 94% dryness). These diverse sludges were exposed to microwave irradiation at various power levels (analysed variables: ε (Watts/g), θ (°C), T (min)). The specific exposure powers and temperature levels for the water reduction analysis were: 555, 955, 1355, and 1500 Watts/g and 55, 75, 95, and 105 °C, respectively. On the other hand, microbiological and agronomic nutrient analyses were conducted at 75 °C–1355 W and 95 °C–1355 W. After microwave exposure experiments, the results demonstrated the high effectiveness of microwave technology in eradicating indicator microorganisms of faecal contamination and reducing sludge volume while not affecting trace elements of significant agricultural value. The reduction in Escherichia Coli revealed that 4 min of irradiation was necessary to completely eliminate it to 0 ulog, indicating a 100% reduction, in Sludge A. In Sludges B and C, an additional 1 min was needed under conditions of 75 °C and 1355 W for a mass of 50 g. Moreover, Sludge A (46.27 × 105 or 4.80 ulog of dry matter), Sludge B (1.29 × 106 or 6.11 ulog of dry matter), and Sludge C (8.77 × 104 or 4.94 ulog of dry matter) were heavily contaminated with faecal coliforms. It took 6 min to reduce faecal coliforms to below the detection threshold.
Ecological Discharge Study of Changxinggang River Based on the MIKE 11 One-Dimensional Hydrodynamic–Water Quality Coupling Model
Authors: Huang Dongjing , Tian Chuanchong , Xu Tao , Liu Zhen , Ma Hongyu , Zhang Zexian , Dong Xinsheng
Published: January 2024

In order to safeguard the ecological health of Changxinggang River’s water environment, conducting research on ecological discharge, including establishing reasonable ecological discharge control values, is of great importance. This study utilized monthly hydro-ecological data from the Xintang section of the Changxinggang River that spanned the years 2016 to 2020. It defined the water quality control indicators for both non-flood and flood periods in the Changxinggang River and utilized the MIKE 11 software to construct the MIKE 11 one-dimensional hydrodynamic–water quality coupling model. A comparison between simulated values and measured values showed that the model exhibits a relative error of less than 17%, indicating its suitability for practical use. The results indicate that the water quality control indicators for the non-flood period in the Changxinggang River encompass ammonium nitrogen (NH3-N), chemical oxygen demand (manganese) (CODMn), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), while those for the flood period include NH3-N, total phosphorus (TP), and CODMn. Reasonable ecological discharge control values for both non-flood and flood periods in the Changxinggang River are calculated to be 2.59 m3/s and 2.63 m3/s, respectively. The model developed in this study is applicable for ecological discharge calculations in the Changxinggang River, and the proposed ecological discharge control values are achievable.
Improved Agricultural Drought Monitoring with an Integrated Drought Condition Index in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Li Haixia , Yin Yuanyuan , Zhou Jing , Li Fuxing
Published: January 2024

Drought is a natural disaster with severe global agricultural and economic impacts. Accurate drought indices are needed for improved assessment and monitoring; however, most existing drought indices poorly represent agricultural drought due to complex interactions among meteorological factors, crop and soil conditions. Here, we compute an integrated drought condition index (IDCI) based on the 3-month standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI3), vegetation cover index (VCI) and soil moisture condition index (SMCI). We apply the IDCI to monitoring agricultural drought in Xinjiang, China. After regional evaluations with soil moisture, precipitation and air temperature observations, as well as with the scaled crop yields index, the IDCI was used to describe spatiotemporal changes in regional drought in Xinjiang during 2000–2018, revealing adverse impacts on crop yield (beet, wheat and vegetables). The IDCI is strongly correlated with observed soil moisture and performs better than SMCI, VCI or SPEI3, demonstrating that the IDCI is suitable for agricultural drought monitoring. The most severe drought occurred in the spring to autumn of 2008. Droughts before 2008 were more serious than those after 2008, in terms of both severity and frequency. Droughts in northern, southern and eastern Xinjiang, as well as in the Tianshan Mountains, were generally increasing before 2008 and then weakened after 2008.
Modeling and Optimization of a Green Process for Olive Mill Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Fakhfakh Fatma , Raissi Sahar , Kriaa Karim , Maatki Chemseddine , Kolsi Lioua , Hadrich Bilel
Published: January 2024

The olive mill wastewater (OMW) treatment process is modeled and optimized through new design of experiments (DOE). The first step of the process is coagulation–flocculation using three coagulants (modeled with the mixture design) followed by photo-degradation (modelled with the full factorial design). Based on this methodology, we successfully established a direct correlation between the system’s composition during the coagulation–flocculation step and the conditions of the photo-catalytic degradation step. Three coagulants are used in this study, Fe3+ solution, lime, and cactus juice, and two parameters are considered for the photo-degradation conditions: dilution and catalyst mass. Utilizing a sophisticated quadratic model, the analysis of the two observed responses reveals the ideal parameters for achieving maximum efficiency in coagulation–flocculation and photo-degradation processes. This is attained using a quasi-equal mixture of limewater and cactus juice, exclusively. To achieve an optimal photo-catalytic degradation, it is essential to maintain a minimal dilution rate while employing an elevated concentration of TiO2. It was found that the experimental tests validations were in good concordance with the mathematical predictions (a decolorization of 92.57 ± 0.90% and an organic degradation of 96.19 ± 0.97%).
Quantifying Ultrafiltration in Peritoneal Dialysis Using the Sodium Dip
Authors: Helman Jakob , Wahlgren Hedda , Andersson Linn , Morelle Johann , Öberg Carl M.
Published: January 2024

Key Points

Ultrafiltration (UF) is a key component of clinical peritoneal dialysis prescription, but the traditional method to assess UF is hampered by large inaccuracies.

Here we propose a novel method, based on a computational model and on a single dialysate sodium measurement, to accurately estimate UF and osmotic conductance to glucose in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Background

Volume overload is highly prevalent among patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD), contributes to hypertension, and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death in this population. As a result, optimizing peritoneal ultrafiltration (UF) is a key component of high-quality dialysis prescription. Osmotic conductance to glucose (OCG) reflects the water transport properties of the peritoneum, but measuring it requires an accurate quantification of UF, which is often difficult to obtain because of variability in catheter patency and peritoneal residual volume.

Methods

In this study, we derived a new mathematical model for estimating UF during PD, on the basis of sodium sieving, using a single measure of dialysate sodium concentration. The model was validated experimentally in a rat model of PD, using dialysis fluid with two different sodium concentrations (125 and 134 mmol/L) and three glucose strengths (1.5%, 2.3%, and 4.25%). Then, the same model was tested in a cohort of PD patients to predict UF.

Results

In experimental and clinical conditions, the sodium-based estimation of UF rate correlated with UF rate measurements on the basis of volumetry and albumin dilution, with a R

2
=0.35 and R

2
=0.76, respectively. UF on the basis of sodium sieving was also successfully used to calculate OCG in the clinical cohort, with a Pearson r of 0.77.

Conclusions

Using the novel mathematical models in this study, the sodium dip can be used to accurately estimate OCG, and therefore, it is a promising measurement method for future clinical use.
The Symmetric and Asymmetric Nexus Between Monetary Policy Interest Rate and Core Inflation in Jordan
Authors: Al-Majali Ahmad , Al-Shamaileh Renad Jehad
Published: January 2024

Objectives: This study investigates monetary policy's symmetric and asymmetric impacts on core inflation in Jordan. It employs linear and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) models. The research also seeks to assess the relationship between the overnight deposit rate, money supply growth, and real GDP growth on core inflation and to explore potential linear or nonlinear effects.
Methods: The study applies ARDL and NARDL models to estimate the relationships above. It utilizes data from the first quarter of 1998 to the first quarter of 2023. Tests for Granger causality are conducted, and the Brock-Dechert-Scheinkman (BDS) test is employed to ascertain the presence of nonlinear paths within the study variable. Robustness checks are conducted to ensure parameter stability.
Results: The analysis provides compelling empirical evidence supporting a long-term relationship between the overnight deposit rate and core inflation. The Brock-Dechert-Scheinkman (BDS) test confirms the existence of nonlinear dynamics. The ARDL model reveals a linear relationship: a 1% interest rate increase leads to a 0.26% reduction in core inflation in the long run. In contrast, the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) analysis unveils an asymmetric effect: a 1% increase in the overnight deposit rate decreases core inflation by 0.43%, while a 1% reduction increases it by 0.37%.
Conclusions: These findings have critical implications for monetary policymakers. They underscore the importance of judiciously considering interest rate adjustments to manage inflation dynamics, acknowledging the nonlinear and asymmetric effects inherent in the relationship between the overnight deposit rate and core inflation. When crafting monetary policy strategies, policymakers must consider these nuanced dynamics to address inflation concerns effectively.
AGRICULTURAL UAV CROP SPRAYING PATH PLANNING BASED ON PSO-A* ALGORITHM
Authors: FAN Lijuan
Published: January 2024

Currently, drones have been gradually applied in the field of agriculture, and have been widely used in various types of agricultural aerial operations such as precision sowing, pesticide spraying, and vegetation detection. The use of agricultural UAVs for pesticide spraying has become an important task in the agricultural plant protection process. However, in the crop spraying process of agricultural UAVs, it is necessary to traverse multiple spray points and plan obstacle avoidance paths, which greatly affects the efficiency of agricultural UAV crop spraying operations. To address the above issues, traditional particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms have strong solving capabilities, but they are prone to falling into local optima. Therefore, this study proposes an improved PSO algorithm combined with the A* algorithm, which introduces a nonlinear convergence factor balancing algorithm for global search and local development capabilities in the traditional PSO algorithm, and adopts population initialization to enhance population diversity, so that the improved PSO algorithm has stronger model solving capabilities. This study designs two scenarios for agricultural UAV crop spraying path planning: one without obstacles and one with obstacles. Experimental simulation results show that using the PSO algorithm to solve the obstacle-free problem and then using the A* algorithm to correct the path obstructed by obstacles in the obstacle scenario, the agricultural UAV crop spraying trajectory planning based on the PSO-A* algorithm is real and effective. This research can provide theoretical basis for agricultural plant protection and solve the premise of autonomous operation of UAVs.
FIGURE OF SPEECH: SHIFT IN STYLE IN THE POETRY OF W.D HOWELLS AND T.S ELLIOT
Authors: Saputra Danang Rendi , Azzahra Ifatunnisa , Alfarisi Salman
Published: January 2024

This research aims to analyze the stylistic turn in the poems about Realism entitled "Dead" and "If" by William Dean Howell and “The Fire Sermon”and "The Burial of Dead" by T.S. Eliot about Modernism. This study uses Zienkowski's (2011) theory to show the language style embodied in literary works. This research uses a qualitative descriptive design to reveal and investigate the phenomenon of style embodied in the poet. The data taken are words, phrases, and sentences related to the discourse of beauty. Data to support this research is taken from articles, journals, websites, and previous studies with the same topic but with different objects. Based on theory and analysis, the researcher argues that the poem "If," an early poem by William, uses a lot of personification and metaphor to express strong feelings and ideas, often using the language of nature. Meanwhile, in the poem "Dead," William also displays a very contrasting style. The use of personification and metaphor. "Burial of the Dead" from "The Waste Land" uses a fragmented structure and a large number of metaphors and metonymies to depict the fragmentation and loss of meaning in society. In "The Fire Sermon," Eliot explores the spiritual and sexual disillusionment of the post-World War I era. He incorporates various metonymic sounds, allusions and imagery. Thus, this identification can reveal the correlation between the poetry of William Dean Howells and T.S Elliot.
THE ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION CHANGE STRATEGY IN FINDING CULTURAL EQUIVALENCE IN TRAVEL WRITING
Authors: Arsiwela  , Topan Tegar Arif
Published: January 2024

The function of translation is to transfer message from source language text into target language text. However, in translating, the translator will face some problems, for example is the translation of cultural words. Strictly speaking, the translator has difficulty in finding an equivalent of cultural words, since there is no direct and right equivalent which is used to carry the meaning of source language in word or phrase to target language. This research invertigates how cultural words in travel writing are translated. The method applied in this study is qualitative descriptive method. The number of the data were taken from Titik Nol novel written by Agustinus Wibowo and its translation Ground Zero into English by MT (Editor: John Michaelson). The theory used to analyze the research data is Chesterman’s theory, specifically information change on the pragmatic strategies. From the findings of the research, the researcher concludes two categories of information change strategies. Out of the 11 data which are analyzed in this research, there are 10 data that used new addition strategy, and 1 data used omission strategy.
Importancia de la educación contable en la implementación de la economía circular
Authors: Kwan Chung Chap Kau , Alegre Brítez Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2024

El objetivo general de esta investigación fue analizar la importancia de la educación contable en la implementación de la economía circular y proponer recomendaciones para mejorar la gestión financiera en este modelo económico. Mediante un análisis documental de la literatura científica y técnica, se concluyó que la educación contable es un factor clave en la implementación de la economía circular, y se destacó la importancia de la colaboración y el diálogo entre los profesionales contables y los demás actores involucrados. Se recomienda promover y fortalecer los programas de educación contable orientados a la economía circular.
¿Cómo impactan las variables no-cognitivas el aprendizaje de los adolescentes en matemáticas en postpandemia ?
Authors: Ovalle Ramirez Claudia Patricia
Published: January 2024

El presente artículo hace una propuesta de modelo estructural teórico de los efectos de la salud mental tras la pandemia sobre el aprendizaje matemático en adolescentes. Método: En 3 instituciones educativas (municipal/subvencionada/privada) se aplicará una prueba de tamizaje de depresión y ansiedad post pandemia para adolescentes entre 14 a 17 años con consentimiento informado. Entre estos estudiantes, se invitará aquellos que presentan niveles medio, medio alto y altos de síntomas ansiosos o depresivos a una sesión en la que se recogerán en laboratorio medidas psicofisiológicas (potencial evocado y seguimiento ocular), medidas psicológicas (apego) y neuropsicológicas (función ejecutiva), mientras el adolescente lleva a cabo una prueba en computador (razonamiento cuantitativo). Muestra: por conveniencia de tamaño aproximado n=90 (45 adolescentes entre los 12 y 14 años y 45 adolescentes entre los 15-17 años) Análisis de datos Se propone hacer SEM con R (paquete lavaan) considerando como variable de resultado el razonamiento cuantitativo (aritmética y balanzas de la prueba WISC-V) y como moderadores el género, edad y el decil de ingreso. Resultados esperados: El modelo propuesto tiene bondad de ajuste y explica la variabilidad del razonamiento cuantitativo.

Palabras clave: Covid-19, variables no cognitivas, Razonamiento matemático, Adolescencia.
Aplikasi Pengenalan Anatomi Manusia Berbasis Augmented Reality
Authors: Triyudha Sakti Akbar , Sejati Hajar
Published: January 2024

Augmented Reality (AR) is an attempt to combine the real world and the virtual world in real-time. A real object that serves as a marker is used for positioning virtual objects that have been identified by the camera. Augmented Reality is widely used in various fields, one of which is the field of education. In the field of education Augmented Reality is used as an interactive learning media to be more creative, interesting and innovative. This Augmented Reality technology can be applied in the human anatomy learning system. The use of Augmented Reality technology is expected to display objects in the form of 3D virtual human body parts in a marker book as props. Markers detected by an android-based smartphone camera will display anatomical objects that will be used by the teacher, so that students can observe how the human anatomy looks in realtime.
Strategi Komunikasi Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Bangkalan dalam Meningkatkan Literasi Pemustaka Usia Sekolah
Authors: Fani Meithia , Alamiyah Syifa Syarifah
Published: January 2024

Literacy in Indonesia is relatively low at 0.001 percent. Referring to literacy data from East Java Province, Bangkalan Regency has a level of reading interest (TGM) of 67,2. As a strategy to increase the literacy of school-aged users, the Department of Library and Archives Regency Bangkalan carried out several program stages. This research aims to find out how the communication strategy of the Bangkalan Regency Library and Archives Service improves the literacy of school age users. The method used in the research is a descriptive qualitative method by collecting observation data and in-depth interviews with staff, librarians and school age users. The results of this research indicate that to increase the literacy of school-age users at the Department of Library and Archives Regency Bangkalan, they have implemented a communication strategy which was analyzed using a five-step strategy model. Apart from that, specific strategies to increase literacy consist of 4 forms, namely Internal (Library Development Training and TPBIS Development), External (BangLabang, Kubiling, eBecah, Library Visits, Literacy Seminars, Selection of Literacy Ambassadors, and Storytelling Competitions), Digital (Social media management: Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and TikTok), and Collaboration (Bangkalan Children's Forum and PT Gramedia).
Influence of Strategic Human Resource Capability on the Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Seed Companies in Kenya
Authors: Kosiom Thomas , Uzel Jean , Otieno Darius , Bana Mahmud
Published: January 2024

The objective of this study was to look into the influence of strategic capabilities on the sustainable competitive advantage of seed companies in Kenya. The theories that supported the study were: Human Capital Theory and Competitive Advantage Theory. The research adopted a positivist approach because the role of the researcher was limited to data collection and interpretation in a manner which was observable and verifiable. The research used cross-sectional and descriptive where qualitative data was collected through reviewing of company manuals. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 76 private seed firms in Kenya, using stratified sampling technique, with 280 respondents from top management, finance, operations, and information communication technology departments. Strategic human resource capability was found to be positively related to sustainable competitive advantage (R= 0.356, p<0.05; β= 0.34542, p<0.05). Changes in sustainable competitive advantage among seed companies could be accounted for by strategic human resource capability for up to 12 percent. In conclusion, strategic human resource capabilities had a significant influence on the sustainable competitive advantage of seed companies in Kenya. This conclusion was supported by the study models’ statistics that indicated that strategic human resource capabilities influenced sustainable competitive advantage among seed companies in Kenya. Seed companies should foster a culture of continuous learning by the staff, job rotations and promote knowledge transfer. Skills identification and recruitment from the industry will promote the use of technology and benchmarking with industry best practices are encouraged to enhance organization strategic human resource capabilities.
The Effect of Toe-Only Rocker Sole at 10-Degree’s Extension on Dynamic Balance in Transtibial Prosthesis Users
Authors: Suprayogi Dody , Nugroho Agus Setyo
Published: January 2024

Background: For transtibial amputees, the use of a transtibial prosthesis has an impact on balance during daily activities (Wang et al., 2015). Apart from the prosthesis which affect walking patterns and balance, the use of the shoes related to the patient's balance. Modifications to the shoes of transtibial prosthesis users to achieve the best balance with toe-only rocker sole are considered an option to improve balance (Preece et al., 2017).
Objective: To determine the effect of a 10-degree toe-only rocker sole on dynamic balance in transtibial prosthesis users.
Methods and Subjects: This research was conducted from May to June in APOC Boyolali, using a quantitative research method using a quasi-experimental one group pre-test and post-test design. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. The subjects used were transtibial prosthesis users.
Results: A Statistical analysis with a p value of 0.000 less than 0.05 revealed that the use of a toe only rocker sole of 10 degrees had an impact on dynamic balance in transtibial prosthesis users.
Conclusion: There is an effect of using a 10-degree toe only rocker sole to improve the dynamic balance of transtibial prosthesis users, so that reducing the risk of falls when carrying out daily activities.