bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Targetless Monocular Camera and LiDAR External Parameter Calibration Method for Mobile Robots
Authors: Yu Ying , Fan Song , Li Lei , Wang Tao , Li Li
Published: November 2023

With the continuous development and popularization of sensor-fusion technology for mobile robots, the application of camera and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) fusion perception has become particularly important. Moreover, the calibration of extrinsic parameters between the camera and LiDAR is a crucial prerequisite for fusion. Although traditional target-based calibration methods have been widely adopted, their cumbersome operation and high costs necessitate the development of more efficient and flexible calibration methods. To address this problem, this study proposed a two-stage calibration method based on motion and edge matching. In the first stage, the preliminary estimation of the extrinsic parameters between the camera and LiDAR was performed by matching visual odometry and LiDAR odometry using a hand–eye target method. In the second stage, the calibration results from the first stage were further refined by matching the image edges and discontinuous depth point clouds. The calibration system was then tested in both simulated and actual environments. The experimental results showed that this method, which did not require specially structured targets, could achieve highly flexible and robust automated calibration. Compared to other advanced methods, the accuracy of the proposed method was higher.
Investigating the Potential of Perovskite Nanocrystal-Doped Liquid Scintillator: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Kim Na-Ri , Joo Kyung-Kwang , Lee Hyun-Gi
Published: November 2023

Liquid scintillators are extensively employed as targets in neutrino experiments and in medical radiography. Perovskite nanocrystals are recognized for their tunable emission spectra and high photoluminescence quantum yields. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using perovskites as an alternative to fluor, a substance that shifts the wavelengths. The liquid scintillator candidates were synthesized by doping perovskite nanocrystals with emission wavelengths of 450, 480, and 510 nm into fluor PPO with varying nanocrystal concentrations in a toluene solvent. The several properties of the perovskite nanocrystal-doped liquid scintillator were measured and compared with those of a secondary wavelength shifter, bis-MSB. The emission spectra of the perovskite nanocrystal-doped liquid scintillator exhibited a distinct monochromatic wavelength, indicating energy transfer from PPO to the perovskite nanocrystals. Using a 60Co radioactive source setup with two photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), the light yields, pulse shape, and wavelength shifts of the scintillation events were measured. The light yields were evaluated based on the observed Compton edges from γ-rays, and compared across the synthesized samples. A decrease (or increase) in area-normalized PMT pulse height was observed at higher perovskite nanocrystal (or PPO) concentrations. The results demonstrated the sufficient potential of perovskite nanocrystals as an alternative to traditional wavelength shifters in a liquid scintillator.
Validity and Efficacy of the Elite HRV Smartphone Application during Slow-Paced Breathing
Authors: Vondrasek Joseph D. , Riemann Bryan L. , Grosicki Gregory J. , Flatt Andrew A.
Published: November 2023

Slow-paced breathing is a clinical intervention used to increase heart rate variability (HRV). The practice is made more accessible via cost-free smartphone applications like Elite HRV. We investigated whether Elite HRV can accurately measure and augment HRV via its slow-paced breathing feature. Twenty young adults completed one counterbalanced cross-over protocol involving 10 min each of supine spontaneous (SPONT) and paced (PACED; 6 breaths·min−1) breathing while RR intervals were simultaneously recorded via a Polar H10 paired with Elite HRV and reference electrocardiography (ECG). Individual differences in HRV between devices were predominately skewed, reflecting a tendency for Elite HRV to underestimate ECG-derived values. Skewness was typically driven by a limited number of outliers as median bias values were ≤1.3 ms and relative agreement was ≥very large for time-domain parameters. Despite no significant bias and ≥large relative agreement for frequency-domain parameters, limits of agreement (LOAs) were excessively wide and tended to be wider during PACED for all HRV parameters. PACED significantly increased low-frequency power (LF) for Elite HRV and ECG, and between-condition differences showed very large relative agreement. Elite HRV-guided slow-paced breathing effectively increased LF values, but it demonstrated greater precision during SPONT and in computing time-domain HRV.
Do Regional Smart Specialization Strategies Affect Innovation in Enterprises?
Authors: Kogut-Jaworska Magdalena , Ociepa-Kicińska Elżbieta
Published: November 2023

According to the European Commission, the smart specialization strategy is intended as a response to complex development challenges and a tool for stimulating innovation at the regional level. At the same time, it is known that the conditions in which businesses operate, including institutional framework, socio-economic aspects, infrastructure and forms of business support, do not always meet their needs. The research and analyses carried out in this study were aimed at testing the relationships mainly between the external activities that most create/develop innovation in enterprises, networking within the innovation ecosystem, and barriers inhibiting innovation development. For this purpose, 250 survey interviews were conducted with representatives of innovative enterprises from five regions in Poland. Our research and analyses have shown that regions make considerable efforts to comprehensively define rather complex RIS3 (Research and Innovation Smart Specialization Strategy) policy priorities, while in reality these priorities often do not coincide with the expectations of entrepreneurs.
Residual Stand Structure and Topography Predict Initial Survival and Animal Browsing of Redwood and Douglas-Fir Seedlings Planted in Coastal Forests of Northern California
Authors: Schneider Kurt A. , Berrill John-Pascal , Dagley Christa M. , Webb Lynn A. , Hohl Aaron
Published: November 2023

Successful regeneration of commercial species is central to the long-term sustainability of forests managed for wood production. We studied two species of tree seedlings planted after group selection and single-tree selection harvesting in a 20 ha replicated silviculture experiment in stands dominated by coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D.Don) Endl.). Treatments consisted of complete harvest in 1 ha group selection opening (GS), low-density dispersed retention (LD), aggregated high-density retention (HA), and dispersed high-density retention (HD). One year after planting, seedlings planted on a southwest aspect had the lowest survival rate, while northeast aspects had nearly complete survival rates. As expected, redwood had a higher survival rate than coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Survival rates exhibited a rise-peak-fall pattern with stand density, most notably on southwest-facing slopes, ranking LD > HA ≈ HD > GS treatments. Deer browsing of planted seedlings was a pervasive problem where Douglas-fir were preferentially browsed over redwood. In treatments with higher retention densities, browsing was less likely, ranking GS > LD > HA > HD treatments. Further from watercourses at higher elevation, the probability of browsing diminished. Overall, dispersed treatments outperformed aggregated and GS treatments by simultaneously maximizing survival and minimizing browsing of planted seedlings. We did not perform site preparation or herbicide treatment of re-sprouting hardwoods following harvest, and therefore recommend testing the effectiveness of understory vegetation management to enhance seedling survival. Consideration could also be given to planting more seedlings in anticipation of lower survival rates, and/or implementing seedling protection measures when and where heavy browsing is expected.
Sustainable Agriculture’s Contribution to Quality of Life
Authors: Polcyn Jan , Stratan Alexandru , Lopotenco Viorica
Published: November 2023

The multidimensional character of sustainable agriculture mandates a systematic examination of this concept, necessitating methodological rigor for comprehensive analysis. In line with this imperative, the formulation of the composite index for sustainable agriculture was achieved through a compound, multi–stage procedural framework. This process involved the systematic grouping of 44 indicators into a specialized set, thereby delineating distinct facets within the dimensions of environmental (comprising 20 indicators), economic (comprising 16 indicators), and social (comprising 8 indicators) domains. This study aims to establish the correlation between the advancement of sustainable agriculture and quality of life, which encapsulates the circumstances of an individual’s existence. The significance of probing this correlation lies in the fact that sustainable agriculture, rooted in the efficient utilization of natural, social, and economic resources, inherently influences the quality of life—a paramount objective in the realm of social development. The quality of life in this study is represented by the Quality–of–Life Index (QoL) computed by CEO World. To achieve the aforementioned objective, a combination of complex methodologies was employed, encompassing quantitative analyses (statistical, bibliometric) and qualitative analyses (analysis and synthesis). The outcomes reveal that a systemic approach is most suitable for researching sustainable agriculture. The assessment of sustainable agriculture through the composite index underscores the relevance of all three dimensions in its formulation. Results from the correlation analysis suggest a robust connection between sustainable agriculture and quality of life. Simultaneously, a prominent level of interdependence between GDPs per capita and sustainable agriculture is observed.
Greening the Future: Harnessing ICT, Innovation, Eco-Taxes, and Clean Energy for Sustainable Ecology—Insights from Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression, Continuously Updated Fully Modified, and Continuously Updated Bias-Corrected Models
Authors: Wang Yupu , Qamruzzaman Md. , Kor Sylvia
Published: November 2023

This research endeavors to investigate the impacts of information and communication technology, green technological innovation, and environmental tax on the attainment of ecological sustainability with advanced panel date estimation for 2001–2019. The results of this study demonstrate a noteworthy inverse relationship between information and communication technology and ecological footprint, suggesting that progress in ICT has the potential to yield positive consequences in terms of ecological restoration and the promotion of environmental sustainability. Furthermore, this study underscores the significance of GTI in mitigating carbon emissions and effectively addressing environmental challenges. The findings indicate that the incorporation of environmentally sustainable technology can yield favorable ecological consequences and make significant contributions towards the attainment of worldwide climate targets. Nevertheless, the study highlights the importance of considering potential rebound effects. It underscores the imperative for ongoing research and the implementation of comprehensive policies within the realm of environmentally sustainable technology. Moreover, the present study elucidates the favorable ramifications of GF on ecological sustainability, underscoring its pivotal contribution in curtailing carbon emissions, augmenting environmental benchmarks, and facilitating the ecological footprint. Enhancing the utilization of green finance, making adjustments to national regulatory frameworks, and achieving harmonization of public financial incentives to bolster sustainable development are important. Additionally, the study posits that the incorporation of ET can catalyze businesses and individuals to embrace environmentally friendly energy sources and sustainable practices, thereby fostering positive outcomes for the environment. The study offers significant insights into the contributions of information and communication technology, green technology innovation, and environmental technology to advancing ecological sustainability. It emphasizes the need for collaborative endeavors among academia, industry, and government to cultivate a supportive ecosystem for sustainable development.
The Assessment of Green Business Environments Using the Environmental–Economic Index: The Case of China
Authors: Lee Cheng-Wen , Wang Chin-Chuan , Hsu Hui-Hsin , Kong Peiyi
Published: November 2023

The quality of a country’s business environment speaks volumes about its government’s capacity and competitiveness. Unfortunately, the current system only evaluates countries and cities, overlooking the business environments of individual provinces. To address this issue, this study utilizes a green and sustainable development approach to evaluate the business environments of 30 provinces/municipalities in China. By incorporating ecological and environmental protection and sustainable development indicators, a novel green business environment index is constructed and analyzed to determine its impact on macroeconomic sustainable development and micro-enterprise operation. Taking into account the business environment index established by the World Bank and other organizations, this evaluation system adds ecological and environmental indicators specific to each province/municipality in China from the year 2011 to 2020. The result is a provincial green business environment evaluation index system consisting of 5 primary indicators and 30 secondary indicators. Principal component analysis (PCA) is then applied to rank the green business environment for each province/municipality. Furthermore, the overall green business environment of the Eastern region is superior to that of the Central and Western regions, highlighting the uneven development of the business environment in China.
Bibliometric Analysis of Trends in Smart Irrigation for Smart Agriculture
Authors: Pang Yiyuan , Marinello Francesco , Tang Pan , Li Hong , Liang Qi
Published: November 2023

Agriculture is considered one of the most critical sectors that play a strategic role in ensuring food security. It is directly related to human development and social stability. The agricultural sector is currently incorporating new technologies from other areas. These phenomena are smart agriculture and smart irrigation. However, a challenge to research is the integration of technologies from different knowledge fields, which has caused theoretical and practical difficulties. Thus, our purpose in this study has been to understand the core of these two themes. We extracted publications in Scopus and used bibliometric methods for high-frequency word and phrase analysis. Research shows that current research on smart agriculture mainly focuses on the Internet of Things, climate change, machine learning, precision agriculture and wireless sensor networks. Simultaneously, the Internet of Things, irrigation systems, soil moisture, wireless sensor networks and climate change have received the most scholarly attention in smart irrigation. This study used cluster analysis to find that the IoT has the most apparent growth rate in smart agriculture and smart irrigation, with five-year growth rates of 1617% and 2285%, respectively. In addition, machine learning, deep learning and neural networks have enormous potential in smart irrigation compared with smart agriculture.
A Model of Build Back Better Utilization: Long-Term Recovery Groups and Post-Disaster Housing Recovery
Authors: Landaeta Eduardo , Richman Jesse
Published: November 2023

Housing recovery, especially for vulnerable populations, can be a challenging process. Questions regarding whether to rebuild damaged housing and whether to restore it to its previous state or to build back better must be answered. In the United States, Long-Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs) play a crucial role in channeling assistance to vulnerable community members as they embark on housing recovery. However, the experiences of LTRGs have been understudied. To address this gap, the study utilizes interviews with a diverse range of LTRG members and develops an agent-based model following the Overview, Design concepts, and Details (ODD) protocol. The results highlight the consequences of adopting or not adopting a Build Back Better (BBB) approach in post-disaster recovery. Communities do not uniformly adhere to the same reconstruction approach, as evidenced by insights from LTRG interviews. BBB implementation is uneven in US LTRGs. BBB has higher initial costs but lower long-term costs because it increases community resilience and sustainability.
Thermal Comfort Comparison and Cause Analysis of Low-Temperature High-Humidity Indoor Environments of Rural Houses in Gansu Province, China
Authors: Li Junjie , Wu Xijun , Chow Sharon K. W. , Zhuang Qiushi , Habert Guillaume
Published: November 2023

Low temperatures and high humidity often occur in the northern basins and mountainous regions of China. This research reveals a common winter indoor environment in this rural areas characterized by low-temperature and high-humidity indoor thermal conditions. Improving this environment directly with equipment would inevitably result in significant energy consumption. Therefore, comprehending the thermal performance mechanisms of different structural building materials is of vital importance as it provides crucial baseline values for environmental improvement. This study conducted a survey utilizing user questionnaires, resulting in the collection of 214 valid responses. Additionally, a local experiment regarding thermal comfort was conducted. Simultaneously, this study monitored the indoor physical environments of these houses (a sample of 10 rooms was taken from earth houses and 12 rooms from brick houses). Parameters measured on site included air temperature, relative humidity, light illumination, and CO2. The results showed that the humidity inside the earth houses is more stable and regression models can be developed between thermal sensations and temperature for long-term residents. The residents of these earth houses are more sensitive to temperature step. In contrast, the residents of brick houses, experiencing greater environmental variability, demonstrated lower sensitivity and greater adaptability to temperature changes. In addition, heating from bottom to top is more comfortable and healthier for the residents of brick houses in Gansu. Moreover, it is more favorable for the inhabitants’ livelihood to regulate the temperature steps to a maximum of 4 °C. This study provides valuable reference information for the future design of houses in low-temperature and high-humidity environments.
Analysis and Requirement Generation for Defense Intelligence Search: Addressing Data Overload through Human–AI Agent System Design for Ambient Awareness
Authors: Duncan Mark C. , Miller Michael E. , Borghetti Brett J.
Published: November 2023

This research addresses the data overload faced by intelligence searchers in government and defense agencies. The study leverages methods from the Cognitive Systems Engineering (CSE) literature to generate insights into the intelligence search work domain. These insights are applied to a supporting concept and requirements for designing and evaluating a human-AI agent team specifically for intelligence search tasks. Domain analysis reveals the dynamic nature of the ‘value structure’, a term that describes the evolving set of criteria governing the intelligence search process. Additionally, domain insight provides details for search aggregation and conceptual spaces from which the value structure could be efficiently applied for intelligence search. Support system designs that leverage these findings may enable an intelligence searcher to interact with and understand data at more abstract levels to improve task efficiency. Additionally, new system designs can support the searcher by facilitating an ‘Ambient Awareness’ of non-selected objects in a large data field through relevant system cues. Ambient Awareness achieved through the supporting concept and AI teaming has the potential to address the data overload problem while increasing the breadth and depth of search coverage.
The EBLM Project—From False Positives to Benchmark Stars and Circumbinary Exoplanets
Authors: Maxted Pierre F. L. , Triaud Amaury H. M. J. , Martin David V.
Published: November 2023

The EBLM project aims to characterise very-low-mass stars that are companions to solar-type stars in eclipsing binaries. We describe the history and motivation for this project, the methodology we use to obtain the precise mass, radius, and effective temperature estimates for very-low-mass M dwarfs, and review the results of the EBLM study and those from related projects. We show that radius inflation in fully convective stars is a more subtle effect than what was previously thought based on less precise measurements, i.e., the mass–radius–effective temperature relations we observe for fully convective stars in single-line eclipsing binaries show reasonable agreement with the theoretical models, particularly if we account for the M-dwarf metallicity, as inferred from the analysis of the primary star spectrum.
Utilizing Molecular Epidemiology and Citizen Science for the Surveillance of Lagoviruses in Australia
Authors: Peng Nias Y. G. , Hall Robyn N. , Huang Nina , West Peter , Cox Tarnya E. , Mahar Jackie E. , Mason Hugh , Campbell Susan , O’Connor Tiffany , Read Andrew J. , Patel Kandarp K. , Taggart Patrick L. , Smith Ina L. , Strive Tanja , Jenckel Maria
Published: November 2023

Australia has multiple lagoviruses with differing pathogenicity. The circulation of these viruses was traditionally determined through opportunistic sampling events. In the lead up to the nationwide release of RHDVa-K5 (GI.1aP-GI.1a) in 2017, an existing citizen science program, RabbitScan, was augmented to allow members of the public to submit samples collected from dead leporids for lagovirus testing. This study describes the information obtained from the increased number of leporid samples received between 2015 and 2022 and focuses on the recent epidemiological interactions and evolutionary trajectory of circulating lagoviruses in Australia between October 2020 and December 2022. A total of 2771 samples were tested from January 2015 to December 2022, of which 1643 were lagovirus-positive. Notable changes in the distribution of lagovirus variants were observed, predominantly in Western Australia, where RHDV2-4c (GI.4cP-GI.2) was detected again in 2021 after initially being reported to be present in 2018. Interestingly, we found evidence that the deliberately released RHDVa-K5 was able to establish and circulate in wild rabbit populations in WA. Overall, the incorporation of citizen science approaches proved to be a cost-efficient method to increase the sampling area and enable an in-depth analysis of lagovirus distribution, genetic diversity, and interactions. The maintenance of such programs is essential to enable continued investigations of the critical parameters affecting the biocontrol of feral rabbit populations in Australia, as well as to enable the detection of any potential future incursions.
Copper Nanoparticles Coupled with Fine-Powdered Active Carbon-Modified Ceramic Membranes for Improved Filtration Performance in a Membrane Bioreactor
Authors: Qiu Qi , Gao Mingchang , Shao Changtao , Sun Shaofang , Liu Yusen , Zhang Huawei
Published: November 2023

Membrane fouling is a key factor limiting the application of a membrane bioreactor (MBR), and membrane-surface modification holds the potential to control membrane fouling and solves this problem. In the research, novel nanocomposite membranes were designed and fabricated using antimicrobial copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) coupled with powdered active carbon (PAC) to mitigate membrane fouling. The successful coating was confirmed by SEM, XRD, and FTIR analysis. Compared with a pristine membrane, the functionalization of CuNPs and PAC improved the hydrophilicity of the modified membrane but led to a lower permeate flux. The result of antimicrobial adhesion experiments showed that the modified M-CuOC displayed high antibacterial activity with the bacteria count decreased by 72%. In MBR operation, the modified M-CuOC leads to the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) increasing to 93%, with better filtration performance under a lower TMP rise. The fouling-resistance analysis demonstrated that, although the intrinsic membrane resistance of modified M-CuOC slightly increased, the reversible and irreversible fouling resistances obviously decreased by 45% and 90%. Moreover, the membrane flux recovery efficiency of the modified M-CuOC also increased by 35%. Overall, these results indicated that, in addition to an improvement in antifouling performance, the functionalization of CuNPs and PAC also enhanced the membrane flux recovery efficiency, revealing a good antifouling potential in a practical application.
Hydrochemical Characteristics and Water Quality Assessment of Irkutsk Reservoir (Baikal Region, Russia)
Authors: Pastukhov Mikhail V. , Poletaeva Vera I. , Hommatlyyev Guvanchgeldi B.
Published: November 2023

The Irkutsk Reservoir, belonging to the largest unified freshwater Baikal–Angara system, is an important source of drinking water in the region. Therefore, studies of its hydrochemical characteristics are of prime importance in deciding on the role of anthropogenic activity in water quality. The water samples were collected across the reservoir in 2007, 2012, and 2021 and then were analyzed for major ions and trace elements. The data revealed that the distribution of HCO3−, SO42−, Cl−, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ is stable across the reservoir. Trace element concentrations varied from 1.13 to 15.39 µg L−1 for Al, from <DL to 0.39 µg L−1 for Cr, from 0.39 to 23.12 µg L−1 for Mn, from 1.25 to 53.22 µg L−1 for Fe, from 0.005 to 0.100 µg L−1 for Co, from 0.20 to 1.98 µg L−1 for Cu, from <DL to 13.40 µg L−1 for Zn, from 0.25 to 0.48 µg L−1 for As, from 0.004 to 0.127 µg L−1 for Cd, from <DL to 0.195 µg L−1 for Sn, from <DL to 0.0277 µg L−1 for Cs, from <DL to 1.13 µg L−1 for Pb, from <DL to 0.0202 µg L−1 for Th, and from 0.27 to 0.75 µg L−1 for U. The concentrations of all major ions and trace elements in water were below the drinking water standards. CF values showed considerable and high contamination of samples with Al, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Cd, Sn, Pb, and Th. PLI values classified the majority of water samples as water with baseline levels of pollutants, and part of the samples was classified as either polluted or highly polluted.
Membrane Contamination Control in the Intermittent Aeration Mode of Operation of the C-MBR Process for Campus Wastewater Reuse
Authors: Gao Ruoting , Sun Ronglin , Zhang Chunfang , Zhang Wenjie
Published: November 2023

Filtration backwashing is necessary for the effective operation of membrane modules, and intermittent aeration helps to remove nutrients, which can save energy and effectively control the occurrence of membrane contamination. In this study, membrane contamination was controlled using an MBR in intermittent aeration operation mode and a filtration backwash cycle; difficult organic matter and nitrogen (COD and NH4+-N) were used as the main contamination indicators for this study; and the main membrane contamination components, extracellular polymers (EPs), and soluble microbial products (SMPs) were detected. The results show that the average removal of COD and NH4+-N could reach 86.45% and 92.47%, respectively, with a 2.0 day intermittent aeration time and 9/1 min filtration backwash cycle mode, and it also helped to reduce the membrane contamination, as shown by a decrease of 11.87% in bound EPs (EPSBound) and an increase of only 5.32% in SMPs. Microbiological analyses revealed that Proteobacteria and Acinetobacter, as dominant bacteria (50.90%), were the main causes of membrane contamination.
Assessing the Touristic Activities of Wetlands through the Travel Cost Method: A Case Study
Authors: Rusciano Vincenzo , Ruberto Myriam , Baralla Silvia , Fasolino Nunzia Gabriella , Pellegrini Emilia , Zucaro Raffaella
Published: November 2023

Wetlands have a fundamental role in the maintenance and development of the global ecosystem and human health. Assessing the value of Ecosystem Services (ES) that wetlands provide is strictly related to environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This paper considers the Oristanese Reclamation District located in the Italian region of Sardinia, where the highest amount of water resources is used for irrigation. Moreover, the study area is characterized by the presence of numerous ponds and wetlands that are deeply interconnected with local agriculture, attracting a substantial number of tourists. This paper aims to evaluate the touristic value in the area by applying the travel cost method, a non-market evaluation method used to derive consumers’ preferences. Through secondary data, we obtained a total estimate of economic benefits from the recreational uses of the site of approximately €1.25 Mln/year. The results provide support to decision-makers for improving management options while ensuring a tradeoff between the economic benefits derived from tourist activities and the conservation of the wetland area.
Development of the Chrono-Systemic Timeline as a Tool for Cross-Sectional Analysis of Droughts—Application in Wallonia
Authors: Thibaut Kevin , Ayral Pierre-Alain , Ozer Pierre
Published: November 2023

Drought is a complex hazard with multiple and often dramatic impacts, depending on the environmental and societal context of the affected area. In recent years, due to global warming, this phenomenon has been occurring more intensely and frequently, affecting regions worldwide, including Wallonia, the southern part of Belgium. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the interdisciplinary dynamics of drought in order to improve its anticipation and crisis management by stakeholders. To achieve these objectives, a cross-disciplinary analysis tool has been developed: the chrono-systemic timeline. Applied here to the severe drought of 2018 in Wallonia, this tool provides a comprehensive visual representation of the crisis, simultaneously offering temporal and multi-sectoral perspectives. The data incorporated into the model encompass environmental conditions, economic and social contexts, as well as political and administrative decisions made during the case study. The analysis of the chrono-systemic timeline reveals numerous interdisciplinary connections, a prolonged period of significant impacts, a gradual return to a ‘normal’ situation, and a reactive form of crisis management. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the importance of giving due consideration to the risks associated with water deficits and advocates for the implementation of anticipatory and adaptive management strategies to enhance our ability to effectively address droughts.
Production of a Highly Concentrated Gold Solution from Aqua Regia Gold Leachate Using Sugarcane Bagasse Nanoparticles
Authors: Teniola Oluwasanmi Samuel , Adeleke Abraham A. , Ibitoye Simeon Ademola , Shittu Moshood Dehinde
Published: November 2023

This study produced a highly concentrated gold solution using nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized from sugarcane bagasse as an adsorbent for gold(III) recovery from an aqua regia gold leached lean solution. A 100 kg sample of gold ore collected from a mining site in Iperindo was concentrated. Mineralogical characterization and a fire assay test of the ore were carried out. Atmospheric and agitation leaching were conducted using aqua regia. Sugarcane bagasse NPs were prepared and used to study the gold(III) adsorption kinetics. Gold-loaded sugarcane bagasse NPs were desorbed in a 4 M aqua regia solution. The results revealed that the ore has a low water retention capacity which renders it friable. A microscopic examination established the presence of gold particles and pyrite in the ore. Ore leaching was eminently favoured by agitation yielding a weight loss of 6.3 % when an acid concentration of 4 M was used, the temperature was 90 ºC and the leaching time was 30 minutes. Synthesized nanocellulose was able to adsorb gold(III) from the leachate optimally with the following process parameters: 14 mL/g of adsorbent, 106.2 minute-long contact time, a temperature of 56 ºC and an agitation rate of 45 rpm when the concentration of leachate was 84 mg/L. The adsorption efficiency of the sugarcane bagasse NPs is comparable with that of commercial activated carbon, namely 92 and 95 %, respectively. The study concluded that NPs synthesized from sugarcane bagasse could be effectively used when upgrading gold and in purification processes.
Influencia del marketing digital en el comercio internacional del área de ventas de una empresa
Authors: Purizaca Torres Anita Lucía
Published: November 2023

El rubro textil es uno de los grandes generadores de progreso económico. Sin embargo, se ven afectados por la informalidad e insuficiencia en la gestión y competitividad en el sector. por lo tanto, se analizará la influencia del marketing digital en el comercio internacional del área de ventas de la empresa Topi Top S.A. La construcción del estudio se realizó bajo el enfoque cuantitativo, de diseño aplicada y de diseño descriptivo y análisis correlacional. La muestra del estudio conformada por 30 trabajadores del área de ventas. Se usó como técnica la encuesta y como instrumento dos cuestionarios. Se obtuvo como resultado que el marketing digital influye significativamente y de manera positiva en el comercio internacional según el coeficiente de Pearson (.813) existe una correlación positiva alta entre las variables. La influencia del marketing digital en el comercio internacional del área de ventas de la empresa Topi Top S.A. es significativa y juega un papel crucial en la expansión y posicionamiento de la marca en mercados globales.
Analysis of Working Capital Management in the Retail Sector using Financial Ratios: A review of More Retail Limited
Authors: Anant Chavan Mr. Vijay , Kulkarni Dr. Nitin , Chopde Dr. Sandeep
Published: November 2023

The role of Working Capital and its Management is important in evaluating the financial performance in almost all kinds of industries, but it is more important in Multi- Chain Retail sector due to its unique nature. The current Study uses ratio analysis and working capital trends as a technique to understand Working Capital Management with four years of financial data since 2016 to 2019 collected from M/s. More Retail Limited (“Company”) which has presence in Supermart and Hypermart formats. The current Study observed that during the period 2015-16 to 2018-2019, the working capital of the Company has increased in the year 2018-2019 against 2015-16. In the year 2015, there was a decrease in the working capital. It assumes that the current ratio of the Retail Sector is around 3, while it’s noticed that the Current Ratio of More Retail Limited was 1.30 in the year 2018-19. The Quick Ratio shows a satisfactory position from the year 2018-2019 as against 2015-16. While the Debt-equity ratio changed from -0.78 to 3.11 in 2018-19. The Proprietary Ratio of the company was changed from -6.51 to 0.11. The Fixed asset turnover ratio indicates the relationship between sales and fixed assets was improved to 21.67 in 2019 from 18.67 in 2016 indicating proper utilization of Assets. The Working Capital of More Retail Limited has shown an increase in trend in the year 2018 -19 which was funded through long-termsources.
El La perspectiva de las comunidades en el mapeo de áreas de riesgo de inundación
Authors: De Luiz Rosito Listo Fabrizio
Published: November 2023

El objetivo de este artículo consiste en involucrar a la comunidad en la identificación y análisis del riesgo de inundación, desde un enfoque participativo, en la Villa 21-24, al sur de la ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se definieron 27 sectores de riesgo, cuyos vecinos fueron convocados a un taller de cartografía social y un mapeo de las áreas de riesgo. Los resultados mostraron 81 puntos de problemas (ambientales y constructivos) en prácticamente todos los sectores y 20 puntos de aspectos positivos. Además, se mapearon 18 sectores con bajo nivel de riesgo, 7 con grado de riesgo medio y 2 sectores con alto nivel de riesgo. Involucrar a la comunidad en el mapeo de riesgo permite una interacción favorable a la reducción del riesgo de desastres, auxiliando tanto a los grupos más vulnerables como a las diferentes esferas gubernamentales.
Escuchar la materia vibrante
Authors: Depetris Chauvin Irene
Published: November 2023

En sus modos de dar cuenta del avance extractivista, el despojo territorial y el exterminio del mundo ayoreo, La memoria del monte (2018) y EAMI (2022), de la directora paraguaya Paz Encina, proponen una estética de la memoria que dialoga con la cosmovisión y la concepción del espacio de esa comunidad. El trabajo de memoria asume aquí una cosmopolítica que redefine las relaciones entre humanos y más que humanos en un territorio determinado. A partir de estudios sobre nuevos materialismos, las reflexiones sobre ontologías amerindias y la antropología del sonido este ensayo busca discutir sobre los modos en que los ejercicios de Paz Encina rearticulan el orden de lo sensible para incluir la expresividad y la agencia de lo “más que humano”. En este sentido, me interesa analizar cómo el trabajo sonoro pone en escena un materialismo vibrante de un mundo que “se hace escuchar” y permite no solo transmitir una memoria del territorio en proceso de destrucción, sino que traduce en términos aurales un modo de experimentar la continuidad entre el bosque como espacio geográfico y el bosque como una multiplicidad ontológica repleta de relaciones, perspectivas y temporalidades.
La penúltima curva de Paposo. Agentividad técnica, social e histórica de una infraestructura vial
Authors: Ortúzar Diego , Richard Nicolas
Published: November 2023

Se estudia la penúltima curva de la cuesta que comunica el litoral de Paposo con la meseta interior del desierto de Atacama. Históricamente, se examinó el trazado de la curva desde su creación en 1870, mostrando cómo se mantiene mientras los caminos cambian, al ritmo de los auges y las depresiones de mineras. Respecto de las materialidades, se modelizaron, dataron e identificaron distintos monumentos mortuorios (o “animitas”) que pueblan la cuesta de Paposo, revelando las materialidades y prácticas cotidianas que animan la curva. Este registro permitió observar un incremento exponencial de los accidentes tras el asfaltado de la ruta en 2010. Así, desde el punto de vista jurídico, periodístico y administrativo, a través de los diversos accidentes, la curva adopta una agencia propia. La cobertura mediática de la “tragedia de Tur bus” en 2019 muestra las tensiones de esta infraestructura vial, sujeta a negociaciones permanentes entre fuerzas presupuestarias, políticas, sociales y mecánicas que le dan forma. El estudio de esta curva de Paposo permite entonces complejizar la relación entre curva y camino, mostrando la agencia propia de la curva: por eso las curvas tienen nombre y los caminos no.
Presentación
Authors: Núñez González Andrés , Urrutia Reveco Santiago , Benwell Matthew C.
Published: November 2023

Durante bastante tiempo distintas corrientes de teoría social y política han reconocido que la materialidad es importante. Sin embargo, en la mayoría de estas corrientes la materialidad se refiere principalmente a las estructuras y producciones sociales. En otras ocasiones, se interpreta como la encarnación en objetos concretos de significados socialmente construidos. Karl Marx decía allá por el siglo XIX que “el punto de vista del antiguo materialismo es la sociedad ‘civil’; el del nuevo materialismo, la sociedad ‘humana’ o la humanidad socializada” (1985:35). Pero, tratando de traer hacia nuestro presente esa imagen desde una perspectiva crítica, nos cuestionamos si será posible abrir la reflexión materialista en el siglo XXI hacia sociedades posthumanas, es decir, sociedades comprendidas como ensamblajes colectivos de relaciones entre humanos y no humanos. En esa línea, Bruno Latour se preguntaba si acaso no era “lo social” (aquello que comúnmente es considerado como lo dado o el presupuesto de base en los análisis sociales) lo que precisamente había que problematizar y explicar para “reensamblar” (2008).
Avaliação do sistema de pedágio sem barreiras por quilômetro percorrido free-flow
Authors: Talita Evelyn  , Augusto Cesar de Mendonca Brasil  , Cintia Adriana Azevedo de Liz Anhaia  , Francielly Cristina Sousa Cunha  , Jony Marcos do Valle Lopes
Published: November 2023

O sistema de pagamento de pedágio, tarifa arrecada pelo tráfego em rodovias, é uma forma de manter e ampliar os trechos, deixando-os em boas condições de trafegabilidade e segurança. Em busca de um modo mais justo de pagamento, o pedágio eletrônico automatizado pode fazer com que todos os usuários paguem apenas pelo trecho percorrido. Sendo assim, este trabalho aborda a cobrança de pedágio por quilômetro, utilizando o sistema de free-flow, onde o usuário paga pelo valor real utilizado através de um sistema automático, com a instalação de pórticos automatizados nas entradas e saídas da via. A rodovia escolhida foi a BR 116 – Trecho Rio de Janeiro –São Paulo, conhecida como Rodovia Presidente Dutra, a qual interliga os estados, com dimensão total de 402 quilômetros concessionados. De acordo com o apresentado ao longo do artigo, o valor atualmente cobrado na praça de pedágio corresponde a R$ 15,20 reais, o qual sofreria um decréscimo de, aproximadamente, 37%, alterando-se para R$ 9,49 reais. Assim, com a inclusão do free-flow no segmento controlado de 10 quilômetros na mesma rodovia escolhida, o usuário de longa distância estaria economizando R$ 5,71 reais ou até 4,15% do salário mínimo.
¿Qué puerto, para qué ciudad?
Authors: Irisarri María Jimena , Carbone Daniel
Published: November 2023

Pese a ser fundada en 1828, Bahía Blanca creció económica y demográficamente a fines del siglo XIX con la decisión de extender el ferrocarril y desarrollar puertos en la zona del estuario homónimo. Desde el Estado local y el complejo marítimo del mismo nombre, se formularon distintas proyecciones sobre ambos lugares, a veces compatibles y otras no. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar cómo se han ido concibiendo estos dos espacios en la planificación municipal y portuaria, desde una perspectiva histórica. Creemos que un estudio de este tipo permitirá identificar los criterios a largo plazo con que fueron pensados, en forma particular e interrelacional, materializados luego en políticas urbanas, normativas, en acciones gubernamentales y de las autoridades portuarias. Para arribar al fin propuesto, utilizamos metodología cualitativa. En el primer apartado, abordamos las conceptualizaciones iniciales de Bahía Blanca en los proyectos de la década de 1910 a 1990 que se elaboraron, como una ciudad que buscaba consolidarse como cabecera regional, junto a un puerto que ideaba crecer y diversificarse. En el segundo, en un contexto mundial diferente, las visiones de una localidad que quería insertarse globalmente y un complejo marítimo autónomo que ansiaba eficacia.
Acné y mascarillas faciales durante la pandemia por COVID - 19
Authors: Lima Sánchez Dania Nimbe , Chavarría Suárez Miriam , Villarreal Portillo Daniel Armando , Abascal Miguel Lucía , Alayola Sansores Alejandro , Martínez Valdivieso Lídice Yanitza , Figueroa Fernández Luis Alberto
Published: November 2023

Background. The COVID pandemic forced preventive measures to be carried out; one of the main ones was the use of masks that covered the nose and mouth. Different dermatoses were reported associated with the prolonged use of masks, one of them was acne; that is why we conducted a review of the reported frequency of acne related to the use of a mask (mouth cover) during the COVID - 19 pandemic in order to identify, characterize, and synthesize the existing publications regarding acne and the use of a mask. Material and Methods. A systematic search was carried out using the PRISMA methodology in the following databases: Pubmed, Scielo, and Google Scholar. We found 32 articles; two readers reviewed them independently, and 20 articles were selected. Results. From the articles, we found a relationship in the subjects who used a mask, predominantly the N95 type, primarily used by health personnel, with the appearance of acne and its exacerbation or other dermatological problems. Conclusions. According to the results obtained, we can theorize that the use of a mask could be associated with the appearance or exacerbation of acne due to prolonged wear and lack of skin care correctors; however, it would be appropriate to carry out more studies.
Oncoguía de cáncer cervicouterino 2023
Authors: Isla Ortiz David , Salcedo Hernández Rosa Angélica , Cantú de León David , Barquet Muñoz Salim , González Rodríguez Julio César , Cetina Pérez Lucely , Hernández Romero Raúl , Hernández Villalobos Valentín , Trejo Durán Guadalupe Elizabeth , Ileana Pérez Sandra , Flores Balcázar Christian Aideé , Mota García Aída , Flores Castro Manuel , Gutiérrez Torres Salvador
Published: November 2023

Guidelines on cervical cancer (CC) enable a series of recommendations and strategies for primary and secondary prevention, early diagnosis, in advanced stages, as well as treatment in various scenarios. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can reduce the development of cervical precancerous lesions. That will drastically lower the incidence rates of CC. The tool traditionally used for secondary prevention is cytology with the Papanicolaou staining technique. The CC treatment will be determined based on the initial stage: for early stages, it is based on surgical management; in locally advanced disease, treatment requires concomitant chemo - radiotherapy + brachytherapy (BT). Recent modifications in staging, standardization in surgical management, and various options for recurrence or metastatic disease have been added.
Oncoguía de cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas en estadios tempranos, localmente avanzados y metastásicos 2023
Authors: Heredia Vázquez David José , Arrieta Óscar , Bolaños Morales Francina Valezka , Maldonado Magos Federico , Lozano Ruiz Francisco Javier , Corona Cruz José Francisco
Published: November 2023

Lung cancer (LC) is the second most common malignant tumor worldwide; and in Mexico ranks the fifth among the most frequent neoplasms. Tobacco smoke is the main factor associated with its development, but it is not the only one, exposure to solid fuel smoke is a more frequent cause in our country. It is important for primary care physicians to be aware of the risk factors for this neoplasm. Chest computed tomography is the recommended initial study when LC is suspected. The approach and treatment should be multidisciplinary and primarily include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Strategies should be individualized based on each patient’s clinical characteristics such as functional status, age, and comorbidities. These guidelines present the most recent evidence and the experience of Instituto Nacional de Cancerología to guide the reader and providing recommendations that help standardize diagnostic and treatment criteria.
A Model of an Automated System for Evaluating the Quality of Startups in the Field of Software Engineering
Authors: Kerimovs Amirali
Published: November 2023

This article introduces an automated system for evaluating startups in the field of Software Engineering. It outlines the system's components, including database management, expert assessments, and project viability estimation. The article also presents a conceptual database model and discusses the user interface for assessment calculations. The system is designed to enhance the evaluation of Software Engineering startups and holds potential applications in various scenarios.