bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the Hidden Burden of Pharmaceutical Poisoning in High-Income and Low-Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review
Authors: Cowans Claire , Love Anya , Tangiisuran Balamurugan , Jacob Sabrina Anne
Published: November 2023

Pharmaceutical poisoning is a significant global public health concern, causing approximately 190,000 deaths annually. This scoping review aims to comprehensively map the available literature on pharmaceutical poisoning and compare patterns between high-income countries (HICs) and low-middle-income countries (LMICs). A systematic search was performed across the following databases: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL. Studies included were from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2020, in English, with full text available. Seventy-nine articles were included in the study; 21 were from LMICs and 58 were from HICs. Toxic exposure was largely intentional (77%) in LMICs and accidental (68%) in HICs. Drugs acting on the nervous system were responsible for 95% of toxicities worldwide with analgesics accounting for the largest subtherapeutic group in both LMICs (40%) and HICs (58%). Notable statistics were that HICs accounted for 99% of opioid overdoses, and LMICs accounted for 19% of anti-epileptic-induced toxicities. Overall, the medical outcomes due to poisonings were generally worse in LMICs. The review provides possible interventions to target specific geographic locations, based on the trends identified, to reduce the burden worldwide. Many gaps within the literature were recognised, calling for more robust analytical research.
Solution-Processed Functionalized MoS2 Nanosheets Composite for Photodetection Application
Authors: Kukhta Alexander V. , Hong Enliu , Valynets Nadzeya I. , Maksimenko Sergei A. , Parkhomenka Uladzislau , Belko Nikita , Lugovsky Anatoly , Pavich Tatiana A. , Kukhta Iryna N. , Li Ziqing , Fang Xiaosheng
Published: November 2023

Charge-transfer organic-inorganic complexes have demonstrated great potential in optoelectronic applications. Herein, a drop-casting processed photodetector based on thick composite films made of multi-layered MoS2 nanosheets chemically bonded to linear molecules of aromatic thiols has been developed. Composites based on multilayered nanosheets allow for facile preparation of low-cost, large-area, and flexible devices. It was demonstrated that a simple functionalization of ultradispersed MoS2 nanosheets with linear aromatic thiol results in the formation of charge and energy transfer complexes. A photodetector with functionalized MoS2 nanosheet film prepared by drop coating with Au electrodes demonstrated enhanced performance compared to pure materials. Our first experiments illustrated that functionalization of MoS2 nanosheets by a paraquaterphenyl thiol derivative leads to a significant increase in the photoresponse speed (by a factor of 12) and decay speed (by a factor of 17.5), in addition to the enhancement of the photostability of the MoS2 based photodetector. The photo current value has been increased by about an order of magnitude. The proposed approach offers promising prospects for further development of photodetectors.
Phase-Controlled Absorption and Dispersion Properties of a Multi-Level Quantum Emitter Interacting with Bismuth-Chalcogenide Microparticles
Authors: Papachronis Theodoros , Kyvelos Nikolaos , Paspalakis Emmanuel , Yannopapas Vassilios
Published: November 2023

We theoretically study the impact of bismuth-chalcogenide microparticles on the linear absorption and dispersion properties of a four-level double-V-type quantum system. The quantum system interacts with two circularly polarized laser fields of the same frequency but with different phases and electric field amplitudes. Our study indicates that the inclusion of bismuth-chalcogenide microparticles leads to notable alterations in the absorption and dispersion spectra corresponding to one of the probe laser fields (while both fields are present). These alterations are much more dramatic compared to those induced by common plasmonic materials. By manipulating the field amplitudes as well as the phase difference between the two incident waves, the optical properties of the system can be efficiently controlled. Our study also highlights several effects, including complete optical transparency, zero absorption with nonzero dispersion, and gain without inversion.
The Proposal of a Photon–Photon Resonance Control Scheme by Using an Active MMI Laser Diode
Authors: Xiao He , Kawano Yudai , Jiang Haisong , Hamamoto Kiichi
Published: November 2023

The modulation bandwidth in the direct modulation of a laser diode is limited by relaxation oscillation. To achieve an even higher frequency response, photon–photon resonance has been investigated to extend this modulation bandwidth. Thus far, several reports have demonstrated a higher modulation performance being achieved when utilizing PPR; however, to our knowledge, the PPR control scheme has not been comprehensively discussed. In this paper, we discuss the theory of PPR in regard to the PPR frequency, intensity, and width control scheme. We propose to utilize waveguide configuration, specifically an active multimode interferometer, for optimization. The simulation results offer an approximately 8 GHz improvement in the frequency response.
Metasurface Enhanced Upconversion Efficiency for High-Performance Pixel-Less Thermal Imaging
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhang Jing , Han Shangjie , Cai Jiaxuan , Bai Peng , Yang Ning , Chu Weidong , Wang Hanbin , Li Jiaying , Xie Yan , Chen Meng , Wang Yingxin , Zhao Ziran
Published: November 2023

High-performance infrared thermal imaging devices are widely used in military, biomedical and other fields. Upconversion pixel-less imaging is promising for infrared imaging. In this paper, we propose a hybrid metasurface to achieve high upconversion efficiency of the integrated quantum well infrared photodetector and light-emitting diodes (QWIP-LED). Systematical investigations on the performance of the QWIP-LED, including optical coupling efficiency, light extraction efficiency, and upconversion efficiency, have been carried out via theoretical simulation. We also present the integration time for different devices with different optical coupling structures. Numerical results show that 45° edge-coupled QWIP-LED is not suitable for imaging applications for the low upconversion efficiency. Traditional grating-coupled QWIP-LED can be optimized for real-time thermal imaging. The hybrid-metasurface-based QWIP-LED can achieve a high frame rate above 300 Hz due to the enhanced upconversion efficiency. This work gives a precise description of QWIP-LED performance with different device structures and opens the way for large format upconversion pixel-less imaging.
Drought Stress Response in Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub): Physiological and Molecular Genetic Aspects
Authors: Vishnyakova Margarita A. , Frolova Nadezhda , Frolov Andrej
Published: November 2023

Drought has become one of the main factors of crop yield losses worldwide. This negatively affects the plant industry, decreasing crop yields, and it may result in resource deficits in different sectors of the world economy and its national branches. Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub) represents one of the strategic crops, as its seeds are the source of guar gum, which is critically important in the modern oil industry. Although guar is generally known to be a drought-tolerant plant, it is known that soil dehydration negatively affects plant fitness and crop productivity. As guar genotypes are characterized by high variability in the manifestation of drought tolerance, screening genetic resources for this feature seems to be a promising strategy for accessing drought-resistant varieties. The discovery of drought-tolerant genotypes is mandatory to secure sustainable guar production. In this context, the identification of reliable chemical and molecular markers of drought tolerance (i.e., drought-responsive and/or drought-protective metabolites, proteins and transcripts) will provide the solid basis for marker-driven breeding of new tolerant varieties. Therefore, here we provide a comprehensive overview of the available literature data on guar drought stress response, its physiological and molecular genetic aspects, and considerations on the approaches to improve the quality of this crop.
Soybean Variety Saedanbaek Confers a New Resistance Allele to Phytophthora sojae
Authors: You Hee Jin , Shim Kyu-Chan , Kang In-Jeong , Kim Ji-Min , Kang Sungtaeg , Lee Sungwoo
Published: November 2023

Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRSR) disease results in substantial losses in soybean production worldwide. The occurrence of PRSR caused by Phytophthora sojae Kaufmann & Gerdemann has become increasingly important for soybean production in the Republic of Korea, but domestic soybean–P. sojae interaction has been less studied. The disease has been managed by developing varieties harboring resistance to the Phytophthora sojae (Rps) gene. The present study aimed to identify a major gene locus conferring resistance to new P. sojae isolate 2858 in the recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between parental lines ‘Daepung’ (susceptible) and ‘Saedanbaek’ (resistant). Seventy-three recombination inbred lines (RILs) were evaluated for resistance to P. sojae isolate 2858. A resistance locus was identified in the approximate 3.3–4.3 megabase pair region on chromosome 3 using both single-marker and linkage analyses. The Rps of Saedanbaek (RpsSDB) was located on the well-known Rps gene/allele cluster region, which also partially overlapped with a locus previously identified in the Korean soybean variety, ‘Daewon’, resistant to another P. sojae isolate 2457 (RpsDW). Approximately 402 kilobase pairs of the interval region overlapped, including six nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR)-coding genes. Additional phenotypic assays revealed that Saedanbaek was susceptible to isolate 2457 and that Daewon was susceptible to isolate 2858, indicating that RpsSDB and RpsDW are different genes or alleles that confer race-specific resistance to the two P. sojae isolates. These results provide information that will be helpful for breeders developing P. sojae-resistant cultivars.
Influence of Anthocyanin Expression on the Performance of Photosynthesis in Sweet Orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck
Authors: Cheaib Alissar , Mahmoud Lamiaa M. , Vincent Christopher , Killiny Nabil , Dutt Manjul
Published: November 2023

Anthocyanins are a class of natural pigments that accumulate transiently or permanently in plant tissues, often in response to abiotic and biotic stresses. They play a photoprotective role by attenuating the irradiance incident on the photochemical apparatus and quenching oxyradicals through their powerful anti-oxidative function. The objective of the current study is to understand the impact of introducing Vitis vinifera mybA1 (VvmybA1) in ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange trees on various aspects, including photosynthetic performance, pigment composition, and gene expression related to photosynthesis and light harvesting. We describe the relationship between anthocyanin accumulation and photosynthetic measurements in genetically modified ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange trees expressing the grapevine-derived Vitis vinifera mybA1 (VvmybA1). The juvenile leaves of transgenic plants displayed an intense purple color compared to the mature leaves, and microscopic visualization showed anthocyanin accumulation primarily in the leaf epidermal cells. Under optimal growth conditions, there were no significant differences in leaf gas exchange variables, suggesting normal photosynthetic performance. The chlorophyll fluorescence maximum quantum yield of PSII was slightly reduced in VvmybA1 transgenic leaves compared to the performance of the control leaves, while the total performance index per absorbance remained unaffected. Comparison of the chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment contents revealed that chlorophyllide a and carotenoid pigments, including trans-neoxanthin, trans-violaxanthin, cis-violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and total xanthophylls were enhanced in VvmybA1 transgenic leaves. Although there were no significant changes in the rates of the gas exchange parameters, we recorded a high relative expression of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (RuBP) and rubisco activase (RCA) in the mature leaves of transgenic plants, indicating activation of Rubisco. Our findings confirm an efficient photoacclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus, allowing the transgenic line to maintain a photosynthetic performance similar to that of the wild type.
Mathematical Model of the Layer-by-Layer FFF/FGF Polymer Extrusion Process for Use in the Algorithm of Numerical Implementation of Real-Time Thermal Cycle Control
Authors: Oskolkov Alexander A. , Bezukladnikov Igor I. , Trushnikov Dmitriy N.
Published: November 2023

An approach for improving and maintaining a consistent weld quality of the deposited material during the FFF printing process is proposed. The approach is based on the analysis of the printing process thermal cycle and the real-time nozzle temperature control. The mathematical model of the FFF printing process has been developed with the use of real-time control in the algorithm of numerical implementation. The successful solution of the thermal conductivity problem made it possible to determine segment-wise heating settings for use during the printing process, resulting in a high and stable quality of welding. Comparison of the results of modeling with other well-known mathematical models of the FFF printing process and experimental results showed the adequacy of the proposed model. A maximum deviation of 17.7% between the simulation results and the thermography data was observed. The proposed model was verified using rectangular 3D polylactide shapes printed with and without regulation of the power of the heat source according to the previously estimated settings. The overall quality of regulation, stability of the system, and the PI coefficients of the controller were evaluated using a simulated model of the control system. The results of the experiment fully correspond with the modeling results.
The Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystal-Based Nanofluid on Milling Performance: An Investigation of Dillimax 690T
Authors: Usca Üsame Ali
Published: November 2023

Machining high-strength structural steels often requires challenging processes. It is essential to improve the machinability of such materials, which are frequently needed in industrial manufacturing areas. Recently, it has become necessary to enhance the machinability of such materials using different nanopowders. In this study, different cooling/lubricating (C/L) liquids were prepared with cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) nanopowder. The aim was to improve the machinability properties of Dillimax 690T material with the prepared CNC-based cutting fluids. CNC nanopowders were added to 0.5% distilled water by volume, and a new nanofluid was produced. Unlike previous studies, base synthetic oil and CNC-based cutting fluid were sprayed on the cutting area with a double minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) system. Machinability tests were carried out by milling. Two different cutting speeds (Vc = 120–150 m/min), two different feed rates (f = 0.05–0.075 mm/tooth), and four different C/L environments (dry, MQL oil, CNC nanofluid, MQL oil + CNC nanofluid) were used in the experiments. In the study, where a total of 16 experiments were performed, cutting temperature (Tc), surface roughness (Ra), tool wear (Vb), and energy consumption results were analyzed in detail. According to the test results, significant improvements were achieved in the machinability properties of the material in the experiments carried out using CNC nanofluid. In particular, the hybrid C/L environment using MQL oil + CNC nanofluid improved all machinability metrics by over 15% compared to dry machining. In short, using CNC nanopowders offers a good milling process of Dillimax 690T material with effective lubrication and cooling ability.
Impact of Watermelon Seed Flour on the Physical, Chemical, and Sensory Properties of Low-Carbohydrate, High-Protein Bread
Authors: Wójcik Monika , Bieńczak Agata , Woźniak Paweł , Różyło Renata
Published: November 2023

Nowadays, many people struggle with various diseases, and to prevent this, a low-carbohydrate diet is recommended. Consumers are also looking for products with a high amount of plant proteins. This study investigated the preparation of low-carbohydrate and high-protein breads using flaxseed flour, buckwheat flour, and pea protein enriched with watermelon seed flour at different contents (0, 5, 10, and 15%). The physical, chemical, and sensory properties of the bread were determined. Based on the research conducted, the loaves of bread with the addition of WSF had a higher volume compared to the control sample, but in the case of parameters of crumb color, no significant changes were observed (∆E < 5). Taking into account the sensory analysis, it is recommended to add 5% WSF to the base recipe; such bread meets the requirements for low-carbohydrate and high-protein food. The value of the amino acids (mg/g−1) in the obtained bread was in the order of glutamic acid (64.9), followed by asparagine (37.3), arginine (32.6), lysine (20.4), serine (18.0), and alanine (17.0),higher than the corresponding value in the control bread. The findings suggested that the addition of WSF at a concentration of 5% could be used as a valuable functional ingredient to enhance the nutritive content of low-carbohydrate and high-protein bread, especially for the elderly and physically active people.
Comparison of the Bacterial Inactivation Efficiency of Water Activated by a Plasma Jet Source and a Pin-to-Pin Electrode Configuration Source
Authors: Čobanović Radovan , Maletić Dejan , Kocić-Tanackov Sunčica , Čabarkapa Ivana , Kokić Bojana , Kojić Predrag , Milošević Slobodan , Stulić Višnja , Pavičić Tomislava Vukušić , Vukić Milan
Published: November 2023

In this comparative study, the bacterial inactivation efficiency of plasma-activated water (PAW) generated by two distinct plasma reactors, one utilizing a nitrogen plasma jet electrode and the other a hybrid argon plasma reactor, was explored. The present study involved the assessment of antimicrobial activity against suspensions of three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacterial strains in their planktonic cell state. Bacterial suspensions were introduced into PAW five days after generation. Subsequently, the viability of the bacteria was assessed at various time intervals, specifically at 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10, and 24 h, in order to evaluate the effect of inactivation. Structural changes in bacteria after PAW treatment were assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The physicochemical properties of PAW, including pH, conductivity, and concentrations of H2O2, NO2−, and NO3− during aging were measured. The present study demonstrated the effective inactivation of the tested bacterial strains by PAW. Gram-positive bacteria displayed greater resistance compared to Gram-negative species, with the lowest reductions in bacterial counts observed for B. cereus, and the highest for Escherichia coli O157:H7. Morphological damage was evident across all bacterial species examined. Physicochemical measurements showed slow decay of the reactive species in the aging process. This study illustrated the potential utility of PAW as an alternative disinfectant.
Distributed Cooperative Tracking Control Strategy for Virtual Coupling Trains: An Event-Triggered Model Predictive Control Approach
Authors: Li Zhongqi , Zhong Lingyu , Yang Hui , Zhou Liang
Published: November 2023

Virtual coupling (VC) technology has received much attention because of its significant advantages in enhancing the railway transport capacity; it achieves efficient train coupling operation through advanced communication technology. However, due to the uncertainty of the operating environment, a stable and effective control system is the key enabler for realization. In this paper, an event-triggered distributed model predictive control (ET-DMPC) method is proposed for the cooperative tracking control of virtual coupling trains (VCTS), considering resource limitations and multiple constraints. Firstly, a distributed model predictive control (DMPC) framework is designed. Based on the established VCTS dynamics model of the dual-leader communication topology, a distributed optimization objective function and safety constraints containing state information of the neighboring train system are constructed. Secondly, due to the limitations of communication and computational resources, the event triggering (ET) mechanism is further introduced, and an ET-DMPC method suitable for VCTS is proposed. The trigger condition of each unit train is designed on the premise of guaranteeing system stability, under which the system can guarantee the input-state stability (ISS), and the recursive feasibility of the system is proven via theoretical analysis. Finally, the VCTS composed of four CRH380A unit trains is used as the control object for simulation experiments, and through two sets of experimental simulation analysis, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified.
Estimating the Observation Area of a Stripmap SAR via an ISAR Image Sequence
Authors: Li Bo , Chen Defeng , Cao Huawei , Wang Junling , Li Haiguang , Fu Tuo , Zhang Shuo , Zhao Lizhi
Published: November 2023

The stripmap mode is a basic and important mode for spaceborne synthetic aperture radars (SARs). Estimating the time-varying area observed by spaceborne SARs operating in stripmap mode is a practical but challenging field of research. In this article, we propose a novel method that parameterizes the time-varying area observed by the spaceborne SAR operating in the boresight stripmap mode into a fixed antenna attitude. Based on the principle of minimizing the dihedral angle between the plane containing the ideal estimated scatterers and the plane containing the actual parabolic antenna edge of a spaceborne SAR, an objective function is established for estimating the area observed by a spaceborne SAR operating in the boresight stripmap mode. Then, simulation experiments are designed to validate the feasibility and the robustness of the proposed method. The experimental simulation results show that the proposed method is feasible, and even under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions of 10 dB, the proposed method still has good robustness.
3D LiDAR Multi-Object Tracking with Short-Term and Long-Term Multi-Level Associations
Authors: Cho Minho , Kim Euntai
Published: November 2023

LiDAR-based Multi-Object Tracking (MOT) is a critical technology employed in various autonomous systems, including self-driving vehicles and autonomous delivery robots. In this paper, a novel LiDAR-based 3D MOT approach is introduced. The proposed method was built upon the Tracking-by-Detection (TbD) paradigm and incorporated multi-level associations that exploit an object’s short-term and long-term relationships with the existing tracks. Specifically, the short-term association leverages the fact that objects do not move much between consecutive frames. In contrast, the long-term association assesses the degree to which a long-term trajectory aligns with current detections. The evaluation of the matching between the current detection and the maintained trajectory was performed using a Graph Convolutional Network (GCN). Furthermore, an inactive track was maintained to address the issue of incorrect ID switching for objects that have been occluded for an extended period. The proposed method was evaluated on the KITTI benchmark MOT tracking dataset and achieved a Higher-Order Tracking Accuracy (HOTA) of 75.65%, marking a 5.66% improvement over the benchmark method AB3DMOT, while also accomplishing the number of ID switches of 39, 74 less than AB3DMOT. These results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed approach in diverse road environments.
A Multispectral Camera Suite for the Observation of Earth’s Outgoing Radiative Energy
Authors: Dewitte Steven , Abdul Nazar Al Ameen , Zhang Yuan , Smeesters Lien
Published: November 2023

As part of the Earth Climate Observatory space mission concept for the direct observation from space of the Earth Energy Imbalance, we propose an advanced camera suite for the high-resolution observation of the Total Outgoing Radiation of the Earth. For the observation of the Reflected Solar Radiation, we propose the use of two multispectral cameras covering the range from 400 to 950 nm, with a nadir resolution of 1.7 km, combined with a high-resolution RGB camera, with a nadir resolution of 0.57 km. For the observation of the Outgoing Longwave Radiation, we propose the use of six microbolometer cameras, with each a spectral bandwidth of 1 μm in the range from 8 to 14 μm, with a nadir resolution of 2.2 km.
Estimation of Human Casualties Due to Earthquakes: Overview and Application of Literature Models with Emphasis on Occupancy Rate
Authors: Manfredi Vincenzo , Nicodemo Giuseppe , Masi Angelo
Published: November 2023

In the field of seismic risk assessment, the estimation of human casualties is an important task for medical and relief agencies to develop preparedness and emergency management actions. The process of calculating casualties involves several factors along with the associated uncertainties. Despite its complexity and the limited quality and availability of data, many studies have been devoted to this topic in recent decades, but additional effort is required to better analyze these studies by also comparing the results they provide. In the present paper, an extensive literature overview of the main models proposed to estimate casualties is reported. Further, the main factors involved in the available Casualty Estimation Models are also analyzed by analyzing loss scenarios related to two strong Italian earthquakes (1980 Irpinia–Basilicata and 2009 L’Aquila). Comparing estimated vs. collected data, it is found that, in addition to the damage level, both the building material and the occupancy rate at the time of the event significantly impact the estimation of human casualties. As for the occupancy rate, based on the data on the daily life of citizens collected by the Italian Institute of Statistics, the occupancy rate functions for Italian residential building stock are derived and discussed.
Pros and Cons of Separation, Fractionation and Cleanup for Enhancement of the Quantitative Analysis of Bitumen-Derived Organics in Process-Affected Waters—A Review
Authors: Hindle Ralph , Headley John , Muench Douglas G.
Published: November 2023

Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) contains a diverse mixture of inorganic and organic compounds. Naphthenic acids (NAs) are a subset of the organic naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) and are a major contributor of toxicity to aquatic species. Thousands of unique chemical formulae are measured in OSPW by accurate mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of NAFCs. As no commercial reference standard is available to cover the range of compounds present in NAFCs, quantitation may best be referred to as “semi-quantitative” and is based on the responses of one or more model compounds. Negative mode electrospray ionization (ESI-) is often used for NAFC measurement but is prone to ion suppression in complex matrices. This review discusses aspects of off-line sample preparation techniques and liquid chromatography (LC) separations to help reduce ion suppression effects and improve the comparability of both inter-laboratory and intra-laboratory results. Alternative approaches to the analytical parameters discussed include extraction solvents, salt content of samples, extraction pH, off-line sample cleanup, on-line LC chromatography, calibration standards, MS ionization modes, NAFC compound classes, MS mass resolution, and the use of internal standards.
Usefulness of a Civic Engagement Scale for Research on Smart Cities: Measuring Attitudes and Behavior
Authors: Remr Jiri
Published: November 2023

Civic engagement plays a critical role in smart city innovation and urban development by encouraging active participation in civic activities such as volunteering, voting, community organizing, or advocacy, all of which contribute to the development of local communities. This study highlights the need to assess civic engagement in smart cities in order to improve the interactions between technology and society. The study assessed the reliability and validity of the Civic Engagement Scale (CES) in the Czech context. The results presented are based on a representative sample of 1366 respondents from the general population aged 15–74. The study included univariate statistics, tests of internal consistency, and principal component analysis. In addition, the study presents the results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) that was conducted to examine the fit of the proposed model to empirical data. The results indicate that the CES has excellent psychometric properties, including high internal consistency and favorable absolute and incremental indices. The Czech version of the CES can be considered a valid and reliable instrument. The findings suggest using CES to research and evaluate policy interventions aimed at developing digital platforms that enable citizens to easily participate in urban planning and smart city projects, community-driven smart city projects that ensure local needs and preferences are addressed, or implementing incentive programs for citizens.
Modelling Factors Influencing IoT Adoption: With a Focus on Agricultural Logistics Operations
Authors: Rajabzadeh Mohsen , Fatorachian Hajar
Published: November 2023

Purpose- In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the utilization of emerging technologies, notably the Internet of Things (IoT), within the realm of business operations. However, empirical evidence has underscored a disconcerting trend whereby a substantial majority, surpassing 70%, of IoT adoption initiatives falter when confronted with the rigors of real-world implementation. Given the profound implications of IoT in augmenting product quality, this study endeavors to scrutinize the extant body of knowledge concerning IoT integration within the domain of agricultural logistics operations. Furthermore, it aims to discern the pivotal determinants that exert influence over the successful assimilation of IoT within business operations, with particular emphasis on logistics. Design/Methodology/Approach- The research utilizes a thorough systematic review methodology coupled with a meta-synthesis approach. In order to identify and clarify the key factors that influence IoT implementation in logistics operations, the study is grounded in the Resource-Based View theory. It employs rigorous grounded theory coding procedures, supported by the analytical capabilities of MAXQDA software. Findings- The culmination of the meta-synthesis endeavor culminates in the conceptual representation of IoT adoption within the agricultural logistics domain. This representation is underpinned by the identification of three overarching macro categories/constructs, namely: (1) IoT Technology Adoption, encompassing facets such as IoT implementation requisites, ancillary technologies essential for IoT integration, impediments encountered in IoT implementation, and the multifaceted factors that influence IoT adoption; (2) IoT-Driven Logistics Management, encompassing IoT-based warehousing practices, governance-related considerations, and the environmental parameters entailed in IoT-enabled logistics; and (3) the Prospective Gains Encompassing IoT Deployment, incorporating the financial, economic, operational, and sociocultural ramifications ensuing from IoT integration. The findings underscore the imperative of comprehensively addressing these factors for the successful assimilation of IoT within agricultural logistics processes. Originality- The originality of this research study lies in its pioneering effort to proffer a conceptual framework that furnishes a comprehensive panorama of the determinants that underpin IoT adoption, thereby ensuring its efficacious implementation within the ambit of agricultural logistics operations. Practical Implications- The developed framework, by bestowing upon stakeholders an incisive comprehension of the multifaceted factors that steer IoT adoption, holds the potential to streamline the IoT integration process. Moreover, it affords an avenue for harnessing the full spectrum of IoT-derived benefits within the intricate milieu of agricultural logistics operations.
Work, Training and Life Stress in ITU World Olympic Distance Age-Group Championship Triathletes
Authors: Vleck Veronica , Massuça Luís Miguel , de Moraes Rodrigo , Falk Neto João Henrique , Quagliarotti Claudio , Piacentini Maria Francesca
Published: November 2023

We assessed the training, work and Life Stress demands of a mixed gender group of 48 top amateur short-distance triathletes using an online retrospective epidemiological survey and the Life Events Survey for Collegiate Athletes. On superficial inspection, these mainly masters athletes appeared to undergo all the types of training that are recommended for the aging athlete. However, there were significant scheduling differences between their weekday vs. their weekend training, suggesting that age-groupers’ outside sports commitments may affect their training efficacy. The triathletes claimed to periodize, to obtain feedback on and to modify their training plans when appropriate—and some evidence of this was obtained. Over the year preceding the ITU World Age-Group Championships, they averaged 53%, 33% and 14% of their combined swim, cycle and run training time, respectively, within intensity zones 1, 2 and 3. Although the triathletes specifically stated that their training was focused on preparation for the ITU World Age-Group Championships, the way that they modified their training in the month before the event suggested that this aim was not necessarily achieved. Sports-related stress accounted for most—42.0 ± 26.7%—of their total Life Stress over the preceding year (vs. 12.7 ± 18.6% for Relationship-, 31.3 ± 25.9% for Personal- and 14.0 ± 21.1% for Career-related Stress). It affected most athletes, and was overwhelmingly negative, when it related to failure to attain athletic goal(s), to injury and/or to illness.
A Detailed Examination of China’s Clean Energy Mineral Consumption: Footprints, Trends, and Drivers
Authors: Fang Chuandi , Cheng Jinhua , You Zhe , Chen Jiahao , Peng Jing
Published: November 2023

As the global clean energy transition accelerates, China’s mining industry faces pressing challenges concerning the sustainable consumption of clean energy minerals. This study employed the EE-MRIO model to investigate the consumption trends of clean energy minerals across various provinces and industries in China from 2012 to 2017, specifically focusing on the resource footprints of copper, nickel, molybdenum, zinc, and cobalt. Using the random forest model, we identified the driving factors, with the goal of offering a solid scientific foundation for strategic decision making. Our findings reveal marked disparities in resource footprints among provinces, which are correlated with regional industrialization, urbanization trends, and resource reserves. Beyond the traditional resource-intensive sectors, industries like finance and real estate have significantly impacted the resource footprint. Monte Carlo simulations further validated the reliability of our model. The random forest analysis indicates that population size and energy consumption mainly determine the footprints of copper and zinc. In contrast, the footprints of nickel and cobalt are primarily influenced by technology market turnover, while molybdenum’s footprint is largely driven by population size and total carbon emissions. Drawing from these insights, we suggest several policy recommendations for clean energy mineral extraction. These include fostering inter-provincial resource collaboration, bolstering geological exploration and assessment, promoting technological innovation, advancing environmentally friendly mineral extraction techniques, and enhancing collaboration between urban planning and pivotal industries.
Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Practices on Impulse Buying Intention: Exploring the Moderating Influence of Social Media Advertising
Authors: Lyu Lingbo , Zhai Li , Boukhris Mohamed , Akbar Ahsan
Published: November 2023

The present study examines the effects of sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices on impulse buying intention through the moderating role of social media advertising. We employ non-probability sampling techniques, specifically purposive and convenience sampling, to gather data from 686 university students and consumers in China. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was employed for an empirical analysis using SmartPLS software version 4. The study findings revealed a significant positive association between sustainable CSR practices (including environmental, economic, and social well-being aspects) and impulse buying intention. The additional results show that social media advertising significantly positively moderates the association between economic aspects, environmental well-being, and impulsive buying intention. However, the moderating influence of social media advertising was insignificant in the relationship between social well-being and impulsive buying intention. This research delves into the importance of companies establishing a workable system of CSR practices and the role of effective initiatives in implementing these policies. The study demonstrates that CSR practices have a broader impact on marketing strategies than previously assumed and have become essential for a company’s ability to maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including consumers. These CSR practices significantly influence consumer purchasing behavior, which is critical for a company’s sustainable growth and expansion. Further, this study recommends the use of social media to enhance the positive image of an enterprise through marketing and sustainable corporate development through CSR practices.
A Multivariate Short-Term Trend Information-Based Time Series Forecasting Algorithm for PM2.5 Daily Concentration Prediction
Authors: Wang Ping , He Xuran , Feng Hongyinping , Zhang Guisheng
Published: November 2023

PM2.5 concentration prediction is a hot topic in atmospheric environment research and management. In this study, we adopt an extended dynamics differentiator and regression model to construct the novel multivariate short-term trend information-based time series forecasting algorithm (M-STI-TSF) to tackle this issue. The advantage of this model is that the dynamical short-term trend information, based on tracking-differentiator, is insensitive to high-frequency noise and is complementary to traditional statistical information. Due to the fact that the dynamical short-term trend information provided by the tracking-differentiator can effectively describe the trend of time series fluctuations, it greatly supplements the empirical information of the prediction system. It cannot be denied that short-term trend information is an effective way to improve prediction accuracy. The modeling process can be summarized as the following main steps. Firstly, each one-dimensional time series composed of an input feature is predicted using a dynamical prediction model, including short-term trend information. Then, the predicted results of multiple one-dimensional influence factors are linearly regressed to obtain the final predicted value. The simulation experiment selected major cities in North China as the research object to demonstrate that the proposed model performs better than traditional models under different model generalization ability evaluation indexes. The M-STI-TS model successfully extracted the inherent short-term trend information of PM2.5 time series, which was effectively and reasonably integrated with traditional models, resulting in significantly improved prediction accuracy. Therefore, it can be proven that the short-term trend information extracted by tracking-differentiator not only reflects the intrinsic characteristics of time series for practical applications, but also serves as an effective supplement to statistical information.
Company-Level Factors of Non-Financial Reporting Quality under a Mandatory Regime: A Systematic Review of Empirical Evidence in the European Union
Authors: Radu Oana Marina , Dragomir Voicu D. , Hao Ningshan
Published: November 2023

The relationship between non-financial reporting quality (NFRQ) and various company-level factors has been studied extensively, considering the mandatory requirements applicable under the Non-Financial Reporting Directive 2014/95/EU (NFRD) of the European Union. The purpose of this research is to systematize the results of previous published studies on the relationship between NFRQ and company size, financial performance, corporate governance, market performance, and sustainability performance, under a mandatory regime. Our study contributes to the literature by proposing a taxonomy of company-level factors grouped into five categories. We analyze the post-2017 period, focusing on the application of NFRD in the European Union. By applying systematic inclusion and exclusion criteria to a population of 618 articles from Scopus, we obtain a sample of fifteen articles that are subject to an in-depth analysis of correlation matrices. The systematic review resorts to the vote counting methodology to assess the existence and strength of relationships between the NFRQ and company-level factors, based on correlation coefficients. The summarized results indicate that company size, corporate governance, and sustainability performance are positive factors of NFRQ. Regarding corporate governance, we find that board independence, board size, foreign ownership, gender diversity, corporate governance quality, the existence of a sustainability committee, and sustainability-linked remuneration positively influence NFRQ. Our findings emphasize the need to explicitly consider the role of corporate governance and sustainability performance in improving NFRQ while transitioning to improved corporate sustainability reporting under the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive 2022/2464 (CSRD). Our study has implications for academics who seek to engage in empirical research on various factors with positive or negative influence on sustainability reporting, throughout the transition from the NFRD to the CSRD. Policymakers may find our study useful in addressing specific areas of sustainability reporting that have a negative impact on corporate transparency, while practitioners may obtain valuable information on the challenges of transitioning to sustainability reporting and the implementation of mandatory assurance.
Green Redevelopment of Industrial Brownfields: Driving Mechanism and Model
Authors: Zhang Yang , Luo Xiaomeng , Wang Shuqing , Liu Chang
Published: November 2023

Rapid urban restructuring has exposed a large number of industrial brownfields, and common redevelopment has many disadvantages. To optimize the redevelopment effect, green redevelopment has become an important strategy for urban renewal. Combining the theory of planned behavior and the normative activation model, this study explains developers’ intention of green redevelopment action of industrial brownfields (GRIB) from rational and perceptual dimensions. The empirical analysis using partial least squares structural equation (PLS-SEM) obtained the following results: (1) The intention of green redevelopment is positively affected by three factors, personal norms, subjective norms, and attitude, in decreasing order of influence. (2) Perceptual behavior control is not statistically significant to developers’ green transformation intentions. (3) Using the corporate social responsibility for adjustment, the results show that corporate social responsibility has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between green redevelopment intention and green redevelopment behavior. It is suggested that the government should further formulate oriented incentive policies at the national and local levels to encourage green redevelopment to transform industrial brownfields. Concomitantly, the local governments should encourage developers with industry influence to carry out green regeneration practices, strengthen the publicity of green redevelopment knowledge, and strengthen the promotion and application of GRIB.
Developing an MQ-LSTM-Based Cultural Tourism Accelerator with Database Security
Authors: Jeribi Fathe , Ahamed Shaik Rafi , Perumal Uma , Alhameed Mohammed Hameed , Chari Kamsali Manjunatha
Published: November 2023

Cultural tourism (CT), which enhances the economic development of a region, aids a country in reinforcing its identities, enhancing cross-cultural understanding, and preserving the heritage culture of an area. Designing a proper tourism model assists tourists in understanding the point of interest without the help of a local guide. However, owing to the need for the analysis of different factors, designing such a model is a complex process. Therefore, this article proposes a CT model for peak visitor time in Riyadh, a city in Saudi Arabia. The main objective of the framework is to improve the cultural tourism of Riyadh by considering various factors to help in improving CT based on recommendation system (RS). Primarily, the map data and cultural event dataset were processed for location, such as grouping with Kriging interpolation-based Chameleon (KIC), tree forming, and feature extraction. After that, the event dataset’s attributes were processed with word embedding. Meanwhile, the social network sites (SNS) data like reviews and news were extracted with an external application programming interface (API). The review data were processed with keyword extraction and word embedding, whereas the news data were processed with score value estimation. Lastly, the data were fused, corresponding to a historical site, and given to the Multi-Quadratic-Long Short-Term Memory (MQ-LSTM) recommendation system (RS); also, the recommended result with the map was stored in a database. Lastly, the database security was maintained with locality sensitive hashing (LSH). From the experimental evaluation with multiple databases including the Riyadh Restaurants 20K dataset, the proposed recommendation model achieved a recommendation rate (RR) of 97.22%, precision of 97.7%, recall of 98.27%, and mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.0521. This result states that the proposed RS provides higher RR and reduced error compared to existing related RSs. Thus, by attaining higher performance values, the proposed model is experimentally verified.