bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing FY-3E HIRAS-II Radiance Accuracy Using AHI and MERSI-LL
Authors: Chen Hongtao , Guan Li
Published: September 2022

The FY-3E/HIRAS-II (Hyperspectral Infrared Atmospheric Sounder-II), as an infrared hyperspectral instrument onboard the world’s first early morning polar-orbiting satellite, plays a major role in improving the accuracy and timeliness of global numerical weather predictions. In order to assess its observation quality, the geometrically, temporally, and spatially matched scene homogeneous HIRAS-II hyperspectral observations were convolved to the channels corresponding to the Himawari-8/AHI (Advanced Himawari Imager) and FY-3E/MERSI-LL (Medium-Resolution Spectral Imager) imagers from 15 March to 21 April 2022, and their brightness temperature deviation characteristics were statistically calculated in this paper. The results show that the HIRAS-II in-orbit observed brightness temperatures are slightly warmer than the AHI observations in all the matched AHI channels (long wave infrared channel 8 to channel 16) with a mean brightness temperature bias less than 0.65 K. The bias of the atmospheric absorption channel is slightly larger than that of the window channel. A standard deviation less than 0.31 K and a correlation coefficient higher than 0.98 in all channels means that the quality of the observation is satisfactory. The thresholds chosen for the colocation approximation factors (e.g., observation geometry angle, scene uniformity, observation azimuth, and observation time) for matching the HIRAS-II with AHI contribute little and negligible uncertainty to the bias assessment, so the difference between the two observed radiations is considered to be mainly from the systematic bias of the two-instrument measurement. Compared with MERSI-LL window channel 5, the observations of both instruments are very close, with a mean bias of 0.002 K and a standard deviation of 0.31 K. The mean brightness temperature bias (HIRAS-II minus MERSI-LL) of the MERSI-LL water vapor channel 4 is 0.66 K with a standard deviation of 0.22 K. The mean brightness temperature bias of channel 6 and channel 7 is 0.63 K (the standard deviation is 0.36 K) and 0.5 K (the standard deviation is 0.3 K), respectively. The biases of channel 4 are significantly and positively correlated with the target scene temperature, and the biases of channel 6 and 7 show a U-shaped change with the increase in the scene temperature, and the biases are smallest (close to 0 K) when the scene temperature is between 250 K and 280 K. The statistical characteristics of the HIRAS-II–MERSI-LL difference vary minimally and almost constantly over a period of time, indicating that the performance of the HIRAS-II instrument is stable.
Cuscuta spp. Segmentation Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Orthomasaics Using a U-Net Xception-Style Model
Authors: Gutiérrez-Lazcano Lucia , Camacho-Bello César J. , Cornejo-Velazquez Eduardo , Arroyo-Núñez José Humberto , Clavel-Maqueda Mireya
Published: September 2022

Cuscuta spp. is a weed that infests many crops, causing significant losses. Traditional assessment methods and onsite manual measurements are time consuming and labor intensive. The precise identification of Cuscuta spp. offers a promising solution for implementing sustainable farming systems in order to apply appropriate control tactics. This document comprehensively evaluates a Cuscuta spp. segmentation model based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images and the U-Net architecture to generate orthomaps with infected areas for better decision making. The experiments were carried out on an arbol pepper (Capsicum annuum Linnaeus) crop with four separate missions for three weeks to identify the evolution of weeds. The study involved the performance of different tests with the input image size, which exceeded 70% of the mean intersection-over-union (MIoU). In addition, the proposal outperformed DeepLabV3+ in terms of prediction time and segmentation rate. On the other hand, the high segmentation rates allowed approximate quantifications of the infestation area ranging from 0.5 to 83 m2. The findings of this study show that the U-Net architecture is robust enough to segment pests and have an overview of the crop.
Evaluation of Spatiotemporal Resilience and Resistance of Global Vegetation Responses to Climate Change
Authors: Sun Na , Liu Naijing , Zhao Xiang , Zhao Jiacheng , Wang Haoyu , Wu Donghai
Published: September 2022

The quantitative assessment of vegetation resilience and resistance is worthwhile to deeply understand the responses of vegetation growth to climate anomalies. However, few studies comprehensively evaluate the spatiotemporal resilience and resistance of global vegetation responses to climate change (i.e., temperature, precipitation, and radiation). Furthermore, although ecosystem models are widely used to simulate global vegetation dynamics, it is still not clear whether ecosystem models can capture observation-based vegetation resilience and resistance. In this study, based on remotely sensed and model-simulated leaf area index (LAI) time series and climate datasets, we quantified spatial patterns and temporal changes in vegetation resilience and resistance from 1982–2015. The results reveal clear spatial patterns of observation-based vegetation resilience and resistance for the last three decades, which were closely related to the local environment. In general, most of the ecosystem models capture spatial patterns of vegetation resistance to climate to different extents at the grid scale (R = 0.43 ± 0.10 for temperature, R = 0.28 ± 0.12 for precipitation, and R = 0.22 ± 0.08 for radiation); however, they are unable to capture patterns of vegetation resilience (R = 0.05 ± 0.17). Furthermore, vegetation resilience and resistance to climate change have regionally changed over the last three decades. In particular, the results suggest that vegetation resilience has increased in tropical forests and that vegetation resistance to temperature has increased in northern Eurasia. In contrast, ecosystem models cannot capture changes in vegetation resilience and resistance over the past thirty years. Overall, this study establishes a benchmark of vegetation resilience and resistance to climate change at the global scale, which is useful for further understanding ecological mechanisms of vegetation dynamics and improving ecosystem models, especially for dynamic resilience and resistance.
GOES-R Time Series for Early Detection of Wildfires with Deep GRU-Network
Authors: Zhao Yu , Ban Yifang
Published: September 2022

Early detection of wildfires has been limited using the sun-synchronous orbit satellites due to their low temporal resolution and wildfires’ fast spread in the early stage. NOAA’s geostationary weather satellites GOES-R Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) can acquire images every 15 min at 2 km spatial resolution, and have been used for early fire detection. However, advanced processing algorithms are needed to provide timely and reliable detection of wildfires. In this research, a deep learning framework, based on Gated Recurrent Units (GRU), is proposed to detect wildfires at early stage using GOES-R dense time series data. GRU model maintains good performance on temporal modelling while keep a simple architecture, makes it suitable to efficiently process time-series data. 36 different wildfires in North and South America under the coverage of GOES-R satellites are selected to assess the effectiveness of the GRU method. The detection times based on GOES-R are compared with VIIRS active fire products at 375 m resolution in NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS). The results show that GRU-based GOES-R detections of the wildfires are earlier than that of the VIIRS active fire products in most of the study areas. Also, results from proposed method offer more precise location on the active fire at early stage than GOES-R Active Fire Product in mid-latitude and low-latitude regions.
Estimation of ANT-DBS Electrodes on Target Positioning Based on a New PerceptTM PC LFP Signal Analysis
Authors: Lopes Elodie Múrias , Rego Ricardo , Rito Manuel , Chamadoira Clara , Dias Duarte , Cunha João Paulo Silva
Published: September 2022

Deep brain stimulation of the Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus (ANT-DBS) is an effective therapy in epilepsy. Poorer surgical outcomes are related to deviations of the lead from the ANT-target. The target identification relies on the visualization of anatomical structures by medical imaging, which presents some disadvantages. This study aims to research whether ANT-LFPs recorded with the PerceptTM PC neurostimulator can be an asset in the identification of the DBS-target. For this purpose, 17 features were extracted from LFPs recorded from a single patient, who stayed at an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit for a 5-day period. Features were then integrated into two machine learning (ML)-based methodologies, according to different LFP bipolar montages: Pass1 (nonadjacent channels) and Pass2 (adjacent channels). We obtained an accuracy of 76.6% for the Pass1-classifier and 83.33% for the Pass2-classifier in distinguishing locations completely inserted in the target and completely outside. Then, both classifiers were used to predict the target percentage of all combinations, and we found that contacts 3 (left hemisphere) and 2 and 3 (right hemisphere) presented higher signatures of the ANT-target, which agreed with the medical images. This result opens a new window of opportunity for the use of LFPs in the guidance of DBS target identification.
Comparing Loose Clothing-Mounted Sensors with Body-Mounted Sensors in the Analysis of Walking
Authors: Jayasinghe Udeni , Hwang Faustina , Harwin William S.
Published: September 2022

A person’s walking pattern can reveal important information about their health. Mounting multiple sensors onto loose clothing potentially offers a comfortable way of collecting data about walking and other human movement. This research investigates how well the data from three sensors mounted on the lateral side of clothing (on a pair of trousers near the waist, upper thigh and lower shank) correlate with the data from sensors mounted on the frontal side of the body. Data collected from three participants (two male, one female) for two days were analysed. Gait cycles were extracted based on features in the lower-shank accelerometry and analysed in terms of sensor-to-vertical angles (SVA). The correlations in SVA between the clothing- and body-mounted sensor pairs were analysed. Correlation coefficients above 0.76 were found for the waist sensor pairs, while the thigh and lower-shank sensor pairs had correlations above 0.90. The cyclical nature of gait cycles was evident in the clothing data, and it was possible to distinguish the stance and swing phases of walking based on features in the clothing data. Furthermore, simultaneously recording data from the waist, thigh, and shank was helpful in capturing the movement of the whole leg.
Comparison of QEEG Findings before and after Onset of Post-COVID-19 Brain Fog Symptoms
Authors: Kopańska Marta , Ochojska Danuta , Muchacka Renata , Dejnowicz-Velitchkov Agnieszka , Banaś-Ząbczyk Agnieszka , Szczygielski Jacek
Published: September 2022

Previous research and clinical reports have shown that some individuals after COVID-19 infection may demonstrate symptoms of so-called brain fog, manifested by cognitive impairment and disorganization in behavior. Meanwhile, in several other conditions, related to intellectual function, a specific pattern of changes in electric brain activity, as recorded by quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) has been documented. We hypothesized, that in post-COVID brain fog, the subjective complaints may be accompanied by objective changes in the QEEG profile. In order to test this hypothesis, we have performed an exploratory study on the academic staff of our University with previous records of QEEG originating in the pre-COVID-19 era. Among them, 20 subjects who revealed neurological problems in the cognitive sphere (confirmed as covid fog/brain fog by a clinical specialist) after COVID-19 infection were identified. In those individuals, QEEG was performed. We observed, that opposite to baseline QEEG records, increased Theta and Alpha activity, as well as more intensive sensimotor rhythm (SMR) in C4 (right hemisphere) in relation to C3 (left hemisphere). Moreover, a visible increase in Beta 2 in relation to SMR in both hemispheres could be documented. Summarizing, we could demonstrate a clear change in QEEG activity patterns in individuals previously not affected by COVID-19 and now suffering from post-COVID-19 brain fog. These preliminary results warrant further interest in delineating their background. Here, both neuroinflammation and psychological stress, related to Sars-CoV2-infection may be considered. Based on our observation, the relevance of QEEG examination as a supportive tool for post-COVID clinical workup and for monitoring the treatment effects is also to be explored.
Energy System 4.0: Digitalization of the Energy Sector with Inclination towards Sustainability
Authors: Singh Rajesh , Akram Shaik Vaseem , Gehlot Anita , Buddhi Dharam , Priyadarshi Neeraj , Twala Bhekisipho
Published: September 2022

The United Nations’ sustainable development goals have emphasized implementing sustainability to ensure environmental security for the future. Affordable energy, clean energy, and innovation in infrastructure are the relevant sustainable development goals that are applied to the energy sector. At present, digital technologies have a significant capability to realize the target of sustainability in energy. With this motivation, the study aims to discuss the significance of different digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, blockchain, and big data and their implementation in the different stages of energy such as generation, distribution, transmission, smart grid, and energy trading. The study also discusses the different architecture that has been implemented by previous studies for smart grid computing. Additionally, we addressed IoT-based microgrids, IoT services in electrical equipment, and blockchain-based energy trading. Finally, the article discusses the challenges and recommendations for the effective implementation of digital technologies in the energy sector for meeting sustainability. Big data for energy analytics, digital twins in smart grid modeling, virtual power plants with Metaverse, and green IoT are the major vital recommendations that are discussed in this study for future enhancement.
Optimization Model of Signal-to-Noise Ratio for a Typical Polarization Multispectral Imaging Remote Sensor
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wang Hao , Li Heshen , Sun Junhua , Liu Huilan , Yin Yingshuo
Published: September 2022

The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is an important performance evaluation index of polarization spectral imaging remote sensors. The SNR-estimation method based on the existing remote sensor is not perfect. To improve the SNR of this model, a partial detector check slant direction is presented in this study, and a polarization extinction ratio related to the internal SNR model of a typical multispectral imaging remote sensor is combined with the vector radiative transfer model to construct the atmosphere 6SV–SNR coupling model. The new result is that the central wavelength of the detection spectrum, the observation zenith angle, and the extinction ratio all affect the SNR of the remote sensor, and the SNR increases with the increase in the central wavelength of the detection spectrum. It is proved that the model can comprehensively estimate the SNR of a typical polarization multispectral imaging remote sensor under different detection conditions, and it provides an important basis for the application evaluation of such remote sensors.
Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Content and LC–MS Profiling of Leaves Extracts of Alstonia angustiloba
Authors: Rahim Nurhidayah Ab. , Roslan Muhammad Nabil Fikri , Muhamad Musthahimah , Seeni Azman
Published: September 2022

Plants have a wide range of active compounds crucial in treating various diseases. Most people consume plants and herbals as an alternative medicine to improve their health and abilities. A. angustiloba extract showed antinematodal activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, antitrypanosomal action against Trypanosoma brucei and anti-plasmodial activity against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain. Moreover, it has demonstrated growth inhibitory properties towards several human cancer cell lines, such as MDA-MB-231, SKOV-3, HeLa, KB cells and A431. DPPH and ABTS assays were carried out to determine the antioxidant activity of the aqueous and 60% methanolic extract of A. angustiloba leaves. Moreover, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified. The presence of potential active compounds was then screened using liquid chromatography coupled with a Q-TOF mass spectrometer (LC–MS) equipped with a dual electrospray ionisation (ESI) source. The EC50 values measured by DPPH for the 60% methanolic and aqueous extracts of A. angustiloba leaves were 80.38 and 94.11 µg/mL, respectively, and for the ABTS assays were 85.80 and 115.43 µg/mL, respectively. The 60% methanolic extract exhibited the highest value of total phenolic and total flavonoid (382.53 ± 15.00 mg GAE/g and 23.45 ± 1.04 mg QE/g), while the aqueous extract had the least value (301.17 ± 3.49 mg GAE/g and 9.73 ± 1.76 mg QE/g). The LC–MS analysis revealed the presence of 103 and 140 compounds in the aqueous and 60% methanolic extract, respectively. It consists of phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, amino acids, glycosides, alkaloids, etc. It can be concluded that the therapeutic action of this plant is derived from the presence of various active compounds; however, further research is necessary to determine its efficacy in treating diseases.
Purification, Identification and Neuroprotective Effects of Proteins from Bombyx batryticatus in Glu-Stimulated PC12 Cells
Authors: Hu Mei-Bian , Meng Xiang-Long , Wang Pu , Zhang Shuo-Sheng , Wu Chun-Jie , Liu Yu-Jie
Published: September 2022

Bombyx batryticatus (BB) is one of the most commonly used Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) in the treatment of convulsions and epilepsy. The antiepileptic effects of total proteins from BB (BBPs) have been proven in our previous research. In this study, BBPs were further purified, the neuroprotective effects were evaluated in Glu-stimulated PC12 cells, and the structure was identified by Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Six subfractions (PF-1 to PF-6) were obtained by DEAE-52 Sepharose FF ion-exchange chromatography. It was found that PF-1, PF-2, and PF-3, with similar protein compositions, possessed neuroprotective effects in Glu-stimulated PC12 cells by significantly increasing the GABA level, and decreasing the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. The most active fraction (PF-2) was further separated by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration chromatography, and an effective protein component named PF-2-2 was obtained. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled PF-2-2 (FITC-PF-2-2) was prepared, and the binding of FITC-F-2-2 to the PC12 cells was directly observed with a confocal microscope. PF-2-2 was found to first bind to the surface of PC12 cells and then internalize into the cells. The main band of PF-2-2 was then analyzed by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS and searched in the MASCOT database; finally a protein named Low molecular mass 30 kDa lipoprotein 21G1 was identified. In conclusion, PF-2-2 and purified proteins isolated from BBPs have potential application prospects in the treatment of epilepsy.
Synthesis and Chromatographic Determination of S-Nitrosopantetheine: Exploring Reactivity and Stability in Different Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Di Risola Daniel , Mattioli Roberto , Mazzoccanti Giulia , Manetto Simone , Trovato Maurizio , Fontana Mario , Mosca Luciana , Francioso Antonio
Published: September 2022

S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) are a group of sulfur-containing compounds biologically involved in nitric oxide (NO˙) release and signalling pathway. NO˙ plays important physiological and pharmacological activities, particularly in vasodilation and in inducing muscle relaxation. Several RSNO compounds have been detected in biological systems, and many of them have been chemically synthesized in the laboratory. To date, no works describing the synthesis of the S-nitrosopantetheine (SNOPANT) are reported in the literature. Taking into account that pantetheine is a biological thiol with a crucial function in metabolism, its nitrosylation in vivo could play a role in various metabolic signalling pathways. In this paper, the synthesis and the chromatographic determination of SNOPANT is reported for the first time, as well as a brief investigation of its reactivity in aqueous solutions in the presence of factors known to affect its stability.
Effects of Phloem-Feeding Pest, Dalbulus maidis on Morphological Expression of Drought-Tolerant Traits in Maize
Authors: Jones Tara-Kay L. , Medina Raul F. , Bernal Julio S.
Published: September 2022

Drought is amongst the most important stressors affecting maize production globally. Existing strategies to offset drought impacts are centered around the rapid development of drought-tolerant cultivars through plant breeding. However, under both current conditions and projected climate changes, additional stressors such as insect pests will co-occur. To determine the impact of combined insect and drought stress on drought tolerance in maize, we assessed the effects of Dalbulus maidis, drought, and both stresses combined in drought-tolerant maize hybrids. We measured several maize morphological growth traits (i.e., plant height, stem diameter, shoot weight, root weight, root length, and root-to-shoot ratio) at the end of a 28-day period of pulse-stress and no-stress control exposure. We found that seedling growth declined when both stressors co-occurred. Nevertheless, drought-tolerant maize hybrids remained strongly tolerant to drought regardless of D. maidis infestation. While our results showed that drought tolerance is maintained in drought-tolerant maize seedlings, future studies should address any effects on maize yield. Our study highlights the importance of testing the combined effects of drought and insect stressors to better predict insect–plant interactions in the context of plant breeding for drought-tolerant traits in a changing climate.
Impact of Changes in Forest Use Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perception of Forest Ecosystem Services in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Park So-Hee , Chang Chuyoun
Published: September 2022

Ecosystem services (ESs) play an important role in improving human well-being. This study identified the changes in people’s perceived importance of forest ecosystem services (FESs) due to changes in forest use caused by the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. We measured the changes in people’s perceived importance of FESs during the pandemic compared to before its outbreak. We analyzed how the decrease in frequency of visits to urban greenspaces and forests and the purchasing of wood products and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) during the pandemic affected changes in the perceived importance of FESs using a multiple linear regression model. Data were collected from 1000 participants through an online survey conducted in the Republic of Korea. Results showed that respondents commonly perceived that all types of FES, particularly regulating and cultural services, were more important during the COVID-19 outbreak than before its onset. Results suggest that people who had decreased their frequency of visits to urban greenspaces and forests had a perception of higher importance for regulating and cultural services than those who maintained it. This study proposes that it is necessary to change urban greenspace and forest management policies reflecting the public’s changed importance of FESs.
E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era
Authors: Wynn Martin
Published: September 2022

This Special Issue includes a range of articles that collectively examine some of the key change processes evident in the current “digital era” in organisations [...]
Cash Flow Management among Micro-Traders: Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ramli Ainon , Yekini Liafisu Sina
Published: September 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that struck unexpectedly has reinforced the need for proper cash flow management by micro-businesses. It may be complicated for the business sector to differentiate between business and personal finances if there is no discipline or consistency in financial management. Therefore, this study examines the practice of cash flow management by micro-traders in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, before 2020 and examines how their lives were affected during the freeze on economic activity. A quantitative research design was adopted, and the participants for the study were selected using the convenience sampling technique. A survey was conducted in November 2021, and 141 pieces of clean data were obtained. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS) was used to generate descriptive statistics for data analysis. This study determined that micro-traders did not exhibit proper cash flow management, placing them in a critical financial situation when the pandemic crisis was prolonged. The movement control order and the extended COVID-19 pandemic that caused the economic downturn negatively impacted the cash flow of micro-traders and negatively affected their incomes and livelihoods.
Evaluation of Biomonitoring Strategies to Assess Performance of a Bioremediation Bioprocess
Authors: Mansouri Ahlem , Cregut Mickael , Jouanneau Sulivan , Abbes Chiraz , Landoulsi Ahmed , Thouand Gerald , Durand Marie-Jose
Published: September 2022

This study was conducted to propose a suitable set of methods to evaluate the efficiency of two biotreatments. For this purpose, two sets of four 7.5 L bioreactors were followed over 90 days, containing natural sediments from the Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia) contaminated with 35 mg·kg−1 benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and 28 mg·kg−1 dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). One set was biostimulated with N/P and bioaugmented with the indigenous Pseudomonas stutzeri, Cupriavidus metallidurans and Rhodococcus equi, and the other set was only biostimulated. In the effluent, organic carbon decreased from 42 gC·L−1 to 0.2 gC·L−1 for the bioaugmented treatment compared to 15 gC·L−1 for biostimulation. Statistical analyses confirmed a significant difference in BaP concentration after bioaugmention from 35 mg·kg−1 to 21 mg·kg−1 sediment, whereas no difference was found with biostimulation. Considering DDT, biostimulation was more efficient (8.5 mg·kg−1 sediment final concentration) than bioaugmentation (15 mg·kg−1 final concentration). Native organotin and metals were also monitored using bioluminescent bioreporter strains. The bioaugmented treatment brought about a significant decrease in TBT content, to below 0.01 µM, whereas its concentration remained significant after biostimulation. The biostimulation did not alter As3+, Cu2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ concentrations, whereas bioaugmentation induced a decrease of 1 to 2 log for each metal. At the end of the experimental period, toxicity decreased to 90% in the effluent of the bioaugmented reactors compared with a drop of only 48% for biostimulation, and a significant decrease in mutagenicity appeared for bioaugmention only. Interestingly, not all the strains used in the treatments were maintained, as P. stutzeri and R. equi increased up to densities of 8.3 × 1013 and 5.2 × 1012 DNA·g−1 sediment, respectively, while in both treatments, C. metallidurans decreased down to the detection threshold. Among the different methods used, a restricted monitoring panel of analyses appears essential to follow the change occurring over the bioremediation process: (i) organic carbon measurement reporting all biodegradation events, as well as a specific method to monitor the main compounds; (ii) dissolved N, P, O2 and pH measurements, (iii) a qPCR method to track the degraders; and (iv) measurements of the acute toxicity and the mutagenicity.
Image Information Contribution Evaluation for Plant Diseases Classification via Inter-Class Similarity
Authors: Yang Jiachen , Yang Yue , Li Yang , Xiao Shuai , Ercisli Sezai
Published: September 2022

Combineingplant diseases identification and deep learning algorithm can achieve cost-effective prevention effect, and has been widely used. However, the current field of intelligent plant diseases identification still faces the problems of insufficient data and inaccurate classification. Aiming to resolve these problems, the present research proposes an image information contribution evaluation method based on the analysis of inter-class similarity. Combining this method with the active learning image selection strategy can provide guidance for the collection and annotation of intelligent identification datasets of plant diseases, so as to improve the recognition effect and reduce the cost. The method proposed includes two modules: the inter-classes similarity evaluation module and the image information contribution evaluation module. The images located on the decision boundary between high similarity classes will be analysis as high information contribution images, they will provide more information for plant diseases classification. In order to verify the effectiveness of this method, experiments were carried on the fine-grained classification dataset of tomato diseases. Experimental results confirm the superiority of this method compared with others. This research is in the field of plant disease classification. For the detection and segmentation, further research is advisable.
The Impact of Social Security Expenditure on Human Common Development: Evidence from China’s Provincial Panel Data
Authors: Song Zhiping , Tong Peishan
Published: September 2022

With the rapid development of the social economy, human development has been greatly improved. However, the gap between rich and poor still exists, which restricts the further development of society. In order to study the relationship between social security expenditure and human common development, we constructed, for this paper, the Human Common Development Index, and made a regression analysis between social security expenditure and human common development. The results showed that, in China, obvious and remarkable progress has been made in human common development. There were differences between regions—high in the east and low in the west—but the gap between regions was narrowing. There was an inverted U-shaped relationship between social security expenditure and human common development. At present, social security expenditure per capita in most provinces has not reached the inflection point. The Chinese government should pay attention to the important role of social security, optimize social security expenditure, and improve the accuracy and effectiveness of social security expenditure. In addition, the Chinese government should also improve the urbanization rate and promote economic development.
Some Characterizations of Certain Complex Fuzzy Subgroups
Authors: Alharbi Abeer Ali , Alghazzawi Dilshad
Published: September 2022

The complex fuzzy environment is an innovative tool to handle ambiguous situations in different mathematical problems. In this article, we commence the abstraction of (ρ,η)-complex fuzzy sets, (ρ,η)-complex fuzzy subgroupoid, (ρ,η)-complex fuzzy subgroups and describe important examples of the symmetric group under (ρ,η)-complex fuzzy sets. Additionally, we discuss the conjugacy class of the group with respect to (ρ,η)-complex fuzzy normal subgroups. We define (ρ,η)-complex fuzzy cosets and elaborate upon the certain operation of this analog to group theoretic operation. We prove that factors regarding the (ρ,η)-complex fuzzy normal subgroup form a group and establish an ordinary homomorphism. Moreover, we create the (ρ,η)-complex fuzzy subgroup of the factor group.
Symmetries of Quantum Fisher Information as Parameter Estimator for Pauli Channels under Indefinite Causal Order
Authors: Delgado Francisco
Published: September 2022

Quantum Fisher Information is considered in Quantum Information literature as the main resource to determine a bound in the parametric characterization problem of a quantum channel by means of probe states. The parameters characterizing a quantum channel can be estimated until a limited precision settled by the Cramér–Rao bound established in estimation theory and statistics. The involved Quantum Fisher Information of the emerging quantum state provides such a bound. Quantum states with dimension d=2, the qubits, still comprise the main resources considered in Quantum Information and Quantum Processing theories. For them, Pauli channels are an important family of parametric quantum channels providing the most faithful deformation effects of imperfect quantum communication channels. Recently, Pauli channels have been characterized when they are arranged in an Indefinite Causal Order. Thus, their fidelity has been compared with single or sequential arrangements of identical channels to analyse their induced transparency under a joint behaviour. The most recent characterization has exhibited important features for quantum communication related with their parametric nature. In this work, a parallel analysis has been conducted to extended such a characterization, this time in terms of their emerging Quantum Fisher Information to pursue the advantages of each kind of arrangement for the parameter estimation problem. The objective is to reach the arrangement stating the best estimation bound for each type of Pauli channel. A complete map for such an effectivity is provided for each Pauli channel under the most affordable setups considering sequential and Indefinite Causal Order arrangements, as well as discussing their advantages and disadvantages.
Using Cascaded and Interlocking Generic System Archetypes to Communicate Policy Insights—The Case for Justifying Integrated Health Care Systems in Terms of Reducing Hospital Congestion
Authors: Wolstenholme Eric Frank
Published: September 2022

A persistent problem in UK hospitals is that of delayed discharges, where patients who are fit for discharge continue to occupy beds whilst awaiting care packages from Social Care. Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in which Health and Social Care collaborate are now a major NHS initiative, the thinking being that such spending will have direct cost savings to health by freeing up expensive beds. The premise of this paper is that the benefits to health of assisting Social Care could also reduce a number of serious indirect costs and provide wide-ranging benefits to hospital patients, staff and budgets. This is accomplished by reducing the congestion arising from the use of many painful internal coping strategies and unintended consequences, which hospitals have to resort to when constrained by a lack of discharge solutions. The paper explores new and novel ways of using generic systems archetypes to create a hypothesis linking general Integrated Care Systems to congestion reduction throughout hospitals. Rather than use archetypes individually, they are applied here collectively in tandem. These are named ‘cascaded archetypes’, where the unintended consequence of one archetype becomes the driver for the next and are useful where fundamental solutions to problems are difficult to implement and unintended consequences must be dealt with.
Biochemical and Hematological Markers in Workers with Chronical Exposure to Lead and Cadmium in Colombia
Authors: Vergara-Murillo Fredy , Martinez-Yanez Katiana , Fortich-Revollo Alvaro , Paternina-Caicedo Angel , Johnson-Restrepo Boris
Published: September 2022

The aim of the present study was to find if workers chronically exposed to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) presented changes in their general health and in the clinical parameters of the population under study. We carried out a cross-sectional survey in a sample of informal workers in Cartagena, Colombia. The population under study was composed of male informal workers (≥18 years of age), with experience in their job, selected from occupational settings with potential exposure to Pb and Cd (i.e., mechanics, battery and garbage recyclers, and welders). The median age was 45 years (interquartile range (IQR), 33–53). The median blood Pb level (BLL) was 2 μg/dL (IQR, 0.76–6.22), and the median of blood Cd level (BCL) was 1.22 μg/L (IQR, 0.33–2.01). The study found that 33% of high exposure jobs with BLL > 5 μg/dL (n = 57), whereas in ‘control’ workers, this was 15.3% (n = 9). The highest BLLs were found in battery recyclers (82.1%; n = 23), followed by mechanics (37.3%, n = 22). In the logistic regression model adjusted by age, time on the job, smoking and elevated BCL and BLL increased 3.2 times (95% CI, 1.1–9.7) in mechanics and 29.6 times (95% CI, 7.2–145.6) in battery recyclers. This study found negative changes in the health of workers with higher chronic exposure to lead in Cartagena, Colombia.
Sustainable Elimination of Schistosomiasis in Ethiopia—A Five-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Gal Lotte Ben , Bruck Michal , Tal Robyn , Baum Sarit , Ali Jemal Mahdi , Weldegabriel Lemlem Legesse , Sabar Galia , Golan Rachel , Bentwich Zvi
Published: September 2022

In 2009, Mekele, the capital of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia, presented a mean prevalence of 44.7% of schistosomiasis (S. mansoni) in school children. Termed a public health problem, NALA, an international public health non-governmental organization, and their partners implemented a novel model of intervention, which aimed to compliment mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns with behavioral change (BC) and improved sanitation to achieve sustained elimination of schistosomiasis. The four-year intervention (2009–2012) covered 38 primary schools. The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with control or resurgence of the disease, and the association between the behavioral change program and disease prevalence, ten years after initiation. Eleven primary schools were selected for this follow-up study. All students provided a stool sample and filled in a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire. In seven out of eleven schools (63.6%) the prevalence of schistosomiasis was maintained below 2% ten years after the initiation of the intervention. In four schools, prevalence returned to pre-intervention levels, defining them as persistent hot spots (PHS). Students from PHS schools scored lower on KAP questionnaires compared to students from responder schools; 3.9 ± 0.9 vs. 4.2 ± 0.9 (p-value < 0.001) for practice questions and 4.4 ± 1.4 vs. 4.6 ± 1.5 (p-value = 0.03) for attitude questions. The prevalence of schistosomiasis correlated positively with age, (p-value = 0.049), sex (relative risk = 1.7, p-value < 0.001), and location. Semi-urban locations (n = 382) had higher disease prevalence than urban locations (n = 242), (22.7% vs. 5.5%, p-value < 0.001). Students residing in semi-urban areas and close to a river (<500 m) were at higher risk of contracting schistosomiasis than those living in urban areas far from the river (RR = 5.95, p-value < 0.001). Finally, a correlation between prevalence and proximity of schools to rivers was found (semi-urban areas; RR = −0.91, p-value = 0.001 vs. urban areas; RR = −0.51, p-value = 0.001). Soil-transmitted-helminths prevalence in 2009 was 8.1% and declined during the intervention years to 0.5%. Prevalence in 2018 was found to be stable at 0.8%. These results demonstrate the long-term success of NALAs’ comprehensive model of intervention for elimination of schistosomiasis in school children, combining behavioral change and improved sanitation with MDA.
Phase 3 Evaluation of an Innovative Simple Molecular Test for the Diagnosis of Malaria and Follow-Up of Treatment Efficacy in Pregnant Women in Sub-Saharan Africa (Preg-Diagmal)
Authors: Kiemde Francois , van Dijk Norbert , Tinto Halidou , Muhindo-Mavoko Hypolite , Valia Daniel , Kaboré Berenger , Kabalu Japhet , Maketa Vivi , Mens Petra , Schallig Henk
Published: September 2022

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) can sequester in the placenta resulting in low density of peripheral parasitemia and consequently in false negative malaria diagnosis (by microscopy) in pregnant women. Moreover, the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in diagnostic strategies, including those for the detection of a malaria infection during pregnancy, is constrained by either persistent malaria antigen (histidine-rich protein 2; HRP2) after successful treatment, leading to false positive test results, or by false negative results as previously mentioned due to parasite sequestration (which is further exacerbated due to the low limited of detection [LoD] of conventional RDTs) or to HRP2 deletion. Recently, a direct blood polymerase chain reaction combined with a nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (dbPCR-NALFIA) has been developed, which circumvents these challenges and has demonstrated its diagnostic potential in phase 1 and 2 studies. The PREG-DIAGMAL trial presented in this manuscript will assess the diagnostic performance of dbPCR-NALFIA for the diagnostic of malaria in pregnant women and its potential to monitor treatment efficacy in these subjects. The work is ancillary embedded in an ongoing EDCTP funded trial, the PyraPreg project (PACTR202011812241529) in which the safety and efficacy of a newly registered Artemisinin-Based Combination (Pyronaridine-Artesunate) is being evaluated in pregnant women. This is a Phase 3 diagnostic evaluation conducted in 2 African countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burkina Faso. Pregnant women fulfilling the inclusion criteria of the PyraPreg study will be also invited to participate in the PREG-DIAGMAL study. Diagnostic accuracy will be assessed following the WHO/TDR guidelines for the evaluation of diagnostics and reported according to STARD principles. Due to the lack of a 100% specific and sensitive standard diagnostic test for malaria, the sensitivity and specificity of the new test will be compared to the available diagnostic practice in place at the selected settings (microscopy and/or RDT) and to quantitative PCR as the reference test. This phase 3 diagnostic study is designed towards the evaluation of the performance of a new diagnostic tool for the screening of malaria and the monitoring of treatment in pregnant women under real conditions life. If successful, the dbPCR-NALFIA could be a valuable tool to add to the diagnostic arsenal for malaria, in particular during pregnancy. Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry database (PACTR202203780981413). Registered on 17 March 2022.
Vacuum Polarization Instead of “Dark Matter” in a Galaxy
Authors: Cherkas Sergey L. , Kalashnikov Vladimir L.
Published: September 2022

We considered a vacuum polarization inside a galaxy in the eikonal approximation and found that two possible types of polarization exist. The first type is described by the equation of state p=ρ/3, similar to radiation. Using the conformally unimodular metric allows us to construct a non-singular solution for this vacuum “substance” if a compact astrophysical object exists in the galaxy’s center. As a result, a “dark” galactical halo appears that increases the rotation velocity of a test particle as a function of the distance from a galactic center. The second type of vacuum polarization has a more complicated equation of state. As a static physical effect, it produces the renormalization of the gravitational constant, thus, causing no static halo. However, a non-stationary polarization of the second type, resulting from an exponential increase (or decrease) of the galactic nuclei mass with time in some hypothetical time-dependent process, produces a gravitational potential, appearing similar to a dark matter halo.
Administración y "fenómeno de mercado": choque de convivencia en la economía territorial
Authors: Popov Rinad A , Prokhorova Victoria V , Zakharova Elena N , Ordynskaya Marina E , Gabidullina Chulpan F
Published: September 2022

Achievement of an effective balance between government regulation of business and free competition is the goal of any progressive economy, and attention to this issue is completely justified. This study aims to analyze the concept of administration and "market phenomenon: the collision of coexistence in territorial economy. To do so, the systemic, institutional, reproductive approaches are utilized. Based on the results,  the need for a constructive solution to this problem leads to a logical conclusion about the need to create an administrative and economic system to regulate social practice of a new type, based on the principles of maximizing freedom of expression and economic initiative within the boundaries of social expediency. This regulatory system presupposes the presence of continuous monitoring of reproduction processes, the timely identification of constraints on the implementation of the economic strategy and an urgent corrective administrative and economic impact on these elements. The solution to this problem seems possible through the multi-level implementation of BIM technologies in economic administration within the Russian territorial and economic practice, built on the principles of network modeling of the reproduction process.
Advances in contemporary means to assess exchange-traded financial assets
Authors: Koren Andrey V , Danilovskikh Tatiana E
Published: September 2022

Evaluation of exchange-traded financial assets fair is regarded as an essential duty in contemporary economics. Nonetheless, the significance of approaches for assessment and anticipation of potential costs is perpetually altering. This article offers a comparative examination of technical and fundamental analysis techniques, revealing their benefits and drawbacks. That features of Fundamental analysis (FA) as income, profit, profitability and the debt burden level are deemed in depth, the extent of their impact on the securities’ price is investigated. Following the study, conclusions are made regarding the progressively narrow utilization of technical examination throughout short-term and investments issue solution. An anticipation is  for a more fall of FA significance as the primary technique of evaluation. To acquire those conclusions, the study utilized statistical data reveal the characteristics of exchange-traded assets while organizations got into IPOs. The information acquired demonstrate a vivid relation between the innovation element of businesses, market share and the costs. Meanwhile, the organization profit has eventually deceased to be the primary features of the business over the course of its evaluation. Plus, they investigated the relation between the fairness of exchange-traded asset assessments and quantitative easing (QE) schemes.
Human Resources Information System Impact on Organization Performance: The Roles of Human Capital and HR Analytics
Authors: ElNakib Dalia Mohamed
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of Human Capital and the moderating role of HR Analytics in the relationship between HRIS and organizational performance in Telecommunication private sector firms in Egypt. A structured questionnaire was administered to survey managers and employees in the three main private telecommunication firms in Egypt. 740 questionnaires were distributed, 472 of which were returned and considered valid. Data was statistically analyzed using structural equation model estimation.