bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P2P Coordinated Control between SPV and STATCOM in a Microgrid for Power Quality Compensation Using LSTM–Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Swain Durgamadhab , Viswavandya Meera , Dash Ritesh , Reddy Kalvakurthi Jyotheeswara , Chittathuru Dhanamjayulu , Gopal Arunkumar , Khan Baseem , Ravindra Manam
Published: July 2023

The deployment of a static synchronous compensator within a microgrid can facilitate voltage and reactive power regulation, leading to enhanced stability and reliability. Within a microgrid setting, the effectiveness of a STATCOM in balancing the power supply is influenced by several factors, including the system configuration, the operating conditions, and the specific requirements of the power grid. The capacity, response time, and magnitude of system disturbances also play a role in determining the STATCOM’s ability to balance the power supply. To ensure the successful integration of a STATCOM within a microgrid, coordinating the control system with other distributed energy resources (DER), especially when multiple control strategies are employed, can be a challenging task. Therefore, a meticulously designed control system is indispensable to guarantee the microgrid’s efficient and effective operation. The use of GA in LSTM tuning can accelerate the process of identifying the optimal hyperparameters for a specific task, obviating the need for time-consuming and computationally expensive grid searches or manual tuning. This method can be particularly advantageous when handling large data sets and complex models. In this paper, an attempt has been made to model the STATCOM to communicate with the microgrid, tuned using LSTM–GA, for the effective calculation of real and reactive power support during grid disturbances.
Analysis of Construction Networks and Structural Characteristics of Pearl River Delta and Surrounding Cities Based on Multiple Connections
Authors: Nie Shengdong , Li Hengkai
Published: July 2023

The Pearl River Delta (PRD) is one of three world-class city clusters in China, which is important for the strategical deployment of the national “Belt and Road”. Based on nighttime lighting data, Baidu index, and train stopping times, this study analyzed the network of spatial patterns and structural evolution of the PRD and surrounding cities via social network analysis and dynamic network visualization, providing new perspectives and ideas for the study of intercity linkages and urban networks. The results provide decision support to the government for urban cluster planning. From 2014 to 2020, the economic network evolved from a uniaxial structure to an “inverted V” structure. The transportation network evolved from a uniaxial structure to a “△” structure. The information network did not show any obvious structural changes during its development, except for a star-shaped radial structure. The PRD city cluster and its surrounding cities exhibited a spatially non-uniform distribution in terms of spatial connections. The total connections between Guangzhou and Foshan and the surrounding cities in terms of economic, transportation, and information functions account for 30%, 28%, and 10% of the total urban connections, respectively. The graph entropy growth rates of the PRD city cluster and surrounding cities in economic, transportation, and information networks from 2014 to 2020 were 39.9%, 115.4%, and 5.1%, respectively. The network structures of economic and transportation networks stabilized eventually. The information network structures are stable.
Analysis of Supply–Demand Relationship of Cooling Capacity of Blue–Green Landscape under the Direction of Mitigating Urban Heat Island
Authors: Guan Shengyu , Liu Shuang , Zhang Xin , Du Xinlei , Lv Zhifang , Hu Haihui
Published: July 2023

Urban blue–green landscapes (UBGLs) have an important impact on the mitigation of UHIs. Clarifying the supply/demand relationship of the UBGLs’ cooling effect can serve as an indicator for high-quality urban development. We established the cooling capacity supply–demand evaluation systems of UBGLs by using multi-source data and a suitable landscape mesh size. Furthermore, we utilized the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and the linear regression equation method to explore the spatial distribution of and variation in UBGLs’ cooling efficiency. The results showed the following: (1) according to the UBGL/SUHI landscape pattern index and the Pearson correlation coefficient of the land surface temperature (LST), the optimal mesh size was found to be 1200 m. (2) According to the unitary linear regression calculation, the matching of the cooling capacity supply and demand in the context of Qunli New Town showed obvious polarization; furthermore, Hanan new town and old town are more balanced than Qunli new town. (3) According to the spatiotemporal dynamic evolution of CCD, the proportion of moderate coordination- advancing cooling efficiency is the highest, reaching 35.3%. Second are moderate imbalance–hysteretic cooling efficiency (18.4%) and moderate imbalance–systematic balanced development (13.7%), with the old city highly coordinated area as the center and the coupling coordination type (gradually outward) turning into a state of serious imbalance, and then back into a state of high coordination. The findings of the investigations enriched a new viewpoint and practical scientific basis for UBGL system planning and cooling efficiency equity realizations.
Female Labor Participation and Mother’s Daycare in Greece Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: A Regional Analysis
Authors: Siriopoulos Costas , Kassapi Sophia A.
Published: July 2023

This paper studies the sample of 1,177,794 mothers in Greece who were eligible to apply for and receive a voucher as beneficiaries of the European program Harmonization of family and business life for the period 2011–2022, using financial on/off criteria. This was a European union (EU) subsidized program under the main strategic plan for Growth in Greece, the Partnership agreement for the Development Framework. This paper conducts an ANCOVA analysis to reveal the motives of the participants that led to the progress of the program both pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. The database comes from all applications submitted online, but confidential data remained undisclosed, restricting the power of the results. Findings uncover the major factor interfering with a mother’s decision to apply prior to COVID-19, namely her family status. However, for the post-COVID period, a mother’s declining age is the major determinant, which shows the increasing uncertainty of women in reproductive age. These findings, along with the low birth rate in Greece, suggest large social unrest, such that a large fraction of women in the workforce would go into labor if they had greater access to subsidized childcare. Regional differences do not seem to affect these results. This analysis might be unique in its nature, as no previous paper has focused on mothers’ characteristics linking them to childcare.
Repositioning the City Brand in the Face of the Energy and Ecological Transition Paradigm
Authors: Escourido-Calvo Manuel , Prado-Domínguez Antonio Javier , Alejandro-Martínez Valentín , Martín-Bermúdez Federico
Published: July 2023

This article presents a case study on the influence of energy and ecological transition on a city’s brand perception. Focusing on As Pontes, Spain, the study reveals how this socio-economic paradigm shift generates uncertainty, undesired expectations, and a negative self-image of the city. The objective is to reposition the city brand in alignment with the new paradigm. A literature review and Delphi technique were employed to validate the paradigm shift and anticipate its consequences. Analysis of a survey using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) shows a lack of awareness and high uncertainty among the local population. Another Delphi panel suggests cities to emulate and attributes for the city’s brand repositioning. Repositioning aims to adapt to the new sustainability model, enhance competitiveness, and restore pride and belonging within the global context of cities. This study underscores the importance of understanding the challenges and opportunities during the energy and ecological transition for a city’s identity and governance, providing guidance for effective brand repositioning strategies.
Do Inhabitants’ Perceptions Support Tourism Sustainability? The Case of Khorramabad in Iran
Authors: Pazhuhan (Panahandeh Khah) Mousa , Moradpour Nabi , Beishami Bahar , Värnik Rando , Parra-Acosta Yenny Katherine , Skominas Rytis , Pour Maryam , Azadi Hossein
Published: July 2023

The present study attempted to examine the impact of inhabitants’ perceptions and local community participation on supporting sustainable tourism development. The goal of the current study was to determine how local community involvement and local views affected the development of a sustainable tourism industry. Inhabitants’ positive/negative perceptions and local community participation had direct but differential effects on supporting sustainable tourism development. Findings revealed that positive perceptions of residents affected their support for tourism development at twice the rate than their negative perceptions did, which indicated their higher readiness for participating in the tourism development process. Moreover, findings showed that using 16 latent variables to form a structural model and a path analysis method was good enough in terms of covering the research questions and analyzing the dataset.
The Skills of Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Communication as Tools for Overcoming Social Simulation in the Context of Sustainability: A Case Study of Students’ Self-Assessment of the Affective Domain of Learning
Authors: Barevičiūtė Jovilė , Dadelo Stanislav , Asakavičiūtė Vaida
Published: July 2023

In the context of sustainability, this paper analyses the phenomenon of social simulation in the case of the affective domain of learning. Social simulation is defined in a variety of ways in dictionaries and handbooks published by universities. Still, for the purposes of this article, we will use the definitions of social simulation that are appropriate to the context of the study, and that are associated with fake or misleading actions. They are seen in the article as inherent in social manipulation, which comes in various forms, such as propaganda or fake news spread in the media, and hence disinformation. Social simulation is contrasted with sustainability, not only as an environmental but also as a socio-economic phenomenon, embedded in three types of skills: critical thinking, creativity and communication. The authors of the paper take the position that these three types of capabilities can ensure sustainability by overcoming social simulation. This paper develops a study aimed at assessing the three types of skills mentioned above by students of the Faculty of Creative Industries of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Lithuania) to avoid the threats posed by social simulation. In the course of the research, data on the communicative, creative and critical-thinking abilities of first-year students were obtained. Based on these data, objective evaluation scales were created.
Pilot-Scale Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Polylactic Acid
Authors: Maragkaki Angeliki , Tsompanidis Christos , Velonia Kelly , Manios Thrassyvoulos
Published: July 2023

Bioplastics are frequently utilized in daily life, particularly for food packaging and carrier bags. They can be delivered to biogas plants through a separate collection of the organic fraction of municipal waste (OFMSW). The increased demand for and use of bioplastics aimed at mitigating plastic pollution raises significant questions concerning their life cycle and compatibility with waste management units. Anaerobic digestion (AD) in OFMSW is a valuable resource for biogas production. In this work, the valorization of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) composed of food waste within the Biowaste to Bioplastic (B2B) Project framework was studied in laboratory and pilot-scale anaerobic liquid conditions. Taking into account that the addition of PLLA to biowaste can increase biogas production, we performed laboratory-scale anaerobic tests on food waste enriched with different molecular-weight PLLAs produced from food waste or commercial PLLA at a mesophilic temperature of 37 °C. PLLA with the highest molecular weight was subjected to AD on the pilot scale to further validate our findings. The addition of PLLA increased biogas production and had no apparent negative impact on the operation of the reactors used in the laboratory or on the pilot scale. Biogas production was higher when using PLLA with the lowest molecular weight. In the pilot-scale experiments, co-digestion of FW with PLLA increased biogas production by 1.1 times. When PLLA was added to the feed, biomethane was 8% higher, while volatile solids (VS) and total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) removal were almost the same. Importantly, no effect was observed in the operation of the digesters.
Cognitive Characteristics of an Innovation Team and Collaborative Innovation Performance: The Mediating Role of Cooperative Behavior and the Moderating Role of Team Innovation Efficacy
Authors: Zou Mi , Liu Peng , Wu Xuan , Zhou Wei , Jin Yuan , Xu Meiqi
Published: July 2023

Based on the theory of social cognition, this paper discusses the cognitive characteristics of an innovation team, the influence mechanism of cooperative behavior on collaborative innovation performance, and the moderating effect of team innovation efficacy in an enterprise collaborative innovation network. The hypothesis has been verified on the basis of 288 valid questionnaires. The results show the following: in the process of collaborative innovation, different dimensions of innovation team cognitive characteristics, namely collaborative innovation experience, the internal innovation environment of the enterprise, and emotional experience, have a significant positive impact on the collaborative innovation performance; and cooperative behavior plays a partial mediating role in the cognitive characteristics of the innovation team and collaborative innovation performance. In addition, the team’s innovation efficacy positively moderates the relationship between cooperative behavior and collaborative innovation performance. The results of this study not only expand the application of the social cognitive theory to the scope of collaborative innovation activities, but also have a certain reference significance to effectively mobilize the innovation initiative of the enterprise innovation team and improve the performance of collaborative innovation.
Achieving Synergies of Carbon Emission Reduction, Cost Savings, and Asset Investments in China’s Industrial Sector: Towards Sustainable Practices
Authors: Wang Xu , Su Xiang , Bi Ke
Published: July 2023

This study aims to investigate the dynamic correlations among carbon emission reduction, total cost savings, and asset investments in the industrial sector in China. This study uses the panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model and the generalized method of moments (GMM) model to obtain three conclusions based on Chinese industrial industry data from 2005–2019. (1) The interaction between carbon emission reduction and cost reduction is bidirectional. A carbon emission decrease can result in persistent cost cutting, while measures in shrinking costs lead to reducing carbon emissions with lasting effects. Moreover, carbon emission decline has strong inertia, while cost reduction is softer. (2) Green investment promotes reducing carbon emissions and is efficient and sustainable. Conversely, completing carbon reduction milestones will inhibit asset expansion in the subsequent period. (3) China’s industrial sector has already achieved the “synergy of emission reduction and cost decrease” development model. The transmission chain “asset investment–carbon emission decline–cost decrease–carbon emission abatement” has been established. Nonetheless, a gap remains between the mature cycle of decarbonization, cost saving, and effectiveness. Finally, it is recommended that the government focuses on the synergistic effect of carbon and cost reduction, encourages continuous green investment, and systematically organizes decarbonization actions. This study provides a basis for increasing the interest of companies in transitioning to a low-carbon economy, contributing to the simultaneous realization of green development and economic benefits.
Do Intelligent Manufacturing Concerns Promote Corporate Sustainability? Based on the Perspective of Green Innovation
Authors: Feng Tao
Published: July 2023

Using A-share listed companies in China’s all manufacturing industry (including 30 categories of manufacturing industries such as automobile manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, textiles and more) from 2010 to 2021 as a research sample, this study empirically examines the impact of intelligent manufacturing concerns on corporate sustainability based on textual analysis, and examines the impact mechanism and the moderating role of the business environment. This study found that: intelligent manufacturing concerns are significantly and positively related to corporate sustainability, i.e., corporate focus on intelligent manufacturing concerns will promote corporate sustainability; corporate focus on intelligent manufacturing concerns can promote corporate sustainability by influencing green innovation; and the business environment positively moderates the impact of intelligent manufacturing concerns on corporate sustainability. Further analysis found that ownership heterogeneity, regional heterogeneity and scale heterogeneity play a moderating role between intelligent manufacturing concerns and corporate sustainability, with intelligent manufacturing concerns contributing more to corporate sustainability in large, non-state listed companies and in the eastern and coastal regions.
Experimental Investigation on Thermal Conductivity of Straw Boards Based on the Temperature Control Box—Heat Flux Meter Method
Authors: Sun Kuo , Zheng Chaorong , Wu Yue , Zhang Wenyuan
Published: July 2023

Straw boards are the environmentally-friendly and sustainable materials used for building envelopes. To validate a novel alternative test method of thermal conductivity (λ), temperature control box–heat flux meter method (TCB-HFM), and better understand the thermal properties of straw boards, experimental investigation on two types of straw boards using such a method was carried out. Moreover, the control test via the conventional guarded hot plate method (GHP) was conducted to provide a benchmark. Results show that the fluctuation amplitudes of the temperature difference and heat flux density for the TCB-HFM during the steady state are much smaller than a generally acceptable limitation of 5%, and a 5.9% deviation of λ between the two test methods is in a reasonable range. It is indicated that the TCB-HFM can be regarded as an alternative test method to conduct investigations on the thermal properties of materials. Furthermore, the correlation between density and λ is explored and expressed by a linear fitting formula with the determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9193, and the formula is verified to have the feasibility to predict the λ of different types of straw bio-based materials.
How to Distribute Green Products in Competition with Brown Products? Direct Selling versus Agent Selling?
Authors: Hu Hanli , Cao Yu , Yi Dan , Li Qingsong
Published: July 2023

In order to respond to and take advantage of consumers’ growing interest in green products, an increasing number of firms are expanding their market share by introducing green versions of their brown products. However, firms are faced with the challenge of how to distribute green products to avoid mutual encroachment with brown products. To solve this problem, this paper constructs a Stackelberg game model consisting of a manufacturer (leader) and a retailer (follower), in which the manufacturer provides brown and green products, and then develops two channel structures for green products to be sold through the manufacturer (direct selling) and the retailer (agent selling). The results show that the manufacturer’s choice of green product distribution channels is affected by the direct selling costs and the market share of green consumers and their product preferences. When the direct selling cost is zero or consumers are green, the manufacturer always chooses direct selling. However, with an increase in the direct selling costs, if green consumers have a large difference in their preference for green and brown products, the manufacturer chooses agent selling, and vice versa. In particular, the impact of the market share of green consumers on the profits of the manufacturer is different in the two channel structures. The higher the market share of green consumers under agent selling, the more beneficial it is for the manufacturer. However, under direct selling, the profits of the manufacturer show an “inverted U” trend with the increase in the market share of green consumers. In addition, under certain conditions, the direct selling channels opened by the manufacturer are not necessarily to sell green products, but to maximize the market share of brown products. The strategy is to set high prices for green products in direct selling channels to stimulate consumers to buy brown products. These findings can provide insights for manufacturers to design appropriate green product distribution strategies.
Sustainable Sawdust/Eucalyptol Absorption Matrix for Odor Slow-Release in Plywood Floor
Authors: Logvina Yuliya , Fernandes Sónia , da Silva Luís Pinto , da Silva Joaquim Esteves
Published: July 2023

A sustainable matrix based on eucalyptol essential oil/sawdust was developed and applied on laminated plywood. This finish aims to serve as a eucalyptol odor slow release. Eucalyptol odor release was monitored with gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID: Limits of Detection and Quantification of 0.70 g/m3 and 2.11 g/m3, respectively, and with linearity up to 18.6 g/m3). Measurement of the eucalyptol odor released was performed during a six-month period, and it was found that the release followed a first-order exponential decay with a decay rate constant of 0.0169 per day. The half-life was determined to be of 48 days. The granulometry and particle size porosity of sawdust were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. A sawdust size fraction of 112–200 μm showed the best eucalyptol absorption capacity, with 1:3 masses ratio (sawdust:eucalyptol). The release duration of eucalyptol is influenced by the quantity of the eucalyptol–sawdust composite and the aperture size for release. Through the determination of this relationship, it was found that applying 15.0 g of the composite through a 0.8 mm diameter aperture resulted in a 6-month eucalyptol release period. This outcome is regarded as highly favorable, considering the inherent high volatility of eucalyptol and the relatively small amount of composite required for future product applications. The new product is characterized by a carbon footprint (considering the industry frontiers) of 5.94 kg CO2eq/m2 of plywood floor.
Deep-Reinforcement-Learning-Based Wireless IoT Device Identification Using Channel State Information
Authors: Li Yuanlong , Wang Yiyang , Liu Xuewen , Zuo Peiliang , Li Haoliang , Jiang Hua
Published: July 2023

Internet of Things (IoT) technology has permeated into all aspects of today’s society and is playing an increasingly important role. Identity authentication is crucial for IoT devices to access the network, because the open wireless transmission environment of the IoT may suffer from various forms of network attacks. The asymmetry in the comprehensive capabilities of gateways and terminals in the IoT poses significant challenges to reliability and security. Traditional encryption-based identity authentication methods are difficult to apply to IoT terminals with limited capabilities due to high algorithm complexity and low computational efficiency. This paper explores physical layer identity identification based on channel state information (CSI) and proposes an intelligent identification method based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Specifically, by analyzing and extracting the features of the real received CSI information and a setting low-complexity state, as well as action and reward parameters for the deep neural network of deep reinforcement learning oriented to the scenario, we obtained an authentication method that can efficiently identify identities. The validation of the proposed method using collected CSI data demonstrates that it has good convergence properties. Compared with several existing machine-learning-based identity recognition methods, the proposed method has higher recognition accuracy.
Exposure to Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Increases Estradiol Levels and Induces an Antioxidant Response in Antral Ovarian Follicles In Vitro
Authors: Santacruz-Márquez Ramsés , Flaws Jodi A. , Sánchez-Peña Luz del Carmen , Hernández-Ochoa Isabel
Published: July 2023

The use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) in consumer products is increasing, raising concern about their potential toxicity to human health. Nanoparticles have endocrine disrupting effects and can induce oxidative stress, leading to biomolecule oxidation and cell dysfunction. The ovary is one of the most important endocrine organs in female reproduction. Nanoparticles accumulate in the ovary, but it is unknown whether and how exposure to these materials disrupts antral follicle functions. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that the in vitro exposure to ZnO NPs affects the steroidogenic pathway and induces oxidative stress in ovarian antral follicles. Antral follicles from CD-1 mice were cultured with ZnO NPs (5, 10, and 15 µg/mL) for 96 h. ZnO NP exposure did not affect apoptosis and cell cycle regulators at any of the tested concentrations. ZnO NP exposure at low levels (5 µg/mL) increased aromatase levels, leading to increased estradiol levels and decreased estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) expression. ZnO NP exposure at 15 µg/mL induced an antioxidant response in the antral follicles as evidenced by changes in expression of antioxidant molecules (Nrf2, Cat, Sod1, Gsr, Gpx) and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species. Interestingly, ZnO NPs dissolve up to 50% in media and are internalized in cells as soon as 1 h after culture. In conclusion, ZnO NPs are internalized in antral follicles, leading to increased estrogen production and an antioxidant response.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy Are Involved in Hepatotoxicity Induced by Tributyltin
Authors: Liang Weiqi , Fu Lingling , Feng Mei , Wang Xiaorong , Yun Zhaohui , Xu Jin
Published: July 2023

Tributyltin (TBT), a common contaminant in aquatic ecosystems, has severe toxic effects on multiple tissues and organs, especially the liver. Previous toxicogenomic analysis has indicated that the main mechanism of TBT-induced hepatotoxicity is related to the activation of the apoptotic pathway. However, the mechanism of action occurring before the activation of apoptosis is still unclear. Herein, we applied proteomic technology to explore the protein expression profile of TBT-treated HL7702 normal human liver cells. The ultrastructural changes in cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. After low dose (2 μΜ) TBT treatment, activation of the unfolded protein response and endoplasmic reticulum stress were observed; the expression levels of PERK, ATF6, BiP, and CHOP were significantly elevated, and splicing of XBP1 mRNA was initiated. When the TBT concentration increased to 4 μΜ, the protein levels of Beclin1, Atg3, Atg5, Atg7, and Atg12-Atg5 were significantly elevated, and the protein level of LC3Ⅰ decreased while that of LC3Ⅱ increased, suggesting the activation of autophagy. As the TBT concentration continued to increase, autophagy could not eliminate the damage, and apoptosis eventually occurred. These results indicate novel pathways of hepatotoxicity induced by TBT and provide insights for future studies.
Emodin, an Emerging Mycotoxin, Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Hepatotoxicity through IRE1α–XBP1 Axis in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Park Su Been , Cho Gun Hee , Park Young Eun , Chun Hyang Sook
Published: July 2023

Emodin, an emerging mycotoxin, is known to be hepatotoxic, but its mechanism remains unclear. We hypothesized that emodin could induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α)–X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) pathway and apoptosis, which are closely correlated and contribute to hepatotoxicity. To test this hypothesis, a novel IRE1α inhibitor, STF-083010, was used. An MTT assay was used to evaluate metabolic activity, and quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to investigate the gene and protein expression of ER stress or apoptosis-related markers. Apoptosis was evaluated with flow cytometry. Results showed that emodin induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells and upregulated the expression of binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), IRE1α, spliced XBP1, the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax)/Bcl-2 ratio, and cleaved caspase-3. Cotreatment with emodin and STF-083010 led to the downregulation of BiP and upregulation of CHOP, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and cleaved caspase-3 compared with single treatment with emodin. Furthermore, the apoptosis rate was increased in a dose-dependent manner with emodin treatment. Thus, emodin induced ER stress in HepG2 cells by activating the IRE1α–XBP1 axis and induced apoptosis, indicating that emodin can cause hepatotoxicity.
Addressing the Real-World Challenges of Immunoresistance to Botulinum Neurotoxin A in Aesthetic Practice: Insights and Recommendations from a Panel Discussion in Hong Kong
Authors: Ho Wilson W. S. , Chan Lisa , Corduff Niamh , Lau Wang-Tak , Martin Michael U. , Tay Clifton Ming , Wang Sandy , Wu Raymond
Published: July 2023

With increasing off-label aesthetic indications using higher botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) doses and individuals starting treatment at a younger age, particularly in Asia, there is a greater risk of developing immunoresistance to BoNT-A. This warrants more in-depth discussions by aesthetic practitioners to inform patients and guide shared decision-making. A panel comprising international experts and experienced aesthetic practitioners in Hong Kong discussed the implications and impact of immunoresistance to BoNT-A in contemporary aesthetic practice, along with practical strategies for risk management. Following discussions on a clinical case example and the results of an Asia-Pacific consumer study, the panel concurred that it is a priority to raise awareness of the possibility and long-term implications of secondary non-response due to immunoresistance to BoNT-A. Where efficacy and safety are comparable, a formulation with the lowest immunogenicity is preferred. The panel also strongly favored a thorough initial consultation to establish the patient’s treatment history, explain treatment side effects, including the causes and consequences of immunoresistance, and discuss treatment goals. Patients look to aesthetic practitioners for guidance, placing an important responsibility on practitioners to adopt risk-mitigating strategies and adequately communicate important risks to patients to support informed and prudent BoNT-A treatment decisions.
Neutron Star Binaries Produced by Binary-Driven Hypernovae, Their Mergers, and the Link between Long and Short GRBs
Authors: Becerra Laura M. , Fryer Chris , Rodriguez Jose F. , Rueda Jorge A. , Ruffini Remo.
Published: July 2023

The binary-driven hypernova (BdHN) model explains long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) associated with supernovae (SNe) Ic through physical episodes that occur in a binary composed of a carbon-oxygen (CO) star and a neutron star (NS) companion in close orbit. The CO core collapse triggers the cataclysmic event, originating the SN and a newborn NS (hereafter νNS) at its center. The νNS and the NS accrete SN matter. BdHNe are classified based on the NS companion fate and the GRB energetics, mainly determined by the orbital period. In BdHNe I, the orbital period is of a few minutes, so the accretion causes the NS to collapse into a Kerr black hole (BH), explaining GRBs of energies >1052 erg. BdHN II, with longer periods of tens of minutes, yields a more massive but stable NS, accounting for GRBs of 1050–1052 erg. BdHNe III have still longer orbital periods (e.g., hours), so the NS companion has a negligible role, which explains GRBs with a lower energy release of <1050 erg. BdHN I and II might remain bound after the SN, so they could form NS-BH and binary NS (BNS), respectively. In BdHN III, the SN likely disrupts the system. We perform numerical simulations of BdHN II to compute the characteristic parameters of the BNS left by them, their mergers, and the associated short GRBs. We obtain the mass of the central remnant, whether it is likely to be a massive NS or a BH, the conditions for disk formation and its mass, and the event’s energy release. The role of the NS nuclear equation of state is outlined.
Fc-Effector-Independent in vivo Activity of a Potent Influenza B Neuraminidase Broadly Neutralizing Antibody
Authors: Khalil Ahmed M. , Piepenbrink Michael S. , Markham Ian , Basu Madhubanti , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Kobie James J.
Published: July 2023

Influenza B virus (IBV) contributes to substantial influenza-mediated morbidity and mortality, particularly among children. Similar to influenza A viruses (IAV), the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) of IBV undergo antigenic drift, necessitating regular reformulation of seasonal influenza vaccines. NA inhibitors, such as oseltamivir, have reduced activity and clinical efficacy against IBV, while M2 channel inhibitors are only effective against IAV, highlighting the need for improved vaccine and therapeutics for the treatment of seasonal IBV infections. We have previously described a potent human monoclonal antibody (hMAb), 1092D4, that is specific for IBV NA and neutralizes a broad range of IBVs. The anti-viral activity of MAbs can include direct mechanisms such as through neutralization and/or Fc-mediated effector functions that are dependent on accessory cells expressing Fc receptors and that could be impacted by potential host-dependent variability. To discern if the in vivo efficacy of 1092D4 was dependent on Fc-effector function, 1092D4 hMAb with reduced ability to bind to Fc receptors (1092D4–LALAPG) was generated and tested. 1092D4–LALAPG had comparable in vitro binding, neutralization, and inhibition of NA activity to 1092D4. 1092D4–LALAPG was effective at protecting against a lethal challenge of IBV in mice. These results suggest that hMAb 1092D4 in vivo activity is minimally dependent on Fc-effector functions, a characteristic that may extend to other hMAbs that have potent NA inhibition activity.
Significantly Longer Shedding of Norovirus Compared to Rotavirus and Adenovirus in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis
Authors: Qiu Yuanyuan , Freedman Stephen B. , Williamson-Urquhart Sarah , Farion Ken J. , Gouin Serge , Poonai Naveen , Schuh Suzanne , Finkelstein Yaron , Xie Jianling , Lee Bonita E. , Chui Linda , Pang Xiaoli ,   on behalf of the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada Probiotic Regimen for Outpatient Gastroenteritis Utility of Treatment (PROGUT) Trial Group
Published: July 2023

Worldwide, acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age. Viruses, including norovirus, rotavirus, and enteric adenovirus, are the leading causes of pediatric AGE. In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the viral load and duration of shedding of norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus in stool samples collected from 173 children (median age: 15 months) with AGE who presented to emergency departments (EDs) across Canada on Day 0 (day of enrollment), and 5 and 28 days after enrollment. Quantitative RT-qPCR was performed to assess the viral load. On Day 0, norovirus viral load was significantly lower compared to that of rotavirus and adenovirus (p < 0.001). However, on Days 5 and 28, the viral load of norovirus was higher than that of adenovirus and rotavirus (p < 0.05). On Day 28, norovirus was detected in 70% (35/50) of children who submitted stool specimens, while rotavirus and adenovirus were detected in 52.4% (11/24) and 13.6% (3/22) of children (p < 0.001), respectively. Overall, in stool samples of children with AGE who presented to EDs, rotavirus and adenovirus had higher viral loads at presentation compared to norovirus; however, norovirus was shed in stool for the longest duration.
The Moderating Effect of Vaccine Hesitancy on the Relationship between the COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Index and Vaccine Coverage
Authors: Tolley Annalise Julia , Scott Victoria C. , Mitsdarffer Mary Louise , Scaccia Jonathan P.
Published: July 2023

To examine COVID-19 vaccination barriers in the US, this study drew on publicly available county-level data (n = 3130) to investigate the impact of vaccine hesitancy on the relationship between county-level social/structural barriers and vaccine coverage. A hierarchical regression was performed to establish the relationship between the COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Index (CVAC) and vaccine coverage, assess the moderating effect of vaccine hesitancy on this relationship, and explore the influence of ethno-racial composition on vaccine coverage. A significant, negative relationship (r2 = 0.11, f2 = 0.12) between CVAC and vaccine coverage by county was established (step 1). When vaccine hesitancy was introduced as a moderator (step 2), the model significantly explained additional variance in vaccine coverage (r2 = 0.21, f2 = 0.27). Simple slopes analysis indicated a significant interaction effect, whereby the CVAC–vaccine coverage relationship was stronger in low hesitancy counties as compared with high hesitancy counties. Counties with low social/structural barriers (CVAC) but high hesitancy were projected to have 14% lower vaccine coverage. When county-level ethno-racial composition was introduced (step 3), higher proportions of white residents in a county predicted decreased vaccination rates (p < 0.05). Findings indicate that CVAC should be paired with vaccine hesitancy measures to better predict vaccine uptake. Moreover, counties with higher proportions of white residents led to decreases in vaccine uptake, suggesting that future intervention strategies should also target whites to reach herd immunity. We conclude that public health leaders and practitioners should address both social/structural and psychological barriers to vaccination to maximize vaccine coverage, with a particular focus on vaccine hesitancy in communities with minimal social/structural barriers.
Oral Vaccines: A Better Future of Immunization
Authors: Kwong Keith Wai-Yeung , Xin Ying , Lai Nelson Cheuk-Yin , Sung Johnny Chun-Chau , Wu Kam-Chau , Hamied Yusuf Khwaja , Sze Eric Tung-Po , Lam Dominic Man-Kit
Published: July 2023

Oral vaccines are gaining more attention due to their ease of administration, lower invasiveness, generally greater safety, and lower cost than injectable vaccines. This review introduces certified oral vaccines for adenovirus, recombinant protein-based, and transgenic plant-based oral vaccines, and their mechanisms for inducing an immune response. Procedures for regulatory approval and clinical trials of injectable and oral vaccines are also covered. Challenges such as instability and reduced efficacy in low-income countries associated with oral vaccines are discussed, as well as recent developments, such as Bacillus-subtilis-based and nanoparticle-based delivery systems that have the potential to improve the effectiveness of oral vaccines.
The Thermal State of the North Atlantic Ocean and Hydrological Droughts in the Warta River Catchment in Poland during 1951–2020
Authors: Marsz Andrzej A. , Sobkowiak Leszek , Styszyńska Anna , Wrzesiński Dariusz , Perz Adam
Published: July 2023

This study presents the direct relationships between changes in the annual surface temperature of the North Atlantic (SST) and the number of days per year experiencing low flows in the Warta River catchment (WRC) in Central Europe, Poland, in the multi-annual period of 1951–2020. The number of days experiencing low flows (TLF) was used to describe the conditions of hydrological drought in the WRC. Moderately strong (r~0.5) but statistically highly significant (p < 0.001) relationships were found between TLF and the SST in the subtropical (30–40° N, 60–40° W) and subpolar North Atlantic (70° N, 10° W–10° E). With the increase in the annual SST in these parts of the North Atlantic, the number of days in a year experiencing low flows in the WRC also increased. It was determined that besides synchronous (i.e., in the same year) relationships between TLF and SST, asynchronous relations also occurred: the SST changes were one year ahead of the TLF changes. With the increase in the SST in the subtropical and subpolar North Atlantic, the sunshine duration and air temperature in the WRC increased, while the relative humidity decreased. The relationships between precipitation in the WRC and SST were negative (from −0.04 to −0.14), but statistically insignificant (p > 0.2). This indicates that the impact of SST changes on TLF in the WRC is mainly caused by the shaping of the amount of surface evaporation, which strongly increases in years of high SST, and the climatic water balance becomes negative, resulting in an increase in extremely low flows. The analysis of the causes of these relationships shows that the SST changes in the North Atlantic control, through changes in the height of the geopotential (h500), changes in the atmospheric circulation over Europe. In the periods of SST h500 growth over Central Europe, the atmospheric pressure (SLP) increases. That area is more frequently than average under the influence of the Azores High; this leads to an increase in the frequency of anticyclonic weather. A significant increase in the number of TLFs and prolonged periods of hydrological drought in the WRC after 2000 are associated with a strong increase in the SST in the area of the tropical and subtropical North Atlantic.
Modeling Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of BMPs Adoption for Stormwater Management in Urban Areas
Authors: Zhang Zeshu , Montas Hubert , Shirmohammadi Adel , Leisnham Paul T. , Rockler Amanda K.
Published: July 2023

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is a severe problem in the U.S. and worldwide. Best management practices (BMPs) have been widely used to control stormwater and reduce NPS pollution. Previous research has shown that socio-economic factors affect households’ adoption of BMPs, but few studies have quantitatively analyzed the spatio-temporal dynamics of household BMP adoption under different socio-economic conditions. In this paper, diverse regression approaches (linear, LASSO, support vector, random forest) were used on the ten-year data of household BMP adoption in socio-economically diverse areas of Washington, D.C., to model BMP adoption behaviors. The model with the best performance (random forest regression, R2 = 0.67, PBIAS = 7.2) was used to simulate spatio-temporal patterns of household BMP adoption in two nearby watersheds (Watts Branch watershed between Washington, D.C., and Maryland; Watershed 263 in Baltimore), each of which are characterized by different socio-economic (population density, median household income, renter rate, average area per household, etc.) and physical attributes (total area, percentage of canopy in residential area, average distance to nearest BMPs, etc.). The BMP adoption rate was considerably higher at the Watts Branch watershed (14 BMPs per 1000 housing units) than at Watershed 263 (4 BMPs per 1000 housing units) due to distinct differences in the watershed characteristics (lower renter rate and poverty rate; higher median household income, education level, and canopy rate in residential areas). This research shows that adoption behavior tends to cluster in urban areas across socio-economic boundaries and that targeted, community-specific social interventions are needed to reach the NPS control goal.
Numerical Simulations of Swirling Water Jet Atomization: A Mesh Convergence Study
Authors: Vozhakov Ivan S. , Hrebtov Mikhail Yu. , Yavorsky Nikolay I. , Mullyadzhanov Rustam I.
Published: July 2023

We report on numerical simulations of a swirling water jet flowing out of a nozzle into a still air atmosphere at normal conditions. Primary jet breakup and atomization were studied with an emphasis on the effect of grid resolution on the results. Jet inlet diameter D was set to 0.8 mm, a bulk velocity was set to 7.6 m/s (Re=6100, Wel=650), and the swirl rate was set to S=0.3. The near region of the jet (up to x/D=16) was studied. The results were obtained for four different grid resolutions with the smallest cell size of 6 μm. It is shown that the use of an adaptive mesh refinement procedure for interface tracking allows us to get to convergent results in terms of both droplets volume and surface area distributions, while the total number of droplets changes with the increased grid refinement level. This phenomenon may be attributed to the formation of small (grid-cell sized) droplets due to numerically-triggered instabilities at the gas-liquid interface.
Comparative Analysis of the Evolutionary Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Land and Water Resource Systems in Major Grain-Producing Areas
Authors: Cheng Kun , Fu Qiang , Sun Nan , Wang Zixin , Zhao Yuxin
Published: July 2023

In the process of rapid advancement of agricultural production, the dynamic evolution characteristics of land and water resources in the main grain-producing areas and the influencing factors are less studied. This study takes Heilongjiang Province, the main grain-producing area in China, as an example, constructs an index system from three functions: production, life, and ecology, uses information entropy to determine the weights and importance of each index, uses the rate of change of the index to determine the basic data of the dynamic development of the system, combines the weights to determine the dynamic evolution characteristics, and compares and analyzes them with the static evolution characteristics determined by the actual data. The results showed that there were differences in the important indicators under different conditions, and the important indicators under static and dynamic conditions were the proportion of the tertiary industry to GDP(A7) and GDP per unit area(A8), with importance weights of 7.45% and 8.0%, respectively. The static evolution index of the land and water resource system increased slowly from 0.16 to 0.91, while the dynamic evolution index fluctuated and declined from 0.58 to 0.34, indicating that the ability of the land and water resource system in the study area to maximize comprehensive benefits is constantly weakening. Managers can pre-control the development speed of the important indicators under dynamic conditions and promote the sustainable development of the land and water resource system.