bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Evaluation and Comparative Analysis of the Green Development Level of Provinces in Eastern and Western China
Authors: Yang Weixin , Hu Yue , Ding Qinyi , Gao Hao , Li Lingguang
Published: February 2023

Considering the green development initiatives vigorously promoted by China, this paper constructs an evaluation index system that covers six areas, including resource utilization, pollution control, living environment, ecological protection, circular economy, and quality of economic growth. This paper also establishes an improved comprehensive evaluation model by using the method of Vertical Projection Distance-Set Pair Analysis in order to optimize the traditional method of Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution. Based on the official data released by China, this paper quantitatively analyzes the green development level of 21 provinces in eastern and western China in the aforementioned six areas from 2005 to 2020, and makes a regional comparison between eastern and western China. The results show that the level of green development in eastern China is significantly higher than that in western China. In 2020, when the research period ends, the comprehensive evaluation values of green development in all the eastern provinces, except Hebei, are higher than 4.0; meanwhile, no province in the western region has a comprehensive evaluation value exceeding 4.0 in 2020, and there is a large gap between the eastern region and the western region in areas such as economic growth quality and pollution control. On this basis, this paper puts forward relevant suggestions in terms of the coordinated green development of the eastern and western regions of China in the future.
Decommodify the 2030 Agenda: Why and How to Finance What Is Not Profitable?
Authors: Barrantes-Fernández Telma , Cruz-Hidalgo Esteban , Rangel-Preciado José Francisco , Parejo-Moruno Francisco Manuel
Published: February 2023

The 2030 Agenda serves as a guide for current economic policy. Despite this, the dominant political and economic discourse still relies on the market for success. Incentives are being developed to create business opportunities that align with the sustainable development goals. However, funding for these projects ultimately depends on their potential profitability. As a result, economic growth is seen as a necessary condition for achieving the 2030 Agenda. This approach leaves culture and the arts behind, as they are difficult to commodify. The artist job market highlights the tension between the democratic value of the arts and the values of the capitalist system. This challenge is seen in both the field of cultural economics and in discussions of culture’s role in meeting the 2030 Agenda’s sustainable development goals. To address this, the study proposes incorporating culture into a funding strategy not based on the private market by using the employer of last resort or job guarantee policy for future applications. This will redirect focus from the economic value of the arts to their value for human development, ultimately realizing the goals set by the 2030 Agenda.
Climate Change Trends for the Urban Heat Island Intensities in Two Major Portuguese Cities
Authors: Andrade Cristina , Fonseca André , Santos João A.
Published: February 2023

Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensities are analyzed for the metropolitan areas of the two major Portuguese cities, Lisbon and Porto, in the period 2008–2017. Projections for the UHI intensity averaged over 2008–2017 and a future period 2021–2050 are calculated under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5. The spatiotemporal characteristics of the UHI intensity are assessed for daytime, nighttime, and average daily conditions. This analysis is carried out for the winter (Dec-Jan-Feb, DJF) and summer (Jun-Jul-Aug, JJA) meteorological seasons. Maximum UHI intensities of about 3.5 °C were reached in 2008–2017 in both metropolitan areas, but over a wider region during winter nighttime than during summer nighttime. Contrariwise, the most intense urban cool island effect reached −1.5 °C/−1 °C in Lisbon/Porto. These UHI intensities were depicted during summer daytime and in less urbanized areas. Overall, the UHI intensities were stronger during the winter than in the summer for both cities. Results show that the UHI intensity is closely related to underlying surfaces, as the strongest intensities are confined around the most urbanized areas in both cities. Until 2050, under RCP8.5, the highest statistically significant trends are projected for summer daytime, of about 0.25 °C (per year) for Lisbon and 0.3 °C (per year) for the UHI 99th percentile intensities in both metropolitan areas. Conversely, the lowest positive statistically significant trends (0.03 °C/0.02 °C per year) are found for the winter daytime UHI intensities in Lisbon and the winter nighttime and average UHI intensities in Porto, respectively. These statistically significant patterns (at a 5% significance level) are in line with the also statistically significant trends of summer mean and maximum temperatures in Portugal, under RCP8.5 until 2050. Scientists, urban planners, and policymakers face a significant challenge, as the contribution of urbanization and the forcing promoted by global warming should be duly understood to project more sustainable, go-green, carbon-neutral, and heat-resilient cities.
Theoretical Investigation of a Rotating Thermomagnetic Isotropic Transverse-Constrained Annular Cylinder with Generalized Ohm’s Law Using the Moore–Gibson–Thompson Model of Heat Transfer
Authors: Moaaz Osama , Abouelregal Ahmed E. , Awrejcewicz Jan
Published: February 2023

On the basis of the analysis of thermoelastic motion, the current research develops a novel model of modified thermoelasticity. The rotating long hollow cylinders with fixed surfaces are considered in a generalized Moore–Gibson–Thompson thermoelastic model (MGTTE) framework, including the modified Ohm’s law. The cylinders are made of a thermoelastic material that rotates at a uniform rotational speed and is elastic in the transverse direction. The set of equations for the MGT heat conduction in the new model is built under the influence of the electromagnetic field by including a delay time in the context of Green–Naghdi of the third kind (GN-III). The inner boundary of the hollow cylinder is not only restricted but also sensitive to heat loading. The outer surface, on the other hand, is also restricted but insulates the heat. The Laplace transform method is utilized to deal with the differential equations produced in the new domain and transfer the problem to the space domain. The Dubner and Abate method is used to compute dynamically and graphically depict the theoretical findings for an isotropic transverse material. After comparing the results of several thermoelastic theories, the implications for the electromagnetic field are discussed.
Closed-Form Expression of Geometric Brownian Motion with Regime-Switching and Its Applications to European Option Pricing
Authors: Fang Cheng-Yu , Liu Yue , Shi Zhi-Yan , Chen Cong
Published: February 2023

Mathematical difficulty remains in many classical financial problems, especially for a closed-form expression of asset value. The European option evaluation problem based on a regime-switching has been formally modeled since early 2000, for which a recursive algorithm was developed to solve it. The key mathematical difficulty of this problem relies on the expectation IE[h(YT)], where h is a payoff function and {Yt}t∈[0,T] denotes a geometric Brownian motion with Markovian regime-switching. It is long since attempted to conclude this problem with closed form formulas. Towards the same target, this paper applies some novel techniques to draw explicit formulas for cases with more states for regime-switching (whereas the former deals the cases with two states) for any integrable function h (whereas the former only applies to the payoff of a European option). This paper combines the technique of occupation time of Markov chains and inverse Laplace transform to achieve the density function of geometric Brownian motion with Markovian regime-switching. Extension along this technique creates potential for probabilistic computations in addition to European option pricing. The reflection from the inverse Laplace transform to the expression of a moment-generating function is the core technique developed by this paper, and it is presented in symmetric forms.
Variant Sciatic Nerve Anatomy in Relation to the Piriformis Muscle on Magnetic Resonance Neurography: A Potential Etiology for Extraspinal Sciatica
Authors: Bharadwaj Upasana Upadhyay , Varenika Vanja , Carson William , Villanueva-Meyer Javier , Ammanuel Simon , Bucknor Matthew , Robbins Nathaniel M. , Douglas Vanja , Chin Cynthia T.
Published: February 2023

Objective: To assess the prevalence and clinical implications of variant sciatic nerve anatomy in relation to the piriformis muscle on magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), in patients with lumbosacral neuropathic symptoms. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, 254 sciatic nerves, from 127 patients with clinical and imaging findings compatible with extra-spinal sciatica on MRN between 2003 and 2013, were evaluated for the presence and type of variant sciatic nerves, split sciatic nerve, abnormal T2-signal hyperintensity, asymmetric piriformis size and increased nerve caliber, and summarized using descriptive statistics. Two-tailed chi-square tests were performed to compare the anatomical variant type and clinical symptoms between imaging and clinical characteristics. Results: Sixty-four variant sciatic nerves were identified with an equal number of right and left variants. Bilateral variants were noted in 15 cases. Abnormal T2-signal hyperintensity was seen significantly more often in variant compared to conventional anatomy (40/64 vs. 82/190; p = 0.01). A sciatic nerve split was seen significantly more often in variant compared to conventional anatomy (56/64 vs. 20/190; p < 0.0001). Increased nerve caliber, abnormal T2-signal hyperintensity, and asymmetric piriformis size were significantly associated with the clinically symptomatic side compared to the asymptomatic side (98:2, 98:2, and 97:3, respectively; p < 0.0001 for all). Clinical symptoms were correlated with variant compared to conventional sciatic nerve anatomy (64% vs. 46%; p = 0.01). Conclusion: Variant sciatic nerve anatomy, in relation to the piriformis muscle, is frequently identified with MRN and is more likely to be associated with nerve signal changes and symptomatology.
The Degradation Process of Typical Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Tidal Streams in Subtropical Cities: A Case Study of the Wuchong Stream, South China
Authors: Jia Qunpo , Cai Yanpeng , Yuan Xiao , Li Bowen , Li Bo
Published: February 2023

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) are commonly used to prevent unwanted insects in urban fields. Degradation processes have been one of the important environmental behaviors of NEOs in an aquatic environment. In this research, hydrolysis, biodegradation, and photolysis processes of four typical NEOs (i.e., thiacloprid (THA), clothianidin (CLO), acetamiprid (ACE), and imidacloprid (IMI)) were examined through the adoption of response surface methodology–central composite design (RSM-CCD) for an urban tidal stream in South China. The influences of multiple environmental parameters and concentration levels on the three degradation processes of these NEOs were then evaluated. The results indicated that the three degradation processes of the typical NEOs followed a pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics model. The primary degradation process of the NEOs were hydrolysis and photolysis processes in the urban stream. The hydrolysis degradation rate of THA was the highest (1.97 × 10−5 s−1), and that of CLO was the lowest (1.28 × 10−5 s−1). The temperature of water samples was the main environmental factor influencing the degradation processes of these NEOs in the urban tidal stream. Salinity and humic acids could inhibit the degradation processes of the NEOs. Under the influence of extreme climate events, the biodegradation processes of these typical NEOs could be suppressed, and other degradation processes could be further accelerated. In addition, extreme climate events could pose severe challenges to the migration and degradation process simulation of NEOs.
Surveillance and Control of Malaria Vectors in Hainan Province, China from 1950 to 2021: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Sun Dingwei , Chen Yan , Wang Lu , Hu Ximin , Wu Qun , Liu Ying , Liu Puyu , Zeng Xuexia , Li Shangan , Wang Guangze , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2023

Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne tropical disease impacting populations in tropical regions across the world. Malaria was previously hyperendemic in Hainan Province. Due to large-scale anti-malarial intervention, malaria elimination in the province was achieved in 2019. This paper reviews the literature on the ecology, bionomics, and control of malaria vectors in Hainan from 1951 to 2021. We searched PubMed, and the China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI) database for relevant articles published and included three other important books published in Chinese or English in order to summarize research on species, distribution, vectorial capacity, ecology, the resistance of malaria vectors to insecticides, and malaria vector control in Hainan Province. A total of 239 references were identified, 79 of which met the criteria for inclusion in our review. A total of six references dealt with the salivary gland infection of Anophelines, six with vectorial capacity, 41 with mosquito species and distribution, seven with seasonality, three with blood preference, four with nocturnal activity, two with flight distance, 13 with resistance to insecticides, and 14 with vector control. Only 16 published papers met the criteria of addressing malaria vectors in Hainan over the last 10 years (2012–2021). Anopheles dirus and Anopheles minimus are primary malaria vectors, mainly distributed in the southern and central areas of Hainan. Indoor residual spraying with DDT and the use of ITNs with pyrethroid insecticides were the main interventions taken for malaria control. Previous studies on ecology, bionomics, and resistance of vectors provided scientific evidence for optimizing malaria vector control and contributed to malaria elimination in Hainan Province. We hope our study will contribute to preventing malaria reestablishment caused by imported malaria in Hainan. Research on malaria vectors should be updated to provide scientific evidence for malaria vector control strategies post-elimination as the ecology, bionomics, and resistance of vectors to insecticides may change with changes in the environment.
Insights into the Molecular Epidemiology of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia in Terms of O/ME-SA/Ind-2001e Sublineage Expansion
Authors: Nikiforov Viktor , Shcherbakov Alexey , Chvala Ilya , Kremenchugskaya Svetlana , Korennoy Fedor , Mayorova Tamara , Timina Anna , Tyulegenov Samat , Abdrakhmanov Sarsenbay , Berdikulov Maksat , Sainnokhoi Tserenchimed , Gombo-Ochir Delgerzul , Tserenchimed Tsagaan , Prokhvatilova Larisa , Sprygin Alexander
Published: February 2023

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has long been recognized as a highly contagious, transboundary disease of livestock incurring substantial losses and burdens to animal production and trade across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Due to the recent emergence of the O/ME-SA/Ind-2001 lineage globally contributing to the expansion of FMD, molecular epidemiological investigations help in tracing the evolution of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) across endemic and newly affected regions. In this work, our phylogenetic analysis reveals that the recent FMDV incursions in Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan in 2021–2022 were due to the virus belonging to the O/ME-SA/Ind-2001e sublineage, belonging to the cluster from Cambodian FMDV isolates. The studied isolates varied by 1.0–4.0% at the VP1 nucleotide level. Vaccine matching tests indicated that the vaccination policy in the subregion should be tailored according to the peculiarities of the ongoing epidemiologic situation. The current vaccination should change from such vaccine strains as O1 Manisa (ME–SA), O no 2102/Zabaikalsky/2010 (O/ME-SA/Mya-98) (r1 = 0.05–0.28) to strains that most closely antigenically match the dominant lineage O No. 2212/Primorsky/2014 (O O/ME-SA//Mya-98) and O No. 2311/Zabaikalsky/2016 (O ME-SA/Ind-2001) (r1 = 0.66–1.0).
COVID-19 and Heart Failure with Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction Clinical Outcomes among Hospitalized Patients in the United States
Authors: Nasrullah Adeel , Gangu Karthik , Cannon Harmon R. , Khan Umair A. , Shumway Nichole B. , Bobba Aneish , Sagheer Shazib , Chourasia Prabal , Shuja Hina , Avula Sindhu Reddy , Shekhar Rahul , Sheikh Abu Baker
Published: February 2023

Heart failure exacerbations impart significant morbidity and mortality, however, large- scale studies assessing outcomes in the setting of concurrent coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) are limited. We utilized National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to compare clinical outcomes in patients admitted with acute congestive heart failure exacerbation (CHF) with and without COVID-19 infection. A total of 2,101,980 patients (Acute CHF without COVID-19 (n = 2,026,765 (96.4%) and acute CHF with COVID-19 (n = 75,215, 3.6%)) were identified. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to compared outcomes and were adjusted for age, sex, race, income level, insurance status, discharge quarter, Elixhauser co-morbidities, hospital location, teaching status and bed size. Patients with acute CHF and COVID-19 had higher in-hospital mortality compared to patients with acute CHF alone (25.78% vs. 5.47%, adjust OR (aOR) 6.3 (95% CI 6.05–6.62, p < 0.001)) and higher rates of vasopressor use (4.87% vs. 2.54%, aOR 2.06 (95% CI 1.86–2.27, p < 0.001), mechanical ventilation (31.26% vs. 17.14%, aOR 2.3 (95% CI 2.25–2.44, p < 0.001)), sudden cardiac arrest (5.73% vs. 2.88%, aOR 1.95 (95% CI 1.79–2.12, p < 0.001)), and acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis (5.56% vs. 2.94%, aOR 1.92 (95% CI 1.77–2.09, p < 0.001)). Moreover, patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (26.87% vs. 24.5%, adjusted OR 1.26 (95% CI 1.16–1.36, p < 0.001)) with increased incidence of vasopressor use, sudden cardiac arrest, and cardiogenic shock as compared to patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Furthermore, elderly patients and patients with African-American and Hispanic descents had higher in-hospital mortality. Acute CHF with COVID-19 is associated with higher in-hospital mortality, vasopressor use, mechanical ventilation, and end organ dysfunction such as kidney failure and cardiac arrest.
Comparison of Immunogenicity and Safety of Diphtheria–Tetanus–Pertussis–Hepatitis B–Haemophilus influenza B (Bio Farma) with Pentabio® Vaccine Primed with Recombinant Hepatitis B at Birth (Using Different Source of Hepatitis B) in Indonesian Infants
Authors: Fadlyana Eddy , Rusmil Kusnandi , Dhamayanti Meita , Tarigan Rodman , Kartasasmita Cissy B. , Sari Rini Mulia , Putra Muhammad Gilang Dwi , Sukandar Hadyana
Published: February 2023

Satisfying the needs of the national immunization program requires maintaining diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (DTP)–hepatitis B (HB)–Haemophilus influenza B (Hib) production. Therefore, new hepatitis B sources are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of the DTP–HB–Hib vaccine (Bio Farma) that used a different source of hepatitis B. A prospective randomized, double-blind, bridging study was conducted. Subjects were divided into two groups with different batch numbers. Healthy infants 6–11 weeks of age at enrollment were immunized with three doses of the DTP–HB–Hib vaccine after a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine. Blood samples were obtained prior to vaccination and 28 days after the third dose. Adverse events were recorded until 28 days after each dose. Of the 220 subjects, 205 (93.2%) completed the study protocol. The proportion of infants with anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus titers ≥ 0.01 IU/mL was 100%, with anti-HBsAg titers ≥ 10 mIU/mL was 100%, and with Polyribosylribitol Phosphate-Tetanus Conjugate (PRP-TT) titers > 0.15 µg/mL was 96.1%. The pertussis response rate was 84.9%. No serious adverse events related to the study vaccine occurred. The three-dose DTP–HB–Hib vaccine (Bio Farma) is immunogenic, well tolerated, and suitable to replace licensed-equivalent vaccines.
M6A-Related Long Non-Coding RNA Displays Utility in Predicting Prognosis, Portraying the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Guiding Immunotherapy in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xu Guangyu , Ji Yutian , Wang Lufeng , Xu Hao , Shen Chaodong , Ye Haihao , Yang Xiangchou
Published: February 2023

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) lncRNA plays a pivotal role in cancer. However, little is known about its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and its tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort, m6A-related lncRNAs (m6A-lncRNA) with prognostic value were filtered using Pearson analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis. Distinct m6A-lncRNA subtypes were divided using unsupervised consensus clustering. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression was applied to establish an m6A-lncRNA-based risk score signature. The CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms were employed to analyze the TIME. The expression pattern of TRAF3IP2-AS1 was examined using qRT-PCR. The influence of TRAF3IP2-AS1 knockdown on cell proliferation was estimated by performing CCK8, EdU and colony-formation assays. Flow cytometry was applied to measure the effect of TRAF3IP2-AS1 knockdown on cell cycle and apoptosis. The in vivo anti-tumor effect of TRAF3IP2-AS1 was validated in a tumor-bearing mouse model. Two m6A-lncRNA subtypes with different TIME features were clarified. A risk score signature was constructed as a prognostic predictor based on m6A-lncRNAs. The risk score also correlated with TIME characterization, which facilitated immunotherapy. Finally, the m6A-lncRNA TRAF3IP2-AS1 was proved to be a tumor suppressor in PDAC. We comprehensively demonstrated m6A-lncRNAs to be useful tools for prognosis prediction, TIME depiction and immunotherapeutic guidance in PDAC.
Study of an Optimized Mechanical Oscillator for the Forced Vibration of the Soil Cutting Blade
Authors: Friso Dario
Published: February 2023

In the nursery sector, the transport and planting of trees must occur with the roots wrapped in a ball of the original earth. The cutting of the original soil can be carried out with a semicircular vibrating blade moved by an oscillator mounted on a self-propelled machine. The oscillator produces an excitation torque supplied to the blade together with the soil cutting torque. The advantage of the vibrating blade is a reduction in the cutting torque of up to 70%. However, to correctly design the oscillator, we need to investigate the link between the maximum displacement of the blade, the maximum oscillation velocity, the cutting velocity, the dry friction, the excitation torque, the elastic torque, the cutting torque, the required power, the required energy, and the excitation frequency. The maximum displacement and velocity ratio need to have the right values to minimize the cutting torque and to avoid the springs reaching the end of stroke; otherwise, vibrations are transmitted to the machine and to the operator. Therefore, starting from the forced oscillation differential equation and using an approximate solution method developed by Den Hartog, along with some experimental data, a mathematical model was constructed to optimize the oscillator design. After construction, it was coupled to blades of various diameters (0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 m) to undergo experimental tests. The soil cutting tests highlighted the achievement of the above objectives and, at the same time, confirmed the validity of the Den Hartog equations used to calculate the phase lag and the maximum displacement, resulting in an average error of 4.4% and a maximum error of 6.4%.
Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Changes after Intraocular Silicone Oil Tamponade in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Authors: Chikmah Fitri Annur , Ichsan Andi Muhammad , Islam Itzar Chaidir , Hendarto Joko , Muhiddin Habibah Setyawati , Budu
Published: February 2023

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a serious and emergency condition that may cause visual disturbance. Treatment includes pars plana vitrectomy with a tamponade such as intraocular gas or silicone oil (SO). In many countries, silicone oil is still favorable compared to intraocular gases as tamponade for reattachment of retinal detachment surgery. The application provides a higher anatomical success rate, especially in cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) that were previously considered untreatable. Objective assessment of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the eye with silicone oil tamponade is a challenge because of the limitations and difficulties in taking images. This study aims to assess the RNFL thickness changes in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment patients using SO tamponade and its subsequent removal conducted on a total of 35 post-operative RRD patients. Central macular and RNFL thickness, as well as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), were recorded at the time of tamponade and after the removal of the SO at 1, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively. The results showed that the changes in RNFL thickness significantly decreased in the group of ≤6 months, especially in the superior and temporal quadrants, and BCVA increased after SO removal (p < 0.05). Central macular thickness was significant (p < 0.001) at the end of the visit. Improved visual acuity is associated with decreased RNFL and central macular thickness after SO removal.
Measurement of Total Air Entrainment, Disentrainment and Net Entrainment Flow Rates Utilizing Novel Downcomer Incorporating Al-Anzi’s Disentrainment Ring (ADR) in a Confined Plunging Jet Reactor
Authors: Al-Anzi Bader S. , Fernandes Jenifer
Published: February 2023

Plunging liquid jet reactor (PLJR) has gained popularity as a feasible and efficient aerator and mixer. However, the measurement of air disentrainment rate (Qads), which affects aeration performance, has been overlooked by many researchers. In this work, a newly invented Al-Anzi disentrainment ring (ADR) device was incorporated in CPLJR to experimentally measure Qads and its effect on the net air entrainment rate. Furthermore, the effect of new variables (lADR and ds) and old variables (Lj and VL) on Qanet were also investigated. Results showed that shorter ds and lADR produced higher Qanet for the same ADR device. A new net entrainment jet velocity at the impingement point (VLnet) was measured at about 651 cm/s, above which bubbles left the base of downcomer as Qanet. Qanet increased linearly with VL; however, Qads increased until it reached maximum value, and then decreased. Bubble penetration depth and liquid rise height increased for all VL until they reached maximum, and then leveled off for the same lADR. A significant increase in Qanet values was achieved with this downcomer in comparison with the conventional one. The increase in Qanet was measured to be approximately 2.5–15 times of that measured by the standalone downcomer.
Experimental Study on Neck Cutoff in Meandering River under Variable Discharges
Authors: Wu Xinyu , Hu Xuyue , Zhang Xiang
Published: February 2023

Neck cutoff is a sudden phenomenon that occurs during the evolution of meandering rivers, but its process and mechanism remain unclear. In this investigation, the neck-narrowing process before cutoff, the formation of a new river, and the appropriate conditions for cutoff under constant and variable discharges were studied using experimental methods in a laboratory flume. The results indicated that bank erosion upstream and downstream of the neck was the main factor that triggered cutoff, regardless of whether the discharge changed. The sinuosity of the model river was approximately 7, the ratio of the neck width to the average river width reached approximately 0.43, and the experimental material was nonuniform natural sand. Under the conditions that the unit width discharge ranged from 0.0039 to 0.0069 m2/s and the longitudinal gradient was 1‰, neck cutoff could occur after sufficient bank erosion. When neck cutoff was imminent, the sinuosity of the channel increased and the channel rotated downstream. After neck cutoff, the formation of a new river experienced three stages, namely, the short-term longitudinal scouring stage, the long-term horizontal widening stage, and the long-term transverse widening and normal slow development stage. The discharge resulting in neck scouring was the effective discharge contributing to the cutoff, and this discharge directly affected the cutoff time and position. We attempted to explain the factors leading to neck cutoff from an energy consumption perspective. Neck cutoff was a sudden phenomenon that occurred when the energy consumption of a meandering river increased to its maximum value upon entry to the recession stage from the relative equilibrium stage. To a certain extent, this study is significant in understanding river evolution and neck cutoff.
Research on Water Quality Assessment Using the Water Quality Index for the Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project
Authors: Yang Xiaochen , Li Jinjin , Liu Xiaobo , Gao Jijun , Dong Fei , Huang Aiping , Lei Yang , Wang Wei , Tong Zhiyuan , Long Jiajia
Published: February 2023

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project’s Eastern Route (SNWDPC-ER) has drawn a lot of attention as one of China’s most significant water diversion projects. This study calculated the water quality index (WQI) to analyze the spatial and temporal characteristics of water quality in the study area as well as the effects of water diversion, and developed the minimum water quality index (WQImin) model based on stepwise multiple linear regression, using data from 56 monitoring stations along the delivery canal of the SNWDPC-ER (the SNWDPC-delivery ER’s canal) from 2014 to 2018. Here are the findings: (1) The water quality state was rated as “good” and the annual average value of WQI climbed year over year along with improvements in water quality. (2) There was a clear difference in water quality across time and space, with autumn having better water quality than other seasons and the south having better water quality than the north. (3) Water quality is impacted by water diversion; throughout the era of diversion, water quality was steadier. (4) The weighted WQImin model, which is a quick and inexpensive way to assess water quality, can be used to evaluate the water quality in the SNWDPC-delivery ER’s canal. The model’s parameters are DO, NH3-N, BOD5, and TN.
Wind Tunnel Experiments on Interference Effects of a High-Rise Building on the Surrounding Low-Rise Buildings in an Urban Block
Authors: Ishida Yasuyuki , Yoshida Akihito , Kamata Shuhei , Yamane Yuta , Mochida Akashi
Published: February 2023

High-rise buildings cause accelerated winds around them. However, the interference effects of high-rise buildings on the surrounding low-rise buildings in urban blocks have not been evaluated. This study investigated the wind pressure coefficients on the roofs and walls of low-rise buildings surrounding a high-rise building through wind tunnel experiments. Seventy-two wind directions were considered from 0° to 355° in 5° increments, and the influence of the wind direction on the wind pressure coefficients of surrounding buildings was evaluated. At a 30° wind direction angle, the positive and negative peak wind pressure coefficients occurred in a low-rise building at the leeward side of the high-rise building. The positive peak pressure, approximately 1.4 times that without a nearby high-rise building, occurred at the windward corner on the front wall of a low-rise building. The negative peak value, approximately three times that without a nearby high-rise building, was observed at the windward edge on the roof of a low-rise building. Thus, accelerated winds caused by high-rise buildings may result in unexpected damage to the surrounding low-rise buildings.
CLLD in the 2014–2020 EU Programming Period: An Innovative Framework for Local Development
Authors: Kah Stefan , Martinos Haris , Budzich-Tabor Urszula
Published: February 2023

This paper presents an overview of how the Community-led Local Development (CLLD) instrument has been used in the EU in the 2014–2020 programming period. It provides a typology of countries applying the options offered by CLLD and illustrates the various ways in which the different eligible EU funds were contributing financially. The article discusses the experiences made with CLLD implementation, focusing on the purpose for which CLLD was implemented, the barriers encountered, and the achievements so far. A particular look is taken at the urban dimension of CLLD as one of the innovative elements of the 2014–2020 programming period. Overall, CLLD can bring significant added value for the targeted territories and can foster an increased policy integration. However, challenges remain, particularly around administrative complexities, and these impact on the willingness of policy-makers to make use of the full range of options offered by CLLD. Indeed, looking into 2021–2027, there are countries discontinuing CLLD, but, at the same time, the CLLD model is being expanded where experiences have been predominantly positive.
W sprawie zakresu obowiązku odszkodowawczego zakładów ubezpieczeń w ramach ubezpieczenia OC posiadaczy pojazdów mechanicznych w odniesieniu do rabatów i upustów
Authors: Kaliński Maciej
Published: February 2023

Autor analizuje problem objęcia odszkodowaniem należnym od zakładu ubezpieczeń w ramach ubezpieczenia OC posiadaczy pojazdów mechanicznych ustalanym według metody kosztorysowej możliwych do uzyskania przez poszkodowanego rabatów w warsztatach współpracujących z zakładem. Przyjmuje stanowisko, zgodnie z którym odpowiedzialność ubezpieczyciela zasadniczo (poza przypadkami serwisowania pojazdu w ASO czy pozostających na gwarancji) nie obejmuje wartości rabatów możliwych do uzyskania w warsztacie współpracującym.
Usługa ubezpieczenia dla szpitali publicznych w świetle przeprowadzonych postępowań o udzielenie zamówień publicznych na przykładzie województwa łódzkiego
Authors: Piechota Anna
Published: February 2023

Szpitale publiczne stanowią jedno z najważniejszych ogniw systemu ochrony zdrowia w Polsce, a ich działalność jest narażona na szereg zagrożeń i niebezpieczeństw, wynikających z dysponowania mieniem i specyfiki ich działalności. Realizacja ryzyka szkody losowej może stanowić zagrożenie zarówno dla samego szpitala, jak również dla personelu, leczonych pacjentów oraz ogółu społeczeństwa. Konieczność wygenerowania własnych środków finansowych na zniwelowanie skutków szkody losowej w perspektywie działalności szpitali publicznych może okazać się bardzo trudne. Celem głównym artykułu jest ustalenie, jakiego rodzaju ubezpieczeniami gospodarczymi są zainteresowane szpitale publiczne. Celami dodatkowymi są: określenie, czy szpitale podczas dokonywania zakupu usługi ubezpieczenia korzystają ze wsparcia firm brokerskich, na jaki okres zawierają umowy ubezpieczenia oraz jakimi kryteriami posługują się przy wyborze zakładu ubezpieczeń. Osiągnięcie postawionych celów pozwoli przybliżyć specyfikę nabywania usługi ubezpieczenia przez szpitale publiczne. Źródło danych stanowiły przeprowadzone przez szpitale publiczne w latach 2016–2021 postępowania o udzielenie zamówień publicznych na usługę ubezpieczenia w trybie przetargu nieograniczonego. Do opracowania danych wykorzystano metody statystyki opisowej.
Un édifice circulaire monumental du Néolithique moyen sur le plateau de Corent (Puy-de-Dôme, France) et son contexte archéologique
Authors: Couderc Florian , Milcent Pierre-Yves , Vallée Manon , Pasty Jean-François , Dousteyssier Bertrand , Mader Sylvain , Meiraud Antoine , Surmely Fréderic , Poux Matthieu , Alix Philippe
Published: February 2023

À partir des résultats obtenus lors de la fouille partielle d’un édifice monumental durant la campagne programmée menée en 2018 sur le plateau de Corent, cet article propose de faire le point sur les bâtiments circulaires néolithiques de type Auneau et l’état des connaissances relatif aux occupations du plateau durant le Néolithique. Corent est connu depuis le XIXe siècle pour ses nombreux vestiges datant du Néolithique à l’époque romaine. Depuis 2001, des fouilles programmées ont permis d’étudier des vestiges archéologiques sur près de 3 ha. Une fenêtre de fouille a été ouverte dans le quart nord-est d’une tranchée circulaire repérée en prospection aérienne. Cette anomalie avait été interprétée dans un premier temps comme les vestiges d’un monument funéraire protohistorique. La fouille a rendu caduque cette hypothèse et permis de reconnaître un édifice circulaire monumental de 20 m de diamètre, rattachable au type d’Auneau, et bâti sur des poteaux disjoints installés dans des tranchées de fondation ; une tranchée de refend décentrée et à interruption centrale divise l’intérieur du cercle en deux parties inégales. Une datation radiocarbone sur charbon (4336 -4076 cal BC) et le mobilier permettent d’attribuer l’édifice au Chasséen ancien méridional. Cette découverte sur le plateau de Corent est remarquable pour la région car les rares bâtiments néolithiques fouillés en Auvergne jusqu’à présent ne présentent pas ce type de plan. Elle n’est pas isolée puisqu’un cliché aérien révèle un autre édifice circulaire de type Auneau aux Martres-de-Veyre, en contrebas du plateau de Corent, au bord de l’Allier, peut-être dans une enceinte. Pour des exemples fouillés, il faut chercher des éléments de comparaison (une trentaine de bâtiments connus) dans la moitié nord de la France – Bassin parisien et ses marges occidentales – mais les édifices de Corent et des Martres-de-Veyre étendent désormais nettement vers le sud cette distribution. Par ailleurs, l’édifice de Corent n’est pas isolé sur le plateau. Outre du mobilier erratique et quelques structures du Néolithique moyen et final, les tronçons d’une enceinte à triple palissade de poteaux non jointifs ont été mis au jour à plusieurs reprises. Ces découvertes témoignent du statut particulier qu’avait le site de Corent au Néolithique moyen et de la complexité des habitats et des modalités d’occupation territoriale des sociétés de cette époque en basse Auvergne. Plus largement, elle révèle une fois de plus la situation charnière de cette région d’un point de vue culturel.
Un propulseur androgyne magdalénien dans la grotte Gazel (Sallèles-Cabardès, Aude) : comparaisons et commentaires
Authors: Pétillon Jean-Marc , Sacchi Dominique , Cattelain Pierre
Published: February 2023

La révision de l’industrie osseuse de la grotte Gazel a permis d’identifier, dans un ensemble attribué à la seconde moitié du Magdalénien moyen, un type d’instrument dont on connaissait seulement deux ou trois exemplaires dans le Paléolithique récent européen : un fragment de propulseur androgyne (ou type 1, «à gouttière et éperon » ) façonné en bois de renne. Typologiquement très différent des autres propulseurs issus du même site, cet objet présente en revanche de fortes similarités avec les propulseurs androgynes découverts à Laugerie-Basse et au Flageolet II. Son identification permet d’étendre l’aire de répartition de ce type du Périgord jusqu’à la Montagne Noire, attestant de contacts lointains, et de l’ancrer chronologiquement dans le Magdalénien moyen récent. Les propulseurs de type 1 représentent ainsi une nouvelle manifestation de l’inventivité technique qui se déploie au Magdalénien moyen récent dans le domaine de l’armement. Le propulseur de Gazel affiche une taille réduite par rapport à ses équivalents de Laugerie-Basse et du Flageolet II et l’idée selon laquelle nous aurions affaire à un propulseur d’enfant paraît recevable.
Free-Space Quantum Secure Direct Communication: Basics, Progress, and Outlook
Authors: Pan Dong , Song Xiao-Tian , Long Gui-Lu
Published: February 2023

Quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) leverages quantum states to transmit information securely and reliably over a noisy, lossy, and wiretapped quantum channel. It has been proven to be information-theoretically secure. Recent experiments show that QSDC can enable long-distance communication and large-scale networking with existing technologies. In particular, free-space QSDC has the unique advantages and prospects for practical large-scale application. Here, we review the QSDC basics and the progress of free-space QSDC. The feasibility of satellite-based QSDC and the future directions of free-space QSDC are discussed. We propose a practical and feasible route that can make immediate application of QSDC in real life.
Ground Reaction Force and Moment Estimation through EMG Sensing Using Long Short-Term Memory Network during Posture Coordination
Authors: Sakamoto Sei-ichi , Hutabarat Yonatan , Owaki Dai , Hayashibe Mitsuhiro
Published: February 2023

Motion prediction based on kinematic information such as body segment displacement and joint angle has been widely studied. Because motions originate from forces, it is beneficial to estimate dynamic information, such as the ground reaction force (GRF), in addition to kinematic information for advanced motion prediction. In this study, we proposed a method to estimate GRF and ground reaction moment (GRM) from electromyography (EMG) in combination with and without an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor using a machine learning technique. A long short-term memory network, which is suitable for processing long time-span data, was constructed with EMG and IMU as input data to estimate GRF during posture control and stepping motion. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can provide the GRF estimation with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 8.22 ± 0.97% (mean ± SE) for the posture control motion and 11.17 ± 2.16% (mean ± SE) for the stepping motion. We could confirm that EMG input is essential especially when we need to predict both GRF and GRM with limited numbers of sensors attached under knees. In addition, we developed a GRF visualization system integrated with ongoing motion in a Unity environment. This system enabled the visualization of the GRF vector in 3-dimensional space and provides predictive motion direction based on the estimated GRF, which can be useful for human motion prediction with portable sensors.
Ultrafast Optomechanical Terahertz Modulators Based on Stretchable Carbon Nanotube Thin Films
Authors: Paukov Maksim I. , Starchenko Vladimir V. , Krasnikov Dmitry V. , Komandin Gennady A. , Gladush Yuriy G. , Zhukov Sergey S. , Gorshunov Boris P. , Nasibulin Albert G. , Arsenin Aleksey V. , Volkov Valentyn S. , Burdanova Maria G.
Published: February 2023

For terahertz wave applications, tunable and rapid modulation is highly required. When studied by means of optical pump–terahertz probe spectroscopy, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) thin films demonstrated ultrafast carrier recombination lifetimes with a high relative change in the signal under optical excitation, making them promising candidates for high-speed modulators. Here, combination of SWCNT thin films and stretchable substrates facilitated studies of the SWCNT mechanical properties under strain and enabled the development of a new type of an optomechanical modulator. By applying a certain strain to the SWCNT films, the effective sheet conductance and therefore modulation depth can be fine-tuned to optimize the designed modulator. Modulators exhibited a photoconductivity change of approximately 2 times of magnitude under the strain because of the structural modification in the SWCNT network. Stretching was used to control the terahertz signal with a modulation depth of around 100% without strain and 65% at a high strain operation of 40%. The sensitivity of modulators to beam polarization is also shown, which might also come in handy for the design of a stretchable polarizer. Our results give a fundamental grounding for the design of high-sensitivity stretchable devices based on SWCNT films.
Tin(IV) Halides Zero-dimensional based Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials: Crystal Structures and Hirshfeld Surface Analysis
Authors: Ndiaye Mamadou , Pouye Serigne Fallou , Diop Mouhamadou Birame , Diop Libasse , Samb Abdoulaye , Oliver Allen G.
Published: February 2023

Two tetramethylguanidinium halostannate inorganic-organic hybrid compounds was isolated and structurally investigated by single crystal X-ray crystallography and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The compound [(C6H14N3)2SnCl6] (1), crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fddd with Z = 8 / Z’ = 0.25, a = 7.3474(3) Å, b = 22.3678(8) Å, c = 28.4908(10) Å and V = 4682.3(3) Å3. The compound [(C6H14N3)2SnBr6] (2), crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fddd with Z = 8 / Z’ = 0.25, a = 7.5767(5) Å, b = 23.0591(17) Å, c = 29.008(2) Å and V = 5068.0(6) Å3. The isolation of 1 undergoes a redox process from Sn(II) to Sn(IV) in solution and in a non-controlled atmosphere. Both compounds 1 and 2 describe TMG+ ions with a central carbon atom in a trigonal–planar fashion. With respect to this CN3 plane, the pairs of di­methyl­ammonium groups are twisted by 13.70 (8) and 32.21 (8)° for 1, 14.88 (13) and 31.95(13)° for 2. The SnX6 dianions evidence a slightly distorted octahedron (Oh) about Sn centre for hybrids 1 and 2. Within the structures of the hybrid materials 1 and 2, N-H···Cl inter-species hydrogen bonding patterns between the inorganic stannate and the organic entities give rise a one-dimensional chain, wherein inorganic and organic species alternate. The propagation of the chain generates rings. The weak C-H···X hydrogen bonds formed from the methyl groups to adjacent tetramethylguanidinium-stannate chains result in a supramolecular three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network. The Hirshfeld surface analysis shows existence of both strong and weak hydrogen bonding interactions. Inspection of 1 and 2 by the Hirshfeld surface analysis, show isostructural behavior. Hybrids 1 and 2 are the first crystal reports of a tetramethylguanidinium tetra- or hexa-halostannate.
Kajian Pelaksanaan Standar Keselamatan Kerja di Era New Normal Pada Proyek Jalan di Kabupaten Maluku Tenggara
Authors: Sangadji Fauzan A.
Published: February 2023

The impact of the Covid 19 pandemic was very large for business people, especially construction services. The implementation of work safety has also begun to change following the new normal era standards from the Indonesian government's covid task force. The application of work safety in the new normal era itself has not been well socialized to construction service business actors. This study intends to see how big the implementation of work safety in the new normal era is according to the Covid task force standards and other preventive measures according to the latest research. This study used a questionnaire distributed to one of the road projects in Southeast Maluku district. Questionnaires and interviews were carried out to see how the new normal era standards were implemented in the project. The results of the questionnaire were then tested using validity and reliability tests to see whether the data collected was valid and reliable or not. Then the results of the data are taken for the mean value of the total filling to see how big the variable is applied. Based on the research results, it was found that the provision of job insurance or health insurance is the biggest priority for construction service actors to prevent and maintain the health of workers in the project.