bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plan and Develop Advanced Knowledge and Skills for Future Industrial Employees in the Field of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Edge Computing
Authors: Paśko Łukasz , Mądziel Maksymilian , Stadnicka Dorota , Dec Grzegorz , Carreras-Coch Anna , Solé-Beteta Xavier , Pappa Lamprini , Stylios Chrysostomos , Mazzei Daniele , Atzeni Daniele
Published: March 2022

Knowledge and skills in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Edge Computing (EC) are more and more important for industry. Therefore, it is crucial to know what current students and future employees can offer to the industry. University students develop their knowledge and skills to support the industry in implementing modern technologies in the future. It can be expected that the first source of information for students will be lectures and other activities at the university. However, they may obtain knowledge from other sources. This article presents the results of research conducted among students assessing their own knowledge and skills in the field of IoT, AI, and EC. The research was preceded by an analysis of curricula at selected universities in terms of topics related to AI, IoT, and EC. Based on the results of the analysis, survey questions were prepared. The developed questionnaire was made available to students. The research sample for the survey participants was 563 students. The results obtained were analyzed. The results of the analysis show which issues are better known to students and which are worse. The information presented in this paper can be a source of information for the industry that can assess the competences that are or will be available on the labor market in the near future. Additionally, universities can obtain information on the areas in which there are competency gaps and which methods of teaching AI, IoT, and EC are better perceived by students.
Lab-at-Home: Hands-On Green Analytical Chemistry Laboratory for New Normal Experimentation
Authors: Yeerum Chonnipa , Issarangkura Na Ayutthaya Piyanat , Kesonkan Kullapon , Kiwfo Kanokwan , Suteerapataranon Siripat , Panitsupakamol Piyatida , Paengnakorn Pathinan , Chinwong Dujrudee , Chinwong Surarong , Saenjum Chalermpong , Vongboot Monnapat , Grudpan Kate
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced analytical chemistry educators in Thailand to change methods of teaching and learning to new normal ones. Higher education has faced additional challenges because of a lack of hands-on experiments and an increasing number of students in foundation chemistry courses being hindered from practicing skills. This work aimed to develop a Lab-at-Home (LAH) for new normal, analytical chemistry experimentation. The LAH implemented a hands-on green chemistry experiment, i.e., colorimetric determination of iron using non-hazardous reagents (supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12-responsible consumption and production). The LAH was sent to students at their location before the synchronous class, where the instructors were prompt to supervise. Thus, this supports SDG4-quality education and SDG10-reduced inequalities. The learning outcome achievements, i.e., the analytical characteristics and colorimetry principles comprehension, as well as the ability to perform data analysis, were evaluated by a quiz and laboratory report. LAH satisfaction was assessed by questionnaire and focus group discussion. The learning outcomes were successfully achieved, although students who performed the experiment individually received higher scores than those who did in groups. Students were very satisfied with the LAH as a tool for new normal experimentation, yet some students faced a poor Internet connection during the synchronous online class.
Vulnerable Road User Protection from Heavy Goods Vehicles Using Direct and Indirect Vision Aids
Authors: Frampton Richard J. , Millington Jack E.
Published: March 2022

In Europe, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are disproportionately involved in serious and fatal collisions with vulnerable road users (VRUs). An interrogation of 2019 national crash data for Great Britain (Stats19) suggested that detection of cyclists and pedestrians in the nearside and front blind spots of HGVs is still a significant problem during forward or left-turn manoeuvres of the HGV. To improve detection, Transport for London introduced Direct Vision and Safe System Standards in 2021 for HGVs entering the Greater London area. This research assessed the efficacy of one of the Safe System requirements—the fitment of sensors to detect vulnerable road users on the nearside of the vehicle. A physical testing procedure was developed to determine the performance of a sensor system meeting the Transport for London Safe System requirements. Overall, the Safe System compliant sensor system missed 52% of expected detection nodes on the nearside of the vehicle. A total of 56% of the “stop vehicle” nodes, 45% of the “slow down” and 48% of the “proceed with caution” nodes were not recognised. The most forward sensor did not fully cover the front-left corner blind spot, missing 70% of the desired detection nodes. Nearside sensor systems fitted to Safe System requirements may cover a reasonable area but could still leave many undetected zones to the left and front of the vehicle. Standardising sensor range and location could help to eliminate sensor blind spots. Mandating additional front sensors would help cover the blind spot at the front-left corner of the HGV.
Traceability Platform Based on Green Blockchain: An Application Case Study in Dairy Supply Chain
Authors: Varavallo Giuseppe , Caragnano Giuseppe , Bertone Fabrizio , Vernetti-Prot Luca , Terzo Olivier
Published: March 2022

Recent progress in IoT and software development has simplified data acquisition and immutability of information in the agri-food supply chain. In the last few years, several frameworks and applications were proposed to ensure traceability in the agri-food-sector using distributed ledger technologies (DLT) such as Blockchain technologies. Still, no other study has presented a Blockchain-based traceability platform with a lower impact on the environment and lower cost for each transaction sent by the supply chain. This article presents a traceability platform based on Green Blockchain with low energy consumption and costs savings applied to the Fontina PDO cheese supply chain, part of the project “Typicalp”, funded by the European Union (EU). The proposed traceability system is based on Algorand Blockchain, which uses the Pure Proof-of-Stake mechanism of consensus that requires minimal computational power, is highly scalable and environmentally sustainable. In addition to the environmental and financial benefits, the developed traceability platform has made it possible to digitize the entire production chain, making the data immutable and available in real-time for Fontina consortium operators and final consumers.
Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Patients with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Al-Rasheed Amal , Alabdulkreem Eatedal , Alduailij Mai , Alduailij Mona , Alhalabi Wadee , Alharbi Seham , Lytras Miltiadis D.
Published: March 2022

Obesity is one of the world’s most serious health issues. Therefore, therapists have looked for methods to fight obesity. Currently, technology-based intervention options in medical settings are very common. One such technology is virtual reality (VR) which has been used in the treatment of obesity since the late 1990s. The main objective of this study is to review the literature on the use of VR in the treatment of obesity and overweight to better understand the role of VR-based interventions in this field. To this end, four databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for related publications from 2000 to 2022 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). From the 645 articles identified, 24 were selected. The main strength of this study is that it is the first systematic review to focus completely on the use of VR in the treatment of obesity. It includes most research in which VR was utilized to carry out the intervention. Although several limitations were detected in the reviewed studies, the findings of this review suggest that employing VR for self-monitoring of diet, physical activity, and/or weight is effective in supporting weight loss as well as improving satisfaction of body image and promoting health self-efficacy in overweight or obese persons.
Economic and Reliability Assessment of Hybrid PRO-RO Desalination Systems Using Brine for Salinity Gradient Energy Production
Authors: Okampo Ewaoche John , Nwulu Nnamdi , Bokoro Pitshou N.
Published: March 2022

The energy requirements for desalination have made it an expensive process, however, it is still a viable and cost-effective means of water purification amidst freshwater scarcity. The management and disposal of brine is an external and extra desalination cost due to the effect of brine on the environment. The integration of Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO) with the Reverse Osmosis (RO) technique as modelled in this paper enhances brine management. The brine is fed back into the PRO unit to create a salinity gradient for water transfer via membrane and generate salinity gradient energy. The hybrid desalination model is designed to be powered by grid-tied offshore wind power. The use of wind power, a clean, renewable energy source devoid of carbon emission, as the main power source to drive the RO unit reduces the cost and effect of carbon emissions from the grid. The proposed model is assessed using Levelized cost of energy (LCOE), Annualized cost of the system (ACS), and cost of water (COW) as economic matrices. In contrast, loss of energy probability is used as a reliability matrix. Obtained results show a LCOE of 1.11 $/kW, ACW of $110,456, COW of 0.13 $/m3, loss of energy probability of 0.341, a low total carbon emissions of 193,323 kgCO2-e, and zero brine production. Results show that the proposed model is economically viable, technically reliable, environmentally friendly, and generally sustainable.
Toward the Development and Validation of a Model of Environmental Citizenship of Young Adults
Authors: Poškus Mykolas Simas
Published: March 2022

Growing civic participation in environmental movements shows that societies are more engaging in behavior that can be described as environmental citizenship. This behavior, however, may not necessarily be driven by factual knowledge and accurate beliefs. In the present study, a simplified model of environmental citizenship proposed by Hawthorne and Alabaster is tested in a sample of Lithuanian young adults in order to develop a working model of environmental citizenship that could be later used in intervention designs as a change model. A convenience sample of 267 young adults from 18 to 40 years of age participated in the study by filling in a questionnaire that assessed various components that comprise a model of environmental citizenship. The results indicate that, with a few modifications to better fit the data, the model fit the data well and could explain approximately 50% of the variance of environmental citizenship. The study uncovered a gap between factual (concrete) environmental knowledge and environmental literacy (perceived competence), illustrating the need to address this divide in order to ensure evidence-based participation in environmental movements and environmental citizenship behavior.
Short-Term Streamflow Forecasting Using Hybrid Deep Learning Model Based on Grey Wolf Algorithm for Hydrological Time Series
Authors: Kilinc Huseyin Cagan , Yurtsever Adem
Published: March 2022

The effects of developing technology and rapid population growth on the environment have been expanding gradually. Particularly, the growth in water consumption has revealed the necessity of water management. In this sense, accurate flow estimation is important to water management. Therefore, in this study, a grey wolf algorithm (GWO)-based gated recurrent unit (GRU) hybrid model is proposed for streamflow forecasting. In the study, daily flow data of Üçtepe and Tuzla flow observation stations located in various water collection areas of the Seyhan basin were utilized. In the test and training analysis of the models, the first 75% of the data were used for training, and the remaining 25% for testing. The accuracy and success of the hybrid model were compared via the comparison model and linear regression, one of the most basic models of artificial neural networks. The estimation results of the models were analyzed using different statistical indexes. Better results were obtained for the GWO-GRU hybrid model compared to the benchmark models in all statistical metrics except SD at the Üçtepe station and the whole Tuzla station. At Üçtepe, the FMS, despite the RMSE and MAE of the hybrid model being 82.93 and 85.93 m3/s, was 124.57 m3/s, and it was 184.06 m3/s in the single GRU model. We achieved around 34% and 53% improvements, respectively. Additionally, the R2 values for Tuzla FMS were 0.9827 and 0.9558 from GWO-GRU and linear regression, respectively. It was observed that the hybrid GWO-GRU model could be used successfully in forecasting studies.
Cohesion Forces Determinants in Cluster Development: A Study Case for Romania
Authors: Lianu Costin , Radulescu Irina Gabriela , Gudei Simona Corina Dobre , Lianu Cosmin , Mindrescu Veronica
Published: March 2022

This paper investigates to what extent bilateral relationships between business partners can positively impact multiple business alliances, such as clusters based on community of practice (CoP). Given empirical facts developed in the clustering process of Romanian companies, this paper investigates the way clusters may contribute to the alleviation of the dark side phenomenon and what ingredients, such as trust building, cluster management dedication, social interaction, pre-existing bilateral business relations, and others, may contribute to this role. Based on questionnaires and interviews, we found the significant importance of these ingredients as cohesion determinants in cluster development. The most influent factors of CF were an immediate and short-term business interest (0.62), pre-existing personal relationships (without business interest) with one or more members of the cluster (0.57), pre-existing business relationships with one or more members of the cluster (0.58), and participation in joint funding (0.48). We collected the information using the questionnaire administered online as a measuring instrument whose role was to collect and systematize data. The collected data were processed, and we obtained tables of frequency and correlation, graphs associated with them, and a regression model designed in SmartPLS software (SmartPLS GmbH, Oststeinbek, Germany). The variables that form the main constructs were introduced in SmartPls Software, where we designed a model and evaluated the Composite Reliability, Cronbach’s alpha, AVE, R-square, and Bootstrapping of the model.
Green Supply Chain Management Practices’ Impact on Operational Performance with the Mediation of Technological Innovation
Authors: Khan Muhammad Talha , Idrees Muhammad Dawood , Rauf Muhammad , Sami Abdul , Ansari Arsalan , Jamil Atif
Published: March 2022

Industries strive to prevent ecologically destructive actions in their supply chains. At the same time, the optimization of their resources is a major concern for industries to minimize carbon emissions, boost sustainable practices, and improve a country’s long-term economic development. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the impact of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) methods on operational performance with the mediation of technological innovation, in the context of Pakistani manufacturing firms. The partial least square-structural modeling (PLS-SEM) method is adopted in this paper. Data were gathered from 223 different manufacturing firms in Pakistan and then analyzed among these variables. The data show good validity and reliability, and structural model explains 61% of the variance in operational performance and 45.4% of the variance in technical innovation, demonstrating its predictive validity. The R-square criteria classify R-square entities of 0.67, 0.33, and 0.19 as considerable, moderate, and weak, respectively. It is demonstrated that all the f-square values are greater than 0.020 and 0.35, indicating a significant effect on the model’s validity. The findings of this study reveal that GSCM practices have a significantly positive effect on both technological innovation and operational performance. Technological innovation has a direct influence on operational performance and has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between GSCM practices and operational performance. Therefore, this research offers managers insight into the importance of technological innovation and GSCM practice adoption to achieve competitive advantages. It further provides the groundwork for managers, practitioners, and environmental management researchers to emphasize the value of GSCM practice in improving operational performance.
Conceptualization of Bioreactor Landfill Approach for Sustainable Waste Management in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Sohoo Ihsanullah , Ritzkowski Marco , Sultan Muhammad , Farooq Muhammad , Kuchta Kerstin
Published: March 2022

Finding a sustainable approach for municipal solid waste (MSW) management is becoming paramount. However, as with many urban areas in developing countries, the approach applied to MSW management in Karachi is neither environmentally sustainable nor suitable for public health. Due to adoption of an inefficient waste management system, society is paying intangible costs such as damage to public health and environment quality. In order to minimize the environmental impacts and health issues associated with waste management practices, a sustainable waste management and disposal strategy is required. The aim of this paper is to present a concept for the development of new bioreactor landfills for sustainable waste management in Karachi. Furthermore, this paper contributes to estimation of methane (CH4) emissions from waste disposal sites by employing the First Order Decay (FOD) Tier 2 model of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and determining of the biodegradation rate constant (k) value. The design and operational concept of bioreactor landfills is formulated for the study area, including estimation of land requirement, methane production, power generation, and liquid required for recirculation, along with a preliminary sketch of the proposed bioreactor landfill. This study will be helpful for stockholders, policy makers, and researchers in planning, development, and further research for establishment of bioreactor landfill facilities, particularly in the study area as well as more generally in regions with a similar climate and MSW composition.
The Institutional Factors Affecting the Growth of Korean Migrant Care Market and Sustainability in Long-Term Care Quality
Authors: Kwon Hyun-Jung , Oh Heaeun , Kong Jung Won
Published: March 2022

Due to an increase in the ageing population, the migrant care market now includes new home-based long-term care (LTC) under the national long-term care insurance. This study underlines a perspective of the Korean migrant care market in terms of long-term care quality in South Korea. Thus, the study explored the institutional factors that restrict and promote the migrant care workers (MCWs). Two migrant workers groups were analysed: migrant care workers in home-based long-term care versus nursing hospitals. Designed as an in-depth policy-oriented content analysis, this study used three types of data including interviews with eight participants (MCWs, the nursing hospital manager, and the LTC home manager), organisational documents (employment eligibility criteria), and institutional texts (law, administration rules, etc.). Our results indicate that the factors hindering employment of MCWs in home-based LTC were visa status, qualification requirements (the National Qualified License), wage regulation policies, and social security obligations. A promoting factor was jobs that hired on an on-call basis. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the growth of the migration care market and sustainability in LTC quality depend on the policy directions of the Korean long-term care insurance.
A Parametric Approach to Optimizing Building Construction Systems and Carbon Footprint: A Case Study Inspired by Circularity Principles
Authors: Al-Obaidy Muheeb , Courard Luc , Attia Shady
Published: March 2022

There is a global call for a paradigm shift in the construction industry towards carbon neutrality, but a scant effort has been madein practice, especially concerning circularity. This paper helps bridge the gap by introducing a parametric approach to optimize sustainable construction design. The methodology was tested on a newly constructed office building, inspired by circularity principles, in Westerlo, Belgium. The methodology consists of parametric construction-typological analysis, automated through One Click LCA software (Life Cycle Assessment) and Microsoft Excel with 21 alternate designs and 630 iterations. The parametric variations involved three key performance indicators: construction system, materials’ environmental impact, and materials; reuse of content. The environmental effects of both construction systems (i.e., structural system, foundation type, materials, and envelope details) and reused building materials content (i.e.,) were evaluated by the parametric analysis for four construction systems scenarios. Environmental impact analysis for timber, steel, concrete, and hybrid construction systems was conducted, following ISO 14040 and CEN/TC 350 standards. The focus of the whole life cycle assessment was mainly on carbon neutrality. Results indicate that using local biosourced materials, including timber, can remarkably reduce buildings’ environmental impact. The sensitivity analysis results provide hard evidence that the construction material’s weight, materials reuse potential, and construction dismantling ability are the most influential factors in carbon-neutral buildings. This paper should improve professionals’ understanding of the impact of different structural systems choices and inform building designers about the circularity potential, and carbon footprint of construction technologies.
Recent Oasis Dynamics and Ecological Security in the Tarim River Basin, Central Asia
Authors: Zhang Qifei , Sun Congjian , Chen Yaning , Chen Wei , Xiang Yanyun , Li Jiao , Liu Yuting
Published: March 2022

As an important agricultural and gathering area in arid inland areas of China, the ecological environments of oasis areas are more sensitive to regional climate change and human activities. This paper investigates the dynamic evolution of the oases in the Tarim River basin (TRB) and quantitatively evaluates the regional ecological security of oases via a remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) and net primary productivity (NPP) through the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach (CASA) from 2000 to 2020. The results indicate that the total plain oasis area in the TRB during the study period experienced an increasing trend, with the area expanding by 8.21%. Specifically, the artificial oases (cultivated and industrial land) showed a notable increase, whereas the natural oases (forests and grassland) exhibited an apparent decrease. Among the indictors of oasis change, the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) increased from 0.13 to 0.16, the fraction of vegetation cover (FVC) expanded by 36.79%, and NPP increased by 31.55%. RSEI changes indicated that the eco-environment of the TRB region went from poor grade to general grade; 69% of the region’s eco-environment improved, especially in western mountainous areas, and less than 5% of the regions’ eco-ecological areas were degraded, mainly occurring in the desert-oasis ecotone. Changes in land- use types of oases indicated that human activities had a more significant influence on oases expansion than natural factors. Our results have substantial implications for environment protection and sustainable economic development along the Silk Road Economic Belt.
Policy-Making toward Integrated Water Resources Management of Zarrine River Basin via System Dynamics Approach under Climate Change Impact
Authors: Hosseini Baghanam Aida , Seifi Arshia Jedary , Sheikhbabaei Ali , Hassanzadeh Yousef , Besharat Mohsen , Asadi Esmaeil
Published: March 2022

In terms of having a comprehensive vision toward supplying the water requirements, a multi-criteria decision-making approach was employed on the Zarrine River Basin (ZRB) in the northwest of Iran. First, the climate change impacts were analyzed with the Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator (LARS-WG) downscaling approach by using General Circulation Models (GCMs) including the European Consortium Earth System Model (EC-EARTH), Hadley Centre Global Environment Model version 2 (HADGEM2), Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate, version 5 (MIROC5), and Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI-ESM), from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP4.5, RCP8.5) scenarios for 2021–2080. Afterward, the downscaled variables were utilized as inputs to the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to predict future runoff under the climate change impact. Finally, the system dynamics (SD) model was employed to simulate various scenarios for assessing water balance utilizing the Vensim software. The results of downscaling models suggested that the temperature of the basin will increase by 0.47 and 0.91 °C under RCPs4.5 and 8.5 by 2040, respectively. Additionally, the precipitation will decrease by 3.5 percent under RCP4.5 and 14 percent under RCP8.5, respectively. Moreover, simulation results revealed that the water demand in various sectors will be enormously increased. The contribution of the climate change impact on the future run-off was a seven percent decrease, on average, over the basin. The SD model, according to presented plausible scenarios including decreasing agriculture product and shifting irrigation efficiency, cloud-seeding, population control, and household consumption reduction, reducing meat and animal-husbandry production, and groundwater consumption control, resulted in a water balance equilibrium over five years. However, the performance of individual scenarios was not effective; instead, a combination of several scenarios led to effective performance in managing reduced runoff under climate change.
Symmetries in the Superposition Model of Extensive Air Shower Development
Authors: Wibig Tadeusz
Published: March 2022

According to the superposition principle, an extensive air shower initiated by a nucleus with energy E and mass number A can be approximated as the superposition of A proton-initiated showers each with energy E/A. The superposition principle for interactions of atomic nuclei proposes to describe nucleus-initiated extensive air showers using simulations performed for proton showers. Single detectors and systems working in tight coincidence mainly register events initiated by particles with very low energies, which are affected by major statistical fluctuations, such as those used in high schools for education and outreach purposes. Verifying whether the superposition principle is still a good approximation in the low-energy region is important for the validity of the interpretation of such measurements. We present results of the comparison of results of the superposition model with detailed simulations of showers with the CORSIKA program from the energy of 10 GeV. While the energy dependence of the mean shower parameters satisfies the superposition principle, the higher moments do not. A modification of the superposition model based on the wounded nucleon model, reducing these discrepancies, is proposed. The semi-analytical description of showers in the modified superposition model can give the density spectrum of cosmic ray particles, which is consistent with the measurements. In this paper, we present results both consistent with the superposition model and indicating the need for its modification. This modification is proposed and tested.
Parameter Estimation for a Type of Fractional Diffusion Equation Based on Compact Difference Scheme
Authors: Gu Wei , Wei Fang , Li Min
Published: March 2022

Numerical solution and parameter estimation for a type of fractional diffusion equation are considered. Firstly, the symmetrical compact difference scheme is applied to solve the forward problem of the fractional diffusion equation. The stability and convergence of the symmetrical difference scheme are presented. Then, the Bayesian method is considered to estimate the unknown fractional order α of the fractional diffusion equation model. To validate the efficiency of the symmetrical numerical scheme and the estimation method, some simulation tests are considered. The simulation results demonstrate the accuracy of the compact difference scheme and show that the proposed estimation algorithm can provide effective statistical characteristics of the parameter.
Symmetry Breaking of Universal Type and Particular Types
Authors: Fabbri Luca
Published: March 2022

The concepts of symmetry and its breakdown are investigated in two different terms according to whether the resulting asymmetry is universal or only obtained for a special configuration: we illustrate this by considering, in the first case, an example from the standard model of particles with some consequences for cosmological scenarios; and in the second case, we consider an example from specific solutions for the particle dynamics, and an example for a toy model of entangled spins.
A Novel Classification Method Based on a Two-Phase Technique for Learning Imbalanced Text Data
Authors: Li Der-Chiang , Chen Szu-Chou , Lin Yao-San , Hsu Wen-Yen
Published: March 2022

The problem of imbalanced data has a heavy impact on the performance of learning models. In the case of an imbalanced text dataset, minority class data are often classified to the majority class, resulting in a loss of minority information and low accuracy. Thus, it is a serious challenge to determine how to tackle the high imbalance ratio distribution of datasets. Here, we propose a novel classification method for learning tasks with imbalanced test data. It aims to construct a method for data preprocessing that researchers can apply to their learning tasks with imbalanced text data and save the efforts to search for more dedicated learning tools. In our proposed method, there are two core stages. In stage one, balanced datasets are generated using an asymmetric cost-sensitive support vector machine; in stage two, the balanced dataset is classified using the symmetric cost-sensitive support vector machine. In addition, the learning parameters in both stages are adjusted with a genetic algorithm to create an optimal model. A Yelp review dataset was used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results showed that the proposed method led to a better performance subject to the targeted dataset, with at least 75% accuracy, and revealed that this new method significantly improved the learning approach.
An Optimized Enhanced Phase Locked Loop Controller for a Hybrid System
Authors: Kodakkal Amritha , Veramalla Rajagopal , Kuthuri Narasimha Raju , Salkuti Surender Reddy
Published: March 2022

The use of renewable energy sources is the need of the hour, but the highly intermittent nature of the wind and solar energies demands an efficient controller be connected with the system. This paper proposes an adept control algorithm for an isolated system connected with renewable energy sources. The system under consideration is a hybrid power system with a wind power harnessing unit associated with a solar energy module. A controller that works with enhanced phase locked loop (EPLL) algorithm is provided to maintain the quality of power at the load side and ensure that the source current is not affected during the load fluctuations. EPLL is very simple, precise, stable, and highly efficient in maintaining power quality. The double-frequency error which is the drawback of standard phase locked loop is eliminated in EPLL. Optimization techniques are used here to tune the values of the PI controller gains in the controlling algorithm. Tuning of the controller is an important process, as the gains of the controllers decide the quality of the output. The system is designed using MATLAB/SIMULINK. Codes are written in MATLAB for the optimization. Out of the three different optimization techniques applied, the salp swarm algorithm is found to give the most suitable gain values for the proposed system. Solar power generation is made more efficient by implementing maximum power point tracking. Perturb and observe is the method adopted for MPPT.
MINA: A Robotic Assistant for Hospital Fetching Tasks
Authors: Nambiappan Harish Ram , Arboleda Stephanie Arevalo , Lundberg Cody Lee , Kyrarini Maria , Makedon Fillia , Gans Nicholas
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a robotic Multitasking Intelligent Nurse Aid (MINA) is proposed to assist nurses with everyday object fetching tasks. MINA consists of a manipulator arm on an omni-directional mobile base. Before the operation, an augmented reality interface was used to place waypoints. Waypoints can indicate the location of a patient, supply shelf, and other locations of interest. When commanded to retrieve an object, MINA uses simultaneous localization and mapping to map its environment and navigate to the supply shelf waypoint. At the shelf, MINA builds a 3D point cloud representation of the shelf and searches for barcodes to identify and localize the object it was sent to retrieve. Upon grasping the object, it returns to the user. Collision avoidance is incorporated during the mobile navigation and grasping tasks. We performed experiments to evaluate MINA’s efficacy including with obstacles along the path. The experimental results showed that MINA can repeatedly navigate to the specified waypoints and successfully perform the grasping and retrieval task.
Differences in Acellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generation by E-Cigarettes Containing Synthetic Nicotine and Tobacco-Derived Nicotine
Authors: Yogeswaran Shaiesh , Rahman Irfan
Published: March 2022

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) containing synthetic nicotine have yet to be classified as tobacco products; consequently, there is ambiguity over whether Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority can be extended to include tobacco-free nicotine (TFN) e-cigarettes. In recent years, a more significant number of e-cigarette companies have been manufacturing TFN-containing e-cigarettes and e-liquids to circumvent FDA regulations. While studies have shown that aerosols generated from tobacco-derived nicotine-containing e-cigarettes contain significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, no comparison studies have been conducted using TFN e-cigarettes. This study uses a single puff aerosol generator to aerosolize TFN and tobacco-derived nicotine-containing vape products and subsequently involves semi-quantifying the ROS generated by these vape products in H2O2 equivalents. We found that the differences between ROS levels generated from TFN and tobacco-derived nicotine-containing vape products vary by flavor. TFN tobacco flavored and fruit flavored products are more toxic in terms of ROS generation than menthol/ice and drink/beverage flavored products using TFN. Our study provides further insight into understanding how flavoring agents used in vape products impact ROS generation from e-cigarettes differently in TFN e-cigarettes than e-cigarettes using tobacco-derived nicotine.
The Isolated Mouse Jejunal Afferent Nerve Assay as a Tool to Assess the Effect of Botulinum Neurotoxins in Visceral Nociception
Authors: Retailleau Kevin , Martin Vincent , Lezmi Stephane , Nicoleau Camille , Maignel Jacquie
Published: March 2022

For the past two decades, botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) has been described as a strong candidate in the treatment of pain. With the production of modified toxins and the potential new applications at the visceral level, there is a real need for tools allowing the assessment of these compounds. In this study, we evaluated the jejunal mesenteric afferent nerve assay to investigate BoNT/A effects on visceral nociception. This ex vivo model allowed the continuous recording of neuronal activity in response to various stimuli. BoNT/A was applied intraluminally during three successive distensions, and the jejunum was distended every 15 min for 3 h. Finally, samples were exposed to external capsaicin. BoNT/A intoxication was validated at the molecular level with the presence of cleaved synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 (SNAP25) in nerve terminals in the mucosa and musculosa layers 3 h after treatment. BoNT/A had a progressive inhibitory effect on multiunit discharge frequency induced by jejunal distension, with a significant decrease from 1 h after application without change in jejunal compliance. The capsaicin-induced discharge was also affected by the toxin. This assay allowed the description of an inhibitory effect of BoNT/A on afferent nerve activity in response to distension and capsaicin, suggesting BoNT/A could alleviate visceral nociception.
Post-Newtonian Jeans Equation for Stationary and Spherically Symmetrical Self-Gravitating Systems
Authors: Kremer Gilberto Medeiros
Published: March 2022

The post-Newtonian Jeans equation for stationary self-gravitating systems is derived from the post-Newtonian Boltzmann equation in spherical coordinates. The Jeans equation is coupled with the three Poisson equations from the post-Newtonian theory. The Poisson equations are functions of the energy-momentum tensor components which are determined from the post-Newtonian Maxwell–Jüttner distribution function. As an application, the effect of a central massive black hole on the velocity dispersion profile of the host galaxy is investigated and the influence of the post-Newtonian corrections are determined.
Side-By-Side Evaluation of Three Commercial ELISAs for the Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies
Authors: Girl Philipp , Mantel Sonja , von Buttlar Heiner , Wölfel Roman , Müller Katharina
Published: March 2022

In December 2020, WHO presented the first international standard (WHO IS) for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin. This standard is intended to serve as a reference reagent against which serological tests can be calibrated, thus creating better comparability of results between different tests, laboratories, etc. Here, we have examined three different commercial ELISA kits for the quantification of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, namely the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac ELISA (IgG) (Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany), the SERION ELISA agile (Institut Virion Serion, Würzburg, Germany), and the COVID-19 quantitative IgG ELISA (DeMediTec Diagnostics, Kiel, Germany). According to the manufacturers, all are calibrated against the WHO IS and can provide results in either international units (IU) (DeMediTec) or arbitrary antibody units (BAU) per milliliter (Euroimmun, Virion Serion), which are numerically identical, according to the WHO. A total of 50 serum samples from vaccinated individuals were tested side by side and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We compared the test results of all three assays with each other to assess comparability and with a quantitative in-house virus neutralization test (micro-NT). In summary, our data are consistent with other studies published on this topic that tested similar assays from different manufacturers. Overall, the agreement between quantitative ELISAs is variable and cannot be used interchangeably despite calibration against a standard. Therefore, interpretation of results must still be individualized and tailored to each case. More importantly, our results highlight that quantitative ELISAs in their current form cannot replace neutralization tests.
VCAM-1 as a Biomarker of Endothelial Function among HIV-Infected Patients Receiving and Not Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Lembas Agnieszka , Zawartko Katarzyna , Sapuła Mariusz , Mikuła Tomasz , Kozłowska Joanna , Wiercińska-Drapało Alicja
Published: March 2022

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and retroviral therapy are both known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It remains an open question whether HIV or ARV leads to increased arterial inflammation. The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in endothelial activation by measuring VCAM-1 levels among HIV-infected patients who were and were not treated with antiretroviral therapy. It is a retrospective study that included 68 HIV-infected patients, 23 of whom were never antiretroviral-treated, 15 who were ART-treated for no longer than a year, and 30 who were ART-treated for longer than a year. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of the concentration of VCAM-1. The results show a statistically lower VCAM-1 level (p = 0.007) in patients treated with ART longer than a year (1442 ng/mL) in comparison to treatment-naïve patients (2392 ng/mL). The average VCAM-1 level in patients treated no longer than a year (1552 ng/mL) was also lower than in treatment-naïve patients, but with no statistical significance (p = 0.096). Long-term antiretroviral therapy was associated with the decline of VCAM-1 concentration. That may suggest the lowering of endothelial activation and the decreased risk of the development of cardiovascular disease among ARV-treated patients. However, VCAM-1 may not be a sufficient factor itself to assess this, since simultaneously there are a lot of well-known cardiovascular-adverse effects of ART.
On the Origin and Propagation of the COVID-19 Outbreak in the Italian Province of Trento, a Tourist Region of Northern Italy
Authors: Bianco Luca , Moser Mirko , Silverj Andrea , Micheletti Diego , Lorenzin Giovanni , Collini Lucia , Barbareschi Mattia , Lanzafame Paolo , Segata Nicola , Pindo Massimo , Franceschi Pietro , Rota-Stabelli Omar , Rizzoli Annapaola , Fontana Paolo , Donati Claudio
Published: March 2022

Background: Trentino is an Italian province with a tourism-based economy, bordering the regions of Lombardy and Veneto, where the two earliest and largest outbreaks of COVID-19 occurred in Italy. The earliest cases in Trentino were reported in the first week of March 2020, with most of the cases occurring in the winter sport areas in the Dolomites mountain range. The number of reported cases decreased over the summer months and was followed by a second wave in the autumn and winter of 2020. Methods: we performed high-coverage Oxford Nanopore sequencing of 253 positive SARS-CoV-2 swabs collected in Trentino between March and December 2020. Results: in this work, we analyzed genome sequences to trace the routes through which the virus entered the area, and assessed whether the autumnal resurgence could be attributed to lineages persisting undetected during summer, or as a consequence of new introductions. Conclusions: Comparing the draft genomes analyzed with a large selection of European sequences retrieved from GISAID we found that multiple introductions of the virus occurred at the early stage of the epidemics; the two epidemic waves were unrelated; the second wave was due to reintroductions of the virus in summer when traveling restrictions were uplifted.
Expression Profile and Biological Role of Immune Checkpoints in Disease Progression of HIV/SIV Infection
Authors: Sun Yuting , Xue Jing
Published: March 2022

During HIV/SIV infection, the upregulation of immune checkpoint (IC) markers, programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT), lymphocyte-activation gene-3 (LAG-3), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3), CD160, 2B4 (CD244), and V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), can lead to chronic T cell exhaustion. These ICs play predominant roles in regulating the progression of HIV/SIV infection by mediating T cell responses as well as enriching latent viral reservoirs. It has been demonstrated that enhanced expression of ICs on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells could inhibit cell proliferation and cytokine production. Overexpression of ICs on CD4+ T cells could also format and prolong HIV/SIV persistence. IC blockers have shown promising clinical results in HIV therapy, implying that targeting ICs may optimize antiretroviral therapy in the context of HIV suppression. Here, we systematically review the expression profile, biological regulation, and therapeutic efficacy of targeted immune checkpoints in HIV/SIV infection.
Narcissus Plants: A Melting Pot of Potyviruses
Authors: Probowati Wiwit , Kawakubo Shusuke , Ohshima Kazusato
Published: March 2022

Our paper presents detailed evolutionary analyses of narcissus viruses from wild and domesticated Narcissus plants in Japan. Narcissus late season yellows virus (NLSYV) and narcissus degeneration virus (NDV) are major viruses of Narcissus plants, causing serious disease outbreaks in Japan. In this study, we collected Narcissus plants showing mosaic or striped leaves along with asymptomatic plants in Japan for evolutionary analyses. Our findings show that (1) NLSYV is widely distributed, whereas the distribution of NDV is limited to the southwest parts of Japan; (2) the genomes of NLSYV isolates share nucleotide identities of around 82%, whereas those of NDV isolates are around 94%; (3) three novel recombination type patterns were found in NLSYV; (4) NLSYV comprises at least five distinct phylogenetic groups whereas NDV has two; and (5) infection with narcissus viruses often occur as co-infection with different viruses, different isolates of the same virus, and in the presence of quasispecies (mutant clouds) of the same virus in nature. Therefore, the wild and domesticated Narcissus plants in Japan are somewhat like a melting pot of potyviruses and other viruses.
Viral Shrimp Diseases Listed by the OIE: A Review
Authors: Lee Dain , Yu Young-Bin , Choi Jae-Ho , Jo A-Hyun , Hong Su-Min , Kang Ju-Chan , Kim Jun-Hwan
Published: March 2022

Shrimp is one of the most valuable aquaculture species globally, and the most internationally traded seafood product. Consequently, shrimp aquaculture practices have received increasing attention due to their high value and levels of demand, and this has contributed to economic growth in many developing countries. The global production of shrimp reached approximately 6.5 million t in 2019 and the shrimp aquaculture industry has consequently become a large-scale operation. However, the expansion of shrimp aquaculture has also been accompanied by various disease outbreaks, leading to large losses in shrimp production. Among the diseases, there are various viral diseases which can cause serious damage when compared to bacterial and fungi-based illness. In addition, new viral diseases occur rapidly, and existing diseases can evolve into new types. To address this, the review presented here will provide information on the DNA and RNA of shrimp viral diseases that have been designated by the World Organization for Animal Health and identify the latest shrimp disease trends.
Clonal Selection and Evolution of HTLV-1-Infected Cells Driven by Genetic and Epigenetic Alteration
Authors: Yamagishi Makoto , Suzuki Yutaka , Watanabe Toshiki , Uchimaru Kaoru
Published: March 2022

T cells infected with human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) acquire various abnormalities during a long latent period and transform into highly malignant adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) cells. This can be described as “clonal evolution”, in which a single clone evolves into ATL cells after overcoming various selective pressures in the body of the infected individuals. Many studies have shown that the genome and epigenome contain a variety of abnormalities, which are reflected in gene expression patterns and define the characteristics of the disease. The latest research findings suggest that epigenomic disorders are thought to begin forming early in infection and evolve into ATL through further changes and accentuation as they progress. Genomic abnormalities profoundly affect clonal dominance and tumor cell characteristics in later events. ATL harbors both genomic and epigenomic abnormalities, and an accurate understanding of these can be expected to provide therapeutic opportunities.