bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Correlation between Exercise Participation Motivation and Social Physique Anxiety and Their Differences across Exercise Stages of Change
Authors: Macila Erdal , Dogan Erman , Sancar Nuriye
Published: September 2024

This study aims to investigate the correlation between exercise participation motivation and social physique anxiety and their differences across the exercise stages of change in individuals. A convenience sampling technique was used to gather data from 374 sedentary individuals aged 18 and over, using a questionnaire that included the Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire-2 (BREQ-2), Social Physique Anxiety (SPA) scale, and Exercise Stages of Change Questionnaire (ESOCQ). Welch’s ANOVA test was utilized to examine if there were significant differences between the average levels of behavioral regulations in exercise and SPA within exercise stages of change, respectively. Based on Welch’s ANOVA results, it has been found that there are significant differences in the total score of SPAS according to exercise stages of change (F = 15.801, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the sub-factors intrinsic regulation, introjected regulation, and external motivation statistically significantly differ according to exercise stages of change (F=6.681, p < 0.001 for IR; F=30.186,p < 0.001 for introjected regulation; F=10.104, p < 0.001 for external motivation, F=0.481,p = 0.750 for AM). Pearson’s r correlation coefficients were also computed to determine the relationship between behavioral regulations in exercise and SPA. A significant negative moderate correlation was found between intrinsic regulation and SPA (r = −0.645, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant medium positive correlation was found between introjected regulation and SPA (r = 0.534, p < 0.001), external motivation and SPA (r = 0.588, p < 0.001), and amotivation and SPA (r = 0.564, p < 0.001). The findings suggest that being self-motivated for exercise might decrease SPA. On the other hand, exercise motivated by external pressures could lead to increased SPA. The findings also suggest that those who started exercising with intrinsic motivation reached more advanced stages of exercise than those who started exercising with extrinsic factors. Finally, extrinsic motives may help in the first stages of the exercise, but intrinsic motives are required to continue the exercise. Consequently, these findings may guide physical activity specialists, trainers, etc., to develop more effective strategies to motivate exercise participation by considering social physique anxiety among individuals.
Characteristics of Spatial–Temporal Evolution of Carbon Emissions from Land Use and Analysis of Influencing Factors in Hubao-Eyu Urban Agglomerations, China
Authors: Chen Yamei , Zhang Chao
Published: September 2024

Exploring the dynamic relationship between land use change and carbon emissions is of great significance in promoting regional low-carbon sustainable development and “dual-carbon”. We reveal the characteristics of the evolution of spatial temporal patterns of land use carbon emissions at the county scale in resource-based urban agglomerations over the past 20 years and the analysis of influencing factors. The research results show that: (1) In terms of spatial and temporal characteristics, from 2000 to 2020, net carbon emissions from land use showed an overall upward trend, with construction land being the main source of increased carbon emissions; the spatial distribution pattern of carbon emissions shows a trend of further clustering of centers in the northeast-southwest direction, which mainly occurs in areas rich in coal resources; the economy-contributive coefficient is increasing, but ecological support coefficients are decreasing; (2) In the analysis of influencing factors, land use structure is the most significant factor contributing to the increase of carbon emissions, followed by economic level, while land use intensity per unit of GDP is the most significant factor inhibiting the increase of carbon emissions. The results of the study provide a useful reference for resource-based urban agglomerations to formulate regionally appropriate emission reduction strategies and realize low-carbon sustainable development.
The Relationships between Job Performance, Job Burnout, and Psychological Counselling: A Perspective on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Authors: Lei Miao , Alam Gazi Mahabubul , Bashir Karima
Published: September 2024

Job burnout (as an independent variable) and job performance (as a dependent variable) are often correlated, and one of the main arguments is that psychological counseling can mitigate job burnout, which in turn influences job performance. This article aims to introduce a new perspective on the subject by establishing a new paradigm in the field. It also explores the role of psychological counseling as a precautionary measure. Furthermore, it aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 8, which seek to enhance public health, collective well-being, and decent work or at least equitable workplace conditions. Adopting a quantitative analysis method, this study used panel data from 2020 to 2023 and group regression to analyze these data. The instruments comprise job performance (KPI) and mental health records. This study revealed that job burnout as experienced by academics is regulated by their job performance (β = −0.013, p < 0.001. This study revealed that academics’ job performance remained unchanged despite the number of psychological counseling and interventions conducted, so consequently, psychological counseling and interventions do not affect performance directly. This research contributes to the literature by utilizing a novel measurement approach. It is concluded that competency is the key to having a decent work environment and staff experiencing collective well-being.
Toward Understanding Research Evolution on Indirect Drivers of Ecosystem Change along the Interface of Protected and Non-Protected Lands
Authors: Gale Trace , Báez Montenegro Andrea
Published: September 2024

Against a backdrop of rapid environmental degradation and increasing pressures on natural resources, a broad list of innovations has emerged to support the vision of the post-2020 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and strengthen regional and country-level biodiversity strategies along the interface of protected areas and non-protected lands. The success of these strategies depends in large part on science-informed consideration and approaches to the underlying and indirect drivers of change for natural systems and ecosystem services. This paper aims to inform future strategies and action plans for conservation efforts and sustainable practices globally and regionally, with a specific focus on Latin America’s environmental challenges. Bibliometric analysis, covering two decades from 2003 to 2023, focused on global and Latin American research trends related to the indirect drivers of change for natural systems and ecosystem services at the interface of protected and non-protected lands. Through structured analysis, key opportunities for increased collaboration, impact, and research focus are identified, highlighting the need to expand research collaboration strategies and reach, enhance research dissemination through open and equitable innovations, and strengthen capacity to the complex and interrelated challenges underlying accelerated change in natural systems, which affects biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The Integration of Phosphorus-Solubilizing Rhizobacteria, Eisenia fetida and Phosphorus Rock Improves the Availability of Assimilable Phosphorus in the Vermicompost
Authors: Andrade-Sifuentes Alfonso , Peña-Uribe Gabriel de Jesús , Sáenz-Mata Jorge , Quezada-Rivera Jesús Josafath , Palacio-Rodríguez Rubén , Muro-Pérez Gisela
Published: September 2024

Due to increasing soil degradation caused by unsustainable agricultural practices and the continued demand for quality food for the human population, it is imperative to find sustainable strategies for high-quality food production. For this reason, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the interaction between the factors of consortium of phosphorus-solubilizing rhizobacteria, addition of phosphate rock and worm load in horse manure to produce an organic fertilizer fortified with phosphorus. For this, consortia of phosphate-solubilizing rhizobacteria of the genus Bacillus (Bacillus aryabhattai, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus) isolated from the rhizosphere of Distichlis spicata were inoculated. Igneous phosphate rock (0 and 2%) was added in the vermicomposting process (with 25 and 50 g of E. fetida worms per kg of horse manure). The results obtained show that there is a significant interaction between the factors of inoculation with bacterial consortia (1 × 108 CFU mL−1), phosphate rock (2%) and earthworm biomass (50 g kg−1 of manure), and that this interaction promotes the production of assimilable forms of phosphorus for plants (such as monobasic phosphate ions H2PO4−1 or dibasic phosphate ions HPO4−2) within the vermicomposting process, having as a product an organic substrate supplemented with the optimal nutritional requirements for the development and growth of crops. This work can serve as a basis to produce high-quality organic fertilizer. However, field studies are required in order to observe the impact of vermicompost on the yield and quality of the fruits, and it can be compared with other types of fertilizers and the relevance of their use in different types of climates.
Sustainable Development of Digital Cultural Heritage: A Hybrid Analysis of Crowdsourcing Projects Using fsQCA and System Dynamics
Authors: Zhang Yang , Dong Changqi
Published: September 2024

Cultural heritage crowdsourcing has emerged as a promising approach to address the challenges of digitizing and preserving cultural heritage, contributing to the sustainable development goals of cultural preservation and digital inclusivity. However, the long-term sustainability of these projects faces numerous obstacles. This study explores the key configurational determinants and dynamic evolutionary mechanisms driving the sustainable development of cultural heritage crowdsourcing projects, aiming to enhance their longevity and impact. An innovative integration of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and system dynamics (SD) is employed, drawing upon a “resource coordination–stakeholder interaction–value co-creation” analytical framework. Through a multi-case comparison of 18 cultural heritage crowdsourcing projects, we identify necessary conditions for project sustainability, including platform support, data resources, knowledge capital, and digitalization performance. The study reveals multiple sufficient pathways to sustainability through configurational combinations of participant motivation, innovation drive, social capital, and social impact. Our system dynamics analysis demonstrates that crowdsourcing project sustainability exhibits significant nonlinear dynamic characteristics, influenced by the interaction and emergent effects of the resource–participation–performance chain. This research offers both theoretical insights and practical guidance for optimizing crowdsourcing mechanisms and sustainable project operations, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable cultural heritage preservation and digital humanities development. The findings provide a roadmap for policymakers and project managers to design and implement more sustainable and impactful cultural heritage crowdsourcing initiatives, aligning with global sustainability objectives in the digital age.
Sustainable Innovative Design of Elderly-Friendly Smart Medical Products: An Integrated Model
Authors: Shie An-Jin , Xu En-Min , Ye Zhen-Zhen , Meng Qing-Feng , Wu Yenchun Jim
Published: September 2024

Under the promotion of combined medical and elderly care (CMEC) policies, the market demand for elder-friendly smart medical products as convenient intelligent healthcare devices is growing. However, most studies on elderly-friendly smart medical products focus on functional enhancement and cost control, and there is a lack of research on the sustainable innovative design of elder-friendly smart medical products from the perspective of elderly emotional needs. Therefore, this paper proposes an integrated framework based on the fuzzy Kano model, Kansei engineering, and theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) for mapping the complex and dynamic emotional needs of the elderly to product design parameters to produce innovative solutions, ensuring the sustainability of the design process and the innovativeness of the design solutions of elder-friendly smart medical devices. We verified the effectiveness and applicability of this integrated framework through a case study involving sustainable innovation design of a smart blood pressure device. The results of this study are of considerable theoretical and practical significance for promoting the development of the market for elder-friendly smart medical products under the policy of CMEC, meeting the needs of the elderly for healthcare devices and improving their quality of life.
The Impact of Environmental Protection Investment and Equity Balance Degree on Economic Performance and Eco-Autonomy: An Empirical Study of China’s A-Share Listed Companies
Authors: Sun Ying , Zhang Kexin , Li Xuyang
Published: September 2024

Enterprises are not only the main source of energy consumption and pollution emissions but also a key force in environmental governance. There is no doubt that the positive impact of enterprise environmental protection investment (EPI) on other stakeholders, but the impact on its own economic performance is the key to determining the scale of EPI and increasing the motivation for Eco-autonomy. This paper selects 691 companies listed on China’s A-share market from 2012 to 2022 as research samples, introducing the equity balance degree as the moderator variable, and empirically investigating the impact of the relationship by using a panel multivariate regression model. The results show that the relationship between EPI and its economic performance is a U-shaped curve, and it is related to Eco-autonomy. The equity balance degree can mitigate the negative influence of the relationship, but it is significantly different between state-owned enterprises and private enterprises. Accordingly, it prompts the following policy implementation: the Chinese government should develop differentiated environmental incentives and regulatory policies. It should focus on private enterprises with high-equity balance degrees and high pollution levels, and it should encourage state-owned enterprises to increase the scale of ex ante preventive investment through policy incentives.
Culture as a Resilient and Sustainable Strategy in Small Cities
Authors: Somoza Medina Xosé , Relea Fernández Carlos Emilio
Published: September 2024

This article studies the recent evolution of five cases of small cities in the interior of Spain that several decades ago invested in culture as a strategy to maintain their populations and increase the quality of life of their inhabitants. These are case studies of differentiated characteristics in which the analysis of their evolution offers important keys for developing cultural policies in any small city in the world. The examples of Allariz, Almagro, Astorga, Puigcerdá and Trujillo allow for the corroboration of how betting on culture as a resilient and sustainable strategy generates positive results for their populations. Allariz, in the province of Ourense, is showing a cultural identity development that emerged as a movement to reject the pollution of the Arnoia River. In Almagro, in the La Mancha province of Ciudad Real, the recovery in 1955 of the only Corral de Comedias preserved since the 17th century allowed for the inauguration in 1979 of the first Almagro Classical Theatre Festival, and from then on, a whole series of restorations and new constructions related to theater and the performing arts, which turned a small town of less than 10,000 inhabitants into the national theater capital. Astorga is a small two-thousand-year-old city in the province of León, which is trying to recover as a living history museum to face the current reality of demographic and economic crises. Puigcerdá, in the province of Girona, the historic capital of Cerdanya, is another small town in which cultural management and production is much larger than it would be corresponding to its demographic size. Lastly, Trujillo, in the Extremadura province of Cáceres, a city of pre-Roman origin known in the 16th century as the birthplace of conquistadors in America such as Francisco Pizarro and Francisco de Orellana, is another small town of less than 10,000 inhabitants that is committed to creating and maintaining a rich cultural agenda with an important weight for the history and relationship between America and Spain and the recovery of the civil and religious heritage of this small monumental city. These are five enclaves, in summary, that have for years followed a clear strategy of betting on identity and culture to improve the well-being of their inhabitants and the local development of their economy, and which, as this research demonstrates, have made it possible to avoid the biggest problems of the impoverishment and abandonment of other nearby towns with similar characteristics.
Principles for Incorporating Recycled Materials into Airport Pavement Construction for More Sustainable Airport Pavements
Authors: Jamieson Sean , White Greg , Verstraten Luke
Published: September 2024

Current international waste policy promotes the reduction and re-use of waste materials, and in some cases, specifically calls for the use of recycled materials in pavements. Consequently, there is a need to understand the performance of recycled materials in airport pavements, as well as the overall sustainability benefit. This paper reviews several recycled materials and their applications to asphalt concrete, cement concrete, and bound and unbound granular materials in the context of airport pavements. Additionally, it reviews sustainability quantification methods, as well as implementation challenges for using recycled materials in airport pavements. For comparing pavements with and without recycled materials, a triple bottom line approach is appropriate. The triple bottom line approach should use life cycle cost assessment and life cycle assessment for the financial and environmental impacts, respectively, as best-practice, with frameworks and guidelines already established. For social impacts, it is recommended to quantify the reduction in virgin material use which relates to intergenerational equity by ensuring access to materials by future generations. Because there are still implementation challenges for the airport pavement industry, principles are developed that aim to promote uptake of recycled materials. These principles include sorting and processing, minimising haulage distances, and ensuring performance of pavement layers through performance testing and performance-related specifications.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Construction Professionals’ Skills: A Case Study of Chile
Authors: Araya Felipe , Olivari Katherine , Salazar Luis A. , Sánchez Omar , Sierra-Varela Leonardo , Neculman Briguitte
Published: September 2024

The construction industry faced several challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting different aspects of construction projects, such as the financial stability of companies and the mental well-being of professionals. However, there is limited knowledge about how these challenges impacted the skills required by professionals in construction. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze changes in skills required by construction professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we qualitatively analyzed interviews obtained from construction professionals in Chile who worked through the pandemic to study how skills required by construction professionals before the pandemic were impacted during, and after the pandemic. The results indicate that before the pandemic, the most valued skills were related to teamwork, decision-making, planning, and leadership. During the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, skills such as effective communication, computer skills, planning, and stress management were prominent. Regarding the post-pandemic period, interviewees emphasized that construction professionals required mainly adaptability to change, stress management, and planning skills. Our study contributes by identifying changes in the skills required by construction professionals, emphasizing a shift towards skills like digital communication, adaptability, and stress management. Additionally, our study emphasizes planning as the most relevant skill for construction professionals to deal with a highly disruptive event such as the pandemic in construction projects. The study contributed to theorizing the consequences of the pandemic faced by the construction sector in the context of skills required by construction professionals. In practicality, construction managers may use our results to develop strategies to adapt to the post-pandemic context and be prepared for future disruptive events. Ultimately, this will help make the construction industry a more resilient sector.
Enhancing Sustainability: Quantifying and Mapping Vulnerability to Extreme Heat Using Socioeconomic Factors at the National, Regional and Local Levels
Authors: Ziliaskopoulos Konstantinos , Petropoulos Christos , Laspidou Chrysi
Published: September 2024

Population-dense urban areas often concentrate high commercial and industrial activity and intricate transportation systems. In crowded cities, extreme events can be even more damaging due to the high population they affect and the social inequalities that are likely to emerge. Extreme heat is a climate hazard that has been linked to high morbidity and mortality, especially in cities with high population densities. The way extreme heat events are felt in the population varies depending on a variety of factors, such as age, employment status, living conditions, air-conditioning, housing conditions, habits, behaviors and other socio-demographic parameters. In this article, we quantify and locate vulnerabilities of populations to extreme heat in order to formulate policy and practice recommendations that will make communities resilient and will shape the transition to a more sustainable future. This work contributes towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11—Sustainable Cities and Communities—by developing the tools to make cities and settlements resilient and sustainable. To this end, we analyze socioeconomic data at the NUTS3 level for the national case study of Greece and at the census tract level for the local case study of the city of Athens. The target variable for this study is defined as the average daily mortality during heatwaves per 100,000 individuals, and a methodology is developed for constructing this variable based on socioeconomic data available in public databases. The independent variables were selected based on their contribution to socioeconomic vulnerability; they include the percentage of elderly individuals, retirees, unemployed persons, renters, those living alone, those residing in smaller houses, those living in older houses and immigrants from developing countries. An ensemble gradient boosted tree model was employed for this study to obtain feature importance metrics that was used to construct a composite index of socioeconomic heat vulnerability. The socioeconomic heat vulnerability index (SHVI) was calculated for each prefecture in Greece and for each census tract in the city of Athens, Greece. The unique feature of this SHVI is that it can be applied to any geographical resolution using the same methodology and produces a result that is not only quantifiable, but also facilitates a comparison between vulnerability scores across different regions. This application aimed to map the SHVI of both prefecture and city, to examine the significance of scale, to identify vulnerability hotspots, and rank the most vulnerable areas, which are prioritized by authorities for interventions that protect public health.
Discrete Z4 Symmetry in Quantum Gravity
Authors: Volovik Grigory E.
Published: September 2024

We consider the discrete Z4 symmetry i^, which takes place in the scenario of quantum gravity where the gravitational tetrads emerge as the order parameter—the vacuum expectation value of the bilinear combination of fermionic operators. Under this symmetry operation, i^, the emerging tetrads are multiplied by the imaginary unit, i^eμa=−ieμa. The existence of such symmetry and the spontaneous breaking of this symmetry are also supported by the consideration of the symmetry breaking scheme in the topological superfluid 3He-B. The order parameter in 3He-B is also the bilinear combination of the fermionic operators. This order parameter is the analog of the tetrad field, but it has complex values. The i^-symmetry operation changes the phase of the complex order parameter by π/2, which corresponds to the Z4 discrete symmetry in quantum gravity. We also considered the alternative scenario of the breaking of this Z4 symmetry, in which the i^-operation changes sign of the scalar curvature, i^R=−R, and thus the Einstein–Hilbert action violates the i^-symmetry. In the alternative scenario of symmetry breaking, the gravitational coupling K=1/16πG plays the role of the order parameter, which changes sign under i^-transformation.
Invariant Sets, Global Dynamics, and the Neimark–Sacker Bifurcation in the Evolutionary Ricker Model
Authors: Luís Rafael , Ryals Brian
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we study the local, global, and bifurcation properties of a planar nonlinear asymmetric discrete model of Ricker type that is derived from a Darwinian evolution strategy based on evolutionary game theory. We make a change of variables to both reduce the number of parameters as well as bring symmetry to the isoclines of the mapping. With this new model, we demonstrate the existence of a forward invariant and globally attracting set where all the dynamics occur. In this set, the model possesses two symmetric fixed points: the origin, which is always a saddle fixed point, and an interior fixed point that may be globally asymptotically stable. Moreover, we observe the presence of a supercritical Neimark–Sacker bifurcation, a phenomenon that is not present in the original non-evolutionary model.
Circulation and Seasonality of Respiratory Viruses in Hospitalized Patients during Five Consecutive Years (2019–2023) in Perugia, Italy
Authors: Graziani Alessandro , Bozza Silvia , Borghi Monica , Mencacci Antonella , Camilloni Barbara
Published: September 2024

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the non-pharmacological interventions adopted to counter its spread appear to have led to changes in the normal circulation and seasonality of respiratory viruses. Our study aims to investigate changes related to the circulation of respiratory viruses, not SARS-CoV-2, among hospitalized patients in Perugia, Central Italy, between 2019 and 2023. The samples were collected from individuals who went to the emergency room (ER) or were hospitalized and analyzed using a molecular multiplex test. The results underline that non-pharmaceutical interventions altered the typical seasonal circulation patterns of different respiratory viruses. Those mostly affected were enveloped viruses like influenza viruses that disappeared in 2021; the least impact was recorded for Rhinovirus, which was detected during the pandemic period, maintaining the same seasonality observed in the pre-pandemic period although with a reduction in the number of positive samples. Our data underline the importance of the continuous monitoring of these viruses, especially to understand the timing with which prevention measures, not only non-pharmacological interventions but also the equipment of vaccine doses and monoclonal antibodies, should be adopted to reduce their circulation, particularly in the population at risk of developing severe forms of lower respiratory tract infection.
Wastewater Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2: A Comparison of Two Concentration Methods
Authors: Diamanti Christina , Nousis Lambros , Bozidis Petros , Koureas Michalis , Kyritsi Maria , Markozannes George , Simantiris Nikolaos , Panteli Eirini , Koutsolioutsou Anastasia , Tsilidis Konstantinos , Hadjichristodoulou Christos , Koutsotoli Alexandra , Christaki Eirini , Alivertis Dimitrios , Bartzokas Aristides , Gartzonika Konstantina , Dovas Chrysostomos , Ntzani Evangelia
Published: September 2024

Wastewater surveillance is crucial for the epidemiological monitoring of SARS-CoV-2. Various concentration techniques, such as skimmed milk flocculation (SMF) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, are employed to isolate the virus effectively. This study aims to compare these two methods and determine the one with the superior recovery rates. From February to December 2021, 24-h wastewater samples were collected from the Ioannina Wastewater Treatment Plant’s inlet and processed using both techniques. Subsequent viral genome isolation and a real-time RT-qPCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 were performed. The quantitative analysis demonstrated a higher detection sensitivity with a PEG-based concentration than SMF. Moreover, when the samples were positive by both methods, PEG consistently yielded higher viral loads. These findings underscore the need for further research into concentration methodologies and the development of precise protocols to enhance epidemiological surveillance through wastewater analysis.
Resistance of the CRISPR-Cas13a Gene-Editing System to Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid Infection in Tomato and Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Khoo Ying Wei , Wang Qingsong , Liu Shangwu , Zhan Binhui , Xu Tengfei , Lv Wenxia , Liu Guangjing , Li Shifang , Zhang Zhixiang
Published: September 2024

Gene-editing technology, specifically the CRISPR-Cas13a system, has shown promise in breeding plants resistant to RNA viruses. This system targets RNA and, theoretically, can also combat RNA-based viroids. To test this, the CRISPR-Cas13a system was introduced into tomato plants via transient expression and into Nicotiana benthamiana through transgenic methods, using CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) targeting the conserved regions of both sense and antisense genomes of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd). In tomato plants, the expression of CRISPR-Cas13a and crRNAs substantially reduced PSTVd accumulation and alleviated disease symptoms. In transgenic N. benthamiana plants, the PSTVd levels were lower as compared to wild-type plants. Several effective crRNAs targeting the PSTVd genomic RNA were also identified. These results demonstrate that the CRISPR-Cas13a system can effectively target and combat viroid RNAs, despite their compact structures.
High Levels of Incidental COVID-19 Infection in Emergency Urology Admissions: A Propensity Score-Matched Real World Data Analysis across Surgical Specialties
Authors: Liu Alex Qinyang , Choy Eric Ka-Ho , Chiu Peter Ka-Fung , Yee Chi-Hang , Ng Chi-Fai , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun
Published: September 2024

Background: An incidental COVID-19 infection is often found in patients admitted for non-COVID-19-related conditions. This study aims to investigate the incidence of COVID-19 infections across surgical specialties including urology, general surgery, and orthopaedic surgery. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study based on a territory-wide electronic database in Hong Kong. All emergency in-hospital admissions under the urology, general surgery, and orthopaedic surgery divisions in the public healthcare system in Hong Kong from January to September 2022 were included. All patients were routinely screened for SARS-CoV-2, based on admission protocols during the investigation period. Baseline characteristics were retrieved, with 1:1:1 propensity score matching being performed. Incidental COVID-19 rates were then compared across specialties. Results: A total of 126,034 patients were included. After propensity score matching, the baseline characteristics were well balanced, and 8535 patients in each group were analysed. Urology admission was noted to have a statistically significant higher incidence of incidental COVID-19 at 9.3%, compared to general surgery (5.4%) or orthopaedic surgery (5.6%). Amongst urology patients with incidental COVID-19 infection, 35.8% were admitted for retention of urine, 27.9% for haematuria, and 8.6% for a urinary tract infection. Conclusions: This large-scale cohort study demonstrated that incidental COVID-19 rates differ between surgical specialties, with urology having the highest proportion of incidental COVID-19 infection.
mRNA Vaccination: An Outlook on Innate Sensing and Adaptive Immune Responses
Authors: Shoja Doost Janan , Fazel Fatemeh , Boodhoo Nitish , Sharif Shayan
Published: September 2024

Vaccination has led to significant dismantling of infectious diseases worldwide. Since the dawn of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been increased popularity in the usage and study of the mRNA vaccine platform. Here, we highlight fundamental knowledge on mRNA vaccine pharmacology, followed by the immunity conferred by innate sensing and adaptive responses resulting from exposure to the mRNA vaccine construct and encapsulation materials. A better understanding of these immune mechanisms will shed light on further improvements in mRNA vaccine design, aiming to improve efficiency and optimize immune responses upon inoculation.
Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in a Source Water Reservoir in Middle Reaches of Yellow River
Authors: Li Yang , Qin Liwen , Dou Yanyan , Shen Minghui , Chen Xudong , Liang Xishu , Ao Tianyu , Jin Kaibo , Duan Xuejun
Published: September 2024

As an emerging contaminant, the spatial distribution characteristics of microplastics in source water reservoirs warrant further attention from researchers. In this study, the Luhun Reservoir, which is situated in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, was selected as the object. Field sampling and detection were conducted to ascertain the presence of microplastics in water and sediment. The results indicated that the abundance of microplastics in the water varied from 1.60 to 13.26 items/L, while in the sediment it ranged from 792.38 to 2352.00 items/kg. Polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyamides exhibited higher levels in the water, whereas polyamides and polyethylene were more predominant in the sediments. Additionally, the surface layer exhibited the highest abundance of microplastics, followed by the bottom, while the intermediate layer displayed the lowest. As the depth increased, there was a gradual decrease in the proportion of polyethylene and an increase in the proportions of polyethylene terephthalate and polyamides. The risk assessment results showed that the Pollution Risk Index value of the water was 201.79, while the sediment had a value of 184.98, indicating a moderate potential ecological risk. This study provides valuable insights into the spatial distribution patterns of microplastics at different water depths and provides crucial data support for understanding the migration patterns of microplastics in source water reservoirs.
Monitoring of Total Phosphorus in Urban Water Bodies Using Silicon Crystal-Based FTIR-ATR Coupled with Different Machine Learning Approaches
Authors: Zheng Shuailin , Ma Fei , Zhou Jianmin , Du Changwen
Published: September 2024

Eutrophication occurs frequently in urban water bodies, and rapid measurement of phosphorus (P) is needed for water quality control, since P has been one of the limiting factors. In this study, approximately 400 water samples were collected from typical urban water bodies in Nanjing city, and Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) was applied for rapid P determination. Both silicon ATR (Si-ATR) and ZnSe-ATR were employed in the recording of FTIR-ATR spectra, and different algorithms, including partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector machines for regression (SVRs), extreme learning machines (ELMs), and self-adaptive partial least squares model (SA–PLS), were applied in the analysis of spectra data. The results showed that the water quality varied significantly for different water bodies in different seasons, and both Si-ATR and ZnSe-ATR could achieve good P prediction. The PLSR and SVR models showed poor P prediction effects while the ELM model was excellent, and the SA-PLS model was the best one. For the SA-PLS model, the prediction accuracy of Si-ATR (Rv2 = 0.973, RMSEV = 0.015 mg L−1, RPDV = 6.05) was slightly better than that of ZnSe-ATR (Rv2 = 0.942, RMSEV = 0.011 mg L−1, RPDV = 4.13). Therefore, the FTIR-ATR technology coupled with the SA-PLS model achieved rapid P determination in urban water, providing an effective option for water quality monitoring.
Optimization Study on Sequential Emptying and Dredging for Water Diversity Reservoir Group
Authors: Wang Yujun , Han Changsai , Zhao Xiping
Published: September 2024

Reservoir sediment severely impacts water supply in water-scarce regions, making reservoir dredging an urgent global issue. The investment required for deep-water dredging far exceeds that for dry land dredging. Therefore, against the backdrop of the national water network construction, this study focuses on a typical inter-basin water transfer project in Northern China. To increase the proportion of dry land dredging volume and save costs, this study uses compensation reservoirs to replace the emptied reservoir in undertaking water supply tasks as a constraint. Single-objective optimization models for single reservoirs and multi-objective optimization models for reservoir groups are established, using game theory comprehensive subjective and objective weighting methods to select the optimal solution. The following conclusions are drawn from comparing the water supply effects under various emptying sequences: the optimal sequence for emptying reservoirs should be determined through precise quantitative analysis; as the dredging is completed, the water supply tends to stabilize; the satisfaction with the water supply and the variance of the water shortage rate are primarily related to reservoirs with a large inflow and storage capacity; dredging occurs according to the descending order of the storage capacity of reservoirs; and the startup proportion of pump stations shows an increasing trend.
Future Agricultural Water Availability in Mediterranean Countries under Climate Change: A Systematic Review
Authors: Claro André M. , Fonseca André , Fraga Helder , Santos João A.
Published: September 2024

Warming and drying trends in the Mediterranean Basin exacerbate regional water scarcity and threaten agricultural production, putting global food security at risk. This study aimed to review the most significant research on future water availability for the Mediterranean agricultural sector under climate change (CC) scenarios published during 2009–2024. Two searches were performed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, to which previously identified significant studies from different periods were also added. By applying a methodology duly protocoled in the PRISMA2020-based guideline, a final number of 44 particularly relevant studies was selected for review. A bibliometric analysis has shown that most of the published research was focused on Southwestern European countries (i.e., Spain, Italy, Portugal) and grapevine and olive tree crops. Overall, the reviewed studies state that future Mediterranean water reserves may not meet agricultural water demands, due to reduced reservoir inflows and higher irrigation demands under future CC and socioeconomic scenarios. Regarding adaptation measures to improve water-use management in agriculture, the majority of the reviewed studies indicate that the use of integrated modelling platforms and decision–support systems can significantly contribute to the development and implementation of improved water/land-management practices.
Perception of Mangrove Social–Ecological System Governance in Southeastern Cuba
Authors: Cruz Portorreal Yanet , Beenaerts Natalie , Koedam Nico , Reyes Dominguez Orlando Joel , Milanes Celene B. , Dahdouh-Guebas Farid , Pérez Montero Ofelia
Published: September 2024

This study examined local communities’ perceptions of mangroves in coastal southeastern Cuba. A variety of methods were employed, including mixed and structured questionnaire surveys, interviews with key informants, and document reviews. Data were gathered from 334 respondents living in communities adjacent to four mangrove social–ecological systems (SESs). The analysis focused on five variables: community use of mangrove resources, ecosystem services, threats to the ecosystem, management activities, and social–ecological relationships. To qualitatively assess the influence of social–ecological relationships and governance, a matrix was created based on anthropogenic activities identified by respondents and their perceptions of ecosystem services. A Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was performed between demographic variables and identified mangrove uses. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the frequency of mangrove uses and the perception of ecosystem services among the studied areas. The results indicate that, while local people recognise the uses and ecosystem services of mangroves, they do not rely on them for their livelihoods. Perceptions of ecosystem services vary significantly depending on the occupation of the respondents and the locality. They also showed moderate to full awareness of management responsibilities and activities at each site. The most commonly identified threats were climate change, drought, and deforestation. Three types of social–ecological relationships were identified based on the characteristics of the communities, their economic activities, and their impacts on the mangroves: urban–industrial, rural–agricultural, and rural–agricultural/tourism. Based on the results, recommendations are made for ecosystem governance in the southeast of Cuba.
Development of aircraft noise simulation framework J-FRAIN based on component-wise sound source models
Authors: Takaishi Takehisa , Kobayashi Tomohiro , Ikuta Yuho , Imamura Taro , Kawase Yasuaki
Published: September 2024

In order tomake detailed and accurate predictions of aircraft noise around airports, we have developed “J-FRAIN”, a new aircraft noise simulation framework that can precisely predict the time histories of noises emitted from each major aircraft noise source during the landing
approach phase at ground observation points. This article describes the elements of the developed framework—data acquisition, sound source modeling, propagation modeling, and ground noise prediction—and present some application examples. To develop the framework, we first deployed
a 30m-diameter microphone array under the final approach path to an international airport to measure acoustic maps of several civil aircraft types in flight. The sound powers of major aircraft noise-emitting components were then estimated quantitatively by domain integration of the deconvolved
acoustic maps at five emission angles in the plane of the glideslope, and the directivities of each noise source were determined. Next, component-wise sound source regression models for engines and airframe noise sources were created based on the physical relationships between engine rotation
speed, airspeed, and the deployment angle of high-lift devices, and the coefficients in each model were determined to minimize the root-mean-square error between the measured and predicted sound power levels. The phenomena of atmospheric absorption and ground effect during the propagation
of radiated sounds were also incorporated into the framework. Actual flight parameter values were used as inputs to the completed framework, and it was confirmed that the predicted time histories of sound pressure levels on the ground agreed with measured data to within 2 dB if ground effect
was properly considered. Finally, as sample applications that use the unique features of the proposed J-FRAIN framework, the article discusses the evaluation of the contributions of each aircraft noise source at noise observation points under the final approach path to the airport and the
impact assessment of flight operations on noise.
Mathematical modeling and experiments on the acoustic properties of a frame structure with a membrane
Authors: Satoh Takamasa , Sakamoto Shuichi , Iizuka Kenta , Tasaki Katsuhiko , Tanabe Kaito
Published: September 2024

This study is a fundamental work conducted to theoretically estimate the acoustic properties of a simplified frame structure, that is, a simplified foam sound absorbing material, which is a porous material. The changes in the sound absorption characteristics caused by the presence of
a membrane are also considered as part of the fundamental study of foam materials. In the mathematical model, the clearance composed by the frame structure with the membrane is divided into elements perpendicular to the direction of the soundwave incidence and approximated as a clearance bounded
by two parallel planes. The characteristic impedance and the propagation constant are obtained for the approximated clearance and introduced into a one-dimensional transfer matrix. The transfer matrix method is used to calculate the sound absorption coefficient. The calculated theoretical
values are compared with the experimental values. Sensitivity analysis is also performed for the changes in the parameters used in the theoretical analysis, such as the cylinder diameter and the pitch between the cylinders. The samples are fabricated using a three-dimensional printer. The
sound absorption coefficient is measured using a two-microphone impedance measurement tube. The theoretical values based on the analysis tended to be close to the experimental ones. They showed a high prediction accuracy with respect to the peak frequency of the sound absorption curve. These
values for the presence and increase of the membrane closely followed the experimental values when the percentage of the membrane present was varied.
Adhesive Calcium Alginate Networks Enable Robust Silver Nanowire Electrodes for Flexible Electronics
Authors: Li Hui , Duan Meng , Chen Qiaomei , Zhang Guangcong , Zhang Zhou , Gao Bin , Shen Xipeng , Wei Yen , Li Weiwei
Published: September 2024

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) deposited on plastic substrates show potential as electrodes for flexible electronics but face challenges due to high surface roughness and poor compatibility with organic plastics. To overcome these issues, this study incorporates calcium alginate, a cross-linked polymer binder, into the electrodes through the cross-linking of sodium alginate with calcium chloride. This method offers several advantages. Firstly, calcium alginate fills the gaps between AgNWs, reducing surface roughness. Additionally, Cl
−
ions aid in the welding of AgNW junctions, enhancing conductivity. Furthermore, the carboxylate and hydroxyl groups in calcium alginate establish robust interactions with both AgNWs and plastic substrates, bolstering electrode durability. The resulting electrodes exhibit favorable characteristics, including a reduced roughness of 8.4 nm, a low sheet resistance of 8.3 Ω cm
−2
, high transmittance (91.2% at 550 nm), and exceptional resistance to air, solvents, and mechanical stress. Consequently, flexible organic solar cells with these electrodes display superior mechanical resilience, maintaining over 96% of their initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) even when subjected to a small fixed bending radius of 1 mm for 1,000 cycles. Furthermore, these devices even experience less than an 8% PCE decrease after 10,000 bending cycles at a radius of 2.5 mm.