bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep-Reinforcement-Learning-Based Object Transportation Using Task Space Decomposition
Authors: Eoh Gyuho
Published: May 2023

This paper presents a novel object transportation method using deep reinforcement learning (DRL) and the task space decomposition (TSD) method. Most previous studies on DRL-based object transportation worked well only in the specific environment where a robot learned how to transport an object. Another drawback was that DRL only converged in relatively small environments. This is because the existing DRL-based object transportation methods are highly dependent on learning conditions and training environments; they cannot be applied to large and complicated environments. Therefore, we propose a new DRL-based object transportation that decomposes a difficult task space to be transported into simple multiple sub-task spaces using the TSD method. First, a robot sufficiently learned how to transport an object in a standard learning environment (SLE) that has small and symmetric structures. Then, a whole-task space was decomposed into several sub-task spaces by considering the size of the SLE, and we created sub-goals for each sub-task space. Finally, the robot transported an object by sequentially occupying the sub-goals. The proposed method can be extended to a large and complicated new environment as well as the training environment without additional learning or re-learning. Simulations in different environments are presented to verify the proposed method, such as a long corridor, polygons, and a maze.
A Joint Extraction System Based on Conditional Layer Normalization for Health Monitoring
Authors: Shi Binbin , Fan Rongli , Zhang Lijuan , Huang Jie , Xiong Neal , Vasilakos Athanasios , Wan Jian , Zhang Lei
Published: May 2023

Natural language processing (NLP) technology has played a pivotal role in health monitoring as an important artificial intelligence method. As a key technology in NLP, relation triplet extraction is closely related to the performance of health monitoring. In this paper, a novel model is proposed for joint extraction of entities and relations, combining conditional layer normalization with the talking-head attention mechanism to strengthen the interaction between entity recognition and relation extraction. In addition, the proposed model utilizes position information to enhance the extraction accuracy of overlapping triplets. Experiments on the Baidu2019 and CHIP2020 datasets demonstrate that the proposed model can effectively extract overlapping triplets, which leads to significant performance improvements compared with baselines.
Implementation of a Real-Time Object Pick-and-Place System Based on a Changing Strategy for Rapidly-Exploring Random Tree
Authors: Wong Ching-Chang , Chen Chong-Jia , Wong Kai-Yi , Feng Hsuan-Ming
Published: May 2023

An object pick-and-place system with a camera, a six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) robot manipulator, and a two-finger gripper is implemented based on the robot operating system (ROS) in this paper. A collision-free path planning method is one of the most fundamental problems that has to be solved before the robot manipulator can autonomously pick-and-place objects in complex environments. In the implementation of the real-time pick-and-place system, the success rate and computing time of path planning by a six-DOF robot manipulator are two essential key factors. Therefore, an improved rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT) algorithm, named changing strategy RRT (CS-RRT), is proposed. Based on the method of gradually changing the sampling area based on RRT (CSA-RRT), two mechanisms are used in the proposed CS-RRT to improve the success rate and computing time. The proposed CS-RRT algorithm adopts a sampling-radius limitation mechanism, which enables the random tree to approach the goal area more efficiently each time the environment is explored. It can avoid spending a lot of time looking for valid points when it is close to the goal point, thus reducing the computing time of the improved RRT algorithm. In addition, the CS-RRT algorithm adopts a node counting mechanism, which enables the algorithm to switch to an appropriate sampling method in complex environments. It can avoid the search path being trapped in some constrained areas due to excessive exploration in the direction of the goal point, thus improving the adaptability of the proposed algorithm to various environments and increasing the success rate. Finally, an environment with four object pick-and-place tasks is established, and four simulation results are given to illustrate that the proposed CS-RRT-based collision-free path planning method has the best performance compared with the other two RRT algorithms. A practical experiment is also provided to verify that the robot manipulator can indeed complete the specified four object pick-and-place tasks successfully and effectively.
Arab Youth Involvement in Delinquent Behaviors: Exploring Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory from a Qualitative Perspective
Authors: Khoury-Kassabri Mona , Blit-Cohen Edith , Ajzenstadt Mimi , Jeries-Loulou Lana J.
Published: May 2023

The current study is based on Travis Hirschi’s social bond theory, arguing that the debut of delinquent behavior is a result of the weakening of the ties that bind people to society. According to Hirschi’s social bond theory, all youth have the potential to commit delinquent behaviors, but they are kept under control by their relationships with friends, parents, neighbors, teachers, and employers. These factors could serve as protective factors from involvement in crimes. Most studies of social bond theory have been conducted in Western countries among male adolescents using quantitative methods, including cross-cultural approaches. However, the ability of social bond theory to explain youth involvement in delinquency in non-Western cultures, especially conservative and authoritarian cultures such as the Arab one, has not been widely examined. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring youth involvement in delinquency using qualitative research on Palestinian-Arab youth in Israel. Addressing youth delinquency within the unique sociocultural, economic, and political situation of the Arab minority in Israel will help us examine the theory’s applicability to the explanation of deviant behavior in a variety of contexts.
Robustness of Optimized Decision Tree-Based Machine Learning Models to Map Gully Erosion Vulnerability
Authors: Eloudi Hasna , Hssaisoune Mohammed , Reddad Hanane , Namous Mustapha , Ismaili Maryem , Krimissa Samira , Ouayah Mustapha , Bouchaou Lhoussaine
Published: May 2023

Gully erosion is a worldwide threat with numerous environmental, social, and economic impacts. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the performance and robustness of six machine learning ensemble models based on the decision tree principle: Random Forest (RF), C5.0, XGBoost, treebag, Gradient Boosting Machines (GBMs) and Adaboost, in order to map and predict gully erosion-prone areas in a semi-arid mountain context. The first step was to prepare the inventory data, which consisted of 217 gully points. This database was then randomly subdivided into five percentages of Train/Test (50/50, 60/40, 70/30, 80/20, and 90/10) to assess the stability and robustness of the models. Furthermore, 17 geo-environmental variables were used as potential controlling factors, and several metrics were examined to evaluate the performance of the six models. The results revealed that all of the models used performed well in terms of predicting vulnerability to gully erosion. The C5.0 and RF models had the best prediction performance (AUC = 90.8 and AUC = 90.1, respectively). However, according to the random subdivisions of the database, these models exhibit small but noticeable instability, with high performance for the 80/20% and 70/30% subdivisions. This demonstrates the significance of database refining and the need to test various splitting data in order to ensure efficient and reliable output results.
Does Sustainable Development in Resource-Based Cities Effectively Reduce Carbon Emissions? An Empirical Study Based on Annual Panel Data from 59 Prefecture-Level Cities in China
Authors: Zhao Chenghao , Chen Guangrui , Wang Pengfei , Ding Tao , Wang Xinru
Published: May 2023

This study presents an analysis of the impact of the National Plan for the Sustainable Development of Resource-based Cities (2013–2020) on urban carbon emissions and explores the underlying mechanisms of this policy’s effect. Panel data from 59 prefecture-level cities in the Shandong, Henan, Hunan, and Hubei provinces in China for the period between 2007 and 2019 were used to perform a DID (difference-in-differences) method analysis and conduct various robustness tests, including counterfactual testing, a PSM-DID (propensity score matching-difference-in-differences) method analysis, and a placebo test. The findings demonstrate that The Plan effectively reduces urban carbon emissions, with its effects varying across provinces and classes of resource-based cities. Specifically, Henan Province shows the most significant effect in reducing carbon emissions compared to the other three provinces. The Plan is more successful in regenerative and recessionary resource-based cities than in mature ones. Furthermore, it reduces carbon emissions by decreasing cities’ dependence on resources, improving citizens’ quality of life, and limiting the pace of industrial development. This article provides important policy implications for promoting the sustainable development of China’s resource-based cities and achieving carbon emission reduction goals amidst the carbon peak and carbon neutrality contexts.
Physical Activity Programs in Shanxi Province Schools in China: Effects of In-School and After-School Delivery on Students’ Motivational and Social Outcomes
Authors: He Juan , Yu Hongli , Jiang Man , Szumilewicz Anna
Published: May 2023

Effective physical activity (PA) programs may enhance students’ awareness, competence, and motivation to participate in PA in the future for their health and mental well-being. The most effective way to accomplish this is through in-school and after-school activities. However, certain obstacles (traditional ways) may prevent some students from gaining these benefits. By eliminating these and other barriers, transforming after-school PA programs into in-school PA programs can enhance access to PA services. Despite this, the change in learning context from after-school to in-school may affect student engagement and program effectiveness by altering the interaction between students and teachers. Self-determination theory was employed to explain how the learning context affects motivation and social outcomes in PA programs for primary school students. The study involved 513 students from 12 different schools in Shanxi Province, China, in 2022. They represented 46.24% girls and 53.76% boys, ranging in age from 9 to 12. Teachers conducted PA programs to motivate students to participate in healthy activities. Assessment of student–teacher interactions, psychological needs satisfaction, and motivation was conducted among PA students through questionnaires. Relationships between students and teachers were incorporated into a structural equation model as direct and mediated determinants of motivation for attendance PA programs. There is agreement between the results and the hypothesized model, which predicts higher levels of psychological need satisfaction and higher levels of intrinsic motivation. In addition, the learning context only negatively affects less-self-determined motivations. Results confirm that positive perceptions of teachers by students play a significant role in promoting incentives for PA program participation in more self-determined manners. Furthermore, innovative strategies to reduce the detrimental effects of long-standing institutional structures and procedures should be considered and incorporated into in-school programs that motivate students to participate in these programs.
Assessment of Carbon Reduction Benefits of A/O-Gradient Constructed Wetland Renovation for Rural Wastewater Treatment in the Southeast Coastal Areas of China Based on Life Cycle Assessment: The Example of Xiamen Sanxiushan Village
Authors: Liu Xianpeng , Zhang Heng , Yao Minfeng , Li Li , Qin Yuchen
Published: May 2023

The enhancement of carbon sequestration and emissions reduction has emerged as a primary concern in China’s rural regions. Nevertheless, numerous completed rural wastewater treatment facilities necessitate retrofitting due to suboptimal operational conditions. Consequently, evaluating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions impact and carbon reduction advantages of rural wastewater treatment facility retrofitting is essential. Existing research predominantly focuses on urban wastewater treatment plants, with minimal attention given to GHG emissions impact during the construction and demolition stages of wastewater treatment facilities. In this investigation, we developed a life cycle assessment (LCA)-based evaluation model to appraise the GHG emissions impact and carbon reduction benefits of retrofitting rural wastewater treatment facilities. We examined a renovation project in Sanxiushan Village, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, incorporating the integrated plant treatment technology of constructed wetlands. Our findings indicate that retrofitting offers significant advantages in terms of GHG emissions reduction, even when accounting for implicit GHG emissions. The establishment of supplementary terraced constructed wetlands and landscape greening can yield more substantial carbon reduction benefits. Moreover, we discovered that implicit GHG emissions during the construction stage can be mitigated by employing local, recycled, and low-carbon materials. Modifying vegetation community structure and prioritizing vegetation species selection can enhance the carbon storage capacity of plants, reducing overall life cycle GHG emissions and augmenting emissions reduction benefits. The evaluation model developed in this study can facilitate the promotion of low-carbon construction and operation of rural wastewater treatment facilities.
Fault Seamless Self-Healing Method of Regional Distributed Network Based on the Cooperation of Source-Load-Storage
Authors: Wei Chengzhi , Tu Chunming , Song Weiwei , Xiao Fan
Published: May 2023

The large-scale development of distributed generators poses challenges to the operation of distribution networks in remote areas. The power grid structure of the regional distributed networks in remote areas is relatively weak. When a fault occurs in the connecting channel, the regional distributed network may be separated from the main grid and become an island. Those distributed generators not only cannot maintain stable operation of the island but may lead to reclosing failure. This may lead to power interruption of important loads. Aiming at the demand for continuous power supply of important loads in regional distributed networks, a self-healing control method based on the cooperation of source-load-storage is proposed in this paper. The characteristics of the regional distributed network are analyzed first. A real-time island stability control method based on the operating conditions combined with regulation with tripping is proposed. This method comprehensively evaluates the self-healing ability of the regional distributed network after the island. The regulation strategy is adopted preferentially to realize the stable operation of the island without losing any load. When the regulation ability is insufficient, the strategy combines regulation and tripping. Considering the importance of load and source-load ratio, and according to the real-time power of each feeder, the optimal feeders are cut off. The purpose of island stability control of the regional distributed network was achieved. In this way, the load loss is minimized, and the speed of island re-connection to the grid is also accelerated. The seamless power supply of important loads in a regional distributed network is guaranteed. A complex Hardware-in-Loop simulation test platform of RTDS is built to verify the correctness of the proposed method.
A Framework Proposal for the Ex Post Evaluation of a Solution-Driven PES Scheme: The Case of Medvednica Nature Park
Authors: Bruzzese Stefano , Tolić Mandić Iva , Tišma Sanja , Blanc Simone , Brun Filippo , Vuletić Dijana
Published: May 2023

Payments for ecosystem services are a voluntary market-based instrument to remunerate provider(s) of ecosystem services by those who benefit from them. Our research aimed to create an ex post evaluation framework to identify bottlenecks and elements hindering the success of a solution-driven PES scheme. The framework was applied to a case study to assess its feasibility and concerns the provision of health and recreational services in the Medvednica Nature Park (Zagreb, Croatia). The framework was set up through three main sources: the study of PES implementation project documentation, semi-structured interviews with visitors and key stakeholders, and web-scraping of TripAdvisor reviews of the park. The main findings confirm society’s interest in the park, but the lack of mapping, quantification, and accounting of the services analysed, the little or no demand from society to pay for their provision, and confused knowledge of the property rights of some ecosystem service providers in the area limit the success of the PES scheme. The framework was useful to describe the chosen PES scheme and to identify bottlenecks and fragilities of the system in place, allowing it to correct its application flaws and, on the other hand, to demonstrate its replicability in other contexts.
Being an Emotionally Intelligent Leader through the Nine-Layer Model of Emotional Intelligence—The Supporting Role of New Technologies
Authors: Drigas Athanasios , Papoutsi Chara , Skianis Charalabos
Published: May 2023

Several years ago, a characteristic of leadership was the intelligence index, but in recent years this has changed, and emotional intelligence is considered an important parameter for a leader. A leader who shows a high index of emotional intelligence can activate his/her human potential and subsequently others. There is a large body of literature on “what” great leaders should do, but more emphasis needs to be placed on “how” to develop such leaders by focusing on detailed individual behavior change and self-development. The current article aims to investigate the concept of emotional intelligence and describe the levels of the emotional intelligence pyramid model and how these are reflected in the role of leadership. The theoretical model is complemented by a set of metacognitive and metaemotional strategies while emphasizing the role of technologies to provide fertile ground for the implementation of emotional intelligence skills in leadership. The strategies framework provides a training paradigm for implementation in education and working environments. The results of this article provide a new theoretical framework of the emotional skills a leader must possess, and they also provide a useful framework for cultivating them, which will promote long-term human capital development and help everyone achieve educational and professional success. The pyramid model of emotional intelligence and its strategies can have practical applications in any form of leadership, as research has shown a positive correlation between these two concepts.
Assessment of Pleistocene Aquifer Vulnerability to Saline Intrusion in the Coastal Region of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province Using GIS and Entropy-GALDIT
Authors: Nguyen Au Hai , Pham Khanh Quoc , Le Quang Huu
Published: May 2023

Sea-level rise, in the context of climate change, increases the likelihood of seawater intruding into coastal aquifers. This study assesses the vulnerability of the Pleistocene aquifer in the coastal area of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, Vietnam. Data for calculation and analysis were collected from 99 boreholes in the study area. Using the vulnerability assessment index (GALDIT) with expanded weights, the vulnerability of the aquifer to the influence of coastlines was evaluated and visualized in a GIS environment. The set of Entropy weights used clearly shows the significance of the component parameters and indicates the characteristics of the risk partitioning of aquifer salinization. The Entropy-GALDIT results divided the Pleistocene aquifer in the coastal area of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province into three levels of vulnerability: high vulnerability zones (3.88% of the area), medium vulnerability zones (55.47%), and low vulnerability zones (40.65%). According to the GALDIT susceptibility zoning map, the western area of Phu My town (along the Thi Vai River), the southwest region of Vung Tau City, and the southeast region of Dat Do District are highly sensitive and not recommended for any purpose. This result provides useful insights into the vulnerability of aquifers in the coastal area of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, with respect to factors such as the height of the groundwater level above sea level, the distance from the shore to the wells, and the impact of existing seawater intrusion. Accordingly, it is necessary to establish monitoring systems to warn of saltwater intrusion and to develop integrated resource management strategies to ensure the sustainability of groundwater resources in the area.
Evaluation of Geo-Environment Carrying Capacity Based on Intuitionistic Fuzzy TOPSIS Method: A Case Study of China
Authors: Wang Yuanmin , Yuan Mingkang , Zhou Xiaofeng , Qu Xiaobing
Published: May 2023

The resource environment is a fundamental prerequisite for the construction of ecological civilization and the realization of sustainable development goals. It is also a core guarantee for human production activities. Conducting an evaluation of regional geo-environmental carrying capacity has significant practical importance for achieving sustainable development in the region. However, the existing evaluation methods for geo-environmental carrying capacity fail to effectively integrate multi-source data, resulting in an incomplete reflection of the level of regional geological carrying capacity. To address this issue, this study introduces the intuitionistic fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making method into the geo-environmental carrying capacity evaluation, according to the unique topographic and geomorphological characteristics of the region. A complete analysis framework is established, which integrates the intuitionistic fuzzy and TOPSIS models to classify the geo-environmental carrying capacity evaluation into five grades: high, relatively high, medium, relatively poor, and poor. Using Meishan, China as an example, the region is divided into 33 geomorphological units based on its geographical features. The results show that: (a) the percentage of natural units with high carrying capacity is 17.27%, that of relatively high natural units is 14.07%, that of medium natural units is 31.70%, that of relatively poor natural units is 27.51%, and that of poor natural units is 9.45%; (b) the geo-environmental carrying capacity exhibits spatial differences and uneven distribution. Furthermore, the average annual rainfall and degree of karst development are the main factors affecting the geo-environmental carrying capacity. These research results and findings can provide technical support for urban planning, regional sustainable development, and ecological environmental protection.
Cyclic Bond-Slip Behavior of Partially Debonded Tendons for Sustainable Design of Non-Emulative Precast Segmental Bridge Columns
Authors: Xia Leilei , Hu Hongcheng , Guan Shiyu , Shah Yasir Ibrahim , Liu Yingqi
Published: May 2023

The precast segmental bridge columns incorporating resettable sliding joints have been proposed to extend the accelerated bridge construction techniques to regions of moderate to high seismicity while fulfilling the sustainability-based resilient seismic design concept. Following a rethink of the design strategy in the light of inspirations from hybrid sliding-rocking joints, the design of resettable sliding joints can accommodate a certain amount of horizontal sliding displacement and adopt partially debonded tendons in a vertical manner, probably resulting in complicated tensile-flexural loading scenarios in these tendons during earthquakes, which is rarely considered in practice. In this paper, the sustainable design of resettable sliding joints is introduced. A tailor-made setup was established and simplified cyclic bond-slip tests were conducted to validate the practicality of the proposed partially debonded tendon system. Twelve specimens were fabricated using different strands and grouting techniques, and a two-stage numerical model was proposed to interpret the experimental results of seven typical specimens. The results suggest that the deterioration of reloading stiffnesses can be captured by an additional effective length caused by bond failure, and the strands perform mostly elastically under relatively large transverse displacements. The loading stiffness of the anchorage is 26.3 kN/mm, and it has significant effects and the proposed two-stage model can satisfactorily capture the envelope of the response of the partially debonded tendons, providing practical design for the proposed partially debonded tendons used in sustainable non-emulative precast segmental bridge columns.
Feasibility, Uptake, and Results of COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests among Refugees and Migrants in a Pilot Project in North-West Syria
Authors: Ghawji Hassan , AlYousfi Mohamad Nihad , Satyanarayana Srinath , Wilson Nevin , Tomeh Laila , Alkhellov Hussam , Hasan Sali , Sarin Sanjay , Kao Kekeletso
Published: May 2023

North-west Syria (NWS) is a conflict-affected and unstable area. Due to its limited health infrastructure, accessing advanced COVID-19 testing services is challenging. COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) have the potential to overcome this barrier. A pilot project was implemented to introduce Ag-RDTs in NWS, aiming to determine the feasibility, uptake, and results of Ag-RDTs and identify facilitators and barriers to testing with Ag-RDTs. A cross-sectional study design involving secondary analysis of data collected during the project was employed. A local non-governmental organization implemented 25,000 Ag-RDTs that were conducted cross-border by trained community health workers. In total, 27,888 eligible individuals were enrolled, 24,956 (89.5%) consented to test, and 121 (0.5%) were COVID-19-positive. The highest positivity was observed among those with severe COVID-19 symptoms (12.7%), with respiratory illnesses (2.5%), enrolled at hospitals in Afrin (2.5%), and healthcare workers (1.9%). A non-random sample of 236 individuals underwent confirmatory RT-PCR testing. Observed sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 80.0%, 96.1%, 91.4%, and 90.3%, respectively. Challenges included obtaining informed consent and conducting confirmatory testing. Ag-RDTs represent a feasible screening/diagnostic tool for COVID-19 infections in NWS, with nearly 90% uptake. Embedding Ag-RDTs into COVID-19 testing and screening strategies would be highly beneficial.
Differences in Virulence Factors and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Uropathogenic Enterococcus spp. Strains in a Rural Area of Uganda and a Spanish Secondary Hospital
Authors: Carrasco Calzada Félix , Jairo Aguilera John , Moreno Jaime Esteban , Cuadros González Juan , Roca Biosca David , Prieto-Pérez Laura , Pérez-Tanoira Ramón
Published: May 2023

Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium have become two of the most important agents of nosocomial diseases due to their constantly growing resistance. Enterococcal infections are associated with biofilms, which are intrinsically sensitive to antimicrobials. The main goal of this study was to compare and relate their capacity to form biofilm and their antimicrobial sensitivity, as well as their virulence factors and their implicated genes, of strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) in a rural hospital in Uganda and a secondary hospital in Spain. A prospective study was conducted with 104 strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium isolated from patients with suspected UTI and who presented leukocyturia at the Saint Joseph Kitgum hospital (Uganda) and at the Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias (Spain). All microorganisms were identified in Spain by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility studies were carried out using the Vitek® 2 system (Biomériux, France). The biofilm formation capacity was studied by photospectrometry. Phenotypic and genotypic virulence factors were studied in all cases by PCR or expression techniques. In Uganda, we found a higher incidence of E. faecium (65.3%, n = 32), contrary to the situation found in Spain where most of the bacteria found belonged to E. faecalis (92.7%, n = 51). All E. faecalis strains were found to have very low levels of resistance to ampicillin, imipenem, and nitrofurantoin. However, E. faecium exhibited more than 25% resistance to these antibiotics. Although the esp gene has been shown in the results obtained to be an important initial agent in biofilm formation, we have also demonstrated in this study the intervention of other genes when esp is not present, such as the ace1 gene. No statistically significant relationships were found between the presence of agg and gelE genes and increased biofilm formation. The significant difference between the incidence of E. faecalis and E. faecium and biofilm formation, between samples from Spain and Uganda, shows us very different profiles between countries.
Porcine Respirovirus 1 Suppresses Host Type I Interferon Production and the JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Yanhua , Li Chenxi
Published: May 2023

Porcine respirovirus 1 (PRV1), first reported in Hong Kong, is currently widely spread in several countries. Our knowledge of the clinical significance and the pathogenicity of this virus is still limited. In this study, we studied the interactions between PRV1 and host innate immune responses. PRV1 exhibited strong inhibitory effects on the production of interferon (IFN), ISG15, and RIG-I induced by SeV infection. Our data generated in vitro suggest that multiple viral proteins can suppress host type I interferon production and signaling, including N, M, and P/C/V/W. The P gene products disrupt both IRF3 and NF-κB dependent type I IFN production and block type I IFN signaling pathway by sequestering STAT1 in the cytoplasm. The V protein disrupts both MDA5 signaling and RIG-I signaling through interaction with TRIM25 and RIG-I, V protein blocks RIG-I polyubiquitination, which is required for RIG-I activation. V protein also binds to MDA5, which may contribute to its inhibitory effect on MDA5 signaling. These findings indicate that PRV1 antagonizes host innate immune responses using various mechanisms, which provides important insights into the pathogenicity of PRV1.
Predicted Public Health and Economic Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination with Variable Duration of Protection for Adults ≥60 Years in Belgium
Authors: Postma Maarten , Cheng Chih-Yuan , Buyukkaramikli Nasuh , Hernandez Pastor Luis , Vandersmissen Ine , Van Effelterre Thierry , Openshaw Peter , Simoens Steven
Published: May 2023

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in older adults. This study used a static, cohort-based decision-tree model to estimate the public health and economic impact of vaccination against RSV in Belgians aged ≥60 years compared with no vaccination for different vaccine duration of protection profiles from a healthcare payer perspective. Three vaccine protection durations were compared (1, 3, and 5 years), and several sensitivity and scenario analyses were performed. Results showed that an RSV vaccine with a 3-year duration of protection would prevent 154,728 symptomatic RSV-ARI cases, 3688 hospitalizations, and 502 deaths over three years compared to no vaccination in older adults and would save EUR 35,982,857 in direct medical costs in Belgium. The number needed to vaccinate to prevent one RSV-ARI case was 11 for the 3-year duration profile, while it was 28 and 8 for the 1- and 5-year vaccine duration profiles, respectively. The model was generally robust in sensitivity analyses varying key input values. This study suggested that vaccination could substantially decrease the public health and economic burden of RSV in adults ≥60 years in Belgium, with benefits increasing with a longer duration of vaccine protection.
Sero-Epidemiology and Associated Risk Factors of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Northern Border Regions of Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Munib , Li Yanmin , Munib Kainat , Rahman Hanif Ur , Zhang Zhidong
Published: May 2023

The present cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the distribution and risk factors of FMD in Pakistan’s northern border regions. About 385 serum samples were compiled from small ruminants (239) and large ruminants (146) and tested using 3ABC-Mab-bELISA. An overall apparent seroprevalence of 67.0% was documented. The highest seroprevalence of 81.1% was reported in the Swat, followed by 76.6% in Mohmand, 72.7% in Gilgit, 65.6% in Shangla, 63.4% in Bajaur, 46.6% in Chitral and lowest 46.5% in Khyber region. Statistically significant variations in seroprevalence of 51.5%, 71.8%, 58.3%, and 74.4% were recorded in sheep, goats, cattle, and buffaloes, respectively. From the different risk factors investigated, age, sex, species of animal, seasons, flock/herd size, farming methods, outbreak location, and nomadic animal movement were found to be significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the seroprevalence of FMD. It was concluded that proper epidemiological study, risk-based FMD surveillance in small ruminants, vaccination strategy, control measures for transboundary animal movement, collaborations, and awareness programs need to be practiced in the study regions to investigate the newly circulating virus strains in large and small ruminants and associated factors for the wide seroprevalence to plan proper control policies to bound the consequence of FMD in the region.
Comparison of Phenol Adsorption Property and Mechanism onto Different Moroccan Clays
Authors: Dehmani Younes , Franco Dison S. P. , Georgin Jordana , Lamhasni Taibi , Brahmi Younes , Oukhrib Rachid , Mustapha Belfaquir , Moussout Hamou , Ouallal Hassan , Sadik Abouarnadasse
Published: May 2023

This study focuses on the removal of phenol from aqueous media using Agouraï clay (Fes-Meknes-Morocco region) and Geulmima clay (Draa Tafilalet region). The characterization of the clay by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (DTA/GTA) indicates that it is mainly composed of quartz, kaolinite, and illite. The results showed that raw Clay Agourai (RCA) and raw Clay Geulmima (RCG) adsorbed phenol very quickly and reached equilibrium after 30 min. Thermodynamic parameters reveal the physical nature of the adsorption, the spontaneity, and the sequence of the process. However, the structure and structural characterization of the solid before and after phenol adsorption indicated that the mechanism of the reaction was electrostatic and that hydrogen bonding played an important role in RCG, while kinetic modeling showed the pseudo-second-order model dynamics. The physics-statistics modeling was employed for describing the isotherm adsorption for both systems. It was found that the monolayer model with two different energy sites best describes adsorption irrespective of the system. The model indicates that the receptor density of each clay direct influences the adsorption capacity, demonstrating that the composition of the clay is the main source of the difference. Thermodynamic simulations have shown that the adsorption of phenol is spontaneous and endothermic, irrespective of the system. In addition, thermodynamic simulations show that the RCG could be adsorbed even further since the equilibrium was not achieved for any thermodynamic variable. The strength of this study lies in the determination of the adsorption mechanism of phenol on clay materials and the optimum values of temperature and pH.
Heavy Metals from NEFA Recycling as a Road Base Material: Release Dynamics and Impacts on a Shallow Aquifer
Authors: Li Shu , Zhao Yuxin , Xu Ya , Xu Rongbin , Liu Yuqiang , Sun Shuna , Zhou Mengting
Published: May 2023

The recycling of fly ash for structural fill uses, such as road base materials, is the most promising avenue to dissipate fly ash. Traditional risk assessment methods do not take into account the ultra-alkaline nature of new emerging fly ash (NEFA) and may underestimate the risk of long-term release of heavy metals and contamination of shallow diving when fly ash is utilized as a road base material. In this study, carbonation experiments are used to reveal the heavy metal release characteristics of NEFA under natural aging conditions and to assess the environmental risk and regional variability characteristics of pollutant release to shallow aquifers under the new fly ash road utilization scenario based on process modeling and Monte Carlo methods. The results showed that the heavy metal release concentrations in carbonized NEFA increased by a factor of 1.17–114.56 with natural aging. This would result in a dramatic increase in the shallow aquifer contamination risk when this material is used as a road base in typical areas. Exposure concentrations of four heavy metals, Ni, Cu, Zn, and As, increased by 1.27–113.89 times, and Cd concentrations increased from 0 mg/L to 0.055 mg/L. Ground infiltration differences due to regional differences in rainfall and other factors lead to differences in the shallow aquifer contamination risk in different areas. Heavy metal exposure concentrations can vary by up to 1.55 times. The results of the study confirm the significant long-term increase in heavy metal release and risk under NEFA resource utilization conditions and the shortcomings of traditional methods in characterizing their release and risk dynamics. In response, it is recommended that attention be paid to the long-term risk of NEFA resource utilization and that a methodological system for characterizing the heavy metal release potential and risk assessment of NEFA be developed.
Fish Injury from Movements across Hydraulic Structures: A Review
Authors: Cox Reilly X. , Kingsford Richard T. , Suthers Iain , Felder Stefan
Published: May 2023

Fish migration is essential to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems, but hydraulic structures across rivers have impeded natural fish migration worldwide. While efforts have been made to allow fish to pass some hydraulic structures, there is limited understanding of hydrodynamic effects that cause fish injury in different hydraulic systems, such as spillways and stilling basins as well as hydropower systems. This study reviewed available literature on this topic to identify the current knowledge of fish injury thresholds in laboratory- and field-based studies of hydraulic systems. Often, the hydraulic effects that lead to fish injury have been described with time-averaged simplified parameters including shear stress, pressure changes, acceleration, vortical motions, aeration, collision, and strike, while these hydrodynamic effects often occur simultaneously in the turbulent flows across hydraulic structures, making it difficult to link specific fish injuries to a particular hydrodynamic effect. Strong variations of injury may occur, depending on the type and the intensity of hydrodynamic effects, as well as the fish species and fish sizes. Modelling can provide information of stressors, but real-world tests are needed to accurately assess fish injury and mortality. Fish injury mechanisms at hydropower turbines are well understood, however, clear understanding at other sites is lacking. Future studies should aim to report holistic hydrodynamic thresholds with associated fish injury rates. Multidisciplinary systematic research is required, including laboratory and field studies, using passive tracer sensor packages and state-of-the art instrumentation in conjunction with live fish. This can quantify stressors with meaningful parameters, aiming to improve fish safety with more sustainable design of water infrastructure that reduces fish injury when passing across hydraulic structures.
Maxim Violation in “Dilbert” Comic Strips
Authors: Kanasya Alfonsa Vina , Bram Barli
Published: May 2023

This research investigates the conversations in the “Dilbert” comic written by Scott Adams. The data came from the dialogues in the comic “Dilbert.” They were analyzed using Gricean Maxims of Conversations. This qualitative study used content analysis as the data of this research is text. This research aimed to analyze the maxims that were violated in this comic to create humor and the reason why the characters were violating the maxims during conversations. Fifteen comic strips from the website dilbert.com were chosen and analyzed. The results show that the characters mostly violate maxims of relevance since they need to come up with an excuse for the given questions or avoid accusation. They also violate the maxim of quality as they sometimes lie too in order to get out of the situation or accusation.
The Use of Makassar Malay Dialect in Food Buying and Selling Interactions on Instagram Social Media
Authors: Rijal Andi Samsu , Suhandano Suhandano , Cholsy Hayatul
Published: May 2023

The Makassar Malay dialect is a variation of Indonesian Langauge. The use of the Makassar Malay Dialect arose because of the contact of languages both in orality and also in social media. This dialect was found in situations of buying and selling food interactions through Instagram social media. This article aimed to described the characteristics of the use of the Makassar Malay Dialect and the factors of the use of code mixing the Indonesian Makassar Malay Dialect with other codes in the interaction of buying and selling food through Instagram social media carried out by netizens in Makassar City. The data of this qualitative research focused on speech interactions in of buying and selling food through Instagram social media. This speech was contained in the comments column for uploading food advertisements to culinary Instagram accounts. There were various language codes used by participants such as the Indonesian language with the Makassar Malay dialect, regional and foreign language codes. The use of Makassar Malay dialect was in the form of words and affixes. The use of these dialects was in the form of code mixing, namely internal code mixing and outer code mixing. The use of the Makassar Malay dialect because of language contact and as the result of language adaptation.
High-Energy Na
4
MnCr(PO
4
)
3
@C Cathode for Solid-State Sodium Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Zhongyue , Tang Cheng , Wang Zhi , Zhang Qing , Lv Peng , Yu Kehan , Zheng Jiajin , Wei Wei
Published: May 2023

Developing high-energy cathode for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) that enables 3-electron reaction is the most effective way to reduce high cost and solve range anxiety and safety hazards. Here, a novel NASICON-type Na
4
MnCr(PO
4
)
3
(NMCP) is synthesized as a high-energy cathode for SIBs. The as-prepared 6.4 wt% carbon-coated NMCP (NMCP@C) cathode annealed at 700 °C delivers a discharge capacity of 107.3 mA h g
−1
@0.1C, high rate capability up to 15C, and well capacity retention of 69.3% after 500 cycles at 5C within 1.4 ~ 4.3 V. Meanwhile, it also provides an exciting reversible capacity of 164.3 mA h g
−1
@0.1C within 1.4 ~ 4.6 V and an ultrahigh energy density of 523.6 Wh kg
−1
. Moreover, high sodium ion diffusion coefficients (
D
Na+
, 10
−12
~ 10
−9
cm
2
s
−1
) demonstrate the superior electrode process kinetics, and both solid solution and 2-phase reactions are involved in the sodium ion extraction/insertion process through ex situ x-ray diffraction analyses. Na
3.3
La
0.3
Zr
1.7
Si
2
PO
12
with 3 wt% Na
2
B
4
O
7
additive (NLZSP(NBO3)) ceramic electrolyte is utilized to assemble NMCP@C//NLZSP(NBO3)//Na solid-state sodium metal batteries for the first time, which reveals an initial discharge capacity of 99.1 mA h g
−1
(1.4 ~ 4.3 V) and 121.7 mA h g
−1
(1.4 ~ 4.6 V) at 0.1C and an excellent cycling performance (capacity retention of 75.8%/72.6% after 100 cycles at 0.2C) at 30 °C. All these confirm that NMCP@C is a high-energy cathode with great practical potential for all-solid-state SIBs.
A generalização da forma matricial da sequência de Perrin
Authors: Mangueira Milena Carolina dos Santos , Vieira Renata Passos Machado , Alves Francisco Regis Vieira , Catarino Paula Maria Machado Cruz
Published: May 2023

Neste trabalho serão investigadas as matrizes geradoras para os números inteiros positivos da sequˆencia de Perrin, bem como a generalização de sua forma matricial, estendendo para o campo dos números inteiros n˜ao positivos. Diante disso, algumas propriedades inerentes `a essas matrizes são discutidas. Esses números são evidenciados pela sua aplicabilidade e similaridade com a sequˆencia de Padovan, por´em mesmo sendo uma sequˆencia inﬂuente, ainda assim são necessários estudos intr´ınsecos sobre esta sequˆencia. Por isso, o processo investigativo dessas matrizes ´e apresentado de forma original nesta pesquisa.
Risk Factors for Stunting in Toddlers Aged 24-59 Months with Stunting Events in Padang Village Manggeng District of Southwest Aceh Regency
Authors: Zakiyuddin Zakiyuddin , Yarmaliza Yarmaliza , Fitriani Fitriani , Reynaldi Fitrah , Farisni Teungku Nih , Desi Arisandi Dedi , Gunawan Gunawan , Nurdin Ambia , Putro Wahyu Gito
Published: May 2023

Stunting is a condition of failure to thrive in children under five due to chronic malnutrition. This study aimed to see whether there is a definite relationship between maternal height, maternal education, maternal nutrition knowledge, maternal age, and maternal employment status against stunting cases in Manggeng village, Southwest Aceh Regency. Research is an observational analysis with a cross-sectional approach. They were held for two months (November September 2021) in Padang village Manggeng district of Southwest Aceh Regency. The sample withdrawal was a saturated sample of 45 mothers with toddlers ages 24-59. The results of the analysis concluded that there was no meaningful relationship between the characteristics of the mother of toddlers (height, age, education level, knowledge of nutrition, and employment status) or stunting factors that were examined against the number of stunting cases in Padang village which means the variables used statistically less precisely as variables predicator stunting rate. The level of risk of observed factors consisting of maternal height means that Stunting tendencies are riskier in mothers with short size than mothers with a high body, as well as the risk factors of the education level, Knowledge and status of the mother's work.