bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delineation of Orchard, Vineyard, and Olive Trees Based on Phenology Metrics Derived from Time Series of Sentinel-2
Authors: Abubakar Mukhtar Adamu , Chanzy André , Flamain Fabrice , Pouget Guillaume , Courault Dominique
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to propose an accurate and cost-effective analytical approach for the delineation of fruit trees in orchards, vineyards, and olive groves in Southern France, considering two locations. A classification based on phenology metrics (PM) derived from the Sentinel-2 time series was developed to perform the classification. The PM were computed by fitting a double logistic model on temporal profiles of vegetation indices to delineate orchard and vineyard classes. The generated PM were introduced into a random forest (RF) algorithm for classification. The method was tested on different vegetation indices, with the best results obtained with the leaf area index. To delineate the olive class, the temporal features of the green chlorophyll vegetation index were found to be the most appropriate. Obtained overall accuracies ranged from 89–96% and a Kappa of 0.86–0.95 (2016–2021), respectively. These accuracies are much better than applying the RF algorithm to the LAI time series, which led to a Kappa ranging between 0.3 and 0.52 and demonstrates the interest in using phenological traits rather than the raw time series of the remote sensing data. The method can be well reproduced from one year to another. This is an interesting feature to reduce the burden of collecting ground-truth information. If the method is generic, it needs to be calibrated in given areas as soon as a phenology shift is expected.
Group Target Tracking for Highly Maneuverable Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Swarms: A Perspective
Authors: Chen Yudi , Jiao Yiwen , Wu Min , Ma Hongbin , Lu Zhiwei
Published: May 2023

Group target tracking (GTT) is a promising approach for countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, the complex distribution and high mobility of UAV swarms may limit GTTs performance. To enhance GTT performance for UAV swarms, this paper proposes potential solutions. An automatic measurement partitioning method based on ordering points to identify the clustering structure (OPTICS) is suggested to handle non-uniform measurements with arbitrary contour distribution. Maneuver modeling of UAV swarms using deep learning methods is proposed to improve centroid tracking precision. Furthermore, the group’s three-dimensional (3D) shape can be estimated more accurately by applying key point extraction and preset geometric models. Finally, optimized criteria are proposed to improve the spawning or combination of tracking groups. In the future, the proposed solutions will undergo rigorous derivations and be evaluated under harsh simulation conditions to assess their effectiveness.
Hazard-Free Treatment of Electrolytic Manganese Residue and Recovery of High-Concentration SO2 Using High-Temperature Reduction Roasting Process
Authors: Zhang Linfeng , Xiong Yulu , Liu Huaying , Li Yingjie , Chen Shouyue , Tian Senlin
Published: May 2023

A combined preparation of SO2 and recovery of solid products was investigated as a hazard-free method to use coke as a reducer to treat electrolytic manganese residue (EMR) at high temperature. In this study, the response surface prediction and thermodynamic analysis of the high-temperature calcination of EMR were evaluated. In addition, the effects of mole ratio of EMR to coke and temperature on the gas–solid phase and the feasibility of calcined solid products as cement raw materials were also studied. The results showed that the release of sulfur from EMR mainly depends on the mole ratio of EMR to coke and temperature. The best condition for preparing SO2 was EMR calcined for 60 min at 1000 °C and the molar ratio of C:CaSO4 = 0.78:1. At this time, the volume fraction of SO2 reached 7.6%, which meets the requirements for preparing sulfuric acid with SO2. Under this condition, the sulfur in desulfurization manganese residue (DMR) was reduced to 0.38%, and DMR was used as cement raw material to prepare cement. The cement prepared by adding 10% DMR meets the national standard GB175. The method realized the recovery of sulfur in EMR and calcined solid products and promoted the resource utilization of EMR.
Study on Homogeneous Reduction Technology in Gas Samples for Oil and Gas Loss
Authors: Fan Lu , Yue Yu , Song Honglin , Zhang Xiaohan , Hu Xinyun , Dai Yongshou
Published: May 2023

The process of storing oil depots and combined station tanks is affected by factors such as process technology, equipment, and management methods. Inevitably, some heavy hydrocarbon components will condense. According to the available literature, the existing detection methods are not enough to accurately measure the component composition so that the proportion of heavy hydrocarbon substances in the lost gas is reduced. In this paper, by inventing a homogeneous reduction device, the lost gas in the entire laboratory process was kept in a homogeneous state so that the gas components were well-retained. Using the homogeneous reduction method and a traditional inspection method, gas chromatography was performed on a standard gas and the on-site lost gas, respectively. The standard gas measurement results show that the mean deviations of the homogeneous reduction method and the traditional test method were −3.45% and −11.62%, respectively, and the reduction degree reached 96.55% with the homogeneous reduction method. The results of the on-site gas loss measurements show that the proportions of most hydrocarbon substances in each lost gas increase to varying degrees after using the homogeneous reduction technology. Therefore, it is proved that these components can be better preserved using the homogeneous reduction method. It can effectively avoid the condensation of components, which is of great significance to the study of oil and gas loss.
Experiencing, Negotiating and Challenging Stigma in Sex Work: Examining Responses from Brothel-Based and Transient Sex Workers in Kolkata, India
Authors: Dasgupta Satarupa
Published: May 2023

Stigma is felt, constructed, understood and negotiated differently by varied marginalized groups, including diverse groups among commercial sex workers themselves. Brothel-based sex workers in India have more visibility and undergo greater social scrutiny, moral surveillance and stigmatization. For the transient sex workers, invisibility and non-identification as sex workers are strategically used to mitigate stigmatization. The current research conducts semi-structured interviewing of 23 brothel-based and 21 transient sex workers in and around Kolkata in Eastern India. The results delineate the differences between the impact of stigmatization on brothel-based and transient sex workers in India and how these two groups negotiate with and resist stigma in their lives. The current study shows that the impact and extent of stigmatization varied among the sex workers in accordance to their location and status.
Promoting Food Systems Paradigm Shifts through Critical Reflexivity: Exploring Interviews as Intervention
Authors: Joyner Leah , Yagüe Blanca , Cachelin Adrienne
Published: May 2023

This article highlights the transformative power of community-engaged research for food sovereignty through an examination of reflexive interviewing and knowledge co-production with community partners. Initially, we connected with an urban Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm to explore farmers’ concerns regarding their export of food from marginalized areas of the city to predominantly affluent neighborhoods. Our response to confirmatory data was to explore CSA members’ interest in subsidizing shares for low-income residents. However, continued fieldwork revealed that similar charity-based approaches implemented by other food-access advocates were perhaps underutilized, given their basis in food security rather than more complex community-driven food sovereignty. Recognizing the need to understand the broader relationship between urban agriculture and food equity in SLC, we set out to research how university scholars can work with community partners and food advocates to advance food justice and sovereignty. Through dialogic methods, we explore how critical reflexivity can be embedded in research protocols such that researchers and interviewees reflect on their own biases, thus shifting the outcomes and research processes. Through a retrospective review of data collection, we highlight interactional strategies to promote critical reflexivity before proposing an interview framework that prompts paradigm shifts towards food sovereignty.
Framework for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Education in Australia: Preliminary Exploration
Authors: Alam Morshed , Haroon Harshita Aini , Yusof Mohd Faizal bin , Islam Md. Aminul
Published: May 2023

This study investigates engagement activities higher education institutions have been providing to develop a learning culture as well as entrepreneurship skills for undergraduate entrepreneurship education learners in Australia. This research is intended to explore changes and adjustments made in the curriculum of undergraduate entrepreneurship education programmes in selected higher education institutions in Australia due to uncertainties caused by COVID-19. We focused on six Australian universities offering undergraduate entrepreneurship programmes, which were purposefully chosen. Data and information were gathered from the universities’ websites, documents available from the same source, the universities’ structure of engagement activities, and their curriculum. Previous literature was referred to for models already proposed and executed. By considering the COVID-19 crisis as well as similar types of future uncertainties, the study has identified the necessity of implementing open innovation and experiential learning models in a blended environment and having strong IT infrastructure for sustainable industry-university collaboration to facilitate a learning culture and develop entrepreneurship skills in undergraduate entrepreneurship education learners in Australia.
The Relationship between Distance and Risk Perception in Multi-Tier Supply Chain: The Psychological Typhoon Eye Effect
Authors: Xu Ming-Xing , Li Shu , Rao Li-Lin , Zheng Lei
Published: May 2023

Previous research has shown that an individual’s proximity to the epicenter can influence their perception and response to risk. However, this aspect has been largely overlooked in the supply chain risk literature. This paper aims to fill this gap by investigating the impact of distance on the perception and response to supply chain disruption risk. An online survey was conducted with 1055 managers working within the supply chain of ZTE, a Chinese multinational company providing integrated communications and information solutions. The survey aimed to examine how their distance from the disruption epicenter (i.e., ZTE) affected their risk perception and subsequent managerial responses. The findings indicate that those closer to the epicenter perceive a lower risk of disruption compared to those farther away, resulting in a reduced likelihood of taking management action. This phenomenon is referred to as the “psychological typhoon eye” (PTE) effect in supply chain disruption risk. Further analysis revealed that risk information quality mediated the relationship between distance and risk perception, while an individual’s job position level moderated the relationship between risk information quality and disruption risk perception. To mitigate the PTE effect in the multi-tier supply chain, the focal firm must prioritize high-quality information synchronization, extending beyond single-company initiatives.
Bio-Enzyme Hybrid with Nanomaterials: A Potential Cargo as Sustainable Biocatalyst
Authors: Tan Wan Yuen , Gopinath Subash C. B. , Anbu Periasamy , Yaakub Ahmad Radi Wan , Subramaniam Sreeramanan , Chen Yeng , Sasidharan Sreenivasan
Published: May 2023

With advancements in bionanotechnology, the field of nanobiocatalysts has undergone rapid growth and revolutionized various nanomaterials as novel and fascinating nanocarriers for enzyme immobilization. Nanotubes, nanofibers, nanopores, nanoparticles, and nanocomposites have been successfully developed and used as nanocarriers. The construction of robust nanobiocatalysts by combining enzymes and nanocarriers using various enzyme immobilization techniques is gaining incredible attention because of their extraordinary catalytic performance, high stability, and ease of reusability under different physical and chemical conditions. Creating appropriate surface chemistry for nanomaterials promotes their downstream applications. This review discusses enzyme immobilization on nanocarriers and highlights the techniques, properties, preparations, and applications of nanoimmobilized enzymes.
Increasing Honey Production Effectiveness in Erzincan and Van Provinces
Authors: Aşkan Emine
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this research is to determine the efficiency of beekeeping enterprises in Van and Erzincan provinces of Türkiye and to make recommendations to increase production efficiency. A total of 300 well-prepared questionnaires were distributed in the research area, of which 295 were analyzed. In the study, production analyses were performed with and without the bootstrapping technique. Constant and variable returns to scale were found in the estimates of technical efficiency scores using both non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) to produce efficiency scores and a truncated regression model to link the aforementioned scores with the characteristics of honeybee enterprises and beekeepers. The research revealed that cooperative membership and veterinary benefits had a 1% level of importance for income; some cities were found to have negligible beekeeping activity. Education level was also found not to be important. While determining the efficiency limits in DEA with and without bootstrapping, it was determined that 34.3% of enterprises without it had ineffective constant returns to scale compared to 39.5% for those with it. For variable returns to scale, 28.4% without bootstrapping worked ineffectively, while with bootstrapping, 29.4% were found to be ineffective. The study found that the same level of beekeeping can be maintained by reducing costs. In addition to its economic value, honey is an important source of income for the region. Beekeeping and honey production are important agricultural activities for increasing rural development to create new jobs and increase employment. As a form of alternative tourism, rural tourism combined with apitourism and gastronomy tourism and practices are important for the development of the Erzincan and Van provinces.
Integration of Advanced Metering Infrastructure for Mini-Grid Solar PV Systems in Off-Grid Rural Communities (SoAMIRural)
Authors: Marful Alexander Boakye , Kornyo Oliver , Asante Michael , Opoku Richard , Duah Daniel Yaw Addai , Tei-Partey Benjamin
Published: May 2023

Solar energy is considered a promising source of power generation in sub-Saharan Africa due to the high sunshine in these areas. Deploying decentralised solar-powered mini-grid systems to provide access to electricity in rural areas is fraught with difficulties in accurately predicting consumption, automatic monitoring, and operation sustainability to support the socio-economic conditions of rural communities. This study proposed SoAMIRural, which integrates solar PV mini-grid and advanced metering infrastructure for rural communities. SoAMIRural was implemented and tested for a case study community in Ghana. Solar PV Selection Equation Matrix (SPSEM) and Sample Size Equation (SSE) were used to determine the sustainable demand generation capacity of 24 kVA. Load estimations and need assessments were conducted to ascertain the rural community’s electric load and priority needs. SoAMIRural was evaluated with an error margin of 5%, resulting in 95% accuracy in energy consumption threshold management and monitoring to ensure energy conservation and sustainability of the mini-grid system. This study maps out a conceptual framework for a smart solar PV mini-grid system for rural communities and its advantages in realising SDG 7 in Ghana by 2030.
Research on the Current Situation and Future Development Trend of Immersive Virtual Reality in the Field of Education
Authors: Wei Ziwen , Yuan Man
Published: May 2023

In recent years, emerging technologies such as immersive virtual reality (IVR) and Metaverse are pointing to new directions for the future of education. To summarise the current research status and development trend of immersive virtual reality in the field of education, this paper used the CiteSpace tool to search the SSCI literature included in the Web of Science under the theme of “Immersive virtual reality” or “Educational technology”. The results show a total of 1293 SSCI publications between 1996 and 2022, with the number of studies in this area increasing year on year. Current research hot spots focus on the application of IVR technology, evaluation and effectiveness research, and curriculum design and teaching. Analysis of node network diagrams and knowledge graphs suggest that future trends in the field will be to deepen immersive experiences, increase interactivity, and continue to explore more pedagogical value and application scenarios. In addition, there are increasingly close partnerships between research institutions and large-scale collaborative research is taking place internationally. In future research, researchers can explore scenarios for the application of Metaverse and the design of assessment systems that can facilitate the development of immersive education.
Probability-Based Performance Degradation Model and Constitutive Model for the Buckling Behavior of Corroded Steel Bars
Authors: Weng Weipeng , Xie Xu , Lei Yanyun
Published: May 2023

The corrosion of steel bars significantly influences the safety running of concrete bridges. The current bridge design code always ignores the changes in mechanical properties of the materials during their service life which results in an overestimation of the seismic capacity of concrete bridges Therefore, a hysteretic constitutive model that considers the influence of reinforcement corrosion is necessary. This study established a probability-based model for the mechanical property degradation of corroded steel bars using statistical analysis to estimate the mechanical properties under specific corrosion rates. The validity of the proposed degradation model was verified by a series of monotonic tensile tests on corroded steel bars. Moreover, a constitutive model of corroded steel bars based on the Reinforcing Steel Model in OpenSees was obtained. This model considers the influence of corrosion on the slenderness ratio, yield strength, ultimate strength, and elongation. A comparison with the experimental data demonstrated the accuracy of the proposed model. The proposed model is straightforward because its parameters can be predicted using existing research data. The proposed model can provide a basis for the seismic performance evaluation of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) members.
Sustainable E-Service Quality in Tourism: Drivers Evaluation Using AHP-TOPSIS Technique
Authors: Khan Mohd Naved , Gupta Neha , Matharu Manita , Khan Mohammad Faisal
Published: May 2023

The Internet’s meteoric rise in popularity has led to the growing importance of the quality of online services in numerous industries, including the rapidly expanding tourism industry. Accordingly, this study aims to ascertain the leading attributes of selected travel websites based on sustainable e-service quality. This study was conducted in four phases. In phase I, the key drivers of sustainable e-service quality (SESQ) were identified from a literature review and expert opinions and then categorized and validated using the EFA technique based on the responses of 100 respondents in phase II. Phase III was performed to determine the priority weightage of the identified and validated SESQ drivers using AHP, whereas in phase IV, the five most popular travel websites in India were ranked based on the SESQ drivers using the TOPSIS method. A case study is presented in this paper to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the robustness of the results. The findings of the study revealed that security, hedonic value, and efficiency were the most important drivers of SESQ that influenced customers’ selection of travel websites, and makemytrip.com was the most preferred travel website by customers.
Study on Driver-Oriented Energy Management Strategy for Hybrid Heavy-Duty Off-Road Vehicles under Aggressive Transient Operating Condition
Authors: Wang Xu , Huang Ying , Wang Jian
Published: May 2023

Hybrid heavy-duty off-road vehicles frequently experience rapid acceleration and deceleration, as well as frequent uphill and downhill motion. Consequently, the engine must withstand aggressive transients which may drastically worsen the fuel economy and even cause powertrain abnormal operation. When the engine cannot respond to the transient demand power quickly enough, the battery must compensate for the large amount of power shortage immediately, which may cause excessive battery current that adversely affects the battery safety and life span. In this paper, a nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input neural network is used to recognize the driver’s intention and translate it into subsequent vehicle speed. Combining energy management with vehicle speed control, a co-optimization-based driver-oriented energy management strategy for manned hybrid vehicles is proposed and applied to smooth the engine power to ensure efficient operation of the engine under severe transients and, at the same time, to regulate battery current to avoid overload. Simulation and the hardware-in-the-loop test demonstrate that, compared with the filter-based energy management strategy, the proposed strategy could yield a 38.7% decrease in engine transient variation and an 8.2% decrease in fuel consumption while avoiding battery overload. Compared with a sequential-optimization-based energy management strategy, which is recognized as a better strategy than a filter-based energy management strategy, the proposed strategy can achieve a 16.2% decrease in engine transient variation and a 3.2% decrease in fuel consumption.
Towards Plastic Circularity: Current Practices in Plastic Waste Management in Japan and Sri Lanka
Authors: Ono Sayaka , Hewage Harshi Tharangika Sirisena Aluthduwe , Visvanathan Chettiyappan
Published: May 2023

Despite their different economic backgrounds, Japan and Sri Lanka share similarities as island nations. As a developing country, Sri Lanka needs to identify the country’s existing situation of Plastic Waste Management (PWM) to improve the circularity in the sector. Japan’s existing PWM strategies are a pointer for Sri Lanka to improve the circularity along the plastic value chain. The main aspects that are considered in this study are quantitative data related to the plastic value chain, plastic recycling technologies, plastic recycling businesses, policies, regulations related to plastic waste management, and public awareness strategies in plastic waste management. The methodology relied on literature review and interviews. The main focus of these interviews was to fill the information gap that was identified during the literature review. Japan is practicing all the stages of the plastic value chain, including virgin plastic production, whereas virgin plastic production is absent in Sri Lanka. Technological and policy advancements like the application of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in PWM in Japan can be used as a means of achieving circularity in the Sri Lankan PWM sector. The well-established informal plastic recycling industry in Sri Lanka is a significant feature compared to Japan’s formal plastic recycling industry.
Disparities in Drinking Water and Sanitation in the Urban Slums of Kerala, India
Authors: Vidhyadharan Anitha
Published: May 2023

Even though the water and sanitation situations in urban areas are better than those in rural areas, the situation in the urban slums is worse than that in rural areas. Knowledge of the actual situation of the deprived slums is very important for introducing effective policies to steer a resilient system. This study tried to determine the disparity between the two urban slums based on the principles of availability, accessibility, acceptability, quality and safety and affordability of water and sanitation. The study used a comparative analysis based on the absolute disparity methods. With the support of water and sanitation deprivation indices, percentages, chi-square test, t-test and Mann–Whitney U test the study determined the disparity between the slums. The deprivation level of the physical environment of the two urban slums is almost the same, whereas the water and sanitation deprivation levels are very high in the Vizhinjam slum area compared to those in Barten Hill. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to reduce the disparities between slums as well as the overall physical environment of the urban slums. Since the physical environment, including infrastructural facilities, is lacking in urban slums compared to other urban areas, achieving a resilient economy requires a systematic institutional framework with proper governance. The three components in the integrated development approaches are households, communities and cities, lacking essential services, which needs immediate solutions. The entry point should be at the household level.
Correction: Zahid et al. The Significance of Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism in the Sustainable Development of the SAARC Economic Community. Sustainability 2021, 13, 13171
Authors: Zahid Muhammad , Khalid Faiza , Ramzan Muhammad , Haq Muhammad Zia Ul , Lee Wonseok , Hwang Jinsoo , Shim Jimin
Published: May 2023

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]
Research on Cultivated Land Quality Restriction Factors Based on Cultivated Land Quality Level Evaluation
Authors: Tang Mengmeng , Wang Cuiting , Ying Chunyang , Mei Shuai , Tong Tong , Ma Youhua , Wang Qiang
Published: May 2023

Cultivated land quality is an essential agricultural resource and production element. To increase cultivated land quality in a targeted way, it is crucial to understand the features of regional elements that constrain its quality. In order to diagnose the restriction factors affecting the improvement of cultivated land quality grades and conduct a quantitative analysis of the regional cultivated land quality improvement restriction factors, the restriction index model was used in this study to analyze the distribution characteristics of cultivated land quality grades in East Anhui, China. The results show that there are six main restriction factors of cultivated land quality in the study area, which are effective soil layer thickness, soil organic matter, soil acidity and alkalinity, plough layer texture, irrigation capacity, drainage capacity, and obstacle factors, among which the main restriction factors of the first to third grades are soil organic matter, soil acidity and alkalinity, and the main restriction factors of the fourth to seventh grades are soil organic matter, and soil acidity and alkalinity. The main restriction factors of the soil organic matter, effective soil layer thickness, and obstacle factors are the key restriction factors in the ninth to tenth classes.
Second-Generation Bio-Fuels: Strategies for Employing Degraded Land for Climate Change Mitigation Meeting United Nation-Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Pramanik Atreyi , Sinha Aashna , Chaubey Kundan Kumar , Hariharan Sujata , Dayal Deen , Bachheti Rakesh Kumar , Bachheti Archana , Chandel Anuj K.
Published: May 2023

Increased Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from both natural and man-made systems contribute to climate change. In addition to reducing the use of crude petroleum’s derived fuels, and increasing tree-planting efforts and sustainable practices, air pollution can be minimized through phytoremediation. Bio-fuel from crops grown on marginal land can sustainably address climate change, global warming, and geopolitical issues. There are numerous methods for producing renewable energy from both organic and inorganic environmental resources (sunlight, air, water, tides, waves, and convective energy), and numerous technologies for doing the same with biomass with different properties and derived from different sources (food industry, agriculture, forestry). However, the production of bio-fuels is challenging and contentious in many parts of the world since it competes for soil with the growth of crops and may be harmful to the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to use wildlife management techniques to provide sustainable bio-energy while maintaining or even improving essential ecosystem processes. The second generation of bio-fuels is viewed as a solution to the serious issue. Agricultural lignocellulosic waste is the primary source of second-generation bio-fuel, possibly the bio-fuel of the future. Sustainable practices to grow biomass, followed by their holistic conversion into ethanol with desired yield and productivity, are the key concerns for employing renewable energy mix successfully. In this paper, we analyze the various types of bio-fuels, their sources, and their production and impact on sustainability.
Digital Transformation and Enterprise Sustainability: The Moderating Role of Regional Virtual Agglomeration
Authors: Yang Junping , Wu Ruiqi , Yang Haochun
Published: May 2023

As digital transformation reshapes the world, businesses are becoming increasingly concerned about its impact. This study examines the regional data of 29 provinces and cities in China from 2013 to 2020 and uses the entropy method to calculate the regional virtual agglomeration level. This paper analyzes the panel data of listed companies in China to evaluate the economic impact of digital transformation on the sustainable development of enterprises and the moderating effect of the regional virtual agglomeration level. This study reveals a significant positive U-shaped relationship between digital transformation and enterprise sustainability. The level of regional virtual agglomeration can alleviate the initial negative impact of digital transformation on sustainability and enhance the economic growth capacity of enterprises. This paper found that the impact of digital transformation on sustainable development is particularly pronounced in the eastern region. All in all, based on the transaction cost theory and new geoeconomics, this paper analyzes the impact mechanism of digital transformation on the sustainable development of enterprises, verifies the relationship between the regional virtual agglomeration on digital transformation and sustainable development of enterprises, and identifies the adjustment mechanism. Our research provides theoretical support and practical guidance to promote digital transformation and enterprise sustainable development.
Lab-Tec@Home: Technological Innovation in Control Engineering Education with Impact on Complex Thinking Competency
Authors: Sotelo David , Vázquez-Parra José Carlos , Cruz-Sandoval Marco , Sotelo Carlos
Published: May 2023

The objective of this paper is to present the results of the implementation process of the Lab-Tec@Home kit, an educational innovation that allows students to set up home laboratories to test and validate basic control engineering concepts. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to measure the acquisition and development of students’ perceived achievement of complex thinking competency during this educational practice, considering how valuable it is to improve their perception of additional skills while fulfilling the objectives of the innovation. We implemented a validated instrument to measure this competency before and after using the Lab-Tec@Home kit and in a control group where this educational innovation practice was not carried out. Although the results did not show a statistically significant difference in the level of perception or the improvement achieved between the groups, they indicated an impact on the homogeneity of the students’ perceived skills, which is a value of this educational tool and its greatest finding and contribution.
Poverty and Gender: Determinants of Female- and Male-Headed Households with Children in Poverty in the USA, 2019
Authors: Sharma Madhuri
Published: May 2023

Attaining economic parity and reducing poverty between the genders are critical steps toward attaining the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Despite progress, women in the US still earn USD 0.83 for every USD 1.00 that a man earns. With rising shares of single/female-headed households with children in American society in recent years, such gaps in earnings exacerbate the misery of children living in such households. In 2019, female-headed households with children had poverty rates almost twice (36.5%) that of single/male-headed families (16.3%). This paper uses five-year American Community Survey estimates from the National Historical Geographic Information System to empirically examine the spatial distribution and determinants of female-versus-male-headed households with children living in poverty in the counties of the USA. Lower levels of educational attainment are associated with higher levels of poverty for both genders. A bachelor’s degree in education is associated with higher poverty for female-headed households, whereas majoring in business, sciences, engineering, and arts/humanities is associated with lower poverty for male-headed households. Service-sector occupations inherently contribute to higher poverty for both groups. Over-representation in management/professional and natural-resources, construction, and maintenance-type occupations works well for male-headed households, whereas management/professional, sales/office, and service-based occupations associate with higher poverty for female-headed households—pointing toward the “working poor”—comprising largely of the active female labor force in the new economy. Full- and part-time work status alleviates poverty for female-headed households, whereas part-time work is associated with higher poverty for males.
Machine Learning Reveals Molecular Similarity and Fingerprints in Structural Aberrations of Somatic Cancer
Authors: Zhu Junxuan , Tong Yifan , Zhang Jinhan , Wang Liyan , He Qien , Song Kai
Published: May 2023

Structural aberrations (SA) have been shown to play an essential role in the occurrence and development of cancer. SAs are typically characterized by copy number alteration (CNA) dose and distortion length. Although sequencing techniques and analytical methods have facilitated the identification and cataloging of somatic CNAs, there are no effective methods to quantify SA considering the amplitude, location, and neighborhood of each nucleotide in each fragment. Therefore, a new SA index based on dynamic time warping is proposed. The SA index analysed 22448 samples of 35 types/subtypes of cancers. Most types had significant differences in SA levels ranging between 12p and 20q. This suggests that genes or inter-gene regions may warrant greater attention, as they can be used to distinguish between different types of cancers and become targets for specific treatments. SA indexes were then used to quantify the differences between cancers. Additionally, SA fingerprints were identified for every cancer type. Kidney chromophobe, adrenocortical carcinoma, and ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma are the three severest types with structural aberrations caused by cancer, while thyroid carcinoma is the least. Our research provides new possibilities for the better utilization of chromosomal instability for further exploiting cancer aneuploidy, thus improving cancer therapy.
Systemic Conception of the Data Acquisition of Digital Twin Solutions for Use Case-Oriented Development and Its Application to a Gearbox
Authors: Husung Stephan , Koch Yanik , Welzbacher Peter , Kraus Benjamin , Roehnert Felix , Faheem Faizan , Kirchner Eckhard
Published: May 2023

Digital Twins are being used more and more frequently and provide information from the Real Twin for different applications. Measurements on the Real Twin are required to obtain information, which in many cases requires the installation of supplementary sensors. For their conception and design, it is particularly important that the measuring principles are selected purposefully and the appropriate sensors are integrated at the goal-oriented measuring positions without impairing the functions and other properties of the Real Twin by the integration of these sensors. In this article, a “Design for Digital Twin” approach is discussed for the systematic procedure and demonstrated using a multi-staged gearbox as a concrete example. The approach focuses on the mechanical and hardware side of the Real Twin. For the systematic conception and design of the Digital Twin solution, an understanding of the stakeholder demands and the expected use cases is necessary. Based on the stakeholder demands and use cases, the relevant product properties can be determined. Using the relevant properties, an iterative process of conception, design, and analysis takes place. The conception is carried out by means of target-oriented cause–effect analyses, taking into account systemic interrelations of the Real Twin components and systematics for the selection of measurement principles. Systemic considerations, combined with an effect graph, allow for the analysis and evaluation of disturbing factors.
Bench-Scale and Full-Scale Level Evaluation of the Effect of Parameters on Cleaning Efficacy of the Firefighters’ PPE
Authors: Girase Arjunsing , Thompson Donald , Ormond Robert Bryan
Published: May 2023

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1851 document provides guidelines for firefighters on the care and maintenance of their PPE, including decontamination practices. Firefighters are exposed to various toxic chemicals during fire suppression activities, making effective decontamination crucial for their safety. This study evaluated the efficacy of different washing parameters, including temperature, time, and surfactants, on cleaning outer-shell material contaminated with nine targeted compounds from three different functional groups: phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and phthalates. The study was conducted on both bench-scale and full-scale levels, with contaminated swatches washed in a water shaker bath in the bench-scale evaluation and full-sized washer extractors used in the full-scale evaluation. The results showed that bench-scale washing demonstrated similar trends in contaminant removal to full-scale washing. Importantly, the study highlighted the complexity of removing fireground contaminants from the personal protective ensemble (PPE). The findings of this study have practical implications for the firefighting industry as they provide insight into the effectiveness of different washing parameters for PPE decontamination. Future studies could explore the impact of repeated washing on PPE and investigate the potential for developing more efficient decontamination strategies. Ultimately, the study underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of firefighters, who face significant occupational hazards.
Use of an ETEC Proteome Microarray to Evaluate Cross-Reactivity of ETVAX® Vaccine-Induced IgG Antibodies in Zambian Children
Authors: Mubanga Cynthia , Simuyandi Michelo , Mwape Kapambwe , Chibesa Kennedy , Chisenga Caroline , Chilyabanyama Obvious Nchimunya , Randall Arlo , Liang Xiaowu , Glashoff Richard H. , Chilengi Roma
Published: May 2023

Developing a broadly protective vaccine covering most ETEC variants has been elusive. The most clinically advanced candidate yet is an oral inactivated ETEC vaccine (ETVAX®). We report on the use of a proteome microarray for the assessment of cross-reactivity of anti-ETVAX® IgG antibodies against over 4000 ETEC antigens and proteins. We evaluated 40 (pre-and post-vaccination) plasma samples from 20 Zambian children aged 10–23 months that participated in a phase 1 trial investigating the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of ETVAX® adjuvanted with dmLT. Pre-vaccination samples revealed high IgG responses to a variety of ETEC proteins including classical ETEC antigens (CFs and LT) and non-classical antigens. Post-vaccination reactivity to CFA/I, CS3, CS6, and LTB was stronger than baseline among the vaccinated compared to the placebo group. Interestingly, we noted significantly high post-vaccination responses to three non-vaccine ETEC proteins: CS4, CS14, and PCF071 (p = 0.043, p = 0.028, and p = 0.00039, respectively), suggestive of cross-reactive responses to CFA/I. However, similar responses were observed in the placebo group, indicating the need for larger studies. We conclude that the ETEC microarray is a useful tool for investigating antibody responses to numerous antigens, especially because it may not be practicable to include all antigens in a single vaccine.
Factors Associated with Vaccine Refusal (Polio and Routine Immunization) in High-Risk Areas of Pakistan: A Matched Case-Control Study
Authors: Soofi Sajid Bashir , Vadsaria Khadija , Mannan Sara , Habib Muhammad Atif , Tabassum Farhana , Hussain Imtiaz , Muhammad Sajid , Feroz Khalid , Ahmed Imran , Islam Muhammad , Bhutta Zulfiqar A.
Published: May 2023

Background: Pakistan has subpar childhood immunization rates and immunization activities have faced several challenges over the past years. We evaluated the social-behavioral and cultural barriers and risk factors for refusal of polio, Routine Immunization (RI), or both in high-risk areas of poliovirus circulation. Methods: A matched case-control study was conducted from April to July 2017 in eight super high-risk Union Councils of five towns in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 3 groups, each with 250 cases, including refusals for the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in campaigns (national immunization days and supplementary immunization activities), RI, and both, were matched with 500 controls and identified using surveillance records. Sociodemographic characteristics, household information, and immunization history were assessed. Study outcomes included social-behavioral and cultural barriers and reasons for vaccine refusal. Data were analyzed in STATA using conditional logistic regression. Results: RI refusal was associated with illiteracy and fear of the vaccine’s adverse effects, while OPV refusals were linked to the mother’s decision authority and the assumption that the OPV caused infertility. Conversely, higher socioeconomic status (SES) and knowledge of and willingness to vaccinate with Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) were inversely associated with RI; and lower SES, walking to the vaccination point, knowledge of IPV, and an understanding of contracting polio were inversely associated with OPV refusals, with the latter two also inversely associated with complete vaccine refusal. Conclusion: Education, knowledge and understanding of vaccines, and socioeconomic determinants influenced OPV and RI refusals among children. Effective interventions are needed to address knowledge gaps and misconceptions among parents.
Factors Affecting Influenza Vaccination Uptake and Attitudes among Lebanese University Students: The Impact of Vaccination Promotional Programs and COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mourad Nisreen , Mourad Lidia , Hammoudi Halat Dalal , Farah Zeina , Hendaus Mohamed , El Sayed Trad Israa , El Akel Marwan , Safwan Jihan , Rahal Mohamad , Younes Samar
Published: May 2023

Vaccination is the most effective preventative strategy against influenza, yet university students’ influenza vaccination uptake remains low. This study aimed firstly to determine the percentage of university students who were vaccinated for the 2015–2016 influenza season and to identify reasons for non-vaccination, and secondly to examine the impact of external factors (on-campus/online influenza awareness campaigns and COVID-19 pandemic) on their influenza vaccination uptake and attitudes for the 2017–2018 and 2021–2022 influenza seasons. A descriptive study was conducted over three phases for three influenza seasons at a Lebanese university in the Bekaa Region. Based on data collected in 2015–2016, promotional activities were developed and implemented for the other influenza seasons. This study was conducted using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire by students. The majority of the respondents in the three studies did not receive the influenza vaccine (89.2% in the 2015–2016 study, 87.3% in the 2017–2018 study, and 84.7% in the 2021–2022 study). Among the unvaccinated respondents, the main reason for non-vaccination was that they thought that they did not need it. The primary reason for vaccination among those who were vaccinated was that they believed they were at risk of catching influenza in a 2017–2018 study and due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2021–2022 study. As for attitudes towards influenza vaccination post-COVID-19, significant differences were shown among the vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents. The vaccination rates among university students remained low despite of the awareness campaigns and COVID-19 pandemic.
Combat Sports as a Model for Measuring the Effects of Repeated Head Impacts on Autonomic Brain Function: A Brief Report of Pilot Data
Authors: Kirk Christopher , Childs Charmaine
Published: May 2023

Automated pupil light reflex (PLR) is a valid indicator of dysfunctional autonomic brain function following traumatic brain injury. PLR’s use in identifying disturbed autonomic brain function following repeated head impacts without outwardly visible symptoms has not yet been examined. As a combat sport featuring repeated ‘sub-concussive’ head impacts, mixed martial arts (MMA) sparring may provide a model to understand such changes. The aim of this pilot study was to explore which, if any, PLR variables are affected by MMA sparring. A cohort of n = 7 MMA athletes (age = 24 ± 3 years; mass = 76.5 ± 9 kg; stature = 176.4 ± 8.5 cm) took part in their regular sparring sessions (eight rounds × 3 min: 1 min recovery). PLR of both eyes was measured immediately pre- and post-sparring using a Neuroptic NPi-200. Bayesian paired samples t-tests (BF10 ≥ 3) revealed decreased maximum pupil size (BF10 = 3), decreased minimum pupil size (BF10 = 4) and reduced PLR latency (BF10 = 3) post-sparring. Anisocoria was present prior to sparring and increased post-sparring, with both eyes having different minimum and maximum pupil sizes (BF10 = 3–4) and constriction velocities post-sparring (BF10 = 3). These pilot data suggest repeated head impacts may cause disturbances to autonomic brain function in the absence of outwardly visible symptoms. These results provide direction for cohort-controlled studies to formally investigate the potential changes observed.