bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collective Violence against Health Workers in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jacobi Davina , Ide Tobias
Published: June 2023

Concerns about violence against nurses and other medical personnel have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as of yet, limited systematic knowledge of such violence is available. Addressing this gap, we analyse the geographical distribution of, motivations behind, and contexts of collective attacks against health workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we systematically recorded and coded attack events worldwide from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2021. We identify high-risk countries, attack characteristics, and the socio-economic contexts in which attacks tend to occur. Our results show that opposition against public health measures (28.5%), fears of infection (22.3%), and supposed lack of care (20.6%) were the most common reasons for attacks. Most attacks occurred in facilities (often related to a supposed lack of care) or while health workers were on duty in a public place (often due to opposition to public health measures). However, 17.9% of all attacks took place in off-duty settings. Democratic countries with high vaccination rates and strong health systems were relatively safe for nurses and doctors. Distrust in the skills of health workers and the science underlying health interventions is a major driver of collective attack risks and should be addressed before it turns violent. This study was not registered.
The Sarcoptic Mange in Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus): Mapping an Emerging Disease in the Largest South American Canid
Authors: Fiori Flávia , de Paula Rogério Cunha , Navas-Suárez Pedro Enrique , Boulhosa Ricardo Luiz Pires , Dias Ricardo Augusto
Published: June 2023

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is the largest South American canid. In Brazil, as in other countries, it is considered an endangered species. Habitat loss, landscape changes, hunting, and roadkill are the main threats to this species. In addition, invasive diseases of domestic animals are considered to be an emerging threat to the maned wolf, where parasitic diseases are relevant. Sarcoptic mange is a skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. This disease is currently almost globally distributed, with a remarkable host diversity. In Brazil, reports of sarcoptic mange in wildlife include several species, both wild and captive. However, the impact of this disease on wildlife is unknown. At the time of writing, there is only one published report of sarcoptic mange in maned wolves. This study sheds light on the occurrence of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging maned wolves in their natural range. A total of 52 cases (suspected and confirmed) of sarcoptic mange were identified through social media review, camera trapping, chemical immobilization and sample collection. These cases were distributed in southeastern Brazil, in the states of São Paulo (n = 34), Minas Gerais (n = 17), and Rio de Janeiro (n = 1), demonstrating a rapid and widespread spread of this disease, although it still only occurs in part of the species’ range. We expect that these results will help to subsidize future actions relevant to the control of this emerging disease.
Electrospun Fibrous Silica for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Stoica (Oprea) Alexandra Elena , Bîrcă Alexandra Cătălina , Gherasim Oana , Ficai Anton , Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai , Oprea Ovidiu-Cristian , Vasile Bogdan Ștefan , Balta Cornel , Andronescu Ecaterina , Hermenean Anca Oana
Published: June 2023

The production of highly porous and three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds with biomimicking abilities has gained extensive attention in recent years for tissue engineering (TE) applications. Considering the attractive and versatile biomedical functionality of silica (SiO2) nanomaterials, we propose herein the development and validation of SiO2-based 3D scaffolds for TE. This is the first report on the development of fibrous silica architectures, using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) during the self-assembly electrospinning (ES) processing (a layer of flat fibers must first be created in self-assembly electrospinning before fiber stacks can develop on the fiber mat). The compositional and microstructural characteristics of obtained fibrous materials were evaluated by complementary techniques, in both the pre-ES aging period and post-ES calcination. Then, in vivo evaluation confirmed their possible use as bioactive scaffolds in bone TE.
Fabrication of Antibacterial Sponge Microneedles for Sampling Skin Interstitial Fluid
Authors: Chen Jianmin , Cai Xiaozhen , Zhang Wenqin , Zhu Danhong , Ruan Zhipeng , Jin Nan
Published: June 2023

Microneedles (MNs) have recently garnered extensive interest concerning direct interstitial fluid (ISF) extraction or their integration into medical devices for continuous biomarker monitoring, owing to their advantages of painlessness, minimal invasiveness, and ease of use. However, micropores created by MN insertion may provide pathways for bacterial infiltration into the skin, causing local or systemic infection, especially with long-term in situ monitoring. To address this, we developed a novel antibacterial sponge MNs (SMNs@PDA-AgNPs) by depositing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on polydopamine (PDA)-coated SMNs. The physicochemical properties of SMNs@PDA-AgNPs were characterized regarding morphology, composition, mechanical strength, and liquid absorption capacity. The antibacterial effects were evaluated and optimized through agar diffusion assays in vitro. Wound healing and bacterial inhibition were further examined in vivo during MN application. Finally, the ISF sampling ability and biosafety of SMNs@PDA-AgNPs were assessed in vivo. The results demonstrate that antibacterial SMNs enable direct ISF extraction while preventing infection risks. SMNs@PDA-AgNPs could potentially be used for direct sampling or combined with medical devices for real-time diagnosis and management of chronic diseases.
New Ruthenium-Cyclopentadienyl Complexes Affect Colorectal Cancer Hallmarks Showing High Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Brás Ana Rita , Fernandes Pedro , Moreira Tiago , Morales-Sanfrutos Julia , Sabidó Eduard , Antunes Alexandra M. M. , Valente Andreia , Preto Ana
Published: June 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most deadly cancers worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies have low success rates and several side effects. This relevant clinical problem requires the discovery of new and more effective therapeutic alternatives. Ruthenium drugs have arisen as one of the most promising metallodrugs, due to their high selectivity to cancer cells. In this work we studied, for the first time, the anticancer properties and mechanisms of action of four lead Ru-cyclopentadienyl compounds, namely PMC79, PMC78, LCR134 and LCR220, in two CRC-derived cell lines (SW480 and RKO). Biological assays were performed on these CRC cell lines to evaluate cellular distribution, colony formation, cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, and motility, as well as cytoskeleton and mitochondrial alterations. Our results show that all the compounds displayed high bioactivity and selectivity, as shown by low half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) against CRC cells. We observed that all the Ru compounds have different intracellular distributions. In addition, they inhibit to a high extent the proliferation of CRC cells by decreasing clonogenic ability and inducing cell cycle arrest. PMC79, LCR134, and LCR220 also induce apoptosis, increase the levels of reactive oxygen species, lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, induce actin cytoskeleton alterations, and inhibit cellular motility. A proteomic study revealed that these compounds cause modifications in several cellular proteins associated with the phenotypic alterations observed. Overall, we demonstrate that Ru compounds, especially PMC79 and LCR220, display promising anticancer activity in CRC cells with a high potential to be used as new metallodrugs for CRC therapy.
Enhancing Wound Healing: A Novel Topical Emulsion Combining CW49 Peptide and Lavender Essential Oil for Accelerated Regeneration and Antibacterial Protection
Authors: Jaramillo Valentina , Díaz Erika , Muñoz Laura N. , González-Barrios Andrés Fernando , Rodríguez-Cortina Jader , Cruz Juan C. , Muñoz-Camargo Carolina
Published: June 2023

Wound healing is a complex process involving blood cells, extracellular matrix, and parenchymal cells. Research on biomimetics in amphibian skin has identified the CW49 peptide from Odorrana grahami, which has been demonstrated to promote wound regeneration. Additionally, lavender essential oil exhibits anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. Given these considerations, we propose an innovative emulsion that combines the CW49 peptide with lavender oil. This novel formulation could serve as a potent topical treatment, potentially fostering the regeneration of damaged tissues and providing robust antibacterial protection for skin wounds. This study investigates the physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and in vitro regenerative capacity of the active components and the emulsion. The results show that the emulsion possesses appropriate rheological characteristics for topical application. Both the CW49 peptide and lavender oil exhibit high viability in human keratinocytes, indicating their biocompatibility. The emulsion induces hemolysis and platelet aggregation, an expected behavior for such topical treatments. Furthermore, the lavender-oil emulsion demonstrates antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Finally, the regenerative potential of the emulsion and its active components is confirmed in a 2D wound model using human keratinocytes. In conclusion, the formulated emulsion, which combines the CW49 peptide and lavender oil, shows great promise as a topical treatment for wound healing. Further research is needed to validate these findings in more advanced in vitro models and in vivo settings, potentially leading to improved wound-care management and novel therapeutic options for patients with skin injuries.
Assessing the Use of Microlearning for Preceptor Development
Authors: Roskowski Stephanie M. , Wolcott Michael D. , Persky Adam M. , Rhoney Denise H. , Williams Charlene R.
Published: June 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate microlearning as a preceptor development method compared to a traditional method of learning. Twenty-five preceptor participants volunteered to engage in a learning intervention about two preceptor development topics. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either a thirty-minute traditional learning experience or a fifteen-minute microlearning experience; participants then crossed over to the other intervention for comparison. Primary outcomes were satisfaction, changes in knowledge, self-efficacy, and perception of behavior, confidence scale, and self-reported frequency of behavior, respectively. One-way repeated measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon paired t-tests were used to analyze knowledge and self-efficacy, and Wilcoxon paired t-tests were utilized to assess satisfaction and perception of behavior. Most participants preferred microlearning over the traditional method (72% vs. 20%, p = 0.007). Free text satisfaction responses were analyzed using inductive coding and thematic analysis. Participants reported that microlearning was more engaging and efficient. There were no significant differences in knowledge, self-efficacy, or perception of behavior between microlearning and the traditional method. Knowledge and self-efficacy scores for each modality increased compared to the baseline. Microlearning shows promise for educating pharmacy preceptors. Further study is needed to confirm the findings and determine optimal delivery approaches.
Dynamic Tunable Deflection of Radiation Based on Epsilon-Near-Zero Material
Authors: Cheng Lin , Huang Kun , Wang Yu , Wu Fan
Published: June 2023

Epsilon-near-zero nanoantennas can be used to tune the far-field radiation pattern due to their exceptionally large intensity-dependent refractive index. In this study, we propose a hybrid optical antenna based on indium tin oxide (ITO) to enable optical tuning of the deflection of radiation, specifically a hybrid structure antenna of ITO and dielectric material, which makes the deflection angle changes 17∘ as incident intensities increase. Moreover, by employing an array of ITO or hybrid nanodisks, we can enhance the unidirectionality of the radiation pattern, resulting in a needle-like shape with an angular beam width α< 8∘ of the main lobe. The deflection angle of the radiation pattern response with the needle-like lobe paves the way for further studies and applications in beam steering and optical modulation where dynamic control of the nanoantennas is highly desirable.
Proteomic Analysis of Bt cry1Ac Transgenic Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Guan Zheng-Jun , Zheng Min , Tang Zhi-Xi , Wei Wei , Stewart C. Neal
Published: June 2023

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is an important cash crop, but transgenic oilseed rape has not been grown on a commercial scale in China. It is necessary to analyze the characteristics of transgenic oilseed rape before commercial cultivation. In our study, differential expression of total protein from the leaves in two transgenic lines of oilseed rape expressing foreign Bt Cry1Ac insecticidal toxin and their non-transgenic parent plant was analyzed using a proteomic approach. Only shared changes in both of the two transgenic lines were calculated. Fourteen differential protein spots were analyzed and identified, namely, eleven upregulated expressed protein spots and three downregulated protein spots. These proteins are involved in photosynthesis, transporter function, metabolism, protein synthesis, and cell growth and differentiation. The changes of these protein spots in transgenic oilseed rape may be attributable to the insertion of the foreign transgenes. However, the transgenic manipulation might not necessarily cause significant change in proteomes of the oilseed rape.
Interactive Effect of Cultivars, Crop Years and Rootstocks on the Biochemical Traits of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch Fruits
Authors: Ciccoritti Roberto , Manganiello Rossella , Antonucci Francesca , Ceccarelli Danilo
Published: June 2023

Peach fruit is one of the most economically widespread temperate fruits, whose productivity, and nutritional and sensory qualities are determined by interactions among several environmental and genetic factors, rootstocks, agronomic practices and pedo-climatic conditions. In recent years, climate change has prompted peach breeding programs to use specific rootstocks that are well adapted to unusual soil and climate characteristics, thus improving the plant’s adaptability and fruit quality. The aim of this work was to assess the biochemical and nutraceutical profile of two different peach cultivars, considering their growth on different rootstocks over three crop years. An analysis was carried out evaluating the interactive effect of all factors (i.e., cultivars, crop years and rootstocks) revealing the advantages or disadvantages on growth of the different rootstocks. Soluble solids content, titratable acidity, total polyphenols, total monomeric anthocyanins and antioxidant activity in fruit skin and pulp were analyzed. An analysis of variance was performed to assess the differences between the two cultivars considering the effect of rootstock (one way) and crop years, rootstocks and their interaction (two ways). In addition, two principal component analyses were performed separately on the phytochemical traits of the two cultivars to visualize the distributions of the five peach rootstocks during the three crop years. The results showed that fruit quality parameters are strongly dependent on cultivars, rootstocks and climatic conditions. All these aspects could be useful for the choice of rootstock in relation to agronomic management, making this study a valuable tool for choosing the best rootstock, considering simultaneously more factors affecting peaches’ biochemical and nutraceutical profile.
Active Power-Decoupling Methods for Photovoltaic-Connected Applications: An Overview
Authors: Rodríguez-Benítez Omar , Ponce-Silva Mario , Aqui-Tapia Juan Antonio , Rodríguez-Benítez Óscar Miguel , Lozoya-Ponce Ricardo Eliú , Adamas-Pérez Heriberto
Published: June 2023

This study compares ripple port, stacked switched capacitor, and capacitive energy storage architectures for active power decoupling, comparing the number of components, performance, energy density, DC-link capacitor reduction, efficiency, and frequency operation to highlight their main benefits and drawbacks for single-phase grid-connected applications. The overview reveals equivalent effective energy density without electrolytic capacitors, as well as enhanced simplicity, performance, and durability, thereby providing stacked switched capacitors as an attractive power-decoupling alternative for multi-stage connected applications, based on the principle that its individual buffer capacitors absorb and deliver energy without tightly constraining their individual terminal voltages, while maintaining a narrow range voltage at the buffer DC port.
Special Issue: Application of Proteomics and Enzyme Technologies in Foods
Authors: Hsieh Jung-Feng
Published: June 2023

This Special Issue entitled “Application of Proteomics and Enzyme Technologies in Foods” explores the latest progress and perspectives on the development and application of enzyme technologies, proteomics, and bioprocessing in the context of food science [...]
Urban Devis: Fashioning Lay Women’s Holiness in Krishna Bhakti Networks
Authors: Robison Claire
Published: June 2023

Although many Hindu communities today foreground women as religious authorities, some lineages officially recognize only men as gurus and renouncers. If official models of religious authority are gendered masculine, what space do women have to embody holiness? This article investigates this question with reference to women in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a transnational religious organization that has developed prominent communities in India and abroad. Amidst an ongoing disagreement about whether women can be gurus in the organization, this article considers how devotee women are cultivating spaces of religious authority in their temple communities and online media forums through embodying Krishna bhakti as a form of vernacular holiness. This includes the development of personal websites and the use of YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to produce media content that ranges from overtly devout recordings of temple lectures to subtle signals towards Krishna bhakti in the aesthetic style of social media influencers. Case studies discuss women affiliated with ISKCON communities in India and the US.
Revisiting the Experiential World of Women’s Bhakti Poetry
Authors: Pechilis Karen
Published: June 2023

My recent research on an early female bhakti saint brought to the fore differences between her perspective as represented in poetry attributed to her and her medieval biographer’s representation of her concerns. Through that study, the widespread academic use in recent scholarship of traditional biographies to interpret female bhakti saints became especially visible and problematic to me. In this experimental essay, I consider what patterns we might find if we prioritize the poetry attributed to influential female bhakti saints, navigating the significant issues of subjectivity, voice, and utterance to discern the contours of their devotional subjectivity as an authoritative nexus for conceptualizing and expressing individual and group devotion. In contrast to scholarly assurances that female bhakti saints are internally steadfast or that they are mainly troubled by external situations, I argue that their devotional subjectivity voices their realization that diverse embodied experiences of contestation are generative for a shared sense of devotion.
Improving Spaceborne GNSS-R Algal Bloom Detection with Meteorological Data
Authors: Zhen Yinqing , Yan Qingyun
Published: June 2023

Algal bloom has become a serious environmental problem caused by the overgrowth of plankton in many waterbodies, and effective remote sensing methods for monitoring it are urgently needed. Global navigation satellite system-reflectometry (GNSS-R) has been developed rapidly in recent years, which offers a new perspective on algal bloom detection. When algal bloom emerges, the water surface will turn smoother, which can be detected by GNSS-R. In addition, meteorological parameters, such as temperature, wind speed and solar radiation, are generally regarded as the key factors in the formation of algal bloom. In this article, a new algal bloom detection method aided by machine learning and auxiliary meteorological data is established. This work employs the Cyclone GNSS (CYGNSS) data and the fifth generation European Reanalysis (ERA-5) data with the application of the random under sampling boost (RUSBoost) algorithm. Experiments were carried out for Taihu Lake, China, over the period of August 2018 to May 2022. During the evaluation stage, the test true positive rate (TPR) of 81.9%, true negative rate (TNR) of 82.9%, overall accuracy (OA) of 82.9% and the area under (receiver operating characteristic) curve (AUC) of 0.88 were achieved, with all the GNSS-R observables and meteorological factors being involved. Meanwhile, the contribution of each meteorological factor and the error sources were assessed, and the results indicate that temperature and solar radiation play a prominent role among other meteorological factors in this research. This work demonstrates the capability of CYGNSS as an effective tool for algal bloom detection and the inclusion of meteorological data for further enhanced performance.
Microtremor Recording Surveys to Study the Effects of Seasonally Frozen Soil on Site Response
Authors: Chen Shengyang , Lei Jie , Li Ya
Published: June 2023

Microtremor recording tests using an accelerometer were carried out in this paper with the aim of characterizing the effects of seasonally frozen soil on the seismic site response, including the two-direction microtremor spectrum, site predominant frequency, and site amplification factor. The study selected eight typical seasonal permafrost sites in China for site microtremor measurements during both summer and winter seasons. Based on the recorded data, the horizontal and vertical components of the microtremor spectrum, HVSR curves, site predominant frequency, and site amplification factor were calculated. The results showed that seasonally frozen soil increased the predominant frequency of the horizontal component of the microtremor spectrum, while the effect on the vertical component was less noticeable. It indicates that the frozen soil layer has a significant impact on the propagation path and energy dissipation of seismic waves in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the peak values of the horizontal and vertical components of the microtremor spectrum decreased by 30% and 23%, respectively, due to the presence of seasonally frozen soil. The predominant frequency of the site increased by a maximum of 35% and a minimum of 2.8%, while the amplification factor decreased by a maximum of 38% and a minimum of 11%. Additionally, a relationship between the increased site predominant frequency and the cover thickness was proposed.
Artistic Robotic Arm: Drawing Portraits on Physical Canvas under 80 Seconds
Authors: Nasrat Shady , Kang Taewoong , Park Jinwoo , Kim Joonyoung , Yi Seung-Joon
Published: June 2023

In recent years, the field of robotic portrait drawing has garnered considerable interest, as evidenced by the growing number of researchers focusing on either the speed or quality of the output drawing. However, the pursuit of either speed or quality alone has resulted in a trade-off between the two objectives. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a new approach that combines both objectives by leveraging advanced machine learning techniques and a variable line width Chinese calligraphy pen. Our proposed system emulates the human drawing process, which entails planning the sketch and creating it on the canvas, thus providing a realistic and high-quality output. One of the main challenges in portrait drawing is preserving the facial features, such as the eyes, mouth, nose, and hair, which are crucial for capturing the essence of a person. To overcome this challenge, we employ CycleGAN, a powerful technique that retains important facial details while transferring the visualized sketch onto the canvas. Moreover, we introduce the Drawing Motion Generation and Robot Motion Control Modules to transfer the visualized sketch onto a physical canvas. These modules enable our system to create high-quality portraits within seconds, surpassing existing methods in terms of both time efficiency and detail quality. Our proposed system was evaluated through extensive real-life experiments and showcased at the RoboWorld 2022 exhibition. During the exhibition, our system drew portraits of more than 40 visitors, yielding a survey outcome with a satisfaction rate of 95%. This result indicates the effectiveness of our approach in creating high-quality portraits that are not only visually pleasing but also accurate.
Modification of a Conventional Deep Learning Model to Classify Simulated Breathing Patterns: A Step toward Real-Time Monitoring of Patients with Respiratory Infectious Diseases
Authors: Park Jinho , Mah Aaron James , Nguyen Thien , Park Soongho , Ghazi Zadeh Leili , Shadgan Babak , Gandjbakhche Amir H.
Published: June 2023

The emergence of the global coronavirus pandemic in 2019 (COVID-19 disease) created a need for remote methods to detect and continuously monitor patients with infectious respiratory diseases. Many different devices, including thermometers, pulse oximeters, smartwatches, and rings, were proposed to monitor the symptoms of infected individuals at home. However, these consumer-grade devices are typically not capable of automated monitoring during both day and night. This study aims to develop a method to classify and monitor breathing patterns in real-time using tissue hemodynamic responses and a deep convolutional neural network (CNN)-based classification algorithm. Tissue hemodynamic responses at the sternal manubrium were collected in 21 healthy volunteers using a wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device during three different breathing conditions. We developed a deep CNN-based classification algorithm to classify and monitor breathing patterns in real time. The classification method was designed by improving and modifying the pre-activation residual network (Pre-ResNet) previously developed to classify two-dimensional (2D) images. Three different one-dimensional CNN (1D-CNN) classification models based on Pre-ResNet were developed. By using these models, we were able to obtain an average classification accuracy of 88.79% (without Stage 1 (data size reducing convolutional layer)), 90.58% (with 1 × 3 Stage 1), and 91.77% (with 1 × 5 Stage 1).
Optimal ElGamal Encryption with Hybrid Deep-Learning-Based Classification on Secure Internet of Things Environment
Authors: Annamalai Chinnappa , Vijayakumaran Chellavelu , Ponnusamy Vijayakumar , Kim Hyunsung
Published: June 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a kind of advanced information technology that has grabbed the attention of society. Stimulators and sensors were generally known as smart devices in this ecosystem. In parallel, IoT security provides new challenges. Internet connection and the possibility of communication with smart gadgets cause gadgets to indulge in human life. Thus, safety is essential in devising IoT. IoT contains three notable features: intelligent processing, overall perception, and reliable transmission. Due to the IoT span, the security of transmitting data becomes a crucial factor for system security. This study designs a slime mold optimization with ElGamal Encryption with a Hybrid Deep-Learning-Based Classification (SMOEGE-HDL) model in an IoT environment. The proposed SMOEGE-HDL model mainly encompasses two major processes, namely data encryption and data classification. At the initial stage, the SMOEGE technique is applied to encrypt the data in an IoT environment. For optimal key generation in the EGE technique, the SMO algorithm has been utilized. Next, in the later stage, the HDL model is utilized to carry out the classification process. In order to boost the classification performance of the HDL model, the Nadam optimizer is utilized in this study. The experimental validation of the SMOEGE-HDL approach is performed, and the outcomes are inspected under distinct aspects. The proposed approach offers the following scores: 98.50% for specificity, 98.75% for precision, 98.30% for recall, 98.50% for accuracy, and 98.25% for F1-score. This comparative study demonstrated the enhanced performance of the SMOEGE-HDL technique compared to existing techniques.
The Development and Validation of an Instrument to Collaborative Teaching Assessment under the Impact of COVID-19 through the SECI Model
Authors: Wang Jing , Kim Eunyoung
Published: June 2023

Information and communications technology (ICT) has bridged the gap between students and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 brings pandemic pedagogy to transnational higher education (TNHE), the emergent response of Chinese universities to this disruption to education has been to update practices to tackle the pedagogical and contextual differences in transnational education. However, few studies have examined the impact of the pandemic on TNHE through the lens of the socialization, externalization, combination and internalization (SECI) model and investigated the extent to which teaching faculty can co-construct knowledge in collaborative teaching with the assistance of ICT. This study uses the theoretical framework of the SECI model to explore whether collaborative teaching was effective in TNHE during COVID-19. A quantitative questionnaire is conducted to examine the joint knowledge production by adding information technology utilization to the four knowledge-creation and knowledge-conversion processes. Finally, the study explores a SECI knowledge-creation model with technology integration for discussing collaborative teaching quality during COVID-19. The results imply that collaborative teaching management can be linked to the multidimensions of knowledge generation and transfer. It also recommends that pedagogical knowledge and technological expertise can enhance instructional design and teaching practices from the knowledge perspective and achieve sustainable development in THNE.
Linear Parks as Urban Commons—Considerations from Mexico City
Authors: Buratti Simone , Merino-Pérez Leticia
Published: June 2023

This article aims to understand, from the conceptual proposal of urban commons, the social processes of use and appropriation of infrastructures developed in the framework of urban sustainability policies in cities of the Global South. Specifically, it is part of the debate on the type of interventions needed to promote non-motorized mobility, based on a case study developed in the Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca, the first linear park built in Mexico City, which is 59 km long and covers several areas of the city. The spaces, actors, and uses of the linear park were documented using a mixed methodology that included participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and systematic image capture using a modification of the SOPARC system. Our fieldwork exposed substantial socioeconomic inequalities within areas intersecting the linear park, in conjunction with a pronounced imbalance of public funding dedicated to its maintenance and enhancement. Regardless of these disparities, we observed an array of diverse uses initiated by urban infrastructure users, adapting the space to cater to their individual requirements, interests, and endeavors. This variability plays a decisive role in shaping the public space management policies in several instances. Based on these results, we stress the necessity of fostering inclusive access to public spaces, as this is a crucial component of urban sustainability.
Characterization of the Coastal Vulnerability in Different Geological Settings: A Comparative Study on Kerala and Tamil Nadu Coasts Using FuzzyAHP
Authors: Dwivedi Chandra Shekhar , Pampattiwar Shiva Teja , Pandey Arvind Chandra , Parida Bikash Ranjan , Mitra Debashis , Kumar Navneet
Published: June 2023

The acceleration of coastal processes is manifested in the form of coastal erosion, average sea level rise, drastic changes in coastlines, and more turbulent ocean waters. In this study, the coasts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India, were selected to identify the effects of increasing coastal processes. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and map vulnerable areas by taking into account the key parameters, such as topographical and socio-economic factors, to relate to coastal processes. The fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was employed to identify the most vulnerable zones. The key findings revealed that about 14% and 2% of the coast of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, respectively, are classified under the physically highly vulnerable category. Similarly, ~17% and ~30% of coastal Tamil Nadu and Kerala, respectively, are highly socially vulnerable. The overall vulnerability assessment showed that 7–8% of both coastal areas were highly vulnerable. We concluded that the Thiruvallur, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, and Nagapattinam coasts on the east coast and the Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kollam coasts on the west coast were very highly vulnerable to coastal processes. Identifying vulnerable zones helps to better understand the impacts of rapid coastal processes and, with this prior estimation, the policymakers can take necessary actions to mitigate the irreversible impacts of coastal processes.
Optimized Control for PMSG Wind Turbine Systems under Unbalanced and Distorted Grid Voltage Scenarios
Authors: Abo-Khalil Ahmed G. , Alobaid Mohammad
Published: June 2023

Wind energy is one of the fastest growing energies due to its feasible cost and environment friendly nature, where there is no emission of waste or greenhouse gases emission. Wind energy systems should be connected to the electric utility to avoid the effects of the intermittent nature of these sources. One of the main problems of the utility integration of wind turbines is the unbalanced voltage of the utility grid. Many efforts have been made to remedy the effects of the unbalanced grid voltage connected with the electric utility. This research points out the need for more accurate and robust controllers, such as those mentioned in this paper. A novel combination strategy is presented in this paper to overcome the inherent imbalance in the electric utility voltages when used in combination with a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). This novel technique is designed to adapt the positive sequence of the dq-axis of the output current from the PMSG to extract the maximum power available from a wind turbine. Meanwhile, the negative sequence component is used to improve the quality of the output current from a wind turbine. A current controller is introduced in the grid side converter to compensate for the effects of the 2nd and 6th components of the output currents. Using these controllers reduces all dominant components in the output currents from wind turbines and permits a robust tracker for the maximum power available. A detailed simulation and experimental studies are introduced in this paper to show the controller operation under different operating conditions. The simulation and experimental results from the novel proposed strategy show its superiority in fully remedying the effect of unbalanced grid voltages.
Sustainable Supplier Selection under Financial Hardships: The Conflicting Impact of Spatial and Temporal Psychological Distances
Authors: Balaguer-Mercado Alain , Kirshner Samuel N. , Tseng Chung-Li
Published: June 2023

Economic crises stress trade-offs between costs and sustainability for environmentally orientated firms impacting supply-chain management decisions. Inspired by the disruption to supply caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we explore supplier selection during a financial crisis, studying the impact of psychological distance on the cost–environmental performance trade-off. Across three experiments (N = 420), we examine the choice between a low-cost and an environmental supplier at close and far psychological distances. Study 1 and Study 2 demonstrate that closer spatial and social distances, respectively, increase the preference for the environmental supplier. Study 3 extends these studies by showing that distance influences perceptions of the firm’s objectives, mediating supplier preference. In contrast, Study 4 shows that a far temporal distance increases the preference for selecting the environmental supplier, differing from spatial distance, due to a reversal in the appraisal of the firm’s objectives. Taken together, our results provide a greater understanding of the cognitive influences on sustainable procurement decision-making during the COVID-19 crisis.
Multi-Tempo Forecasting of Soil Temperature Data; Application over Quebec, Canada
Authors: Zeynoddin Mohammad , Bonakdari Hossein , Gumiere Silvio José , Rousseau Alain N.
Published: June 2023

The profound impact of soil temperature (TS) on crucial environmental processes, including water infiltration, subsurface movement, plant growth, and its influence on land–atmosphere dynamics, cannot be undermined. While satellite and land surface model-based data are valuable in data-sparse areas, they necessitate innovative solutions to bridge gaps and overcome temporal delays arising from their dependence on atmospheric and hydro–meteorological factors. This research introduces a viable technique to address the lag in the Famine Early Warning Network Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS). Notably, this approach exhibits versatility, proving highly effective in analyzing datasets characterized by significant seasonal trends, and its application holds immense value in watershed-scaled hydrological research. Leveraging the enhanced state-space (SS) method for forecasting in the FLDAS, this technique harnesses TS datasets collected over time at various depths (0–10 cm, 10–40 cm, and 40–100 cm), employing a multiplicative SS model for modeling purposes. By employing the 1-step, 6-step, and 12-step-ahead models at different depths and 2 locations in Quebec, Canada, the outcomes showcased a performance with an average coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.88 and root mean squared error (RMSE) of 2.073 °C for the dynamic model, R2 of 0.834 and RMSE of 2.979 °C for the 6-step-ahead model, and R2 of 0.921 and RMSE of 1.865 °C for the 12-step-ahead model. The results revealed that as the prediction horizon expands and the length of the input data increases, the accuracy of predictions progressively improves, indicating that this model becomes increasingly accurate over time.
Optimization, Identification, and Quantification of Selected Phenolics in Three Underutilized Exotic Edible Fruits Using HPTLC
Authors: Asfaw Tilahun Belayneh , Tadesse Mesfin Getachew , Tessema Fekade Beshah , Woldemariam Henock Woldemichael , Legesse Belete Adefris , Esho Tarekegn Berhanu , Bachheti Archana , AL-Huqail Arwa A. , Taher Mostafa A. , Zouidi Ferjeni , Saleh Kamel A. , Kumar Vinod , Širić Ivan , Kumar Pankaj
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to investigate selected bioactive components in three underutilized wild edible exotic fruits (Syzygium guineense Wild. DC, Ziziphus spina-christi L., and Citrus medica L.), using high-performance thin-layer chromatography and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (HPTLC-UV-Vis), treated under three drying conditions. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was used to extract the target bioactive components under specified conditions, i.e., time of 15 min, temperature of 35 °C, methanol and water 75/25, v/v, and fruit powder-to-solvent ratio of 1:15, w/v. The mobile phase ratio for rutin, kaempferol, myricetin, and quercetin was toluene/ethylacetate/methanol/formic acid at 20:12:8:4, whereas, for phenolic acids, the ratio was 10:15:10:5, respectively. The HPTLC plates were scanned to identify and quantify selected compounds (phenolic acids, quercetin, rutin, myricetin, and kaempferol) at their maximum optimized absorption wavelengths. The contents of target bioactive components ranged from 0.64 ± 0.19 mg/100 g for rutin to 320.04 ± 7.10 mg/100 g for chlorogenic acid. Based on the results of this investigation, the phenol content of freeze-dried fruit was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than other drying methods. The calculated average limit of detections and quantifications ranged from 0.37 to 75 ng/spot to 2.5 to 250 ng/spot, respectively. The average recoveries were 99.91 ± 5.65% for quercetin and 99.08 ± 5.96% for rutin. Overall, the validated HPTLC method was simple, selective, sensitive, and stable for the simultaneous identification and determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids. As a result, this study revealed that the contents of phenolic acids and flavonoids in selected exotic edible fruits can be used as effective antioxidants.
Assessment of the Improvement of Public Transport in Hillside Cities Considering the Impact of Topography on Walking Choices
Authors: Hayauchi Gen , Ariyoshi Ryo , Morikawa Takayuki , Nakamura Fumihiko
Published: June 2023

This study examines the benefits of considering topography in the implementation of public transport systems and improving mobility in a hillside district in Yokohama, Japan. It studies the relationship between the improvement and the actual use of the service. A multinomial logit model that incorporates topography is developed to describe mode choice. Based on this model, utility-based accessibilities, which include topographical impact, are calculated, and the improvement resulting from the new service is analysed. The correlation between the improvement and the user’s log is also examined to verify their relationship and the impact of topographical factors, which are compared with and without the new service. The mode choice model revealed that topography had a negative impact on walking and bus egress trips, with a 1-m increase in topography corresponded to a 9.54-m walk. The utility-based accessibility approach accurately illustrated the impact of topography. The improvement of accessibility positively correlated with service use, which is further enhanced when considering the topography. These results demonstrate the impact of implementing the new service, highlight the importance of considering topography in hillside cities, and underscore the significance of the utility-based accessibility approach as a relevant methodology.
How Does Digital Transformation Affect Total Factor Productivity: Firm-Level Evidence from China
Authors: Li Shiguang , Tian Yixiang
Published: June 2023

After the 2008 financial crisis, companies in China begun paying more attention to sustainable development. This article attempts to examine whether and how digital transformation affects total factor productivity (TFP) at the firm-level. Using 2913 listed companies in China from 2012 to 2018, this study finds that digital transformation is positively associated with corporate TFP in China. Our explanatory variable of firm-level digitalization index is constructed via text analysis methods. After a series of robustness checks and different attempts that mitigate endogeneity concerns, our findings remain valid. However, traditional information and communication technologies (ICT) cannot improve corporate TFP. Further analyses of three plausible channels indicate that digital technologies improve TFP primarily through cost reduction and human substitution rather than supervision advantage. The results indicate that firms achieve actual benefits from the digital transformation, and how digital transformation improve the sustainable development. This study could serve as a policy inspiration for other developing countries.
Risk Management on Concrete Structures as a Tool for the Control of Construction Efficiency
Authors: Špak Matej , Mandičák Tomáš , Spišáková Marcela , Verčimák Dominik
Published: June 2023

Risk management in the construction industry has a significant role in the impact of a construction project. Risk management is needed to make processes more efficient in terms of the implementation of construction projects. This research is oriented to the management of risks regarding the concrete structures of residential buildings in Central Europe. This research provides insights into risk management procedures, based on a risk’s frequency, the probability of occurrence, and its impact on the effectiveness of construction projects for concrete structures. The aim of the research is to analyze the impact of risk management on the efficiency of construction projects for residential buildings and to propose a method of quantifying this impact, in terms of the technical and economic aspects, based on the calculated coefficients. This will assist in risk management by prioritizing those risks that will have the most significant impact on both the technical aspects and the efficiency of the project. The research results herein provide coefficients for determining the technical and economic impacts that can be implemented for risk management regarding the concrete structures used in the construction projects of residential buildings. The potential risks of concrete structures have been identified and divided into three groups. The scope and content of this study were chosen on the basis of the processes at individual stages. Construction management experts quantified the risk and probability levels according to the implemented projects. Based on the acquisition of these data, the rates of occurrence and impact, i.e., the extent of damaged parts (intensity), were determined. Subsequently, the significance factor was determined. To determine the efficiency, the net present value method was used, reflecting the investment’s time value. The values were adjusted for time and inflation, affecting the overall efficiency coefficient of construction projects. These data were obtained from Eurostat.