bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eating Patterns of Young Women (18–25 y) with Overweight and Obesity: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Young Isabel E. , Crino Natalie , Steinbeck Katharine S. , Parker Helen M.
Published: March 2023

Overweight and obesity impact up to 40% of young women in Australia; however, young women are challenging to recruit to research and are rarely the focus of weight loss interventions. This study aimed to examine dietary patterns in young women (18–25 years; BMI > 25 kg/m2). An analysis of participants’ (mean age: 22.6 year; BMI: 32.2 kg/m2) 3-day food records found young women with overweight/obesity consumed a diet characterised by total energy intake of 9174 (2526) kJ/day, with the first meal at 9:12 am (range: 4:30 am–12:40 pm), the last at 10:43 pm (range: 2:40 pm–2:00 am), and an average eating window of 11.5 h. Young women had poor quality diets, which did not meet dietary recommendations for most core food groups, and high intake of refined carbohydrates. They also reported consuming at least one takeaway meal per day and >30% of total energy intake was from discretionary items. The findings showed that young women with overweight or obesity consume most of their energy intake in the afternoons and late into the evenings and have poor-quality diets with high-discretionary intake, each of which have been shown in previous work to be associated with increased weight and risk of metabolic comorbidities. While these findings require further examination in larger groups with both qualitative and longitudinal data collection to verify the impact of these eating patterns on weight maintenance, the eating behaviours identified here may present a suitable target for novel weight loss interventions in young women, who are an understudied population group in need of tailored weight management solutions.
Detection of Babesia conradae in Coyotes (Canis latrans) and Coyote-Hunting Greyhound Dogs (Canis familiaris)
Authors: Furman Haley , Scimeca Ruth C.
Published: March 2023

Babesia conradae is a small piroplasm previously detected in coyote-hunting Greyhound dogs in California and Oklahoma. In dogs, B. conradae causes clinical signs similar to other tick-borne illnesses, and if not treated it can lead to acute kidney injury and other life-threating complications. To date, the life cycle of this apicomplexan parasite has not been fully described, but suggestions of direct contact or tick transmission have been proposed. The purpose of this study was to test coyote tissue samples from coyotes hunted by Greyhound dogs with a history of B. conradae infection to determine if this parasite is present in the coyote population in Northwestern Oklahoma. The analyzed tissue samples included liver, lung and tongue samples collected by hunters. DNA was isolated from these tissues and assessed by RT-PCR of the 18S rRNA and PCR of the COX1 genes for B. conradae. A total of 66 dogs and 38 coyotes were tested, and the results demonstrated the presence of B. conradae DNA in 21 dogs (31.8%) and 4 coyotes (10.5%). These results indicate that B. conradae is present in the dog and coyote population from the same area and that direct contact with coyotes may increase the risk of infection in dogs. Further studies are required to test possible modes of transmission, including direct bite, tick or vertical transmission.
Antifungal Activity and Alleviation of Salt Stress by Volatile Organic Compounds of Native Pseudomonas Obtained from Mentha piperita
Authors: Gil Samanta Soledad , Cappellari Lorena del Rosario , Giordano Walter , Banchio Erika
Published: March 2023

As salt stress has a negative impact on plant growth and crop yield, it is very important to identify and develop any available biotechnology which can improve the salt tolerance of plants. Inoculation with plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a proven environmentally friendly biotechnological resource for increasing the salt stress tolerance of plants and has a potential in-field application. In addition, bacterial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) are signal molecules that may have beneficial roles in the soil–plant–microbiome ecosystem. We investigated the effects of mVOCs emitted by Pseudomona putida SJ46 and SJ04 on Mentha piperita grown under different levels of NaCl stress by evaluating their growth-promoting potential and capacity to increase salt tolerance effects. Furthermore, we evaluated under control and salt stress conditions the biocontrol ability of VOCs emitted by both these strains to inhibit the growth of Alternaria alternata and Sclerotium rolfsii. The VOCs emitted by both strains under control conditions did not lead to an significant improvement in peppermint growth. However, under salt stress conditions (75 or 100 mM NaCl), an amelioration of its physiological status was observed, with this effect being greater at 100 mM NaCl. This led to an enhancement of the number of leaves and nodes and, increased the shoot fresh and root dry weight by approximately twice in relation to control stressed plants. Moreover, the VOCs released by the two bacteria grown in control or saline media showed a significant reduction in the mycelial growth of A. alternata. In contrast, S. rolfsii growth was reduced 40% by the mVOCs released only under control conditions, with no effects being observed under salt stress. We also explored the composition of the bacterial volatile profiles by means of a solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME/GC–MS) analysis. From the headspace of SJ46, three VOCs were identified: n-octanol, decane and tetradecane. The emission of SJ04 had the same chromatographic profile, with the addition of two more compounds: 1-(N-phenyl carbamyl)-2-morpholino cyclohexene and tridecane. Only compounds that were not present in the headspace of the control groups were recorded. The salt stress conditions where the bacteria were grown did not qualitatively modify the mVOC emissions. Taken together, our results suggest that plant-associated rhizobacterial VOCs play a potentially important role in modulating plant salt tolerance and reducing fungal growth. Thus, biological resources represent novel tools for counteracting the deleterious effects of salt stress and have the potential to be exploited in sustainable agriculture. Nevertheless, future studies are necessary to investigate technological improvements for bacterial VOC application under greenhouse and open field conditions.
Transcriptomic and Physiological Analyses Reveal the Molecular Mechanism through Which Exogenous Melatonin Increases Drought Stress Tolerance in Chrysanthemum
Authors: Luo Yan , Hu Taotao , Huo Yunyun , Wang Lingling , Zhang Li , Yan Rui
Published: March 2023

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium (Ramat.) Hemsl.) is an important species in China’s flower industry, and drought stress seriously affects the growth, quality, yield, and geographical distribution of this species. Melatonin (MT) plays a key role in regulating plant abiotic stress responses and stress resistance, but the mechanism through which exogenous MT regulates drought resistance in chrysanthemum remains unclear. This study explored the protective effect of MT on chrysanthemum drought tolerance and its key regulatory pathways. Exogenous MT application increased the photosynthetic capacity (Tr increased by 18.07%; Pn increased by 38.46%; and Gs increased by 26.52%) of chrysanthemum and attenuated decreases in its chlorophyll (19.89%) and relative water contents (26.94%). Moreover, MT increased the levels of osmolarity-related compounds such as soluble sugars (43.60%) and soluble protein (9.86%) under drought stress and increased antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD increased by 20.98%; POD increased by 35.04%; and CAT increased by 26.21%). Additionally, MT increased the endogenous MT (597.96%), growth hormone (45.31% and 92.09%), gibberellic acid (75.92% and 3.79%), salicylic acid (33.02%), and cytokinin contents (1400.00%) under drought stress while decreasing the abscisic acid (50.69% and 56.79%), jasmonate contents (62.57% and 28.31%), and ethylene contents (9.28%). RNA-seq analysis revealed 17,389, 1466, and 9359 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under three treatments (PEG, MT, and MT _ PEG, respectively) compared with the control. Enrichment analyses of the DEGs identified more than 10 GO terms and 34 KEGG pathways. Nitrogen metabolism, sulfur metabolism, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism were significantly increased under all three treatments. The DEGs included many transcription factors, such as MYB, WRKY, and NAC proteins. Our results preliminarily classify candidate genes and metabolic pathways with active roles in the interaction between MT and drought stress and advance the understanding of the molecular mechanism of the response to drought stress under MT conditions, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the breeding of drought-resistant chrysanthemum.
Effect of Heating and Citric Acid on the Performance of Cellulose Nanocrystal Thin Films
Authors: Csiszár Emília , Herceg Imola , Fekete Erika
Published: March 2023

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were extracted from bleached cotton by sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Thin films were prepared from the aqueous suspension of CNCs by casting and evaporation with 15% glycerol as a plasticizer. Our research aimed to create stable films resistant to water. The structure and the interactions of the films were modified by short (10 min) heating at different temperatures (100, 140, and 160 °C) and by adding different amounts of citric acid (0, 10, 20, and 30%). Various analytical methods were used to determine the structure, surface properties, and mechanical properties. The interaction of composite films with water and water vapor was also investigated. Heat treatment did not significantly affect the film properties. Citric acid, without heat treatment, acted as a plasticizer. It promoted the disintegration of films in water, increased water vapor sorption, and reduced tensile strength, resulting in flexible and easy-to-handle films. The combination of heat treatment and citric acid resulted in stable liquid-water-resistant films with excellent mechanical properties. A minimum heating temperature of 120 °C and a citric acid concentration of 20% were required to obtain a stable CNC film structure resistant to liquid water.
Modification of 3D Printable Polymer Filaments for Radiation Shielding Applications
Authors: Jreije Antonio , Mutyala Swaroop Kumar , Urbonavičius Benas Gabrielis , Šablinskaitė Aušrinė , Keršienė Neringa , Puišo Judita , Rutkūnienė Živilė , Adlienė Diana
Published: March 2023

There is a growing need to develop lead-free shielding materials that are safe, low weight, durable, environmentally friendly, chemically and mechanically stable and customizable for specific applications. Fused deposition modeling (FDM), an additive manufacturing technique based on the extrusion of a thermoplastic filament into a 3D printed object one layer at a time, could be employed well in applications involving ionizing radiation due to its relatively low cost, design flexibility and high manufacturing precision. This study aimed at developing 3D printing composites that contain Titanium dioxide as a filler agent for shielding in a medical radiation environment. First, the effect of low-dose ionizing radiation (up to 15 Gy) on the mechanical properties of common 3D printing polymers, ABS, ULTRAT, PLA, NYLON, ASA and PETG, was investigated. Since ABS experienced the lowest variation in its ultimate tensile strength (±5%) and Young’s modulus (−5%/+11%), it was chosen as a matrix for a new extruded 3D filament containing TiO2 at 1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, and 5 wt.%. With the incorporation of TiO2 at different filler contents, the UTS of the ABS composites varied between 24.1 MPa and 28.4 MPa, with the highest value recorded for 3 wt.% TiO2. Young’s modulus values were dependent on both the TiO2 concentration and on the irradiation dose. In addition, the ABS/TiO2 composites with a higher filler content (3 wt.% and 5 wt.%) maintained their attenuation ability even after exposure to a radiation dose of 100 Gy as opposed to pure ABS, which exhibited a ~2.5% reduction in its mass attenuation coefficient after exposure to the same dose of radiation. The pilot investigation performed demonstrated that the newly developed ABS/TiO2 composite containing 5 wt.% of filler can be successfully employed to shield electronic devices operating in a radiotherapy room.
Maximizing Heterogeneous Server Utilization with Limited Availability Times for Divisible Loads Scheduling on Networked Systems
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Veeravalli Bharadwaj , Song Xiaobo , Zhang Kaiqi
Published: March 2023

Most of the available divisible-load scheduling models assume that all servers in networked systems are idle before workloads arrive and that they can remain available online during workload computation. In fact, this assumption is not always valid. Different servers on networked systems may have heterogenous available times. If we ignore the availability constraints when dividing and distributing workloads among servers, some servers may not be able to start processing their assigned load fractions or deliver them on time. In view of this, we propose a new multi-installment scheduling model based on server availability time constraints. To solve this problem, we design an efficient heuristic algorithm consisting of a repair strategy and a local search strategy, by which an optimal load partitioning scheme is derived. The repair strategy guarantees time constraints, while the local search strategy achieves optimality. We evaluate the performance via rigorous simulation experiments and our results show that the proposed algorithm is suitable for solving large-scale scheduling problems employing heterogeneous servers with arbitrary available times. The proposed algorithm is shown to be superior to the existing algorithm in terms of achieving a shorter makespan of workloads.
Vegetation Management Cost and Maintenance Implications of Different Ground Covers at Utility-Scale Solar Sites
Authors: McCall James , Macdonald James , Burton Robin , Macknick Jordan
Published: March 2023

Utility-scale solar photovoltaics (PV) is the largest and fastest-growing sector of the solar energy market, and plays an important role in ensuring that state and local jurisdictions can meet renewable energy targets. Potential adverse environmental impacts of utility-scale solar PV are well-documented, and the effects of diverse mitigation and dual land use strategies under the banner of ’low-impact solar’ are justly receiving more attention; this article seeks to contribute to improving understanding of this topic. Capital costs for different PV configurations are well-documented; however, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs for vegetation management at low-impact utility-scale solar PV sites are not as well-understood, particularly as they compare to costs for sites that use more conventional ground cover practices, such as turfgrass or gravel. After a literature review of different vegetation strategies and O&M cost considerations, we collected data from utility-scale solar PV O&M stakeholders, including site owners/operators, O&M service providers, vegetation maintenance companies, and solar graziers, on costs and activities associated with vegetation management at low-impact, agrivoltaic, and conventional PV sites. In this paper, we perform data analysis to detail the per-activity and total O&M costs for vegetation management at PV sites with different ground covers and management practices, providing the most comprehensive and detailed assessment of PV vegetation O&M costs to date. For the 54 sites included in our analysis, we found that while the per-acre and per-kilowattdc (kWdc) costs for individual activities, such as mowing, trimming, and herbicide application at native or pollinator friendly ground covers, were lower than at turfgrass sites, the total combined vegetation O&M costs were slightly higher; this is presumably because more individual activities are required for the first 3–5 years of vegetation establishment. Qualitative results include recommendations from data providers for site and system design, and ongoing vegetation management operations.
Integrated Fuzzy DEMATEL-ISM-NK for Metro Operation Safety Risk Factor Analysis and Multi-Factor Risk Coupling Study
Authors: Liu Jie , Wan Liting , Wang Wanqing , Yang Guanding , Ma Qian , Zhou Haowen , Zhao Huyun , Lu Feng
Published: March 2023

In order to effectively reduce the probability of subway operation accidents and explore the key risk factors and multi-factor risk coupling mechanism during the subway operation period, this paper classifies the risk factors affecting subway operation safety into four categories of primary risk factors, personnel, equipment and facilities, environment and safety management, introduces the emergency management concept to identify 18 secondary risk factors, combines the improved fuzzy decision making test and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and Explanatory Structure Model (ISM) to visualize the risk factor action relationship, construct a six-order hierarchical recursive structure model for subway operation accidents, explore the coupling relationship and effect between risk factors from the perspective of single factor, double factor and multiple factors, establish a coupling effect metric model based on Natural Killing Model (N-K), carry out coupling information interaction scenario combination and coupling effect quantification calculation, and finally integrate fuzzy DEMATEL-ISM-NK model to correct the centrality, determine the key risk factors in subway operation accidents from the perspective of macro and micro analysis, qualitative and quantitative research, and propose safety prevention and control strategies accordingly. The results show that six factors, such as emergency management and social environment, are key risk factors to be prevented in the metro operation system. Multi-factor risk coupling leads to a higher probability of subway operation accidents, and controlling multi-factor involvement in coupling is an effective means to reduce the occurrence of subway operation accidents.
Using Electric Field to Improve the Effect of Microbial-Induced Carbonate Precipitation
Authors: Deng Jinxiang , Li Mengjie , Tian Yakun , Zhang Zhijun , Wu Lingling , Hu Lin
Published: March 2023

The precipitation of calcium carbonate induced by Sporosarcina pasteurii (S. pasteurii) has garnered considerable attention as a novel rock and soil reinforcement technique. The content and structure of calcium carbonate produced through this reaction play a crucial role in determining the rocks’ and soil’s reinforcement effects in the later stages. Different potential gradients were introduced during the bacterial culture process to enhance the performance of the cementation and mineralization reactions of the bacterial solution to investigate the effects of electrification on the physical and chemical characteristics, such as the growth and reproduction of S. pasteurii. The results demonstrate that the concentration, activity, and number of viable bacteria of S. pasteurii were substantially enhanced under an electric field, particularly the weak electric field generated by 0.5 V/cm. The increased number of bacteria provides more nucleation sites for calcium carbonate deposition. Moreover, as the urease activity increased, the calcium carbonate content generated under an electric potential gradient of 0.5 V/cm surpassed that of other potential gradient groups. The growth rate increased by 9.78% compared to the calcium carbonate induced without electrification. Significantly, the suitable electric field enhances the crystal morphology of calcium carbonate and augments its quantity, thereby offering a novel approach for utilizing MICP in enhancing soil strength, controlling water pollution, and mitigating seepage. These findings elevate the applicability of microbial mineralization in engineering practices.
Ecological and Economic Impacts of Alien Invasive Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacorus L.) in China
Authors: Xiong Wen , Wang Hui , Wu Zhigang , Xiao Keyan , Li Tao , Bowler Peter A.
Published: March 2023

Non-native aquatic plants can alter the physiochemical condition of habitats and can have negative ecological and economic impacts. Thus, understanding the characteristics of non-native aquatic plant species is important as a foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and environmental management. The yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus) is an emergent aquatic plant native to Africa, northwest Asia, and Europe that has been introduced through the aquarium trade to all continents except Antarctica. This species has recently been brought into China and it has established large and widespread naturalized populations causing serious ecological and environmental problems. Unfortunately, information about the yellow flag in China is very scarce. We summarize the introduction pathways, current distribution, and ecological impacts of the yellow flag through field surveys and a review of the literature. We hope that this study can provide useful information for researchers and wetland managers involved with non-native emergent plants in China and other regions.
Economic Growth Drivers in Romania: Evidence from a NARDL Analysis
Authors: Anda Milin Ioana , Gabriela Bușan , Nicolae Ecobici , Rehman Abdul
Published: March 2023

The present study examined the impact of foreign direct investment, trade, final consumption expenditures, exports and imports of goods and services on the Romanian economic growth. The study used yearly data ranging from 1990 to 2020, and stationarity was checked using unit root testing. An asymmetric (non-linear autoregressive distributed lag) technique was employed to examine the relationship between variables with the estimation of short-run and long-run analysis. The findings of the short-run analysis show that the variables trade and final consumption expenditures positively impacted the economic growth in Romania through the positive and negative shocks. Further, the evidence also uncovered that foreign direct investment adversely influenced the economic growth, while the variable exports of goods and services revealed a significant influence to economic growth via positive shock. Imports of goods and services exposed a negative association via a positive shock and positive relation via a negative shock to the economic growth. Similarly, the long-run analysis also uncovered that variables trade and final consumption expenditures positively impacted the economic growth in Romania via positive and negative shocks, while the variable foreign direct investment showed negative linkage. Exports of goods and services uncovered a substantial influence on economic growth via positive shock, while imports of goods and services revealed a negative association via positive shock and positive linkage via negative shock to the economic growth. Foreign direct investment and imports of goods and services have a detrimental impact on Romania’s economic growth. In order to execute the right policies to solve trade and foreign investment uncertainties in Romania and boost economic growth, conservative measures are required.
Efficient Sender-Based Message Logging Tolerating Simultaneous Failures with Always No Rollback Property
Authors: Ahn Jinho
Published: March 2023

Most of the existing sender-based message logging protocols cannot commonly handle simultaneous failures because, if both the sender and the receiver(s) of each message fail together, the receiver(s) cannot obtain the recovery information of the message. This unfortunate situation may happen due to their asymmetric logging behavior. This paper presents a novel sender-based message logging protocol for broadcast network based distributed systems to overcome the critical constraint of the previous ones with the following three features. First, when more than one process crashes at the same time, the protocol enables the system to ensure the always no rollback property by symmetrically replicating the recovery information at each process or group member connected on a network. Second, it can make the first feature persist even if the general form of communication for the system is a combination of point-to-point and group ones. Third, the communication overhead resulting from the replication can be highly lessened by making full use of the capability of the standard broadcast network in both communication modes. Experimental outcomes verify that, no matter which communication patterns are applied, it can reduce about 4.23∼9.96% of the total application execution time against the latest enabling the traditional ones to cope with simultaneous failures.
Second Natural Connection on Riemannian Π-Manifolds
Authors: Manev Hristo
Published: March 2023

An object of investigation is the differential geometry of the Riemannian Π-manifolds; in particular, a natural connection, determined by a property of its torsion tensor, is defined, and it is called the second natural connection on Riemannian Π-manifold. The uniqueness of this connection is proved, and a necessary and sufficient condition for coincidence with the known first natural connection on the considered manifolds is found. The form of the torsion tensor of the second natural connection is obtained in the classes of the Riemannian Π-manifolds, in which it differs from the first natural connection. All of the main classes of considered manifolds are characterized with respect to the torsion of the second natural connection. An explicit example of dimension 5 is given in support of the proven assertions.
Free and Modified Mycotoxins in Organic and Conventional Oats (Avena sativa L.) Grown in Scotland
Authors: Daud Noshin , Currie Valerie , Duncan Gary , Filipe Joao , Yoshinari Tomoya , Stoddart Gary , Roberts Deborah , Gratz Silvia
Published: March 2023

Small grain cereals are frequently infected with mycotoxigenic Fusarium fungi. Oats have a particularly high risk of contamination with type A trichothecene mycotoxins; their glucoside conjugates have also been reported. Agronomy practices, cereal variety and weather conditions have been suggested to play a role in Fusarium infection in oats. The current study investigates concentrations of free and conjugated Fusarium mycotoxins in organic and conventional oats grown in Scotland. In 2019, 33 milling oat samples (12 organic, 21 conventional) were collected from farmers across Scotland, together with sample questionnaires. Samples were analysed for 12 mycotoxins (type A trichothecenes T-2-toxin, HT-2-toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol; type B trichothecenes deoxynivalenol, nivalenol; zearalenone and their respective glucosides) using LC-MS/MS. The prevalence of type A trichothecenes T-2/HT-2 was very high (100% of conventional oats, 83% of organic oats), whereas type B trichothecenes were less prevalent, and zearalenone was rarely found. T-2-glucoside and deoxynivalenol-glucoside were the most prevalent conjugated mycotoxins (36 and 33%), and co-occurrence between type A and B trichothecenes were frequently observed (66% of samples). Organic oats were contaminated at significantly lower average concentrations than conventional oats, whereas the effect of weather parameters were not statistically significant. Our results clearly indicate that free and conjugated T-2- and HT-2-toxins pose a major risk to Scottish oat production and that organic production and crop rotation offer potential mitigation strategies.
Anti-HERV-K Drugs and Vaccines, Possible Therapies against Tumors
Authors: Hosseiniporgham Sepideh , Sechi Leonardo Antonio
Published: March 2023

The footprint of human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), specifically HERV-K, has been found in malignancies, such as melanoma, teratocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, breast cancer, lymphoma, and ovary and prostate cancers. HERV-K is characterized as the most biologically active HERV due to possession of open reading frames (ORF) for all Gag, Pol, and Env genes, which enables it to be more infective and obstructive towards specific cell lines and other exogenous viruses, respectively. Some factors might contribute to carcinogenicity and at least one of them has been recognized in various tumors, including overexpression/methylation of long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1), HERV-K Gag, and Env genes themselves plus their transcripts and protein products, and HERV-K reverse transcriptase (RT). Therapies effective for HERV-K-associated tumors mostly target invasive autoimmune responses or growth of tumors through suppression of HERV-K Gag or Env protein and RT. To design new therapeutic options, more studies are needed to better understand whether HERV-K and its products (Gag/Env transcripts and HERV-K proteins/RT) are the initiators of tumor formation or just the disorder’s developers. Accordingly, this review aims to present evidence that highlights the association between HERV-K and tumorigenicity and introduces some of the available or potential therapies against HERV-K-induced tumors.
Inequalities in Immunization against Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Protection at Birth Coverage Using Household Health Survey Data from 76 Countries
Authors: Johns Nicole E. , Cata-Preta Bianca O. , Kirkby Katherine , Arroyave Luisa , Bergen Nicole , Danovaro-Holliday M. Carolina , Santos Thiago M. , Yusuf Nasir , Barros Aluísio J. D. , Hosseinpoor Ahmad Reza
Published: March 2023

Substantial progress in maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination has been made in the past 40 years, with dramatic reductions in neonatal tetanus incidence and mortality. However, twelve countries have still not achieved maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination, and many countries that have achieved elimination do not meet key sustainability thresholds to ensure long-lasting elimination. As maternal and neonatal tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease (with coverage of the infant conferred by maternal immunization during and prior to pregnancy), maternal tetanus immunization coverage is a key metric for monitoring progress towards, equity in, and sustainability of tetanus elimination. In this study, we examine inequalities in tetanus protection at birth, a measure of maternal immunization coverage, across 76 countries and four dimensions of inequality via disaggregated data and summary measures of inequality. We find that substantial inequalities in coverage exist for wealth (with lower coverage among poorer wealth quintiles), maternal age (with lower coverage among younger mothers), maternal education (with lower coverage among less educated mothers), and place of residence (with lower coverage in rural areas). Inequalities existed for all dimensions across low- and lower-middle-income countries, and across maternal education and place of residence across upper-middle-income countries. Though global coverage changed little over the time period 2001–2020, this obscured substantial heterogeneity across countries. Notably, several countries had substantial increases in coverage accompanied by decreases in inequality, highlighting the need for equity considerations in maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination and sustainability efforts.
Forecasting the Failure Time of an Expansive Soil Slope Using Digital Image Correlation under Rainfall Infiltration Conditions
Authors: Wei Xueyun , Gao Wenwei , Hu Ruilin , Gao Wei , Qiu Yidi , Li Yong
Published: March 2023

Expansive soil is one of the most widely distributed special soils in the world. It is widely developed in Henan, Anhui, Guangxi and other places in China, and highly overlaps with densely populated and economically active areas. Expansive soil is considered a typical “problematic soil” because its mechanical behaviour is very sensitive to water content changes; such behaviour mainly manifests as swelling upon wetting and shrinking upon drying, so the presence of expansive soil is an important factor in mountain landslide disasters in southern China. Because the particularities of its constituent materials are related to typical physical and mechanical properties, forecasting the failure times of expansive soil slopes remains a global problem. In this study, a series of in situ artificial rainfall experiments were conducted on an excavated expansive soil slope; then, the digital image correlation (DIC) method was applied to monitor the slope surface deformation and crack development. Finally, the failure time of the slope was forecasted using the inverse velocity (INV) and slope (SLO) models. The study results show that the deformation and failure processes of the analysed expansive soil slope had an obvious crack control effect, and the displacement–time curve derived by the DIC method had an obvious “phased change law”. The data points calculated by the INV method were discrete and had high linear fitting requirements, resulting in large failure time forecasts. When the SLO method was used to forecast the failure time, because the values derived in the stable deformation stage were relatively concentrated in the calculation process, an obvious linear relationship was found in only the accelerated deformation stage, so the prediction results were more accurate. Therefore, the SLO method should be preferentially used to forecast the failure of expansive soil slopes with “step-like” displacement. These results enabled us to characterize slide processes and identify the mechanism responsible for the movement of a rainfall-induced expansive soil landslide. The stage deformation and failure mode of expansive soil landslide under rainfall infiltration: “slow deformation—stable deformation—accelerated deformation—instability failure” was revealed. This study is helpful for determining the deformation and failure mechanism of rainfall-induced expansive soil landslide and forecasting expansive soil landslides and providing guidance for controlling landslide hazards in expansive soil areas.
Comparative Study of Microbial Diversity in Different Coastal Aquifers: Determining Factors
Authors: Vargas-García María del Carmen , Sola Fernando , Vallejos Ángela
Published: March 2023

Coastal aquifers have been extensively studied from the hydrodynamic and geochemical points of view, but there is still a significant gap in the knowledge of their microbial diversity. The bacterial communities of four coastal aquifers at different depths and salinities were studied in order to infer the anthropogenic and physico-chemical influences on groundwater microbiota. At the physico-chemical level, samples from different aquifers, but with similar salinities, are more similar than those taken within the same aquifer. The microbial community at the phylum level shows the dominance of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Samples from the same aquifer, although having very different salinities, are more similar than samples with similar physico-chemical characteristics. Therefore, the taxa present in these media are resilient to environmental variations. The aquifer preserving the most pristine conditions harbors the lowest values of biodiversity, compared to those affected by anthropic activities. The incorporation of pollutants into the aquifer favors the development of a so-called “rare biosphere”, consisting of a high number of taxa which represent a low percentage (<1%) of the total microbial community. The analysis of microbial biodiversity in a coastal aquifer could be used as an indicator of the degree of anthropic alteration.
The use of diagnostic parameters of agricultural equipment of aic leading to a decrease in the number of failes
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Institution ", Gvozdev A. A. ,   Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM",   , Moscow, Dunaev A. V. ,   Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM", Moscow, Kostomakhin M. N. ,   Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM", Moscow
Published: March 2023

The purpose is to clarify the diagnostic parameters of agricultural machinery. The analysis of science and practice of technical service of MTP since 1925 is carried out. The most widely used indicator of the state of the elements and aggregates of the MTP in the agroindustrial complex is the permissible value of the diagnostic parameter, and the limit value is secondary. And clarifying their rank is relevant. The main optimum for technical service standards is the minimum of total investment costs, known in the agroindustrial complex since the 30s and developed by V. M. Mikhlin. But only the permissible parameters are justifi ed by it. It is abstract, laborious, not correct, practically not implemented, given only to gradual parametric failures, and real failures are beyond attention. The infl uence of permissible parameters on reliability, technical resource is overestimated. Organoleptic diagnosis, which is relevant in the absence of diagnostic tools, is beyond attention. The resource diagnostic parameters have been clarifi ed: nominal, current, limit values, and permissible values are secondary, relevant only for regulated parameters. The condition of equality of technical service costs with the cost of a new or repaired analogue is suitable for justifying the limit values of the resource parameters. And the standards of regulated parameters should be set constructively.
To the issues of digital development and management in agriculture of the Republic of Belarus
Authors:   RNUP ", Kovalev I. L. ,   Institute of System Research in Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus",   , Minsk, Takun A. P. ,   RNUP "Institute of System Research in Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus", Minsk, Gorbatovskaya O. N. ,   RNUP "Institute of System Research in Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus", Minsk
Published: March 2023

In all developed countries of the world, there is now an active digitalization of almost all aspects of human activity, and now it can be absolutely certain that any aspect of human existence has either become digital, or is becoming, or will definitely be digital in the near future. The most important direction of the state innovation policy of the Republic of Belarus for the current fi ve years is the digital transformation of traditional sectors of the national economy. For the successful digitalization of these traditional sectors of the Belarusian economy, it is imperative to support completely new management models that are based on innovative digital technologies. The digitalization of management in the agricultural sector at all levels, from the state to the small agrarian business, will not be an exception. Today, a comprehensive large-scale digitalization of domestic agriculture is a requirement of the time and the most important already simply vital condition for increasing its competitiveness and reaching an acceptable profitability both for the processing of agricultural products with its subsequent sale, and initially for agricultural production itself, the profitability of which is still extremely low in the country. The article presents some provisions for the study of world experience in the modern transformation of management systems in agriculture, and in particular, taken from the experience of North America, Western Europe and the Russian Federation. The main key problems and trends in the digital development of the agricultural sector, important points for the implementation of tasks for the successful digital transformation of Belarusian agriculture and improving the efficiency of public administration in the domestic agro-complex are described.
Environmental issues in the disposal of agricultural machinery
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Institution ", Kataev Yu. V. ,   Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM",   , Moscow, Gerasimov V. S. ,   Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM", Moscow, Tishaninov I. A. ,   Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM", Moscow
Published: March 2023

Every year, a significant number of units of agricultural machinery, livestock and special equipment, vehicles are written off from the balance of agricultural farms and enterprises of agroindustrial complexes of Russia and other post-Soviet republics, therefore, the problem of recycling agricultural machinery that has completed its life cycle of machines is an integral part of the global problem of rational use of resources involved in production and consumption processes.
Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure on Financial Performance
Authors:   Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Merdian Lady Januasti , Waspada Ikaputera ,   Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Published: March 2023

This study aims to predict the possibility of a causal model of the effect of disclosure of Corporate Social Responsibility on corporate financial performance. In addition, this study also examines the motivation for implementing CSR based on financial performance in industrial sector manufacturing companies that disclose CSR activities and are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2013 - 2019 make-up and household items. The number of samples is 36 companies. Data were analyzed by GSCA. The result is that there is a significant direct effect between CSR on Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE). In addition, there is a significant direct effect between ROA and ROE on CSR. There are empirical findings in this study. First, ROA has a positive effect on CSR and vice versa CSR has a positive effect on ROA. Second, ROE has a positive effect on CSR and vice versa CSR has a positive effect on ROE.
Company’s Financial Condition Representing Going Concern Audit Opinion Issue Implication for Substitution Public Accounting Firm (Survey at Public Accounting Firms in Jabodetabek)
Authors:   Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia, Suhayati Ely
Published: March 2023

Clients who have the potential to get a going concern audit opinion are very likely to find auditors with lower quality so that they can provide an opinion that a client supports in accordance with the company's financial condition. The purpose of this study is to determine how big the company's financial condition represents going concern audit opinion issuance and how enormous the implications of going concern audit opinion issuance are for substitution public accounting firm. The method used in this research is descriptive and verification with the Structural Equation Modeling test tool to make it easier to draw conclusions. The sample in this study was 55 public accounting firms in Jabodetabek, with junior and senior public accountant observation units. The results of this study indicate that a bad company's financial condition will not lead to the publication of a going concern audit opinion so that there will also be no substitution public accounting firm. In conclusion, better company financial condition, lower the chances going concern audit opinion issuance, so that lower changing probability the public accounting firm. The impact of this research, as an accountant, should issue an opinion in accordance with the evidence obtained even though there will be a risk of losing a client due to a change in public accountant to fulfill his wishes
How is the Taxation Sector during the Pandemic Covid-19
Authors:   Accounting Department, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia, Febriansyah Angky
Published: March 2023

This study aims to determine the impact of Covid19 on the taxation sector and what solutions must be taken to maintain the taxation sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The research method used in this study is qualitative. The results of this study are Covid-19 can affect the taxation sector. The government of course must immediately take action to minimize the risks that will occur during the Covid-19 pandemic, one of which is to do forecasting to see the prospects for the tax sector in the future so that the government can take the right policies. Many experts have predicted that the taxation sector will experience a drastic decline, especially in the Corporate Income Tax and OP Income Tax sectors because there will be many bankrupt business sectors which will result in employee layoffs. Many things must be done by the government to minimize the risks that will occur. The steps that must be taken are to (1) Giving businesses and individuals more time to pay taxes to help businesses and households to survive, (2) Temporary reductions to broad-based taxes to Boost demand in the economy to support economic recovery, And (3) Revenue-raising measures, ideally by broadening tax bases, or else by rate increases for Shore up the public finances.
Can Fraud be Overcome with a Good Understanding of Forensic Accounting?
Authors:   Accounting Department, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Jl. Dipati Ukur No.112- 116 Bandung City, Indonesia, Febriansyah A , Wijonarko N A ,   Accounting Department, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Jl. Dipati Ukur No.112- 116 Bandung City, Indonesia
Published: March 2023

This research was conducted with the phenomenon of Indonesia not yet learning in independence, especially in understanding forensic accounting which caused the KPK to send investigators to the British Serious Fraud Office, because in 2019 there were 239 cases of fraud that harmed Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of applying case-based learning in improving the understanding of forensic accounting and to analyze how the understanding of forensic accounting fraud can be identified. The method used in this study is a descriptive analysis method which is to determine the description of each variable studied and verification analysis with path analysis is to determine the effect between variables. This study uses primary data obtained from the questionnaire. The results of this study show that case-based learning affects the improving understanding of forensic accounting, as well as the understanding of forensic accounting, which affects knowing fraud
Interpersonal Meaning of Systemic Functional Multimodal Discourse Analysis on World Immunization Week 2021 Posters Related to Covid-19 Issue
Authors:   Program Studi Sastra Inggris, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia, Bustam M R
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study is to determine how World Health Organization (WHO) packaged information related to Covid-19 issue, especially in the campaign of vaccination program all over the world. The interactional meaning represented in World Immunization Week 2021 Posters used by WHO in the campaign is examined and analyzed. The analysis focuses on the representation of visual and verbal mode through a Systemic Functional Multimodal Discourse Analysis (SFMDA) approach; this approach makes it possible to complete the analysis by using not only visual grammar in determining the visual mode but also Systemic Functional Grammar in determining the verbal mode. By visual grammar, interactional meaning is analyzed through the concept of interactive meaning involving attitude, social distance, contact, and modality in both interactive and represented participants while by Systemic Functional Grammar, the meaning is analyzed through the concept of interpersonal meaning involving the analysis of mood system. The results reveal that a compact combination between visual mode and verbal mode may increase the viewers’ readability and appropriate knowledge to the message of the posters, and finally, the goals which are expected by WHO as the poster maker in the campaign can be communicated and understood well