bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Resolution Boundary Refined Convolutional Neural Network for Automatic Agricultural Greenhouses Extraction from GaoFen-2 Satellite Imageries
Authors: Zhang Xiaoping , Cheng Bo , Chen Jinfen , Liang Chenbin
Published: October 2021

Agricultural greenhouses (AGs) are an important component of modern facility agriculture, and accurately mapping and dynamically monitoring their distribution are necessary for agricultural scientific management and planning. Semantic segmentation can be adopted for AG extraction from remote sensing images. However, the feature maps obtained by traditional deep convolutional neural network (DCNN)-based segmentation algorithms blur spatial details and insufficient attention is usually paid to contextual representation. Meanwhile, the maintenance of the original morphological characteristics, especially the boundaries, is still a challenge for precise identification of AGs. To alleviate these problems, this paper proposes a novel network called high-resolution boundary refined network (HBRNet). In this method, we design a new backbone with multiple paths based on HRNetV2 aiming to preserve high spatial resolution and improve feature extraction capability, in which the Pyramid Cross Channel Attention (PCCA) module is embedded to residual blocks to strengthen the interaction of multiscale information. Moreover, the Spatial Enhancement (SE) module is employed to integrate the contextual information of different scales. In addition, we introduce the Spatial Gradient Variation (SGV) unit in the Boundary Refined (BR) module to couple the segmentation task and boundary learning task, so that they can share latent high-level semantics and interact with each other, and combine this with the joint loss to refine the boundary. In our study, GaoFen-2 remote sensing images in Shouguang City, Shandong Province, China are selected to make the AG dataset. The experimental results show that HBRNet demonstrates a significant improvement in segmentation performance up to an IoU score of 94.89%, implying that this approach has advantages and potential for precise identification of AGs.
Enhanced PDR-BLE Compensation Mechanism Based on HMM and AWCLA for Improving Indoor Localization
Authors: Jamil Harun , Qayyum Faiza , Jamil Faisal , Kim Do-Hyeun
Published: October 2021

This paper presents an enhanced PDR-BLE compensation mechanism for improving indoor localization, which is considerably resilient against variant uncertainties. The proposed method of ePDR-BLE compensation mechanism (EPBCM) takes advantage of the non-requirement of linearization of the system around its current state in an unscented Kalman filter (UKF) and Kalman filter (KF) in smoothing of received signal strength indicator (RSSI) values. In this paper, a fusion of conflicting information and the activity detection approach of an object in an indoor environment contemplates varying magnitude of accelerometer values based on the hidden Markov model (HMM). On the estimated orientation, the proposed approach remunerates the inadvertent body acceleration and magnetic distortion sensor data. Moreover, EPBCM can precisely calculate the velocity and position by reducing the position drift, which gives rise to a fault in zero-velocity and heading error. The developed EPBCM localization algorithm using Bluetooth low energy beacons (BLE) was applied and analyzed in an indoor environment. The experiments conducted in an indoor scenario shows the results of various activities performed by the object and achieves better orientation estimation, zero velocity measurements, and high position accuracy than other methods in the literature.
A Remote Raman System and Its Applications for Planetary Material Studies
Authors: Qu Hongkun , Ling Zongcheng , Qi Xiaobin , Xin Yanqing , Liu Changqing , Cao Haijun
Published: October 2021

A remote Raman prototype with a function of excitation energy adjusting for the purpose of obtaining a Raman signal with good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), saving power consumption, and possibly avoiding destroying a target by high energy pulses, which may have applications for Chinese planetary explorations, has been setup and demonstrated for detecting different minerals. The system consists of a spectrograph equipped with a thermoelectrically cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) detector, a telescope with 150 mm diameter and 1500 mm focus length, and a compact 1064 nm Nd:YAG Q-switched laser with an electrical adjusted pulse energy from 0 to 200 mJ/pulse. A KTP crystal was used for second harmonic generation in a 1064 nm laser to generate a 532 nm laser, which is the source of Raman scatting. Different laser pulse energies and integration time were used to obtain distinguishable remote Raman spectra of various samples. Results show that observed remote Raman spectra at a distance of 4 m enable us to identify silicates, carbonates, sulfates, perchlorates, water/water ice, and organics that have been found or may exist on extraterrestrial planets. Detailed Raman spectral assignments of the measured planetary materials and the feasible applications of remote Raman system for planetary explorations are discussed.
Predictive Maintenance: An Autoencoder Anomaly-Based Approach for a 3 DoF Delta Robot
Authors: Fathi Kiavash , van de Venn Hans Wernher , Honegger Marcel
Published: October 2021

Performing predictive maintenance (PdM) is challenging for many reasons. Dealing with large datasets which may not contain run-to-failure data (R2F) complicates PdM even more. When no R2F data are available, identifying condition indicators (CIs), estimating the health index (HI), and thereafter, calculating a degradation model for predicting the remaining useful lifetime (RUL) are merely impossible using supervised learning. In this paper, a 3 DoF delta robot used for pick and place task is studied. In the proposed method, autoencoders (AEs) are used to predict when maintenance is required based on the signal sequence distribution and anomaly detection, which is vital when no R2F data are available. Due to the sequential nature of the data, nonlinearity of the system, and correlations between parameter time-series, convolutional layers are used for feature extraction. Thereafter, a sigmoid function is used to predict the probability of having an anomaly given CIs acquired from AEs. This function can be manually tuned given the sensitivity of the system or optimized by solving a minimax problem. Moreover, the proposed architecture can be used for fault localization for the specified system. Additionally, the proposed method can calculate RUL using Gaussian process (GP), as a degradation model, given HI values as its input.
Towards Secure, Decentralised, and Privacy Friendly Forensic Analysis of Vehicular Data
Authors: Negka Lydia , Spathoulas Georgios
Published: October 2021

The automotive industry has been transformed through technological progress during the past decade. Vehicles are equipped with multiple computing devices that offer safety, driving assistance, or multimedia services. Despite these advancements, when an incident occurs, such as a car crash, the involved parties often do not take advantage of the technological capabilities of modern vehicles and attempt to assign liability for the incident to a specific vehicle based upon witness statements. In this paper, we propose a secure, decentralized, blockchain-based platform that can be employed to store encrypted position and velocity values for vehicles in a smart city environment. Such data can be decrypted when the need arises, either through the vehicle driver’s consent or through the consensus of different authorities. The proposed platform also offers an automated way to resolve disputes between involved parties. A simulation has been conducted upon a mobility traffic dataset for a typical day in the city of Cologne to assess the applicability of the proposed methodology to real-world scenarios and the infrastructure requirements that such an application would have.
Investigations on Practical Issues in Solid Immersion Lens Based Sub-Wavelength Terahertz Imaging Technique: System Stability Verification and Interference Pattern Removal
Authors: Choi Da-Hye , Shin Jun-Hwan , Lee Il-Min , Park Kyung Hyun
Published: October 2021

Terahertz (THz) imaging techniques are attractive for a wide range of applications, such as non-destructive testing, biological sensing, and security imaging. We investigate practical issues in THz imaging systems based on a solid immersion lens (SIL). The system stability in terms of longitudinal misalignment of the SIL is experimentally verified by showing that the diffraction-limited sub-wavelength beam size (0.7 λ) is maintained as long as the SIL is axially located within the depth-of-focus (~13 λ) of the objective lens. The origin of the fringe patterns, which are undesirable but inevitable in THz imaging systems that use continuous waves, is analytically studied, and a method for minimizing the interference patterns is proposed. By combining two THz images obtained at different axial positions of the object and separated by λ/4, the interference patterns are significantly reduced, and the information hidden under the interference patterns is unveiled. The broad applicability of the proposed method is demonstrated by imaging objects with different surface profiles. Our work proves that the resolution of conventional THz imaging systems can easily be enhanced by simply inserting a SIL in front of the object with high tolerance in the longitudinal misalignment and provides a method enabling THz imaging for objects with different surface profiles.
Discrimination of Different Breast Cell Lines on Glass Substrate by Means of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Lasalvia Maria , Capozzi Vito , Perna Giuseppe
Published: October 2021

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) micro-spectroscopy has been attracting the interest of many cytologists and histopathologists for several years. This is related to the possibility of FTIR translation in the clinical diagnostic field. In fact, FTIR spectra are able to detect changes in biochemical cellular components occurring when the cells pass to a pathological state. Recently, this interest has increased because it has been shown that FTIR spectra carried out just in the high wavenumber spectral range (2500–4000 cm−1), where information mainly relating to lipids and proteins can be obtained, are able to discriminate cell lines related to different tissues. This possibility allows to perform IR absorption measurements of cellular samples deposited onto microscopy glass slides (widely used in the medical environment) which are transparent to IR radiation only for wavenumber values larger than 2000 cm−1. For these reasons, we show that FTIR spectra in the 2800–3000 cm−1 spectral range can discriminate three different cell lines from breast tissue: a non-malignant cell line (MCF10A), a non-metastatic adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF7) and a metastatic adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA). All the cells were grown onto glass slides. The spectra were discriminated by means of a principal component analysis, according to the PC1 component, whose values have the opposite sign in the pairwise score plots. This result supports the wide studies that are being carried out to promote the translation of the FTIR technique in medical practice, as a complementary diagnostic tool.
Product Integration of Established Crash Sensors for Safety Applications in Lightweight Vehicles
Authors: Klein Linda , Joseph Yvonne , Kröger Matthias
Published: October 2021

The functionality of products increases when more sensors are used. This trend also affects future automobiles and becomes even more relevant in connected and autonomous applications. Concerning automotive lightweight design, carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRP) are suitable materials. However, their drawbacks include the relatively high manufacturing costs of CFRP components in addition to the difficulty of recycling. To compensate for the increased expenditure, the integration of automotive sensors in CFRP vehicle structures provides added value. As a new approach, established sensors are integrated into fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) structures. The sensors are usually mounted to the vehicle. The integration of sensors into the structure saves weight and space. Many other approaches specifically develop new sensors for integration into FRP structures. With the new approach, there is no need for elaborate development of new sensors since established sensors are used. The present research also showed that the range of applications of the sensors can be extended by the integration. The present paper outlines the functional behaviour of the integrated sensor utilized for crashing sensing. First of all, the integration quality of the sensor is relevant. Different requirements apply to the usual mounting of the sensor. The self-sensing structure must fulfil those requirements. Moreover, unfamiliar characteristics of the new surrounding structure might affect the sensing behaviour. Thus, the sensing behaviour of the self-sensing composite was analyzed in detail. The overarching objective is the general integration of sensors in products with reasonable effort.
Taking Stock of a Genre-Based Pedagogy: Sustaining the Development of EFL Students’ Knowledge of the Elements in Argumentation and Writing Improvement
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Zhang Lawrence Jun
Published: October 2021

The capacity to make effective argumentation in English writing is considered as a crucial ability in the field of second language writing. Currently, Chinese teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) adopt the product approach to teach argumentative writing, in which they stress the mode of learners’ written production and show little concern with cognition. For students’ sustainable development in argumentation skills, teachers are encouraged to employ a genre-based approach to cultivate students’ knowledge about different elements in argumentation. However, few empirical studies have investigated the efficacy of such classroom-based instruction on learners’ comprehensive development in EFL writing, including their knowledge about writing and performance in producing argumentation. This is particularly the case with reference to Chinese students learning to write argumentative texts in EFL. To fill the research gap, this quasi-experimental study was conducted with 74 EFL sophomores, who were randomly allocated to either an experimental group or a comparison group. The experimental group received a genre-based writing approach, while the comparison group experienced their conventional writing instruction. Students’ changes were analysed using pre- and post-writing test measures, open-ended questionnaires, and stimulated recall interviews. Our findings revealed more changes in the experimental groups’ knowledge about argumentation following the genre-based writing treatment than the comparison group. Specifically, the experimental group’s progress was obvious in the way they displayed their knowledge of the structure of discourse moves and of language features specific to the argumentative genre. They began to express their knowledge of the content, process, intended purposes, and audience awareness towards producing more genre appropriate texts in argumentation. They also showed enhanced self-reflection on their knowledge of argumentation. In addition, the genre-based approach had a positive effect on the experimental group’s argumentative writing development, as evidenced in their use of discourse move structures and their overall writing quality improvement. The conventional writing approach was not as effective in helping students to write an argumentation. Writing proficiency effects were observed in terms of the extent to which the students were developed. Pedagogical implications and limitations are also discussed.
Nature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy
Authors: Mosca Francesca , Dotti Sani Giulia Maria , Giachetta Andrea , Perini Katia
Published: October 2021

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is among the most critical issues caused by human activities and high building density. UHI has severe impacts on the urban and natural environment as well as on human health and wellbeing. The research presented here aims at evaluating the effects of nature-based solutions (NBS) in improving the livability of a district in the city of Genoa, which is heavily cemented and a major example of the heat island phenomenon. This study focuses on the microclimatic benefits of urban heat island mitigation as well as on psychological and perceptual aspects. A preliminary analysis of the district through CFD simulations using Envi-met software allowed for selection of the most suitable areas for a system of punctual interventions in urban regeneration using nature-based solutions. For each area identified, we simulated the effects of different design scenarios on microclimate mitigation and thermal comfort improvement. In addition, to evaluate the perceptual benefits of the most well-performing design scenarios, we set up a web-based survey that was administered to a convenience sample of Genoa residents. In terms of aesthetic satisfaction and perception of improved conditions of physical and psychological well-being, the preferred design outcomes were those which emphasized a freer and more natural environment. This study shows that nature-based solutions can improve the overall conditions of dense urban areas; microclimate performance and psychological effects should be both considered in the design process in order to improve the wellbeing of urban citizens.
Inclusive Green Growth and Regional Disparities: Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Zhangsheng , Li Ruixin , Zhang Xiaotian Tina , Shen Yinjie , Yang Liuqingqing , Zhang Xiaolu
Published: October 2021

It is determined that inclusive green growth comprises processes of economic development and inclusiveness as a system of inclusions, taking into account the anthropogenic burden on the ecosystem, as well as the relational nature of socio-economic transformations. This article is an evaluation of this issue in the context of a contemporary Chinese society beset by regional inequalities that uses the Yangtze River basin as a case study. An index system has been constructed for inclusive green growth measurement, and kernel density and the Dagum Gini coefficient are used to analyze and describe characteristics regarding the distribution and spatial disparities within and between city clusters. The article then concludes that all city clusters are developing towards an inclusive green economy. There are still significant inequalities in inclusive growth among city clusters. Most city clusters are converging so slow that it will take a long time for weaker cites to catch up with stronger cites. City clusters also suffer major inner imbalances and gaps are widening. This paper argues that the profession needs to be more proactive in promoting strategic and targeted policies within such an unequal growth context.
Scaling Social Enterprises through Product Diversification
Authors: Jha Srivardhini K. , Bhawe Nachiket , Satish P.
Published: October 2021

Scaling has remained a challenge for social enterprises, which strive to balance social impact with financial performance to facilitate sustainable development. Product diversification, a common scaling strategy in commercial enterprises, has been recently proposed as a strategy to scale social enterprises while keeping their dual goals in balance. We empirically investigate this using a combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses of microfinance institutions in India. Our inductive analysis reveals that product diversification in social enterprises varies along two dimensions—relatedness and locus of impact—to give four distinct diversification strategies. Each of these strategies impacts the social and financial goals of the organization differently. To scale successfully, social enterprises need to deploy a deliberate and dynamic mix of product diversification strategies. The paper makes an important contribution to the field of social entrepreneurship by exploring how diversification strategy can help social enterprises scale. It also provides important insights to social entrepreneurs on how they should deploy a mix of diversification strategies to maintain a balance between their social and financial goals.
Barriers and Enablers for the Integration of Industry 4.0 and Sustainability in Supply Chains of MSMEs
Authors: Machado Eduardo , Scavarda Luiz Felipe , Caiado Rodrigo Goyannes Gusmão , Thomé Antonio Márcio Tavares
Published: October 2021

The integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and sustainability in supply chains emerged as a relevant topic and, therefore, has attracted the interest of academics and practitioners. Many barriers challenge this integration, and enablers to overcome these barriers need to be understood. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have many difficulties to overcome these barriers and successfully implement this integration. Moreover, solutions for larger enterprises do not necessarily fit MSMEs, which reinforces the need to investigate the topic further. Within this context, the goals of this paper are: (i) to identify the main barriers and enablers to integrate I4.0 and sustainability in supply chains of MSMEs and (ii) to analyze the influence among these barriers and enablers, identifying the most prominent ones. A convergent parallel multimethod approach is adopted, first embracing a scoping review to identify main barriers, enablers, and associated categories. Then, conducting a panel of experts with 25 specialists in two rounds to refine and classify the identified barriers and enablers towards the perspective of MSMEs. Finally, two focus group discussions are added using the fuzzy logic and DEMATEL methods to obtain the inter-relationship of barriers and enablers for MSMEs. Research findings reveal eight barriers, eight enablers, and their respective cause-effect relationship, which are expected to help MSMEs managers and decision-makers better understand and implement the integration between I4.0 and sustainability in their supply chains. Results are discussed in eleven research propositions and four propositions for practitioners and policymakers.
Will COVID-19 Threaten the Survival of the Airline Industry?
Authors: Xuan Xiao , Khan Khalid , Su Chi-Wei , Khurshid Adnan
Published: October 2021

The pandemic causes social distancing and lockdown, which impedes consumer confidence and contracts the economy. Hence, this study analyzes the corona (COVID-19) impact on the airline industry revenues (ALR) and forecast by the vector autoregression (VAR) method. The results indicate that gross domestic product (GDP) and air cargo are the best predictors of ALR. The forecasting outcomes explore if ALR will decline and expect to back to pre-COVID-19 in 2023. Our results resemble both the V-shaped and U-shaped, which suggests slow gradual recovery with longer lockdown and border disclosure. The government can restore confidence building by providing economic stimulus packages and can encourage the airline to return to travel. Furthermore, softening the passenger rules concerning the refund of unflown ticket, reducing taxes, and reducing overflight taxes, all reduce the costs. Similarly, the mutually recognized global standards are crucial for effective execution, and any temporary measures taken by the government should have a clear exit strategy. The study major limitation includes the lack of relevant research and data availability.
Fuzzy Differential Sandwich Theorems Involving the Fractional Integral of Confluent Hypergeometric Function
Authors: Lupaş Alina Alb
Published: October 2021

The operator defined as the fractional integral of confluent hypergeometric function was introduced and studied in previously written papers in view of the classical theory of differential subordination. In this paper, the same operator is studied using concepts from the theory of fuzzy differential subordination and superordination. The original theorems contain fuzzy differential subordinations and superordinations for which the fuzzy best dominant and fuzzy best subordinant are given, respectively. Interesting corollaries are obtained for particular choices of the functions acting as fuzzy best dominant and fuzzy best subordinant. A nice sandwich-type theorem is stated combining the results given in two theorems proven in this paper using the two dual theories of fuzzy differential subordination and fuzzy differential superordination.
Bacillus thuringiensis Spores and Cry3A Toxins Act Synergistically to Expedite Colorado Potato Beetle Mortality
Authors: Dubovskiy Ivan M. , Grizanova Ekaterina V. , Tereshchenko Daria , Krytsyna Tatiana I. , Alikina Tatyana , Kalmykova Galina , Kabilov Marsel , Coates Christopher J.
Published: October 2021

The insect integument (exoskeleton) is an effective physiochemical barrier that limits disease-causing agents to a few portals of entry, including the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts. The bacterial biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) enters the insect host via the mouth and must thwart gut-based defences to make its way into the body cavity (haemocoel) and establish infection. We sought to uncover the main antibacterial defences of the midgut and the pathophysiological features of Bt in a notable insect pest, the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (CPB). Exposing the beetles to both Bt spores and their Cry3A toxins (crystalline δ-endotoxins) via oral inoculation led to higher mortality levels when compared to either spores or Cry3A toxins alone. Within 12 h post-exposure, Cry3A toxins caused a 1.5-fold increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation) within the midgut – key indicators of tissue damage. When Cry3A toxins are combined with spores, gross redox imbalance and ‘oxidation stress’ is apparent in beetle larvae. The insect detoxification system is activated when Bt spores and Cry3A toxins are administered alone or in combination to mitigate toxicosis, in addition to elevated mRNA levels of candidate defence genes (pattern-recognition receptor, stress-regulation, serine proteases, and prosaposin-like protein). The presence of bacterial spores and/or Cry3A toxins coincides with subtle changes in microbial community composition of the midgut, such as decreased Pseudomonas abundance at 48 h post inoculation. Both Bt spores and Cry3A toxins have negative impacts on larval health, and when combined, likely cause metabolic derangement, due to multiple tissue targets being compromised.
Review on Emerging Waterborne Pathogens in Africa: The Case of Cryptosporidium
Authors: Kombo Mpindou Gilver Odilon Mendel , Escuder Bueno Ignacio , Chordà Ramón Estela
Published: October 2021

Water-related diseases, particularly waterborne diseases, remain significant sources of morbidity and mortality worldwide but especially in developing countries. Emerging waterborne pathogens represent a major health risk. Cryptosporidium is one such pathogen which is globally recognized as a major cause of diarrhea in children and adults. The objective of this paper is not only to review published studies on the impact of these emerging waterborne pathogens but also to identify the various risk factors that favor their transmission. A number of envisaged and needed actions to tackle the challenge of these pathogens in Africa have also been discussed. We have searched the web of ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus. ISI Web of Science, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. The first database search yielded 3099 articles. As a result, 141 studies were submitted for abstract review. A total of 68 articles were selected for full text analysis. After evaluating a considerable number of articles on this topic, the following results were obtained. A number of pathogens are likely to present public health risks, including Cryptosporidium. The contaminating potential of these pathogens is associated with a multitude of factors, such as the effects of climate change, social and behavioral aspects of local populations, water issues, geographical locations that may cause isolation, and inequalities due to lack of transparency of governments in the distribution of financial resources. We stress the need to maintain and strengthen real-time surveillance and rapid epidemiological responses to outbreaks and the emergence of new waterborne pathogens in all countries. African governments, for their part, should be aware of future risks of waterborne protozoan diseases. They must provide immediate and effective responses by establishing technical and financial mechanisms to ensure sufficient quantities of safe drinking water, sewage disposal, and hygiene for all.
Flood Hazards in Flat Coastal Areas of the Eastern Iberian Peninsula: A Case Study in Oliva (Valencia, Spain)
Authors: Eguibar Miguel Ángel , Porta-García Raimon , Torrijo Francisco Javier , Garzón-Roca Julio
Published: October 2021

Enhancing resilience against flooding events is of great importance. Eastern Iberian Peninsula coastal areas are well known for high intensity rainfalls known as DANA or “cold drop”. Extreme records in 24 h can exceed the annual average of the historical series. This phenomenon occurs normally in autumn due to convective storms generated by the existence of cold air in the upper layers of the atmosphere combined with warm winds coming from the Mediterranean Sea. In many coastal areas of the Eastern Iberian Peninsula, their flat topography, sometimes of a marsh nature, and the natural (e.g., dune ridges) and man-made (e.g., infrastructures) factors, result in devastating flooding events of great potential damage and risk for urban and rural areas. In this context, this paper presents the case study of the town of Oliva (Valencia, Spain) and how in a flooding event the flow tends to spread and accumulate along the flat coastal strip of this populated area, causing great potential damage. From that point, the paper discusses the particular issues that flood studies should consider in such flat and heavy rainy areas in terms of the hydrological and hydraulic models to be conducted to serve as the key tool of a correct risk assessment. This includes the correct statistical simulation of rainfalls, the hydrological model dependency on the return period and the correct geometry definition of all possible water barriers. An analysis of the disturbance that climatic change effects may introduce in future flooding events is also performed.
Water Quality Assessment and Potential Source Contribution Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques in Jinwi River Watershed, South Korea
Authors: Choi Hyeonmi , Cho Yong-Chul , Kim Sang-Hun , Yu Soon-Ju , Kim Young-Seuk , Im Jong-Kwon
Published: October 2021

To investigate the effects of rapid urbanization on water pollution, the water quality, daily unit area pollutant load, water quality score, and real-time water quality index for the Jinwi River watershed were assessed. The contribution of known pollution sources was identified using multivariate statistical analysis and absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression. The water quality data were collected during the dry and wet seasons to compare the pollution characteristics with varying precipitation levels and flow rates. The highest level of urbanization is present in the upstream areas of the Hwangguji and Osan Streams. Most of the water quality parameter values were the highest in the downstream areas after the polluted rivers merged. The results showed a dilution effect with a lower pollution level in the wet season. Conversely, the daily unit area pollutant load was higher in the rainy season, indicating that the pollutants increased as the flow rate increased. A cluster analysis identified that the downstream water quality parameters are quite different from the upstream values. Upstream is an urban area with relatively high organic matter and nutrient loads. The upstream sewage treatment facilities were the main pollution sources. This study provides basic data for policymakers in urban water quality management.
Operation Strategy of Parking Lots Integrated with PV and Considering Energy Price Tags
Authors: Yang Zexin , Huang Xueliang , Gao Shan , Zhao Qi , Ding Hongen , Gao Tian , Mao Dongyu , Ye Rui
Published: October 2021

In recent years, the orderly charging of electric vehicles (EVs) in commercial parking has become a meaningful research topic due to the increasing number of EVs, especially for parking lots close to workplaces and serving fixed users. In this paper, a parking lot energy management system integrated with energy storage system (ESS) and photovoltaic (PV) system is established. The concept of energy price tag (EPT) is introduced to define the price of all energy storage devices, and the priority order between PV, ESS, EVs, and power grid is established. Taking the minimization of charging cost as the optimization objective, the charging plans of ESS, EVs, and buildings are optimized considering the constraints of EVs user demand and PV power. By comparing the simulation results of four cases, it is proven that this strategy can reduce the charging cost and improve the consumption rate of PV.
Impact of physician empathy on patient outcomes: a gender analysis
Authors: Surchat Caroline , Carrard Valerie , Gaume Jacques , Berney Alexandre , Clair Carole
Published: October 2021

Background

Empathy in primary care settings has been linked to improved health outcomes. However, the operationalisation of empathy differs between studies, and, to date, no study has concurrently compared affective, cognitive, and behavioural components of empathy regarding patient outcomes. Moreover, it is unclear how gender interacts with the studied dimensions.

Aim

To examine the relationship between several empathy dimensions and patient-reported satisfaction, consultation’s quality, and patients’ trust in their physicians, and to determine whether this relationship is moderated by a physician’s gender.

Design and setting

Analysis of the empathy of 61 primary care physicians in relation to 244 patient experience questionnaires in the French-speaking region of Switzerland.

Method

Sixty-one physicians were video-recorded with two male and two female patients. Six different empathy measures were assessed: two self-reported measures, a facial recognition test, two external observational measures, and a Synchrony of Vocal Mean Fundamental Frequencies (SVMFF), measuring vocally coded emotional arousal. After the consultation, patients indicated their satisfaction with, trust in, and quality of the consultation.

Results

Female physicians self-rated their empathic concern higher than their male counterparts did, whereas male physicians were more vocally synchronised (in terms of frequencies of speech) to their patients. SVMFF was the only significant predictor of all patient outcomes. Verbal empathy statements were linked to higher satisfaction when the physician was male.

Conclusion

Gender differences were observed more often in self-reported measures of empathy than in external measures, indicating a probable social desirability bias. SVMFF significantly predicted all patient outcomes, and could be used as a cost-effective proxy for relational quality.
Developmental Regularities and the Issue of Adopting Homosexual Orientation by Adolescents - a Review of Research and Opinions
Authors: Margasiński Andrzej , Białecka Bogna
Published: October 2021

The article responds to practical dillemas of parents, psychologists or educators who come across teenagers declaring their homosexual orientation.  In this overview, the authors discuss primary developmental factors and they point out the dynamic specific of adolescence, comprising also a psychosexual growth. Current research review shows that sexual orientation has a developmental and often fluent character, mostly in a heterosexual direction, and that a research on homosexuality leads to the conclusion, that it's etiology is multifactoral, with predominance of environmental over  the genetic factors. For these reasons, early declarations of homosexual orientation uttered by teenagers rather should not be supported. At the end, a reader can find pieces of practical advice for psychologists, educators and parents.
Promoting the principle of alcohol abstinence in sport
Authors: Wojcieszek Krzysztof Andrzej
Published: October 2021

Abstract:

Background and study aim:

A hundred years ago, the principle of alcohol abstinence was almost obvious in sport. Currently, it is still observed, but its importance has weakened. At the same time, we have knowledge about the role of this principle in maintaining the effects of training of athletes and in the general education of sport adepts. In professional sport, we note various deviations from this rule, even leading to a breakdown in the careers of individual athletes. In addition, it turns out that the fairly widespread belief in the preventive role of sports activities is not always based on research results. Sometimes, training, especially team games, worsens the level of alcoholism in young people. This is why it is interesting to examine the opinion on the role of abstinence in the preparation of athletes in various research groups. In this case it was a group of voluntary, consistent abstainers. In general, they strongly confirm the role of abstinence in sport, but not all aspects of this acceptance are knowledge-based. Some have an ideological character.

Material and methods: 

Diagnostic survey in two groups: declared alcohol abstainers (n = 125) and in the group of users of alcoholic beverages interested in sport (reference group, n = 51). Questionnaire in the annex.

Results:

The subjects collectively chose responses indicating a collision of certain behavior with athletic activity (in the test group: alcohol abuse - 93.6%, the use of drugs - 83.2%, smoking - 80.8%, in the reference group respectively 88.2%, 88.2%, 78.4%). 32.8% of respondents in the study group and 39.2% in the reference group did not have knowledge about the harmful effects of alcohol on muscles. Acceptance for abstinence as a sports principle was expressed by 92.8% in the study group and 78.4% in the reference group. Up to 93.6% of the study group believe that abstinence violations could be the cause of sports failures (74.5% in the reference group). However, what is characteristic, as many as 84.6% of respondents from the study group considered that sports training would be beneficial for their children (86% in the reference group.) There is a visible contradiction between the perception of abstinence in sport and the preventive effect of training. Most respondents consider that special preventive training of trainers is necessary (82.4% in the study group and 86.3% in the reference group).

Conclusions: Respondents from the abstinence group are more likely to support this principle as a rule of conduct for sports practitioners. At the same time, the paradoxical effect of support for playing sports as a preventive method was noted in both groups, despite the knowledge about the links between playing sports and harmful behavior. This is especially surprising in the group of declared abstainers and shows strength of a certain social stereotype linking practicing sport with prevention ("in a healthy body - a healthy spirit"). In both groups there is support for special preventive training of sport trainers.
Impact of coronavirus outbreak events, perceptions of sense of safety and distance learning among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Walec Monika , Michoń Weronika , Surma Natalia , Rząca Marcin , Nowicki Grzegorz , Ślusarska Barbara
Published: October 2021

Abstract: A pandemic substantially affects a number of areas of social life. Significant changes have occurred in the area of education, including higher education. In the summer semester of the academic year 2019/2020, universities in Poland, within a few weeks, switched from full-time teaching to distance learning. It undoubtedly brought about among students a certain level of uncertainty about the development of events and the need to act in changing circumstances and involved a revised communication pattern and interaction on many functioning levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of coronavirus outbreak events on perceptions of feelings of safety and higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of college student participants from universities across Poland. The study was conducted in May and June 2020 among 371 students in Poland, using computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI). Two standardized tools were used, i.e. the Polish version of the Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and Safety Experience Questionnaire (SEQ), as well as the proprietary survey questionnaire. The survey was posted on Google.com and was shared with the respondents online via Facebook. Students demonstrated a significant effort to rid themselves of trauma-related thoughts, emotions, or conversations. A sense of security was observed; however, it significantly decreased as the PTSD score increased. Men have a significantly higher sense of safety than women. There was no evidence of an influence of the field of study, year of study, or type of education on the severity of traumatic stress and experiencing safety. In terms of the impact of the epidemic on aspects of higher education, respondents showed concern about the quality of interpersonal relationships and the financial situation of the family. The traumatic stress severity index was found to be significantly higher on the substantive and technical aspects of education. The students' moods seem to have no relationship with the gender of the respondent or the type of education. The impact of events related to the outbreak of the Sars-Cov-2 virus can be observed in the disturbance of the sense of security among participants of different majors and years of study in Poland. Students' fears are associated with a change in the realities of student life in both educational and social dimensions.
The effect of depression and the reframing strategy on the level of satisfaction with family life in infertile and post-miscarriage couples: dyadic analyzes
Authors: Wendołowska Anna , Kiełek-Rataj Ewa , Kalus Alicja , Czyżowska Dorota
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Couples struggling with infertility, as well as those after experiencing a miscarriage, deal with many types of stressors, in the face of which they react with anxiety, regret and depression, which negatively affects fertility and is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. The use of different coping strategies seems to have different effects on the stress of infertility and miscarriage experiences. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between depression related to infertility and miscarriage and satisfaction with family life, as well as the role of using the reframing in predicting family life satisfaction in the group of depressive infertile couples and after miscarriage.
Methods: The study involved 90 couples: 50 couples after miscarriage and 40 couples diagnosed with infertility. The participants completed a questionnaire examining the level of depressiveness (Giessen Test), coping strategies in the family (F-copes) and the family assessment scale (Flexibility and Cohesion Evaluation Scales; SOR). The actor partner interdependence model was used for data analysis.
Results: The findings showed that the level of partner depressiveness in both infertile and post-miscarriage couples predicted lower satisfaction with family life in women and men, while husband depressiveness was significant for women's family life satisfaction, but not the other way around. The reframing strategy by partners in both studied groups significantly weakened the relationship between partners’ depressiveness and the level of satisfaction with life.
Conclusions: Stress is one of the most important risk factors influencing the results of infertility treatment and spontaneous miscarriage, therefore it is important to identify all factors related to depression symptoms and life satisfaction of infertile and post-miscarriage couples.
The quality of communication between spouses raised in nuclear and single-parent families
Authors: Marmola Małgorzata , Ochojska Danuta , Wańczyk-Welc Anna
Published: October 2021

The article concerns marriage communication among husbands and wives coming from nuclear and one-parent families. The issue of marriage communication is a crucial factor determining its quality and stability. What is more, communicating spouses are the source of role models for their children. Research carried out among the group of 296 people (148 couples) by using Communication in Marriage Questionnaire (KKM) crated by Mieczyslaw Plopy and Maria Kaźmierczak indicates irregularities in the sphere of communication between spouses coming from one-parent families. Dysfunctional communication among couples mainly concerns the lower level of engagement in dialogue with a spouse and the high level of depreciation.
Key words: communication in the family, nuclear families, one-parent families, quality of marriage
Families with a child with ASD and Down syndrome - their attitudes and values
Authors: Barłóg Krystyna
Published: October 2021

We are all called to live and improve the world for ourselves and others. Every person, even if he or she is a person with a disability, and with an impaired ability to perceive and understand, is a fully human subject who has an inalienable right to life and development, a right that belongs to every human being. A human being always has his or her dignity and a particular, unquestionable value. The most complete community for every human being is the family. It is the foundation of a fulfilling life, even for a child with such serious dysfunctions as ASD or Down syndrome. Having a child with ASD, or a child with Down syndrome, undoubtedly causes difficulties for the whole family in many areas. Social and cultural changes can affect how a family with a child with ASD or Down syndrome works. Thus, they may affect difficult parenting: motherhood or difficult fatherhood. At the same time, there is still a lack of research and analysis devoted to such families, to the perceived positive changes in the family system as a whole, and in the families themselves. The aim of this analysis is to try to answer the question of what attitudes and values parents of children with ASD and Down syndrome present. The research used the Attitudes Towards Disabled Persons Scale, the Attitudes Towards Disabled Persons Questionnaire and the Axiological Questionnaire by A. Sękowski. The research conducted using a diagnostic survey confirms that families characterised by a high level of moral and religious values present positive attitudes towards people with disabilities, including children with Down syndrome and ASD. Maximum assistance and support should be provided to families with a child with ASD and Down syndrome, in order to enable optimal development of children with ASD and Down syndrome in psychomotor and intellectual development by accepting and stimulating their subjectivity, and securing a space full of love and empathy.