bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomaterials Based on Organic Polymers and Layered Double Hydroxides Nanocomposites: Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering
Authors: Constantino Vera Regina Leopoldo , Figueiredo Mariana Pires , Magri Vagner Roberto , Eulálio Denise , Cunha Vanessa Roberta Rodrigues , Alcântara Ana Clecia Santos , Perotti Gustavo Frigi
Published: January 2023

The development of biomaterials has a substantial role in pharmaceutical and medical strategies for the enhancement of life quality. This review work focused on versatile biomaterials based on nanocomposites comprising organic polymers and a class of layered inorganic nanoparticles, aiming for drug delivery (oral, transdermal, and ocular delivery) and tissue engineering (skin and bone therapies). Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are 2D nanomaterials that can intercalate anionic bioactive species between the layers. The layers can hold metal cations that confer intrinsic biological activity to LDHs as well as biocompatibility. The intercalation of bioactive species between the layers allows the formation of drug delivery systems with elevated loading capacity and modified release profiles promoted by ion exchange and/or solubilization. The capacity of tissue integration, antigenicity, and stimulation of collagen formation, among other beneficial characteristics of LDH, have been observed by in vivo assays. The association between the properties of biocompatible polymers and LDH-drug nanohybrids produces multifunctional nanocomposites compatible with living matter. Such nanocomposites are stimuli-responsive, show appropriate mechanical properties, and can be prepared by creative methods that allow a fine-tuning of drug release. They are processed in the end form of films, beads, gels, monoliths etc., to reach orientated therapeutic applications. Several studies attest to the higher performance of polymer/LDH-drug nanocomposite compared to the LDH-drug hybrid or the free drug.
A Review of 3D Printing Technology in Pharmaceutics: Technology and Applications, Now and Future
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Chen Xuejun , Han Xiaolu , Hong Xiaoxuan , Li Xiang , Zhang Hui , Li Meng , Wang Zengming , Zheng Aiping
Published: January 2023

Three-dimensional printing technology, also called additive manufacturing technology, is used to prepare personalized 3D-printed drugs through computer-aided model design. In recent years, the use of 3D printing technology in the pharmaceutical field has become increasingly sophisticated. In addition to the successful commercialization of Spritam® in 2015, there has been a succession of Triastek’s 3D-printed drug applications that have received investigational new drug (IND) approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Compared with traditional drug preparation processes, 3D printing technology has significant advantages in personalized drug manufacturing, allowing easy manufacturing of preparations with complex structures or drug release behaviors and rapid manufacturing of small batches of drugs. This review summaries the mechanisms of the most commonly used 3D printing technologies, describes their characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and applications in the pharmaceutical industry, analyzes the progress of global commercialization of 3D printed drugs and their problems and challenges, reflects the development trends of the 3D printed drug industry, and guides researchers engaged in 3D printed drugs.
Possible Effects of Climate Change on the Occurrence and Distribution of the Rare Moss Buxbaumia viridis in Serbia (SE Europe)
Authors: Pantović Jovana P. , Božović Djordje P. , Sabovljević Marko S.
Published: January 2023

The distribution range and occurrence of the rare and threatened epixylic moss Buxbaumia viridis have been reviewed in Serbia. Climatic conditions of its recent distribution in Serbia were involved in species distribution modeling and analyzed with the aim of obtaining a projection of unknown potential sites and future scenarios of its distribution dynamics. The results achieved suggest potential distribution range of the species will be significantly reduced. According to the climate change models, the habitat changes including the range loss of this species are predicted to be drastic, i.e., between 93% and 97% by the year 2050, and between 98% and 99.9% by the year 2070, affecting primarily lower elevations of its current range in Serbia. A major reason for the projected decline of the species is climate change combined with continued poor forest management.
Effects of Isoflavone-Rich NADES Extract of Pueraria lobata Roots and Astaxanthin-Rich Phaffia rhodozyma Extract on Prostate Carcinogenesis in Rats
Authors: Semenov Alexander L. , Tyndyk Margarita L. , Von Julia D. , Ermakova Elena D. , Dorofeeva Anastasia A. , Tumanyan Irina A. , Radetskaya Ekaterina A. , Yurova Maria N. , Zherebker Alexander , Gorbunov Alexander Yu. , Fedoros Elena I. , Panchenko Andrey V. , Anisimov Vladimir N.
Published: January 2023

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male malignancies worldwide. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) extract of Pueraria lobata roots rich in isoflavones (ISF) and Phaffia rhodozyma extract rich in astaxanthin (ASX) on an N-methyl-N-nitrosourea plus testosterone PCa model in rats. ISF consisted of puerarin, daidzein, genistein, formononetin and other polyphenols, while ASX contained lipids and unsaturated species in addition to astaxanthin. Extracts were administered through a whole promotion period in daily doses shown by our group to successfully inhibit benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) development — 200 mg/kg for ISF and 25 mg/kg for ASX. Though a similar effect was found for BPH processes accompanying PCa induction, the incidence of PCa in animals treated with placebo, ISF and ASX was 37%, 37% and 41%, respectively, showing no chemopreventive activity of ISF and ASX. PCa development was associated with a decrease in the Ca/Mg ratio in serum and an increase in prostate tissue. Treatment with both extracts produced a normalization effect on Ca balance in serum, which, combined with a decrease in the prostatic index, suggests some positive health effects of ISF and ASX.
Enhancement of Yield, Phytochemical Content and Biological Activity of a Leafy Vegetable (Beta vulgaris L. var. cycla) by Using Organic Amendments as an Alternative to Chemical Fertilizer
Authors: Libutti Angela , Russo Daniela , Lela Ludovica , Ponticelli Maria , Milella Luigi , Rivelli Anna Rita
Published: January 2023

This study evaluates the effect of a chemical fertilizer (ammonium nitrate), a compost (vermicompost from cattle manure) and two biochars (from vine prunings and wood chips, respectively), applied to the soil alone or in mixture, on the yield, phytochemical content and biological activity of Beta vulgaris L. var. cycla (Swiss chard). The respective treatments, each replicated four times, were arranged according to a completely randomized block design. Results showed that vermicompost, both alone and in mixture with vine pruning biochar, significantly increased yield parameters (plant height and leaf area) and yield over the untreated soil and the biochars alone, similar to ammonium nitrate. Moreover, vermicompost, both alone and in mixture, respectively, with the two biochars, determined lower total N and NO3− contents than ammonium nitrate, both alone and in mixture, respectively, with the two biochars. In particular, NO3− content was within the safe thresholds fixed for leafy vegetables by the European Commission to prevent any adverse implication on human health from dietary NO3− exposure. The biochars alone resulted in very low yield and leaf total N content, likely due to a limited release of N for plant uptake, also evidenced by the undetectable NO3− leaf content, similarly shown by plants grown in untreated soil. Vermicompost, alone or in mixture, respectively, with the two biochars, increased the content of specialized metabolites, with a positive effect on antioxidant activity. The organic amendments, particularly compost, could be an alternative to chemical fertilizers to reach a trade-off between yield, nutritional and health qualities in Swiss chard, meeting the needs of farmers and consumers as well as the targets for sustainable food production.
Influence of Ionizing Radiation on Fluoride-Releasing Dental Restorative Materials
Authors: Turjanski Sarah , Par Matej , Bergman Lana , Soče Majana , Grego Timor , Klarić Sever Eva
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of radiotherapy on the mechanical, chemical, and surface properties of two recently introduced restorative dental materials (a glass hybrid and an alkasite), while two conventional restorative materials served as references. Material specimens of the experimental groups (irradiated) were compared to the specimens of the control groups that underwent the same preparation procedure but without irradiation. The experimental groups of restorative material specimens were irradiated with a total of 70 Gy over 35 days (2 Gy/day × 35 days), while the control groups received no treatment. The following properties were evaluated: surface microhardness (Vickers), surface roughness, color change, flexural strength, flexural modulus, material reliability, and infrared spectra. For the experimental groups, measurements were performed 24 h after specimen preparation, i.e., before radiotherapy and after the completion of the irradiation protocol. For the control groups, measurements were performed after the corresponding periods of no treatment. A statistically significant increase in microhardness (p = 0.001–0.004) and surface roughness (p = 0.013) was observed as a result of material aging/maturation in both the control and experimental groups. However, the only statistically significant difference between the control and experimental groups was observed in the discoloration of the conventional reference material (p < 0.001). In conclusion, no statistically significant negative effects of a therapeutic dose of radiotherapy on any of the tested properties of the alkasite and glass hybrid materials were observed, whereas only a minor negative effect of radiotherapy in terms of discoloration was found for a conventional resin composite that was used as a reference material.
Chains Stiffness Effect on the Vertical Segregation of Mixed Polymer Brushes in Selective Solvent
Authors: Lukiev Ivan V. , Mogelnitskaya Yana A. , Mikhailov Ivan V. , Darinskii Anatoly A.
Published: January 2023

The microstructure of the binary polymer brushes in the selective solvent was studied using the numerical lattice self-consisting field approach. The case was considered when the selectivity to the solvent (the Flory–Huggins parameter χ) was varied only for one type of chains (responsive chains) while the others (non-responsive chains) remained hydrophilic (χ = 0). In such a brush, with an increase in the hydrophobicity of the responsive chains, a transition occurs between two two-layer microstructures. In the initial state the ends of the longer responsive chains are located near the external surface of the brush and those of non-responsive chains are inside the brush. When the hydrophobicity of the responsive chains becomes high enough then the reversed two-layer microstructure is formed, when the ends of non-responsive chains are located near the brush surface and the responsive chains collapse on the brush bottom. In contrast to previous works, the stiffness parameter (Kuhn segment length p) for one or for both types of chains was varied and its effect on the mechanism and characteristics of the transition was studied. If the stiffness of only responsive chains increases, then the transition occurs with the formation of an intermediate three-layer microstructure, where a layer of responsive chains is located between layers formed by non-responsive ones. If both types of chains have the same p, then the transition occurs gradually without the formation of an intermediate three-layer microstructure. For both cases, the effect of p on the critical value of χ*, corresponding to the transition point and on the steepness of the transition was investigated.
Fruit and Restaurant Waste Polysaccharides Recycling Producing Xylooligosaccharides
Authors: Pereira Beatriz Salustiano , Schmatz Alison Andrei , de Freitas Caroline , Masarin Fernando , Brienzo Michel
Published: January 2023

A significant part of fruit production is wasted annually, a material of high value without use, causing environmental and social damage. These residues from agro-industrial processes, or those that can no longer be used in the market, can be recycled and generate value-added products by pretreatments/hydrolysis. One of the important pretreatments is acid hydrolysis, which can produce xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from biomass, a product of great commercial value in the food and pharmaceutical markets, mainly due to its prebiotic potential. Bananas, oranges, and guava generate a large volume of waste and represent much of Brazil’s fruit production. The dilute acid hydrolysis resulted in XOS production of 37.69% for banana peel, 59.60% for guava bagasse, 28.70% for orange bagasse, and 49.64% for restaurant residue. XOS were quantified by a liquid chromatograph system with a Bio-Rad Aminex HPX-87C column. The results show that, for this type of material and hydrolysis, the ideal conditions to produce XOS are high temperature, low time, and high acid concentration for banana peel residue (160 °C, 15 min, and 3% H2SO4), low temperature, low time, and high acid concentration for guava bagasse (100 °C,15 min and 3% H2SO4), high temperature and acid concentration with low time for orange bagasse (160 °C,15 min and 3% H2SO4) and high temperature and time and high acid concentration for restaurant waste (160 °C, 55 min and 3% H2SO4). This study identified acid hydrolysis conditions that maximized XOS production with a low amount of xylose production using agro-industrial and food residues, also showing the high potential of the chosen residues through the high yields of XOS production.
Afro-Brazilian Religions and the Prospects for a Philosophy of Religious Practice
Authors: Porcher José Eduardo , Carlucci Fernando
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we take our cue from Kevin Schilbrack’s admonishment that the philosophy of religion needs to take religious practices seriously as an object of investigation. We do so by offering Afro-Brazilian traditions as an example of the methodological poverty of current philosophical engagement with religions that are not text-based, belief-focused, and institutionalized. Anthropologists have studied these primarily orally transmitted traditions for nearly a century. Still, they involve practices, such as offering and sacrifice as well as spirit possession and mediumship, that have yet to receive attention from philosophers. We argue that this is not an accident: philosophers have had a highly restricted diet of examples, have not looked at ethnography as source material, and thus still need to put together a methodology to tackle such practices. After elucidating Schilbrack’s suggestions to adopt an embodiment paradigm and apply conceptual metaphor theory and the extended mind thesis to consider religious practices as thoughtful, we offer criticism of the specifics of his threefold solution. First, it assumes language is linear; second, it takes a problematic view of the body; and third, it abides by a misleading view of the “levels” of cognition. We conclude that the philosophy of religion should adopt enactivism to understand religious practices as cognitive enterprises.
Stability Analysis of the Volcanic Cave El Mirador (Galápagos Islands, Ecuador) Combining Numerical, Empirical and Remote Techniques
Authors: Rodríguez Guido , Mulas Maurizio , Loaiza Silvia , Del Pilar Villalta Echeverria Michelle , Yanez Vinueza Angel Amable , Larreta Erwin , Jordá Bordehore Luis
Published: January 2023

El Mirador de los Túneles is a tube-shaped volcanic cave with a sinuous structure in the Galápagos Islands formed due to cooled near-surface lava flows. Since this natural formation is considered a tourist site, a large number of people frequent it daily; however, its safety conditions have not yet been defined by a comprehensive geotechnical study. In this research, a stability analysis was carried out by combining both empirical methodologies based on geomechanical classifications using Barton’s Q Index and the recently created Cave Geomechanical Index (CGI), and numerical modeling through the finite element method. In addition, three-dimensional modelling was performed using the remote photogrammetric technique Structure from Motion (SfM) to create the numerical calculation sections and dimensions of the different critical parts of the cave. The results of the analysis showed that there is evidence of instability and subsidence along the tunnel. Furthermore, the geotechnical parameters obtained from the different methods complemented each other, resulting in more realistic engineering representation of the subsurface environment. Finally, a graph showing the two empirical methodologies Barton’s Q Index and CGI, with the addition of the Factors of Safety (FoS) obtained from the modeling is presented.
Reliability of Mental Workload Index Assessed by EEG with Different Electrode Configurations and Signal Pre-Processing Pipelines
Authors: Mastropietro Alfonso , Pirovano Ileana , Marciano Alessio , Porcelli Simone , Rizzo Giovanna
Published: January 2023

Background and Objective: Mental workload (MWL) is a relevant construct involved in all cognitively demanding activities, and its assessment is an important goal in many research fields. This paper aims at evaluating the reproducibility and sensitivity of MWL assessment from EEG signals considering the effects of different electrode configurations and pre-processing pipelines (PPPs). Methods: Thirteen young healthy adults were enrolled and were asked to perform 45 min of Simon’s task to elicit a cognitive demand. EEG data were collected using a 32-channel system with different electrode configurations (fronto-parietal; Fz and Pz; Cz) and analyzed using different PPPs, from the simplest bandpass filtering to the combination of filtering, Artifact Subspace Reconstruction (ASR) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA). The reproducibility of MWL indexes estimation and the sensitivity of their changes were assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and statistical analysis. Results: MWL assessed with different PPPs showed reliability ranging from good to very good in most of the electrode configurations (average consistency > 0.87 and average absolute agreement > 0.92). Larger fronto-parietal electrode configurations, albeit being more affected by the choice of PPPs, provide better sensitivity in the detection of MWL changes if compared to a single-electrode configuration (18 vs. 10 statistically significant differences detected, respectively). Conclusions: The most complex PPPs have been proven to ensure good reliability (>0.90) and sensitivity in all experimental conditions. In conclusion, we propose to use at least a two-electrode configuration (Fz and Pz) and complex PPPs including at least the ICA algorithm (even better including ASR) to mitigate artifacts and obtain reliable and sensitive MWL assessment during cognitive tasks.
The Influence of Mechanical Bowel Preparation on Volatile Organic Compounds for the Detection of Gastrointestinal Disease—A Systematic Review
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Ashwin , Chandrapalan Subashini , Bosch Sofie , Bannaga Ayman , De Boer Nanne K.H. , De Meij Tim G.J. , Leja Marcis , Hanna George B. , De Vietro Nicoletta , Altomare Donato , Arasaradnam Ramesh P.
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Colorectal cancer is the second commonest cause of cancer deaths worldwide; recently, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been proposed as potential biomarkers of this disease. In this paper, we aim to identify and review the available literature on the influence of mechanical bowel preparation on VOC production and measurement. (2) Methods: A systematic search for studies was carried out for articles relevant to mechanical bowel preparation and its effects on volatile organic compounds. A total of 4 of 1349 papers initially derived from the search were selected. (3) Results: Two studies with a total of 134 patients found no difference in measured breath VOC profiles after bowel preparation; one other study found an increase in breath acetone in 61 patients after bowel preparation, but no other compounds were affected. Finally, the last study showed the alteration of urinary VOC profiles. (4) Conclusions: There is limited data on the effect of bowel preparation on VOC production in the body. As further studies of VOCs are conducted in patients with symptoms of gastrointestinal disease, the quantification of the effect of bowel preparation on their abundance is required.
A Method for Accessing the Non-Slip Function of Socks in an Acute Maneuver
Authors: Seo Dongwook , Eun Jinsu , Yu Yeonwoo , Park Sangsoo , Lee Kikwang
Published: January 2023

The shoe upper hides the foot motion on the insole, so it has been challenging to measure the non-slip function of socks in a dynamic motor task. The study aimed to propose a method to estimate the non-slip function of socks in an acute maneuver. Participants performed a shuttle run task while wearing three types of socks with different frictional properties. The forces produced by foot movement on the upper during the task were measured by pressure sensors installed at the upper. A force platform was also used to measure the ground reaction force at the outsole and ground. Peak force and impulse values computed by using forces measured by the pressure sensors were significantly different between the sock conditions, while there were no such differences in those values computed by using ground reaction forces measured by a force platform. The results suggested that the non-slip function of socks could be quantified by measuring forces at the foot-upper interface. The method could be an affordable option to measure the non-slip function of socks with minimal effects from skin artifacts and shoe upper integrity.
Broadband Air-Coupled Ultrasound Emitter and Receiver Enable Simultaneous Measurement of Thickness and Speed of Sound in Solids
Authors: Bente Klaas , Rus Janez , Mooshofer Hubert , Gaal Mate , Grosse Christian Ulrich
Published: January 2023

Air-coupled ultrasound sensors have advantages over contact ultrasound sensors when a sample should not become contaminated or influenced by the couplant or the measurement has to be a fast and automated inline process. Thereby, air-coupled transducers must emit high-energy pulses due to the low air-to-solid power transmission ratios (10−3 to 10−8). Currently used resonant transducers trade bandwidth—a prerequisite for material parameter analysis—against pulse energy. Here we show that a combination of a non-resonant ultrasound emitter and a non-resonant detector enables the generation and detection of pulses that are both high in amplitude (130 dB) and bandwidth (2 µs pulse width). We further show an initial application: the detection of reflections inside of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic plate with thicknesses between 1.7 mm and 10 mm. As the sensors work contact-free, the time of flight and the period of the in-plate reflections are independent parameters. Hence, a variation of ultrasound velocity is distinguishable from a variation of plate thickness and both properties are determined simultaneously. The sensor combination is likely to find numerous industrial applications necessitating high automation capacity and opens possibilities for air-coupled, single-side ultrasonic inspection.
Reconfigurable Split Ring Resonators by MEMS-Driven Geometrical Tuning
Authors: Leo Angelo , Bramanti Alessandro Paolo , Giusti Domenico , Quaglia Fabio , Maruccio Giuseppe
Published: January 2023

A novel approach for dynamic microwave modulation is proposed in the form of reconfigurable resonant circuits. This result is obtained through the monolithic integration of double split ring resonators (DSRRs) with microelectromechanical actuators (MEMS) for geometrical tuning. Two configurations were analyzed to achieve a controlled deformation of the DSRRs’ metamaterial geometry by mutual rotation or extrusion along the azimuthal direction of the two constituent rings. Then, the transfer function was numerically simulated for a reconfigurable MEMS–DSRR hybrid architecture where the DSRR is embedded onto a realistic piezo actuator chip. In this case, a 370 MHz resonance frequency shift was obtained under of a 170 µm extrusion driven by a DC voltage. These characteristics in combination with a high Q factor and dimensions compatible with standard CMOS manufacturing techniques provide a step forward for the production of devices with applications in multiband telecommunications and wireless power transfer and in the IoT field.
State Estimation in Partially Observable Power Systems via Graph Signal Processing Tools
Authors: Dabush Lital , Kroizer Ariel , Routtenberg Tirza
Published: January 2023

This paper considers the problem of estimating the states in an unobservable power system, where the number of measurements is not sufficiently large for conventional state estimation. Existing methods are either based on pseudo-data that is inaccurate or depends on a large amount of data that is unavailable in current systems. This study proposes novel graph signal processing (GSP) methods to overcome the lack of information. To this end, first, the graph smoothness property of the states (i.e., voltages) is validated through empirical and theoretical analysis. Then, the regularized GSP weighted least squares (GSP-WLS) state estimator is developed by utilizing the state smoothness. In addition, a sensor placement strategy that aims to optimize the estimation performance of the GSP-WLS estimator is proposed. Simulation results on the IEEE 118-bus system show that the GSP methods reduce the estimation error magnitude by up to two orders of magnitude compared to existing methods, using only 70 sampled buses, and increase of up to 30% in the probability of bad data detection for the same probability of false alarms in unobservable systems The results conclude that the proposed methods enable an accurate state estimation, even when the system is unobservable, and significantly reduce the required measurement sensors.
UAV Trajectory Optimization in a Post-Disaster Area Using Dual Energy-Aware Bandits
Authors: Amrallah Amr , Mohamed Ehab Mahmoud , Tran Gia Khanh , Sakaguchi Kei
Published: January 2023

Over the past few years, with the rapid increase in the number of natural disasters, the need to provide smart emergency wireless communication services has become crucial. Unmanned aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have gained much attention as promising candidates due to their unprecedented capabilities and broad flexibility. In this paper, we investigate a UAV-based emergency wireless communication network for a post-disaster area. Our optimization problem aims to optimize the UAV’s flight trajectory to maximize the number of visited ground users during the flight period. Then, a dual cost-aware multi-armed bandit algorithm is adopted to tackle this problem under the limited available energy for both the UAV and ground users. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm could solve the optimization problem and maximize the achievable throughput under these energy constraints.
Effects of Combined Horizontal Plyometric and Change of Direction Training on Anaerobic Parameters in Youth Soccer Players
Authors: Michailidis Yiannis , Venegas Panagiotis , Metaxas Thomas
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the combination of soccer training, plyometric training (PT), and change of direction (COD) exercises would enhance anaerobic performance to a greater extent than training on its own in youth U17 soccer players. Twenty youth players participated in this study. Players were randomly separated into two groups: the control group (CG, n = 9) and the intervention group (EX), which performed extra PT and COD exercises (EX, n = 11). The duration of the training program was six weeks. Sprint 10 m, 30 m, countermovement jump (CMJ), single leg countermovement jump (CMJ right and left), squat jump (SJ), 505 test, and Illinois agility test were measured pre and post of the training program. The performance in the 505 test improved for the EX group (right leg: p = 0.031, left leg: p = 0.004). In addition, Illinois test performance increased in the EX group (2.9%, p = 0.019). The performances of the two groups differed significantly in the Illinois agility test (p = 0.001). This study supports that a short-term combined program of PT and COD exercises can improve change of direction ability in youth U17 soccer players. The lack of effect of the intervention program on sprint and jump performance may be due to the type and volume of plyometric exercises used. The results reflect the training principle of specialization of stimulus. The improvement in performance was presented in tests that had similar characteristics to training stimuli.
Understanding Sustained Knowledge Contribution from a Motivation Crowding Perspective: A Case Study in a Chinese Q&A Community
Authors: Guo Jiangjiang , Ji Ting , Zhang Wenqian , Dong Lingfeng
Published: January 2023

A Q&A community typically employs various types of external incentives to motivate knowledge contribution from their community members. This study aims to examine the effects of different external incentives, which are conceptualized as different types of motivational factors, on community participants’ sustained knowledge contribution. Drawing on motivation crowding theory, the present study proposes that different motivators interact and jointly influence knowledge contribution behavior. The panel data were collected from a Chinese Q&A community by using the Python Scrapy crawler, and the Poisson regression model with fixed effects was used to validate the integrative model. The results revealed that generalized reciprocity and social learning undermined the effect of online attractiveness on sustained knowledge contribution, whereas peer feedback strengthens this effect. The findings contribute to the extant research on sustained contribution behavior and provide practical insights into sustaining virtual communities.
Novel Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata-Based Gate Designs for Efficient Reversible Computing
Authors: Vahabi Mohsen , Rahimi Ehsan , Lyakhov Pavel , Bahar Ali Newaz , Wahid Khan A. , Otsuki Akira
Published: January 2023

Reversible logic enables ultra-low power circuit design and quantum computation. Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) is the most promising technology considered to implement reversible circuits, mainly due to the correspondence between features of reversible and QCA circuits. This work aims to push forward the state-of-the-art of the QCA-based reversible circuits implementation by proposing a novel QCA design of a reversible full adder\full subtractor (FA\FS). At first, we consider an efficient XOR-gate, and based on this, new QCA circuit layouts of Feynman, Toffoli, Peres, PQR, TR, RUG, URG, RQCA, and RQG are proposed. The efficient XOR gate significantly reduces the required clock phases and circuit area. As a result, all the proposed reversible circuits are efficient regarding cell count, delay, and circuit area. Finally, based on the presented reversible gates, a novel QCA design of a reversible full adder\full subtractor (FA\FS) is proposed. Compared to the state-of-the-art circuits, the proposed QCA design of FA\FS reversible circuit achieved up to 57% area savings, with 46% and 29% reduction in cell number and delay, respectively.
Sustainability of Human Capital Efficiency in the Hotel Industry: Panel Data Evidence
Authors: Slavković Marko , Ognjanović Jasmina , Bugarčić Marijana
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant changes to business operations, particularly addressing human resources and their role within the firm. This study aims to assess the sustainability of human capital efficiency in the hotel industry, including the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with the value-based approach, the human capital efficiency (HCE) coefficient was calculated on a sample of 157 hotels in a five-year period, including the year in which the pandemic was declared. We employed a quantitative methodology based on the VAICTM method of assessing human capital efficiency and Annual Compounded Growth Rate (ACGR) to evaluate the trend of human capital efficiency. The research results showed a change in the trend of human capital efficiency in the hotel industry in 2020, as well as a change in the mean value of the HCE coefficient. Hotels with a higher category demonstrated a better ability to create value using human capital. The contribution of this work is represented in the quantification of the sustainability of human capital efficiency in the observed period and the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the value-added efficiency of human capital in the hotel industry.
Creative Tourism Consumption: Framing the Creative Habitus through a Bourdieusian Lens
Authors: Carvalho Rui , Costa Carlos , Ferreira Ana
Published: January 2023

Creative tourism studies remain a newly developed field, pointing to changes in the consumption of tourism and culture while influencing how creativity and co-creation differentiate tourism supply through exploring the existential dimensions of creative experiences, the latter remaining an under-researched theme in the creative tourism literature. In addition, this type of tourism is presented as more responsible and sustainable than other types of massified forms of tourism. Building on a Bourdieusian approach, an updated version of Bourdieu’s main sociological thinking tools was used to analyse the creative habitus of both the supply and demand involved in the co-creation of creative tourism experiences. The authors developed 42 semi-structured interviews with creatives and creative tourists using the Loulé Criativo network in Portugal as a case study and applied qualitative techniques for the data treatment. The results showed that the creative habitus could move successfully between fields, expressing a sustainable agency towards creative tourism consumption. Autodidactism is important for skill development and knowledge replication resulting from the co-creation of creative experiences. The creative habitus, endowed with intercultural and creative capital, is characterized by self-education and ecological awareness where co-creation and coexistence with other creative people enhance the development and replication of creative competencies outside the tourism field.
Error State Extended Kalman Filter Localization for Underground Mining Environments
Authors: Brigadnov Igor , Lutonin Aleksandr , Bogdanova Kseniia
Published: January 2023

The article addresses the issue of mobile robotic platform positioning in GNSS-denied environments in real-time. The proposed system relies on fusing data from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), magnetometer, and encoders. To get symmetrical error gauss distribution for the measurement model and achieve better performance, the Error-state Extended Kalman Filter (ES EKF) is chosen. There are two stages of vector state determination: vector state propagation based on accelerometer and gyroscope data and correction by measurements from additional sensors. The error state vector is composed of the velocities along the x and y axes generated by combining encoder data and the orientation of the magnetometer around the axis z. The orientation angle is obtained from the magnetometer directly. The key feature of the algorithm is the IMU measurements’ isolation from additional sensor data, with its further summation in the correction step. Validation is performed by a simulation in the ROS (Robot Operating System) and the Gazebo environment on the grounds of the developed mathematical model. Trajectories for the ES EKF, Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), and Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) algorithms are obtained. Absolute position errors for all trajectories are calculated with an EVO package. It is shown that using the simplified version of IMU’s error equations allows for the achievement of comparable position errors for the proposed algorithm, EKF and UKF.
Implementation of Systems Thinking in Public Policy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nguyen Le-Khanh-Ngan , Kumar Cecilia , Jiang Bowen , Zimmermann Nici
Published: January 2023

The value of systems thinking in public policy is increasingly recognised. However, the extent of its use in decision- and policy-making within the government and civil service remains unclear. This review aims to investigate the state of systems thinking application in public policy. We conducted a systematic search to identify papers published up to June 2022 from various scientific databases. We also searched the grey literature. Publications eligible for inclusion were those that used or discussed systems thinking concepts and tools relating to policy-making. We included 73 papers falling into five categories: case studies, commentary pieces, user perspectives, reviews, and methodological frameworks. Our analysis highlighted the benefits and values of systems thinking that were observed and reflected by researchers and perceived by users in policy-making. It also revealed several challenges of systems thinking implementation in public policy and mapped out recommendations to address each of these challenges. Decision-makers in public policy are yet to utilise the full benefit of systems thinking. Advancing its implementation and sustaining its use in practice requires (i) exploring how to shift decision-makers’ mental models and modify the organisational cultures under which decisions are made and (ii) developing methodological and practical guidance for application and evaluation specific to policy-making.
A Data-Driven Approach to Construct a Molecular Map of Trypanosoma cruzi to Identify Drugs and Vaccine Targets
Authors: Nath Swarsat Kaushik , Pankajakshan Preeti , Sharma Trapti , Kumari Priya , Shinde Sweety , Garg Nikita , Mathur Kartavya , Arambam Nevidita , Harjani Divyank , Raj Manpriya , Kwatra Garwit , Venkatesh Sayantan , Choudhoury Alakto , Bano Saima , Tayal Prashansa , Sharan Mahek , Arora Ruchika , Strych Ulrich , Hotez Peter J. , Bottazzi Maria Elena , Rawal Kamal
Published: January 2023

Chagas disease (CD) is endemic in large parts of Central and South America, as well as in Texas and the southern regions of the United States. Successful parasites, such as the causative agent of CD, Trypanosoma cruzi have adapted to specific hosts during their phylogenesis. In this work, we have assembled an interactive network of the complex relations that occur between molecules within T. cruzi. An expert curation strategy was combined with a text-mining approach to screen 10,234 full-length research articles and over 200,000 abstracts relevant to T. cruzi. We obtained a scale-free network consisting of 1055 nodes and 874 edges, and composed of 838 proteins, 43 genes, 20 complexes, 9 RNAs, 36 simple molecules, 81 phenotypes, and 37 known pharmaceuticals. Further, we deployed an automated docking pipeline to conduct large-scale docking studies involving several thousand drugs and potential targets to identify network-based binding propensities. These experiments have revealed that the existing FDA-approved drugs benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox (Nf) show comparatively high binding energies to the T. cruzi network proteins (e.g., PIF1 helicase-like protein, trans-sialidase), when compared with control datasets consisting of proteins from other pathogens. We envisage this work to be of value to those interested in finding new vaccines for CD, as well as drugs against the T. cruzi parasite.
Ebola Virus Disease Vaccines: Development, Current Perspectives & Challenges
Authors: Malik Sumira , Kishore Shristi , Nag Sagnik , Dhasmana Archna , Preetam Subham , Mitra Oishi , León-Figueroa Darwin A. , Mohanty Aroop , Chattu Vijay Kumar , Assefi Marjan , Padhi Bijaya K. , Sah Ranjit
Published: January 2023

The global outgoing outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in different regions of Sudan, Uganda, and Western Africa have brought into focus the inadequacies and restrictions of pre-designed vaccines for use in the battle against EVD, which has affirmed the urgent need for the development of a systematic protocol to produce Ebola vaccines prior to an outbreak. There are several vaccines available being developed by preclinical trials and human-based clinical trials. The group of vaccines includes virus-like particle-based vaccines, DNA-based vaccines, whole virus recombinant vaccines, incompetent replication originated vaccines, and competent replication vaccines. The limitations and challenges faced in the development of Ebola vaccines are the selection of immunogenic, rapid-responsive, cross-protective immunity-based vaccinations with assurances of prolonged protection. Another issue for the manufacturing and distribution of vaccines involves post authorization, licensing, and surveillance to ensure a vaccine’s efficacy towards combating the Ebola outbreak. The current review focuses on the development process, the current perspective on the development of an Ebola vaccine, and future challenges for combatting future emerging Ebola infectious disease.
Study on Forecasting Break-Up Date of River Ice in Heilongjiang Province Based on LSTM and CEEMDAN
Authors: Liu Mingyang , Wang Yinan , Xing Zhenxiang , Wang Xinlei , Fu Qiang
Published: January 2023

In spring, rivers at middle and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere are prone to ice jams, which threaten the safety of hydraulic structures in rivers. Heilongjiang Province is located on the highest latitude in China, starting at 43°26′ N and reaching 53°33′ N. Rivers in Heilongjiang Province freeze in winter and break up in spring. Forecasting the break-up date of river ice accurately can provide an important reference for the command, dispatch, and decision-making of ice flood preventing and shipping. Based on the observed break-up date series of river ice from seven representative hydrological stations in Heilongjiang Province, the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) was used to decompose the observed break-up date series of river ice into several subsequences, and the long-short term memory neural network (LSTM) was used to forecast the subsequences decomposed by CEEDMAN. Then, the forecast results of each subsequence were summed to obtain the forecasting value for the break-up date of river ice proceeded by CEEMDAN-LSTM. Compared with the LSTM, the forecast accuracy of CEEMDAN-LSTM for the break-up date of river ice had been significantly improved, with the mean absolute error reduced from 0.80–6.40 to 0.75–3.40, the qualification rate increased from 60–100% to 80–100%, the root-mean-square difference reduced from 1.37–5.97 to 0.95–1.69, the correlation coefficient increased from 0.51–0.97 to 0.97–0.98, and the Taylor skill score increased from 0.87–0.99 to 0.99. CEEMDAN-LSTM performed well in forecasting the break-up date of river ice in the Heilongjiang Province, which can provide important information for command, dispatch, and decision-making of ice flood control.
"Sanction catechism": historical parallels of modern restrictions in international economic relations (part 1)
Authors:   State University of Management, Moscow, Smirnov E. N.
Published: January 2023

The development of international economic relations in the post-war decades took place in the context of consistent globalization, the opening of national markets, and the liberalization of cross-border mobility of production factors. The system of international economic institutions that was being formed at the same time contributed to the increasing benefi ts of countries from participating in the international division of labor. At the same time, the increase in economic openness gave rise to more and more contradictions and problems: intercountry inequality grew, the debt burden of many countries, distortions in international exchange formed. The outbreak of the trade confl ict between the US and China has become, perhaps, one of the most dramatic events, blurring the existing contours of liberal international exchange. In fact, at the present time we are talking about the "sanctions catechism" as a new doctrine, a new system of views integrating disparate and highly contradictory approaches to the study of sanctions and sanctions regimes. The purpose of our study was to review the theoretical concepts, approaches and tools for imposing sanctions in modern international economic relations. With the growth of contradictions in the global economy in international practice, the use of various kinds of economic sanctions has increased on a large scale, which have become a kind of context for the development of modern international economic relations. As shown in article, the evolution of the practice of applying economic sanctions gives rise to more and more research problems related to the deglobalization of the world economy, new technological trends in its development, as well as to the increasing global crises, in particular, the crisis, caused by the corona virus pandemic.
World and domestic practice of integrated development of rural areas: perspectives of the territorial approach
Authors:   Russian Academy of Personnel provision of the agro-industrial complex, Moscow, Novikov V. G. , Novichkov N. V. ,   All-Russian Research Institute of Agriculture Economics, Moscow, Gridasova E. A. ,   Russian Academy of Personnel provision of the agro-industrial complex, Moscow
Published: January 2023

Relevance and novelty of the work. The article discusses approaches to supporting rural areas in the countries of the European Union, provides examples of areas for supporting rural areas in different periods. An overview of the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy in the European Union from the 1950s to the present is presented. Researchers note unsatisfactory living conditions in rural areas of Russia, a large territorial differentiation of the quality of life. The authors reveal the main mechanisms of the integrated development of rural areas in the Russian Federation. Based on the analysis of the modern socioeconomic situation of rural areas in Russia and foreign practice, they consider the potential opportunities for rural development in the future and the feasibility of diversifying the rural economy for the sustainable development of rural areas in Russia; give proposals for urgent actions that contribute to the formation of an active position of the population in rural development and the massive involvement of the rural community in activities aimed at the integrated development of rural areas. Objective. Based on the analysis of the agricultural policy of the European Union and the current socio-economic situation of rural areas in Russia, develop proposals for involving the rural community in the development of initiative projects within the framework of the Departmental target program "Modern appearance of rural areas" and for their implementation. Propose topical directions for diversification of the rural economy as a mechanism for an integrated approach to the development of rural areas. Materials and research methods. The materials of our own research, regulatory documents, scientifi c publications, the Internet were used. In the course of the study, general scientific methods were used: monographic, analysis, comparison. Research results. Proposed and substantiated activities aimed at attracting the rural community to the implementation of initiative projects within the framework of the Departmental target program "Modern appearance of rural areas", on the development of new types of economic activities for the socio-economic development of rural areas, preserving the rural population, improving their quality of life and intensifi cation of the process of counter-urbanization.