bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agricultural Cooperatives’ Sustainability and the Relevance of Start-Up Support Programs: Evidence from Cooperatives’ Level in Morocco
Authors: Ibourk Aomar , El Aynaoui Karim
Published: February 2023

The Moroccan agricultural cooperative sector is a key player in self-employment and income generation through territorial anchoring. The government’s “MOURAFAKA” program offers support for newly created cooperatives, including strategic diagnosis and training. This paper analyzes the impact of the MOURAFAKA program on the sustainability of agricultural cooperatives in Morocco. Using original data from a survey of 232 cooperatives and a second database of 1131 cooperatives, the study employs a methodology based on survival function analysis and Cox regression. The results show that the MOURAFAKA program improves the sustainability of agricultural cooperatives by strengthening their management, governance, and market access capabilities. The study also highlights the importance of internal factors such as management skills, leadership style, and cooperative size, as well as external factors such as strategic adaptability, in determining the sustainability of agricultural cooperatives. The policy implications of these findings suggest that upstream literacy programs and capacity-building initiatives for cooperative leaders, as well as downstream access to financing, marketing, and practical training, are crucial for ensuring the sustainability of cooperatives.
Determining the Stationary Enablers of Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains
Authors: Attia El-Awady , Alarjani Ali , Uddin Md. Sharif , Kineber Ahmed Farouk
Published: February 2023

One of an organization’s significant challenges in a globalized world is reducing risk by building resilient supply chains (SCs). It is required to realize a competitive advantage in a volatile and fast changing environment. Conversely, the key enablers of such sustainable and resilient supply chain management are not fully analyzed in building projects. This study aims at determining the stationary enablers of resilient and sustainable supply chains. For this to happen, a questionnaire survey comprising 32 enablers of resilient and sustainable supply chains has been conducted with Egyptian engineers to appraise their degree of importance. The results show that the five most important enablers of resilient and sustainable supply chains are: top management support, adaptability, visibility, quality awareness, and responsiveness. This research’s results will allow building administrators to create diverse SCs, while being mindful of how the characteristics of a supply chain decrease or increase its resilience and eventually affect the exposure to risk in the building’s SCs.
Retrofitting for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in the Hospital Building
Authors: Hama Radha Chro
Published: February 2023

A growing body of research shows that retrofitting practices can potentially reduce energy demand in hospital buildings and enhance indoor air quality. Yet, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews associated with green retrofitting practices in hospital buildings. This study aimed to undertake a systematic review of the past literature on retrofitting techniques used to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency in hospital buildings, to identify barriers to its uptake, and to recommend solutions to identified challenges. For this reason, a systematic review was conducted for the published research from various academic databases. Findings showed a growing uptake of various retrofitting strategies for indoor air quality in hospital buildings. As a result, hospital management or building owners might consider addressing these challenges to facilitate the uptake and implementation of retrofitting practices in their facilities.
A Theoretical Model of the Development of Public Citizenship in a Sustainable Environment: Case of Lithuania
Authors: Navickienė Olga , Valackienė Asta , Činčikaitė Renata , Meidute-Kavaliauskiene Ieva
Published: February 2023

The main finding of this paper is presented as a theoretical model of the development of public citizenship in a sustainable environment that has been created for the case of Lithuania. Revealing the relevance of this phenomenon and the level of its research, the authors notice that the studies of other researchers lack a holistic approach and present a clearer systematic assessment, presenting research on public citizenship and modernization in a sustainable environment. Additionally, the interaction between these two components and the corresponding directions was not analyzed at all. By naming the existing scientific problem, the authors of the article aim to fill this conceptual and empirical gap. The stated goal and tasks of the article respond to the scientific problem and the achieved results. The authors studied the variables of public citizenship assessment; performed an analysis of social, economic and environmental aspects and substantiated the interaction between the expression of modernization changes and the formation of civil society, distinguishing the factors promoting and limiting community citizenship. Therefore, the authors emphasize that the new theoretical construct proposed in the presented model will help to fill methodological gaps in the scientific literature and, in making practical decisions, will stimulate scientific debate. First of all, the paper discusses the conceptual issues of the expression of modernization of civil society, highlighting and justifying the interaction of social changes and sustainable environment in economic, social, political, environmental, and cultural aspects, presenting the case of Lithuania (The Case of Lithuania). On the other hand, following the document of the Sustainable Development Strategy of the United Nations, the field of progress and resilience of Lithuanian society in a modern society is discussed, identifying and analyzing various criteria that have been empirically tested. The authors noted that the democratic cube model was used to create a theoretical model of public citizenship development in a harmonious environment, and the HDI model (human development index) was also integrated. The model created by the authors systematically explains the analysis of the relationship between the expression of modernization changes identified in the research and the formation of civil society; second, it substantiates the process of interaction between modernization changes and public citizenship, discussing four fields of expression. Practically, the model will help researchers conceptually analyze and empirically study public citizenship; will help public policymakers and implementers to manage effectively, ensuring quality changes in society and managing new challenges, and it will also contribute to the conceptual formation of the country’s long-term development strategy.
Systematic Literature Review on Methods of Assessing Carrying Capacity in Recreation and Tourism Destinations
Authors: Ajuhari Zamru , Aziz Azlizam , Yaakob Sam Shor Nahar , Abu Bakar Shamsul , Mariapan Manohar
Published: February 2023

Carrying capacity is paramount to recreation and tourism management, which depends on sustainability between resource protection and experience quality. Many studies have examined carrying capacity from several perspectives, but the various methods of assessing carrying capacity have not yet been reviewed. The purpose of this study is to assess the methods of carrying capacity, their trend, and the assessment of carrying capacity made by each method. From the three scientific repositories used in this research, 100 original research papers were included in the review process. A total of 24 methods were recorded. The normative approach and Cifuentes Arias’ method were found to be the two main methods of determining carrying capacity. From the assessment of carrying capacity and the origin of each method, two fundamentals of carrying capacity emerged, and their differences and limitations are discussed. In addition, the study found that the carrying capacity employed in tourism destinations was formulated by complex variables that may require political interventions to ensure their success. Most of the research reviewed here focuses on the social aspects of carrying capacity, thus leaving room for future research. This study should benefit academics, policymakers, and resource managers by comprehensively analyzing the methods, limitations, and directions of future research in carrying capacity studies.
Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Traffic Signal Control: A Cooperative Approach
Authors: Kolat Máté , Kővári Bálint , Bécsi Tamás , Aradi Szilárd
Published: February 2023

The rapid growth of urbanization and the constant demand for mobility have put a great strain on transportation systems in cities. One of the major challenges in these areas is traffic congestion, particularly at signalized intersections. This problem not only leads to longer travel times for commuters, but also results in a significant increase in local and global emissions. The fixed cycle of traffic lights at these intersections is one of the primary reasons for this issue. To address these challenges, applying reinforcement learning to coordinating traffic light controllers has become a highly researched topic in the field of transportation engineering. This paper focuses on the traffic signal control problem, proposing a solution using a multi-agent deep Q-learning algorithm. This study introduces a novel rewarding concept in the multi-agent environment, as the reward schemes have yet to evolve in the following years with the advancement of techniques. The goal of this study is to manage traffic networks in a more efficient manner, taking into account both sustainability and classic measures. The results of this study indicate that the proposed approach can bring about significant improvements in transportation systems. For instance, the proposed approach can reduce fuel consumption by 11% and average travel time by 13%. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of reinforcement learning in improving the coordination of traffic light controllers and reducing the negative impacts of traffic congestion in urban areas. The implementation of this proposed solution could contribute to a more sustainable and efficient transportation system in the future.
Phenomenological Relativistic Second-Order Hydrodynamics for Multiflavor Fluids
Authors: Harutyunyan Arus , Sedrakian Armen
Published: February 2023

In this work, we perform a phenomenological derivation of the first- and second-order relativistic hydrodynamics of dissipative fluids. To set the stage, we start with a review of the ideal relativistic hydrodynamics from energy–momentum and particle number conservation equations. We then go on to discuss the matching conditions to local thermodynamical equilibrium, symmetries of the energy–momentum tensor, decomposition of dissipative processes according to their Lorentz structure, and, finally, the definition of the fluid velocity in the Landau and Eckart frames. With this preparatory work, we first formulate the first-order (Navier–Stokes) relativistic hydrodynamics from the entropy flow equation, keeping only the first-order gradients of thermodynamical forces. A generalized form of diffusion terms is found with a matrix of diffusion coefficients describing the relative diffusion between various flavors. The procedure of finding the dissipative terms is then extended to the second order to obtain the most general form of dissipative function for multiflavor systems up to the second order in dissipative fluxes. The dissipative function now includes in addition to the usual second-order transport coefficients of Israel–Stewart theory also second-order diffusion between different flavors. The relaxation-type equations of second-order hydrodynamics are found from the requirement of positivity of the dissipation function, which features the finite relaxation times of various dissipative processes that guarantee the causality and stability of the fluid dynamics. These equations contain a complete set of nonlinear terms in the thermodynamic gradients and dissipative fluxes arising from the entropy current, which are not present in the conventional Israel–Stewart theory.
Multiple Multi-Orbit Pairing Algebras in Nuclei
Authors: Kota Venkata Krishna Brahmam , Sahu Rankanidhi
Published: February 2023

The algebraic group theory approach to pairing in nuclei is an old subject and yet it continues to be important in nuclear structure, giving new results. It is well known that for identical nucleons in the shell model approach with j − j coupling, pairing algebra is SU(2) with a complementary number-conserving Sp(N) algebra and for nucleons with good isospin, it is SO(5) with a complementary number-conserving Sp(2Ω) algebra. Similarly, with L − S coupling and isospin, the pairing algebra is SO(8). On the other hand, in the interacting boson models of nuclei, with identical bosons (IBM-1) the pairing algebra is SU(1, 1) with a complementary number-conserving SO(N) algebra and for the proton–neutron interacting boson model (IBM-2) with good F-spin, it is SO(3, 2) with a complementary number-conserving SO(ΩB) algebra. Furthermore, in IBM-3 and IBM-4 models several pairing algebras are possible. With more than one j or ℓ orbit in shell model, i.e., in the multi-orbit situation, the pairing algebras are not unique and we have the new paradigm of multiple pairing [SU(2), SO(5) and SO(8)] algebras in shell models and similarly there are multiple pairing algebras [SU(1, 1), SO(3, 2) etc.] in interacting boson models. A review of the results for multiple multi-orbit pairing algebras in shell models and interacting boson models is presented in this article with details given for multiple SU(2), SO(5), SU(1, 1) and SO(3, 2) pairing algebras. Some applications of these multiple pairing algebras are discussed. Finally, multiple SO(8) pairing algebras in shell model and pairing algebras in IBM-3 model are briefly discussed.
Manifestation of Supramolecular Chirality during Adsorption on CsCuCl3 and γ-Glycine Crystals
Authors: Zinovyev Ilya , Ermolaeva Ekaterina , Sharafutdinova Yuliya , Gilfanova Elmira , Khalilov Leonard , Pavlova Irina , Guskov Vladimir
Published: February 2023

The chirality of biopolymers and its emergence from the racemic prebiotic world is one of the key mysteries of science. There are many versions on how the total chiral balance breaking occurred, but they all face an insoluble challenge—the impossibility of a total shift of the chiral balance towards the formation of biopolymers based only on D-sugars and L-amino acids. A possible solution to this problem lies in the asymmetric autocatalysis on chiral crystals. Since the reaction is heterogeneous, it is important to study the features of adsorption on the surface of crystals. In this paper, the adsorption of limonene, α-pinene, and menthol enantiomers on γ-glycine and CsCuCl3 crystals was studied. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography, SEM, and porosimetry were used as auxiliary methods. The t-test was used to determine the reliability of chiral recognition. It was shown that both crystals were capable of chiral recognition at high coverages. The mechanism of supramolecular chiral recognition was identical to that of the chiral crystals studied previously. However, neither γ-glycine nor CsCuCl3 showed chiral recognition with respect to all enantiomers. In fact, γ-glycine crystals showed recognition for limonene enantiomers, and very high recognition in the case of menthol enantiomers. CsCuCl3 crystals showed the capability to recognize enantiomers of α-pinenes only. This led to the conclusion that the recognition of enantiomers by a supramolecular chiral surface is not universal.
Effect of Tube Voltage and Radiation Dose on Image Quality in Pediatric Abdominal CT Using Deep Learning Reconstruction: A Phantom Study
Authors: Kim Daehong , Jeon Pil-Hyun , Lee Chang-Lae , Chung Myung-Ae
Published: February 2023

Background: Children have a potential risk from radiation exposure because they are more sensitive to radiation than adults. Objective: The purpose of this work is to estimate image quality according to tube voltage (kV) and radiation dose in pediatric computed tomography (CT) using deep learning reconstruction (DLR). Methods: Phantom images of children and adults were obtained for kV, radiation dose, and image reconstruction methods. The CT emits a fan beam to the opposite detector, and the geometry of the detector was symmetrical. Phantom images of children and adults were acquired at a volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) from 0.5 to 10.0 mGy for tube voltages at 80, 100, and 120 kV. A DLR was used to reconstruct the phantom image, and filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (IR) were also performed for comparison with the DLR. Image quality was evaluated by measuring the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and noise. Results: Under the same imaging conditions, the DLR images of pediatric and adult phantoms generally provided improved CNR and noise compared with the FBP and IR images. At a similar CNR and noise, the FBP, IR, and DLR of the pediatric images showed a dose reduction compared with the FBP, IR, and DLR of the adult images, respectively. In terms of the effect of tube voltage, the CNR of the 100 kV DLR images was higher than that of the 120 kV DLR images. Conclusion: According to the results, since pediatric CT images maintain the same image quality at lower doses compared with adult CT images, DLR can improve image quality while reducing the radiation dose in children’s abdominal CT scans.
Higher-Order Delay Differential Equation with Distributed Deviating Arguments: Improving Monotonic Properties of Kneser Solutions
Authors: Elsaeed Shaimaa , Moaaz Osama , AlNemer Ghada , Elabbasy Elmetwally M.
Published: February 2023

This study aims to investigate the oscillatory behavior of the solutions of an even-order delay differential equation with distributed deviating arguments. We first study the monotonic properties of positive decreasing solutions or the so-called Kneser solutions. Then, by iterative deduction, we improve these properties, which enables us to apply them more than once. Finally, depending on the symmetry between the positive and negative solutions of the studied equation and by combining the new condition for the exclusion of Kneser solutions with some well-known results in the literature, we establish a new standard for the oscillation of the investigated equation.
2d, or Not 2d: An Almost Perfect Mock of Symmetry
Authors: Komarov Vladislav , Galiev Ruslan , Artemkina Sofya
Published: February 2023

The paper is related to an interesting case of revision of X-ray crystal structure with a lack of experimental data. Complexes V4OSe8I6·X (X = I2 or 3,5-dimethylpyrazole) with O-centered complex molecules [V4O(μ-Se2)4I4(μ-I)2] were synthesized in our group. In the further search for new relative compounds in the V-Se-I-O system, we obtained several crystals with different structures, including “V4OSe6I3”, with incredibly complicated connectivity of {V4O(Se2)4I6} units bridged via both diselenide and iodide ligands. Due to the absence of phase-pure products and the possible instability of some of the phases under ambient conditions, we were mainly guided by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. However, seeing a very complex coordination mode in the “V4OSe6I3” structure, we have carefully analyzed the structure from the positions of symmetry and chemical synthesis in this system. The “new structure” was recognized as the complex superposition of the structure of another compound with composition “V4OSe6I10” just found in the same experiment. We outlined the course of observations, reasoning and solutions to the symmetry false estimation problem, which we believe to be of interest to readers dealing with X-ray diffraction analysis.
Certain Inclusion Properties for the Class of q-Analogue of Fuzzy α-Convex Functions
Authors: Azzam Abdel Fatah , Ali Shah Shujaat , Alburaikan Alhanouf , El-Deeb Sheza M.
Published: February 2023

Recently, the properties of analytic functions have been mainly discussed by means of a fuzzy subset and a q-difference operator. We define certain new subclasses of analytic functions by using the fuzzy subordination to univalent functions whose range is symmetric with respect to the real axis. We introduce the family of linear q-operators and define various classes associated with these operators. The inclusion results and various integral properties are the main investigations of this article.
Evaluation of Simplified HCV Diagnostics in HIV/HCV Co-Infected Patients in Myanmar
Authors: Nyein Phyo , Tillakeratne Shane , Phyu Sabai , Yee Myint , Lwin Mya , Htike Kyaw , Aung May , Grebely Jason , Applegate Tanya , Hanson Josh , Matthews Gail , Lin Kyaw
Published: February 2023

To evaluate a decentralised testing model and simplified treatment protocol of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to facilitate treatment scale-up in Myanmar, this prospective, observational study recruited HIV–HCV co-infected outpatients receiving sofosbuvir/daclatasvir in Yangon, Myanmar. The study examined the outcomes and factors associated with a sustained virological response (SVR). A decentralised “hub-and-spoke” testing model was evaluated where fingerstick capillary specimens were transported by taxi and processed centrally. The performance of the Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick Assay in detecting HCV RNA was compared to the local standard of care ( plasma HCV RNA collected by venepuncture). Between January 2019 and February 2020, 162 HCV RNA-positive individuals were identified; 154/162 (95%) initiated treatment, and 128/154 (84%) returned for their SVR12 visit. A SVR was achieved in 119/154 (77%) participants in the intent-to-treat population and 119/128 (93%) participants in the modified-intent-to-treat population. Individuals receiving an antiretroviral therapy were more likely to achieve a SVR (with an odds ratio (OR) of 7.16, 95% CI 1.03–49.50), while those with cirrhosis were less likely (OR: 0.26, 95% CI 0.07–0.88). The sensitivity of the Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick Assay was 99.4% (95% CI 96.7–100.0), and the specificity was 99.2% (95% CI 95.9–99.9). A simplified treatment protocol using a hub-and-spoke testing model of fingerstick capillary specimens can achieve an SVR rate in LMIC comparable to well-resourced high-income settings.
Prediction of Specific Antibody- and Cell-Mediated Responses Using Baseline Immune Status Parameters of Individuals Received Measles–Mumps–Rubella Vaccine
Authors: Toptygina Anna , Grebennikov Dmitry , Bocharov Gennady
Published: February 2023

A successful vaccination implies the induction of effective specific immune responses. We intend to find biomarkers among various immune cell subpopulations, cytokines and antibodies that could be used to predict the levels of specific antibody- and cell-mediated responses after measles–mumps–rubella vaccination. We measured 59 baseline immune status parameters (frequencies of 42 immune cell subsets, levels of 13 cytokines, immunoglobulins) before vaccination and 13 response variables (specific IgA and IgG, antigen-induced IFN-γ production, CD107a expression on CD8+ T lymphocytes, and cellular proliferation levels by CFSE dilution) 6 weeks after vaccination for 19 individuals. Statistically significant Spearman correlations between some baseline parameters and response variables were found for each response variable (p < 0.05). Because of the low number of observations relative to the number of baseline parameters and missing data for some observations, we used three feature selection strategies to select potential predictors of the post-vaccination responses among baseline variables: (a) screening of the variables based on correlation analysis; (b) supervised screening based on the information of changes of baseline variables at day 7; and (c) implicit feature selection using regularization-based sparse regression. We identified optimal multivariate linear regression models for predicting the effectiveness of vaccination against measles–mumps–rubella using the baseline immune status parameters. It turned out that the sufficient number of predictor variables ranges from one to five, depending on the response variable of interest.
Immunometabolic Signature during Respiratory Viral Infection: A Potential Target for Host-Directed Therapies
Authors: Menezes dos Reis Larissa , Berçot Marcelo Rodrigues , Castelucci Bianca Gazieri , Martins Ana Julia Estumano , Castro Gisele , Moraes-Vieira Pedro M.
Published: February 2023

RNA viruses are known to induce a wide variety of respiratory tract illnesses, from simple colds to the latest coronavirus pandemic, causing effects on public health and the economy worldwide. Influenza virus (IV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), metapneumovirus (MPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus (RhV), and coronavirus (CoV) are some of the most notable RNA viruses. Despite efforts, due to the high mutation rate, there are still no effective and scalable treatments that accompany the rapid emergence of new diseases associated with respiratory RNA viruses. Host-directed therapies have been applied to combat RNA virus infections by interfering with host cell factors that enhance the ability of immune cells to respond against those pathogens. The reprogramming of immune cell metabolism has recently emerged as a central mechanism in orchestrated immunity against respiratory viruses. Therefore, understanding the metabolic signature of immune cells during virus infection may be a promising tool for developing host-directed therapies. In this review, we revisit recent findings on the immunometabolic modulation in response to infection and discuss how these metabolic pathways may be used as targets for new therapies to combat illnesses caused by respiratory RNA viruses.
Comparing Control Intervention Scenarios for Raccoon Rabies in Southern Ontario between 2015 and 2025
Authors: Acheson Emily Sohanna , Viard François , Buchanan Tore , Nituch Larissa , Leighton Patrick A.
Published: February 2023

The largest outbreak of raccoon rabies in Canada was first reported in Hamilton, Ontario, in 2015 following a probable translocation event from the United States. We used a spatially-explicit agent-based model to evaluate the effectiveness of provincial control programs in an urban-centric outbreak if control interventions were used until 2025, 2020, or never used. Calibration tests suggested that a seroprevalence of protective rabies antibodies 2.1 times higher than that inferred from seroprevalence in program assessments was required in simulations to replicate observed raccoon rabies cases. Our simulation results showed that if control interventions with an adjusted seroprevalence were used until 2025 or 2020, the probability of rabies elimination due to control intervention use was 49.2% and 42.1%, respectively. However, if controls were never used, the probability that initial rabies cases failed to establish a sustained outbreak was only 18.2%. In simulations where rabies was not successfully eliminated, using control interventions until 2025 resulted in 67% fewer new infections compared to only applying controls until 2020 and in 90% fewer new infections compared to no control intervention use. However, the model likely underestimated rabies elimination rates since we did not adjust for adaptive control strategies in response to changes in rabies distributions and case numbers, as well as extending control interventions past 2025. Our agent-based model offers a cost-effective strategy to evaluate approaches to rabies control applications.
Post-Vaccination and Post-Infection Immunity to the Hepatitis B Virus and Circulation of Immune-Escape Variants in the Russian Federation 20 Years after the Start of Mass Vaccination
Authors: Asadi Mobarkhan Fedor A. , Manuylov Victor A. , Karlsen Anastasia A. , Kichatova Vera S. , Potemkin Ilya A. , Lopatukhina Maria A. , Isaeva Olga V. , Mullin Eugeniy V. , Mazunina Elena P. , Bykonia Evgeniia N. , Kleymenov Denis A. , Popova Liubov I. , Gushchin Vladimir A. , Tkachuk Artem P. , Saryglar Anna A. , Kravchenko Irina E. , Sleptsova Snezhana S. , Romanenko Victor V. , Kuznetsova Anna V. , Solonin Sergey A. , Semenenko Tatyana A. , Mikhailov Mikhail I. , Kyuregyan Karen K.
Published: February 2023

A neonatal vaccination against the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was initiated in Russia 20 years ago, with catch-up immunization for adolescents and adults under the age of 60 years launched in 2006. Here, we have assessed the humoral immunity to HBV in different regions of Russia, as well as the infection frequency following 20 years of a nationwide vaccination campaign. We have also evaluated the role of immune-escape variants in continuing HBV circulation. A total of 36,149 healthy volunteers from nine regions spanning the Russian Federation from west to east were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to HBV capsid protein (anti-HBc), and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs). HBV sequences from 481 chronic Hepatitis B patients collected from 2018–2022 were analyzed for HBsAg immune-escape variants, compared with 205 sequences obtained prior to 2010. Overall, the HBsAg detection rate was 0.8%, with this level significantly exceeded only in one study region, the Republic of Dagestan (2.4%, p < 0.0001). Among the generation vaccinated at birth, the average HBsAg detection rate was below 0.3%, ranging from 0% to 0.7% depending on the region. The anti-HBc detection rate in subjects under 20 years was 7.4%, indicating ongoing HBV circulation. The overall proportion of participants under 20 years with vaccine-induced HBV immunity (anti-HBs positive, anti-HBc negative) was 41.7% but below 10% in the Tuva Republic and below 25% in the Sverdlovsk and Kaliningrad regions. The overall prevalence of immune-escape HBsAg variants was 25.2% in sequences obtained from 2018–2022, similar to the prevalence of 25.8% in sequences collected prior to 2010 (p > 0.05). The population dynamics of immune-escape variants predicted by Bayesian analysis have remained stable over the last 20 years, indicating the absence of vaccine-driven positive selection. In contrast, the wild-type HBV population size experienced a rapid decrease starting in the mid-1990s, following the introduction of mass immunization, but it subsequently began to recover, reaching pre-vaccination levels by 2020. Taken together, these data indicate that it is gaps in vaccination, and not virus evolution, that may be responsible for the continued virus circulation despite 20 years of mass vaccination.
Factors Contributing to Chronic Kidney Disease following COVID-19 Diagnosis in Pre-Vaccinated Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Ramatillah Diana Laila , Michael Michael , Khan Kashifullah , Natasya Nia , Sinaga Elizabeth , Hartuti Silvy , Fajriani Nuzul , Farrukh Muhammad Junaid , Gan Siew Hua
Published: February 2023

In this study, we aim to evaluate the factors that may contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease following COVID-19 infection among hospitalized patients in two private hospitals in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is a retrospective cohort study between March 2020 and September 2021. Patient selection was conducted with a convenience sampling. All patients (n = 378) meeting the inclusion criteria during the study period were enrolled. Various sociodemographic, laboratory test, and diagnostic parameters were measured before the determination of their correlation with the outcome of COVID-19 infection. In this study, all pre-vaccinated patients with COVID-19 had no history of chronic kidney disease (CKD) prior to hospital admission. From this number, approximately 75.7% of the patients developed CKD following COVID-19 diagnosis. Overall, significant correlations were established between the clinical outcome and the CKD status (p = 0.001). Interestingly, there was a significant correlation between serum creatinine level, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and CKD (p < 0.0001). Oxygen saturation (p = 0.03), admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (p < 0.0001), and sepsis (p = 0.005) were factors that were significantly correlated with CKD status. Additionally, the type of antibiotic agent used was significantly correlated with CKD (p = 0.011). While 82.1% of patients with CKD survived, the survival rate worsened if the patients had complications from hyperuricemia (p = 0.010). The patients who received levofloxacin and ceftriaxone had the highest (100%) survival rate after approximately 50 days of treatment. The patients who received the antiviral agent combination isoprinosine + oseltamivir + ivermectin fared better (100%) as compared to those who received isoprinosine + favipiravir (8%). Factors, such as hyperuricemia and the antibiotic agent used, contributed to CKD following COVID-19 hospitalization. Interestingly, the patients who received levofloxacin + ceftriaxone and the patients without sepsis fared the best. Overall, patients who develop CKD following COVID-19 hospitalization have a low survival rate.
A Review of Managed Aquifer Recharge Potential in the Middle East and North Africa Region with Examples from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Sherif Mohsen , Sefelnasr Ahmed , Al Rashed Muhammad , Alshamsi Dalal , Zaidi Faisal K. , Alghafli Khaled , Baig Faisal , Al-Turbak Abdulaziz , Alfaifi Hussain , Loni Oumar Allafouza , Ahamed Munaver Basheer , Ebraheem Abdel Azim
Published: February 2023

Groundwater extraction in most Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries far exceeds its renewability, which ranges from 6% to 100%. Freshwater resources to support food production are very limited in this region. Future climate predictions include more consistent and longer wet periods with increasing surplus rainfall, which will enhance flood and flash flood occurrences in the MENA. Demand management of groundwater resources and managed aquifer recharge (MAR, also called groundwater replenishment, water banking, and artificial recharge, is the purposeful recharge of water to aquifers for subsequent recovery or environmental benefits) represent essential strategies to overcome the challenges associated with groundwater depletion and climate change impacts. Such strategies would enable the development of groundwater resources in the MENA region by minimizing the stress placed on these resources, as well as reducing deterioration in groundwater quality. Groundwater augmentation through recharge dams is a common practice in different countries around the globe. Most dams in the MENA region were built to enhance groundwater recharge, and even the few protection dams also act as recharge dams in one way or another. However, the operating systems of these dams are mostly dependent on the natural infiltration of the accumulated water in the reservoir area, with limited application of MAR. This review presents analyses of groundwater renewability and the effectiveness of recharge dams on groundwater recharge, as well as the potential of MAR technology. This study indicates that the recharge efficiency of dam’s ranges between 15 to 47% and is clustered more around the lower limit. Efficiency is reduced by the clogging of the reservoir bed with fine materials. Therefore, there is a need to improve the operation of dams using MAR technology.
A Quantitative Approach to the Watershed Governance Prism: The Duero River Basin, Mexico
Authors: Armas Vargas Felipe , Escolero Oscar , Sandoval Solis Samuel , Nava Luzma Fabiola , Mazari Hiriart Marisa , Rojas Serna Claudia , López-Corona Oliver
Published: February 2023

Advances have been made in water resource investigation due to the implementation of mathematical models, the development of theoretical frameworks, and the evaluation of sustainability indices. Together, they improve and make integrated water resource management more efficient. In this paper, in the study area of the Duero River Basin, located in Michoacan, Mexico, we schematize a series of numerical indices of the Watershed Governance Prism to determine the quantitative status of water governance in a watershed. The results, presented as axes, perspectives, and prisms in the Axis Index, Water Governance Index, and Watershed Governance Prism Index, provide the conclusion that it is possible to establish and evaluate the Watershed Governance Prism Index using our numerical implementation of the Watershed Governance Prism theoretical framework. Thus, it is possible to define a quantitative status and evoke how water governance is being designed and implemented in a watershed.
Analysis of Demand and Structural Changes in China’s Water Resources over the Next 30 Years
Authors: Yan Qiang , Zhang Yan , Wang Qingwei
Published: February 2023

The medium and long-term demand prediction for water resources is critical to the country’s macro-allocation of water resources and the formulation of a long-term regional economic development strategy. However, the official prediction report of China’s water resources was created ten years ago, and its results are far from accurate in practice making it difficult to direct China’s water resource planning in the coming ten years. By introducing the demand forecasting method for the first time, this study built a mathematical prediction model that integrates “data constraint + mathematical prediction + actuarial prediction”. The conclusions are as follows: (1) The new method developed in this research is more accurate than previous prediction methods and has a higher degree of matching with actual data. Despite the problem of trend extrapolation, this model can accurately understand the long-term trend. However, the amount of data must be calculated. (2) China’s consumption of total water, agricultural water, industrial water, domestic water, and ecological water will predict to be 552.9 billion m3, 319.1 billion m3, 95.7 billion m3, 95.5 billion m3 and 42.6 billion m3 in 2030, respectively, as well as 504.7 billion m3, 281.1 billion m3, 61.4 billion m3, 101.4 billion m3, and 60.8 billion m3 in 2050, respectively, indicating obvious structural changes. (3) China’s industrial structure evolves frequently; therefore, water resource forecasting must account for changes in industrial structure as well as geographical variances. In North China, agricultural water demand will fall, but ecological water investment will rise. The planning and distribution of the nation’s water resources will significantly be influenced theoretically and practically by the development of this methodology study. This method is universal and can be used for long-term prediction of future water demand in other countries.
Assessment of the Application of Ferrate(VI) in the Treatment of Agricultural Irrigation Water: Presence of Metals and Escherichia coli in Fresh Produce
Authors: Gutiérrez Kryss Araceli Vargas , Meza María Elena Rojas , Larroca Fabricio Paredes , Olschewski Erich Saettone , Quino-Favero Javier
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of ferrate (VI)-based treatment on surface water collected from the Rímac River as an irrigation water treatment model for bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and radish (Raphanus sativus) plant species irrigated with treated water in the experimental field. The experimental field was divided into eight 625 m2 plots (50 m × 12.5 m) with sandy loam soil (sand 51%, silt 30%, clay 19%). The treatment system operated uninterrupted for three and a half months without deterioration in production, demonstrating that it can function continuously to improve water quality even when the effects on the parameters evaluated here did not reveal significant differences, presumably due to the prevailing effect from metal concentrations already found in the soil. This study also seeks to validate the effect of treatment on the concentration of plant tissue bacteria.
Design of Unsignalized Roundabouts Driving Policy of Autonomous Vehicles Using Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Wang Zengrong , Liu Xujin , Wu Zhifei
Published: February 2023

Driving at an unsignalized roundabout is a complex traffic scenario that requires both traffic safety and efficiency. At the unsignalized roundabout, the driving policy does not simply maintain a safe distance for all vehicles. Instead, it pays more attention to vehicles that potentially have conflicts with the ego-vehicle, while guessing the intentions of other obstacle vehicles. In this paper, a driving policy based on the Soft actor-critic (SAC) algorithm combined with interval prediction and self-attention mechanism is proposed to achieve safe driving of ego-vehicle at unsignalized roundabouts. The objective of this work is to simulate a roundabout scenario and train the proposed algorithm in a low-dimensional environment, and then test and validate the policy in the CARLA simulator to ensure safety while reducing costs. By using a self-attention network and interval prediction algorithms to enable ego-vehicle to focus on more temporal and spatial features, the risk of driving into and out of the roundabout is predicted, and safe and effective driving decisions are made. Simulation results show that our proposed driving policy can provide collision risk avoidance and improve vehicle driving safety, resulting in a 15% reduction in collisions. Finally, the trained model is transferred to the complete vehicle system of CARLA to validate the possibility of real-world deployment of the policy model.
Identificación de garrapatas (Acari: Ixodidae) en sistemas de producción bovina doble propósito del Cantón Chone, Provincia de Manabí, Ecuador. Nota Técnica.
Authors: Lugo Almarza María , Zambrano Aveiga Jhoana , Fonseca Restrepo Carolina , Angulo Cubillán Francisco Javier
Published: February 2023

Los ectoparásitos, dentro de los que se encuentran los ixodideos, causan daños directos a la salud del animal por acciones traumáticas y hematófagas, e indirectos por la transmisión de agentes patógenos. El control depende de la biología y de la importancia epidemiológica de cada especie en particular; por lo tanto, para ser eficiente en el mismo, es necesaria su identificación. Con el objetivo de identificar las especies presentes de ixodideos en sistemas de producción bovina doble propósito del Cantón Chone de la Provincia de Manabí, se desarrolló una investigación en 16 unidades de producción, donde se capturaron 1.440 especímenes de un total de 288 animales, cuyas especies fueron identificadas a través de claves morfológicas. Los especímenes identificados, pertenecen a dos especies, Rhipicephalus Boophilus microplus y Amblyomma cajennense, 88,75% la primera y 11,25% la segunda, respectivamente. La especie R. B. microplus mostró una alta prevalencia, mientras que A. cajennense baja, en el Cantón Chone de la Provincia de Manabí.
Whole glass facade in office building - Measured noise level and requirement for facade
Authors: Larsen Bernt Mikal
Published: February 2023

The presentation will summarize calculated and measured noise level from road traffic in office building with whole glass facade. The experience is based on a new office building called Baneheia Park in Kristiansand in Norway. With a whole glass facade with Rw+Ctr 46 dB, both calculated
an measured noise level from road traffic was Ld 39-40 dB. In Norway the required noise level in offices is Ld 35 dB from road traffic. If effect of reduced sound isolation due to profile system (4 dB) and effect of correction due to area/dimension (4 dB) were included, the requirement for
the facade in the given situation should have been Rw+Ctr 51 dB. With such facade, the indoor noise level of Ld 35 dB would have been achieved. When taking both effect of sound transmission through profile system and correction due to area/dimension into account, the required sound isolation
from laboratory should normally be at least 8-10 dB higher than the value achieved for the facade in field.
The imaginary part of the diffuse field forced normalized radiation impedance of a rectangular panel
Authors: Davy John
Published: February 2023

This paper modifies previous approximate formulae for calculating the imaginary part of the azimuthally averaged forced normalized radiation impedance experienced on one side of a rectangular panel mounted in an infinite rigid plane baffle by a forced travelling wave on the rectangular
panel which is excited by an infinite plane sound wave incident at an angle to the normal to the rectangular panel on one side of the rectangular panel. This modification is made so that the formulae can be analytically integrated over all possible solid angles of incidence on one side to
obtain formulae for the imaginary part of the diffuse sound field forced normalized radiation impedance of the rectangular panel. The paper also gives existing formulae for the real part of this diffuse sound field forced normalized radiation impedance. The reason for developing approximate
formulae for the imaginary part of this diffuse sound field forced normalized radiation impedance is so that they can be used when approximating the equation for the diffuse field sound transmission coefficient of a limp single leaf wall.
Dynamic Layout Optimization of Stiffeners in Plate Structures Based on Power Flow Response
Authors: Yu Huan , Teng Xiaoyan , Jiang Xudong
Published: February 2023

By minimizing power flow response, a method of moving asymptotes was adopted to optimize the power flow model by adding and deleting corresponding elements and changing the material setting position in the configuration. To improve the dynamic performance of the whole structure under
the premise of slightly increasing the mass of the whole structure, the Rayleigh damping model under the combined action of the environment and the characteristics of the material is established, and the SIMP (Solid Isotropic Material With Penalization) model of the coupling structure is used
to calculate the power flow response of the plate-reinforced coupling structure, so that the vibration response of the structure is more accurate.By solving the sensitivity of power flow response, it is concluded that the essence of stiffened layout optimization is to optimize the position
of coupling beam on the substrate. Through numerical example analysis, the optimal configuration and power flow response results under different boundary conditions, different shapes and different loading frequencies are compared, which is of great significance for the optimization design
of stiffened plate structure layout.
Practical Tutorial on cylindrical structure vibro-acoustics Part 1 - Vibrations
Authors: Hambric Stephen
Published: February 2023

The mathematics which describe the vibroacoustic behavior of cylindrical structures are imposing to say the least. Part 1 of this practical tutorial demystifies cylindrical shell vibration theory by using measured data from actual shells and pipes to explain key concepts. For any shell,
you can estimate frequency ranges where shells behave like simple beams and flat plates, greatly simplifying calculations of modes of vibration and mobilities. The key is first calculating the ring frequency - the frequency where membrane waves can propagate fully around the shell circumference.
Simple infinite structure theory may then be used to compute mean mobilities for beam, shell, and flat plate behavior. Modes of vibration for a cylinder depend on both longitudinal and circumferential harmonics, or a helical wavenumber. Cremer's simple approximate resonance frequency formula
is used to show examples for a large diameter short shell and a small diameter long shell (a pipe). Finally, the measured modal densities of an elbowed pipe are compared to estimates from an empirical expression for modal density of a shell. In all cases in this tutorial, measurements and
simple estimates agree well, showing that cylindrical shell vibrations may be estimated without difficult math or complex computer models.