bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Methodology to Evaluate and Optimize Indoor Ventilation Based on Rapid Response Sensors
Authors: Durán del Amor María del Mar , Baeza Caracena Antonia , Esquembre Francisco , Llorens Pascual del Riquelme Mercedes
Published: March 2024

The recent pandemic increased attention to the need for appropriated ventilation and good air quality as efficient measures to achieve safe and healthy indoor air. This work provides a novel methodology for continuously evaluating ventilation in public areas using modern rapid response sensors (RRS). This methodology innovatively assesses the ventilation of a space by combining a quantitative estimation of the real air exchange in the space—obtained from CO2 experimental RRS measurements and the characteristics of and activity in the space—and indoor and outdoor RRS measurements of other pollutants, with healthy recommendations from different organisations. The methodology allows space managers to easily evaluate, in a continuous form, the appropriateness of their ventilation strategy, thanks to modern RRS measurements and direct calculations (implemented here in a web app), even in situations of full activity. The methodology improves on the existing standards, which imply the release of tracer gases and expert intervention, and could also be used to set a control system that measures continuously and adapts the ventilation to changes in indoor occupancy and activity, guaranteeing safe and healthy air in an energy-efficient way. Sample public concurrence spaces with different conditions are used to illustrate the methodology.
Emotion-Aware Scene Adaptation: A Bandwidth-Efficient Approach for Generating Animated Shorts
Authors: Yang Yi , Feng Hao , Cheng Yiming , Han Zhu
Published: March 2024

Semantic communication technology in the 6G wireless system focuses on semantic extraction in communication, that is, only the inherent meaning of the intention in the information. Existing technologies still have challenges in extracting emotional perception in the information, high compression rates, and privacy leakage due to knowledge sharing in communication. Large-scale generative-model technology could rapidly generate multimodal information according to user requirements. This paper proposes an approach that leverages large-scale generative models to create animated short films that are semantically and emotionally similar to real scenes and characters. The visual content of the data source is converted into text expression through semantic understanding technology; emotional clues from the data source media are added to the text form through reinforcement learning technology; and finally, a large-scale generative model is used to generate visual media, which is consistent with the semantics of the data source. This paper develops a semantic communication process with distinct modules and assesses the enhancements garnered from incorporating an emotion enhancement module. This approach facilitates the expedited generation of broad media forms and volumes according to the user’s intention, thereby enabling the creation of generated multimodal media within applications in the metaverse and in intelligent driving systems.
RETRACTED: Olujobi, Olusola Joshua. 2020. Analysis of the Legal Framework Governing Gas Flaring in Nigeria’s Upstream Petroleum Sector and the Need for Overhauling. Social Sciences 9: 132
Authors: Olujobi Olusola Joshua
Published: March 2024

The Social Science Editorial Office retracts the article, “Analysis of the Legal Framework Governing Gas Flaring in Nigeria’s Upstream Petroleum Sector and the Need for Overhauling” (Olujobi 2020), cited above [...]
Trade and Labor-Allocation: Evidence from Sectoral Embodied Labor Transfer between China and Africa
Authors: Ji Xi , Liu Yifang , Yin Jingyu
Published: March 2024

Under the influence of international trade, labor flow not only exists in the waves of international labor migration but is also embodied in international products and services. This paper focused on members of the China–Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC). We computed and analyzed the sectoral embodied labor transfer between China and Africa from 2000 to 2015 based on the Multiregional Input-Output Method. Our results are as follows: (1) Both China and Africa play roles as labor suppliers in the global supply chain. By ameliorating the trade structure, both China and Africa can better utilize their labor surplus. (2) China and Africa share complementarity in sectoral labor allocation. In short, the embodied labor transfer via international trade between China and Africa has, to some extent, relieved the labor shortage on both sides. (3) Africa has transformed into a net exporter of industrial labor since 2011. By analyzing the embodied labor flow from the global perspective, this paper beats a new path in depicting the effect of international trade on labor allocation, enriches the evaluation of embodied labor transfer between China and Africa, and also provides a beneficial supplement to Multiregional Input-Output analysis in the field of factor flows.
Potential Economic and Ecosystem Performances of Some Mediterranean Fruit Plants in an Urban Context
Authors: Muscas Desirée , Marrapodi Silvia , Proietti Chiara , Ruga Luigia , Orlandi Fabio , Fornaciari Marco
Published: March 2024

This study focuses on the possibility of using fruit tree species, from an urban area in central Italy, to evaluate their possible productive, ecosystem, and economic contribution. The realization of the food forest was conducted through the use of a web app that can evaluate the climatic and ecosystem performance of trees in the city. This simulation can provide the city’s government with useful information on the ecosystem and the socioeconomic benefits of planting fruit trees in an urban park. Among the four chosen species, both Ficus carica and Morus nigra showed good potential fruit production of 1300 kg and 865 kg and a CO2 storage of 2.5 and 1.5 tons. The production and economic potentials from selling the fruits of the selected species were evaluated, and the Morus nigra species showed the highest economic value over a 50-year period of about 6000 USD, with an average price of 7 USD/kg. Another positive aspect of edible food forest landscapes is their ability to give rise to an ecosystem and habitat that can attract animals, birds, and wildlife, consequently improving urban ecosystem biodiversity.
The Role of Urban Parks in Promoting Social Interaction of Older Adults in China
Authors: Cui Heng , Maliki Nor Zarifah , Wang Yaqian
Published: March 2024

Urban parks play a crucial role in enhancing the social interactions of older adults. However, despite the broad recognition of urban parks’ benefits, there is a notable gap in research focusing on their role in promoting social interactions, particularly in Asia. This study explores the effects of personal, social, and physical factors and park use patterns on older adults’ social interactions. Survey data from 589 older adults aged 50 years or older were collected through face-to-face and online questionnaires and were analyzed using a hierarchical multiple regression model. The results showed that personal factors, social factors, physical factors, and park use patterns explained 10.8%, 8.2%, 9.4%, and 2.3% of the total variance in park social interactions, respectively. Key factors like gender, health status, social cohesion, features, conditions, accessibility, and park use patterns were found to significantly influence these interactions. This study provides empirical evidence to support the important role of urban parks in facilitating social interactions among older adults and contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex factors affecting these interactions. To meet the needs of older adults and maximize the social health benefits, these prominent factors should be emphasized in policy development and interventions, integrating older adults’ perceptions and personal experiences.
The Economic Security of Households Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Java and Madura
Authors: Antriyandarti Ernoiz , Barokah Umi , Rahayu Wiwit , Herdiansyah Herdis , Ihsannudin Ihsannudin , Nugraha Fadhil Adi
Published: March 2024

Every facet of life, including health, social, and economic aspects, has undergone a tremendous transformation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This condition is exacerbated by socioeconomic fragility and vulnerability amid economic uncertainty, with an enormous debt burden and inequality increasingly spreading to regions. Elements of society in Indonesia experience the problem of a lack of income and capital, in addition to vulnerability and helplessness. Social, economic, community–institutional, and resource vulnerabilities are inevitable; therefore, they must be identified, anticipated, and dealt with to avoid worsening. This research aims to identify the affected households and their economic resilience when facing the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed approach with a sequential exploratory strategy was employed, whereby qualitative data were first collected and analyzed. Based on the findings of the first stage, quantitative data were obtained and examined in the second stage. This study was conducted in two rural locations with distinct characteristics: the Gunungkidul District on Java Island and the Bangkalan District on Madura Island. These findings demonstrate the economic resilience of households in Bangkalan and Gunungkidul. The factors that significantly influence economic resilience are household income, assets, and product availability in the market.
Assessing the Prediction Accuracy of Frequency Ratio, Weight of Evidence, Shannon Entropy, and Information Value Methods for Landslide Susceptibility in the Siwalik Hills of Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Bharat Prasad , Dhakal Subodh , Tsou Ching-Ying
Published: March 2024

The main objective of this study is to assess the prediction and success rate based on bivariate frequency ratio (FR), weight of evidence (WoE), Shannon entropy (SE), and information value (IV) models for landslide susceptibility in the sedimentary terrain of Nepal Himalaya, as the area is facing threat for sustainable development as well as sustainable resource management. This study also seeks to evaluate the causative factors for landslide susceptibility. Initially, a landslide inventory map was created, consisting of 1158 polygons. These polygons were randomly divided into two sets, with a ratio of 70% for training and 30% for testing data. The multicollinearity approach was evaluated to assess the relevance of selected conditioning variables and their inclusion in the model construction process. The area under the curve (AUC) and other arithmetic evaluation methods were employed to validate and compare the outcomes of the models. In comparison, the predictive accuracy of the FR model surpasses that of the IV and SE models. The success rates, ranked in descending order, are as follows: WoE (79.9%), FR (75.3%), IV (74.4%), and SE (73.2%). Similarly, the success rates of four distinct models, namely WoE, FR, IV, and SE, are 85%, 78.75%, 78.57%, and 77.2%, correspondingly. All models have an accuracy and prediction rate exceeding 70%, making them suitable for assessing landslide susceptibility in the Siwalik Hills of Nepal. Nevertheless, the weight of evidence model provides more precise outcomes than other models. This study is expected to provide important information for road and settlement sustainability in the study area.
Research on Factors Influencing Hotel Consumers’ Health: A Systematic Review and Ways Forward
Authors: Jia Yanan , Garg Anshul , Shi Peihua
Published: March 2024

The health experience is a crucial component of the customer experience that must not be overlooked. The sustainable development of the hospitality industry is affected by consumers’ health experiences in many aspects. As a part of the hospitality industry, the hotel industry should pay attention to consumers’ health experiences. This study uses a systematic review methodology and concept-based content analysis. The basic review section analyses the overall research trends from the perspectives of publishing time, publication channels, research themes, theoretical foundation, and research methodologies. The theme analysis section identifies three source themes that influence the health of hotel consumers: (1) hotels, (2) consumers themselves, and (3) special events. Based on the conclusions of the studies in the data set, the relationship between these three types of sources of influence and consumers’ health is analysed and discussed in combination with social cognitive theory. Then, two multidimensional frameworks are developed based on these source categories. The frameworks can be used to explain source categories and impact processes, as well as the relationship between impact sources and different health categories. Based on the existing research in the data set, nine valuable research questions are proposed for other researchers’ reference.
Mechanical Behaviors and Precursory Characteristics of Coal-Burst in Deep Coal Mining for Safety-Sustainable Operations: Insights from Experimental Analysis
Authors: Wang Xiaoran , Wang Jinhua , Zhou Xin , Liu Xiaofei , Liu Shuxin
Published: March 2024

Coalburst, a frequent and severe dynamic disaster, poses significant challenges to the safety and sustainable development of coal mines during deep excavation. To investigate the mechanical behaviors and precursory characteristics of coalburst subjected to in situ stress conditions, multiaxial cyclic loading experiments were conducted on cubic coal specimens, and the effects of different confining pressures on the mechanical parameters and energy evolution were analyzed. Acoustic emission (AE) technology was utilized to study the accumulation process of stress-induced damage and identify the source modes of microcracks. Then, nonlinear fractal theory and critical slowing theory were used to investigate the time-varying precursory characteristics of catastrophic failure in coalburst. The results show that as the confining pressure increases, the coal samples exhibit higher levels of elastic strain energy and dissipative energy, indicating an enhancement of plasticity. The AE count and accumulated energy show a strong correlation with cyclic loads. With an increasing number of cycles, the AE Felicity ratio gradually decreases, indicating a progressive increase in irreversible damage. Shear-mode microcracks also become more prominent with applied stress and confining pressures, as supported by varying AF/RA values of AE signals. The AE signals also follow the Hurst statistical law, and increasing applied stress and confining pressure strengthen this statistical pattern with a higher Hurst index. Throughout the cyclic loading process, certain AE varying trends were observed: the autocorrelation coefficient increased, the fractal dimension gradually decreased, and the variance suddenly increased. These trends serve as early, middle, and short–imminent warning signals, respectively, for the catastrophic failure of the loaded coal sample. These research findings contribute to a deeper understanding of coal failure evolution and provide a basis for early detection and warning of coalburst disasters, which are also essential for promoting the safe and sustainable development of deep coal mining operations.
Research on the Effect of Marketization Reform on the Price of Aviation Kerosene in China
Authors: Cao Xun , Li Wenxin , Meng Siqi , Zhao Xin , Yang Mianzhi
Published: March 2024

The development of the aviation industry relies heavily on stable kerosene prices, and price fluctuations have an impact on its economic sustainability. To explore the effect of China’ s implementation of market-oriented reform of aviation kerosene prices, our study aims to evaluate the dynamic correlation between China’s aviation kerosene prices and Singapore’s CIF price, supply and demand, domestic economic development level and other market-oriented factors. To this end, in this paper, monthly data from 2006 to 2019 were selected for the variables mentioned above and, based on multiple econometric techniques, the influence of market factors on the price of aviation kerosene in China was studied. The empirical results confirm that the current Chinese aviation kerosene price has a significant linking effect with the CIF price of Singapore’s imports and is affected by the level of domestic demand. China’s aviation kerosene price is more affected by international oil and gas market factors relative to fundamental factors in the domestic market. The long- and short-term Granger causality test results also show that the market-oriented reform of China’s aviation kerosene field is beginning to take effect. Finally, the article discusses and puts forward suggestions for promoting China’s market-oriented price reform for refined oil products and the sustainable development of the aviation industry.
Exploring Passengers’ Emotions and Satisfaction: A Comparative Analysis of Airport and Railway Station through Online Reviews
Authors: Song Rui , Shi Wen , Qin Wanyi , Xue Xingjian , Jin Hongzhou
Published: March 2024

To enhance the service quality and sustainable development of urban transport hubs, a comprehensive understanding of passengers’ emotional inclinations and satisfaction levels is paramount. This study analyzes online reviews from passengers at three different types of transport hub in Changsha, China. We aim to understand passengers’ experiences by analyzing word frequency, semantic networks, and sentiment. Our analysis shows that passengers’ words can be grouped into four categories. Core words are more important in shaping passenger evaluations than edge words. The sentiment and satisfaction analysis reveals passengers are generally satisfied with the convenient transit options and the cleanliness of the transport hubs. The study also shows that passenger satisfaction levels have steadily increased over the years across different transport hubs. During holidays, passengers at airports and high-speed train stations express more positive sentiments. Passengers with shorter comments tend to be more satisfied than those with longer comments.
Good Health and Well-Being: An Assessment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No.3 in the Sahel Countries
Authors: Bartniczak Bartosz , Płachciak Adam , Raszkowski Andrzej , Lewis Gerard J.
Published: March 2024

The article discusses issues related to the effectiveness of implementing sustainable development in the African Sahel region, with a particular focus on the third goal of this concept: good health and well-being. The study analyzes indicators characterizing Goal 3: ”Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. Within this scope, nine specific objectives or tasks were identified, contributing to the overall objectives of the area. The research aims to assess the spatial differentiation of Sahel-region countries dynamically in terms of sustainable development indicators. In conclusion, the Sahel region requires clear support from the international community, and it is commendable that the UN Support Plan for the Sahel aims to intensify efforts for shared prosperity and lasting peace by implementing priorities to achieve the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development in the Sahel countries and the broader region.
Evaluation of the Residency of Black Rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) in Artificial Reef Areas Based on Stable Carbon Isotopes
Authors: Yu Haolin , Feng Jie , Zhao Wei , Zhang Tao , Wang Haiyan , Ji Yunlong , Tang Yanli , Sun Liyuan
Published: March 2024

The ecological ‘attraction’ and ‘production’ functions of reef areas have been the subject of ongoing debate requiring further clarification. The present study focused on the black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii), an economically dominant species in reef areas of Dabuquan Bay. Comparisons of stable carbon (C) isotopes between the muscle and liver tissues of black rockfish were conducted to identify residency and potential sources of non-resident individuals in the coastal Yellow Sea, China. Subsequently, isoscape values, derived from C isotopes of zooplankton gathered from inshore and offshore areas surrounding the reef, were compared to determine potential sources of the non-resident black rockfish individuals. According to the results, (1) the isotopic values between the muscle and liver tissues of black rockfish remained consistently aligned across both reef and control areas but showcased significant seasonal variations, and (2) the residency ratios of individuals within the reef area exceeded 84% across all seasons, highlighting the prolonged stays of this species. The findings are consistent with previous studies on rockfish residency and could facilitate the formulation of strategies for local stock enhancement and management.
Navigating Digital Transformation: Current Trends in Digital Competencies for Open Innovation in Organizations
Authors: Espina-Romero Lorena , Ríos Parra Doile , Noroño-Sánchez José Gregorio , Rojas-Cangahuala Gloria , Cervera Cajo Luz Emerita , Velásquez-Tapullima Pedro Alfonso
Published: March 2024

This study explored both the evolution and the integration of digital competencies within the context of open innovation, emphasizing the impact of technological advances across various sectors. The goal was to analyze documents indexed in Scopus from 2017 to 2023 using a quantitative and bibliometric approach. The methodology employed RStudio version 4.3.2 and Microsoft Excel 365 for data analysis, focusing on variables such as documents per year, h-index, total citations, and academic sources. The findings indicated a significant increase in research, highlighting a diversity of approaches, a trend towards international collaboration, and an evolution from basic concepts to complex applications, particularly the integration of digitization with sustainability and innovation. This research underscores the transformation of the business sector through digital competencies in open innovation and suggests further exploration into the effects of the pandemic on digital competencies, the role of artificial intelligence, the digital competencies–sustainable development relationship, and their application across different sectors.
Driving Risk Identification of Truck Drivers Based on China’s Highway Toll Data
Authors: Yang Zhenzhen
Published: March 2024

Dangerous or illegal driving may disrupt the traffic safety management of public security organs, damage road infrastructure, lead to traffic accidents, or result in economic losses. This paper proposes a framework based on China’s highway toll data to identify dangerous or illegal driving risks, such as unfamiliarity with road conditions, overload, driving over the speed limit, fatigued driving, fake license plates, and other risks. The unfamiliarity with road conditions is identified with the frequency of driving routes. When the total weight of a vehicle and its cargo is greater than the upper limit of the total weight of the vehicle and its cargo, the vehicle can be judged as overloaded. When the actual travel time is less than the minimum travel time, it can be inferred that the vehicle has a risk of fatigued driving, driving over the speed limit, a fake license plate, or other risks. Two accidents are used to demonstrate the process of the proposed framework for identifying driving risks based on China’s highway toll data. Additional analysis proves that the proposed framework can be used to identify dangerous or illegal driving risks, and it provides a scientific basis for the traffic safety management of public security organs, reducing infrastructure damage, and avoiding the loss of national taxes and fees.
The Effect of Teacher Support on the Sustainable Online Academic Self-Efficacy of College Students: The Mediating Effect of Academic Procrastination
Authors: Duan Hong , Zhao Wei , Zhang Zhenjun , Tao Jinhong , Xu Xiaoqing , Cheng Nuo , Guo Qian
Published: March 2024

Academic self-efficacy is an important condition to ensure learning effectiveness and improve the sustainability of online learning quality. The present study intended to examine the relationship among online teacher support, academic procrastination, and academic self-efficacy by employing a questionnaire survey and structural equation modeling in the online learning environment. We report on survey data from N = 827 college students from China. The results showed the following: that online teacher support and its emotional, cognitive, and autonomy support dimensions have significant positive effects on academic self-efficacy, and it can predict the academic self-efficacy of college students through the mediating effect of academic procrastination. Therefore, in order to enhance the academic self-efficacy of online learners, it is crucial to increase online teacher support, provide guidance and motivation to online learners, reduce academic procrastination, and improve the emotional, cognitive, and autonomy support perceived by students in online courses and learning activities. The findings contribute to the exploration of the impact and mechanism of online teacher support regarding the academic self-efficacy of learners, providing theoretical and empirical support for enhancing academic self-efficacy in online learning and the development of a sustainable quality of teaching.
Panel Data Analysis of Subjective Well-Being in European Countries in the Years 2013–2022
Authors: Dziechciarz Marta
Published: March 2024

The background of the study is the analysis of social expenditure efficiency in European countries over time. Terminological considerations leading from hedonism and eudaimonism to the concept of subjectively perceived well-being and the Easterlin paradox are necessary to understand the differences in changes in the level of well-being among countries and over time. The purpose of the study is to analyse citizens’ declarations on subjective well-being as an indicator of the efficiency of social policy. The methods used for statistical analysis are conventional and dynamic data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques. The EU-SILC and OurWorldInData.org data analysed with DEA provided the main results. The study identified significant fluctuations in subjective well-being, with a clear long-term upward trend. Among the surveyed countries, there are those where progress is due to internal factors, while in the Mediterranean countries, external factors predominate. The level of the estimated DEA efficiency indicators (TC and EC) indicate the improvement in input efficiency in a substantive number of countries, e.g., Estonia and Cyprus, along with persistently low indicator values in some member states, Italy and Luxemburg. In conclusion, the author indicated areas in individual countries where attempts to improve social policy are needed to raise and maintain desirable levels of subjective well-being.
Development and Testing of NDIR-Based Rapid Greenhouse Gas Detection Device for Dairy Farms
Authors: Li Qianwen , He Yongkang , Zhao Kaixuan , Ji Jiangtao , Li Hongzhen , Bewley Jeffrey M.
Published: March 2024

As greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms are on the rise, effective monitoring of these emissions has emerged as a crucial tool for assessing their environmental impacts and promoting sustainable development. Most of the existing studies on GHGs from dairy farms involve stationary detections with long response times and high costs. In this study, a greenhouse gas detection system was constructed based on NDIR technology using a single broadband light source and a four-channel thermopile detector for the detection of CH4, N2O, and CO2; the detection range of CH4 was 0~100 ppm; that of N2O was 0~500 ppm; and that of CO2 was 0~20%. After the concentration calibration, the cross-interference between the gas measurement channels was studied, and the least-squares method was used to correct the interference between the three gases. The experimental results showed that the full-range deviation of the detection device was lower than 0.81%, the repeatability was lower than 0.39%, the stability was lower than 0.61%, and the response time was lower than 10 s. This study also carried out on-site testing in Luoyang Shengsheng Ranch (Luoyang, China), and the results show that the error between this device and the PTM600 portable gas analyzer is within 9.78%, and the dynamic response time of this device is within 16 s, at which point the content of greenhouse gases in dairy farms can be measured quickly and accurately. The objective of this study is to enhance the precision and effectiveness of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions monitoring from dairy farms, thereby contributing to environmental protection and sustainable development goals. By achieving this, we aim to facilitate societal progress towards a greener and low-carbon future.
Cylindrical Models Motivated through Extended Sine-Skewed Circular Distributions
Authors: Miyata Yoichi , Shiohama Takayuki , Abe Toshihiro
Published: March 2024

A class of cylindrical distributions, which include the Weibull-von Mises distribution as a special case, is considered. This distribution is obtained by combining the extended sine-skewed wrapped Cauchy distribution (marginal circular part) with the Weibull distribution (conditional linear part). This family of proposed distributions is shown to have simple normalizing constants, easy random number generation methods, explicit moment expressions, and identifiability in parameters. In particular, the marginal distribution of the circular random variable, and its conditional distribution given a linear random variable give relatively stronger skewness than those of existing cylindrical models. Some Monte Carlo simulations and real data analysis are performed to investigate the feasibility and tractability of the proposed models.
On Proper 2-Dominating Sets in Graphs
Authors: Bednarz Paweł , Pirga Mateusz
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces the concept of proper 2-dominating sets in graphs, providing a comprehensive characterisation of graphs that possess such sets. We give the necessary and sufficient conditions for a graph to have a proper 2-dominating set. Graphs with proper dominating sets can have a symmetric structure. Moreover, we estimate the bounds of the proper 2-domination number in the graphs with respect to the 2-domination and 3-domination numbers. We show that the cardinality of γ2¯-set is greater by one at most than the cardinality of γ2-set.
Single-Shot Factorization Approach to Bound States in Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Mazhar Anna , Canfield Jeremy , Mathews Wesley N. , Freericks James K.
Published: March 2024

Using a flexible form for ladder operators that incorporates confluent hypergeometric functions, we show how one can determine all of the discrete energy eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the time-independent Schrödinger equation via a single factorization step and the satisfaction of boundary (or normalizability) conditions. This approach determines the bound states of all exactly solvable problems whose wavefunctions can be expressed in terms of confluent hypergeometric functions. It is an alternative that shares aspects of the conventional differential equation approach and Schrödinger’s factorization method, but is different from both. We also explain how this approach relates to Natanzon’s treatment of the same problem and illustrate how to numerically determine nontrivial potentials that can be solved this way.
DSCU-Net: MEMS Defect Detection Using Dense Skip-Connection U-Net
Authors: Wu Shang , Zhu Yaxin , Liang Pengchen
Published: March 2024

With the rapid development of intelligent manufacturing and electronic information technology, integrated circuits play a vital role in high-end chips. The semiconductor chip manufacturing process requires precise operation and strict control to ensure chip quality. The traditional manual visual inspection method has a high workforce cost and intense subjectivity and is accompanied by a high level of misdetection and leakage. Computer vision-based wafer defect detection technology is gaining popularity in the industry. However, previous methods still find it challenging to meet the production requirements regarding accuracy. To solve the problem, we propose a defect detection network based on a coding and decoding structure, Dense Skip-Connection U-Net (DSCU-Net), which optimizes the skip connection between the encoder and decoder and enhances the profound fusion of high-level semantics and low-level semantics to improve accuracy. To verify the effectiveness of DSCU-Net, we validate it in actual microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) data, and the results show that DSCU-Net reaches an optimal level. Therefore, the DSCU-Net proposed in this paper effectively solves the defect detection problem in semiconductor chip manufacturing. This method reduces workforce cost and subjectivity interference and improves inspection efficiency and accuracy. It will help to promote further development in the field of intelligent manufacturing and electronic information technology.
Investigating Cathode Electrolyte Interphase Formation in NMC 811 Primary Particles through Advanced 4D-STEM ACOM Analysis
Authors: Gallegos-Moncayo Kevyn , Jean Justine , Folastre Nicolas , Jamali Arash , Demortière Arnaud
Published: March 2024

This study focuses on NMC 811 (LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2), a promising material for high-capacity batteries, and investigates the challenges associated with its use, specifically the formation of the cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) layer due to chemical reactions. This layer is a consequence of the position of the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) energy level of NMC 811 that is close to the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) level of liquid electrolytes, resulting in electrolyte oxidation and cathode surface alterations during charging. A stable CEI layer can mitigate further degradation by reducing the interaction between the reactive cathode material and the electrolyte. Our research analyzed the CEI layer on NMC 811 using advanced techniques, such as 4D-STEM ACOM (automated crystal orientation mapping) and STEM-EDX, focusing on the effects of different charging voltages (4.3 V and 4.5 V). The findings revealed varying degrees of degradation and the formation of a fluorine-rich layer on the secondary particles. Detailed analysis showed that the composition of this layer differed based on the voltage: only LiF at 4.5 V and a combination of lithium fluoride (LiF) and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) at 4.3 V. Despite LiF’s known stability as a CEI protective layer, our observations indicate that it does not effectively prevent degradation in NMC 811. The study concluded that impurities and unwanted chemical reactions leading to suboptimal CEI formation are inevitable. Therefore, future efforts should focus on developing protective strategies for NMC 811, such as the use of specific additives or coatings.
An Experimental Study of the Effects of Asymmetric Pitching Motion on the Hydrodynamic Propulsion of a Flapping Fin
Authors: Wang Shengzhi , Niu Shuzhen , Li Xintian , He Guosheng
Published: March 2024

Aquatic organisms have evolved exceptional propulsion and even transoceanic migrating capabilities, surpassing artificial vessels significantly in maneuverability and efficiency. Understanding the hydrodynamic mechanisms of aquatic organisms is crucial for developing advanced biomimetic underwater propulsion vehicles. Underwater tetrapods such as sea turtles use fins or flippers for propulsion, which exhibit three rotational degrees of freedom, including flapping, sweeping, and pitching motions. Unlike previous studies that often simplify motion kinematics, this study employs a specially designed experimental device to mimic sea turtle fins’ motion and explore the impact of pitching amplitude, asymmetric pitching kinematics, and pausing time on lift and thrust generation. Force transducers and particle image velocimetry techniques are used to examine the hydrodynamic forces and flow field, respectively. It is found that boosting the fin’s pitching amplitude enhances both its lift and thrust efficiency to a certain extent, with a more pronounced effect on thrust performance. Surprisingly, the asymmetrical nature of the pitching angle’s pausing time within one flapping cycle significantly influences the lift and thrust characteristics during sea turtle swimming; extending the pausing time during the forward and upward flapping process improves lift efficiency; and prolonging the pausing time during the downward flapping process enhances thrust efficiency. Furthermore, the mechanism for high lift and thrust efficiency is revealed by examining the vortices shed from the fin during different motion kinematics. This research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the fin’s hydrodynamic characteristic, providing insights that can guide the design of more efficient biomimetic underwater propulsion systems.
Towards a Digital Relational Administration Model for Small and Medium Enterprise Support via E-Tutoring in Spain
Authors: Briones-Peñalver Antonio Juan , Campuzano-Bolarin Francisco , Acosta Hernández Francisco , Córdoba-Pachón José Rodrigo
Published: March 2024

In the context of public administrations after COVID-19, this paper formulates and validates a digital model of tutoring (e-tutoring) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by public administrations or PAs to help the former reduce their risks to fold in their first few years of existence and with the support of private professionals (economists, accountants, business advisors, managers, etc.). The model draws on ideas about relational administration (RA), a concept that is yet to be fully exploited or assessed in the literature. Several hypotheses derived from the model are formulated and tested using a polytomic-nominal logistic regression. A questionnaire was sent to and returned by 236 small and medium entrepreneurs in Spain facing insolvency proceedings to identify main reasons for business failure and if or how they would accept online tutoring from private professionals associated with PAs. Findings suggest that SM entrepreneurs agree with receiving selected forms of tutoring, requiring public administrations to enhance capabilities for joint information provision and decision making through the use of information and communication technologies or ICTs. These findings have important implications for the potential restructuring of public administrations, their collaborations with professionals, and the future co-design and implementation of e-government services by PAs
Herbicide Leaching in Soil with Different Properties: Perspectives from Commercial Formulations and Analytical Standards
Authors: de Medeiros Rita de Cássia Araújo , Silva Tatiane Severo , Teófilo Taliane Maria da Silva , da Silva Francisca Daniele , Souza Matheus de Freitas , Passos Ana Beatriz Rocha de Jesus , Fernandes Bruno Caio Chaves , Lins Hamurábi Anizio , Chagas Paulo Sergio Fernandes das , Souza Carolina Malala Martins , Holanda Ioná Santos Araújo , Silva Daniel Valadão
Published: March 2024

The leaching of herbicides into the soil is essential to control germinating seeds and parts of vegetative weeds. However, herbicide transportation to deeper soil layers can result in groundwater contamination and, consequently, environmental issues. In this research, our objective was to investigate differences in herbicide leaching between commercial formulations and analytical standards using three different soils. Leaching experiments were carried out for diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl herbicides isolated and in binary and ternary mixtures. The herbicide residue quantification was performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Diuron had less mobility in soils and was retained in the most superficial layers. Hexazinone and sulfometuron-methyl were more mobile and leached into deeper layers. The leaching process was more intense for hexazinone and sulfometuron-methyl. The additives present in the commercial formulation favored the leaching in soils of diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl herbicides isolated and mixture compared to the analytical standard. This fact highlights the importance of considering these effects for the positioning of herbicides in the field to increase the efficiency of weed control and minimize the potential for environmental contamination.
A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Legal Vulnerability, Trauma, and Psychological Wellbeing in Immigrant Caregivers and Youth
Authors: Roberg Regina , Camargo Tamara , Marks Amy K.
Published: March 2024

(1) Background: Immigrant families in the U.S. face a myriad of migration-related stressors and trauma, and legal vulnerability can further compound such stressors, influencing both immigrant caregiver and child wellbeing. This study explored the relationships between legal vulnerability, trauma, and migration and their effects on caregiving, psychological distress, and resilience in immigrant families. (2) Methods: In total, 37 Latinx immigrant caregiver–child dyads from a community sample were interviewed and completed self-report measures on their experiences of migration, trauma, psychological functioning, and parent–child relationships. (3) Results: Using a community-based, sequential quantitative-qualitative design, person-centered analyses revealed two caregiver clusters: “Personalizing Stress” and “Meaning-making”. Exemplar case analyses characterized differences between clusters, particularly related to trauma symptoms, in which the “meaning-making” cluster endorsed higher levels of psychological functioning and wellbeing compared to the “personalizing stress” cluster, in which the process of creating meaning from adversity appeared to function as a resilience resource for the “meaning-making” cluster. While most indicators of caregiver–child wellbeing were not correlated, family legal vulnerability was strongly correlated with high resilience in children. (4) Conclusions: Clinicians should attend to the resilience resources that immigrant families from legally vulnerable communities utilize, including meaning-making.
Patient Factors and Their Effect on Operating Room Time for Urologic Procedures
Authors: Lu Wei-Shin , Zia Ali , Nadiminty Nagalakshmi , Saltzman Barbara , Casabianca Andrew B. , Sindhwani Puneet
Published: March 2024

Introduction: We examined three patient characteristics: body mass index (BMI), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, and pre-admission testing (PAT), and their effect on total operating room (OR) time for six urologic procedures, including ureteroscopy, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), prostatectomy, nephrectomy, and kidney transplants. Methods: We investigated the effect of these patient factors on OR time using linear regression for urologic procedures from The University of Toledo Medical Center from 2015 to 2020. Results: An increase in BMI was found to correlate with a statistically significant increase in total OR time for ureteroscopy, prostatectomy, and kidney transplant. The PAT showed a decrease in OR time for TURBT cases and an increase for kidney transplant cases. We found no correlation between the ASA status and changes in the total OR time. Conclusions: A higher BMI significantly increases the total OR time for robotic-assisted prostatectomy and kidney transplant but has a minimal effect on endoscopic procedures. Our results do not support ASA status as a predictor of total OR time. Due to the lack of consistency in results for PAT for the different procedures analyzed, further exploration of the effect of this patient factor on OR efficiency is needed.
Quantification of Hepatitis E Virus ORF2 Protein by a Novel Sandwich ELISA
Authors: Subramaniam Sakthivel , Fares-Gusmao Rafaelle , McGivern David R.
Published: March 2024

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute hepatitis in humans, which can progress to chronicity in immunosuppressed individuals. Almost all reported HEV infections are caused by Paslahepevirus balayani genotypes 1–4. The structural ORF2 protein is the major antigen detected in the blood of HEV-infected individuals. ELISA assays to detect IgM antibodies to HEV are the first-line diagnostic tests; however, they showed variable performance with frequently discordant results. A qualitative HEV antigen (ORF2) ELISA is currently available for research use. Here, we report a novel quantitative sandwich ELISA to measure HEV ORF2 protein in 3 matrix types. An optimal pair of capture and detection antibodies was selected among 12 unique combinations tested. A sandwich ELISA protocol was developed using these mAbs and biotin–streptavidin technology. The protocol was further optimized to quantify ORF2 antigen in different matrices by interpolating from a standard curve with a linear range of 3.17 to 50.8 femtomoles/mL. Using this method, ORF2 protein was detected in the cell culture medium of Huh7 cells as early as 2–3 days after transfection with HEV genome RNA and in a medium of human hepatocytes infected with HEV. ORF2 antigen was readily detected in the first 2 weeks post-HEV infection in gerbil sera. In immunosuppressed gerbils, ORF2 was detected up to 6 weeks, and the levels were significantly higher between 3 and 6 weeks post-infection. HEV ORF2 antigen levels showed a strong positive correlation with HEV RNA levels in both cell culture medium and gerbil sera. Our novel sandwich ELISA detected at least 7.3 femtomoles/mL ORF2 protein in human plasma spiked with cell culture propagated HEV and detected ORF2 protein in human plasma samples that tested positive for HEV RNA but negative for anti-HEV antibodies. Further, the assay was nonreactive, with negative human plasma, and HBV or HCV-positive human plasma demonstrating specificity. Overall, our ORF2 antigen ELISA will be useful for quantifying ORF2 antigen in cell culture medium, gerbil serum, and human plasma. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its utility in HEV clinical diagnosis.
Prospective Investigation of Feline Leukemia Virus Infection in Stray Cats Subjected to a Trap–Neuter–Return Program in Switzerland
Authors: Meli Marina L. , Pineroli Benita , Geisser Esther , Hofmann-Lehmann Regina
Published: March 2024

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) remains a serious concern in some countries despite advances in diagnostics and vaccines. FeLV-infected cats often have reduced lifespans due to FeLV-associated diseases. The infection is transmitted through social interactions. While Northern European countries have reported a decrease in FeLV among pet cats, Switzerland’s rates remain stagnant at 2.7% (2016/17: 95% CI 1.4–5.2%). Research on FeLV in Swiss stray cats has been lacking, even though these animals could serve as a virus reservoir. Sampling stray cats that do not receive regular veterinary care can be challenging. Collaboration with the Swiss Network for Animal Protection (NetAP) allowed for the prospective collection of saliva samples from 1711 stray cats during a trap–neuter–return program from 2019 to 2023. These samples were tested for FeLV RNA using RT-qPCR as a measure for antigenemia. Viral RNA was detected in 4.0% (95% CI 3.1–5.0%) of the samples, with 7.7% (95% CI 4.9–11.3%) in sick cats and 3.3% (95% CI 2.4–4.4%) in healthy ones. We identified three geographically independent hotspots with alarmingly high FeLV infection rates in stray cats (up to 70%). Overall, including the previous data of privately owned cats, FeLV-positive cats were scattered throughout Switzerland in 24/26 cantons. Our findings underscore welfare concerns for FeLV infections among stray cats lacking veterinary attention, highlighting the potential risk of infection to other free-roaming cats, including those privately owned. This emphasizes the critical significance of vaccinating all cats with outdoor access against FeLV and developing programs to protect cats from FeLV infections.