bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
50TH ISSUE OF SPACE & FORM AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF SELECTED ISSUES CONCERNING ACADEMIC JOURNALS IN POLAND
Authors:   West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland Faculty of Architecture Chair of Urban Design and Spatial Planning, Czekiel-Świtalska Elżbieta , Marzęcki Waldemar ,   West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland Faculty of Architecture Chair of Urban Design and Spatial Planning
Published: July 2022

In this paper, on the occasion of publishing the fiftieth issue of Space & form, the authors discuss a range of problems from its history. The anniversary issue of the journal is also an occasion to present the current legal situation with a focus on threats that the academic journal market in Poland currently faces. A broad investigation of legal acts and information about selected journals presents matters concerning academic journals in Poland and present information and statistics, specifically for selected periodicals from the architecture and urban planning discipline. Selected determinants of the scoring system of academic journals in Poland have been presented.
MODEL OF THE CITY
Authors:   Warsaw University of Technology, Poland Faculty of Architecture, Słyk Jan
Published: July 2022

The design and development of cities is the most complicated phenomenon in the domain of shaping space. It is the result of planned human activities related to land parcellation, building infrastructure, establishing safety rules, creating a friendly scale and aesthetics of public spaces. It is also the result of spontaneous processes that take place without strict control. It is influenced by economy, demography, environmental factors, as well as wars, conflicts, and competition between entities. In architecture, it is possible to build knowledge and competences by performing tests on a 1:1 scale. Although expensive and difficult, it sometimes brings the desired results and opens the perspective to new design techniques. In urban planning, the subject of creative activities is too complex to test final solutions. The time from design to implementation is too long to use your own experience even indirectly. The only way to test urban ideas in the conceptual phase is to create models. Both geometric and social features could be represented. The most perfect contemporary models attempt to comprise many processes of city functioning, including spontaneous activities conditioned by external and internal factors.
A HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF THE COLOR OF ARCHITECTURE IN POLAND AND SLOVAKIA AFTER 1945
Authors:   West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland, Czekiel-Świtalska Elżbieta , Świtalska Alicja ,   West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland, Urlandova Andrea ,   Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Slovak, Cejpkova Silvia ,   Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Architecture and Design, Slovak
Published: July 2022

The objective of this paper is to present a study of how the color schemes of architecture ended to change and presented themselves after 1945 in Poland and Slovakia. For the purposes of this investigation all types of buildings were examined – the study does not distinguish between listed buildings and other historical buildings. It offers an overview of exterior colour choices in architecture since 1945 in Poland and Slovakia using studies in literature sources, archive research, survey responses and own field research.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION. METHODS OF CONSCIOUS SHAPING ARCHITECTURE IN TERMS OF ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS
Authors:   Politechnika Gdańska Wydział Architektury Katedra Architektury Miejskiej I Przestrzeni Nadwodnych, Cudzik Jan , Kruk Jakub ,   Politechnika Gdańska Wydział Architektury Katedra Architektury Miejskiej I Przestrzeni Nadwodnych
Published: July 2022

Shaping an ecologically conscious society is a process that also affects architecture. Currently, designers are eagerly looking for solutions that are beneficial in terms of carbon footprint. For the proper multi-criteria assessment and selection of adequate solutions, it is necessary to use appropriate tools such as, for example, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method or the rules of ecological certification (BREEAM and LEED). The work presents a review of tools and methods for the objective selection of ecological solutions in the process of architectural design.
WOODEN ORTHODOX CHURCHES OF THE POLISH-UKRAINIAN BORDERLAND
Authors:   Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Kraków University, Poland, Kurek Jan
Published: July 2022

During the period of the difficult birth and development of Polish statehood and the formation of the national spirit in the lands of present-day Ukraine, architecture became an important marker for these tendencies. For centuries, these structures had been built at the point of contact between Latin and Eastern cultures. Christian churches of the Eastern rite – wooden Orthodox churches – were the most numerous, right after wooden Latin churches, group of religious buildings in Poland, and are the largest in present-day Ukraine. In comparison to Latin churches, the forms of Orthodox ones are much more diverse. The research conducted by the author in the years 1989-2002 made it possible to identify many of the most valuable orthodox churches in Western Ukraine. Today remains only hope that the current Russo-Ukrainian war will not deplete this priceless cultural heritage.
HISTORICAL VALUE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE OF WOODEN ARCHITECTURE IN ZIELONA GÓRA
Authors:   West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland Faculty of Architecture, Department of History and Theory of Architecture, Rutyna Halina
Published: July 2022

The article presents research on wooden architecture in Zielona Góra, characterizes the historical value of wooden cultural heritage, emphasises the role of the local building tradition, the categories of familiarity and originality of the architecture. It accentuates the value of the historic detail and ornamentation of the front elevations, made out half-timbered structure, and identifies the building stock of this type of architecture in the capital of the Lubusz Voivodeship. Only a few monuments are listed, which results in the slow disappearance of half-timbered houses from the landscape of Zielona Góra, as only some of them have undergone conservation and partial revitalisation.
CONTENT VALIDITY AND CONSTRUCT VALIDITY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACADEMIC ANXIETY QUESTIONNAIRE
Authors: Asdar Ahsanul Khair , Muawanah Muawanah
Published: July 2022

This study was a research and development which aimed to develop an academic anxiety questionnaire for students through content validity and construct validity testing using ADDIE model. This research involved 205 students in the first trial phase and 220 students in the second trial phase. They were selected using the cluster random sampling method. The data were collected using a survey method by distributing the questionnaires using the google form. The results showed that the academic anxiety questionnaire was developed by containing the dimensions of cognitive symptoms, emotional symptoms, and physical symptoms. The coefficient of content validity through the Aiken's V by four experts for each item was more than 0.200, while the reliability was 0.893. The first trial phase showed that eight items dropped through the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with Construct Reliability (CR) and Variance Extracted (VE) values ​​for each measurement model were 0.881 and 0.202, while the CR and VE values for the structural model ​​were 0.888 and 0.730. The second trial phase showed that four items dropped with the CR and VE values ​​for the measurement model were 0.873 and 0.213, while the CR and VE values ​​ for the structural model were 0.956 and 0.880. The final academic anxiety questionnaire contains 27 items with a modified Likert scale (four choices).
Accompaniment in Managing Tofu Waste into Nuggets as an Efforts to Increase Income
Authors: Novitasari Hesti , Andhita Risko Faristiana
Published: July 2022

Tofu SMEs located in Pomahan Village, Pulung District, Ponorogo are extraordinary assets that need to be developed. In the production process, it produces tofu dregs. This tofu dregs waste has not been used properly. In fact, if used properly, this tofu dregs can increase income as well as open up new fields for those who want to be entrepreneurs. In this service, the researcher offers an innovation from tofu dregs waste into nuggets. The Nugget innovations offered are not only made from tofu dregs, but also with a mixture of Moringa leaves, purslane leaves, carrots and eggs which are rich in vitamins and protein. The approach taken is the Asset Based Community-Driven Development (ABCD) approach by exploring several assets owned by the Pomahan Village community. This service assistance is carried out starting from the process of observing tofu production, utilizing tofu dregs, the nugget production process, packaging to marketing. The purpose of this assistance is proper waste management so that it can increase revenue through product innovation accompanied by the development of marketing strategies. If the innovation is applied, it can create the creative and innovative power of SMEs owners and the younger generation to become productive, innovative and environmental-loving Human Resources because they are able to optimally utilize Natural Resources on the basis of independence in order to create income and increase income.
Распространение вариантов вируса SARS-COV-2, вызывающих озабоченность (VOC) на основе количества их геномов, депонированных в базу данных GISAID за неделю с 25.06.2022 г. по 01.07.2022 г.
Authors: Дмитриева Людмила , Краснов Ярослав , Чумачкова Елена , Осина Наталья , Зимирова Анастасия , Иванова Александра , Карнаухов Игорь , Караваева Татьяна , Щербакова Светлана , Кутырев Владимир
Published: July 2022

В обзоре представлена информация по актуальным геновариантам вируса SARS-COV-2, циркулирующим в настоящее время, геномные последовательности которых размещены в международной базе данных GISAID за неделю с 25.06.2022 г. по 01.07.2022 г.
Mathematics Teachers’ Use of WhatsApp Groups as a Platform for Continuous Professional Development in Tanzania
Authors: Kihwele Jimmy Ezekiel , Mgata Fred
Published: July 2022

Updating mathematics teachers’ pedagogical skills and content knowledge is inevitable as the trend of students’ performance in Tanzania is alarming. Currently, social media have been one of the strategies for elevating mathematics teachers’ professional competencies through online learning communities. The study aimed at examining how mathematics teachers use Informal WhatsApp Groups (IWGs) as one of the social media for Continued Professional Development (CPD). Key study questions are what are the perceptions of mathematics teachers on the benefits of IWGs in CPD? How do mathematics teachers use IWGs for CPD-related activities? What are the challenges they encounter? And what Mathematics teachers recommend for better use of IWGs for CPD? Two IWGs were involved with a total of 54 mathematics teachers who are currently teaching in secondary schools. The open-ended questionnaire was shared in the IWGs, and members accepted to fill it. Ten members including those who have been in the IWGs for a longer period, those who frequently posted or asked questions, and group leaders were invited for interviews. The findings show that the IWGs have contributed to teachers developing their pedagogical skills and content knowledge through sharing experience, and materials and demonstrating teaching practices in video clips. The challenges include the problem of internet accessibility, inactiveness of members, and lack of effective criteria for evaluating the validity and reliability of information shared. The recommendation is for the authorities to set supportive policies and practices that will create enabling environments for mathematics teachers on CPD.
Teacher Education Students’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Retooling the Mentorship Process Within Schools of Education in Kenya
Authors: Opiyo Rose Atieno
Published: July 2022

The impact of globalization has brought changes to education which requires teachers to demonstrate practical pedagogical wisdom in critical features of teaching, namely: the subject matter being taught, the classroom context, and the physical and psychological characteristics of the students, that is, Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK). High level of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) leads to delivery of high-quality instruction in today’s highly contextualized classroom settings and has the potential of producing learners who are prepared for a competitive society. However, teachers’ lack of PCK has been identified as a pervasive problem all over the world. In Kenya, it has been highly linked to the recurrence of poor performance in local and internal competitive examinations, poor attitudes in some subjects, and lack of motivation for continuous learning among school-age children along the education continuum. Even so, the voice of student teachers and that of the school practice advisors, at the center and apex of this mentorship process in the Universities, has been largely ignored in transformative teacher education discourse. Guided by literature on transformative teacher education, student teacher mentorship, and reflective pedagogy, this paper presents the perspectives of 50 Student Teachers (STs) and 10 School Practice Advisors. STs confidence in special teaching methods courses, pedagogical content competence in teaching both independently and collaboratively, key areas of concern for PCK improvement, and practical strategies for PCK mentorship were the focus. Based on a qualitative and an interpretive research paradigm, the sentiments of 50 STs who participated in the May-August, 2017 School Practice as well as the views of 10 School Practice Advisors (SPAs) from the School Education (SEDU) of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology were sought. Based on four domains of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) which include  Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK), Knowledge of Curriculum (KoC) and Knowledge of Learners (KoL), and Knowledge of Pedagogies (KoP), the paper provides insights for teacher educators and University Management on areas that need further improvement and strategies for developing beginning teachers’ PCK practices.
Kajian Literature: STEM dalam Pembelajaran Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Wardani Rizki Putri , Ardhyantama Vit
Published: July 2022

Pembelajaran STEM merupakan hal yang baru bagi guru di Sekolah Dasar. STEM merupakan hasil pengintegrasian dari Science, Technology, Engineering, dan Mathematic. Tujuan penulisan artikel ini adalah untuk mengetahui kesiapan yang akan dihadapi oleh guru Sekolah Dasar jika mengimplementasikan STEM di Sekolah Dasar. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah literature review atau tinjauan pustaka meliputi google scholar dan scopus. Kriteria artikel yang dipilih ialah tebit tahun 2016-2021. Didapatkan 15 artikel yang susai dengan kriteria yang diinginkan dan tidak meluas dari topik. Analisis dari 15 artikel menunjukkan bahwa pembelajaran STEM bisa dilakukan di Sekolah Dasar sesuai dengan kurikulum 2103. Di Indonesia STEM sudah menjadi trend di pembelajaran saat ini, namun minimnya pengetehuan dari guru untuk menggunakan dan kurang tahunya manfaat yang didapatkan. STEM merupakan jawaban atas tantangan abad 21 yang diharapkan menguasai kemampuan 4C yaitu critical, creativity, comunication, dan, collaboration. Kurangnya pengetahuan dan banyaknya manfaat  yang ada pada pembelajaran STEM di Indonesia khususnya guru Sekolah Dasar, maka diperlukan pelatihan dan bimbingan kepada guru Sekolah Dasar agar bisa mengaplikasikan pembelajaran di Sekolah Dasar.
The Strategies Used to Overcome the Code Mixing Phenomenon of Multilingual Students Daily Interaction in Islamic Girl Boarding School of Al-Mawaddah
Authors: Ulfiah Nursita Fathichatul , Hafidah Agustina Sri , Apriyanti Chusna
Published: July 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui strategi yang digunakan untuk mengatasi code-

mixing dalam interaksi sehari-hari santri di Pondok Pesantren Al-Mawaddah. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif deskriptif. Data dikumpulkan dari kuesioner lembar kertas dari 12 manajer bahasa CLI dan LAC yang aktif di Pesantren Al-Mawaddah. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan November-Desember 2020. Setelah terkumpul, peneliti mengklasifikasikan strategi yang digunakan oleh manajer dan menampilkan datanya. Hasilnya menunjukkan lima strategi yang direncanakan oleh pengelola bahasa: meningkatkan kosakata harian tertulis dan ekspresi khas, menggunakan bahasa relevan yang benar, meningkatkan kosakata bahasa gaul untuk menggantikan fenomena code-mixing, dan memutar film atau kartun asli bahasa Inggris dan mengadakan kompetisi bahasa. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pengelola bahasa harus secara signifikan mengubah strategi yang tepat untuk mengatasi masalah code-mixing.
Propuesta metodológica para la identificación de zonas de atención prioritaria en materia de despoblación aplicada a la provincia de Badajoz (Extremadura)
Authors: Horcajo Romo Ana Isabel , Ruiz Labrador Enrique Eugenio , Pérez Pintor José Manuel , Gutiérrez Gallego José Antonio
Published: July 2022

En un mundo donde las transformaciones que se suceden cada vez son más aceleradas y difíciles de pronosticar, sirva de ejemplo la reciente crisis global asociada a la pandemia de la COVID-19, nos encontramos también problemas de carácter estructural que afectan a ámbitos territoriales específicos. En Europa y especialmente España, los principios básicos dirigidos a alcanzar una cohesión económica, social y territorial se ven obstaculizados por la incidencia de fenómenos como la despoblación y el progresivo envejecimiento, muy afianzados en los espacios más rurales. Por ello, es necesario implementar herramientas de análisis dirigidas a complementar la Estrategia frente al Reto Demográfico y optimizar sus resultados. Este trabajo aporta una propuesta metodológica que proporciona una clasificación de los municipios de la provincia de Badajoz (España), a partir de la elaboración de un mapa donde identificar las zonas más vulnerables a la despoblación y a sus problemas asociados, atendiendo a las carencias socioeconómicas más significativas. Para ello se han recopilado 73 variables agrupadas en 5 bloques temáticos (accesibilidad, demografía, economía, territorio y turismo), se ha realizado un análisis multivariante y, finalmente se ha obtenido un mapa donde quedan clasificados los municipios en función de sus características positivas o negativas respecto a las variables originales.
Fiabilidad en la detección de las superficies selladas empleando datos del programa Copernicus
Authors: Illán-Fernández Emilio José , Pérez-Morales Alfredo , Romero-Díaz Asunción
Published: July 2022

Durante los últimos 50 años se han producido cambios significativos en las cubiertas y usos del suelo, principalmente aquellos catalogados como artificiales. Este proceso, y su generalización a escala global, afectan de forma directa a las funciones básicas del suelo, acrecentando otros problemas como pueden ser la pérdida de biodiversidad, contaminación, degradación edáfica, inundaciones, o los efectos del cambio climático. En el área de estudio (Mazarrón, Región de Murcia) el problema anterior resulta ejemplar: el binomio desarrollo urbano asociado al turismo de sol y playa y la agricultura intensiva (bajo invernaderos) alteran de forma drástica la naturaleza del suelo. El objetivo es establecer un modelo de clasificación supervisada que distinga, con un error asumible, las distintas clases establecidas, destacando sobre todas ellas las que supongan superficies sellantes y, además, realizar una comparación con la información del último Corine Land Cover disponible (2018). Para ello, se seleccionaron imágenes del satélite Sentinel 2A y se ejecutó una clasificación de máxima verosimilitud. Para validar los resultados, se elaboró una matriz de confusión en la que se obtuvo una precisión general del 89 %. Finalmente, se observó una subestimación significativa, por parte del Corine Land Cover, del 75 % de las superficies selladas debido a su resolución.
Associations of the COVID-19 Pandemic with the Reported Incidence of Important Endemic Infectious Disease Agents and Syndromes in Pakistan
Authors: Missaghi Bayan , Malik Muhammad Wasif , Shaukat Waseem , Ranjha Muazam Abbas , Ikram Aamer , Barkema Herman
Published: July 2022

Background
Persons in Pakistan have suffered from various infectious diseases over the years, each impacted by various factors including climate change, seasonality, geopolitics, and resource availability. The COVID-19 pandemic is another complicating factor, with changes in the reported incidence of endemic infectious diseases and related syndromes under surveillance.
Methods
We assessed the monthly incidence of 8 important infectious diseases/syndromes: acute respiratory infection (ARI), viral hepatitis, malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, typhoid fever, measles, and neonatal tetanus (NNT), before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Administrative health data of monthly reported cases of these diseases/syndromes from all 5 provinces/regions of Pakistan for a 3-y interval (March 2018 – February 2021) were analyzed using an interrupted time series approach. Reported monthly incidence for each infectious disease agent or syndrome and COVID-19 were subjected to time series visualization. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between each infectious disease/syndrome and COVID-19 was calculated and median case numbers of each disease before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Subsequently, a generalized linear negative binomial regression model was developed to determine the association between reported cases of each disease and COVID-19.
Results
In late February 2020, concurrent with the start of COVID-19, in all provinces, there were decreases in the reported incidence of the following diseases: ARI, pneumonia, hepatitis, diarrhea, typhoid, and measles. In contrast, the incidence of COVID was negatively associated with the reported incidence of NNT only in Punjab and Sindh, but not in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Balochistan, or Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) & Gilgit Baltistan (GB). Similarly, COVID-19 was associated with a lowered incidence of malaria in Punjab, Sindh, and AJK & GB, but not in KPK and Balochistan.
Conclusions
COVID-19 was associated with a decreased reported incidence of most infectious diseases/syndromes studied in most provinces of Pakistan. However, exceptions included NNT in KPK, Balochistan and AJK & GB, and malaria in KPK and Balochistan. This general trend was attributed to a combination of resource diversion, misdiagnosis, misclassification, misinformation, and seasonal patterns of each disease.
RETRACTED: The immune landscape of the “deregulated host response” in sepsis: newly emerging MDSCs leads to B cell suppression
Authors: Zhang Wei , Feng Zhongxue , Xiao Fei , Zhou Yueyue , Zhang Xiaoqi , Kong Lingmiao , Li Tingting , Yao Hua , Li Yao , Li Min , Zhang Haili , Zhou Yue , Ma Chengyong , Guo Jingze , Liao Xuelian , Kang Yan
Published: July 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
UDE-based nonlinear path-following control of autonomous underwater vehicles with multiple uncertainties and input saturation
Authors: Miao Jianming , kankan Deng , Xingyu Sun , Xi Gong , Chao Peng , Tao Liu , Haosu Zhang
Published: July 2022

A novel nonlinear control scheme is suggested in this research for the path-following (PF) control of an underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in the horizontal plane. Firstly, the proper nonlinear models of the underactuated AUV with multiple uncertainties and input saturation are established. The unknown time-varying sideslip angular speed in the PF error dynamic model is treated as the kinematic uncertainty. Also, the linear superposition of parameters uncertainties, environmental perturbations, and other unmodeled dynamics is considered the lumped uncertainty. The above kinematic and lumped dynamic uncertainties are predicted by the uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE) approach. Such treatment is to solve the dependence on a precise mathematical model and attain a simpler controller. Secondly, an UDE-based PF controller is proposed via the backstepping frame augmented by the nonlinear tracking differentiator (NTD) and auxiliary dynamical system. The NTD is adopted to prevent the “explosion of complexity” pertinent to the standard backstepping method, and the auxiliary dynamical system is utilized to solve the issue of input saturation. Lastly, the steadiness of the entire enclosed-loop framework is presented. Conducting comprehensive simulations are presented to assess the efficacy and robustness of the devised controlling scheme.
Impact of Telehealth on Blood Pressure Control in Community Health Centers
Authors: Meador Margaret , Coronado Fatima , Roy Debosree , Bay R. Curtis , Lewis Joy H. , Chen Jessica , Cheung Rachel , Utman Christopher , Hannan Judith A.
Published: July 2022

Background: Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. To ensure continuity of care, community health centers (CHCs) nationwide implemented virtual care (telehealth) during the pandemic. CHCs use the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 165v8 Controlling High Blood Pressure measure to report blood pressure (BP) control performance. CMS 165v8 specifications state that if no BP is documented during the measurement period, the patient’s BP is assumed uncontrolled. Objective: To examine trends in BP documentation and control rates in CHCs as telehealth use increased during the pandemic compared with pre-pandemic period. Methods: We assessed documentation of BP measurement and BP control rates from December 2019 - October 2021 among persons ages 18-85 with a diagnosis of hypertension who had an in-person or telehealth encounter in 11 CHCs. Rates were compared between CHCs that did and did not implement self-measured BP monitoring (SMBP). Results: The percent of patients with no documented BP measurement was 0.5% in December 2019 and increased to 15.2% (overall), 25.6% (non-SMBP CHCs), and 11.2% (SMBP CHCs) by October 2021. BP control using CMS 165v8 was 63.5% in December 2019 and decreased to 54.9% (overall), 49.1% (non-SMBP), and 57.2% (SMBP) by October 2021. When assessing BP control only in patients with documented BP measurements, CHCs largely maintained BP control rates (63.8% in December 2019; 64.8% (overall), 66.0% (non-SMBP), and 64.4% (SMBP) by October 2021). Conclusions: The transition away from in-person to telehealth visits during the pandemic likely increased the number of patients with hypertension lacking a documented BP measurement, subsequently negatively impacting BP control using CMS 165v8. There is an urgent need to enhance the flexibility of virtual care, improve EHR data capture capabilities for patient-generated data, and implement expanded policy and systems-level changes for SMBP, an evidence-based strategy that can build patient trust, increase healthcare engagement, and improve hypertension outcomes.
Economic Feasibility of Solar-Powered Reverse Osmosis Water Desalination: A Comparative Systemic Review
Authors: Maftouh Abderrahim , Fatni Omkaltoume El , Bouzekri Siham , Rajabi Fateme , Sillanpää Mika , Butt Muhammad Hammad
Published: July 2022

Due to disparities in the allocation of rainwater and drought, extreme exploitation of groundwater reservoirs has depleted water supplies in many locations. In addition, improper disposal of domestic and industrial waste leads to poor drainage and deterioration of water quality. According to studies, desalination methods are an effective solution for treating sea and brackish water and making it usable in daily life. Solar-powered desalination has recently received a great deal of attention around the world. Previously, most experimental studies focused on the use of solar energy in traditional desalination methods such as multistage flash and multi-effect distillation. Desalination with reverse osmosis has become popular due membrane technology improvement and benefits like high recovery ratios and low energy consumption. This article aims to comparatively and systematically review the economic feasibility of the use of solar photovoltaic reverse osmosis in desalination in Morocco and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Effect of Betaine Supplementation on Production Performance and Serum Antioxidant indices of Nili-Ravi buffaloes during Summer
Authors: Hussain Zakir , Iqbal Zahid , Roohi Nabila , Khan Sirzamin
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to determine whether feeding betaine (Bet) to lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes elevates their production performance during the hot and humid climate. Sixty lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes were randomly divided into four groups: the Control group received a standard concentrates basal diet without Bet, whereas in the treated group the same diet was supplemented with Bet at 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% on DM basis for 12 weeks. All animals received ad libitum amount of Maize fodder. Milk and blood were sampled throughout the experimental period. The results showed that feeding Bet to buffaloes increased (p < 0.05) milk yield at all the three inclusion levels; however, milk composition remained unaffected. There was no difference in production at the three levels. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) in all three treatments and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in Bet 0.2% inclusion level, were higher (p < 0.05) as compared to control. However, malondialdehyde (MDA) was not significantly affected. Inclusion of Bet in concentrate ration of lactating buffalos at 0.2% level on dry matter (DM) basis is recommended as it positively influenced the production and also improved their antioxidant status during summer.
Domestication of different varieties in the cheese-making fungus Geotrichum candidum
Authors: Bennetot Bastien , Vernadet Jean Philippe , Perkins Vincent , Hautefeuille Sophie , Vega Ricardo Rodríguez de la , O'Donnell Samuel , Snirc Alodie , Grondin Cécile , Lessard Marie-Hélène , Peron Anne-Claire , Labrie Steve , Landaud Sophie , Giraud Tatiana , Ropars Jeanne
Published: July 2022

Domestication is an excellent model for studying adaptation processes, constituting recent adaptation and diversification, as well as degeneration of unused functions. Geotrichum candidum is a fungus used for cheese-making and is also found in other environments such as soil and plants. By analyzing whole genome data from 98 strains, we found that all strains isolated from cheese formed a monophyletic clade. Within the cheese clade, we identified three differentiated populations and we detected footprints of recombination and hybridization. The genetic diversity in the cheese clade was the lowest but remained high compared to other domesticated fungi, indicating milder bottlenecks. Commercial starter strains were scattered across the cheese clade, not constituting a single clonal lineage. The cheese clade was phenotypically differentiated from other populations, with a slower growth on all media even cheese, a prominent production of attractive cheese flavors and a lower proteolytic activity. Furthermore, cheese populations displayed contrasted phenotypes, with one cheese population producing a typical blue cheese flavor and another one displaying denser and fluffier colonies, excluding more efficiently cheese spoiler fungi. Cheese populations lost two beta lactamase-like genes, involved in xenobiotic clearance, and displayed transposable element expansion, likely due to relaxed selection. Our findings suggest the existence of genuine domestication in G. candidum, which led to diversification into three varieties with contrasted phenotypes. Some of the traits acquired by cheese strains indicate convergence with other, distantly related fungi used for cheese maturation.
Foot trajectory following control of hexapod robot based on Udwadia-Kalaba theory
Authors: Wei Junying , Tao Guosheng , Zhang Jiawei , Yuan Liang
Published: July 2022

This paper provides an adaptive robust control strategy for foot trajectory following control of hexapod robot on basis of the Udwadia-Kalaba theory. In this paper, the foot trajectory following control problem of the hexapod robot is transformed into the problem of solving the system control constraint force on basis of the Udwadia-Kalaba theory. Compared with the traditional control strategy, linearization or approximations are not required by using the Udwadia-Kalaba theory for nonlinear system such as the hexapod robot. Due to modeling error, measurement error and the change of working state, the system may have non-ideal initial conditions, vibration interference and other uncertain factors during operation, which affect the control accuracy. An adaptive robust controller is designed for solving uncertainties. Meanwhile, the stability is analyzed by using the second method of Lyapunov function. Finally, the accuracy and stability of the control method proposed are verified by establishing the leg model of the hexapod robot and conducting simulation analysis. The simulation results show that the provided adaptive control process has faster error convergence speed and response speed compared with traditional PID control method.
Interactive relationship between China's Green Investment and Green Ecology—Based on Empirical Research in 30 Provinces
Authors: Peng Ruikun , Yan Weimin
Published: July 2022

Whether there is an interactive relationship between green investment and green ecology, the current opinions seem to confront each other. This paper employs a panel vector autoregressive model to construct an empirical analysis on China’s provincial panel data from 2005 to 2019. Specifically, generalized moment estimation, impulse response function, variance decomposition and other measurement methods are applied to study the interactive relationship between green investment and green ecological development. The research results show that: (1) The inertial development of the green investment system seriously restricts the progress of green investment levels, and the long-term development of green ecology has a significant self-reinforcing trend. (2) The two-way interaction between green investment and green ecology exhibits a positive spillover effect in the short term, but the positive effect gradually weakens in the long run. (3) The impact of green ecology on green investment is most significant in the interactive relationship, and the positive effect of green ecology on green investment in the western region is the most prominent. Therefore, the government should standardize green investment standards and use policy guidance to promote the regional transfer of green investment and green ecological resources. Financial institutions should appropriately lower the financing threshold for polluting enterprises and municipal construction, and leverage more social funds to flow into long-term green technologies and green industries. Companies should raise awareness of environmental information disclosure, ban outdated production capacity and transition to a cleaner production model in order to obtain support from green funds.
SIRT3-mediated deacetylation of SDHA rescues mitochondrial bioenergetics contributing to neuroprotection in rotenone-induced PD models
Authors: Shen Yanhua , Wang Xueting , Nan Nan , Fu Xiaolong , Zeng Ru , Yang Yonggang , Xian Siting , Shi Jingshan , Wu Qin , Zhou Shaoyu
Published: July 2022

Mitochondrial dysfunction is critically involved in the degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SNc), a common pathological feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous studies have demonstrated that the NAD+-dependent acetylase Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) participates in maintaining mitochondrial function and is downregulated in aging-related neurodegenerative disorders. The exact mechanism of action of SIRT3 on mitochondrial bioenergetics in PD pathogenesis, however, has not been fully described. In this study we investigated the regulatory role of SIRT3-mediatged deacetylation of mitochondrial complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) subunit A (SDHA) and its effect on neuronal cell survival in rotenone (ROT)-induced rat and differentiated MN9D cell models. The results revealed that SIRT3 activity was suppressed in both in vivo and in vitro PD models. Accompanying this downregulation of SIRT3 was the hyperacetylation of SDHA, impaired activity of mitochondrial complex and decreased ATP production. It was found that the inhibition of SIRT3 activity was attributed to a reduction in the NAD+/NADH ratio caused by ROT-induced inhibition of mitochondrial complex I. Activation of SIRT3 by icariin and honokiol inhibited SDHA hyperacetylation and increased complex II activity, leading to increased ATP production and protection against ROT-induced neuronal damage. Furthermore, overexpression of SDHA also exerted potent protective benefits in cells treated with ROT. In addition, treatment of MN9D cells with the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide increased SIRT3 activity and complex II activity and promoted the survival of cells exposed to ROT. These findings unravel a regulatory SIRT3-SDHA axis, which may be closely related to PD pathology. Bioenergetic rescue through SIRT3 activation-dependent improvement of mitochondrial complex II activity may provide an effective strategy for protection from neurodegeneration.
Multi-sensor Tracking with Partly Overlapping FoV Using Detection Field of Probability Modeling and the GLMB Filter
Authors: Weifeng Liu , Liu Qiliang , Chen Yimei , Cui Hailong
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we consider multi-sensor with partly overlapping field of view (FoV) in the labeled random finite set (L-RFS) framework. This is different from most existing multi-sensor tracking algorithms, where the sensors are assumed to have the same FoV. We describe the partly overlapping FoV by modeling probability field of detection (PFoD) for individual sensors in whole observation area and can be seen as the same range of FoV. We consider all these using generalized labeled multi-Bernoulli (GLMB) filter in labeled RFS framework. Besides, a multi-sensor measurement driven of birth model is proposed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by experiments.
Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride by novel Fe3O4/g-C3N4/rGO magnetic nanocomposites mechanism: modeling and optimization
Authors: Shan Junyue , Wu Xianliang , Li Caifang , Hu Jiwei , Zhang Zhenming , Liu Huijuan , Xia Pinhua , huang xianfei
Published: July 2022

The photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics requires a good separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and a wide visible light absorption range. Current studies have discussed the successful preparation of ferroferric oxide/graphite carbon nitride/reduced graphene oxide (Fe3O4/g-C3N4/rGO). The phase structure and morphology of Fe3O4/g-C3N4/rGO composites were characterized by XRD, HR-TEM, SEM and EDS. The obtained composites were used to degrade tetracycline hydrochloride to evaluate its photocatalytic activity. The effects of four variables on the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride were analyzed by the response surface method and artificial intelligence (gradient regression tree, random forest, artificial neural network, etc.). The results showed that the graphite carbon nitride in the catalyst maintained its original structure and that the photocatalytic activity was significantly improved. The degradation rate of tetracycline hydrochloride was 86.7%. The artificial neural network combined with a genetic algorithm was the best model for predicting the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride by nanocomposites. The degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride was in accordance with the pseudosecond-order kinetic model. The proposed photocatalytic mechanism study indicated that ∙O2− and ∙OH radicals are the foremost reactive species that have vital roles in the photodegradation process. This finding provides a theoretical reference for the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics (or analogous pollutants) in wastewater.
Preventing the Next Pandemic: A Critical Analysis of the Utilization of Artificial Intelligence in the U.S. Healthcare System
Authors: Howington Jabria , Andrade MPH DrPH Elizabeth
Published: July 2022

The outbreak of 2019-nCoV (“COVID-19”) raised major concerns as it spread rapidly around the globe. The impacts are not fully known and cannot be overlooked given the emergence of COVID-19 variants. In response to this ever-changing virus, artificial intelligence (“AI”) has been explored for its capability to combat the pandemic. This critical analysis examines the utility of AI to improve pandemic preparedness and discusses the benefits of AI-based technologies, such as detecting disease outbreaks, mitigating spread, and speeding drug and vaccine development. It also questions whether AI applications could prevent the next pandemic.A literature search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus, and articles published after January 2020 that discussed AI applications in the U.S. healthcare system were ranked in terms of relevance on a scale of 1-5 according to their degrees of focus. Articles scoring three or higher were included in the final literature review. From a total of forty-one identified articles, twenty-four met the inclusion criteria and twelve were ranked of highest relevance by including discussions on AI models and methods, the strengths and limitations, and promising practice or recommendations.This critical analysis concludes that AI-based technology is successful at improving pandemic preparedness, but challenges and limitations will arise as we continue to invest in AI-based technology; such as over- or under-performance due to imbalanced or incomplete data. Overall, the utilization of AI should aim to improve emergency preparedness strategies, mitigation efforts, and vaccine development, while alleviating the burdens experienced by medical professionals to achieve the best results.
Rotation compensation algorithm of Multi-Orthogonal Signal Underwater Navigation System of moving platform
Authors: zhang sen , zhou chenlin , yin tian qi , wang mingzhi
Published: July 2022

When the transmitter of Multi-Orthogonal Signal Underwater Navigation System(MOSUNS) is installed on a moving platform, the rotation of the platform leads to positioning error. In order to solve this problem, the motion error modeling is carried out in this paper, the relationship platform motion parameters (translation rate, rotation rate, etc.) and the linear velocity difference between each transmitter element and the phase error is deduced, and the relationship between the positioning error of the MOSUNS and the platform motion parameters is further deduced. Based on the motion error modeling of moving platform, a rotation compensation algorithm was proposed to compensate the phase error caused by platform rotation, and then the positioning error was compensated. The motion error modeling is quantified by computer simulation, and the validity of the phase compensation algorithm is verified by simulation.
The effect of street environment on two types of essential physical activity in industrial neighborhoods from the perspective of public health: a study from the Harbin Low-Income Population Health Survey, China
Authors: Hou Yunjing , Zhai Chaofan , Chen Xiyu , Li Wen
Published: July 2022

A large number of low-income residents in industrial neighborhoods rarely go out for recreational and physical activities in green spaces during extremely cold weather. This study mainly explores the relationship between street environment and physical activities under special industrial properties and extreme cold weather conditions.In addition, we further divided essential physical activity into two categories, life-type and traffic-type physical activity, to explore and refine the related studies. We use principal component analysis to classify the street environment indicators, and use multiple linear regression to analyze the impact of each indicator on different physical activities.The conclusions are as follows. For low-income people, the street environment in industrial neighborhoods has a much greater impact on life-type physical activity than traffic-type physical activity and that there is a conflict between the two. In addition, high greening density is not conducive to either type of physical activity on the street. This will reduce the paved area of streets and create sports conflicts between people undertaking different physical activities. The findings contribute to the development and optimization of public health research on environmental interventions in industrial neighborhood streets and enable effective recommendations for increasing outside physical activity among low-income people in severe weather conditions.
Prevalence of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Adult Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in Somalia
Authors: Bashir Ahmed Muhammad , Alici Gokhan , Wabari Mohamud Mire , Adani Abdulkamil Abdullahi , Ahmed Hussein Mahdi
Published: July 2022

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Aim: The exact prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic hemodialysis patients in Somalia is unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of SHPT in chronic hemodialysis patients in Mogadishu, Somalia.Method: This retrospective analysis was carried out at the Mogadishu Somali Turkey Training and Research Hospital, Somalia’s largest dialysis center. All hemodialysis patients aged 18 years and older from the last year were included. The research excluded parathyroidectomy patients and patients on steroids, phenytoin, or phenobarbitone. This analysis covered 195 patients. Calcium, phosphate, albumin, vitamin D, urea, creatinine, and other electrolytes were tested.Results: The mean age of the 195 patients was 56.0±17.4, with 49.2% males and 50.88% females. End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) was caused by hypertension in 64.1% of the patients and diabetes in 30.8%. The mean hemodialysis time was 7.8±1.3 hours per week, and the mean duration was 39.6±15 months. The mean intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentration was 458.59±636.96 pg/mL, phosphate was 4.24±2.15 mg/dL, corrected calcium was 8.70±0.97 mg/dL, and calcium phosphate product was 36.60±19.78 mg/dL. The mean vitamin D concentration was 33.53±19.70. We found that the prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism was 65.6%.Conclusion: We conclude that there is a high prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic hemodialysis patients in Somalia and that measures that predict vitamin D response, including sestamibi parathyroid scans and gland volume, should be studied further to prevent this high prevalence.
Variational Autoencoder-based Estimation of Chronological Age and Changes in Morphological Features of Teeth
Authors: Joo Subin , Jung Won , Oh Seung Eel
Published: July 2022

The present study developed a variational autoencoder (VAE) capable of estimating the chronological age of subjects using feature values extracted from their teeth, and further determine how given teeth images affected the accuracy of estimation. The developed VAE was trained with first molar and canine teeth images, and a parallel-VAE structure was further constructed to extract common features shared by the two types of teeth in a more effective manner. The encoder of the VAE was designed to be combined with a regression model to estimate age. In an attempt to determine which parts of tooth images were more or less important when estimating age, a method of visualizing the obtained regression coefficient using the decoder of the VAE was developed. The developed age estimation model was trained with data obtained from a total of 910 individuals aged 10–79 years. This model showed a median absolute error (MAE) of 6.99 years, demonstrating its ability to estimate age accurately. Further, this method of visualizing the influence of particular parts of tooth images on the accuracy of age estimation using a decoder is expected to provide novel insights for future research on explainable AI.