bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Industrial Linkage Structures on Urban Economic Resilience in China in the Context of the COVID-19 Shock
Authors: Ye Shanshan , Cao Mingming
Published: March 2023

The structures of industrial linkages form an essential basis for the economy and have an important impact on urban economic resilience. By analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on China’s urban economy in 2020, this study uses China’s national input–output table to measure the centrality and diversity of industrial linkage structures. Extracted data from 298 cities in China are used to explore the impact of centrality and diversity on urban economic resilience. The results show that the cities in East China, Central China, and the Chengdu–Chongqing area in western China have a high centrality with respect to industrial linkage structures. Cities in the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, the middle reaches of the Yangtze River city cluster, and the Chengdu–Chongqing city cluster have a high diversity of industrial linkages structures. During the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, most cities in China have shown high economic resilience. For cities across the country, diversity shows a significant and positive correlation with economic resilience, and centrality shows a significant and positive correlation with economic resilience. The latter displays an inverted U-shaped relationship between centrality and economic resilience. For cities with different population sizes, there are differences in the impacts of centrality and diversity on urban economic resilience. Different industrial policies can be developed to adjust the centrality and diversity of the cities to enhance urban economic resilience.
Do Age and Gender Change the Perception of Workplace Social Sustainability?
Authors: Lin Chiuhsiang Joe , Efranto Remba Yanuar
Published: March 2023

Social sustainability must be included into the workplace in order to achieve corporate sustainability. Each indicator of the workplace’s social sustainability must consider employee perspectives. In this study, we estimate Indonesia’s employee preferences gap in workplace social sustainability. The dimensions referred to include views on employee well-being and concerns about safety. Workplace comfort and musculoskeletal health are considered dimensions supported by environmental concerns. This research was conducted on 643 current employees and analyzed based on a workplace social sustainability questionnaire. Through online surveys, we measured employee preferences concerning workplace social sustainability diversity and how they differ by gender, industry sector, age, education level, and types of industry. The findings of this research will encourage the company to reconsider its approach to social sustainability improvement in terms of the contributions made by its employees. The study also suggests research into whether and how differences in gender, industry sector and industry type are shaped due to workplace social sustainability. Gender concerns must be considered to achieve social sustainability in the workplace. It contributes significantly to achieving the 5th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Review of State Estimation and Remaining Useful Life Prediction Methods for Lithium–Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhao Jiahui , Zhu Yong , Zhang Bin , Liu Mingyi , Wang Jianxing , Liu Chenghao , Hao Xiaowei
Published: March 2023

The accurate estimation of the state of charge, the state of health and the prediction of remaining useful life of lithium–ion batteries is an important component of battery management. It is of great significance to prolong battery life and ensure the reliability of the battery system. Many researchers have completed a large amount of work on battery state evaluation and RUL prediction methods and proposed a variety of methods. This paper first introduces the definition of the SOC, the SOH and the existing estimation methods. Then, the definition of RUL is introduced, and the main methods are classified and compared. Finally, the challenges of lithium–ion battery state estimation and RUL prediction are summarized, and the direction for future development is proposed.
Microplastics in Landfill Bodies: Abundance, Spatial Distribution and Effect of Landfill Age
Authors: Sholokhova Anastasiia , Denafas Gintaras , Ceponkus Justinas , Omelianenko Tetiana
Published: March 2023

Almost a quarter of the plastic produced in Europe still ends up in landfills. In addition to the loss of valuable resources, this leads to the generation and accumulation of microplastics in landfills. The microplastics abundance in the refuse and their spatial distribution in the landfill body have not been practically studied. In the current work, changes in the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in landfill refuse from 3 age sections of the Lapės regional landfill, Lithuania, to a depth of 10–20 m were studied. A microplastics abundance of up to 55 particles/g or 52.8 g/kg was found. The lowest microplastics abundance was found in the old section, while the highest in the young (numerical) and the middle-aged (mass) sections. Moreover, microplastics abundance increased with the age of landfilled waste and depth, which may reflect the fragmentation of microplastics and their transport. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the dominant polymer types in all sections, while films were the dominant shape. The carbonyl index of PE microplastics was calculated to monitor microplastics oxidation. The analysis showed an increase of carbonyl index with landfill depth and landfill age, proving the intensive degradation of microplastics. Thus, landfills are large reservoirs of microplastics and their potential sources.
An Empirical Study of the Factors Influencing Users’ Intention to Use Automotive AR-HUD
Authors: Xia Tiansheng , Lin Xiaowu , Sun Yongqing , Liu Tingting
Published: March 2023

An automotive augmented reality head-up display (AR-HUD) can provide an immersive experience for users and is anticipated to become one of the ultimate terminals for human–machine interaction in future intelligent vehicles within the context of smart cities. However, the majority of the current research on AR-HUD is focused on technological implementation and interaction interface design, and there are relatively few studies that examine the psychological factors that may influence the public’s willingness to utilize this technology. Based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), this study constructs a model of users’ willingness to use automotive AR-HUD involving both cognitive and social factors. The study recruited 377 participants and collected data on users’ effort expectation, performance expectation, social influence, perceived trust, personal innovation, and AR-HUD usage intention through a questionnaire. It was found that users’ effort expectation influenced their intention to use AR-HUD through the mediating role of performance expectation. Social influence had an impact on users’ AR-HUD usage intention through the mediating role of perceived trust, and personal innovation moderated the strength of the role of social influence on perceived trust as a moderating variable.
Analysis of Consumer Willingness to Pay for Community Solar Business Using Contingent Valuation Method
Authors: Hwang Kyu-Won , Ahn Jaekyun , Lee Chul-Yong
Published: March 2023

Electricity production using renewable energy instead of fossil-fuel-based energy sources has been expanding worldwide. Recently, the South Korean government has set a transition from a government and power company-led energy system to a public-participatory energy system as a basic policy direction in terms of power production. It has been actively providing budgetary and institutional support. A comprehensive understanding of the consumer (public)-oriented preferences of potential business participants is crucial for implementing a successful community solar business. This study analyzes the preferences of potential participants in the community solar business from the perspective of policymakers to derive policy implications. We used the contingent valuation method of the stated preference approach targeting potential participants (public) to create a hypothetical market for community solar businesses and measured the value by inducing survey respondents to trade for goods or services. The monthly average willingness-to-pay was estimated to be 25,572 won (USD 21.90), and gender, photovoltaic business experience, and income were the main influencing factors. Based on the results of this study, the preferences of potential consumers in South Korea were analyzed to contribute to the effectiveness of the national energy policy.
Exploring the Outcomes of Customer Engagement in DSR: The Role of Affective Commitment and Gamification Affordance
Authors: Zhang Xin , Wan Jun , Jin Yongsheng
Published: March 2023

Embedding gamified charity into digital social responsibility (DSR) programs has stimulated customers to behave in prosocial and pro-environment ways in daily life. Prior studies on customer outcomes of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have yielded fragmented findings in an offline environment. To reap the maximum returns of DSR, this study deconstructs sustainable customer engagement outcomes of DSR into external outcomes, including customer citizenship behavior, and internal outcomes, such as customers’ intention to continue. Moreover, this study examined the role of affective commitment and gamification affordance within a single framework of customer response to DSR. The findings of an empirical study carried out in the DSR programs prove that the underlying psychological mechanisms between customer engagement in DSR and various customer outcomes are mediated by affective commitment and moderated by gamification affordance. This study contributes to the DSR stream of sustainable engagement outcomes by proposing a theoretical framework to clearly understand the psychological mechanisms and boundary conditions influencing the customer response to DSR.
Attitudinal and Behavioral Loyalty: Do Psychological and Political Factors Matter in Tourism Development?
Authors: Al Abri Ibtisam , Alkazemi Mariam , Abdeljalil Waed , Al Harthi Hala , Al Maqbali Fatema
Published: March 2023

The growth of tourism in the Middle East suffers from ongoing political unrest and conflicts across the region. While previous studies have discussed the impact of psychological factors and political unrest on the tourism industry in the Arab world at an aggregated level, the role of major and dominant political factors such as perceived risks, media, and neutral diplomatic foreign relations on tourism have not yet been investigated. The objectives of this study are to compare the differences between local and international tourists, in the psychological and political risk factors affecting their loyalty to Oman as a tourist destination; investigate how attitudinal and behavioral loyalty is influenced by tourists’ satisfaction, perceived value, attachment, familiarity, and motivations; and measure the extent to which political factors could mitigate the risk of political instability in the region, thereby enhancing the tourism industry in the case of Oman. This study employed qualitative (descriptive and comparison analyses) and quantitative (multiple regression and ordinal logistic models) techniques in the analyses. Findings reveal that international tourists have developed both attitudinal and behavioral loyalty toward Oman in which its neutrality does matter, despite risk perceptions of the region. International tourists significantly report higher satisfaction than locals’ satisfaction with Oman as a tourism destination. It can be concluded that the psychological factors of Omani tourists have outperformed the risk factors associated with the region. Results are important for decision-makers as they reveal the best practices to increase the quantity and quality of tourists based on their characteristics, knowledge, and behaviors. This study reveals potential reforms to increase re-visitations that contain important implications for tourism agencies and private sectors—improving services around tourism sites; investing in sports, wildlife, and adventure tourism; hiring public relations firms for tourism marketing; eliminating any bureaucracy around investors and businesses and welcoming competition; and enhancing domestic tourism in stimulating the economy during downturns.
Exploring the Adoption of Cyber (Digital) Technology for Sustainable Construction: A Structural Equation Modeling of Critical Success Factors
Authors: Kineber Ahmed Farouk , Oke Ayodeji , Aliu John , Hamed Mohammed Magdy , Oputu Eguonor
Published: March 2023

The concepts of sustainability should be incorporated at every level of the decision-making process during the construction of residential building projects. It will ensure maximum cost savings without compromising the residential buildings’ services. To understand these sustainability principles, this study was conducted to identify and investigate the critical success factors (CSFs) required for implementing cyber technology in residential building projects. These CSFs were obtained from existing studies that were contextually explored via a questionnaire survey involving construction experts in the Nigerian building industry. Based on the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) results, cyber technology CSFs were grouped into five distinct constructs: Governmental, Customer satisfaction, Time, Social safety, and Marketability of the construction product. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted to develop the model for the CSFs. The study showed that the Governmental component possessed the highest effect on the model, further underlining this construct as a crucial CSF in implementing cyber/digital technology. The findings from this study will facilitate cyber/digital technology introduction in the Nigerian construction industry. It will aid decision-makers and construction professionals in seeking viable ways of reducing costs and improving sustainability. Thus, this study has developed a CSF model to showcase the adoption of cyber/digital technology, with other implications for facilitating the goal of achieving sustainable residential building projects.
Contributing Factors to the Changes in Public and Private Transportation Mode Choice after the COVID-19 Outbreak in Urban Areas of China
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Lee Jaeyoung
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously affected the whole of human society worldwide. Travel patterns have greatly changed due to the increased risk perception and the governmental interventions regarding COVID-19. This study aimed to identify contributing factors to the changes in public and private transportation mode choice behavior in China after COVID-19 based on an online questionnaire survey. In the survey, travel behaviors in three periods were studied: before the outbreak (before 27 December 2019), the peak (from 20 January to 17 March 2020), and after the peak (from 18 March to the date of the survey). A series of random-parameter bivariate Probit models was developed to quantify the relationship between individual characteristics and the changes in travel mode choice. The key findings indicated that individual sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., gender, age, ownership, occupation, residence) have significant effects on the changes in mode choice behavior. Other key findings included (1) a higher propensity to use a taxi after the peak compared to urban public transportation (i.e., bus and subway); (2) a significant impact of age on the switch from public transit to private car and two-wheelers; (3) more obvious changes in private car and public transportation modes in more developed cities. The findings from this study are expected to be useful for establishing partial and resilient policies and ensuring sustainable mobility and travel equality in the post-pandemic era.
Factors Affecting the Maximum Leachate Head in the Landfill Drainage Layer under Clogging Conditions
Authors: Shen Siliang , Hu Zheyu
Published: March 2023

Clogging of the landfill drainage layer leads to a high leachate head developing over the bottom liner, which increases the risk of leachate leakage. Estimation of the maximum leachate head in the landfill drainage layer is of great significance to the pollution control of bottom liners. In this study, a simplified model considering the development of clogging is established through assuming the spatial and temporal distributions of clogging in a drainage layer of landfill. The calculation results are compared with a previous study to verify the proposed model. Through parameter analysis, it is discovered that the larger the initial hydraulic conductivity, the less the influence of clogging on the leachate head at the beginning, but it will increase over time. Meanwhile, a longer drainage distance, a larger inflow rate, or a higher ion concentration will lead to a greater influence of clogging on the leachate head. The completion time of clogging is more sensitive to the variation of inflow rate and ion concentration. In order to effectively control the maximum leachate head, it is suggested that the drainage material with large hydraulic conductivity such as pebbles or gravel should be used, the drainage slope should be greater than 4%, the drainage distance should be controlled at 20 m, and calcium products should be removed from leachate through adsorption, precipitation, or waste reuse.
Engineering Emotion Sustainably: Affective Gendered Organizing of Engineering Identities and Third Space
Authors: Buzzanell Patrice M. , Arendt Colleen , Dohrman Rebecca L. , Zoltowski Carla B. , Rajan Prashant
Published: March 2023

The questions of why there are so few women in engineering and how to change engineering cultures to be more inclusive have garnered much social scientific research and considerable funding. Despite numerous findings and interventions, no studies to our knowledge have analyzed how difference is constituted discursively, materially, and affectively in ways that are deeply embedded in engineering occupational and societal cultures. This study takes an affective gendered organizing approach to analyze how affect is constituted through emotions/talk, interactions, and materialities. Using constructivist grounded theory, we explored our interview data of 69 engineers (45 women and 24 men) to find three themes. The first describes women’s sensate experiences that underlie their expressions of (un)belongingness and (in)visibility. The second depicts men’s emotional labor to voice inclusion while enacting exclusion. The third pulls these feelings forward as the impetus for women’s constitution of feminist third spaces/places that operate as sites of collective emotional labor and resilience. Throughout we display the contradictory and essential embodiment of affect within individuals’ identities and as a sensemaking force that continues to constitute organizing systems of inequity. Taking an affective gendered organizing approach enables researchers and practitioners to respond more fully to the question of why inclusion is so difficult to achieve and to develop sustainable interventions for women’s career success in STEM.
The Relationship between Search Engines and Entrepreneurship Development: A Granger-VECM Approach
Authors: Olumekor Michael , Haddad Hossam , Al-Ramahi Nidal Mahmoud
Published: March 2023

The decision to set-up a business as a sole proprietor—also individual entrepreneur or sole trader—is a consequential one for every nascent entrepreneur. Sole proprietorship businesses have remained the most popular business structure in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia, and are vital to the sustainable development of countries and regions. In this research, we developed a model to investigate if increased online interest in sole proprietorships led to the creation of new sole proprietorship businesses in four regions of Russia. Search engine data were retrieved from Russia’s most popular search engine, Yandex, whereas data on newly registered individual entrepreneurship businesses were retrieved from Russia’s Federal Tax Service. Our model was comprised of a range of statistical methods, including the augmented Dickey–Fuller unit root test, the Johansen cointegration test, the Granger causality Wald test, and the vector error correction model. The results revealed a unidirectional causal relationship between search engine data and newly established individual entrepreneurship businesses. This means that interest in individual entrepreneurship, measured through search engine data, influenced the creation of new individual entrepreneurship businesses. This research provides a pioneering empirical investigation of the topic in post-Soviet states, and its main contribution includes introducing search engine data as a key tool for assessing entrepreneurial intention.
Transforming Industrial Waterfronts into Inclusive Landscapes: A Project Method and Investigation of Landscape as a Medium for Sustainable Revitalization
Authors: Wu Yihao , Liu Yang
Published: March 2023

Urban waterfronts in port cities have experienced a dramatic shift in the process of expanding industrialization, which causes severe ecological and social problems in postindustrial cities. Transforming manufacturing sites to inclusive landscapes requires costly remediation and careful planning to foster smart development that promotes the city’s economic vibrancy, enhances social and cultural contexts, and improves quality of life. While conventional reclamation strategies mainly focus on the technical aspect of simply performing to meet minimum engineering standards, new industrial urbanism offers a pathway to relink the manufacturing waterfront in contemporary city life through ‘landscape medium’. This paper explores the evolutionary phases of industrial waterfronts from a diachronic perspective and proposes a theoretical framework that utilizes the landscape medium to integrate historically separated elements, including people, infrastructure, and buildings. Using the Yangpu waterfront in Shanghai as a case study, we analyze a completed reclamation project and summarize four sustainable design approaches—connecting, resilient, locality, and inclusive—that can transform obsolete manufacturing sites into inclusive urban landscapes. The primary contribution of this regeneration plan is to reconstruct a continuous and adaptable waterfront field that can accommodate diverse activities and changing needs. To validate our urban design framework, we examine another industrial waterfront renewal project along the Soochow Creek, which has been successfully approved in conceptual design. Overall, our research demonstrates the potential for sustainable, inclusive, and adaptable urban design to revitalize industrial waterfronts and create vibrant, livable urban landscapes.
Pulsed Current Effect on the Hard Anodizing of an AlSi10Mg Aluminum Alloy Obtained via Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Dallari Elisa , Bononi Massimiliano , Pola Annalisa , Tocci Marialaura , Veronesi Paolo , Giovanardi Roberto
Published: March 2023

The hard anodizing treatments of cast Al-Si alloys are notoriously difficult. Indeed, their microstructural features hinder the growth of a uniform, compact, and defect-free anodic oxide. In this paper, AlSi10Mg samples, produced via Gravity Casting (GC) and Additive Manufacturing, i.e., Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), were hard anodized in a sulfuric acid bath, in order to verify how the particular microstructure obtained via L-PBF affects the thickness, hardness, compactness, and defectiveness of the anodic oxide. Moreover, for the first time, Pulsed Direct Current (PDC) procedures were used to perform the hard anodizing treatments on additively manufactured AlSi10Mg alloy. Several combinations of temperature and electrical parameters, i.e., current density, frequency, and Duty Cycle, were tested. The anodized samples were characterized through optical microscopy analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis, and accelerated corrosion tests, i.e., Potentiodynamic Polarization (POL) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The PDC procedures allowed improvement of the compromise between evenness, compactness, and defectiveness. Among the attempted PDC procedures, a specific combination of electrical parameters and temperature allowed the best results to be obtained, i.e., the highest hardness and the lowest volumetric expansion values without compromising the oxide quality rating and the corrosion resistance behavior. However, none of the attempted PCD strategies allowed the hardness values obtained on samples produced via GC to be reached.
A Levenberg-Marquardt Method for Tensor Approximation
Authors: Zhao Jinyao , Zhang Xuejuan , Zhao Jinling
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a tensor approximation algorithm, based on the Levenberg–Marquardt method for the nonlinear least square problem, to decompose large-scale tensors into the sum of the products of vector groups of a given scale, or to obtain a low-rank tensor approximation without losing too much accuracy. An Armijo-like rule of inexact line search is also introduced into this algorithm. The result of the tensor decomposition is adjustable, which implies that the decomposition can be specified according to the users’ requirements. The convergence is proved, and numerical experiments show that it has some advantages over the classical Levenberg–Marquardt method. This algorithm is applicable to both symmetric and asymmetric tensors, and it is expected to play a role in the field of large-scale data compression storage and large-scale tensor approximation operations.
A Note on Certain General Transformation Formulas for the Appell and the Horn Functions
Authors: Kim Insuk , Rathie Arjun K.
Published: March 2023

In a number of problems in applied mathematics, physics (theoretical and mathematical), statistics, and other fields the hypergeometric functions of one and several variables naturally appear. Hypergeometric functions in one and several variables have several known applications today. The Appell’s four functions and the Horn’s functions have shown to be particularly useful in providing solutions to a variety of problems in both pure and applied mathematics. The Hubbell rectangular source and its generalization, non-relativistic theory, and the hydrogen dipole matrix elements are only a few examples of the numerous scientific and chemical domains where Appell functions are used. The Appell series is also used in quantum field theory, especially in the evaluation of Feynman integrals. Additionally, since 1985, computational sciences such as artificial intelligence (AI) and information processing (IP) have used the well-known Horn functions as a key idea. In literature, there have been published a significant number of results of double series in particular of Appell and Horn functions in a series of interesting and useful research publications. We find three general transformation formulas between Appell functions F2 and F4 and two general transformation formulas between Appell function F2 and Horn function H4 in the present study, which are mostly inspired by their work and naturally exhibit symmetry. By using the generalizations of the Kummer second theorem in the integral representation of the Appell function F2, this is accomplished. As special cases of our main findings, both previously known and new results have been found.
Dynamics of a Circular Foil and Two Pairs of Point Vortices: New Relative Equilibria and a Generalization of Helmholtz Leapfrogging
Authors: Bizyaev Ivan A. , Mamaev Ivan S.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we study the plane-parallel motion of a circular foil interacting with two vortex pairs in an infinite volume of an ideal fluid. We assumed that the circulation of the velocity of the fluid around the foil was zero. We showed that the equations of motion possess an invariant submanifold such that the foil performed translational motion and the vortices were symmetric relative to the foil’s direction of motion. A qualitative analysis of the motion on this invariant submanifold was made. New relative equilibria were found, a bifurcation diagram was constructed, and a stability analysis is given. In addition, trajectories generalizing Helmholtz leapfrogging were found where the vortices passed alternately through each other, while remaining at a finite distance from the foil.
Fluctuating Asymmetry as a Measure of Stress in Natural Populations of Woody Plants: Influence of Ecological and Geographical Factors on Developmental Stability
Authors: Shadrina Elena , Soldatova Victoria , Turmukhametova Nina
Published: March 2023

Fluctuating asymmetry is a sensitive indicator of favorable conditions during the period of individual development. The influence of climatic factors, biotopic conditions, latitude, altitude, and age of plants from the natural populations of the silver birch Betula pendula Roth was analyzed. The material consisted of 13,000 leaves of the silver birch from 11 regions of north-eastern Siberia. The influence of 23 climatic factors and six integrated coefficients characterizing the general suitability of the climate, as well as summer, winter, spring, and autumn was analyzed. The developmental stability of woody plants and, consequently, the level of the FA of the lamina in natural biotopes can vary in a wide range. We found that climatic factors, mainly conditions in the warm season, have a significant impact. We also noted the influence of the age, biotope, and light conditions. For Betula pendula, an increase in FA was registered on the ecological periphery of its range, i.e., on the edge of the forest belt in the north and in the mountains. The data obtained demonstrate the high influence of natural stress-inducing factors on development stability in plants.
The Space-Time Properties of Three Static Black Holes
Authors: Wang Yu , Shen Gangqi , Sun Xin
Published: March 2023

In the curved space-time, the neutral test particle is not affected by any other force except for the influence of the curved space-time. Similar to the free sub in the flat space, the Lagrangian of the test particle only contains the kinetic energy term—the kinetic energy term of the four-dimensional curved space-time. In the case of small space-time curvature, linear approximation can be made. That is, under the weak field approximation, the Lagrangian quantity degenerates into the Lagrangian quantity in the axisymmetric gravitational field in Newtonian mechanics. In this paper, the curved space-time composed of axisymmetric equidistant black holes is taken as a model. We study the geodesic motion of the test particles around three black holes with equal mass and static axisymmetric distribution, including time-like particles and photons. The three extreme Reissner–Nordstrom black holes are balanced by electrostatic and gravitational forces. We first give the geodesic motion equation of particles in Three black holes space-time, give the relativistic effective potential, discuss the possible motion state of particles, and classify their motion trajectories. Then, the particle motion of the special plane (equatorial plane) is studied. The circular orbits of the two types of particles in the symmetric plane are studied, respectively. The circular orbits outside the symmetric plane are also studied, and their stability is also discussed. We will show the influence of the separation distance of the three black holes on the geodesic motion and explore the change of the relativistic effective potential. Then, the relationship between the inherent quantity and the coordinate quantity in space-time is analyzed. Finally, the chaos of the test particle orbit is explored.
Geometry and Application in Economics of Fixed Point
Authors: Joshi Meena , Upadhyay Shivangi , Tomar Anita , Sajid Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Inspired by the reality that the collection of fixed/common fixed points can embrace any symmetrical geometric shape comparable to a disc, a circle, an elliptic disc, an ellipse, or a hyperbola, we investigate the subsistence of a fixed point and a common fixed point and study their geometry in a partial metric space by introducing some novel contractions and notions of a fixed ellipse-like curve and a common fixed ellipse-like curve which is symmetrical in shape but entirely different than that of an ellipse in a Euclidean space. We look at new hypotheses essential for the collection of nonunique fixed/common fixed points of some mathematical operators to incorporate an ellipse-like curve keeping in view the symmetry in fixed/common fixed points approaches. Appropriate nontrivial examples verify established conclusions. We conclude our work by applying our results to construct the mathematical model and solve the Production–Consumption Equilibrium problem of economics.
No Effect of EVA and TPU Custom Foot Orthoses on Mechanical Asymmetries during Acute Intense Fatigue
Authors: Van Alsenoy Ken , Ryu Joong , Girard Olivier
Published: March 2023

This study examined the impact of custom foot orthoses made of ethyl-vinyl acetate (EVA) and expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) materials, both compared to a control condition (CON; shoes only), on mechanical asymmetries during repeated treadmill sprints. Eighteen well-trained male runners executed eight, 5-s sprints (rest: 25 s) on an instrumented motorized treadmill in three footwear conditions (EVA, TPU, and CON). We evaluated the group mean asymmetry scores using the ‘symmetry angle’ (SA) formula, which assigns a score of 0% for perfect symmetry and a score of 100% for perfect asymmetry. There was no condition (all p ≥ 0.053) or time (p ≥ 0.074) main effects, nor were there any significant time × condition interactions on SA scores for any variables (p ≥ 0.640). Mean vertical, horizontal, and total forces presented mean SA values (pooled values for the three conditions) of 2.6 ± 1.9%, 2.9 ± 1.6%, and 2.4 ± 1.8%, respectively. Mean SA scores were ~1–3% for contact time (1.5 ± 0.5%), flight time (3.0 ± 0.3%), step frequency (1.1 ± 0.5%), step length (1.9 ± 0.7%), vertical stiffness (2.1 ± 0.9%), and leg stiffness (2.4 ± 1.1%). Mean SA scores were ~2–6.5% for duration of braking (4.1 ± 1.6%) and propulsive (2.4 ± 1.0%) phases, and peak braking (6.2 ± 2.9%) and propulsive (2.1 ± 1.4%) forces. In well-trained runners facing intense fatigue, wearing custom foot orthoses did not modify the observed low-to-moderate natural stride mechanical asymmetries.
Dynamical Analysis of the Covarying Coupling Constants in Scalar–Tensor Gravity
Authors: Cuzinatto Rodrigo , Gupta Rajendra , Pompeia Pedro
Published: March 2023

A scalar–tensor theory of gravity was considered, wherein the gravitational coupling G and the speed of light c were admitted as space–time functions and combined to form the definition of the scalar field ϕ. The varying c participates in the definition of the variation of the matter part of the action; it is related to the effective stress–energy tensor, which is a result of the requirement of symmetry under general coordinate transformations in our gravity model. The effect of the cosmological coupling Λ is accommodated within a possible behavior of ϕ. We analyzed the dynamics of ϕ in the phase space, thereby showing the existence of an attractor point for reasonable hypotheses on the potential V(ϕ) and no particular assumption on the Hubble function. The phase space analysis was performed both with the linear stability theory and via the more general Lyapunov method. Either method led to the conclusion that the condition G˙/G=σc˙/c, where σ=3 must hold for the rest of cosmic evolution after the system arrives at the globally asymptotically stable fixed point and the dynamics of ϕ ceases. This result realized our main motivation: to provide a physical foundation for the phenomenological model admitting G/G0=c/c03, used recently to interpret cosmological and astrophysical data. The thus covarying couplings G and c impact the cosmic evolution after the dynamical system settles to equilibrium. The secondary goal of our work was to investigate how this impact occurs. This was performed by constructing the generalized continuity equation in our scalar–tensor model and considering two possible regimes for the varying speed of light—decreasing c and increasing c—while solving our modified Friedmann equations. The solutions to the latter equations make room for radiation- and matter-dominated eras that progress to a dark-energy-type of accelerated expansion.
Multiple Alternatives of Offset Boosting in a Symmetric Hyperchaotic Map
Authors: Ge Xizhai , Li Chunbiao , Li Yongxin , Zhang Chuang , Tao Changyuan
Published: March 2023

The offset as the average value of a variable plays an important role in signal processing and system design. Offset boosting can be realized by a non-bifurcation parameter or an initial condition. In this work, symmetric coexisting attractors with opposite polarity and a 2D hyperchaotic map with multiple modes of offset boosting are proposed, where the offset can be controlled both by the initial condition and system parameter, and as a result, multiple alternatives of offset boosting and offset competition show up. Consequently, the final offset is determined eventually by the balance of two factors. The theoretical findings are verified through the hardware experiment based on the STM32. Finally, a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) is constructed based on the newly proposed hyperchaotic map, demonstrating its high performance in engineering applications.
Fixed-Point Results for (α-ψ)-Fuzzy Contractive Mappings on Fuzzy Double-Controlled Metric Spaces
Authors: Azmi Fatima M.
Published: March 2023

We introduce the novel concept of (α-ψ)-fuzzy contractive mappings on fuzzy double-controlled metric spaces and demonstrate some fixed-point results. The theorems presented generalize some intriguing findings in the literature. Thus, we prove the fixed-point theorem in the settings of fuzzy double-controlled metric spaces. Furthermore, we provide several examples and an application of our result on the existence of the solution to an integral equation.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Environmental Exposures on Neurocognitive Outcomes in Children: Empirical Evidence, Potential Mechanisms, and Implications
Authors: Gladieux Margaret , Gimness Nathan , Rodriguez Bianca , Liu Jianghong
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this article is to examine the current literature regarding the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and environmental exposures. Specifically, the paper will focus on how this relationship between ACEs and physical environmental factors impacts the neurocognitive development of children. With a comprehensive literary search focusing on ACEs, inclusive of socioeconomic status (SES), and environmental toxins common in urban environments, the paper explores how these factors contribute to cognitive outcomes that are associated with the environment and childhood nurturing. The relationship between ACEs and environmental exposures reveals adverse outcomes in children’s neurocognitive development. These cognitive outcomes include learning disabilities, lowered IQ, memory and attention problems, and overall poor educational outcomes. Additionally, potential mechanisms of environmental exposures and children’s neurocognitive outcomes are explored, referencing data from animal studies and evidence from brain imaging studies. This study further analyzes the current gaps in the literature, such as the lack of data focusing on exposure to environmental toxicants resulting from experiencing ACEs and discusses the research and social policy implications of ACEs and environmental exposure in the neurocognitive development of children.
Effects of Shellfish and Organic Fertilizer Amendments on Soil Nutrients and Tea Yield and Quality
Authors: Liu Wenbin , Cui Shiyu , Ma Jiawei , Wu Dongtao , Ye Zhengqian , Liu Dan
Published: March 2023

Soil acidification in tea plantations leads to an excessive heavy metal content in tea, decreasing its yield and quality. How to apply shellfish and organic fertilizers to improve soil and ensure the safe production of tea is still not clear. A two-year field experiment was conducted in tea plantations in which the soil was characterized by a pH of 4.16 and concentrations of lead (Pb) (85.28 mg/kg) and cadmium (Cd) (0.43 mg/kg) exceeding the standard. We used shellfish amendments (750, 1500, 2250 kg/ha) and organic fertilizers (3750, 7500 kg/ha) to amend the soils. The experimental results showed that compared with the treatment without any amendment (CK), the soil pH increased by 0.46 on average; the soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents increased by 21.68%, 19.01%, and 17.51% respectively; and the soil available Pb, Cd, Cr, and As contents decreased by 24.64%, 24.36%, 20.83%, and 26.39%, respectively. In comparison to CK, the average yield of tea also increased by 90.94 kg/ha; tea polyphenols, free amino acids, caffeine, and water extract increased by 9.17%, 15.71%, 7.54%, and 5.27%, respectively; and the contents of Pb, Cd, As, and Cr in the tea decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by 29.44–61.38%, 21.43–61.38%, 10.43–25.22%, and 10.00–33.33%, respectively. The greatest effects on all parameters occurred with the largest amendment of both shellfish (2250 kg/ha) and organic fertilizer (7500 kg/ha) combined. This finding suggests that the optimized amendment of shellfish could be used as a technical measure to improve the health quality of both soil and tea in acidified tea plantations in the future.
Determinants Analysis Regarding Household Chemical Indoor Pollution
Authors: Montuori Paolo , Gioia Mariagiovanna , Sorrentino Michele , Di Duca Fabiana , Pennino Francesca , Messineo Giuseppe , Maccauro Maria Luisa , Riello Simonetta , Trama Ugo , Triassi Maria , Nardone Antonio
Published: March 2023

Indoor household pollution is not yet sufficiently studied in the general population. Over 4 million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution in households. This study aimed to propose quantitative data research through the administration of a KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices) Survey Questionnaire. This cross-sectional study administered questionnaires to adults from the metropolitan city of Naples (Italy). Three Multiple Linear Regression Analyses (MLRA) were developed, including Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior regarding household chemical air pollution and the related risks. One thousand six hundred seventy subjects received a questionnaire to be filled out and collected anonymously. The mean age of the sample was 44.68 years, ranging from 21–78 years. Most of the people interviewed (76.13%) had good attitudes toward house cleaning, and 56.69% stated paying attention to cleaning products. Results of the regression analysis indicated that positive attitudes were significantly higher among subjects who graduated, with older age, male and non-smokers, but they were correlated with lower knowledge. In conclusion, a behavioral and attitudinal program targeted those with knowledge, such as younger subjects with high educational levels, but do not engage in correct practices towards household indoor chemical pollution.
Water Quality, Toxicity and Diversity of Planktonic and Benthic Cyanobacteria in Pristine Ancient Lake Khubsugul (Hövsgöl), Mongolia
Authors: Belykh Olga I. , Sorokovikova Ekaterina G. , Tomberg Irina V. , Fedorova Galina A. , Kuzmin Anton V. , Krasnopeev Andrey Yu. , Suslova Maria Yu. , Potapov Sergey A. , Belykh Tatiana I. , Norovsuren Jadambaa , Galachyants Agnia D. , Tikhonova Irina V.
Published: March 2023

For the first time, microcystin-producing cyanobacteria have been detected in Khubsugul, which is ancient, pristine and one of the world’s largest lakes. The microcystin synthetase genes belonged to the genera Nostoc, Microcystis and possibly Snowella spp. No microcystins were found in the water of the lake. Using the HPLC-HRMS/TOF, five microcystin congeners were identified in biofilms from stony substrates sampled in the coastal zone. The concentration of microcystins in biofilms was low: 41.95 µg g−1 d. wt. by ELISA and 55.8 µg g−1 d. wt. using HPLC. The taxonomic composition of planktonic and benthic cyanobacterial communities was determined by means of microscopy and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rDNA amplicons. Nostocales cyanobacteria dominated benthos of Lake Khubsugul and Synechococcales—plankton. The abundance of cyanobacteria was low both in plankton and benthos; there was no mass development of cyanobacteria. Hydrochemical and microbiological analyses showed that the water in the lake was clean; the number of faecal microorganisms was significantly below the acceptable guideline values. Hydrochemical and hydrophysical parameters, and the concentration of chlorophyll a, were low and within the range of values recorded in the 1970s to 1990s, and corresponded to the oligotrophic state of the lake. There were no signs of anthropogenic eutrophication of the lake and no conditions for the cyanobacterial blooms.
Artificial Substrates Coupled with qPCR (AS-qPCR) Assay for the Detection of the Toxic Benthopelagic Dinoflagellate Vulcanodinium rugosum
Authors: Bouquet Aurélien , Felix Christine , Masseret Estelle , Reymond Coralie , Abadie Eric , Laabir Mohamed , Rolland Jean Luc
Published: March 2023

Vulcanodinium rugosum is an emerging benthopelagic neuro-toxic dinoflagellate species responsible for seasonal Pinnatoxins and Portimines contaminations of shellfish and marine animals. This species is challenging to detect in the environment, as it is present in low abundance and difficult to be identified using light microscopy. In this work, we developed a method using artificial substrates coupled with qPCR (AS-qPCR) to detect V. rugosum in a marine environment. This sensitive, specific and easy-to-standardize alternative to current techniques does not require specialized expertise in taxonomy. After determining the limits and specificity of the qPCR, we searched for the presence of V. rugosum in four French Mediterranean lagoons using artificial substrates collected every two weeks for one year. The AS-qPCR method revealed its occurrences in summer 2021 in every studied lagoon and detected cells in more samples than light microscopy. As V. rugosum development induces shellfish contamination even at low microalga densities, the AS-qPCR method is accurate and relevant for monitoring V. rugosum in a marine environment.
The Mechanism of Ochratoxin Contamination of Artificially Inoculated Licorice Roots
Authors: Elamin Abdelrahman , Enomoto Hirofumi , Watanabe Maiko , Sakuda Shohei
Published: March 2023

Ochratoxin (OT) contamination of medicinal herbs is a serious threat to human health. This study was performed to investigate the mechanism of OT contamination of licorice (Glycyrrhiza sp.) root. Licorice root samples were cut into eight parts, which were placed separately on sucrose-free Czapek Dox agar medium, inoculated with the spores of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus westerdijkiae. After incubation for 10 and 20 days, the OT contents of the samples were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and microtome sections prepared from the samples were analyzed by desorption electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, to visualize OT localization. The same sections were further examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, to investigate the path of fungal mycelial penetration of the inner roots. OT concentrations tended to increase from the upper- to the middle-root parts. OTs were located in cut areas and areas of cork layer damage; they were not present in the undamaged cork layer, indicating that the structure of this layer prevents OT contamination of the licorice root.