bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenolic Composition and Bioactivities of Invasive Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle Leaf Extracts Obtained by Two-Step Sequential Extraction
Authors: Cocîrlea Maria Denisa , Soare Amalia , Petrovici Anca Roxana , Silion Mihaela , Călin Teodora , Oancea Simona
Published: July 2024

Ailanthus altissima, a highly invasive species, contains valuable compounds in different plant parts, indicating great practical potential. This paper proposes the use of non-polar (n-hexane) and polar (ethanol) solvents for the extraction of antioxidant compounds from A. altissima (family Simaroubaceae) leaves in a sequential two-step process. Fresh and dried leaves were examined for their microstructure by scanning electron microscopy, and for color changes in the CIELAB color space co-ordinates. An investigation of the harvesting season, processing (freezing and drying), and solvent indicates ethanol can be used for the highly efficient extraction of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and carotenoids. Statistically significant differences were found between the autumn and summer samples for phenolic content, and between dried and frozen samples for tannin content. The HPLC phenolic profile indicates more phenolics (nine polyphenols) in dried leaves harvested in both seasons compared to those in frozen ones (five to six polyphenols). Frozen leaves showed a higher antioxidant activity in a ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay than that of the dried samples, which exhibited a higher antioxidant activity using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl assay, but it was not statistically significant. The phenolic, flavonoid, and carotenoid contents significantly influenced the antioxidant activities. Among the ethanolic extracts, those from dried leaves showed better antibacterial activity, in particular, on Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The high bioactive content and activity of A. altissima leaves make them suitable natural raw materials for various applications.
Integration of Principal Component Analysis with AHP-QFD for Improved Product Design Decision-Making
Authors: Apichonbancha Pimolphan , Lin Rong-Ho , Chuang Chun-Ling
Published: July 2024

The complexity of quality function deployment (QFD) matrices often hinders efficient decision-making in product design, leading to missed opportunities and extended development times. This study explores the integration of principal component analysis (PCA) with analytic hierarchy process-QFD (AHP-QFD) to address these challenges. PCA, a machine learning technique, was applied to QFD matrices from product design research to reduce complexity and enhance prioritization efficiency. The integrated method was tested with a product design team across various industries, including logistics, healthcare, and consumer electronics. The analysis demonstrated that PCA effectively reduced matrix complexity, optimizing feature prioritization. In the logistics sector, PCA explained 99.2% of the variance with the first five components, while in consumer electronics, it accounted for 86.9% with the first four components. However, PCA showed limitations in the healthcare sector due to evenly distributed variance among components. Expert feedback highlighted the practical benefits of the integrated approach: 75% of logistics experts and 62.5% of consumer electronics experts found the method clearer. For speed, 100% of logistics and 87.5% of consumer electronics experts preferred the method for quicker evaluations. For accuracy, 75% of logistics and 62.5% of consumer electronics experts deemed the method more accurate. Overall, the PCA-AHP-QFD method simplifies decision-making processes and reduces development time, particularly in industries where feature prioritization is crucial. These findings underscore the potential of the integrated approach to enhance product development efficiency and feature prioritization, with suitability varying based on industry characteristics.
Avocado and Its By-Products as Natural Sources of Valuable Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Bioactives for Functional Foods and Cosmetics with Health-Promoting Properties
Authors: Marra Anita , Manousakis Vasileios , Zervas Georgios Panagiotis , Koutis Nikolaos , Finos Marios Argyrios , Adamantidi Theodora , Panoutsopoulou Ellie , Ofrydopoulou Anna , Tsoupras Alexandros
Published: July 2024

Avocado (Persea americana) is a unique fruit with exceptional nutritional and technological characteristics, as well as proposed health benefits. Moreover, the commercial utilization of avocado to make guacamole and/or to extract its oil for several applications generates massive amounts of avocado bio-wastes, including peels and seeds by-products, which further impact the environment and waste management costs. Within this article, the proposed health benefits of moderate avocado consumption, as a functional component of a balanced diet against inflammation-related chronic disorders, and its potential applications are fully addressed. The numerous bioactive compounds present in avocado fruit and its by-products, such as its bioactive phenolics, dietary fiber, and lipid bioactives like unsaturated fatty acids and polar lipids, are also thoroughly outlined. The functional anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antioxidant properties of each of these bioactives and avocado extracts, are then thoroughly reviewed. Emphasis is given to these avocado-derived bioactives and extracts that have the potential to be utilized in various industrial applications, such as in functional foods, supplements, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics related health-promoting applications. The limitations and future perspectives of these applications based on avocado bioactives are also discussed.
Research on Mechanism of Non-Uniform In-Situ Stress Induced Casing Damage Based on Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Wu Tianjiang , Li Mei , Liu Nana , Zhang Tao , Su Junwei
Published: July 2024

Casing damage is a common problem encountered during oil and gas field development due to the complex stress state of the casing. Despite the large number of studies focusing on this problem, the mechanism of non-uniform in-situ stress-induced casing damage in a low-permeability reservoir is still unclear. In this study, casing damage due to non-uniform in-situ stress variations was investigated, and then the tectonic stress coefficients in the study area were determined by an in-situ stress inversion technique, which led to the derivation of formulas for calculating the maximum and minimum horizontal in-situ stresses. Subsequently, finite element numerical simulations were performed to assess the stress distribution during the formation of the casing cement sheath in a G155 block, a typical low-permeability reservoir. The results indicate that casing damage is caused not only by non-uniform in-situ stresses but also by various additional creep-induced loads. Subsequent finite element investigations into casing behavior under mudstone creep conditions indicated that immersion of mudstone in water instigated further shearing and deformation of the casing, culminating in premature well failure prior to water inundation. Notably, Von Mises stress levels exhibited a positive correlation with injection production ratios, with values exceeding critical thresholds leading to distinct modes of mechanical failure including shear-induced deformations, longitudinal tensile stress, and localized yielding near water wells. Maintenance of an optimal injection production ratio is identified as a key strategy for prolonging casing longevity in the region. To this end, recommendations include augmenting the casing wall thickness or enhancing the steel pressure specifications to mitigate casing damage progression, thereby extending the operational lifespan. This research serves as a pivotal theoretical framework for informing future development strategies aimed at mitigating and preempting casing failures in a low-permeability reservoir.
Anxiety in Healthy Subjects Participating in 7T Examinations—Longitudinal Study
Authors: Hansson Boel , Mårtensson Johan
Published: July 2024

Anxiety before an MRI examination is common, even though the technique is noninvasive and painless. In a 7T MRI study, healthy volunteers also reported anxiety before the examination. This study aimed to assess anxiety levels in healthy individuals undergoing 7T MRI and to determine if their anxiety decreased during subsequent examinations. Participants filled out a questionnaire on anxiety. Eleven questions were compared between the first and second examinations using a paired t-test. Results show that significantly more participants felt worried before the first examination compared with the second. However, more participants felt tense after the second examination. Participants felt better informed before the second examination, but more felt fine after the first one. Six participants (14%) felt nervous about the second examination despite having completed the first one. This study reveals that healthy participants still experience anxiety even after a prior MR examination. However, most participants felt retrospectively that their anxiety was unnecessary. This study suggests that providing more information may help reduce anxiety among healthy volunteers in research studies.
Research on Key Technology of Wind Turbine Drive Train Fault Diagnosis System Based on Digital Twin
Authors: Liu Han , Sun Wenlei , Bao Shenghui , Xiao Leifeng , Jiang Lun
Published: July 2024

Fault diagnosis of wind turbines has always been a challenging problem due to their complexity and harsh working conditions. Although data-mining-based fault diagnosis methods can accurately and efficiently diagnose potential faults, the visibility is extremely poor. In this paper, digital twin technology is introduced into the fault diagnosis of wind turbine drive train systems, and a wind turbine drive train fault diagnosis method based on digital twin technology is proposed, which monitors and simulates the actual operating condition in real-time by establishing a digital twin model of the wind turbine drive train. In addition, an improved variational modal decomposition combined with particle swarm optimization least squares support vector machine (IVMD-PSO-LSSVM) fault diagnosis method is proposed, which not only improves the accuracy of fault diagnosis but also effectively shortens the diagnosis time and strengthens the response speed of the system. Finally, a digital twin system for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of wind turbine drive trains is developed based on the Unity 3D platform. Experiments show that the proposed IVMD-PSO-LSSVM can accurately identify fault types with an accuracy rate of 99.1%, which is an improvement of 3.4% compared to before. The proposed digital twin model can be used for real-time monitoring of wind turbine vibration data and provide a more intuitive real-time simulation of the wind turbine’s operating status. This facilitates quick fault location and enables more accurate and efficient maintenance.
Isolation of Diverse Phosphate- and Zinc-Solubilizing Microorganisms from Different Environments
Authors: Islas-Valdez Samira , Afkairin Antisar , Rovner Benjamin , Vivanco Jorge M.
Published: July 2024

This study addresses the challenge of finding novel ways to solubilize phosphorus and zinc for agricultural purposes. The aim was to isolate PSMs (phosphorous-solubilizing microbes) and ZnSMs (zinc-solubilizing microbes) from different environments (e.g., soil amendments, land uses, and crop rotation systems) and evaluate their ability to solubilize different insoluble P sources (e.g., β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), calcium-phytate (CaP), and rock phosphate (RP)) and Zn sources (e.g., zinc carbonate (ZnC), zinc oxide (ZnO), and zinc phosphate (ZnP)). Here, 25 isolates capable of solubilizing either P or Zn sources were isolated and classified by species using 16S rRNA and ITS-region sequencing. Notably, Aspergillus awamori, Fusarium circinatum, Fusarium longifundum, and Mucor circinelloides, isolated from cultivated soils and soil amendments, emerged as the most efficient PSMs and ZnSMs. Mucor circinelloides exhibited the highest solubilization ability for broths containing β-TCP, CaP, RP, ZnO, and ZnP, with log2-fold changes of 3.7, 1.8, 8.9, 7.8, and 2.4, respectively, compared to the control. For ZnC and ZnO, Aspergillus awamori displayed the highest Zn solubilization, with a 2.1 and 3.0 log2-fold change. The study highlights the potential of these strains as biofertilizers and underscores the role of Mucor and Fusarium genera in zinc solubilization.
Validity of LiPON Conductivity Determined by Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Rudy Alexander , Novozhilova Alena , Egorova Julia
Published: July 2024

A hypothesis that the generally accepted value of the LiPON conductivity should be attributed to the absorption and displacement currents is substantiated. The reason is a small contribution of the drift current due to field screening by the electric double layer. The basis for this assumption is the measurement of the LiPON absorption capacitance, according to which its dielectric constant is about 106. An alternative equivalent circuit containing a non-ideal absorption element is proposed and its impedance is calculated. It is shown that the Bode diagrams of the alternative circuit approximate the experimental curves well. Parameters and the magnitude of electric field screening are calculated based on a proposed model of a double electric layer. Considering the screening effect, the drift conductivity of LiPON is obtained, which is in good agreement with the data on lithium concentration and ion mobility.
Unveiling the Potential of Spirulina Biomass—A Glimpse into the Future Circular Economy Using Green and Blue Ingredients
Authors: Bürck Monize , Fratelli Camilly , Campos Assumpção de Amarante Marina , Braga Anna Rafaela Cavalcante
Published: July 2024

The present work aims to explore Spirulina biomass’ functional and technological marvels and its components, such as C-phycocyanin (C-PC), in modern food systems from a circular economy perspective, evaluating a decade of insights and innovations. This comprehensive review delves into the pivotal studies of the past decade, spotlighting the vital importance of maintaining stability in various food matrices to unleash the full biological impacts. Through the lens of food science intertwined with circular economy principles, this analysis meets health and environmental requisites and explores the harmonious synergy between food systems, economy, and industry. While Spirulina has typically served as a supplement, its untapped potential as a fundamental food ingredient has been unveiled, showcasing its abundant nutritional and functional attributes. Technological hurdles in preserving the vibrant color of C-PC have been triumphantly surmounted through simple temperature control methods or cutting-edge nanotechnology applications. Despite the gap in sensory acceptance studies, the emergence of blue foods introduces groundbreaking functional and innovative avenues for the food industry.
Comparative Efficacy of Various Exercise Therapies and Combined Treatments on Inflammatory Biomarkers and Morphological Measures of Skeletal Muscle among Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Che-Li , Chen Hung-Chou , Huang Mao-Hua , Huang Shih-Wei , Liao Chun-De
Published: July 2024

Osteoarthritis is associated with high risks of sarcopenia in older populations. Exercise interventions are promising treatments for musculoskeletal impairments in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The purpose of this study was to identify the comparative effects of exercise monotherapy and its adjunct treatments on muscle volume and serum inflammation for older individuals with KOA. A literature search in the electronic databases was comprehensively performed from this study’s inception until April 2024 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported muscle morphology and inflammation outcomes after exercise. The included RCTs were analyzed through a frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA). The standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval was estimated for treatment effects on muscle morphology and inflammation biomarkers. The relative effects on each main outcome among all treatment arms were compared using surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) scores. The certainty of evidence (CoE) was assessed by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) ranking system. Probable moderators of the treatment efficacy were investigated by network meta-regression analysis. This study included 52 RCTs (4255 patients) for NMA. Among the 27 identified treatment arms, isokinetic training plus physical modality as well as low-load resistance training plus blood-flow restriction yielded the most optimal treatment for inflammation reduction (−1.89; SUCRA = 0.97; CoE = high) and muscle hypertrophy (SMD = 1.28; SUCRA = 0.94; CoE = high). The patient’s age (β = −0.73), the intervention time (β = −0.45), and the follow-up duration (β = −0.47) were identified as significant determinants of treatment efficacy on muscle hypertrophy. Exercise therapy in combination with noninvasive agents exert additional effects on inflammation reduction and muscle hypertrophy compared to its corresponding monotherapies for the KOA population. However, such treatment efficacy is likely moderated by the patient’s age, the intervention time, and the follow-up duration.
Regulation of RIPK1 Phosphorylation: Implications for Inflammation, Cell Death, and Therapeutic Interventions
Authors: Du Jingchun , Wang Zhigao
Published: July 2024

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) plays a crucial role in controlling inflammation and cell death. Its function is tightly controlled through post-translational modifications, enabling its dynamic switch between promoting cell survival and triggering cell death. Phosphorylation of RIPK1 at various sites serves as a critical mechanism for regulating its activity, exerting either activating or inhibitory effects. Perturbations in RIPK1 phosphorylation status have profound implications for the development of severe inflammatory diseases in humans. This review explores the intricate regulation of RIPK1 phosphorylation and dephosphorylation and highlights the potential of targeting RIPK1 phosphorylation as a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating human diseases.
A Worldwide Review of Snowy Owl Feeding Ecology: The Importance of Lemmings and Voles in a Changing Climate
Authors: Holt Denver W. , Larson Matthew D. , Seidensticker Mathew T. , Hiro Stephen P.
Published: July 2024

We compared Snowy Owl feeding ecology from 15 breeding season studies throughout Nearctic and Palearctic circumpolar regions. We used raw data and information theory to assess the owls’ feeding niche. Combined studies yielded 59,923 prey items, of which 59,585 were used for calculations. Overall, mean food niche breadth (FNB) was narrow: H′ = 1.95; R = 1.60, D = 0.526. In 10 of 15 studies, lemmings were > 71.8% of the owls’ diet. In four studies, Lemmus was > 90% of the diet, and in three studies Dicrostonyx was >90% of the diet. In three other studies, Lemmus represented 71.8%, 73.8%, and 84.0% of the diet. In one study, Lemmus and Dicrostonyx were about equal: 49.1% and 47.5%. In the four remaining studies, Microtus and Clethrionomys voles were important. In contrast, of 5888 winter prey items from seven North American studies, the mean FNB (H′ = 4.61) was twice that of 15 breeding season scores, FNB (H’ = 1.95). The Snowy Owl is primarily an obligate lemming predator for breeding. Changes to population ecology and distribution of lemmings due to climate change will have direct affects and effects on the Snowy Owls’ reproductive output. The conservation of Snowy Owls is the conservation of lemmings.
A Novel Method for the Early Detection of Single Circulating, Metastatic and Self-Seeding Cancer Cells in Orthotopic Breast Cancer Mouse Models
Authors: Murad Muhammad , Chen Yanjiang , Iaria Josephine , Fonseca Teixeira Adilson , Zhu Hong-Jian
Published: July 2024

Background: Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related deaths, but efficient targeted therapies against metastasis are still missing. Major gaps exist in our understanding of the metastatic cascade, as existing methods cannot combine sensitivity, robustness, and practicality to dissect cancer progression. Addressing this issue requires improved strategies to distinguish early metastatic colonization from metastatic outgrowth. Methods: Luciferase-labelled MDA-MB-231, MCF7, and 4T1 breast cancer cells were spiked into samples from tumour-naïve mice to establish the limit of detection for disseminated tumour cells. Luciferase-labelled breast cancer cells (±unlabelled cancer-associated fibroblasts; CAFs) were orthotopically implanted in immunocompromised mice. An ex vivo luciferase assay was used to quantify tumour cell dissemination. Results: In vitro luciferase assay confirmed a linear and positive correlation between cancer cell numbers and the bioluminescence detected at single cell level in blood, brain, lung, liver, and mammary fat pad samples. Remarkably, single luciferase-labelled cancer cells were detectable in all of these sites, as the bioluminescence quantified in the analysed samples was substantially higher than background levels. Ex vivo, circulating tumour cells, metastasis, and tumour self-seeding were detected in all samples from animals implanted with highly metastatic luciferase-labelled MDA-MB-231 cells. In turn, detection of poorly metastatic luciferase-labelled MCF7 cells was scarce but significantly enhanced upon co-implantation with CAFs as early as 20 days after the experiment was initiated. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the feasibility of using an ultrasensitive luciferase-based method to dissect the mechanisms of early metastatic colonization to improving the development of antimetastatic therapies.
Evolving Paradigms in Sepsis Management: A Narrative Review
Authors: Kim Min-Ji , Choi Eun-Joo , Choi Eun-Jung
Published: July 2024

Sepsis, a condition characterized by life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection, significantly impacts global health, with mortality rates varying widely across regions. Traditional therapeutic strategies that target hyperinflammation and immunosuppression have largely failed to improve outcomes, underscoring the need for innovative approaches. This review examines the development of therapeutic agents for sepsis, with a focus on clinical trials addressing hyperinflammation and immunosuppression. It highlights the frequent failures of these trials, explores the underlying reasons, and outlines current research efforts aimed at bridging the gap between theoretical advancements and clinical applications. Although personalized medicine and phenotypic categorization present promising directions, this review emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex pathogenesis of sepsis and developing targeted, effective therapies to enhance patient outcomes. By addressing the multifaceted nature of sepsis, future research can pave the way for more precise and individualized treatment strategies, ultimately improving the management and prognosis of sepsis patients.
Pretreatment of Hybrid Ceramics Using Ho: YAG, Low-Level Laser Therapy Activated Malachite Green, and Non-Thermal Plasma on Surface Roughness, Bond Strength, and Color Change, SEM and EDX Analysis
Authors: Alkhudhairy Fahad , AlFawaz Yasser F.
Published: July 2024

The study aimed to assess the effects of different surface conditionings on hybrid ceramics (HBC). Hydrofluoric acid was combined with a silane (HFA+S), low-level laser therapy activated Malachite green (LLLT-MG), Ho: YAG laser, and non-thermal plasma (NTP) as surface conditioning methods for HBC. Eighty-four HBC discs were prepared and divided into four groups according to surface conditioning methods. The total number of samples (n = 21) for each group was further split into two for the non-thermocycling and thermocycling subgroups. After surface treatment, all samples were examined to study the effect of color change and surface roughness. The shear bond strength (SBS) test of HBC was performed on thermo-cycled samples. Statistical analysis using ANOVA with Tukey post hoc was performed to observe any significant difference among tested groups, p > 0.05. The HFA+S and Ho: YAG surface-treated samples showed higher SBS than other surface-treated samples due to higher surface roughness. All surface conditioning methods, except NTP, induced noticeable color change, making them less suitable for aesthetical purposes in clinical settings. Overall, surface conditioning methods are critical in affecting shear bond strength through surface roughness and color change.
Recent Advances in the Application of Metal–Organic Frameworks and Coordination Polymers in Electrochemical Biosensors
Authors: Kidanemariam Alemayehu , Cho Sungbo
Published: July 2024

Electrochemical biosensors are critical in advancing biomedical and pharmaceutical therapies because of their adaptability and cost-effectiveness. Voltammetric and amperometric sensors are of particular interest. These sensors typically consist of a specialized tip or biorecognition element and a transducer that converts biological data into readable signals. Efficient biosensor materials are essential for addressing health emergencies, with coordination polymers (CPs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) showing promise. Functionalization strategies are necessary to enhance the usability of pristine MOFs, owing to issues such as low conductivity. The integration of conductive polymers with MOFs has resulted in the development of highly efficient biosensors. Both enzymatic and nonenzymatic biosensors are used for analyte detection; nonenzymatic approaches are gaining popularity owing to their durability and accuracy. MOFs and CPs have been applied in sensitive electrochemical biosensors to detect fatal brain tumors such as glioblastomas (GBM). These biosensors demonstrate enhanced selectivity and sensitivity, highlighting the potential of MOFs and CPs in advancing electrochemical biosensor technology for both in vivo and in vitro applications.
Co-Treatment of Food Waste and Municipal Sewage Sludge: Technical and Environmental Review of Biological and Thermal Technologies
Authors: Gadaleta Giovanni , Todaro Francesco , Giuliano Annamaria , De Gisi Sabino , Notarnicola Michele
Published: July 2024

To face the ongoing issues related to global warming, a circular economy approach should be pursued, rethinking the waste management system and the recovery of organic waste. The main organic waste streams are Food Waste (FW) and municipal Sewage Sludge (SS). In the spirit of circularity, a commingled treatment of FW and SS could be a viable solution. To this end, the present work aims to review the technical and environmental aspects of the co-treatment of FW and SS through biological and thermal processes. Firstly, a detailed characterization of the two substrates is presented as well as the current and future treatment technologies. Then, the technical feasibility and the environmental impacts of conventional biological co-treatments of FW and SS (i.e., composting, anaerobic digestion, and a combination of them), as well as innovative thermal ones (i.e., incineration, gasification, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization), is summarized. The outcomes of this work could contribute to achieving a more sustainable way to approach organic waste treatment and to help policy-making authorities move toward sustainable planning.
A Spotlight on the Potential of Microscopic Motile Algae as Novel Sources for Modern Cosmetic Products
Authors: Stoyneva-Gärtner Maya , Uzunov Blagoy , Gärtner Georg
Published: July 2024

The recognition and use of algae in the very trend-driven cosmetic industry is progressively increasing. Up to now, the main focus was on large seaweeds and a limited number of microalgae. However, motile microalgae, flagellates, remain underscored in this aspect, although some of them are utilized commercially. Flagellates from different taxonomic groups occupy various habitats and contain bioactive high-value multifunctional compounds, some of which are novel. Moreover, they may simultaneously produce different substances, which together with the development of downstream processing technologies, makes them a promising source for modern biotechnology. The present review covers data on 411 strains, 251 species from 110 genera from 6 phyla, and is oriented generally towards less explored flagellates. It demonstrates their great potential as bearers of interesting novel compounds that can be beneficially applied in modern cosmetics. Safety aspects of both sources and products are also discussed. Considering the gaps in the knowledge, the necessity to expand the research on both well-known and yet unexplored microalgae is shown, encouraging the development of upstreaming processes, including phycoprospecting. Last but not least, this paper outlines the role of living culture collections and of using good taxonomic expertise before running the biochemical tests, cultivation, and bioengineering experiments.
“The Right to Our Own Body Is Over”: Justifications of COVID-19 Vaccine Opponents on Israeli Social Media
Authors: Inchi Liron , Rottman Amit , Zarecki Chen
Published: July 2024

Vaccines decrease morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, their benefits depend on public response. During COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy and refusal were rampant, threatening public health. A thorough understanding of opponents’ arguments is required to address the diffusion of unreliable information on social media and prevent vaccine hesitancy from developing into vaccine refusal. The focus on the opponents’ viewpoints and their justifications makes the study unique. Accordingly, textual content analysis of reader comments on three health-related Israeli Facebook pages was conducted. Data collection encompassed the Israeli COVID-19 vaccination period from October 2020 to May 2022. The comments were analyzed according to the health beliefs model (HBM). We found that vaccine opponents were characterized by low perceptions of the severity of the disease combined with high perceptions of the damages of the vaccine; low perceived benefits of vaccine compliance; vaccine hesitancy and fear along with public distrust as barriers to change; and call for action to resist the vaccine and spread related anti-establishment views on the web. Hesitancy was found to develop into public distrust in the state systems and escalate into conspiracy beliefs and anti-vaccination activism. These results are important and instructive that early detection is necessary to prevent future vaccine resistance.
Exploring the Impact of Personal and Social Media-Based Factors on Judgments of Perceived Skepticism of COVID-19
Authors: Vu Nhung Cam , Manata Brian , High Andrew
Published: July 2024

Skepticism of COVID-19 has consequences for public health. We examined several variables that we reasoned were related to skepticism, including demographic factors, people’s perceptions and experiences related to COVID-19, and social media usage. The sample consisted of 294 participants recruited in April of 2020. Participants filled out a survey that included questions related to demographics, social media use, COVID-19 anxiety, COVID-19 interference, and COVID-19 skepticism. In the main, biological sex, ethnicity, and social media use were not significantly associated with skepticism regarding COVID-19. Alternatively, older participants and those who experienced greater anxiety related to the pandemic were less skeptical of COVID-19. Interestingly, people who experienced more interference in their lives because of COVID-19 were more skeptical of the pandemic. Finally, social media use moderated the influence of anxiety and interference on skepticism. The negative effect of anxiety on skepticism became weaker as people’s use of social media increased. The positive effect of interference related to COVID-19 on skepticism became stronger as people used more social media. Our findings underscore the importance of personal beliefs, attitudes, and experiences when explaining skepticism of the pandemic.
Variations and Commonalities of Farming Systems Based on Ecological Principles
Authors: Shrestha Anil , Horwitz David
Published: July 2024

In the last few decades, various types of farming systems based on ecological principles have been proposed and developed. There is often interest in knowing about the differences between these systems, but such information must be obtained from several sources describing each of these systems. Therefore, this paper is an effort to consolidate the information on these systems in a concise manner without making comparative ratings between them. We found three components contained in the overarching theme of these systems: the reduction in external inputs, environmental protection, and sustainability. However, several variations exist between them, each with its own focus and guiding principles. Also, these farming systems contain their own specific terms to identify themselves and contain their own set of philosophies based on their founder. In this review, we provided a short description of some of the major ecologically based farming systems such as “agroecology”, “regenerative agriculture”, “holistic management”, “carbon farming”, “organic farming”, “permaculture”, “biodynamic farming”, “conservation agriculture”, and “regenerative organic farming”. We summarized these farming systems as “variants of farming systems based on ecological principles” and outlined the similarities and differences between them. We also discussed how the themes of these systems relate to the United Nations’ thirteen principles of agroecology. Although these systems share several similarities, their philosophy is rooted in their founders and the communities that choose to adopt these philosophies. Last, we discussed some of the challenges in implementing these ecological agriculture systems.
The Use of DEA for ESG Activities and DEI Initiatives Considered as “Pillar of Sustainability” for Economic Growth Assessment in Western Balkans
Authors: Basdekidou Vasiliki , Papapanagos Harry
Published: July 2024

Data envelopment analysis (DEA), which is frequently used in efficiency analysis, has also been applied to the measurement of entrepreneurial efficiency for the attainment of desired values of macroeconomic indicators (such as the objectives of sustainable economic growth). For this application, DEA takes into account the economic, environmental, and social impact of entrepreneurship as the three dimensions of sustainability. This paper aimed to investigate the potential for a scalable (in diversity, equity, and inclusion dimensions) DEA application in sustainable entrepreneurship performance (SEP) assessment through three channels (assessing SEP without ESG activities; ESG→SEP; ESG (DEI)→SEP) and present an empirical study related to economic growth assessment and its environmental, social, and governance (ESG), and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) determinants across selected Western Balkans (WB) and European Union (EU) companies, based on the use of the proposed scalable DEA. It highlights how crucial a scalable nonparametric approach to macroeconomic efficiency analysis is and provides a more comprehensive perspective to the researchers on this issue. This study used a non-oriented DEA model with variable return-to-scale in a group of 60 WB and 60 EU companies, all of which adopted ICT/Blockchain (BC) technologies (the 11 ESG metrics). The annual corporate data was collected for seven years from 2017 until 2023. We projected the selected data to three country particularities (mass acceptance, adoption, and implementation of ICT/BC; mass labor force return from overseas; and ethnic, cultural, and religious particularities) and performed statistical analysis. Our findings estimate the influence of these three particularities on economic growth potential. In all countries’ cases, we found a statistically sound (significant, positive) correlation between ESG and SEP’s economic growth quality performance. Particularly, when corporate social and DEI initiatives mediate (channel III), SEP’s economic growth gains the best performance (+18%) in countries with ethnic, cultural, and religious particularities (BiH, NM), a +17% in countries enjoying massive labor force return from overseas (AL) and performs well in quality (particularly in the innovation and integrity) SEP performance success dimensions (all WB and EU countries). The proposed scalable DEA shows clearly, by performing an empirical analysis, which modern business (adopting ICT/BC) is the most effective in achieving sustainability projected to country particularities, helping corporate management to improve economic growth efficiency.
Building Community Capital—The Role of Local Area Coordinators in Disability Services: A Critical Review
Authors: Hickey Lyndal , Davidson Jennifer , Viney Catherine , Daniels Emily , Spaven Lea , Harms Louise
Published: July 2024

Local Area Coordination (LAC) roles have been implemented in disability services in many countries, supporting people living with disability to connect with formal and informal support in the community. Embedded in the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia, the aspiration is that this LAC role will connect people with disability to supports and enable the generation of greater community capacity and inclusion. Yet, with only a limited evidence base that demonstrates the impact of this approach, a clear measurement framework is needed to provide evidence of the realization of this aspiration. We propose that this impact could be demonstrated by applying a Community Capitals Framework (CCF) as the theoretical base for the LAC role and other community capacity initiatives, such as service navigation within disability reform of disability services. The CCF is premised on seven ‘capitals’—social, natural, cultural, human, political, financial and built that intersect and interact with each other to create positive spirals of change in communities. In this critical literature review, we apply the CCF to map and synthesize existing research on the LAC’s role in building community capital and examine the utility of the CCF as a map for LAC and service navigation practices to enhance community inclusion. For this review, we analyzed peer-reviewed journal papers and grey literature that focused on LAC community capacity building for people with disability in a disability service context published between 2000 and August 2023. Of the 17 publications that met the inclusion criteria, there was no published evidence that comprehensively examined or measured community capacity building consistent with the tenets of the CCF. However, our analysis showed that all capitals, with the exception of natural capital, had been considered, with some indication that investment in these capitals (particularly social capital) could be connected in the positive spiraling way suggested by the CCF. Given the paucity of existing evidence to inform the LAC aspiration for community capacity building, research informed by consumer priorities is needed to inform LAC and service navigation practices to address community needs. The CCF has the potential to develop our understanding of LAC and other community capacity-building initiatives through the measurement of LAC and service navigation services and consumer outcomes, as well as by informing investment to target growth capitals in communities.
Active Inference for Learning and Development in Embodied Neuromorphic Agents
Authors: Hamburg Sarah , Jimenez Rodriguez Alejandro , Htet Aung , Di Nuovo Alessandro
Published: July 2024

Taking inspiration from humans can help catalyse embodied AI solutions for important real-world applications. Current human-inspired tools include neuromorphic systems and the developmental approach to learning. However, this developmental neurorobotics approach is currently lacking important frameworks for human-like computation and learning. We propose that human-like computation is inherently embodied, with its interface to the world being neuromorphic, and its learning processes operating across different timescales. These constraints necessitate a unified framework: active inference, underpinned by the free energy principle (FEP). Herein, we describe theoretical and empirical support for leveraging this framework in embodied neuromorphic agents with autonomous mental development. We additionally outline current implementation approaches (including toolboxes) and challenges, and we provide suggestions for next steps to catalyse this important field.
Separation and Extraction of Compound-Fault Signal Based on Multi-Constraint Non-Negative Matrix Factorization
Authors: Wang Mengyang , Zhang Wenbao , Shao Mingzhen , Wang Guang
Published: July 2024

To solve the separation of multi-source signals and detect their features from a single channel, a signal separation method using multi-constraint non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) is proposed. In view of the existing NMF algorithm not performing well in the underdetermined blind source separation, the β-divergence constraints and determinant constraints are introduced in the NMF algorithm, which can enhance local feature information and reduce redundant components by constraining the objective function. In addition, the Sine-bell window function is selected as the processing method for short-time Fourier transform (STFT), and it can preserve the overall feature distribution of the original signal. The original vibration signal is first transformed into time–frequency domain with the STFT, which describes the local characteristic of the signal from the time–frequency distribution. Then, the multi-constraint NMF is applied to reduce the dimensionality of the data and separate feature components in the low dimensional space. Meanwhile, the parameter WK is constructed to filter the reconstructed signal that recombined with the feature component in the time domain. Ultimately, the separated signals will be subjected to envelope spectrum analysis to detect fault features. The simulated and experimental results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, which can realize the separation of multi-source signals and their fault diagnosis of bearings. In addition, it is also confirmed that the proposed method, juxtaposed with the NMF algorithm of the traditional objective function, is more applicable for compound fault diagnosis of the rotating machinery.
Multi-Criteria Evaluation of the Institutional and Tax Environment for Business in the EU Economies
Authors: Kalligosfyris Charalampos , Dermatis Zacharias , Kalamara Eleni , Anastasiou Athanasios
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the institutional and tax environment for businesses in 21 countries of the European Union (EU), using a multi-criteria analysis and, in particular, the PROMETHEE II method, based on thirteen evaluation criteria and the ranking of the European economies. Through the research, the importance of factors related to the efficiency of the tax administration, the tax capacity of the country, the growth rate of the economy, the quality of institutions, the level of corruption, the tax burden, the time of tax compliance and the political stability of the country is studied, in the formation of an attractive environment for the development of entrepreneurship in the EU economies. Moreover, the results of the analysis revealed the existence of significant fiscal and institutional differences between the EU economies under investigation, regarding the development of entrepreneurship. These differences are due to the size of the economy, the institutions, the history, the economic crises of each country and a wide range of dissimilar policy recommendations, which reflect asymmetric policy responses. The study concludes by offering theoretical and political recommendations to improve the institutional and fiscal environment in EU economies so that entrepreneurship can play an important role in improving the economic and social situation of a country.
The Impact of Gastronomic Tourism on the Regional Economy of Thailand: Examined by the Dynamic I-O Model after the Decline of COVID-19
Authors: Thongkaw Banjaponn , Kongbuamai Nattapan , Chinnakum Warattaya , Chaiboonsri Chukiat
Published: July 2024

It is reasonable to state that gastronomic tourism is an efficient tool that has the potential to refresh Thailand’s macroeconomic viability. With the aim of becoming a hub of tourism in Southeast Asia, Thailand’s tourism industry must urgently address and sustainably integrate gastronomic activities to navigate the troubled situation caused by its decline after the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led the authors to conduct a deep study on a regional input–output (I-O) table analysis for Thailand’s tourism system, specifically focusing on gastronomic activities and tourism industries. The tourism I-O data used in this study come from the official source provided by the Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sport. Empirically, the results of the dynamic regional I-O model predict that Bangkok and its surrounding areas are the heart of gastronomic tourism development, driving income into Thailand’s economy. The eastern region stands as the second-largest area of gastronomy tourism, generating a positive impact on Thailand’s economy. On the other hand, the Northeast of Thailand receives less income from gastronomy tourism despite being the largest area in the country. Ultimately, there should be a greater emphasis on gastronomy tourism policies in order to fully maximize their potential for tourism development, stimulating every part of Thailand during the economic depression caused by COVID-19. Moreover, gastronomy tourism has the potential to play an important role in driving economic growth through the combination of cuisine and tourism development.
VISCERAL SENSITIVITY INDEX (VSI-IT): Italian Adaptation and Validation
Authors: Rizzo Amelia , Mautone Aurora , Sitibondo Aldo , Nucera Gabriella , Tarchi Livio , Khabbache Hicham , Ait Ali Driss , Ouazizi Khalid , Szarpak Łukasz , Pruc Michal , Yıldırım Murat , Chirico Francesco
Published: July 2024

The Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI) represents a significant advancement in the assessment of gastrointestinal-specific anxiety among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)—such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. However, an Italian version of the instrument is not yet available for the Italian-speaking population. This study utilized a national sample of 500 individuals divided into four groups: (a) patients with Crohn’s disease, (b) patients with ulcerative colitis, (c) patients with IBS, and (d) healthy controls (individuals without any diagnoses) to test the validity and reliability of the Italian VSI. Using back-translation methodology to ensure translation fidelity, this research applied a questionnaire and the VSI through an online format to 500 participants. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) revealed that the Italian VSI had excellent psychometric properties, demonstrating high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.949) and construct validity. The scale proved sensitive in detecting significant differences in visceral sensitivity among groups, highlighting its utility as a clinical and research assessment tool. Specifically, the Italian VSI exhibited a unidimensional factorial structure and maintained a strong correlation with interoceptive awareness, type of disease, and gastrointestinal symptom severity, confirming its role in enhancing the understanding and management of IBD and IBS in Italy.