bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Anti-Stripping Green Additives on Binder Performance
Authors: Forton Andrei , Stirb Adelin , Marc Paul
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of anti-stripping green additives on the behaviour of a fresh binder. Firstly, the adhesiveness (spectrophotometric method) and affinity (rolling bottles method) of a binder with a penetration grade of 50/70 on two types of aggregates (natural quarry aggregates from two different sources) were investigated. The results show a weak bond and stripping between the 50/70 binder and the aggregates. Therefore, two different anti-stripping green additives (named A and B) were used in three percentages. A total of six blends were tested to establish the optimal content of the additive by performing a series of conventional tests combined with the adhesiveness test and the affinity test. Finally, the rheological behaviour of the optimal blends and of the fresh binder was investigated by performing DSR tests. The 0.4% dosage of green additive B was considered the most effective due to the fact that this dosage did not have a significant influence on the conventional properties and rheological behaviour of the 50/70 binder but had a major impact on the adhesiveness (15% increase), affinity after 6 h (13% increase), and affinity after 24 h (25% increase).
Design and Numerical Simulation of the Headworks in the Shizuishan Section of the Yellow River
Authors: Liu Mingyang , Lv Suiju , Qiao Qiao , Song Lulu
Published: March 2023

Irrigation water for agriculture in Ningxia during the summer is primarily sourced from the Yellow River self-flow irrigation region. However, the water conveyance system in this region is significantly influenced by hydrodynamic factors, morphological factors, human factors, and the infrastructure used for social purposes, all of which directly impact the irrigation water utilization coefficient. In order to improve the irrigation water utilization coefficient, reduce suspended sediment deposition in the water conveyance channels, and mitigate negative effects on the water supply system, this study implemented a sediment diversion system at the channel head. This is expected to increase water usage efficiency to a certain degree. Using actual data on hydrodynamic factors from the Shizuishan section of the Yellow River in Ningxia, a two-dimensional numerical simulation was performed, and a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model and sediment model of the Shizuishan section of the Yellow River in Ningxia were developed using MIKE 21. The water conveyance method at the channel head was simulated under two different operating conditions. Results indicated that compared to operating condition 1, operating condition 2 had a beneficial effect on diverting and reducing sediment at the fish mouth of the channel head: the sediment accumulation thickness of one day in operating condition 1 was 0.16 m, 0.003 m, 0.15 m, and 0.21 m under actual flow, scenario 1, scenario 2, and scenario 3, respectively; whereas in operating condition 2, the sediment accumulation thickness of one day was 0.11 m, 0.001 m, 0.09 m, and 0.12 m under the same conditions, respectively. Additionally, as the computation period lengthened, the sediment accumulation thickness of operating condition 2 was significantly smaller than that of operating condition 1. In conclusion, operating condition 2 is superior for the design of the channel head in the Yellow River self-flow irrigation region.
Exploration of Intelligent Building Planning for Urban Renewal
Authors: Han Keying , Bao Shitai , She Meixuan , Pan Qixin , Liu Yina , Chen Biao
Published: March 2023

The spatial layout of urban villages seriously affects the living environment and integrated development of urban and rural areas. Using digital means to assist in the reconstruction of urban villages is necessary and urgent. This study built an urban renewal framework for intelligent building planning with a proposed multi-party collaborative pattern. First, villagers’ needs, and relevant standards and regulations were merged into planning requirements, which were formulated into planning goals and criteria. With the quantitative goals and criteria, building planning and design algorithms were developed. Furthermore, the method was verified to achieve an intelligent layout of buildings. Finally, under certain conditions, the average difference between the plot ratio calculated by the program and the actual plot ratio was 0.02, and that between the building intensity calculated by the program and the actual building intensity was 0.02. Within 11.43 hectares, 500 buildings were generated with a total floor area of 27.72 hectares, and the average time taken for scheme generation was 10 s. This method can efficiently generate a plan similar to the actual floor area ratio and building density and optimize the problem of insufficient spacing. Moreover, adjusting the parameters can automatically generate a variety of schemes that can support the layout design of rural buildings.
Literature Review on Incorporating Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the Design of New Ports and Other Maritime Projects
Authors: Loza Pedro , Veloso-Gomes Fernando
Published: March 2023

Due to their nature and location, ports and other maritime projects are particularly sensitive to climate change actions. Thus, when designing these types of projects, it is important to follow a methodology that incorporates climate change adaptation measures throughout the design process. This paper aims to identify the most relevant work developed in this field, along with the main knowledge gaps, through a systematic literature review process. Through a careful selection and analysis of relevant articles associated with “climate change adaptation”, “ports” and “design”, it was possible to conclude that these focused on existing infrastructures and specific case studies, on individual design aspects, on policies and economic or legal frameworks, on the perceptions around climate change or on stakeholder management. The literature review process described in this paper is part of a larger project, dedicated to the development of a practical and robust framework focused on the implementation of climate change mitigation measures in the design of new ports and other maritime projects.
Status and Prospects of the Development of Deep-Sea Polymetallic Nodule-Collecting Technology
Authors: Cheng Yangrui , Dai Yu , Zhang Yanyang , Yang Caihua , Liu Chenglong
Published: March 2023

The deep-sea is rich in mineral resources, and deep-sea polymetallic nodules are considered to be the most likely resource for commercial exploitation. Since the discovery of polymetallic nodules by mankind, researchers around the world have made long and arduous explorations in the exploitation of deep-sea polymetallic nodules and have proposed various mining methods, such as the dragging bucket type, the continuous bucket rope type, the automatic shuttle boat type, and the pipeline -lifting type, and have carried out technical verification accordingly. In the collection of seabed polymetallic nodules, the development and testing of towed type, spiral-driven type, crawler self-propelled type, and suspended type technologies have been carried out, basically realizing the mining technology verification of seabed polymetallic nodules and providing technical support for commercial development. However, according to the demand for commercial development, there are still many technical difficulties in polymetallic nodule-collecting technology, and more focus needs to be placed on the efficiency, environmental protection, intelligence, safety, and reliability of the collecting system in the future. This paper compares the existing progress in collection technology and equipment, and provides ideas and references for the research and development of deep-sea polymetallic nodule-mining technology and equipment.
Smart Disease Detection System for Citrus Fruits Using Deep Learning with Edge Computing
Authors: Dhiman Poonam , Kaur Amandeep , Hamid Yasir , Alabdulkreem Eatedal , Elmannai Hela , Ababneh Nedal
Published: March 2023

In recent decades, deep-learning dependent fruit disease detection and classification techniques have evinced outstanding results in technologically advanced horticulture investigation. Due to the comparatively limited image processing capabilities of edge computing devices, implementing deep learning methods in actual field scenarios is currently difficult. The use of intelligent machines in contemporary horticulture is being hampered by these restrictions, which are emerging as a new barrier. In this research, we present an efficient model for citrus fruit disease prediction. The proposed model utilizes the fusion of deep learning models CNN and LSTM with edge computing. The proposed model employs an enhanced feature-extraction mechanism, with a down-sampling approach, and then a feature-fusion subsystem to ensure significant recognition on edge computing devices with retaining citrus fruit disease detection accuracy. This research utilizes the online Kaggle and plan village dataset which contains 2950 citrus fruit images with disease categories black spots, cankers, scabs, Melanosis, and greening. The proposed model and existing model are tested with two features with pruning and without pruning and compared based on various performance measuring parameters, i.e., precision, recall, f-measure, and support. In the first phase experimental analysis is performed using Magnitude Based Pruning and in the second phase Magnitude Based Pruning with Post Quantization. The proposed CNN-LSTM model achieves an accuracy rate of 97.18% with Magnitude-Based Pruning and 98.25% with Magnitude-Based Pruning with Post Quantization, which is better as compared to the existing CNN method.
Network Construction for Overall Protection and Utilization of Cultural Heritage Space in Dunhuang City, China
Authors: Feng Bin , Ma Yongchi
Published: March 2023

An important recent issue in research is the effective protection and rational utilization of cultural heritage. In particular, the regional protection and utilization network of heritage space is the overall requirement for promoting cultural protection and high-quality development of its industry. Using Dunhuang city, Gansu Province, China, as a case study, it is argued here that the cultural heritage space is a living unit that is composed of not only cultural heritage but also its overall environment. By identifying the key historical factors of Dunhuang’s regional cultural heritage space, this paper explores the conservation factors and utilization factors. The suitability of the conservation factors and utilization factors is assessed through a two-way index of conservation and utilization. In addition, using a field strength model that considered various factors, the suitability characteristics of conservation and utilization were summarized. It was found that the conservation and utilization space of Dunhuang’s cultural heritage had three network features: same level overlap, primary and secondary combination, and significant differentiation. At the same time, these formed an organization network of “patch collage and corridor concatenation” and the network of “mine field pattern and branch extension”. From this, the sustainable development of the Dunhuang cultural space network can be realized through the combinations of site protection and ecological protection and environmental utilization and ecological restoration.
An Analytical and Numerical Analysis for Hydraulic Fracture Propagation through Reservoir Interface in Coal-Measure Superimposed Reservoirs
Authors: Li Peibo , Wang Jianguo , Liang Wei , Sun Rui
Published: March 2023

Hydraulic fracturing technology can be used to jointly exploit unconventional natural gas such as coalbed methane and tight sandstone gas in coal-measure superimposed reservoirs for the enhancement of natural gas production. Hydraulic fracturing usually induces mixed fractures of I and II modes, but existing studies have not considered the influence of reservoir lithology on the stress intensity factor of I/II mixed fractures in coal-measure superimposed reservoirs. This paper develops an analytical stress model and a seepage-mechanical-damage numerical model for the vertical propagation of I/II mixed fractures in coal-measure superimposed reservoirs. The variation of stress intensity factor of I/II mixed fractures is analyzed when the fractures are close to the interface of different lithologic reservoirs and the effects of elastic modulus difference, stress state, fracturing fluid viscosity, shear and tensile failure modes on the vertical propagation of hydraulic fractures are investigated. Finally, the ratio of elastic modulus of adjacent reservoirs is proposed as an evaluation index for the fracture propagation through reservoir interface. These investigations revealed that hydraulic fracture propagation through the reservoir interface is a process of multi-physical interactions and is mainly controlled by the injection pressure and the elastic modulus ratio of adjacent reservoirs. A critical line is formed in the coordinates of elastic modulus ratio and injection pressure. A fracture can propagate through the reservoir interface when the combination of injection pressure and the elastic modulus ratio is in the breakthrough zone. These results can provide theoretical support for the site selection of horizontal wells in coal-measure gas exploitation.
Green Nature or Green Fantasies: Representations of Ecotourism in Vietnam
Authors: Dang Thi Kim Phung
Published: March 2023

Although ecotourism is believed to help reduce the negative effects of vacationing inflicted on the natural world, it is still an ambiguous concept. The contentious interpretations of the term thus affect not only ecotourism in practice but also ecotourism policy development. This research article provides a qualitative analysis of how ecotourism is framed in Vietnamese online advertisements and news media coverage. The article’s theoretical underpinnings were gleaned via a review of the relevant literature. This was followed by a thematic analysis of online advertisements for thirty national parks and seventeen ecotourism sites/resorts in Vietnam. The article also features a thorough analysis of -related content from the country’s five most popular online newspapers. The research findings uncovered three major patterns of ecotourism representation in Vietnam: purely ecological tourism in national parks, nature-based tourism that is combined with anthropogenic landscapes as a form of pseudo-ecotourism in tourism resorts, and emerging checking-in hotspots at spontaneous sites. These patterns differ not only in the extent to which they correspond to the core elements of ecotourism but also in their perspectives of nature and the human–nature relationship. The implications of the three patterns for future ecotourism development in Vietnam, particularly concerns regarding policymaking and mismanagement, are discussed in the paper’s conclusions.
Reliability and Criticality Analysis of a Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic System Using Fault Tree Analysis Approach
Authors: Sonawane Pramod R. , Bhandari Sheetal , Patil Rajkumar Bhimgonda , Al-Dahidi Sameer
Published: March 2023

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems typically convert solar irradiance into electricity, thereby helping to reduce the need for fossil fuels and the amount of greenhouse gases released. They provide a reliable and continuous renewable source of energy. However, PV systems are continuously exposed to diverse and changing environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, dust, and rain. Exposure to such conditions creates electrical and visible faults in the PV systems. These faults may reduce the PV system’s performance, reliability, and lifetime. In this regard, this paper aims to propose a framework/methodology for reliability modeling and assessment of large-scale grid-connected PV systems using a Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) approach. Specifically, an exhaustive literature survey is carried out to acquire the failure rates of different components/faults existing on the DC side of the PV system. Then, the Fussel-Vesely (F-V) importance measure is employed to identify critical faults and their criticality ranking. Results showed that solder bond failure, broken cell, broken interconnect (finger interruption), rack structure, grounding/lightning protection system, delamination, discoloration, and partial shading are the most critical faults which severely degrade the performance of the PV systems. The recommendations and scope for further study are provided to optimize operations and maintenance costs.
A Route Choice Model for the Investigation of Drivers’ Willingness to Choose a Flyover Motorway in Greece
Authors: Politis Ioannis , Georgiadis Georgios , Kopsacheilis Aristomenis , Nikolaidou Anastasia , Sfyri Chrysanthi , Basbas Socrates
Published: March 2023

The constant evolution of many urban areas ultimately reaches a point where the current infrastructure cannot further serve the needs of citizens. In the case of transport networks, congested roads, increased delay, and low level of service are among the indicators of a need for road infrastructure upgrade. Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece with a population of over 1 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area. Currently, a significant share of the city’s traffic demand is served via its ring road, whose capacity is set to be enhanced through the construction of a flyover highway with the simultaneous upgrade of the existing ring road. The current study aims at investigating the key factors determining the final route choice of drivers between the two road axes. To that end, data from a combined revealed and stated preference survey targeting car drivers were collected, which were later exploited as the basis for the development of binary route choice regression and machine learning models. The results reveal that drivers’ choice is affected by criteria such as total travel time, the probability of accident occurrence, and closure time due to accident. The results of this paper could prove beneficial to transport researchers in forecasting drivers’ behavior in terms of route choice and to practitioners during the planning phase of similar infrastructure projects.
Evaluation of the Potential of Sentinel-5P TROPOMI and AIS Marine Traffic Data for the Monitoring of Anthropogenic Activity and Maritime Transport NOx-Emissions in Canary Islands Waters
Authors: Rodriguez Valido Manuel , Perez Marrero Javier , Mauro González Argelio , Fabiani Bendicho Peña , Efrem Mora Carlos
Published: March 2023

This work studies air quality by analysing NOx emissions in the inland waters of the Canary Islands, with particular emphasis on determining how maritime transport activity contributes to the emission of NO2 in the environment of the two main islands, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. We explored the capabilities of tropospheric NO2 density derived from the TROPOMI sensor onboard ESA’s Sentinel 5P Satellite to be used as an air quality monitoring tool at the regional scale of the Canary Islands. The studied mesoscale emission scenarios allowed us to identify the main sources, associated with urban areas, heavy roads, power plants, ports, and to a lesser extent, shipping routes. Mean values for the metropolitan area of Santa Cruz de Tenerife were 1.38 × 1015 molec cm−2. Similarly, in port areas, mean values of 1.22 × 1015 molec cm−2 were found. These levels can confidently be associated with anthropogenic activities. These were clearly distinguishable from background (noise) values of 7.08 × 1014 molec cm−2 obtained in maritime areas away from the influence of the islands. To investigate the maritime contribution to the NO2 emissions, ship tracks were obtained from an Automated Identification System (AIS) receiving station that covered the channel between the Tenerife and Gran Canaria islands. Multitemporal, and hence accumulative, NO2 scenarios were compared with the ship traffic density within a given temporal window before satellite overpass. We found good spatial agreement between NO2 signal and frequent ship routes between the major islands at several time scales, particularly in weekly averaged scenarios. Enhancements up to 2.0 × 1015 molecules cm−2 relative to surrounding waters were identified in the middle of the main shipping routes between the main islands. Thus, multitemporal NO2 scenarios derived from TROPOMI can lead to an estimate of the ship traffic contribution to NOx emissions in complex environments, such as this one, influenced by land emissions.
Organic–Inorganic Nanocomposites of Aspergillus terreus Extract and Its Compounds with Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Uras Ibrahim Seyda , Karsli Baris , Konuklugil Belma , Ocsoy Ismail , Demirbas Ayse
Published: March 2023

Due to its distinct, atypical features and possible applications, three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical nanoflowers have sparked considerable interest. Copper (II) ions were employed as inorganic components in this study, whereas various extracts from Aspergillus terreus and their extracted main components were used as organic components. Extracts from A. terreus and its isolated principal component molecules can first form complexes with copper ions, and these complexes subsequently become nucleation sites for primary copper phosphate crystals, showing interactions using an easy and successful self-assembly template synthesis technique. Therefore, the process results in the formation of 3D nanoflowers among the A. terreus extract and its remoted important additives in addition to copper ions, ensuing in a completely unique round flower-like shape containing loads of nanopetals under the most excellent conditions along with pH, attention of organic–inorganic additives, temperature, and the quantity of copper nitrate on nanoflower formation. Furthermore, A. terreus and its isolated major components, Cu3(PO4)2 nanoflowers, seemed to have a remarkable antibacterial effect. Our findings highlight the benefits of nanoflowers made with A. terreus and its isolated secondary metabolites of inorganic structures, which could be used in industrial biocatalysts, biosensors, and environmental chemistry.
Metabolomics for Plant Health Biosecurity Diagnostics and Response
Authors: Ross Alastair B. , Muller Hadley , Subbaraj Arvind , Homewood Ines , Mas Flore , Hardwick Scott , Stringer Lloyd , Vereijssen Jessica , Visnovsky Sandra , Najar-Rodriguez Adriana , Armstrong Karen F.
Published: March 2023

The increasing diversity of potential biosecurity threats makes their diagnosis a complicated and evolving area, requiring moving beyond traditional taxonomic species identification. New biosecurity diagnostic tools should provide a greater depth of information on threat biology to enable accurate risk assessment for the more efficient and effective deployment of biosecurity resources. Metabolomics is amongst the new approaches being explored for biosecurity diagnostics, where a broad spectrum of metabolites might signify relevant biological characteristics of an intercepted organism. Examples of these characteristics are physiological signatures of age, reproductive status, geographic origin, pathogen status of potential invertebrate vectors, and the distinction between diseases and abiotic plant stress symptoms. This broad-based approach is attractive, where several biological characteristics of an organism can be assessed with a single measurement. However, it can be impractical as several hundred biological replicates of the organism are needed to build a robust model of a species. New approaches such as mass spectral fingerprinting substantially reduce the time taken for metabolomics measurements, and more sophisticated modelling methods aid feasibility. Promising data are emerging for metabolomics and metabolite fingerprinting for potential biosecurity applications. We discuss the possibilities and potential uses for these new tools for post-detection decisions, diagnosis, and biosecurity.
Analysis of Bargaining Power between the EU and Russia by Altering Gas Supply Network Structure
Authors: Lee Aram , Kim Jeonghwan
Published: March 2023

Global natural gas trade volume amounted to 1300 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2021 and it is expected to increase regarding the growing concern for low-carbon emission fuel. However, natural gas requires special infrastructure in the transportation stage such as natural gas pipelines or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants and tankers. We use a Network Game theory where natural gas supply networks are treated as edges and adopt the Link-based Flexible Network Allocation Rule (LBFN) as a solution concept that can replace the Shapley Value. Our study reveals that Russia’s efforts to build diversionary routes effectively decrease the relative bargaining power of its traditional transit countries and increase its relative bargaining power. If there had been no Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Nord Stream-2 would have come online as planned and Russia would have enjoyed high relative bargaining power as a dominant gas supplier. This is one of the underlying reasons why several European countries and the U.S. expressed strong opposition to the Nord Stream-2 project. However, if Russia cuts the gas supply to European countries as a result of recent events and the U.S. LNG penetrates into the European gas market, Russia will inevitably suffer from a huge decrease in its relative bargaining power.
Towards a Multidimensional Model for Evaluating the Sustainable Effect of FDI on the Development of Host Developing Countries: Evidence from Africa
Authors: Karangwa Aristide , Su Zhan
Published: March 2023

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the sustainable impact of FDI on the development of host African countries. Previous empirical studies seem to have overestimated the impact of FDI by limiting its effects to one aspect or sub-aspect of sustainable development. This study focuses on the sustainable/net effect of FDI on development in Africa. To achieve this, a multidimensional model that combines two opposing views (mainstream theory of economic development and dependent theory) was tested. Panel data of 35 African countries with the PMG/ARDL approach were used to probe the sustainable effect of FDI from 1990 to 2020. The key findings of this study reveal that the overall estimated sustainable effect of FDI on real GDP per capita is statistically minuscule for the entire sample. Thus, the effect of FDI on the development of host African countries is not inherently more important. The most striking result that emerged from the data is that environmental degradation is the dominant variable that adversely influences overall development in Africa. Another striking finding that emerged from the data is that income inequality, in general, has a significant negative impact on real GDP per capita in the long run. More importantly, the results of this study confirm that CO2, GINI, and GOV play important roles in the relationship between FDI and African development. Estimates of the error correction term for each specific country are negative and statistically significant. The fastest speed of adjustment was observed in Morocco, while the lowest was recorded in South Africa. Furthermore, this study presents different policy implications based on the long-term results.
Green Infrastructure and Slow Tourism: A Methodological Approach for Mining Heritage Accessibility in the Sulcis-Iglesiente Bioregion (Sardinia, Italy)
Authors: Ladu Mara , Battino Silvia , Balletto Ginevra , Amaro García Ainhoa
Published: March 2023

In European countries many measures are carried out to improve the disadvantaged conditions and socio-economic marginality of rural areas in comparison with central places. These conditions also affect the quality of travel for visitors and tourists. Therefore, in response to a ‘new’ tourist demand, motivated also by the restrictions following the spread of the COVID-19 virus in recent years, the institutions and the different local actors are working more incisively to improve rural areas. The rural tourism services offer, combined with the Green Infrastructure (GI) project, at different scales—from local to regional—interesting territorial development strategies to achieve the Agenda 2030 objectives. This contribution considers the Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese area, in the Sardinia Region (IT), as a case study. In this area, the landscape context is marked by past mining activity, and the project of a path of historical, cultural, and religious values has proven to be an activator of regenerative processes, in environmental, social, and economic terms. The present study proposes a methodological approach to develop an index (FI—feasibility index) to assess the feasibility of the Stop Places (SPs) project along a horse trail to integrate the current slow mobility of bicycles and pedestrians in the bioregion.
Analytical Solutions and a Clock for Orbital Progress Based on Symmetry of the Ellipse
Authors: Criss Robert , Hofmeister Anne
Published: March 2023

Kepler’s discoveries were permitted by his remarkable insight to place the Sun at the focus of an elliptical planetary orbit. This coordinate system reduces a 2-dimensional orbit to a single spatial dimension. We consider an alternative coordinate system centered on the “image focus,” which is the symmetrical (mirror) counterpart of the “real focus” occupied by the Sun. Our analytical approach provides new purely geometric formulae and an exact relationship for the dynamic property of orbital time. In addition, considering the mirror symmetry of the ellipse leads to a simple approximation: the radial hand of an orbital clock rotates counterclockwise at a nearly steady angular velocity 2π/T about the “image focus,” where T is the orbital period. This approximation is a useful pedagogic tool and has good accuracy for orbits with low to moderate eccentricities, since the deviation from the exact result goes as eccentricity squared. Planetary comparisons are made. In particular, the angular speeds of Mercury and Jupiter are highly variable in the geocentric and heliocentric reference frames, but are nearly constant in the image focus reference frame. Our findings resolve whether the image focus is the location for observing uniform motion of an elliptical orbit, and pertain to their stability.
Ptolemy’s Theorem in the Relativistic Model of Analytic Hyperbolic Geometry
Authors: Ungar Abraham A.
Published: March 2023

Ptolemy’s Theorem in Euclidean geometry, named after the Greek astronomer and mathematician Ptolemy, is well-known. By means of the relativistic model of hyperbolic geometry, we translate Ptolemy’s Theorem from Euclidean geometry into the hyperbolic geometry of Lobachevsky and Bolyai. The relativistic model of hyperbolic geometry is based on the Einstein addition of relativistically admissible velocities and, as such, it coincides with the well-known Beltrami–Klein ball model of hyperbolic geometry. The translation of Ptolemy’s Theorem from Euclidean geometry into hyperbolic geometry is achieved by means of hyperbolic trigonometry, called gyrotrigonometry, to which the relativistic model of analytic hyperbolic geometry gives rise.
Temperature Curve of Reflow Furnace Based on Newton’s Law of Cooling
Authors: Li Bo-yang , Lin Shi-you , Chen Li-sha , Zhao Ming-yuan
Published: March 2023

Soldering in a reflow oven is an important and efficient technical means to produce integrated circuit boards. The key to the quality of integrated circuit boards lies in the furnace temperature curve. In this paper, Newton’s law of cooling is used to establish the mechanism model of the temperature of each zone of the furnace and the curve of furnace temperature, which can reduce the number of experiments in actual production and obtain a better furnace temperature curve, thus improving production efficiency. Finally, several concrete examples are given to discuss and solve some common problems in the industry.
Two Theorists on Work Systems: Murray Bowen and Barry Oshry
Authors: Kott Katherine
Published: March 2023

This paper explores the development of two theories of human behavior as they relate to work systems. Both Murray Bowen and Barry Oshry formulated theories of how people operate in groups. Bowen developed his theory through observation of families and extended his thinking to apply more broadly. Oshry observed work systems in his lab and thought what he saw there could also be true in families and society at large. Practitioners have applied both theories in their work with groups. However, neither theory has received much attention in terms of the theoretical concepts they contain or the processes the theoreticians used to generate them. The purpose of this paper is to examine the methods these two theorists use to create their frameworks, compare and contrast the theories they posited as a result, and consider the possible future development for them.
Promoting the Application of Off-Site Construction in China’s Residential Building Industry from the Angle of Ecosystem
Authors: Xie Fangyun , Fu Xinyue , Huang Ruopeng
Published: March 2023

Off-site construction (OSC) is an innovative construction method. However, OSC is not widely applied in residential buildings due to many barriers. Therefore, this paper aims to unravel this puzzle and interpret the slow development of OSC. The paper develops a new analytical lens based on the ecosystem concept. By deconstructing some ecosystem concepts, the paper conceptualizes China’s residential building industry ecosystem (RBI-ECO) and proposes three hypotheses. The results show that the current structure of RBI-ECO does not support OSC development. Firstly, the performance of different types of enterprises is imbalanced. Secondly, there is a lack of cooperation between enterprises except for daily communication of projects. Moral risks, competition, and a fragmented supply chain are the primary causes. These barriers in RBI-ECO limit the implementation of OSC. In order to promote the application of OSC, the government can implement mandatory policies and concrete measures, establish a designer-led mechanism, motivate enterprises to transform into comprehensive enterprises, and enhance learning and education for OSC enterprise managers.
Two-Dimensional Post-Traumatic Measurements of Orbital Floor Blowout Fractures Underestimate Defect Sizes Compared to Three-Dimensional Approaches
Authors: Taxis Juergen , Ungerboeck Lena , Gehrking Mika R. , Motel Constantin , Wurm Matthias , Eckert Alexander W. , Spanier Gerrit , Nieberle Felix , Platz Batista da Silva Natascha , Ludwig Nils , Meier Johannes K. , Ettl Tobias , Reichert Torsten E. , Spoerl Steffen
Published: March 2023

Orbital floor fractures represent a common fracture type of the midface and are standardly diagnosed clinically as well as radiologically using linear measurement methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic measurements of isolated orbital floor fractures based on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) measurement techniques. A cohort of 177 patients was retrospectively and multi-centrically evaluated after surgical treatment of an orbital floor fracture between 2010 and 2020. In addition to 2D and 3D measurements of the fracture area, further fracture-related parameters were investigated. Calculated fracture areas using the 2D measurement technique revealed an average area of 287.59 mm2, whereas the 3D measurement showed fracture areas with a significantly larger average value of 374.16 mm2 (p < 0.001). On average, the 3D measurements were 1.53-fold larger compared to the 2D measurements. This was observed in 145 patients, whereas only 32 patients showed smaller values in the 3D-based approach. However, the process duration of the 3D measurement took approximately twice as long as the 2D-based procedure. Nonetheless, 3D-based measurement of orbital floor defects provides a more accurate estimation of the fracture area than the 2D-based procedure and can be helpful in determining the indication and planning the surgical procedure.
Biological and Immunological Characterization of a Functional L-HN Derivative of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype F
Authors: Li Zhiying , Li Bolin , Lu Jiansheng , Liu Xuyang , Tan Xiao , Wang Rong , Du Peng , Yu Shuo , Xu Qing , Pang Xiaobin , Yu Yunzhou , Yang Zhixin
Published: March 2023

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) can cause nerve paralysis syndrome in mammals and other vertebrates. BoNTs are the most toxic biotoxins known and are classified as Class A biological warfare agents. BoNTs are mainly divided into seven serotypes A-G and new neurotoxins BoNT/H and BoNT/X, which have similar functions. BoNT proteins are 150 kDa polypeptide consisting of two chains and three domains: the light chain (L, catalytic domain, 50 kDa) and the heavy chain (H, 100 kDa), which can be divided into an N-terminal membrane translocation domain (HN, 50 kDa) and a C-terminal receptor binding domain (Hc, 50 kDa). In current study, we explored the immunoprotective efficacy of each functional molecule of BoNT/F and the biological characteristics of the light chain-heavy N-terminal domain (FL-HN). The two structure forms of FL-HN (i.e., FL-HN-SC: single chain FL-HN and FL-HN-DC: di-chain FL-HN) were developed and identified. FL-HN-SC could cleave the vesicle associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) substrate protein in vitro as FL-HN-DC or FL. While only FL-HN-DC had neurotoxicity and could enter neuro-2a cells to cleave VAMP2. Our results showed that the FL-HN-SC had a better immune protection effect than the Hc of BoNT/F (FHc), which indicated that L-HN-SC, as an antigen, provided the strongest protective effects against BoNT/F among all the tested functional molecules. Further in-depth research on the different molecular forms of FL-HN suggested that there were some important antibody epitopes at the L-HN junction of BoNT/F. Thus, FL-HN-SC could be used as a subunit vaccine to replace the FHc subunit vaccine and/or toxoid vaccine, and to develop antibody immune molecules targeting L and HN domains rather than the FHc domain. FL-HN-DC could be used as a new functional molecule to evaluate and explore the structure and activity of toxin molecules. Further exploration of the biological activity and molecular mechanism of the functional FL-HN or BoNT/F is warranted.
ECG Marker Evaluation for the Machine-Learning-Based Classification of Acute and Chronic Phases of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in a Murine Model
Authors: Haro Paulina , Hevia-Montiel Nidiyare , Perez-Gonzalez Jorge
Published: March 2023

Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). The disease has two clinical phases: acute and chronic. In the acute phase, the parasite circulates in the blood. The infection can be asymptomatic or can cause unspecific clinical symptoms. During the chronic phase, the infection can cause electrical conduction abnormalities and progress to cardiac failure. The use of an electrocardiogram (ECG) has been a methodology for diagnosing and monitoring CD, but it is necessary to study the ECG signals to better understand the behavior of the disease. The aim of this study is to analyze different ECG markers using machine-learning-based algorithms for the classification of the acute and chronic phases of T. cruzi infection in a murine experimental model. The presented methodology includes a statistical analysis of control vs. infected models in both phases, followed by an automatic selection of ECG descriptors and the implementation of several machine learning algorithms for the automatic classification of control vs. infected mice in acute and/or chronic phases (binomial classification), as well as a multiclass classification strategy (control vs. the acute group vs. the chronic group). Feature selection analysis showed that P wave duration, R and P wave voltages, and the QRS complex are some of the most important descriptors. The classifiers showed good results in detecting the acute phase of infection (with an accuracy of 87.5%), as well as in multiclass classification (control vs. the acute group vs. the chronic group), with an accuracy of 91.3%. These results suggest that it is possible to detect infection at different phases, which can help in experimental and clinical studies of CD.
Approximate Analytical Solutions of the Schrödinger Equation with Hulthén Potential in the Global Monopole Spacetime
Authors: Alves Saulo S. , Cunha Márcio M. , Hassanabadi Hassan , Silva Edilberto O.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we studied the nonrelativistic quantum mechanics of an electron in a spacetime containing a topological defect. We also considered that the electron is influenced by the Hulthén potential. In particular, we dealt with the Schrödinger equation in the presence of a global monopole. We obtained approximate solutions for the problem, determined the scattering phase shift and the S-matrix, and analyzed bound states.
Post-COVID Syndrome in Adults—An Overview
Authors: Scharf Rüdiger E. , Anaya Juan-Manuel
Published: March 2023

This article provides an overview of various aspects related to post-COVID syndrome. Apart from its prevalence, symptoms and sequelae, risk determinants, and psychosocial implications, the pathogenesis of post-COVID condition is discussed in more detail. A focus on thrombo-inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infection, the role of neutrophil extracellular traps, and the prevalence of venous thromboembolism is made. Moreover, COVID-19 and post-COVID syndrome in immunocompromising conditions, and the impact of vaccination on the prevention and treatment of post-COVID symptoms are reviewed. Autoimmunity is a hallmark of post-COVID syndrome, and, therefore, is another focus of this article. Thus, misdirected cellular and humoral immune responses can enhance the risk of latent autoimmunity in post-COVID syndrome. Facing the high prevalence of COVID-19 cases worldwide, it can be assumed that autoimmune disorders will increase globally over the next few years. Recent advances in identifying genetically determined variants may open the avenue for a better understanding of the susceptibility to and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection and post-COVID syndrome.
Rescue Therapy after Failure of HCV Antiviral Treatment with Interferon-Free Regimens
Authors: Tronina Olga , Brzdęk Michał , Zarębska-Michaluk Dorota , Dybowska Dorota , Lorenc Beata , Janczewska Ewa , Mazur Włodzimierz , Parfieniuk-Kowerda Anna , Piekarska Anna , Krygier Rafał , Klapaczyński Jakub , Berak Hanna , Jaroszewicz Jerzy , Garlicki Aleksander , Tomasiewicz Krzysztof , Citko Jolanta , Flisiak Robert
Published: March 2023

Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) regimens have provided hope for eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Patients following ineffective therapy with DAA, especially those previously treated with inhibitors of non-structural protein 5A (NS5A), remain a challenge. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of DAA pangenotypic options in patients after failure of NS5A containing genotype-specific regimens. The analysis included 120 patients selected from the EpiTer-2 database with data on 15675 HCV-infected individuals treated with IFN-free therapies from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2022 at 22 Polish hepatology centres. The majority of them were infected with genotype (GT) 1b (85.8%) and one-third was diagnosed with fibrosis F4. Among the rescue pangenotypic regimens, the most commonly used was the sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) ± ribavirin (RBV) combination. The sustained virologic response, which was a measure of treatment effectiveness, was achieved by 102 patients, resulting in cure rate of 90.3% in the per protocol analysis. All 11 non-responders were infected with GT1b, 7 were diagnosed with cirrhosis, and 9 were treated with SOF/VEL±RBV. We demonstrated the high effectiveness of the pangenotypic rescue options in patients after genotype specific NS5A-containing regimens failures, identifying cirrhosis as a negative prognostic factor of treatment effectiveness.
Adjustment of Immunosuppressants to Facilitate Anti-COVID-19 Antibody Production after mRNA Vaccination in Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Lee Wei-Chen , Hung Hao-Chien , Lee Jin-Chiao , Huang Chung-Guei , Huang Po-Wei , Gu Po-Wen , Wang Yu-Chao , Cheng Chih-Hsien , Wu Tsung-Han , Lee Chen-Fang , Wu Ting-Jung , Chou Hong-Shiue , Chan Kun-Ming
Published: March 2023

Liver transplant recipients are immunocompromised and have low immunogenicity to produce antibodies in anti-COVID-19 vaccination. Whether immunosuppressant adjustment could facilitate anti-COVID-19 antibody production in anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination is undetermined. Our patients were informed to temporarily suspend mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or everolimus (EVR) for 2 weeks during both the 1st and 2nd doses of Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine. A total of 183 recipients receiving two doses of Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine were enrolled and grouped into tacrolimus monotherapy (MT, n = 41), and dual therapy with non-adjustment (NA, n = 23), single suspension (SS, n = 19) and double suspension (DS, n = 100) of MMF/EVR in two-dose mRNA vaccination. A total of 155 (84.7%) patients had a humoral response to vaccines in this study. The humoral response rates were 60.9%, 89.5%, 91.0% and 80.5% in NA, SS, DS, and MT group patients, respectively (p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that favorable factors for humoral response were temporary suspension of MMF/EVR and monotherapy, and unfavorable factors were deceased donor liver transplantation, WBC count < 4000/uL, lymphocyte < 20% and tacrolimus trough level ≥ 6.8 ng/mL. In conclusion, temporary two-week suspension of anti-proliferation immunosuppressants could create a window to facilitate antibody production during anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. This concept may be applied to other vaccinations in liver transplant recipients.
Rooting and Dating Large SARS-CoV-2 Trees by Modeling Evolutionary Rate as a Function of Time
Authors: Xia Xuhua
Published: March 2023

Almost all published rooting and dating studies on SARS-CoV-2 assumed that (1) evolutionary rate does not change over time although different lineages can have different evolutionary rates (uncorrelated relaxed clock), and (2) a zoonotic transmission occurred in Wuhan and the culprit was immediately captured, so that only the SARS-CoV-2 genomes obtained in 2019 and the first few months of 2020 (resulting from the first wave of the global expansion from Wuhan) are sufficient for dating the common ancestor. Empirical data contradict the first assumption. The second assumption is not warranted because mounting evidence suggests the presence of early SARS-CoV-2 lineages cocirculating with the Wuhan strains. Large trees with SARS-CoV-2 genomes beyond the first few months are needed to increase the likelihood of finding SARS-CoV-2 lineages that might have originated at the same time as (or even before) those early Wuhan strains. I extended a previously published rapid rooting method to model evolutionary rate as a linear function instead of a constant. This substantially improves the dating of the common ancestor of sampled SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Based on two large trees with 83,688 and 970,777 high-quality and full-length SARS-CoV-2 genomes that contain complete sample collection dates, the common ancestor was dated to 12 June 2019 and 7 July 2019 with the two trees, respectively. The two data sets would give dramatically different or even absurd estimates if the rate was treated as a constant. The large trees were also crucial for overcoming the high rate-heterogeneity among different viral lineages. The improved method was implemented in the software TRAD.