bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Normal Aging and Multisensory Data Fusion on Cybersickness and Postural Adaptation in Immersive Virtual Reality
Authors: Séba Marie-Philippine , Maillot Pauline , Hanneton Sylvain , Dietrich Gilles
Published: November 2023

Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) systems are expanding as sensorimotor readaptation tools for older adults. However, this purpose may be challenged by cybersickness occurrences possibly caused by sensory conflicts. This study aims to analyze the effects of aging and multisensory data fusion processes in the brain on cybersickness and the adaptation of postural responses when exposed to immersive VR. Methods: We repeatedly exposed 75 participants, aged 21 to 86, to immersive VR while recording the trajectory of their Center of Pressure (CoP). Participants rated their cybersickness after the first and fifth exposure. Results: The repeated exposures increased cybersickness and allowed for a decrease in postural responses from the second repetition, i.e., increased stability. We did not find any significant correlation between biological age and cybersickness scores. On the contrary, even if some postural responses are age-dependent, a significant postural adaptation occurred independently of age. The CoP trajectory length in the anteroposterior axis and mean velocity were the postural parameters the most affected by age and repetition. Conclusions: This study suggests that cybersickness and postural adaptation to immersive VR are not age-dependent and that cybersickness is unrelated to a deficit in postural adaptation or age. Age does not seem to influence the properties of multisensory data fusion.
Measuring Labor Input: Construction Activity Counting Using IMU on Hand Tools
Authors: Yang Xincong , Yu Yantao , Li Heng , Skitmore Martin , Kim Min-Koo , Guo Runhao
Published: November 2023

Efficient measurement of labor input is a critical aspect of on-site control and management in construction projects, as labor input serves as the primary and direct determinant of project outcomes. However, conventional manual inspection methods are off-line, tedious, and fail to capture their effectiveness. To address this issue, this research presents a novel method that leverages Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors attached to hand tools during construction activities to measure labor input in a timely and precise manner. This approach encompasses three steps: temporal–spatial feature extraction, self-similarity matrix calculation, and local specific structure identification. The underlying principle is based on the hypothesis that repetitive use data from hand tools can be systematically collected, analyzed, and converted into quantitative measures of labor input by the automatic recognition of repetition patterns. To validate this concept and assess its feasibility for general construction activities, we developed a preliminary prototype and conducted a pilot study focusing on rotation counting for a screw-connection task. A comparative analysis between the ground truth and the predicted results obtained from the experiments demonstrates the effectiveness and efficiency of measuring labor input using IMU sensors on hand tools, with a relative error of less than 5%. To minimize the measurement error, further work is currently underway for accurate activity segmentation and fast feature extraction, enabling deeper insights into on-site construction behaviors.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Time-Domain-Reflectometry-Based Sensors for Foreign Object Detection in Wireless Power Transfer Systems
Authors: Helwig Martin , Xu Yun , Hentschel Uwe , Winkler Anja , Modler Niels
Published: November 2023

Foreign object detection (FOD) is considered a key method for detecting objects in the air gap of a wireless charging system that could pose a risk due to strong inductive heating. This paper describes a novel method for the detection of metallic objects utilizing the principle of electric time domain reflectometry. Through an analytical, numerical and experimental investigation, two key parameters for the design of transmission lines are identified and investigated with respect to the specific constraints of inductive power transfer. For this purpose, a transient electromagnetic simulation model is established to obtain and compare the sensor impedance and reflection coefficients with experimental data. The measurement setup is based on parametrically designed sensors in laboratory scale, using an EUR 2 coin as an exemplary test object. Consequently, the proposed simulation model has been successfully validated in this study, providing a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of the major transmission line design parameters for such applications.
SMIFormer: Learning Spatial Feature Representation for 3D Object Detection from 4D Imaging Radar via Multi-View Interactive Transformers
Authors: Shi Weigang , Zhu Ziming , Zhang Kezhi , Chen Huanlei , Yu Zhuoping , Zhu Yu
Published: November 2023

4D millimeter wave (mmWave) imaging radar is a new type of vehicle sensor technology that is critical to autonomous driving systems due to its lower cost and robustness in complex weather. However, the sparseness and noise of point clouds are still the main problems restricting the practical application of 4D imaging radar. In this paper, we introduce SMIFormer, a multi-view feature fusion network framework based on 4D radar single-modal input. SMIFormer decouples the 3D point cloud scene into 3 independent but interrelated perspectives, including bird’s-eye view (BEV), front view (FV), and side view (SV), thereby better modeling the entire 3D scene and overcoming the shortcomings of insufficient feature representation capabilities under single-view built from extremely sparse point clouds. For multi-view features, we proposed multi-view feature interaction (MVI) to exploit the inner relationship between different views by integrating features from intra-view interaction and cross-view interaction. We evaluated the proposed SMIFormer on the View-of-Delft (VoD) dataset. The mAP of our method reached 48.77 and 71.13 in the fully annotated area and the driving corridor area, respectively. This shows that 4D radar has great development potential in the field of 3D object detection.
Human Movement Recognition Based on 3D Point Cloud Spatiotemporal Information from Millimeter-Wave Radar
Authors: Dang Xiaochao , Jin Peng , Hao Zhanjun , Ke Wenze , Deng Han , Wang Li
Published: November 2023

Human movement recognition is the use of perceptual technology to collect some of the limb or body movements presented. This practice involves the use of wireless signals, processing, and classification to identify some of the regular movements of the human body. It has a wide range of application prospects, including in intelligent pensions, remote health monitoring, and child supervision. Among the traditional human movement recognition methods, the widely used ones are video image-based recognition technology and Wi-Fi-based recognition technology. However, in some dim and imperfect weather environments, it is not easy to maintain a high performance and recognition rate for human movement recognition using video images. There is the problem of a low recognition degree for Wi-Fi recognition of human movement in the case of a complex environment. Most of the previous research on human movement recognition is based on LiDAR perception technology. LiDAR scanning using a three-dimensional static point cloud can only present the point cloud characteristics of static objects; it struggles to reflect all the characteristics of moving objects. In addition, due to its consideration of privacy and security issues, the dynamic millimeter-wave radar point cloud used in the previous study on the existing problems of human body movement recognition performance is better, with the recognition of human movement characteristics in non-line-of-sight situations as well as better protection of people’s privacy. In this paper, we propose a human motion feature recognition system (PNHM) based on spatiotemporal information of the 3D point cloud of millimeter-wave radar, design a neural network based on the network PointNet++ in order to effectively recognize human motion features, and study four human motions based on the threshold method. The data set of the four movements of the human body at two angles in two experimental environments was constructed. This paper compares four standard mainstream 3D point cloud human action recognition models for the system. The experimental results show that the recognition accuracy of the human body’s when walking upright can reach 94%, the recognition accuracy when moving from squatting to standing can reach 84%, that when moving from standing to sitting can reach 87%, and the recognition accuracy of falling can reach 93%.
An Autoscaling System Based on Predicting the Demand for Resources and Responding to Failure in Forecasting
Authors: Park Jieun , Jeong Junho
Published: November 2023

In recent years, the convergence of edge computing and sensor technologies has become a pivotal frontier revolutionizing real-time data processing. In particular, the practice of data acquisition—which encompasses the collection of sensory information in the form of images and videos, followed by their transmission to a remote cloud infrastructure for subsequent analysis—has witnessed a notable surge in adoption. However, to ensure seamless real-time processing irrespective of the data volume being conveyed or the frequency of incoming requests, it is vital to proactively locate resources within the cloud infrastructure specifically tailored to data-processing tasks. Many studies have focused on the proactive prediction of resource demands through the use of deep learning algorithms, generating considerable interest in real-time data processing. Nonetheless, an inherent risk arises when relying solely on predictive resource allocation, as it can heighten the susceptibility to system failure. In this study, a framework that includes algorithms that periodically monitor resource requirements and dynamically adjust resource provisioning to match the actual demand is proposed. Under experimental conditions with the Bitbrains dataset, setting the network throughput to 300 kB/s and with a threshold of 80%, the proposed system provides a 99% performance improvement in terms of the autoscaling algorithm and requires only 0.43 ms of additional computational overhead compared to relying on a simple prediction model alone.
The Use of Wearable Devices to Measure Sedentary Behavior during COVID-19: Systematic Review and Future Recommendations
Authors: Weizman Yehuda , Tan Adin Ming , Fuss Franz Konstantin
Published: November 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic resulted in approximately 7 million deaths and impacted 767 million individuals globally, primarily through infections. Acknowledging the impactful influence of sedentary behaviors, particularly exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions, a substantial body of research has emerged, utilizing wearable sensor technologies to assess these behaviors. This comprehensive review aims to establish a framework encompassing recent studies concerning wearable sensor applications to measure sedentary behavior parameters during the COVID-19 pandemic, spanning December 2019 to December 2022. After examining 582 articles, 7 were selected for inclusion. While most studies displayed effective reporting standards and adept use of wearable device data for their specific research aims, our inquiry revealed deficiencies in apparatus accuracy documentation and study methodology harmonization. Despite methodological variations, diverse metrics, and the absence of thorough device accuracy assessments, integrating wearables within the pandemic context offers a promising avenue for objective measurements and strategies against sedentary behaviors.
Blockchain-Based Renewable Energy Certificate Trade for Low-Carbon Community of Active Energy Agents
Authors: Fu Shengcheng , Tan Yaxin , Xu Zhiyu
Published: November 2023

The future distribution grid is a peer-to-peer (P2P) community formed by a large number of active energy agents (AEAs), and renewable energy certificate (REC) trading is an efficient way to realize a low-carbon AEA community. AEAs can trade not only electricity but also RECs among themselves to economically and efficiently meet the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) requirements. Aiming to lower the market barrier and increase the trading benefits for market participants, this paper proposes a blockchain-based renewable energy certificate (BCREC) that supports divisible and multiple transactions. The trade process includes four stages: setup, pre-transaction, transaction, and post-transaction. A scheme based on blockchain oracles and smart contracts is implemented to achieve decentralized BCREC issuance and transaction and to support a more flexible trading market. By exploring two typical market scenarios, we verify the advantages of BCREC trading and evaluate its impacts on AEA profits and market efficiency.
Physical Environment, Socio-Psychological Health, and Residential Satisfaction: A Link across Housing Types in the Unique Chinese Context
Authors: Chen Faan , Tian Fang , Nielsen Chris P. , Wu Jiaorong , Chen Xiaohong
Published: November 2023

Housing plays a critical role in health and has real consequences on people’s wellbeing. Numerous studies have provided extensive insights into the housing–health–wellbeing association. However, in the Chinese context, the unique housing allocation system with institutional force may present a distinct picture from that based on international knowledge. Using sample data from housing surveys, this study employs statistical analysis and the Tobit model to explore the links between the physical environment, socio-psychological dispositions, and residential satisfaction at the neighborhood level across different housing types in the unique Chinese context. The analyses reveal that (1) residents’ socio-psychological dispositions and residential satisfaction vary remarkably across different housing types, with residents in replacement housing experiencing particularly low levels of residential satisfaction, presenting a regionalization trend; (2) housing types appear to have a significant effect on socio-psychological dispositions; and (3) physical environment characteristics in conjunction with socio-psychological dispositions significantly affect residential satisfaction. These findings suggest that social housing development should integrate socio-psychological initiatives with physical environment improvement, particularly for disadvantaged groups in public and replacement housing, to achieve more livable communities with better residential satisfaction and higher social resiliency and sustainability.
A Life Cycle Assessment of Dehydrated Apple Snacks
Authors: Gonçalves Inês , Neto Belmira
Published: November 2023

This study identifies and assesses the main contributors to the environmental impact of dehydrated apple snacks produced through the hot air drying method, which is the most common method for dehydrating food. The study aims to fill the gap of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies regarding dehydrated apple snacks produced using the hot air drying method. A “cradle to gate” approach of an LCA is performed, including the apple production, storage and calibration, peeling and cutting, dehydration, and packaging stages. The inventory used is mainly primary data collected from a fresh and dehydrated apple snacks producer. The results show that the snack producer’s stages have a larger contribution to the majority of categories when compared to the fresh apple producer’s stages. The electricity consumption within the snack production and the use of liquefied petroleum gas in dehydration are shown to be the largest contributors to the majority of the impacts. However, apple production is also shown to have a relevant contribution to the impact categories due to the use of pesticides, fertilizers, diesel, and electricity.
Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability by Farming Households in North-Central Nigeria
Authors: Hassan Buhari Arin , Knight Jasper
Published: November 2023

Climate change and variability present major environmental and socioeconomic challenges to populations in sub-Saharan Africa that depend upon favourable climatic conditions for agricultural production and for their sustenance and livelihoods. This study assessed the adaptation strategies used by farming households in north-central Nigeria to reduce the impacts of persistent ongoing climate variability, mainly changes in rainfall and temperatures, as a result of climate change. Data were collected through household questionnaires from 120 farming households in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, north-central Nigeria. The results indicated that the number of years of farming experience was positively correlated with farmers’ knowledge and awareness of climate change (p = 0.000). Furthermore, education status significantly influenced farmers’ adaptation strategies to both deal with climate variability and to ensure household income (p < 0.05). The results from farmers indicated that a range of on-farm and off-farm adaptation strategies have been adopted. On-farm strategies include changing the crop planting time; crop diversification; irrigation farming; the use of fertilizers, manure, and agrichemicals to boost crop yield; and planting disease-resistant and drought-tolerant crop varieties. Off-farm strategies include small-scale trading and artisanal ventures that can augment the household income. Together, these diverse activities can enhance households’ resilience to the negative effects of climate variability. It is recommended that policymakers improve institutional support and training for farmers to enable viable livelihood diversification strategies, enhancing their climate change adaptation and resilience.
First Report of Microplastic Ingestion in Edible Fish along Moroccan Mediterranean Coasts
Authors: Bouzekry Assia , Mghili Bilal , Bouadil Oumayma , Mancuso Monique , Ben-Haddad Mohamed , Bottari Teresa , Aksissou Mustapha
Published: November 2023

Monitoring the ingestion of microplastics (MPs) by marine organisms in the environment is essential for understanding the threats posed by these pollutants. In this study, we assessed, for the first time, the presence of MPs in the digestive tracts of two fish species, Chelon auratus and Sardina pilchardus, as well as a bivalve species, Callista chione, in the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, we calculated the polymeric hazard index (PHI) to verify the hazard level of isolated polymers. The results showed that all species ingested MPs, indicating a high level of MP pollution in this area. The MPs ingested were predominantly small (0.5–1 mm) and had a fiber-like shape. The results showed that PP and PET were the most abundant polymers ingested. The highest occurrence of MPs (100%) was found in C. chione and C. auratus, followed by S. pilchardus (72%). In C. chione, the average number of ingested MPs was 19.19 items per individual, while in C. auratus, the mean abundance of ingested MPs was 16.82 items per individual, and 9.64 items per individual in S. pilchardus. Moreover, the polymer hazard index showed that PET was in hazard level IV, while PP was in level III. Further studies are required in the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea to obtain a better evaluation of the occurrence, distribution, and impacts associated with MP pollution.
The Mechanical Properties and Failure Mechanisms of Steel-Fiber- and Nano-Silica-Modified Crumb Rubber Concrete Subjected to Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Wang Yihong , Chen Jiawei
Published: November 2023

Steel-fiber- and nano-silica-modified crumb rubber concrete (SFNS-CRC), a new kind of environmentally friendly concrete, is characterized by its high performance. It achieves the recycling and reuse of waste rubber and promotes sustainable development in the rubber industry. This study used 12 groups of 288 specimens to study its mechanical properties and failure mechanisms when subjected to elevated temperatures. In the experiments, a heating and loading apparatus invented in our laboratory was used. The chosen crumb rubber concrete contained 5% rubber by volume. Through specimen analysis, the failure modes, mass loss, and compressive and splitting strengths of the specimens, as well as their failure mechanisms, were tested and are discussed while taking into account three variables, namely steel fiber volume ratio (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%), nano-silica content (0%, 1%, and 2%), and temperature (20 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C). The test results indicate that the typical damage shapes of CRC subjected to elevated temperatures can be significantly ameliorated through the addition of steel fibers and nano-silica. This can lead to evident improvements in brittle failure and render CRC ductile. Essentially, it improves the integrity of SFNS-CRC specimens. The compressive and splitting tensile strengths of concrete mixtures subjected to elevated temperatures increase with an increase in the steel fiber content. There is an obvious improvement in the compressive strength when subjected to elevated temperatures and after adding nano-silica. The CRC with a content of 1.0% steel fiber is optimal, and the optimal content of nano-silica is 1.0%. In addition, SFNS-CRC performs better in terms of mechanical properties when subjected to elevated temperatures. The splitting tensile strength of SFNS-CRC is improved using steel fibers, and nano-silica plays a crucial role in improving compressive performance. SEM and XRD analyses helped verify the test results.
Truck-Drone Pickup and Delivery Problem with Drone Weight-Related Cost
Authors: Xia Yang , Wu Tingying , Xia Beixin , Zhang Junkang
Published: November 2023

Truck-drone delivery is widely used in logistics distribution for achieving sustainable development, in which drone weight greatly affects transportation cost. Thus, we consider a new combined truck-drone pickup and delivery problem with drone weight-related cost in the context of last-mile logistics. A system of integer programming is formulated with the objective of minimizing the total cost of the drone weight-related cost, fixed vehicle cost and travel distance cost. An improved adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm (IALNS) is designed based on the characteristics of the problem, several effective destroy and repair operators are designed to explore the solution space, and a simulated annealing strategy is introduced to avoid falling into the local optimal solution. To evaluate the performance of the IALNS algorithm, 72 instances are randomly generated and tested. The computational results on small instances show that the proposed IALNS algorithm performs better than CPLEX both in efficiency and effectiveness. When comparing the truck-drone pickup and delivery problem with drone weight-related cost to the problem without drone weight-related cost, it is found that ignoring the drone weight constraints leads to an underestimate of the total travel cost by 12.61% based on the test of large instances.
Piloting Bioethanol Production from Source-Separated Food Waste Boosts Technology Readiness
Authors: Chatzimaliakas Fotis , Christianides Diogenis , Malamis Dimitris , Mai Sofia , Barampouti Elli Maria
Published: November 2023

By the end of 2023, biowaste must be completely separated or recycled at source, based on EU legislation. Separate biowaste collection and valorisation for biofuels could play an essential role in the biobased circular economy. In this context, the principal goal of this paper was to demonstrate on a pilot scale the technological solution of bioethanol production via the utilisation of urban source-separated biowaste within the city context of Athens, Greece. More specifically, the main aim was the demonstration of a pilot system for more than 10 consecutive operating cycles with real feedstock—wet; separately collected biowaste. From the 11 pilot trials performed with wet feedstock, the mean starch and cellulose degradation of the pilot trials amounted to 80.69 ± 16.27% and 79.41 ± 10.37%, respectively, while the bioethanol yield was 74.05 ± 6.82%. The latter was comparable to that of more intensive pretreatment methods. Homogenization and shredding, which were applied in this study, stand as promising pretreatment methods for bioethanol production from wet feedstock. Further research is needed to optimize conditions and evaluate scalability. Nevertheless, pilot-scale testing is a crucial step in the deployment of this technology since it serves as a bridge between laboratory research and full-scale implementation, offering a practical and controlled environment to validate and optimize the technology while minimizing risks and uncertainties. Conclusively, this study could stand as a flagship case study for the implementation of circular and sustainable approaches in the management of organic fractions of source-separated municipal waste, showcasing the technical feasibility of the whole value chain from waste collection to final bioethanol product recovery.
Orbital Regularity of Exoplanets and the Symmetries of the Kepler Problem
Authors: Cseh József , Dang Phong , Szilágyi Sándor , Lévai Géza
Published: November 2023

We investigate the question whether or not the orbitals of exoplanets follow the symmetry-governed sequence found by Barut from the dynamical group of the Kepler problem. In particular, we consider their star distances, periods, and velocities. Previous studies have shown the validity of this regularity for our solar system, and for some selected exoplanet systems. Here, we study all the systems which are known with four or more planets. A remarkable result is found: 63 out of 100 systems show a better agreement between the theory and observation than our solar system. We discuss the relation between the symmetry-inspired transformations and the generalized Titius–Bode (gTB) rule. It turns out that the gTB rule, which has been considered purely empirical, can be obtained from the transformations corresponding to the dynamical group of the Kepler problem.
Powassan Virus Infections: A Systematic Review of Published Cases
Authors: Kakoullis Loukas , Vaz Victor Renault , Kaur Divmehar , Kakoulli Sonia , Panos George , Chen Lin H. , Behlau Irmgard
Published: November 2023

Background: Powassan virus is an emerging neurotropic arbovirus transmitted by the tick Ixodes scapularis. This systematic review was conducted to aggregate data on its clinical manifestations, diagnostic findings, and complications. Methods: PubMed was searched until August 2023 using the term “Powassan”, to identify all published cases of Powassan virus infections, as per PRISMA guidelines. Results: Among the 380 abstracts identified, 45 studies describing 84 cases (70 adult, 14 pediatric) were included. Cases were reported from the USA and Canada. Complications included paralysis in 44.1% of adult and 42.6% of pediatric cases, cognitive deficits in 33.3% of adult and 25% of pediatric cases, while the mortality rate was 19.1% and 7.1% in the adult and pediatric populations, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed an association between mortality and age (r = 0.264, p = 0.029), development of paralysis (r = 0.252, p = 0.041), or respiratory distress or failure (r = 0.328, p = 0.006). Factors associated with persistent neurological deficits were development of ataxia (r = 0.383, p = 0.006), paralysis (r = 0.278, p = 0.048), speech disorder (r = 0.319, p = 0.022), and cranial nerve involvement (r = 0.322, p = 0.017). Other significant correlations included those between speech disorders and ataxia (r = 0.526, p < 0.001), and between paralysis and respiratory distress or failure (r = 0.349, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Powassan virus infections have significant morbidity and mortality and should be suspected in cases of encephalitis and possible tick exposure. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023395991.
From Infection to Malignancy: Tracing the Impact of Human Papillomavirus on Uterine Endometrial Cancer in a Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Wu Pei-Ju , Tsai Stella Chin-Shaw , Huang Jing-Yang , Lee Maw-Sheng , Wang Po-Hui , Lin Frank Cheau-Feng
Published: November 2023

Uterine endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of uterine EC among Taiwanese women. A nationwide population cohort research approach was employed, leveraging longitudinal health insurance databases (LHID 2007 and 2015) from the National Health Insurance Research Database alongside data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry datasets. A comparative analysis examined 472,420 female patients with HPV infection and 944,840 without HPV infection. The results demonstrated that the HPV cohort exhibited a significantly elevated risk of uterine EC, as evidenced by an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.588 (95% CI: 1.335–1.888). Furthermore, this elevated risk extended to type 1 EC with an aHR of 1.671 (95% CI: 1.376–2.029), specifically the endometrioid adenocarcinoma subtype with an aHR 1.686 (95% CI: 1.377–2.065). Importantly, these findings were statistically significant (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this research unveils a potential association between HPV infection and an increased risk of uterine EC, particularly the type 1 endometrial cancer subtype, within the Taiwanese female population. These findings have implications for preventive measures and screening programs targeting HPV infection to reduce the risk of this prevalent gynecological malignancy in Taiwan.
Development of an Oral IgA Response against SARS-CoV-2 Following Immunization with Different COVID-19 Vaccines
Authors: Soffritti Irene , D’Accolti Maria , Bini Francesca , Mazziga Eleonora , Proietto Davide , Dallan Beatrice , Laurentis Martina De , Ghisellini Sara , Nicoli Francesco , Caselli Elisabetta
Published: November 2023

The mucosal immune response is recognized to be important in the early control of infection sustained by viruses with mucosal tissues as the primary site of entry and replication, such as SARS-CoV-2. Mucosal IgA has been consistently reported in the mouth and eye of SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects, where it correlated inversely with COVID-19 symptom severity. Yet, there is still scarce information on the comparative ability of the diverse SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to induce local IgA responses at the virus entry site. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA in the saliva of 95 subjects vaccinated with a booster dose and different combinations of vaccines, including mRNA-1273 (Moderna), BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), and Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca). The results showed the presence of a mucosal response in 93.7% of vaccinated subjects, with a mean IgA titer of 351.5 ± 31.77 U/mL, strongly correlating with the serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titer (p < 0.0001). No statistically significant differences emerged between the vaccine types, although the salivary IgA titer appeared slightly higher after receiving a booster dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna) following two doses of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), compared to the other vaccine combinations. These data confirm what was previously reported at the eye level and suggest that monitoring salivary IgA may be a useful tool for driving forward vaccine design and surveillance strategies, potentially leading to novel routes of vaccine administration and boosting.
Development of Slow-Releasing Tablets Combined with Persulfate and Ferrous Iron for In Situ Chemical Oxidation in Trichloroethylene-Contaminated Aquifers
Authors: Yun Geumhee , Park Sunhwa , Kim Young , Han Kyungjin
Published: November 2023

Slow-releasing tablets combined with persulfate acting as an oxidant and ferrous iron acting as an activator were manufactured for in situ chemical oxidation. The trichloroethylene (TCE) removal efficiency according to the molar ratio of the oxidizer and activator in the 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 molar ratio (persulfate: ferrous iron) reactors were 15%, 89%, 90%, 82%, 71%, and 55%, respectively. In a batch reactor injected with an oxidation-activation combined tablet (OACT) and a liquid oxidizing/activator, the TCE removal efficiencies were 100% and 70%, respectively, showing that the tablet form had a high efficiency in contaminant removal. The evaluation of the dissolution characteristics and TCE removal efficiency of OACT 0.5 (tablet with a 1:0.5 molar ratio of persulfate to activator) and OACT 1.0 (tablet with a 1:1 molar ratio of persulfate to activator) under continuous flow conditions showed that the TCE removal efficiency of the OACT 1.0 column was approximately 1.4 times higher than that of OACT 0.5. The longevities of persulfate and ferrous iron of the OACT 1.0 tablet were 43.2 days and 41.7 days, respectively. Thus, OACT 1.0, which was manufactured effectively, was suitable for in situ slow-release chemical oxidation systems.
Factors Affecting the Morphology of Granular Sludge in Phosphorus-Accumulating Organism (PAO) and Denitrifying PAO (DPAO) Sequencing Batch Reactors
Authors: Yun Geumhee , Yun Zuwhan , Kim Young , Han Kyungjin
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to investigate the influencing factors and characteristics of granule morphology through approximately 500 d of long-term monitoring of two types of anaerobic–aerobic phosphorus-accumulating organism (PAO) and anaerobic–anoxic denitrifying PAO (DPAO) sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). The results show that granules were present in the DPAO SBR and PAO SBR after 200 d and 250 d of operation, respectively. The average diameters of the granules were 2.2 ± 0.7 mm in the DPAO SBR and 0.4 ± 0.3 mm in the PAO SBR, respectively. The DPAO granular sludge contained rod-shaped microorganisms, whereas the PAO granular sludge contained cocci-type microorganisms. A precipitated core consisting of hydroxyapatite was found in the DPAO granules. A comparative analysis conducted under various operating conditions revealed that the availability and type of the electron acceptors (EAs) may have a significant impact on granulation. This observation suggests that the presence and diversity of EAs are crucial factors for the development of different granule sizes and morphologies.
Microplastic Distribution and Characteristics in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) from Han River, South Korea
Authors: Oh Jung-Keun , Lee Jangho , Lee Soo Yong , Kim Tae Kyung , Chung David , Seo Jinwon
Published: November 2023

This study assessed the distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the gills, intestines, and muscles of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), one of main fish species consumed by humans living in the lower regions of the Han River in South Korea. In total, 891 MP particles were detected in 15 carps, with an average of 59.4 ± 45.5 particles/specimen, indicating severe MP contamination. The predominant MP form was fragment (86%), and the size range was 0.02–0.10 mm. Thirty MP particles were detected in the muscle samples (n = 10), primarily in sizes < 0.1 mm (89%). The most common types of polymers detected in this study were polyethylene (≥42%), polystyrene (≥20%), and polypropylene (≥19%), which were at the same level as the polymer ratio of domestic plastic production/use. No correlation was observed between the length of common carp and the number of MPs detected in different body tissues, indicating an abundance of MPs in the environment rather than by residue and accumulation. These findings contribute to the evaluation of the potential impact of edible fish on human health and emphasize the need to develop strategies to reduce MP contamination originating from various potential land sources.
Characteristics of surgical treatment methods for umbilical hernias
Authors:   Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia, Timerbulatov M. V. , Senderovich E. I. ,   Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia, Grishina E. E. ,   Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia, Sibagatov R. M. ,   City Clinical Hospital No. 21, Ufa, Russia
Published: November 2023

Umbilical hernias in surgery are no less relevant than hernias of other localizations. The results of surgical treatment of 317 patients with umbilical hernias are presented. 213 patients (67.2 %) were operated on as an emergency, and 104 (32.8 %) — as planned. Surgical interventions for strangulated hernias were performed in accordance with the principles of emergency abdominal surgery. When examining the patients of the last group, the level of intra-abdominal pressure and blood lactate were taken into account. An informative method for studying the condition of tissues in the area of the hernial orifice is ultrasound. When selecting a method of surgical treatment, its criteria are the size of the hernial orifice, the state of the aponeurosis, and in emergency conditions — the degree of ischemic disorders of the strangulated organ and the severity of intra-abdominal hypertension. A differentiated approach to the choice of hernioplasty for umbilical hernias and the wider use of additional strengthening methods using mesh endoprostheses allow obtaining good results after surgical treatment.
Analysis of Russian and foreign research on rabbits feeding (review)
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Scientifi c Institution “Scientifi c Research Institute of Fur Animals and Rabbit Breeding named after V. A. Afanasyev”, Russia, Moscow region, Rodniki, Kvartnikova E. G. , Seraya O. Yu. ,   Federal State Budgetary Institute of Science “Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics” Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia, Moscow region, Pushchino, Konovalov A. P. ,   Federal State Budgetary Scientifi c Institution “Scientifi c Research Institute of Fur Animals and Rabbit Breeding named after V. A. Afanasyev”, Russia, Moscow region, Rodniki
Published: November 2023

Rabbit farming being a well-developed and highly profi table area of livestock farming is one of the indicators of the state of economic development of the country. In Russia despite the fact that 78,5 % of rabbit meat is produced on household farms industrial rabbit breeding is gaining momentum. The basis of any area of animal husbandry is the organization of feeding, since feeding costs account for 60–70 % of the cost of production, and more than 90 % of animal diseases are associated with errors in their feeding. At the end of 2020 rabbit meat production in Russia amounted to 19,6 thousand tons. Total for the period 2016–2020 rabbit meat production increased by 8 %. Scientists from different countries pay special attention to studying the nutritional and energy needs of replacement young animals, pregnant and lactating doe rabbits, since the reproduction process and the volume of production depend on them. The results of scientifi c research on feeding doe rabbits during the reproductive period with complete granulated feed with diff erent ratios of nutrients and energy have been analyzed in the review. The authors note that the content of digestible energy and protein in the diets used to feed pregnant doe rabbits in Russian and foreign studies are the same, while the fiber content differs significantly. Since researchers around the world are concerned about the same problems of optimizing the feeding of doe rabbits, a joint discussion of research results especially by scientists belonging to different scientific schools opens up new horizons for achieving purposes and practical use of the new knowledge obtained.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Influence on Slovak Media Professionals
Authors: Tomková Šimona , Gálik Slavomír , Kapec Miroslav
Published: November 2023

The research focuses on the status of media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic by media professionals in Slovakia. Out of a representative research sample calculated to be 242 reporters out of a total of 2,130 reporters in Slovakia, only 50 reporters responded to the questionnaire, which is also a limitation of this research. From the responses, the authors generated the current status of media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive results of the questionnaire survey include that most of the media reporters tried to rely on the opinions of experts such as epidemiologists, virologists, etc. Also, 64% of the respondents did not feel any restriction of freedom in their work. The high percentage of self-study by reporters should also be added to the positive phenomena. On the negative side, as many as 56% of the respondents stated that it was not important for them to influence public opinion, and a smaller percentage also mentioned various influences that interfered with the impartiality and objectivity of reporting. Also, a high percentage of respondents were critical of the government’s management of the pandemic. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the state of media coverage in Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic was not entirely optimal. Further research should complement and refine the picture of the Slovak media at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PENGARUH KONEKSI POLITIK DAN FAKTOR-FAKTOR LAINNYA TERHADAP PENGHINDARAN PAJAK
Authors: Listyaningrum Monica Citra , Satwiko Rutji
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of political connections, leverage, profitability, sales growth, transfer pricing, executive characteristics, and capital intensity on tax avoidance. The population of this research is all manufactured companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the period 2017 to 2021. This research sample was obtained using a purposive sampling method that produced 60 companies that met all the criteria, so that 180 data were obtained which were used as research samples. The source of the data used in this research was obtained from the website of the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Hypothesis testing in this study was carried out using multiple regression models. Empirical evidence concludes that leverage and profitability affect tax avoidance whereas political connections, sales growth, transfer pricing, executive characteristics, and capital intensity have no influence on tax avoidance
REFLEKSI TEOLOGIS TERHADAP PEMAKNAAN IDENTITAS KAUM MUDA DALAM START-UP DI DRAMA KOREA
Authors: Kristianto Paulus Eko
Published: November 2023

Identitas kaum muda mempengaruhi bagaimana mereka bertindak menghadapi beragam tantangan perkembangan yang ada dalam diri dan dari luar. Pemahaman ini perlu dipegang sekaligus diteliti lebih lanjut dalam dialog antara tradisi dan konteks. Artikel ini mencoba meninjaunya dengan menggunakan refleksi teologis yang beracuan pada Start-up sebagai studi kasusnya dan direfleksikan ke situasi kaum muda. Pada prosesnya, refleksi teologis ini dilakukan menggunakan metode penelitian pustaka terhadap buku dan jurnal yang terkait. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dialog tradisi dan konteks bisa menginspirasi terbangunnya pelayanan kaum muda yang komprehensif dan relevan dengan pergumulan identitas kaum muda.
DESAIN SIMULASI MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING (MPPT) MENGGUNAKAN METODE INCREMENTAL CONDUCTANCE (IC) PADA KONVERTER SEPIC (SINGLE ENDED PRIMARY INDUCTANCE CONVERTER)
Authors: Chemenk Adithya Nik , Huda Abil
Published: November 2023

Dalam beberapa tahun terakhir photovoltaic menjadi alat yang digunakan untuk menghasilkan energi listrik, alat ini mengkonversi energi cahaya dan suhu menjadi energi listrik, photovoltaic sangat bargantung dengan panas dari matahari, agar photovoltaic bekerja dengan maksimal perlu ditambahkan konverter. Konverter SEPIC adalah konverter yang berfungsi sebagai buck boost yang dapat menaik turunkan tegangan inputnya, konverter SEPIC diatur oleh duty cycle, dengan duty cycle 24.3 %. Konverter SEPIC pada pengujian ini berhasil mendapatkan hasil output daya yang sama dengan perhitungan dan simulasi yaitu 200 W. Photovoltaic yang dihubungkan langsung dengan baterai menghasilkan daya yang sangat jauh dari optimal, makanya diperlukan konverter SEPIC yang terhubung dengan photovoltaic untuk membuat hasilnya optimal. Sistem kendali MPPT Incremental Conductance adalah sistem yang digunakan pada pengujian ini, dengan resistor dan baterai yang digunakan sebagai beban. Pada pengujian ini konverter yang menggunakan baterai adalah pengujian yang mendapatkan hasil yang paling optimal dengan daya 204 W
Exploring Communication Patterns Among Adolescents Engaged in Self-Harm: A Social Penetration Approach in Pekanbaru City
Authors: Stevens Gelinas , Zerikho Chiko
Published: November 2023

This research delves into the complex interplay between communication patterns and self-harm among adolescents in Pekanbaru City, employing a Social Penetration Approach as its theoretical framework. The study unfolds layers of insight by exploring how adolescents navigate the challenges of self-harm through communication, both online and offline, within the unique socio-cultural context of Pekanbaru City. A mixed-methods approach, encompassing in-depth interviews and surveys, was employed to capture the diverse facets of communication dynamics. Participants included adolescents engaging in self-harm, providing a rich tapestry of narratives that elucidate the role of communication in their experiences. The research reveals that communication serves as a multifaceted coping mechanism, offering both solace and challenges. Trust within offline relationships is identified as a catalyst for open communication, highlighting the pivotal role of familial and peer dynamics. Importantly, the severity of self-harm behaviors correlates with the preference for online communication, emphasizing the nuanced interplay between the digital realm and mental health. Drawing from the findings, recommendations are proposed for practitioners, policymakers, and educators. Culturally tailored mental health interventions, digital literacy programs, and the integration of mental health education in schools are advocated. Strengthening family support structures and peer-led initiatives within educational settings emerge as crucial strategies, while collaborative community-based approaches are underscored for a holistic impact. In conclusion, this research contributes a nuanced understanding of communication patterns among adolescents engaged in self-harm in Pekanbaru City. The implications for intervention and the identified avenues for future research set the stage for a holistic approach, emphasizing resilience, cultural sensitivity, and community collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by adolescents navigating self-harm in this unique socio-cultural milieu
Navigating the Nexus: Legal and Economic Implications of Emerging Tech-nologies
Authors: Darvishi Kennedy , Liu Lee , Lim Sumner
Published: November 2023

This research delves into the multifaceted interplay among emerging technologies, legal frameworks, and economic landscapes, highlighting the complexities, challenges, and opportunities within this nexus. The study unfolds the rapid evolution of emerging technologies, showcasing their transformative potential across industries while uncovering the intricate relationship between technological advancements and the adaptation of legal structures. It elucidates how the pace of innovation often outstrips regulatory capacities, leading to gaps and uncertainties in legal frameworks. Moreover, conflicts between economic objectives and ethical considerations underscore the need for integrative approaches that balance innovation with responsible practices. Successful integration of legal and economic factors is exemplified by businesses prioritizing ethical conduct, fostering consumer trust, and enhancing market reputation. Legislative initiatives worldwide reflect efforts to adapt regulations, focusing on data privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical AI development. Anticipated growth projections in technology sectors signal substantial economic opportunities but necessitate adaptive legal frameworks. Policy recommendations advocate for agile regulations, investments in education, international cooperation, and sustainable economic strategies to navigate these complexities responsibly. Ultimately, the research emphasizes collaborative efforts, innovative thinking, and ethical responsibility as crucial pillars in steering the course of emerging technologies for the collective benefit of society