bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Flexural Properties of Experimental Resin Composites Functionalized with a Customized Low-Sodium Bioactive Glass
Authors: Par Matej , Plančak Laura , Ratkovski Lucija , Tauböck Tobias T. , Marovic Danijela , Attin Thomas , Tarle Zrinka
Published: October 2022

This study evaluated the flexural properties of an experimental composite series functionalized with 5–40 wt% of a low-Na F-containing bioactive glass (F-series) and compared it to another experimental composite series containing the same amounts of the conventional bioactive glass 45S5 (C-series). Flexural strength and modulus were evaluated using a three-point bending test. Degree of conversion was measured using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Weibull analysis was performed to evaluate material reliability. The control material with 0 wt% of bioactive glass demonstrated flexural strength values of 105.1–126.8 MPa). In the C-series, flexural strength ranged between 17.1 and 121.5 MPa and was considerably more diminished by the increasing amounts of bioactive glass than flexural strength in the F-series (83.8–130.2 MPa). Analogously, flexural modulus in the C-series (0.56–6.66 GPa) was more reduced by the increase in bioactive glass amount than in the F-series (5.24–7.56 GPa). The ISO-recommended “minimum acceptable” flexural strength for restorative resin composites of 80 MPa was achieved for all materials in the F-series, while in the C-series, the materials with higher bioactive glass amounts (20 and 40 wt%) failed to meet the requirement of 80 MPa. The degree of conversion in the F-series was statistically similar or higher compared to that of the control composite with no bioactive glass, while the C-series showed a declining degree of conversion with increasing bioactive glass amounts. In summary, the negative effect of the addition of bioactive glass on mechanical properties was notably less pronounced for the customized bioactive glass than for the bioactive glass 45S5; additionally, mechanical properties of the composites functionalized with the customized bioactive glass were significantly less diminished by artificial aging. Hence, the customized bioactive glass investigated in the present study represents a promising candidate for functionalizing ion-releasing resin composites.
Injectable Cell-Laden Polysaccharide Hydrogels: In Vivo Evaluation of Cartilage Regeneration
Authors: Fu Yao , Both Sanne K. , Plass Jacqueline R. M. , Dijkstra Pieter J. , Zoetebier Bram , Karperien Marcel
Published: October 2022

Previously, 5% w/v hyaluronic acid-tyramine (HA-TA) and dextran-tyramine (Dex-TA) enzymatically cross-linked hybrid hydrogels were demonstrated to provide a mechanically stable environment, maintain cell viability, and promote cartilaginous-specific matrix deposition in vitro. In this study, 5% w/v hybrid hydrogels were combined with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), bovine chondrocytes (bCHs), or a combination of both in a 4:1 ratio and subcutaneously implanted in the backs of male and female nude rats to assess the performance of cell-laden hydrogels in tissue formation. Subcutaneous implantation of these biomaterials showed signs of integration of the gels within the host tissue. Histological analysis showed residual fibrotic capsules four weeks after implantation. However, enhanced tissue invasion and some giant cell infiltration were observed in the HA-TA/Dex-TA hydrogels laden with either hMSCs or bCHs but not with the co-culture. Moreover, hMSC-bCH co-cultures showed beneficial interaction with the hydrogels, for instance, in enhanced cell proliferation and matrix deposition. In addition, we provide evidence that host gender has an impact on the performance of bCHs encapsulated in HA-TA/Dex-TA hydrogels. This study revealed that hydrogels laden with different types of cells result in distinct host responses. It can be concluded that 5% w/v hydrogels with a higher concentration of Dex-TA (≥50%) laden with bCH-hMSC co-cultures are adequate for injectable applications and in situ cell delivery in cartilage regeneration approaches.
Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed PEEK/HA Composite Filaments
Authors: Kang Jianfeng , Zheng Jibao , Hui Yijun , Li Dichen
Published: October 2022

The incorporation of bioactive ceramic into polyether ether ketone (PEEK) was expected to improve the bioinertia and hydrophobicity of pure PEEK, further facilitating osseointegration and bone ingrowth. However, the addition of bioceramic also changes the anisotropy of mechanical properties and failure mechanism of composite. Therefore, three-dimensional printed (3D-printed) PEEK/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite filaments with differing proportions (HA content: 10–30 wt%) were prepared using physical mixture and melting extrusion processes. The tensile elastic modulus and tensile strength of composite filaments were tested experimentally. These microscopic models, with multiple diameter variations and differing dispersity of HA particles, were built to estimate mechanical properties using finite element analysis. Based on a generalized version of Hooke’s Law, the influence of diameter variation and particle clustering on the elastic modulus was evaluated. The mathematical relationship between the elastic modulus and volume fraction of the bioceramic was established using the Halpin–Tsai model. The results showed that with an increase in HA content from 10 wt% to 30 wt%, the elastic modulus of the composite increased from 2.36 GPa to 2.79 GPa, tensile strength decreased from 95 MPa to 74 MPa, and fracture elongation decreased from 63% to 23%, presenting brittle fracture failure. When the dispersion of particles was uniform, the elastic modulus was less affected by diameter variation, but the modulus anisotropic coefficient was greatly affected by the composition ratio, particle diameter, and dispersity. Hence, 3D-printed PEEK/HA composite filaments can meet the strength requirements of human bone, and understanding the influence of mechanical anisotropy plays a very important role in the design, manufacture, and clinical application of medical implants.
Fabrication of Cu-CNT Composite and Cu Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Ladani Leila , Razmi Jafar , Sadeghilaridjani Maryam
Published: October 2022

Additive manufacturing (AM) as a disruptive technique has offered great potential to design and fabricate many metallic components for aerospace, medical, nuclear, and energy applications where parts have complex geometry. However, a limited number of materials suitable for the AM process is one of the shortcomings of this technique, in particular laser AM of copper (Cu) is challenging due to its high thermal conductivity and optical reflectivity, which requires higher heat input to melt powders. Fabrication of composites using AM is also very challenging and not easily achievable using the current powder bed technologies. Here, the feasibility to fabricate pure copper and copper-carbon nanotube (Cu-CNT) composites was investigated using laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (LPBF-AM), and 10 × 10 × 10 mm3 cubes of Cu and Cu-CNTs were made by applying a Design of Experiment (DoE) varying three parameters: laser power, laser speed, and hatch spacing at three levels. For both Cu and Cu-CNT samples, relative density above 90% and 80% were achieved, respectively. Density measurement was carried out three times for each sample, and the error was found to be less than 0.1%. Roughness measurement was performed on a 5 mm length of the sample to obtain statistically significant results. As-built Cu showed average surface roughness (Ra) below 20 µm; however, the surface of AM Cu-CNT samples showed roughness values as large as 1 mm. Due to its porous structure, the as-built Cu showed thermal conductivity of ~108 W/m·K and electrical conductivity of ~20% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard) at room temperature, ~70% and ~80% lower than those of conventionally fabricated bulk Cu. Thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity were ~85 W/m·K and ~10% IACS for as-built Cu-CNT composites at room temperature. As-built Cu-CNTs showed higher thermal conductivity as compared to as-built Cu at a temperature range from 373 K to 873 K. Because of their large surface area, light weight, and large energy absorbing behavior, porous Cu and Cu-CNT materials can be used in electrodes, catalysts and their carriers, capacitors, heat exchangers, and heat and impact absorption.
Research on the Influence of a Cuttings Bed on Drill String Friction Torque in Horizontal Well Sections
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Fan Yuyue , Li Jiahua , Su Xinghua , Zhan Sheng , Hu Gang , He Yiqing , Zhang Ming
Published: October 2022

Horizontal well drills are difficult to operate and require high borehole cleaning operations. The impact of cuttings accumulation on friction and torque cannot be ignored. In the process of horizontal well drilling, it is very easy to form a cuttings bed in the highly inclined eccentric annulus. The formation of the cuttings bed will not only increase the friction torque but also have a greater impact on the annulus flow. Based on the application of gas drilling in horizontal wells, this paper uses laboratory experiments to study the influence of cuttings with different particle sizes and lithology on the friction coefficient between the drill string and the borehole wall of the horizontal well section. In addition, in view of the difficulty in the migration of cuttings in gas drilling horizontal wells and the formation of cuttings deposits, this paper carries out an experimental study on the effect of the cuttings bed on drill pipe coating height and cuttings bed thickness on friction coefficient. Experimental results show that the friction coefficient of gas drilling horizontal wells is about 0.44–0.58. When the coating height of the cuttings on the drill pipe exceeds a certain value (26 mm), the friction coefficient tends to be stable, but its value is as high as about 0.55. When the thickness of the accumulation of cuttings exceeds a certain value (10 mm), the subsidence hindering effect between the particles in the cuttings bed is weakened, so the friction coefficient of the casing section and the open hole section tends to be stable, about 0.53.
Giving Thanks for the Gift of Life: Karl Barth on Gratitude to God for One’s Own Life
Authors: Anderson Matthew Lee
Published: October 2022

This essay considers Karl Barth’s conception of gratitude to God, and the significance of being grateful for one’s own life within his doctrine of creation. I argue that Barth’s account of gratitude authorizes an affirmation of one’s own life that avoids the trappings of the egoistic self-love that he vociferously opposed. Additionally, I consider whether and how Barth’s conception of gratitude for our lives demands cheerfulness, or whether it adequately leaves room for the type of sobriety and lament that Beethoven exemplifies in his “Holy Song of Thanksgiving of a Convalescent to the Deity.”
Use of Civilisational Populist Informal Law by Authoritarian Incumbents to Prolong Their Rule
Authors: Yilmaz Ihsan
Published: October 2022

Once voted into office, populist governments have often found undemocratic means to prolong their stay. The literature on populists in power is evolving and expanding. However, it has mainly focused on how the populists in power attack institutions such as the judiciary, rule erosion, and dirty institutionalism. How populists make use of the law and the judiciary to prolong their authoritarian rule remains an area that is under-researched. The populists’ use of informal institutions such as the unofficial law when in power has not been studied either. This paper addresses these gaps in the populism literature by studying Turkey’s Islamist populist ruling party’s use of informal law in prolonging its authoritarian rule. The paper argues that the Islamist civilisational populist AKP has been using informal Islamist law for both the legitimation of its rule and the repression of the opposition. It shows how the AKP officials, the state’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), the pro-AKP Sharia scholars, and other informal religious authorities employ the civilisational populist Islamist legal narrative to argue that according to Sharia it is obligatory to choose the side of the God that is represented by the AKP and to vote against the infidel opposition that is an existential danger to the pure Muslim people of Turkey and their religion. The paper combines and contributes to two theoretical strands. The first is civilisational populism, and the second is the informal institutions, with a focus on informal law and legal pluralism.
Estimation of Snow Depth from AMSR2 and MODIS Data based on Deep Residual Learning Network
Authors: Xing De , Hou Jinliang , Huang Chunlin , Zhang Weimin
Published: October 2022

Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) brightness temperature (TB) observations have long been utilized for snow depth (SD) estimation. However, the traditional approaches which are based on ‘point-to-point’ predictions ignore the spatial heterogeneity within a AMSR2 pixel and are limited by the coarse spatial resolution of the AMSR2 sensor. To solve these problems, a novel deep ‘area-to-point’ SD estimation model, based on a deep residual learning network by combining convolutional neural networks (CNN) and residual blocks, was proposed. The model utilizes all channels of AMSR2 TB data along with Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) normalized difference snow index (NDSI) data and auxiliary geographic information. Taking the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) as the study area, the SD with a spatial resolution of 0.005° over the 2019–2020 snow season is estimated, and the accuracy is validated by in situ SD observations from 116 stations. The results show that: (1) the proposed SD estimation model shows desirable accuracy as the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean bias error (MBE), and coefficient of determination (R2) of the proposed SD estimation method are 2.000 cm, 0.656 cm, −0.013 cm, and 0.847, respectively. (2) The SD estimation error is slightly larger in medium elevation or medium slope or grassland areas, and the RMSE is 2.247 cm, 3.084 cm, and 2.213 cm, respectively. (3) The proposed SD estimation method has the most satisfactory performance in low-elevation regions, and the RMSE is only 0.523 cm. The results indicate that through considering the spatial heterogeneity of snow cover and utilizing the high spatial resolution snow information presented by the MODIS snow cover product, the proposed model has good SD estimation accuracy, which is promising for application in other study regions.
AgSAT: A Smart Irrigation Application for Field-Scale Daily Crop ET and Water Requirements Using Satellite Imagery
Authors: Jaafar Hadi , Mourad Roya , Hazimeh Rim , Sujud Lara
Published: October 2022

With the foreseen increase in population and the reliance on water as a key input for agricultural production, greater demand will be placed on freshwater supplies. The objective of this work was to present the newly developed Android smartphone application to calculate crop evapotranspiration in real-time to support field-scale irrigation management. As part of the answer to water shortage, we embraced technology by developing AgSAT, a Google Earth Engine-based application that optimizes water use for food production. AgSAT uses meteorological data to calculate daily water requirements using the ASCE-Penman–Monteith method (ETref) and vegetation indices from satellite imagery to derive the basal crop growth coefficient, Kcb. The performance of AgSAT to estimate ETref was assessed using climatic data from 18 meteorological stations distributed over several climatic zones worldwide. ETref estimation through the app showed acceptable results with values of 1.27, 0.9, 0.79, 0.95, and 0.5 for root mean square error (RMSE), correlation coefficient (r), modeling efficiency (NSE), concordance index (d), and percentage bias (Pbias), respectively. AgSAT guides gross irrigation requirements for crops and rationalizes water quantities used in agricultural production. AgSAT has been released, is currently in use by research scientists, agricultural producers, and irrigation managers, and is freely accessible from the Google Play and IOS Store and also at agsat.app. Our work is geared towards the development of remote sensing-based technologies that transfer significant benefits to farmers and water-saving efforts.
The Response of Land Surface Temperature Changes to the Vegetation Dynamics in the Yangtze River Basin
Authors: Liu Jinlian , Liu Shiwei , Tang Xuguang , Ding Zhi , Ma Mingguo , Yu Pujia
Published: October 2022

Land surface temperature (LST) is a key parameter in the study of surface energy balance and climate change from local through to global scales. Vegetation has inevitably influenced the LST by changing the surface properties. However, the thermal environment pattern in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) still remains unclear after the implementation of large-scale ecological restoration projects. In this study, the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of LST were analyzed based on the Theil–Sen estimator, Mann–Kendall trend analysis and Hurst exponent from 2003 to 2021. The relationships between vegetation and LST were further revealed by using correlation analysis and trajectory-based analysis. The results showed that the interannual LST was in a state of fluctuation and rise, and the increasing rate at night time (0.035 °C·yr−1) was faster than that at day time (0.007 °C·yr−1). An obvious cooling trend could be identified from 2007 to 2012, followed by a rapid warming. Seasonally, the warming speed was the fastest in summer and the slowest in autumn. Additionally, it was found that autumn LST had a downward trend of 0.073 °C·yr−1 after 2015. Spatially, the Yangtze River Delta, Hubei province, and central Sichuan province had a significant warming trend in all seasons, except autumn. The northern Guizhou province and Chongqing showed a remarkable cooling trend only in autumn. The Hurst exponent results indicated that the spring LST change was more consistent than the other three seasons. It was found by studying the effect of land cover types on LST changes that sparse vegetation had a more significant effect than dense vegetation. Vegetation greening contributed 0.0187 °C·yr−1 to the increase in LST in winter, which was spatially concentrated in the central region of the YRB. For the other three seasons, vegetation greening slowed the LST increase, and the degree of the effect decreased sequentially in autumn, summer, spring and winter. These results improve the understanding of past and future variations in LST and highlight the importance of vegetation for temperature change mitigation.
Different Traits Affect Salinity and Drought Tolerance during Germination of Citrullus colocynthis, a Potential Cash Crop in Arid Lands
Authors: Abushamleh Noor Hilal , El-Keblawy Ali , Mosa Kareem A. , Soliman Sameh S. M. , Tsombou François Mitterand
Published: October 2022

Citrullus colocynthis, a native plant with potential uses as a feedstock for edible oil, biodiesel, and animal feed make it a potential cash crop. The importance of propagating this species under saline arid habitats necessitates understanding environmental factors affecting salinity and drought tolerance during the germination stage. Here, we assessed the impacts of seed collection time, the temperature of incubation on salinity, and drought tolerance during the seed germination stage of different accessions growing in the botanical garden of the University of Sharjah. No previous study assessed the interactive effects of these factors on the drought and salinity tolerance of this species. Three accessions (9, 10, and 13) differed in fruit and seed size and color, and germination behavior, and were selected from an earlier study. Seeds that matured in summer and winter on these accessions were treated with three salinities (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl), and PEG levels (0, −0.3, and −0.6 MPa) and incubated at two temperatures (20/30 and 25/35 °C). The results showed significant effects of all factors (collection time, temperature, drought, and salinity) and their interactions on germination percentage. Seeds of C. colocynthis were very sensitive to salinity and drought stress, and the sensitivity depended on the time of seed collection, accession, and incubation temperature. The overall germination and tolerance to salinity and drought were significantly greater in seeds of accession 10, seeds that matured in summer, and seeds incubated at 25/35 °C. The germination in NaCl solutions was greater than in PEG solutions, indicating that seed germination was more sensitive to osmotic stress created by PEG than NaCl. Moreover, when transferred from NaCl, the recovery of ungerminated seeds was greater than in PEG solutions. This result indicates that the detrimental effect of salinity in C. colocynthis could be mainly attributed to osmotic rather than ion-toxicity effects. To adopt C. colocynthis as a cash crop or to restore degraded desert habitats, it is recommended to use seeds of drought- and salt-tolerant accessions (e.g., 10), especially those that mature in summer.
Economic Reformism vs Sociocultural Conservativism: Parties’ Programmes, Voters’ Attitudes and Territorial Features in the UK General Elections 2019
Authors: Solivetti Luigi Maria
Published: October 2022

This study explored the determinants of the massive vote shift that characterised the UK’s 2019 elections. To do so, this study firstly investigated opinions expressed by pro-Labour social groups about the hot issues of the political campaign; secondly, it conducted a cross-constituency analysis on the 2019 vote. The present findings reveal that the issues emphasised by the Conservative manifesto tallied with the opinions of traditional left-wing social groups. The cross-constituency statistical analysis confirmed this point and found a significant association between Labour’s losses and the territorial distribution of the abovementioned social groups. These findings suggest that the crucial aspect of the vote shift was the Conservatives’ appeal to the sociocultural conservativism of part of Labour’s traditional voters.
Digital Transformation Evaluation for Small- and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises Using the Fuzzy Synthetic Method DEMATEL-ANP
Authors: Chen Qingmei , Zhang Wei , Jin Nanshun , Wang Xiaocheng , Dai Peiru
Published: October 2022

In view of the characteristics of small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises and the status quo of digitalization, it is necessary to develop a more applicable digital transformation maturity model. The decision testing and evaluation laboratory method (DEMATEL) is used to provide the visual impact relationship between digital transformation criteria, and combined with the network analytic hierarchy process (ANP) to determine the mixed weight of indicators, and then fuzzy comprehensive evaluation is used to evaluate the digital maturity of small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. The empirical analysis of small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Guangdong Province shows that digital strategy and information technology play a key role in the digital transformation of enterprises, and digital process and digital innovation are the main problems faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, the digital maturity of enterprises is related to the industrial base, regional policies, industry types, etc. This study provides some guidance for the implementation path selection of small- and medium-sized enterprises’ digital transformation and accelerates the digital transformation and sustainable development of small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises.
System Dynamics and Graphical Interface Modeling of a Fig-Derived Micro-Producer Factory
Authors: Lagarda-Leyva Ernesto A. , Bueno-Solano Alfredo , Morales-Mendoza Luis F.
Published: October 2022

This study started from a fig-derived product project in the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan from Sonora, Mexico, to develop technological solutions in complex environments and provide a global panorama from the industry to the prevailing situation in Valle del Mayo. A technological solution is based on a graphical interface to support decision-making in fig supply, production and distribution in the administration process, given that the main problem has been the lack of a processing plant with a sustainable approach. Four options were set up for nine producers—figs in syrup, dehydrated, marmalade, compost—based on the system dynamics methodology to solve the problem of factory installation. Six stages were followed: (1) mapping the system to determine variables and parameters; (2) constructing the causal diagram; (3) developing the flow and level diagram and model equations; (4) simulating and validating the current model; (5) designing policies and evaluating scenarios using a multi-criteria analysis; and (6) developing the graphical interface. The main conclusions show that fig-derived products and their distribution can feature in diverse markets in a graphics environment supported by complex mathematical models in the supply chain along with the capacity to generate income into utilities to support the decision of the physical factory prior to important investments.
Stories to Live by: Narrative Understandings of the Self-Concept of Students at Self-Financing Higher Education Institutions in Hong Kong
Authors: Tsang Kwok Kuen , Li Guanyu , Tang Hei-hang Hayes , Wang Xi
Published: October 2022

Self-financing higher education institutions (SfHEIs) in Hong Kong help boost the local higher education participation rate, but they are labeled as second-tier opportunities for those with academic weaknesses. Students at SfHEIs may develop a negative self-concept that deteriorates their academic performance and psychological wellness. Therefore, it is critical to understand their self-concept and how it is built. From the narrative perspective, a self-concept is the storied experiences or stories that are lived; therefore, this study employs narrative inquiry using 15 SfHEI students to represent the general pattern of the participants’ experiences. This study proves that students at SfHEIs tend to view themselves as losers or inferiors based on their low self-evaluations of their Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) results, SfHEIs, and career futures. Additionally, this study sheds new light that the loser identity is historically developed from childhood during interactions with parents and teachers, as parents and teachers continuously reinforce the message that enrollment at a publicly funded university is the only way to achieve success in life.
Life Cycle Analysis and Cost–Benefit Assessment of the Waste Collection System in Anyama, Cote d’Ivoire
Authors: Kouassi Hyacinthe Kouakou , Murayama Toru , Ota Mitsuru
Published: October 2022

Municipal solid waste collection system in Anyama is in a critical state and is compounded by high population density. Household residents need about 30 minutes’ walk to the designated waste collection point. Waste is dumped openly along the roadside, which serves as breeding grounds for chronic diseases, malaria, diarrhea, and acute respiratory disease. Could the perception and attitude of residents change if the distance between their homes and the collection points is reduced? This study evaluated the current waste management system in Anyama. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and cost–benefit analysis were conducted on four different waste collection scenarios, to propose an alternative, feasible, and integrated solid waste management system. Results showed that the kerbside recycling scenario has the highest benefit (5.8 billion CFA) compared to its cost (1.9 billion CFA), proving to be more economically sustainable. In environmental terms, the kerbside recycling scenario emitted lower emissions such as global warming potential (GWP 4967 tons) and carbon dioxide (CO2eq 550 tons). The kerbside recycling obviously had the highest potential for recycling and thus is more environmentally sustainable. Therefore, the kerbside scenario is the most suitable and recommended policy that should be adopted and implemented in Anyama. We recommend the introduction of waste banks specifically for recyclable waste and the setting up of more kerbside collection points in order to reduce the distance from households to collection points, thus improving residents’ attitude towards effective waste disposal.
Career Calling and Job Satisfaction of Ideological and Political Education Teachers in China: The Mediating Role of Occupational Self-Efficacy
Authors: Shang Weiwei , Zhang Guwen , Wang Yanlong
Published: October 2022

Analyzing job satisfaction could help to improve the subjective wellbeing of society. Although the topic of job satisfaction has aroused considerable scholarly interest, research has yet to determine how it relates to career calling and occupational self-efficacy. Drawing on social cognitive career theory, this study aimed to ascertain how career calling influences job satisfaction among ideological and political education teachers, based on the mediating role of occupational self-efficacy. Using the Structural Equation Modeling of survey data from 536 ideological and political education teachers in China, we found that career calling significantly influenced job satisfaction, and occupational self-efficacy was a key mediator between career calling and job satisfaction. These results may inform both improvements to teacher training programs and educational management initiatives to raise the levels of teachers’ job satisfaction.
Prediction of Shanghai Electric Power Carbon Emissions Based on Improved STIRPAT Model
Authors: Wang Haibing , Li Bowen , Khan Muhammad Qasim
Published: October 2022

Energy is the bridge connecting the economy and the environment and electric energy is an important guarantee for social production. In order to respond to the national dual-carbon goals, a new power system is being constructed. Effective carbon emission forecasts of power energy are essential to achieve a significant guarantee for low carbon and clean production of electric power energy. We analyzed the influencing factors of carbon emissions, such as population, per capita gross domestic product (GDP), urbanization rate, industrial structure, energy consumption, energy structure, regional electrification rate, and degree of opening to the outside world. The original Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) model was improved, and the above influencing factors were incorporated into the model for modeling analysis. The ridge regression algorithm was adopted to analyze the biased estimation of historical data. The carbon emission prediction model of Shanghai electric power and energy based on elastic relationship was established. According to the “14th Five-Year” development plan for the Shanghai area, we set up the impact factor forecast under different scenarios to substitute into the forecast models. The new model can effectively assess the carbon emissions of the power sector in Shanghai in the future.
Quantitative Inversion Method of Surface Suspended Sand Concentration in Yangtze Estuary Based on Selected Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Bands
Authors: Luan Kuifeng , Li Hui , Wang Jie , Gao Chunmei , Pan Yujia , Zhu Weidong , Xu Hang , Qiu Zhenge , Qiu Cheng
Published: October 2022

The distribution of the surface suspended sand concentration (SSSC) in the Yangtze River estuary is extremely complex. Therefore, effective methods are needed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of SSSC inversion. Hyperspectral remote sensing technology provides an effective technical means of accurately monitoring and quantitatively inverting SSSC. In this study, a new framework for the accurate inversion of the SSSC in the Yangtze River estuary using hyperspectral remote sensing is proposed. First, we quantitatively simulated water bodies with different SSSCs using sediment samples from the Yangtze River estuary, and analyzed the spectral characteristics of water bodies with different SSSCs. On this basis, we compared six spectral transformation forms, and selected the first derivative (FD) transformation as the optimal spectral transformation form. Subsequently, we compared two feature band extraction methods: the successive projections algorithm (SPA) and the competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) method. Then, the partial least squares regression (PLSR) model and back propagation (BP) neural network model were constructed. The BP neural network model was determined as the best inversion model. The new FD-CARS-BP framework was applied to the airborne hyperspectral data of the Yangtze estuary, with R2 of 0.9203, RPD of 4.5697, RMSE of 0.0339 kg/m3, and RMSE% of 8.55%, which are markedly higher than those of other framework combination forms, further verifying the effectiveness of the FD-CARS-BP framework in the quantitative inversion process of SSSC in the Yangtze estuary.
Medicinal Plants and Related Ethnomedicinal Knowledge in the Communities of Khadukhel Tehsil, Buner District, Pakistan
Authors: Jan Hammad Ahmad , Abidin Sheikh Zain Ul , Bhatti Muhammad Zeeshan , Ahmad Latif , Alghamdi Abdulaziz Khalaf , Alkreathy Huda Mohammed
Published: October 2022

The local communities of Pakistan have vast traditional knowledge about local medicinal plants that is centuries old and transferred from generation to generation, but now, the survival of this precious ethnic knowledge is threatened. This study aimed to document the ethnomedicinal information residing within the communities of the Khadukhel Tehsil, Buner District, Pakistan. To conserve this valuable traditional knowledge, data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire, one-on-one interviews, and group discussions. From 2018 to 2021, 853 people were interviewed regarding 317 plant species. Most of the ethnomedicinal data were obtained from members of the 60–69 age group. The most dominant plant family was Asteraceae (27 sp.). Leaves (124 sp.) were the most dominant plant part used in medicines, and paste (80 sp.) was the most common herbal formulation method. Most (88) medicinal plants were used to cure digestive system diseases. The collected medicinal plants and related indigenous medicinal knowledge were compared with previously published work on the surrounding areas. We suggest a phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of the collected medicinal plants for the discovery of new drugs.
An Assessment of Drivers and Barriers to Implementation of Circular Economy in the End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Sector in India
Authors: Molla Altaf Hossain , Shams Hilal , Harun Zambri , Ab Rahman Mohd Nizam , Hishamuddin Hawa
Published: October 2022

The circular economy (CE) has been frequently in the news recently, as it offers a regenerative system that substitutes the end-of-life concept with restoration. Despite several benefits yielded by the CE from a triple-bottom-line perspective, India’s end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling sector is striving against numerous impediments to implementing the CE approach. Therefore, this paper attempts to shine a spotlight on India’s ELV recycling sector, to identify the potential drivers and barriers to CE implementation. This study has employed an explorative approach to determine the impediments and drivers regarding implementing CE in India’s ELV recycling sector. This research reveals that economic viability (25 percent), environmental degradation (17 percent), and global agenda (15 percent) are the three leading primary drivers. In contrast, limited technology (18 percent), financial constraints (15 percent), and a lack of knowledge and expertise (12 percent) are significant barriers that thwart CE implementation in India’s ELV recycling sector. This paper has made the first attempt to explore the drivers and barriers to implementing CE in the ELV recycling sector in India. Therefore, besides advancing our understanding of opportunities for and threats to implementing CE, this investigation may assist the Indian authorities in devising appropriate policies and strategies and developing a regulatory and legal framework that is conducive to CE and sustainability.
A Novel Discrete-Time Chaos-Function-Based Random-Number Generator: Design and Variability Analysis
Authors: Magfirawaty Magfirawaty , Lestari Andriani Adi , Nurwa Agus Reza Aristiadi , MT Suryadi , Ramli Kalamullah
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a novel discrete-time (DT) chaotic map-based random-number generator (RNG), namely the Siponi map, which is a modification of the Logistic map. The Logistic map is usually applied to cryptosystems, mainly for the purposes of generating random numbers. In addition to being easy to implement, it has a better security level than other nonlinear functions. However, it can only process positive real-number inputs. Our proposed map is a deterministic function that can process positive and negative real values. We explored the map comprehensively and investigated its characteristics and parameters. We calculated the optimum parameter values using empirical and theoretical mathematical models to yield the maximum randomness of a sequence of bits. The limit variation of the maximum parameter value was determined based on a practical information measure. Empirical verification was performed for the Siponi map to generate bit sequences unrelated to the previous bit with high entropy values, and we found the extractor function threshold value to be 0.5, while the parameter control was −2 or 2. Using our proposed map, a simple RNG without post-processing passed DieHard statistical tests and all the tests on the NIST SP 800-22. Finally, we have implemented a Siponi map-based RNG on the FPGA board and demonstrated that the sources used are LUT = 4086, DSP = 62, and register = 2206.
Se-xDeepFEFM: Combining Low-Order Feature Refinement and Interaction Intensity Evaluation for Click-Through Rate Prediction
Authors: Li Guangli , Xu Guangxin , Wu Guangting , Ye Yiyuan , Li Chuanxiu , Zhang Hongbin , Ji Donghong
Published: October 2022

Click-through rate (CTR) prediction can provide considerable economic and social benefits. Few studies have considered the importance of low-order features, usually employing a simple feature interaction method. To address these issues, we propose a novel model called Senet and extreme deep field-embedded factorization machine (Se-xDFEFM) for more effective CTR prediction. We first embed the squeeze-excitation network (Senet) module into Se-xDFEFM to complete low-order feature refinement, which can better filter noisy information. Then, we implement our field-embedded factorization machine (FEFM) to learn the symmetric matrix embeddings for each field pair, along with the single-vector embeddings for each feature, which builds a firm foundation for the subsequent feature interaction. Finally, we design a compressed interaction network (CIN) to realize feature construction with definite order through a vector-wise interaction. We use a deep neural network (DNN) with the CIN to simultaneously implement effective but complementary explicit and implicit feature interactions. Experimental results demonstrate that the Se-xDFEFM model outperforms other state-of-the-art baselines. Our model is effective and robust for CTR prediction. Importantly, our model variants also achieve competitive recommendation performance, demonstrating their scalability.
Asymmetries of the Muscle Mechanical Properties of the Pelvic Floor in Nulliparous and Multiparous Women, and Men: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Rodrigues-de-Souza Daiana Priscila , Beleza Ana Carolina Sartorato , García-Luque Lourdes , Alcaraz-Clariana Sandra , Carmona-Pérez Cristina , De Miguel-Rubio Amaranta , Garzón-Alfaro María Teresa , Cruz-Medel Inés , Garrido-Castro Juan Luis , Alburquerque-Sendín Francisco
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to identify if the muscle mechanical properties (MMPs) of both sides of pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) are symmetrical in different populations of both sexes. Between-sides comparisons of MMPs of PFMs, assessed with manual myotonometry, were performed in three groups, with 31 subjects each, composed of healthy nulliparous women (without any type of delivery or pregnancy), multiparous women (with at least two vaginal deliveries), and healthy adult men. Intra-group correlations between MMPs and age, body mass index (BMI), or clinical state of pelvic floor were also obtained. The nulliparous women and the men showed no between-sides differences in any MMP of PFMs. However, the multiparous women showed that the right side displayed less frequency (−0.65 Hz, 95% CI = −1.01, −0.20) and decrement (0.5, 95% CI = 0.11, 0.01), and more relaxation (1.00 ms, 95% CI = 0.47, 1.54) and creep (0.07 De, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.11), than the left side. Further, MMPs were related to age, sex, and BMI, also depending on the population, with the multiparous women being the only group with some between-sides asymmetries, which in this case were positive and of fair intensity for the left side of the PFMs, between BMI, and frequency and stiffness (rho Spearman coefficient: 0.365 and 0.366, respectively). The symmetry of MMPs of the PFMs could depend on the subject’s condition. Multiparous women show a higher tendency to asymmetries than nulliparous women and men, which should be considered in research and clinical settings.
How Does Botulinum Toxin Inhibit Itch?
Authors: Gazerani Parisa
Published: October 2022

Two decades after reports of the anti-pruritic effects of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), there is still no approved product for the anti-itch indication of BoNTs, and most clinical case reports still focus on the off-label use of BoNTs for various itchy conditions. Few randomized clinical trials have been conducted with controversial results, and the beneficial effects of BoNTs against itch are mainly based on case studies and case series. These studies are valuable in presenting the potential application of BoNTs in chronic pruritic conditions, but due to the nature of these studies, they are categorized as providing lower levels of evidence or lower grades of recommendation. To obtain approval for the anti-pruritic indication of BoNTs, higher levels of evidence are required, which can be achieved through conducting large-scale and well-designed studies with proper control groups and established careful and reliable primary and secondary outcomes. In addition to clinical evidence, presenting the mechanism-based antipruritic action of BoNTs can potentially strengthen, accelerate, and facilitate the current efforts towards further investments in accelerating the field towards the potential approval of BoNTs for itchy conditions. This review, therefore, aimed to provide the state-of-the-art mechanisms underlying the anti-itch effect of BoNTs from basic studies that resemble various clinical conditions with itch as a hallmark. Evidence of the neuronal, glial, and immune modulatory actions of BoNTs in reducing the transmission of itch are presented, and future potential directions are outlined.
Spatially Explicit Environmental Factors Associated with Lymphatic Filariasis Infection in American Samoa
Authors: Lemin Morgan E. , Cadavid Restrepo Angela , Mayfield Helen J. , Lau Colleen L.
Published: October 2022

Under the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) American Samoa conducted seven rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) between 2000 and 2006. Subsequently, the territory passed the WHO recommended school-based transmission assessment survey (TAS) in 2011/2012 (TAS-1) and 2015 (TAS-2) but failed in 2016, when both TAS-3 and a community survey found LF antigen prevalence above what it had been in previous surveys. This study aimed to identify potential environmental drivers of LF to refine future surveillance efforts to detect re-emergence and recurrence. Data on five LF infection markers: antigen, Wb123, Bm14 and Bm33 antibodies and microfilaraemia, were obtained from a population-wide serosurvey conducted in American Samoa in 2016. Spatially explicit data on environmental factors were derived from freely available sources. Separate multivariable Poisson regression models were developed for each infection marker to assess and quantify the associations between LF infection markers and environmental variables. Rangeland, tree cover and urban cover were consistently associated with a higher seroprevalence of LF-infection markers, but to varying magnitudes between landcover classes. High slope gradient, population density and crop cover had a negative association with the seroprevalence of LF infection markers. No association between rainfall and LF infection markers was detected, potentially due to the limited variation in rainfall across the island. This study demonstrated that seroprevalence of LF infection markers were more consistently associated with topographical environmental variables, such as gradient of the slope, rather than climatic variables, such as rainfall. These results provide the initial groundwork to support the detection of areas where LF transmission is more likely to occur, and inform LF elimination efforts through better understanding of the environmental drivers.
Ampliseq for Illumina Technology Enables Detailed Molecular Epidemiology of Rabies Lyssaviruses from Infected Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissues
Authors: Nadin-Davis Susan Angela , Hartke Allison , Kang Mingsong
Published: October 2022

Whole genome sequencing of rabies lyssaviruses (RABVs) has enabled the generation of highly detailed phylogenies that reveal viral transmission patterns of disease in reservoir species. Such information is highly important for informing best practices with respect to wildlife rabies control. However, specimens available only as formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples have been recalcitrant to such analyses. Due to the damage inflicted by tissue processing, only relatively short amplicons can be generated by standard RT-PCR methods, making the generation of full-length genome sequences very tedious. While highly parallel shotgun sequencing of total RNA can potentially overcome these challenges, the low percentage of reads representative of the virus may be limiting. Ampliseq technology enables massively multiplex amplification of nucleic acids to produce large numbers of short PCR products. Such a strategy has been applied to the sequencing of entire viral genomes but its use for rabies virus analysis has not been reported previously. This study describes the generation of an Ampliseq for Illumina primer panel, which was designed based on the global sequence diversity of rabies viruses, and which enables efficient viral genome amplification and sequencing of rabies-positive FFPE samples. The subsequent use of such data for detailed phylogenetic analysis of the virus is demonstrated.
Rapid Identity and Quantity CQA Test for Multivalent mRNA Drug Product Formulations
Authors: Gao Rachel Y. , Riley Christine M. , Toth Evan , Blair Rebecca H. , Gerold Megan N. , McCormick Caitlin , Taylor Amber W. , Hu Tianjing , Rowlen Kathy L. , Dawson Erica D.
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted mRNA as a promising platform for vaccines and therapeutics. Many of the analytical tools used to characterize the critical quality attributes of mRNA are inherently singleplex and are not necessarily optimal from a labor and cost perspective. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of a multiplexed platform (VaxArray) for efficient identity verification and concentration determination for both monovalent and multivalent mRNA formulations. A model system comprising mRNA constructs for influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase was used to characterize the analytical performance metrics for a VaxArray mRNA assay. The assay presented herein had a time to result of less than 2 h, required no PCR-based amplification nor extraction of mRNA from lipid nanoparticles, and exhibited high construct specificity that enabled application to the bivalent mixture. The sensitivity for influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase mRNA was sub-µg/mL, which is vaccine-relevant, and the average accuracy (%recovery of a check standard) and precision were 104 ± 2% and 9 ± 2%, respectively.