bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Southern Model Revisited: The Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, Immigration, and Health and Safety in Poultry Processing
Authors: Constance Douglas H. , Choi Jin Young , Hendrickson Mary K.
Published: September 2023

This research combines a sociology of agrifood conceptual framework with a commodity systems analysis methodology to investigate the nexus of race, ethnicity, immigration, and health and safety in the US poultry processing industry. The poultry industry was the first agricultural sector to industrialize. Through vertical and horizontal integration, the industry is dominated by a few powerful firms. The industry has been criticized for multiple ethical failures regarding contract growers, processing plant workers, and communities. Meat and poultry processing is one of the most dangerous manufacturing jobs in the United States. Poultry processing is especially reliant on a non-union, minority, and immigrant labor force. This “Southern Model” is the preferred model of agrifood globalization. The COVID pandemic brought renewed attention to precarious work in poultry processing and exposed the lack of resilience in the agrifood system in general, and the poultry industry in particular.
Impact of Fixed Cost Increase on the Optimization of Two-Stage Sustainable Supply Chain Networks
Authors: Mostafa Ahmed , Moustafa Kamal , Elshaer Raafat
Published: September 2023

Supply chain networks have emerged as the backbone of economic activities in the modern world. Most of the literature on the optimization problem of transportation in supply chain networks (SCNs) considers fixed costs (FCs). Although most researchers have used fixed costs in supply chain design, none have studied their impact on optimal supply chain design. The design of the network can change when we take fixed costs into optimization. However, in the practical application of this problem, it is important to study the effect of FCs. This paper examines the impact of the fixed cost’s increase as well as the variable cost on the optimization of a two-stage SCN. To do so, two mathematical models for mixed-integer nonlinear programming were developed. The first model optimizes fixed and variable costs in addition to the opening cost, whereas the second model only optimizes variable and opening costs. To evaluate the effect of considering the FC on the optimization supply chain problem, four groups of instances were randomly generated and solved using Lingo. The results of the two models are compared using the average percentage deviation. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the impact of changes in opening and variable costs on the considered optimization problem. The computational results and the sensitivity analysis show that the first model with minimized FC outperforms the second model, which does not consider the FC in minimization and FC affects the optimization.
Course Prophet: A System for Predicting Course Failures with Machine Learning: A Numerical Methods Case Study
Authors: Caicedo-Castro Isaac
Published: September 2023

In this study, our purpose was to conceptualize a machine-learning-driven system capable of predicting whether a given student is at risk of failing a course, relying exclusively on their performance in prerequisite courses. Our research centers around students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering at the University of Córdoba, Colombia. Specifically, we concentrate on the predictive task of identifying students who are at risk of failing the numerical methods course. To achieve this goal, we collected a dataset sourced from the academic histories of 103 students, encompassing both those who failed and those who successfully passed the aforementioned course. We used this dataset to conduct an empirical study to evaluate various machine learning methods. The results of this study revealed that the Gaussian process with Matern kernel outperformed the other methods we studied. This particular method attained the highest accuracy (80.45%), demonstrating a favorable trade-off between precision and recall. The harmonic mean of precision and recall stood at 72.52%. As far as we know, prior research utilizing a similar vector representation of students’ academic histories, as employed in our study, had not achieved this level of prediction accuracy. In conclusion, the main contribution of this research is the inception of the prototype named Course Prophet. Leveraging the Gaussian process, this tool adeptly identifies students who face a higher probability of encountering challenges in the numerical methods course, based on their performance in prerequisite courses.
Towards Federated Learning and Multi-Access Edge Computing for Air Quality Monitoring: Literature Review and Assessment
Authors: Abimannan Satheesh , El-Alfy El-Sayed M. , Hussain Shahid , Chang Yue-Shan , Shukla Saurabh , Satheesh Dhivyadharsini , Breslin John G.
Published: September 2023

Systems for monitoring air quality are essential for reducing the negative consequences of air pollution, but creating real-time systems encounters several challenges. The accuracy and effectiveness of these systems can be greatly improved by integrating federated learning and multi-access edge computing (MEC) technology. This paper critically reviews the state-of-the-art methodologies for federated learning and MEC-enabled air quality monitoring systems. It discusses the immense benefits of federated learning, including privacy-preserving model training, and MEC, such as reduced latency and improved response times, for air quality monitoring applications. Additionally, it highlights the challenges and requirements for developing and implementing real-time air quality monitoring systems, such as data quality, security, and privacy, as well as the need for interpretable and explainable AI-powered models. By leveraging such advanced techniques and technologies, air monitoring systems can overcome various challenges and deliver accurate, reliable, and timely air quality predictions. Moreover, this article provides an in-depth analysis and assessment of the state-of-the-art techniques and emphasizes the need for further research to develop more practical and affordable AI-powered decentralized systems with improved performance and data quality and security while ensuring the ethical and responsible use of the data to support informed decision making and promote sustainability.
Circular Economy: Adding Value to the Post-Industrial Waste through the Transformation of Aluminum Dross for Cement Matrix Applications
Authors: Muñoz-Vélez Mario Fernando , Salazar-Serna Kathleen , Escobar-Torres Daniela , Rojas-Manzano Manuel Alejandro , Gómez-Gómez Adriana , Maury-Ramírez Aníbal
Published: September 2023

In light of globalization and escalating environmental concerns, society is increasingly confronted with the challenge of implementing the concept of a circular economy, which promotes the recycle of waste materials and offers a promising solution. Aluminum dross, a byproduct of the aluminum production process, poses environmental issues when not properly managed. Therefore, this study examined the technical and financial feasibility of implementing an industrial process for the recovery and transformation of aluminum dross into raw materials for use in cementitious materials. From a technical perspective, two processes were evaluated: washing and the grindability of the material. An X-ray diffraction analysis allowed to verify an approximately 88% reduction in AlN (a compound that produces ammonia gases when reacting with water) after washing the material. The most efficient grinding process was achieved using an impact mill. The financial feasibility study was carried out through cash flow forecasting, which revealed that a minimum selling price of USD 0.12 per kilogram of processed material could generate a return rate of 9.7% over a five-year period. These results present opportunities for the metal and construction industries to develop products with low CO2 emissions by reintegrating aluminum dross into a productive cycle. Moreover, this work serves as a valuable reference for policymakers and environmental authorities seeking to formulate new legislation or incentives that encourage companies to invest in environmentally focused projects.
How Job Insecurity Affects Innovative Work Behavior in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry? The Roles of Knowledge Hiding Behavior and Team Anti-Citizenship Behavior
Authors: Aliane Nadir , Al-Romeedy Bassam Samir , Agina Mohamed Fathy , Salah Perihan A. Mohsen , Abdallah Rabab Mahmoud , Fatah Mohamed Abdel Hamed Abdel , Khababa Nourredine , Khairy Hazem Ahmed
Published: September 2023

This study examines how innovative work behavior (IWB) is affected by job insecurity (JI). The study also explores knowledge-hiding behavior (KHB) and team anti-citizenship behavior (TAB) as mediators. Data were collected from employees working in Egypt’s five-star hotels and category (A) travel agencies. There were 457 valid responses and they were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings demonstrated that there is a negative relationship between job insecurity and employee innovative work behavior. There were positive relationships between job insecurity with knowledge-hiding behavior and team anti-citizenship behavior. The findings also revealed a negative relationship between knowledge-hiding behavior and team anti-citizenship behavior with employee innovative work behavior. In addition, findings revealed that knowledge-hiding behavior mediates the relationship between JI and IWB. Contrary to the hypothesized model of the study, team anti-citizenship behavior did not mediate the relationship between JI and IWB. This research contributes to the studies on JI, KHB, and TAB in terms of IWB, specifically in the hospitality and tourism context. It also includes suggestions for coping with JI, KHB, and TAB in hotel and tourism enterprises, which may promote IWB and the overall workplace environment.
Enhancing the Dynamic Stability of Integrated Offshore Wind Farms and Photovoltaic Farms Using STATCOM with Intelligent Damping Controllers
Authors: Lu Kai-Hung , Rao Qianlin
Published: September 2023

To build a large-scale renewable energy integrated system in the power system, power fluctuation mitigation and damping measures must be implemented during grid connection. PID damping controllers and traditional intelligent controllers with pole configuration are usually used for improving damping. Integration of large wind power plants and photovoltaic power plants into the power system faces transient power oscillation and fault ride-through (FRT) capability under fault conditions. Therefore, this paper proposes a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) damper based on a recurrent Petri fuzzy probabilistic neural network (RPFPNN) to improve the transient stability of the power system when large offshore wind farms and photovoltaic power plants are integrated into the power system, suppress power fluctuation, and increase FRT capability. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme, a three-phase short circuit fault at the connected busbar is modeled in the time domain as part of a nonlinear model. From the comparison of simulation results, the proposed control scheme can effectively slow down the transient fluctuation of power supply to the grid-connected point when the grid is faulty, reach steady-state stability within 1–1.5 s, and reduce overshoot by more than 50%. It can also provide system voltage support at an 80% voltage drop and assist in stabilizing the system voltage to increase FRT capability. It also improves stability more than PID controllers when disturbances are present. Therefore, it maximizes the stability and safety of the power grid system.
Preliminary Study on Indoor Air Temperature and Moisture Behaviour in 13th-Century Churches in Latvia
Authors: Metals Martins , Lesinskis Arturs , Borodinecs Anatolijs , Turauskis Kristaps
Published: September 2023

The microclimate plays a crucial role in the conservation of historical cult buildings and their artifacts for future generations. In order to conserve these buildings and their artifacts, it is imperative to ensure that the microclimate is conserved. The norms and standards existing so far in Latvia do not stipulate thresholds for air parameters that would ensure a conserving microclimate for historical cult buildings. In order to identify these thresholds, the air parameters were measured simultaneously at nine measuring points within the Krimulda Church (LV) of the 13th century. The temperatures of the surfaces of the building envelope and potential condensation were calculated using the actual data of indoor and outside air. The indoor and outdoor air humidity ratio was calculated for each measurement. The conservation threshold of indoor microclimate parameters was determined by using intermittent heating on the basis of the air parameter fluctuations and calculations. The moisture vapours from the building structures were quantified in this research. The indoor humidity ratio during the warm season and the upper threshold during the heating season were determined.
A Blockchain-Enabled IoT Logistics System for Efficient Tracking and Management of High-Price Shipments: A Resilient, Scalable and Sustainable Approach to Smart Cities
Authors: Balfaqih Mohammed , Balfagih Zain , Lytras Miltiadis D. , Alfawaz Khaled Mofawiz , Alshdadi Abdulrahman A. , Alsolami Eesa
Published: September 2023

The concept of a smart city is aimed at enhancing the quality of life for urban residents, and logistic services are a crucial component of this effort. Despite this, the logistics industry has encountered issues due to the exponential growth of logistics volumes, as well as the complexity of processes and lack of transparency. Consequently, it is necessary to develop an efficient management system that offers traceability and condition monitoring capabilities to ensure the safe and high-quality delivery of goods. Moreover, it is crucial to guarantee the accuracy and dependability of distribution data. In this context, this paper proposes a blockchain-enabled IoT logistics system for the efficient tracking and management of high-price shipments. A smart contract based on blockchain technology has been designed for automatic approval and payment, with the aim of distributing shipping information exclusively among legitimate logistics parties. To ensure authentication, a zero-knowledge proof is used to conceal the blockchain address. Moreover, an intelligent parcel (iParcel) containing piezoresistive sensors is developed to pack delivered goods during the shipping process for violation detection such as severe falls or theft. The iParcels are automatically tracked and traced, and if a violation occurs, the contract is cancelled, and payment is refunded. The transaction fee per party is reasonable, particularly for high-price products that guarantee successful shipment.
Fostering an Age-Friendly Sustainable Transport System: A Psychological Perspective
Authors: Tinella Luigi , Bosco Andrea , Traficante Sergio , Napoletano Rosa , Ricciardi Elisabetta , Spano Giuseppina , Lopez Antonella , Sanesi Giovanni , Bergantino Angela Stefania , Caffò Alessandro Oronzo
Published: September 2023

The aging population is rapidly growing across the world, with the number of people aged 65 or older projected to reach 1.6 billion by 2050. As such, it is essential to consider how to develop sustainable transport systems that are age-friendly. This perspective paper investigates how to foster an age-friendly transport system with a particular focus on public and sustainable transport options for the elderly. Existing transport systems are evaluated to determine their adherence to an effective age-friendly transport system in terms of three main requirements, namely affordability, accessibility and safety. Then, a psychological perspective is introduced by considering the psycho-physical needs and preferences of the elderly as well as individual factors affecting them. Four areas are considered: (a) independence and autonomy, (b) comfort and convenience, (c) social inclusion and ageism, (d) physical health and well-being, especially injuries due to mobility and fear connected with them. Finally, a proposal is made about psychological training programs directed to both elderly users and transport workers to overcome concerns for an age-friendly transportation system. Such programs could effectively support the age-friendly use of public transport systems simply by increasing the age-friendly skills of both users as well as transport workers.
Research on the Distribution of Overlying Rock Fractures Caused by Mining in Ultra-Thick Coal Seams and Its Impact on the Near-Surface Aquifer
Authors: Zhou Yang , Yu Xueyi
Published: September 2023

Near-surface water is the foundation for maintaining the ecological environment, and coal remains an important energy source in today’s world as we face a shortage of green energy. Achieving near-surface-water protection while safely mining coal is an important way to ensure social and ecological health and sustainability. The key lies in whether the fracture height of the mining overlying strata affects the aquifer. This article compiles the coupling finite element and discrete element method (CFE-DEM) and established mechanical constitutive models such as the interaction between rock blocks on both sides of the penetrated fracture, rock mass fracture process, and the plastic deformation law of rocks based on the results of mining-induced overlying rock failure. On this basis, a numerical calculation model is established based on the engineering geological conditions of the Beixinyao Coal Mine. The numerical simulation results indicate that the theory and the CFE-DEM method can numerically simulate the distribution and evolution of mining-induced overlying rock fractures. The water-conducting fractures in the overlying strata of extra-thick coal seams extend to the front of the working face in a trapezoidal shape, and the angle formed between them and the advancing direction ranges from 62° to 75°. Combined with the in situ measurement results, the height of the water-conducting fracture zone of the extra-thick coal seam is between 209 m and 230 m; the fractures were not found to have affected the aquifer at a vertical distance of 252 m from the coal seam. This means that the impact of ultra-thick coal seam mining on the aquifer is very limited. The research is of great significance for ensuring coal mining and surface ecological sustainability in ultra-thick coal seam areas.
Evaluation of Geological Hazard Risk in Yiliang County, Yunnan Province, Using Combined Assignment Method
Authors: Zhang Shaohan , Tan Shucheng , Geng Hui , Li Ronwei , Sun Yongqi , Li Jun
Published: September 2023

Geological disasters are prevalent during urbanization in the mountainous areas of southwest China due to the complex geographic and fragile geologic conditions. This paper relies on the ArcGIS platform as the model operation carrier and takes Yiliang County of Yunnan Province as the research area. Nine evaluation factors such as slope and elevation were selected, and the risk assessment of geological disasters in Yiliang County is carried out by using the combination weighting method. The results show that: (1) the extremely high-risk areas and high-risk areas are distributed in the central, western, and northeastern parts of Yiliang County, of which 164 disaster points are distributed in the area, accounting for 72.56% of the total disaster points; (2) the elevation, human engineering activities, vegetation coverage, and distance from the river are the four main factors affecting the development of geological disasters in the area; (3) the proportions of extremely high-risk areas, high-risk areas, medium-risk areas, and low-risk areas in the total area of the county were 8.08%, 19.61%, 30.59%, and 41.72%, respectively; (4) the verification of the evaluation results by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve shows that the evaluation accuracy is 80%, and the zoning results are consistent with the spatial and temporal distribution of historical disaster points. The combined weighting method can effectively evaluate the risk of geological disasters in Yiliang County, and the results can be used as a scientific reference for local government departments to carry out relevant work.
American Economic Stakeholder Sentiments towards Chinese Firms’ Innovation Capability: The Role of State Political Environment and Firm Ownership
Authors: Tang Zhi , Yu Yang
Published: September 2023

Outward foreign direct investments from innovative Chinese firms pose challenges to American stakeholders regarding how to balance economic gains and nationalistic sentiment. Relying on the stakeholder management framework, we analyze the dual nature of American economic stakeholders’ sentiments towards innovative Chinese firms. Both positive and negative sentiments increase as Chinese companies’ innovative capability improves. While stakeholders in conservative-leaning states may temper their positive sentiment, their negative sentiment is mainly directed at Chinese state-owned companies. Our findings help to gain particular insight into the complex nature of stakeholder sentiment, a key element shaping multinational companies’ operating environment.
Amine-Grafted Pomegranate Peels for the Simultaneous Removal of Nitrate and Phosphate Anions from Wastewater
Authors: Abbach Wafae , Laghlimi Charaf , Isaad Jalal
Published: September 2023

Pomegranate peel (PP), a by-product of agro-food consumption, has a low adsorption capacity for nitrate and phosphate ions in aqueous media, but its surface is very rich in alcohol functional groups. In this work, the surface of pomegranate peels was functionalized by chemo-grafting 3-(2-Aminoethylamino) propyl] trimethoxy silane (AEAPTES) using the availability of alcohol groups to increase the adsorption capacity of the resulting adsorbent (PP/AEAPTES) towards nitrate and phosphate ions. The prepared PP/AEAPTES adsorbent was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Zeta potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). Under experimental conditions, the adsorption capacity of PP/AEAPTES has been found to be 124.57 mg/g and 94.65 mg/g for NO3− and PO43−, respectively, at pH 6 over a wide temperature range, and adsorption is exothermic for NO3− and endothermic for PO43−, as well as spontaneous and physical in nature. The adsorptions of NO3− and PO43− were also correctly described by the Langmuir isotherm and followed the pseudo-second-order model. The ability of PP/AEAPTES to adsorb NO3− and PO43− ions under real conditions was evaluated, and efficient regeneration and repetitive use of PP/AEAPTES was successfully achieved up to 5 cycles.
Investigating the Potential of High-Density Polyethylene and Nano Clay Asphalt-Modified Binders to Enhance the Rutting Resistance of Asphalt Mixture
Authors: Abdel-Raheem Ashraf , Dulaimi Anmar , Mohamed Ahmed S. , Moussa Ghada S. , Özkılıç Yasin Onuralp , Mashaan Nuha , Jaya Ramadhansyah Putra , Abdel-Wahed Talaat
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the potential of two bitumen modifiers, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and nano clay (NC), to enhance the rutting resistance of asphalt mixture. Four HDPE asphalt binders were prepared by mixing the HDPE at percentages of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% with the virgin binder, while four NC asphalt binders were produced by mixing the NC at percentages of 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%. The consistency and flow of virgin binder, HDPE binders, and NC binders were evaluated by penetration, softening point, and viscosity tests. The results show a gradual increment in the binder stiffness by increasing the percentage of both modifiers. The static creep test was conducted at a temperature of 40 °C to evaluate the rutting resistance. The results confirm that both modifiers can greatly improve the rutting resistance of the asphalt mixture, where 8% HDPE and 3% NC modifications reduce the strains provoked in the asphalt mixture under loading by about 50%. According to the correlation analysis, the mixture rutting performance is highly attributed to the binder stiffness, where the lower the penetration value of the asphalt binder, the lower the strains in the asphalt mixture and the higher the stiffness modulus of the asphalt mixture.
Development of Modular Architectures for Product–Service Systems
Authors: Rennpferdt Christoph , Zuefle Marc , Bagusat Marco , Bender Dennis , Krause Dieter
Published: September 2023

Driven by servitization, an increasing number of manufacturing companies are transforming from being a pure product provider to a provider of Product–Service Systems (PSS). PSS offer unique benefits to both providers and customers by combining physical products and intangible services. However, this results in an increase in variety for the provider, which causes an increase in variety-induced complexity and, finally, also in costs. This correlation is proven based on the literature; possible approaches to manage the complexity are presented and the current research gap is addressed. To address the gap, a method for the development of modular architectures for PSS is presented in this paper. The method comprises five phases and supports companies from identifying PSS-based business models up to modularizing product components and service components. To validate this method, it is first applied to the example of a product family of pressure-reducing valves and then its results are discussed afterwards. It is proven that this method is suitable for the development of modular PSS architectures, but there is also a need for further research, which is described in the Conclusions section.
Transformative Business Models for Decarbonization: Insights from Prize-Winning Start-Ups at the Web Summit
Authors: Costa Evaldo , Fontes Margarida , Bento Nuno
Published: September 2023

The increasing social pressure for decarbonization has placed businesses under considerable scrutiny to actively reduce carbon emissions. A critical step towards achieving this objective is to shift conventional production and consumption systems to more sustainable alternatives. Thus, there is an emergent need to understand the patterns and drivers of the transformative business models (BMs) that underpin that shift. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach that integrates different literature streams—including Sustainability Transitions Theory (STT), Strategic Niche Management (SNM), and the Business Models approach—and stakeholders’ interviews to investigate the key elements of business models that lead towards sustainable practices. This research examines the organizational arrangements of European start-ups operating between 2014 and 2020. The transformation towards decarbonized production and consumption is characterized by an efficient combination of business strategies that incorporate advanced technologies (ATs), such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and its algorithms, along with sustainable elements, resulting in transformative business models. By exploring the driving elements behind the transition to low-carbon approaches, this study fills a significant gap in the existing literature on business models. The findings from this research also hold relevance for policymakers to promote decarbonization.
Al2O3-Cu\Ethylene Glycol-Based Magnetohydrodynamic Non-Newtonian Maxwell Hybrid Nanofluid Flow with Suction Effects in a Porous Space: Energy Saving by Solar Radiation
Authors: Jeelani Mdi Begum , Abbas Amir
Published: September 2023

Nanotechnology is well-known for its versatile and general thermal transport disciplines, which are used in semiconductors, spacecraft, bioengineering, functional electronics, and biosensors. As a result, process optimization has attracted the interest of scientists and technologists. The main aim of the current analysis is to explore the enhancement of energy/heat transfer via the dispersion of cylindrical-shaped nanoparticles of alumina and copper in ethylene glycol as a base fluid using a non-Newtonian Maxwell fluid model. In the current study, the effects of solar radiation, plate suction, and magnetohydrodynamics on a Maxwell hybrid nanofluid are encountered. The flow is induced by linearly stretching a sheet angled at ξ=π/6, embedded in a porous space. The proposed problem is converted into a mathematical structure in terms of partial differential equations and then reduced to ordinary differential equations by using appropriate similarity variables. In the similarity solution, all the curves for the velocity field and temperature distribution remain similar, which means that the symmetry between the graphs for the velocity and temperature remains the same. Therefore, there is a strong correlation between similarity variables and symmetry. The obtained model, in terms of ordinary differential equations, is solved using the built-in numerical solver bvp4c. It is concluded that more nanoparticles in a fluid can make it heat up faster, as they are typically better at conducting heat than the fluid itself. This means that heat is transferred more quickly, raising the temperature of the fluid. However, more nanoparticles can also slow the flow speed of the fluid to control the boundary layer thickness. The temperature field is enhanced by increasing the solar radiation parameter, the magnetic field parameter, and the porous medium parameter at an angle of ξ=π/6, which serves the purpose of including radiation and the Lorentz force. The velocity field is decreased by increasing the values of the buoyancy parameter and the suction parameter effects at an angle of ξ=π/6. The current study can be used in the improvement of the thermal efficiency of nanotechnological devices and in renewable energy sources to save energy in the energy sector. The present results are compared with the published ones, and it is concluded that there is excellent agreement between them, which endorses the validity and accuracy of the current study.
Some Fixed Point Theorems for α-Admissible Mappings in Complex-Valued Fuzzy Metric Spaces
Authors: Shukla Satish , Rai Shweta , Shukla Rahul
Published: September 2023

This paper discusses some properties of complex-valued fuzzy metric spaces and introduces the α-admissible mappings in the setting of complex-valued fuzzy metric spaces. We establish fixed point theorems for mappings satisfying symmetric contractive conditions with control functions. The results of this paper generalize, extend, and improve several results from metric, fuzzy metric, and complex-valued fuzzy metric spaces. Several examples are presented that verify and illustrate the new concepts, claims, and results.
A Model-Based Engineering Approach for Evaluating Software-Defined Radio Architecture
Authors: Albayati Mohammed G. , Dano Eric B. , Rajamani Ravi , Thompson Amy E.
Published: September 2023

In product development, important specification and design decisions must be made at various stages of the lifecycle that include design, manufacturing, operations, and support. However, making these decisions becomes more complex when a multi-disciplinary team of stakeholders is involved in system-level or subsystem-level architecture and design decisions. Model-Based Engineering (MBE) approaches are enabling a digital thread of connected data and models. This work demonstrates a novel MBE approach that incorporates a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) method and a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method to determine the best architecture solution that aligns with stakeholder needs and objectives over multiple domains. This approach demonstrates the connection of a system descriptive model, modeled using the systems modeling language (SysML), to underlying physics-based engineering models for the purpose of better predicting the technical performance of systems during the architecture development phase. This approach is demonstrated for a common aerospace communications application, a software-defined radio. This novel MBE approach supports digital transformation at organizations and allows for earlier design validation, enabling designers to test and select the best system architecture from many candidates and validate that the design meets stakeholder needs.
Exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene and 1-Nitropyrene in Particulate Matter Increases Oxidative Stress in the Human Body
Authors: Choi Sun-Haeng , Ochirpurev Bolormaa , Toriba Akira , Won Jong-Uk , Kim Heon
Published: September 2023

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been reported to cause oxidative stress in metabolic processes. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), in the atmosphere and oxidative stress levels in the human body. This study included 44 Korean adults who lived in Cheongju, Republic of Korea. Atmospheric BaP and 1-NP concentrations and urinary 6-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene (6-OHNP), N-acetyl-1-aminopyrene (1-NAAP), and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) concentrations were measured. The oxidative stress level was assessed by measuring urinary thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations. Urinary TBARS and 6-OHNP concentrations significantly differed between winter and summer. BaP exposure was significantly associated with urinary 8-OHdG concentrations in summer. However, atmospheric 1-NP did not show a significant correlation with oxidative stress marker concentrations. Urinary 1-NAAP concentration was a significant determinant for urinary 8-OHdG concentration in summer. Oxidative stress in the body increases in proportion to inhalation exposure to BaP, and more 8-OHdG is produced in the body as the amount of 1-NP, which is metabolized to 1-AP or 1-NAAP, increases.
Fitness Determinants of Influenza A Viruses
Authors: Griffin Emily Fate , Tompkins Stephen Mark
Published: September 2023

Influenza A (IAV) is a major human respiratory pathogen that causes illness, hospitalizations, and mortality annually worldwide. IAV is also a zoonotic pathogen with a multitude of hosts, allowing for interspecies transmission, reassortment events, and the emergence of novel pandemics, as was seen in 2009 with the emergence of a swine-origin H1N1 (pdmH1N1) virus into humans, causing the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. While the 2009 pandemic was considered to have high morbidity and low mortality, studies have linked the pdmH1N1 virus and its gene segments to increased disease in humans and animal models. Genetic components of the pdmH1N1 virus currently circulate in the swine population, reassorting with endemic swine viruses that co-circulate and occasionally spillover into humans. This is evidenced by the regular detection of variant swine IAVs in humans associated with state fairs and other intersections of humans and swine. Defining genetic changes that support species adaptation, virulence, and cross-species transmission, as well as mutations that enhance or attenuate these features, will improve our understanding of influenza biology. It aids in surveillance and virus risk assessment and guides the establishment of counter measures for emerging viruses. Here, we review the current understanding of the determinants of specific IAV phenotypes, focusing on the fitness, transmission, and virulence determinants that have been identified in swine IAVs and/or in relation to the 2009 pdmH1N1 virus.
Trends and Challenges in the Surveillance and Control of Avian Metapneumovirus
Authors: Salles Gleidson Biasi Carvalho , Pilati Giulia Von Tönnemann , Muniz Eduardo Correa , de Lima Neto Antonio Junior , Vogt Josias Rodrigo , Dahmer Mariane , Savi Beatriz Pereira , Padilha Dayane Azevedo , Fongaro Gislaine
Published: September 2023

Among the respiratory pathogens of birds, the Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) is one of the most relevant, as it is responsible for causing infections of the upper respiratory tract and may induce respiratory syndromes. aMPV is capable of affecting the reproductive system of birds, directly impacting shell quality and decreasing egg production. Consequently, this infection can cause disorders related to animal welfare and zootechnical losses. The first cases of respiratory syndromes caused by aMPV were described in the 1970s, and today six subtypes (A, B, C, D, and two more new subtypes) have been identified and are widespread in all chicken and turkey-producing countries in the world, causing enormous economic losses for the poultry industry. Conventionally, immunological techniques are used to demonstrate aMPV infection in poultry, however, the identification of aMPV through molecular techniques helped in establishing the traceability of the virus. This review compiles data on the main aMPV subtypes present in different countries; aMPV and bacteria co-infection; vaccination against aMPV and viral selective pressure, highlighting the strategies used to prevent and control respiratory disease; and addresses tools for viral diagnosis and virus genome studies aiming at improving and streamlining pathogen detection and corroborating the development of new vaccines that can effectively protect herds, preventing viral escapes.
Non-Structural Protein-W61 as a Novel Target in Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV): An In-Vitro and In-Silico Study on Protein-Protein Interactions with Nucleoprotein and Viral Replication
Authors: Park Ji-Young , Sivasankar Chandran , Kirthika Perumalraja , Prabhu Dhamodharan , Lee John Hwa
Published: September 2023

The non-structural protein (NSs) and nucleoprotein (NP) of the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) encoded by the S segment are crucial for viral pathogenesis. They reside in viroplasm-like structures (VLS), but their interaction and their significance in viral propagation remain unclear. Here, we investigated the significance of the association between NSs and NP during viral infection through in-silico and in-vitro analyses. Through in-silico analysis, three possible binding sites were predicted, at positions C6S (Cystein at 6th position to Serine), W61Y (Tryptophan 61st to Tyrosine), and S207T (Serine 207th to Threonine), three mutants of NSs were developed by site-directed mutagenesis and tested for NP interaction by co-immunoprecipitation. NSsW61Y failed to interact with the nucleoprotein, which was substantiated by the conformational changes observed in the structural analyses. Additionally, molecular docking analysis corroborated that the NSW61Y mutant protein does not interact well compared to wild-type NSs. Over-expression of wild-type NSs in HeLa cells increased the SFTSV replication by five folds, but NSsW61Y exhibited 1.9-folds less viral replication than wild-type. We demonstrated that the W61Y alteration was implicated in the reduction of NSs-NP interaction and viral replication. Thus, the present study identified a critical NSs site, which could be targeted for development of therapeutic regimens against SFTSV.
Broad-Spectrum Detection of HPV in Male Genital Samples Using Target-Enriched Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Li Tengguo , Unger Elizabeth R. , Rajeevan Mangalathu S.
Published: September 2023

Most human papillomavirus (HPV) surveillance studies target 30–50 of the more than 200 known types. We applied our recently described enriched whole-genome sequencing (eWGS) assay to demonstrate the impact of detecting all known and novel HPV types in male genital samples (n = 50). HPV was detected in nearly all (82%) samples, (mean number of types/samples 13.6; range 1–85), and nearly all HPV-positive samples included types in multiple genera (88%). A total of 560 HPV detections (237 unique HPV types: 46 alpha, 55 beta, 135 gamma, and 1 mu types) were made. The most frequently detected HPV types were alpha (HPV90, 43, and 74), beta (HPV115, 195, and 120), and gamma (HPV134, mSD2, and HPV50). High-risk alpha types (HPV16, 18, 31, 39, 52, and 58) were not common. A novel gamma type was identified (now officially HPV229) along with 90 unclassified types. This pilot study demonstrates the utility of the eWGS assay for broad-spectrum type detection and suggests a significantly higher type diversity in males compared to females that warrants further study.
Group A Streptococcus Vaccine Targeting the Erythrogenic Toxins SpeA and SpeB Is Safe and Immunogenic in Rabbits and Does Not Induce Antibodies Associated with Autoimmunity
Authors: Troese Matthew J. , Burlet Elodie , Cunningham Madeleine W. , Alvarez Kathy , Bentley Rebecca , Thomas Nissy , Carwell Shanna , Morefield Garry L.
Published: September 2023

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a global pathogen associated with significant morbidity and mortality for which there is currently no licensed vaccine. Vaccine development has been slow, mostly due to safety concerns regarding streptococcal antigens associated with autoimmunity and related complications. For a GAS vaccine to be safe, it must be ensured that the antigens used in the vaccine do not elicit an antibody response that can cross-react with host tissues. In this study, we evaluated the safety of our GAS vaccine candidate called VaxiStrep in New Zealand White rabbits. VaxiStrep is a recombinant fusion protein comprised of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A (SpeA) and exotoxin B (SpeB), also known as erythrogenic toxins, adsorbed to an aluminum adjuvant. The vaccine elicited a robust immune response against the two toxins in the rabbits without any adverse events or toxicity. No signs of autoimmune pathology were detected in the rabbits’ brains, hearts, and kidneys via immunohistochemistry, and serum antibodies did not cross-react with cardiac or neuronal tissue proteins associated with rheumatic heart disease or Sydenham chorea (SC). This study further confirms that VaxiStrep does not elicit autoantibodies and is safe to be tested in a first-in-human trial.
Could Exposure to Glyphosate Pose a Risk to the Survival of Wild Animals? A Case Study on the Field Lizard Podarcis siculus
Authors: Chianese Teresa , Cominale Roberta , Scudiero Rosaria , Rosati Luigi
Published: September 2023

Soil contaminants (herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals) are among the main causes of change in terrestrial ecosystems. These substances lead to a general loss of biodiversity, both of flora and fauna and being able to biomagnify and pass through the food chain, they can endanger the survival of terrestrial vertebrates at the top of this chain. This review analyzes the risks associated with exposure to glyphosate, the active principle of many herbicide products, for the reproductive health of the field lizard (Podarcis siculus) potentially exposed to the substance in its natural habitat; therefore, introducing it as a possible model organism. Data demonstrate that glyphosate is toxic for this animal, affecting the health of the reproductive organs, both in males and females, and of the liver, the main detoxifying organ and closely involved in the female reproductive process. Sharing structural and functional characteristics of these organs with many other vertebrates, the information obtained with this reptile represents a wake-up call to consider when analyzing the cost/benefit ratio of glyphosate-based substances. The data clearly demonstrate that the P. siculus lizard can be considered a good target organism to study the reproductive risk assessment and hazards of exposure to soil contaminants on wild terrestrial vertebrates.
Removal of Phosphorus and Cadmium from Wastewaters by Periphytic Biofilm
Authors: Zhang Jin , Liu Yawei , Liu Jiajia , Shen Yu , Huang Hui , Zhu Yongli , Han Jiangang , Lu Haiying
Published: September 2023

Phosphorus (Pi) and cadmium (Cd) contamination in water sources pose significant health risks and environmental concerns. Periphytic biofilms have been recognized for their ability to effectively remove these contaminants from aquatic environments. This study aimed to investigate the impact of photon and electron treatments on Pi and Cd removal by periphytic biofilms. The experiments spanned a monthly timeframe, focusing on how photon and electron treatments affected the contaminant removal efficiency of periphytic biofilms. The results revealed that while the introduction of electrons had a minimal impact on contaminant accumulation, the enhancement of photon exposure significantly improved the absorption capacity of periphytic biofilms. This, in turn, led to enhanced removal of Pi and Cd from the water. One possible explanation for this phenomenon is that photons played a crucial role in inducing nitrate and ammonium conversion, thereby facilitating the accumulation of 4.70 mg kg−1 Pi and 2.40 mg kg−1 Cd in periphytic biofilms. In contrast, electron treatment had limited effects on nitrate conversion. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the removal of water contaminants by periphytic biofilms under the influence of electron and photon treatments. Furthermore, they have practical implications for improving pollutant removal capabilities in aquatic ecosystems using periphytic biofilms.
The Effect of Iron-Modified Biochar on Phosphorus Adsorption and the Prospect of Synergistic Adsorption between Biochar and Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria: A Review
Authors: Liu Lei , He Nannan , Borham Ali , Zhang Siwen , Xie Ruqing , Zhao Chen , Hu Jiawei , Wang Juanjuan
Published: September 2023

The release of endogenous phosphorus (P) from sediments is the main cause of lake eutrophication, even after the successful control of exogenous P. Among others, the release of iron-bound P is a major source of endogenous P, and it is necessary to reduce the P concentration by enhancing iron–phosphorus binding. Iron (Fe)-modified biochar adsorption is an effective and widely used method for fixing P in sediments. In this paper, the modification method, mechanism, and application effect of Fe-modified biochar are reviewed. It is found that most of the modification methods are realized through a physicochemical pathway. Therefore, the prospect of biochar modification through a biological pathway is presented. In particular, the possible application of iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) for promoting iron–phosphorus binding and biochar modifications is discussed. The potential effects of biochar additions on microbial communities in water and sediments are also discussed. In the future research, emphasis should be placed on the adsorption mechanism and effect analysis in simulated polluted environments before large-scale use, to ensure the economic practicability and sustainability of Fe-modified biochar applications.