bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collection and Processing of Roadside Grass Clippings: A Supply Chain Optimization Case Study for East Flanders
Authors: De Wieuw Frederik , Pauwels Tom , Sys Christa , Van de Voorde Eddy , van Hassel Edwin , Vanelslander Thierry , Willems Jeffrey
Published: September 2023

The paper focuses on secondary bio streams which are not captured efficiently in the value supply chain. Specifically, roadside grass clippings were chosen, based on their logistical optimization potential, direct feasibility, locality, biomass potential, and economic valorization value. The main objective is to determine how this secondary flow can be brought to the “factory gate”—through road transport and inland shipping—and at what cost per unit. To this end, various scenarios were developed for a case study in East Flanders, considering multiple combinations of first collection points, secondary collection points, and processing points. The result is a generically applicable Excel-based tool that combines these variations with a solution considering both inland waterways and road transport. These scenarios become valuable in applying the tool for grass clippings and optimizing this value chain located in East Flanders. The results show that reducing the number of collection points is favorable for the utilization of inland waterways, as it reduces costs related to transshipment. Nevertheless, unimodal road transport is still the most cost-effective method for transporting this secondary material stream from the collection point to the processing point. Consequently, a lower weight and a higher density will lead to lower costs, which eventually bottom out, due to regulations and conditions that must be met.
The Influence of N-Butanol Addition in Gasoline on the Combustion in the Spark Ignition Engine
Authors: Sandu Cristian , Pana Constantin , Negurescu Niculae , Lazaroiu Gheorghe , Cernat Alexandru , Georgescu Rares , Nutu Cristian
Published: September 2023

Butanol has good combustion properties and it can be a viable alternative fuel for automotive spark ignition engines due to its ability to improve energy and pollution performance. This paper analyses the influence of butanol content in gasoline blends on engine operation with a focus on operation stability, thermal efficiency and emissions. A Cielo Nubira A15MF engine type with four cylinders and a 1.5 L displacement was turbocharged and it was fueled with butanol in a blend with gasoline in percent’s of 10% vol. and 15% vol. An operation regime of 2500 1/min speed and 55% engine load was used, at different dosages, at which the engine power remained constant. Regarding the engine fueled with butanol in a blend with gasoline, the operation stability was improved, especially when lean dosages were used; the dosages at which the thermal efficiency was higher are comparative to classic fueling. Concerning the use of lean dosages, the combustion duration decreases and the energetic engine performance was improved when butanol was used comparative to gasoline. When butanol was used, polluting emissions and emission with a greenhouse effect were reduced. The sharp reduction in NOx is highlighted in this paper.
Enhanced Port Vulnerability Assessment Using Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle-Based Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Tsaimou Christina N. , Brouziouti Stavroula , Sartampakos Panagiotis , Tsoukala Vasiliki K.
Published: September 2023

Port vulnerability assessment is inherently linked to the delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Identifying the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of a port system allows for the minimization of disaster effects and optimization of maintenance, repair, or mitigation actions. The current port vulnerability assessment practices are built upon the examination of a diversity of indicators (parameters), including technical, physical, environmental, and socioeconomic pressures. From an engineering perspective, and given that ports are tangible infrastructure assets, their vulnerability is highly affected by the structural condition of their facilities. Hence, the present research seeks to enhance port vulnerability assessment by introducing structural condition parameters based on Structural Health Monitoring applications. The four fishing and leisure harbors of the Municipality of Thebes, located in central Greece, were used as a case study. Two approaches were considered for the harbors’ vulnerability assessments: (a) enabling and (b) disabling the use of the proposed parameters. In situ inspections were conducted with the employment of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for condition monitoring. UAV data were analyzed to generate geospatial images that allow for the mapping and detecting of defects and failures in port infrastructure. The overall research assists decision-makers in gaining valuable insight into the system’s vulnerabilities and prioritizing their interventions.
Advancements in Liquid Desiccant Technologies: A Comprehensive Review of Materials, Systems, and Applications
Authors: Fahad Farah G. , Al-Humairi Shurooq T. , Al-Ezzi Amged T. , Majdi Hasan Sh. , Sultan Abbas J. , Alhuzaymi Thaqal M. , Aljuwaya Thaar M.
Published: September 2023

Desiccant agents (DAs) have drawn much interest from researchers and businesses because they offer a potential method for lowering environmental impact, increasing energy efficiency, and controlling humidity. As a result, they provide a greener option to conventional air conditioning systems. This review thoroughly analyzes current issues, obstacles, and future advancements in liquid desiccant agents (LDAs) for drying, air conditioning, and dehumidification applications. The importance of LDAs in lowering energy use and greenhouse gas emissions is highlighted, emphasizing their potential for environmentally friendly humidity control. The current review examines key parameters such as novel materials, enhancing desiccant qualities, integration with technologies, and long-term durability while examining recent developments in LDAs and investigating their applications in diverse industries. The main conclusions from the evaluated publications in this review are also highlighted, including developments in LDAs, new applications, and developing research fields. Overall, this review advances knowledge of LDAs and their potential to shift humidity control systems toward sustainability and energy efficiency.
Use of Field Reserves in Emergencies as Assessed by Urban Residents and Refugees in Warsaw and Lviv during the War in Ukraine
Authors: Maciejewska Alina , Kuzak Łukasz , Ulanicka-Raczyńska Marianna , Onufriv Yaryna
Published: September 2023

Land management in crises requires quick solutions, which, without proper knowledge and experience, can lead to harmful interventions in established cities. In this regard, when choosing areas for placing critical infrastructure, such as temporary residences for refugees or field hospitals, it is essential to take into account not only the existing experience of scientists and experts on the topic but also the opinions of those who are intended to benefit from these services and of the people who live nearby. The purpose of this study was to identify the needs and opinions regarding the placement of critical infrastructure and facilities for those forcibly displaced as a result of the war in Ukraine (based on the example of Lviv, Ukraine) and the effects on the residents of Warsaw (Poland) as a city that faced a powerful wave of migrants from Ukraine. In the summer of 2022, a survey of 81 internally displaced persons who lived in two modular towns in Lviv was conducted. During 2022–2023, the residents of Warsaw were surveyed concerning the essential criteria for emergency site locations and their attitudes toward refugees from Ukraine. The results of our research showed that for internally displaced persons in temporary shelters in Lviv, it was vital to provide for their basic needs, along with a sense of security, and to encourage the unity of the people living nearby. A significant result of the survey indicated the necessary yet undesirable infrastructure facilities within a radius of up to 1 km around residents’ homes. It was determined that the most important objects, which should be placed within the limits of pedestrian accessibility, were bomb shelters, medical institutions, centers for administrative services, and others. In return, the most undesirable infrastructure facilities were military facilities, burial sites, and memorial complexes, etc. The results of the Warsaw survey were related to the criteria for choosing sites for the placement of significant critical infrastructure facilities and also demonstrated the positive attitude of the citizens toward the immigrants from Ukraine and their readiness to help if needed. The results could serve as a solid basis for the selection of plots for constructing temporary accommodation for refugees and internally displaced persons in European cities during crisis events.
Testing Unemployment–Entrepreneurship Nexus in Namibia Using the Schumpeterian Approach
Authors: Nautwima Johanna Pangeiko , Asa Asa Romeo , Atiku Sulaiman Olusegun
Published: September 2023

This study uses time series data from the World Bank database to examine the relationship between unemployment and entrepreneurship in Namibia. We applied the Augmented Dickey–Fuller and Phillips–Perron tests for unit root testing and found all the variables to be stationary after the first difference. Given that, we employed the Johansen–Juselius test to measure cointegration, which revealed the absence of long-run relationships between the variables. Hence, we performed a Vector Autoregressive model to estimate the short-run relationships and found that Namibia exhibits both the refugee and Schumpeter effects. Finally, we measured the direction of causality using the Pairwise Granger causality test, and the results revealed that none of the variables Granger causes the other, implying that they are all independent of each other. This implies that the significance of entrepreneurship in addressing unemployment in Namibia is limited in the long run, mostly owing to the absence of sustainable business ventures. Therefore, we recommend prioritizing the development of policies to tackle unemployment through sustainable entrepreneurship.
Generative AI and ChatGPT in School Children’s Education: Evidence from a School Lesson
Authors: Jauhiainen Jussi S. , Guerra Agustín Garagorry
Published: September 2023

In 2023, the global use of generative AI, particularly ChatGPT-3.5 and -4, witnessed a significant surge, sparking discussions on its sustainable implementation across various domains, including education from primary schools to universities. However, practical testing and evaluation in school education are still relatively unexplored. This article examines the utilization of generative AI in primary school education. The study involved 110 pupils, aged 8–14 years old, studying in the 4th–6th grades across four classes in two schools. Using laptops, pupils participated in test lessons where content, text, figures, and exercises were generated and modified using generative AI, specifically ChatGPT-3.5. The results demonstrated that it was possible to use ChatGPT-3.5, as one example of generative AI, to personify learning material so that it would meet the knowledge and learning skills of pupils with different levels of knowledge. A clear majority of pupils enjoyed learning the generative AI-modified material. There is a promising potential of generative AI use in school education, supporting pupils’ motivated learning and skills development. However, these tools need to be developed, refined and optimized to ensure proper adaptation and to create impactful, inclusive, and sustainable learning in schools to benefit pupils, teachers and education managers alike.
Trust in Virtual Interaction: The Role of Avatars in Sustainable Customer Relationships
Authors: Guo Yue-Ming , Ng Wai-Ling , Hao Fei , Zhang Chen , Liu Shu-Xu , Aman Adil Masud
Published: September 2023

Trust—both cognitive and affective trust—sit at the core of the development of avatars in hospitality. Based on the theory of mind (ToM), this study collected data from 563 hotel customers and utilized partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the differential roles of affective and cognitive trust in shaping the customer experience, customer-brand identification, brand love, and brand loyalty, all within a framework that emphasizes sustainable relationships and practices. The framework encompasses a comprehensive approach to fostering long-term, mutually beneficial relationships throughout the customer journey. This research contributes to the field by exploring the specific impacts of affective and cognitive trust on various customer-related outcomes within the context of avatars in hospitality, providing valuable insights into the unique dynamics of trust-building in this domain. The findings shed light on the ToM and offer strategic marketing plans for hospitality practitioners, highlighting the significance of trust and sustainable customer relationships in driving long-term value.
Business Model for Scaling Social Impact towards Sustainability by Social Entrepreneurs
Authors: François Kishore Kumar , Goi Hoe Chin
Published: September 2023

This paper examines a Business Model (BM) from a socio-economic system perspective to discern key factors and understand its interactions resulting in the Scaling of Social Impact (SSI) in Social Entrepreneurship (SE). Previously, studies have explained the importance of the BM in relation to SE. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on how a BM’s transitions through participation of various actors result in the SSI, causing a gap in this field’s research. This research applies a qualitative analysis on a single case study of a Japanese social startup, “mymizu”, the first water refill application platform in Japan. The findings show that collaboration amongst different stakeholders on the initial phase of the BM could increase awareness of responsible consumption, convert into actual users for sustainability, and change their behavior. Secondly, members of society could take on dual roles, both as users and collaborators in the BM, which results in an exponential scaling effect of the Social Impact (SI). This paper contributes towards adding a Participatory Stakeholder (PS) to the ecosystem of the SSI and building a Regenerative BM (RBM) that is relevant in SE towards sustainability.
Developing International Collaboration Indicators in Fisheries Remote Sensing Research to Achieve SDG 14 and 17
Authors: Chen Chia-Hsiang , Yen Kuo-Wei
Published: September 2023

Remote sensing technology significantly contributes to fisheries management and marine ecosystem preservation. The development disparities among countries create gaps that hinder sustainable fisheries and ecosystem protection. Assessing progress and efforts across regions and countries is crucial for sustainable development. Effective measurement methods are used to identify shortcomings, guide academic development, and strengthen partnerships. Tracking and highlighting partnership achievements is challenging due to the difficulties in quantification. The objective of this study is to create indicators for evaluating the community of international academic cooperation. We analyzed and examined the trend in national efforts and international partnerships before and after the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were released in 2015 using bibliometric methods and bibliographic information from the Web of Science (WoS). The results show that tracking the progress and evolution of international collaborations in fisheries remote sensing research can be facilitated by employing quantitative indicators that measure international cooperation among coauthors, institutions, and countries. Additionally, the number of partnerships in each country displays a significant relationship with the country’s level of national development. A comparison of indicators developed by actors with different orientations can be used as a strategic reference for developing partnerships among countries. Academic research in developing countries that rely heavily on fisheries plays a critical role in preserving life below water (SDG 14). The achievement of this SDG can be enhanced through global partnerships (SDG 17).
Sustainable Corporate Performance Based on Audit Report Influence: An Empirical Approach through Financial Transparency and Gender Equality Dimensions
Authors: Herghiligiu Ionuț Viorel , Robu Ioan-Bogdan , Istrate Marinela , Grosu Maria , Mihalciuc Camelia Cătălina , Vilcu Adrian
Published: September 2023

Social, economic and environmental factors contribute to the companies’ sustainable development. Social and financial dimensions have an important contribution to sustainable performance, through assurance of transparency in the information communication requested by stakeholders in order to substantiate their decisions. Social transparency is ensured by presenting organization’s actions in the field of social responsibility, and financial transparency takes into account the most accurate, complete and neutral presentation of information, both in the annual financial statements and in the audit reports. The present study aims to assess the influence of financial transparency and gender equality on the sustainable corporate performance, thus contributing to increasing SDGs awareness and achievement required by 2030 Agenda. Through a sample of 1133 observations (Romanian listed companies/years) to the period 2008–2020, the obtained research results emphasis that gender equality and absence/presence of transparency in financial reporting have a significant influence on corporate sustainable performance.
A Two-Stage Real-Time Optimization Model of Arterial Signal Coordination Based on Reverse Causal-Effect Modeling Approach
Authors: Hao Binbin , Lv Bin , Chen Qixiang , Li Xianlin
Published: September 2023

The arterial signal coordination is an effective method to improve traffic operational efficiency and reduce vehicle delay. In this paper, a two-stage arterial signal coordination model under dynamic traffic demands is established, and the signal timing and offset are adjusted according to the dynamic traffic demands. The objective is to minimize the expected intersection delay and the overflow of the coordinated direction. In the first stage, a calculation model for intersection signal timing based on phase clearing reliability is proposed by the reverse causal-effect modeling approach, which can calculate the signal timing of each intersection in real time. In the second stage, an offset calculation model is established to achieve the goal of minimizing delay in the coordinated direction, which can calculate the offset of trunk coordination in real time. The concept of phase clearance reliability is introduced in the model, which can dynamically adjust the balance between the coordinated phase and the non-coordinated phase, thus taking the overall control efficiency of intersections into account. We then develop an algorithm to solve the problem and then apply the model and the solution algorithm to an arterial road with three intersections to investigate and compare its performance with the Allsop’s method and the Webster’s method. A comparison between the proposed coordinated two-stage logic and a coordinated actuated logic is also conducted in the case study to show the advantages and disadvantages.
An Analysis of Factors Influencing Chinese University Students’ Major Choice from the Perspective of Gender Differences
Authors: Xu Chang , Xiang Futao , Duan Ruiqi , Miralles-Cardona Cristina , Huo Xinxin , Xu Junwei
Published: September 2023

Higher education attainment is a focus of gender differences research. However, little is known about differences in university students’ major choices at the same level of higher education in China’s education hierarchy. Based on a web survey of 1164 undergraduate students in China’s broad enrollment context, this study uses Wenjuanxing to collect information by posting questionnaires on social media platforms and analyzes the impact of gender differences on the major choices of finance and economics undergraduates by using the Linear Discriminant Model (LDM). Moreover, this study explores the differential impact of income level, urban–rural settings, and regional differences on university students’ major choices. This study finds that female students are approximately 2.62 times more likely than male students to choose applied majors (such as accounting, financial management, auditing, international business, and so on), a gap that is more pronounced in high-income families and Eastern regions. In addition, in rural areas, female students have a higher probability of choosing applied majors than male students. These findings indicate that in China’s broad discipline enrollment model, gender differences still significantly affect students’ major choices, and female students are more likely to enter applied majors than their male counterparts.
A Contribution to Social Sustainability Efforts in Turkey in the Context of Migration: Uyum Çocuk (Harmonization Child) Platform
Authors: Kahya Hayrullah
Published: September 2023

Owing to its strategically advantageous geographical position that connects Asia and Europe, Turkey has consistently experienced a high rate of migration throughout its history. Nevertheless, one of the most remarkable and unparalleled migration events unfolded in 2011, triggered by the internal strife in Syria resulting from the Arab Spring. This tumultuous period witnessed an enormous wave of Syrian refugees seeking refuge within Turkey’s borders. Given its contemporary relevance, this migration carries profound implications for the social sustainability of future generations. This study aims to evaluate the contribution of the Uyum Çocuk (Harmonization Child) platform, initiated by the Turkish Ministry of Interior, to promote social cohesion among both native and immigrant children to the advancement of social sustainability. The platform is assessed across various dimensions of social sustainability, including social equality and justice, cultural diversity and freedom of expression, social participation, sustainable urban development, and eco-consumption. The research findings underscore that the platform primarily focuses on enhancing social equality and justice while other dimensions receive comparatively less attention. Considering Turkey’s role as a host country for millions of migrants, this study recommends that public authorities and civil society organizations prioritize initiatives aimed at instilling the principles of social sustainability across all segments of society, with a particular emphasis on children.
Analysis and Forecast of Land Use and Carbon Sink Changes in Jilin Province, China
Authors: Wei Mengqi , Du Chong , Wang Xuege
Published: September 2023

Based on the land use data changes in Jilin Province in 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2020, this paper analyzes the land use changes during 2011–2020 through the land use transfer matrix, calculates the changes in carbon sinks of recent years, and then uses the CA–Markov model to predict the land use types and carbon sinks in Jilin Province in 2030 and discusses the driving factors. The results show that cultivated land and forest land are the two major land use types in Jilin Province, and the area of cultivated land, water bodies, and artificial ground in the province increased from 2011 to 2020; the increased area of artificial ground was mainly converted from cultivated land, accounting for 70.34% of the total converted area. The area of forest land is mainly converted along with the area of cultivated land, and grassland is mainly converted to arable areas, accounting for 84.96% of the total converted area. Water bodies and wasteland are mainly converted to cropland and artificial ground, and the area of artificial ground undergoing transfer is smaller. The change in carbon sinks mainly comes from woodland carbon sinks and grassland carbon sinks. In 2030, compared with 2020, the area of woodland, grassland, and wasteland and the corresponding carbon sink is predicted to decrease, among which the area and carbon sink of woodland decrease the most. The factors for land use type change include the slope factor, road factor, township center, and socio-economic drivers.
Exploring Human Values and Students’ Aspiration in E-Learning Adoption: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis
Authors: Bessadok Adel , Bardesi Hisham
Published: September 2023

This study explores the significance of students’ aspirations as motivation and expectations in adopting e-learning, considering the influence of cultural values. The research utilizes a theoretical framework that integrates the Technological Acceptance Model, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, and the DeLone and McLean Information System Success Model, along with Schwartz’s human values. Employing a quantitative approach, the study investigates the relationship between social factors and e-learning adoption through a survey of 509 students at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia using a structured questionnaire and Structural Equation Model for hypothesis testing. Results reveal that students with a proclivity for change and self-enhancement have higher motivation and expectations towards e-learning, while those with conservative perspectives show lower motivation and expectations. Additionally, students prioritizing self-enhancement and openness to change are more likely to actively engage in e-learning adoption. This research contributes to sustainability by highlighting how fundamental human values influence e-learning adoption. It also emphasizes the role of sustainable education and transformative learning processes in shaping attitudes towards e-learning. These insights inform the development of effective e-learning programs, benefiting the field of e-learning research and providing valuable guidance to researchers, policymakers, and decision-makers in creating more inclusive and sustainable educational practices.
The Impact and Mechanism of the Digital Economy on Carbon Emission Efficiency: A Perspective Based on Provincial Panel Data in China
Authors: Liu Lu , Meng Yuxin , Ran Qiying
Published: September 2023

The regional carbon emission efficiency (RCEE) of 30 provinces in mainland China from 2011 to 2019 was calculated using a super-slack-based measure (Super-SBM) model. Then, using the system generalized method of moments (system GMM) model, spatial Durbin model (SDM), and mediating effect model, we examined the direct effect, spatial effect, and influence mechanism of the digital economy (DE) on RCEE. It was found that DE significantly promoted regional RCEE, but had a negative effect on RCEE in provinces with a high economic correlation. The mechanism studies showed that DE improved RCEE by reducing the energy intensity and promoting industrial upgrading and green technology innovation. Regional heterogeneity analysis found that DE significantly improved RCEE in eastern provinces, but not in central and western provinces. While RCEE in economically developed areas was improved by DE, it was decreased in economically underdeveloped provinces. This paper provides some empirical and theoretical references for the development of DE to improve RCEE.
The Sustainability Concept: A Review Focusing on Energy
Authors: Muniz Rafael Ninno , da Costa Júnior Carlos Tavares , Buratto William Gouvêa , Nied Ademir , González Gabriel Villarrubia
Published: September 2023

The concept of sustainability, with a focus on energy, has emerged as a central tenet in addressing the mounting global challenges of environmental degradation and resource depletion. Indicators of sustainability focusing on energy are crucial tools used to assess and monitor progress toward achieving a more sustainable energy system. These indicators provide valuable insights into the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of energy practices and their long-term impacts. By analyzing and understanding these indicators, policymakers, businesses, and communities can make informed decisions, formulate effective policies, and steer their efforts toward a more sustainable energy future. These indicators serve as navigational guides, steering the world toward energy practices that support both present needs and the well-being of future generations. In this paper, the concept of sustainability and measurement indexes used are reviewed, focusing on energy factors. The focus of the discussion presented here is related to an assessment of the possibilities for improving energy efficiency and evaluating the indicators that are used to measure whether the desired levels of sustainability are being achieved.
Investigating the Impact of Demographic and Personal Variables on Post-Retirement Migration Intention of Rural Residents: Evidence from Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Zhou Xueqiong , Feng Wenhao
Published: September 2023

With the intensification of population aging in rural areas, it becomes increasingly important to analyze the post-retirement migration intention of rural residents and the variables influencing these intentions. However, there is a lack of research on this point. In this study, we focused on rural residents aged 45 to 60 and used the logistic regression model to investigate the demographic and personal variables influencing their post-retirement migration intention. The data used in this study were collected from one hundred sixty-four households in three rural areas of Inner Mongolia in 2011. From the results of this study, we found that gender, part-time employment, savings level, children’s residence and occupational stability, and interest in urban living positively affect migration intention. In contrast, the number of rural close friends, relationships with others in rural areas, and evaluation of rural living all have negative effects. In addition, we employed age and the proportion of mobile income as control variables to examine the variables that influence the post-retirement migration intention in different age groups and mobile income groups. The analysis reveals that the variables influencing post-retirement migration intention varied across age groups and mobile income groups, and this variation can be attributed to the differences between groups’ characteristics.
Documenting Children’s Spatial Reasoning through Art: A Case Study on Play-Based STEAM Education
Authors: Lee Christine
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this paper is to examine how children’s art can document emergent sensemaking of spatial reasoning. Spatial reasoning is the understanding of how both people and objects interact with, and relate to, one another. The recent literature has argued for spatial reasoning to be part of multiple domains in STEAM education by highlighting the dynamic nature of spatial thinking relevant in everyday life. The data come from a larger participatory design-based research project that incorporated play, environmental education, and embodiment in a STEAM curriculum. The paper analyzed art created by a focal group of children (6–8 years) as they learned about the kelp forest ecosystem over time. Findings reveal that spatial reasoning is not only an inseparable part of sensemaking in STEAM education, but has implications for environmental education in the elementary curriculum.
How Do Green Investments, Foreign Direct Investment, and Renewable Energy Impact CO2 Emissions? Measuring the Role of Education in E-7 Nations
Authors: Xu Pengtao , Zhang Jianguang , Mehmood Usman
Published: September 2023

The COP27 conference establishes fresh objectives for global economies to achieve the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, which are centered on reducing carbon (CO2) emissions and constraining the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 °C. In this background, this study looks at how education has affected CO2 emissions, the economy, the use of renewable energy, green investments, and foreign direct investment in the E-7 countries from 2000 to 2021. Two unit root tests, CADF and CIPS, were used to gauge the data’s stationarity. The long-run coefficients were identified using the momentum quantile regression approach. The empirical results show a cointegration of the variables. Long-term CO2 emissions are influenced by a variety of factors, including foreign direct investment, economic growth, green investments, and education. The outcomes of reliable statistics provide support for the overall empirical study of groups and the economy. The results also suggest that there is a significant increase in education, leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions across long time periods. Additionally, the E-7 countries should place a high priority on boosting the use of renewable energy and investing in the expansion of higher education for sustainable development. To mitigate the rise in carbon dioxide emissions (CO2em), it is recommended that the governments of the E-7 nations take measures to promote the adoption of green investments. Governments must prioritize their efforts to ensure that green financing policies are able to complement environmental welfare policies and green growth policies.
Enhanced Degradation of Bisphenol A via Ultrasound, Assisted by Chemical Treatment
Authors: Pahontu (Dura) Alina Marilena , Stefan Daniela Simina , Chiriac Florentina Laura , Calinescu Ioan , Dancila Annette Madelene , Stefan Mircea
Published: September 2023

Ultrasonic technology (US) can be considered a very sustainable and efficient method to remove bisphenol A (BPA) from water. Compared with other methods, the proposed method has some advantages: a simple implementation on existing water treatment and purification facilities, it does not generate residual compounds that produce sludge, a relatively fast time is required for degradation (1–2 h), and high degradation efficiencies. In this work, we present the results regarding BPA degradation efficiency using the ultrasonic technique. The influence of frequency and of some additional compounds, such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), FeSO4 7H2O (FS), and ethyl anthraquinone (EAC), were studied. Three different frequencies were used: 1146 kHz, 864 kHz, and 580 kHz, at 50 W. The sampling, performed every 15 min, revealed that the highest BPA degradation was achieved after 60 min. Using the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique, the degradation compounds were identified. Pathways of BPA degradation were also proposed. The use of additives such as CCl4, FS, and EAC proved to have a positive effect on the BPA degradation process assisted by ultrasound. After 60 min of exposure, the degradation capacities reached values of between 50% and 75%, while the mineralization capacities were situated between 20% and 35%. CCl4 and EAC had a more pronounced stimulating action than FS, with the EAC having the highest mineralization capacity, representing around 75% of the degradation capacity.
The Geodetic Number for the Unit Graphs Associated with Rings of Order P and P2
Authors: Abdelkarim Heba Adel
Published: September 2023

Let G(R) be the unit graph associated with a ring R. Let p be a prime number and let R be a finite ring of order p or p2 and be one of the rings Zp,Zp2,GF(p2),Zp(+)Zp or Zp×Zp. We determine the geodetic number g(G(R)) associated with each such ring.
Near-Miss Bi-Homogenous Symmetric Polyhedral Cages
Authors: Piette Bernard , Lukács Árpad
Published: September 2023

Following the discovery of an artificial protein cage with a paradoxical geometry, we extend the concept of homogeneous symmetric congruent equivalent near-miss polyhedral cages, for which all the faces are equivalent, and define bi-homogeneous symmetric polyhedral cages made of two different types of faces, where all the faces of a given type are equivalent. We parametrise the possible connectivity configurations for such cages, analytically derive p-cages that are regular, and numerically compute near-symmetric p-cages made of polygons with 6 to 18 edges and with deformation not exceeding 10%.
Critical Properties of Three-Dimensional Many-Flavor QEDs
Authors: Metayer Simon , Teber Sofian
Published: September 2023

We review several variants of three-dimensional quantum electrodynamics (QED3) with Nf fermion (or boson) flavors, including fermionic (or spinorial) QED3, bosonic (or scalar) QED3, N=1 supersymmetric QED and also models of reduced QED (supersymmetric or not). We begin with an introduction to these models and their flow to a stable infra-red fixed point in the large-Nf limit. We then present detailed state-of-the-art computations of the critical exponents of these models within the dimensional regularization (and reduction) scheme(s), at the next-to-leading order in the 1/Nf expansion and in an arbitrary covariant gauge. We finally discuss dynamical (matter) mass generation and the current status of our understanding of the phase structure of these models.
Mathematical Estimation of Endogenous Proline as a Bioindicator to Regulate the Stress of Trivalent Chromium on Rice Plants Grown in Different Nitrogenous Conditions
Authors: Li Chengzhi , Feng Yuxi , Tian Peng , Yu Xiaozhang
Published: September 2023

The accumulation of proline impacts the defense mechanisms of plants against the harmful effects of adverse environmental conditions; however, its concentration in plants is associated with the metabolism of N. Therefore, the effects of exogenous organic [glutamate (Glu)/arginine (Arg)] and inorganic [nitrate (NO3−)/ammonium (NH4+)] N on the accumulation of proline (Pro) in rice plants under trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] stress were studied through using the mass balance matrix model (MBMM). Application of ‘NH4+’ showed the largest contribution to the Pro content in rice shoots under different concentrations of Cr(III), followed by ‘NO3−’, ‘Arg’, and ‘Glu’ applications. On the other hand, ‘Arg’ application displayed the largest contribution to the Pro content in roots under Cr(III) stress, followed by ‘NH4+’, ‘Glu’, and ‘NO3−’ applications. The combined application of ‘NH4++Arg’ showed the greatest contribution to the Pro content in both roots and shoots of Cr(III)-treated rice seedlings, while the application of ‘NO3−+Glu’ showed the least contribution to the Pro content in rice seedlings. The current study indicated that the endogenous level of Pro in rice seedlings is quite sensitive to Cr(III) stress under different N sources, and the mathematical modeling showed a reliable result while estimating the relationship between Pro content and N source application.
The Disruption of a Nuclear Export Signal in the C-Terminus of the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Determinant of Pathogenicity UL24 Protein Leads to a Syncytial Plaque Phenotype
Authors: Gonzalez Carmen Elena , Ben Abdeljelil Nawel , Pearson Angela
Published: September 2023

UL24 of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) has been shown to be a determinant of pathogenesis in mouse models of infection. The N-terminus of UL24 localizes to the nucleus and drives the redistribution of nucleolin and B23. In contrast, when expressed alone, the C-terminal domain of UL24 accumulates in the Golgi apparatus; its importance during infection is unknown. We generated a series of mammalian expression vectors encoding UL24 with nested deletions in the C-terminal domain. Interestingly, enhanced nuclear staining was observed for several UL24-deleted forms in transient transfection assays. The substitution of a threonine phosphorylation site had no effect on UL24 localization or viral titers in cell culture. In contrast, mutations targeting a predicted nuclear export signal (NES) significantly enhanced nuclear localization, indicating that UL24 is able to shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Recombinant viruses that encode UL24-harboring substitutions in the NES led to the accumulation of UL24 in the nucleus. Treatment with the CRM-1-specific inhibitor leptomycin B blocked the nuclear export of UL24 in transfected cells but not in the context of infection. Viruses encoding UL24 with NES mutations resulted in a syncytial phenotype, but viral yield was unaffected. These results are consistent with a role for HSV-1 UL24 in late cytoplasmic events in HSV-1 replication.
The Identification of Viral Pathogens in a Physostegia virginiana Plant Using High-Throughput RNA Sequencing
Authors: Dong Jinxi , Chen Yuanling , Xie Yi , Cao Mengji , Fu Shuai , Wu Jianxiang
Published: September 2023

Physostegia virginiana is an important ornamental and cut-flower plant in China. Its commonly used method of clonal propagation leads to virus accumulation in this plant. However, which viruses can infect the Physostegia virginiana plant remains to be illuminated. In this work, five viral pathogens in a Physostegia virginiana plant with virus-like symptoms of yellow, shriveled, and curled leaves were identified using RNA-seq, bioinformatics, and molecular biological techniques. These techniques allowed us to identify five viruses comprising one known alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and four novel viruses. The novel viruses include a virus belonging to the genus Fabavirus, temporarily named Physostegia virginiana crinkle-associated virus 1 (PVCaV1); two viruses belonging to the genus Caulimovirus, temporarily named Physostegia virginiana caulimovirus 1 and 2 (PVCV1 and PVCV2); and a virus belonging to the genus Fijivirus, temporarily named Physostegia virginiana fijivirus (PVFV). The genome sequences of PVCaV1, PVCV1, and PVCV2, and the partial genome sequence of PVFV were identified. Genome organizations and genetic evolutionary relationships of all four novel viruses were analyzed. PVCaV1 has a relatively close evolutionary relationship with five analyzed fabiviruses. PVCV1 and PVCV2 have separately a closest evolutionary relationship with lamium leaf distortion-associated virus (LLDAV) and figwort mosaic virus (FMV), and PVFV has a close evolutionary relationship with the five analyzed fijiviruses. Additionally, PVCaV1 can infect Nicotiana benthamiana plants via friction inoculation. The findings enrich our understanding of Physostegia virginiana viruses and contribute to the prevention and control of Physostegia virginiana viral diseases.
Alterations in Patients’ Clinical Outcomes and Respiratory Viral Pathogen Activity following the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Oweidat Khaled Al , Toubasi Ahmad A. , Alghrabli Ahmad , Khater Yasmeen , Saleh Noor , Albtoosh Asma S. , Batarseh Rawan Shafeek
Published: September 2023

Background: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory pathogens such as influenza, parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial virus were the most commonly detected viruses among hospitalized patients with respiratory tract infections. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of inpatients and outpatients who attended Jordan University Hospital and underwent Nasopharyngeal Aspiration (NPA) in the periods from December 2017 to December 2018 and from December 2021 to December 2022. The results of multiplex respiratory pathogen real-time PCR tests for nasopharyngeal swab specimens were extracted from the electronic-based molecular diagnostic laboratory record of JUH. We compared the prevalence of the detected viruses as well as the patients’ characteristics and outcomes between the two periods. Results: The total number of included patients was 695. Our analysis showed that a higher percentage of patients with hypertension and diabetes presented before the pandemic compared to the same period after it (p-value < 0.001). The need for O2 devices, white blood cell counts, diastolic blood pressure, and the length of hospital stay were significantly higher among patients who presented before the pandemic (p-value < 0.050). Influenza H1N1 (8.70% vs. 4.03%), influenza B (1.67% vs. 0.25%), parainfluenza (1.00% vs. 0.00%), human metapneumovirus (5.35% vs. 0.76%), adenoviruses (6.35% vs. 3.02%), and coronaviruses (8.70% vs. 3.53%) were detected with higher frequency in the period before the pandemic (p-value = 0.011, 0.045, 0.045, 0.000, 0.035, 0.004). These results were similar in terms of changes in the detection rates of viruses after matching the number of tested patients between the periods before and after the pandemic. Conclusions: We have demonstrated a reduction in the detection of several viruses, which might be due to the increase in public awareness toward infection protection measures after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evidence of a Protein-Coding Gene Antisense to the UL5 Gene in Bovine Herpesvirus I
Authors: Jefferson Victoria A. , Bostick Hannah , Oldenburg Darby , Meyer Florencia
Published: September 2023

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) is an important agricultural pathogen that infects cattle and other ruminants worldwide. Though it was first sequenced and annotated over twenty years ago, the Cooper strain, used in this study, was sequenced as recently as 2012 and is currently said to encode 72 unique proteins. However, tandem mass spectrometry has identified several peptides produced during active infection that align with the BoHV-1 genome in unannotated regions. One of these abundant peptides, “ORF M”, aligned antisense to the DNA helicase/primase protein UL5. This study characterizes the novel transcript and its protein product and provides evidence to support the existence of homolog protein-coding genes in other Herpesviruses.
Feeding Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) or Exogenous Xylanase Improves the Blood Lipid Profile of Broiler Chickens Fed Wheat-Based Diets
Authors: Pirgozliev Vasil Radoslavov , Mansbridge Stephen Charles , Whiting Isobel Margaret , Kljak Kristina , Jozwik Artur , Rollinger Judith Maria , Atanasov Atanas Georgiev , Rose Stephen Paul
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to determine the impact of dietary black peppercorn (BP) and xylanase (XYL) alone or in combination on growth performance, dietary energy, nutrient digestibility and blood lipid profile when fed to male Ross 308 broiler chickens from the ages of 7 to 21 d. A wheat-soy-based basal feed that was formulated to be 0.42 MJ lower in metabolizable energy (ME) was mixed. The basal feed was then split into four batches, with the first batch set aside as the basal control; the second batch was supplemented with freshly milled BP; the third batch was supplemented with XYL; the fourth batch was supplemented with both BP and XYL, as in the previous two batches. Each diet was fed to eight pens, with two birds in a pen, following randomization. Feeding BP reduced bird growth and most of the digestibility coefficients but increased blood high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05). Dietary XYL increased bird growth, dietary ME and nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05). In addition, XYL increased hepatic carotenoids and coenzyme Q10, but reduced blood low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05). There were no BP by XYL interactions (p > 0.05) observed. Further research is needed to identify the optimum level of BP in broiler diets.
An Evaluation of the Humanitarian Supply Chains in the Event of Flash Flooding
Authors: Xu Wenping , Li Wenzhuo , Proverbs David , Chen Wenbo
Published: September 2023

Humanitarian supply chains play a major role in enabling disaster-affected areas to recover in a timely manner and enable economic and social activities to be restored. However, the sudden onset and increasing frequency of natural disasters such as flash floods require humanitarian supply chains to be resilient during the relief process. In this study, the evaluation indicators were identified from the literature and the Delphi method, and the weights of the evaluation indicators were calculated using the ANP method; the ANP method was combined with the Pythagorean fuzzy VIKOR (PFs-VIKOR) to propose the ANP-PFs-VIKOR method model. The model was used to examine the example of the 2021 megaflood event in Zhengzhou City to evaluate the performance of the humanitarian supply chain in four cities. The findings suggest that the indicator with the strongest impact on the effectiveness of humanitarian supply chains is coordination among participating organizations. Dengfeng City was found to have the best performing humanitarian supply chain. The findings of this research provide some helpful indication of the importance of the various emergency measures which can help to inform policy recommendations for the Zhengzhou municipal government.