bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hearing to the Unseen: AudioMoth and BirdNET as a Cheap and Easy Method for Monitoring Cryptic Bird Species
Authors: Bota Gerard , Manzano-Rubio Robert , Catalán Lidia , Gómez-Catasús Julia , Pérez-Granados Cristian
Published: August 2023

The efficient analyses of sound recordings obtained through passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) might be challenging owing to the vast amount of data collected using such technique. The development of species-specific acoustic recognizers (e.g., through deep learning) may alleviate the time required for sound recordings but are often difficult to create. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of BirdNET, a new machine learning tool freely available for automated recognition and acoustic data processing, for correctly identifying and detecting two cryptic forest bird species. BirdNET precision was high for both the Coal Tit (Peripatus ater) and the Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla), with mean values of 92.6% and 87.8%, respectively. Using the default values, BirdNET successfully detected the Coal Tit and the Short-toed Treecreeper in 90.5% and 98.4% of the annotated recordings, respectively. We also tested the impact of variable confidence scores on BirdNET performance and estimated the optimal confidence score for each species. Vocal activity patterns of both species, obtained using PAM and BirdNET, reached their peak during the first two hours after sunrise. We hope that our study may encourage researchers and managers to utilize this user-friendly and ready-to-use software, thus contributing to advancements in acoustic sensing and environmental monitoring.
Calibration Method of a Wideband AC Resistance Voltage Divider Based on an Equivalent Model
Authors: Li Bo , He Yanping , Wang Lei , Cao Min , Fu Zhihong , Zhang Huiyuan
Published: August 2023

Aiming at the problem of large measurement error and phase shift in resistance voltage dividers under high-frequency conditions in the field of power measurement, such as power harmonics, an error correction method is proposed for an alternating current (AC) resistance voltage divider based on the equivalence principle. Firstly, the frequency error model of the AC resistance voltage divider precision is established, and the angle difference of the continuous spectrum ratio difference from 50 Hz to 100 kHz is corrected by determining the shielding structure and the resistance parameters and fine-tuning the shielding potential correction method to reduce the capacities error of the AC resistance voltage divider design precision. At the same time, the performance parameters such as the direction and magnitude of the shielding potential compensation capacitive error are investigated. Finally, the precision voltage divider (the maximum voltage applied is 480 V) calibration experiments verify that the important characteristic judgment factor of the voltage divider is independent of the frequency and the equivalent capacitance value, which effectively solves the phase correction problem of harmonic power measurement.
Color Conversion of Wide-Color-Gamut Cameras Using Optimal Training Groups
Authors: Li Yasheng , Liao Ningfang , Li Yumei , Li Hongsong , Wu Wenmin
Published: August 2023

The colorimetric conversion of wide-color-gamut cameras plays an important role in the field of wide-color-gamut displays. However, it is rather difficult for us to establish the conversion models with desired approximation accuracy in the case of wide color gamut. In this paper, we propose using an optimal method to establish the color conversion models that change the RGB space of cameras to the XYZ space of a CIEXYZ system. The method makes use of the Pearson correlation coefficient to evaluate the linear correlation between the RGB values and the XYZ values in a training group so that a training group with optimal linear correlation can be obtained. By using the training group with optimal linear correlation, the color conversion models can be established, and the desired color conversion accuracy can be obtained in the whole color space. In the experiments, the wide-color-gamut sample groups were designed and then divided into different groups according to their hue angles and chromas in the CIE1976L*a*b* space, with the Pearson correlation coefficient being used to evaluate the linearity between RGB and XYZ space. Particularly, two kinds of color conversion models employing polynomial formulas with different terms and a BP artificial neural network (BP-ANN) were trained and tested with the same sample groups. The experimental results show that the color conversion errors (CIE1976L*a*b* color difference) of the polynomial transforms with the training groups divided by hue angles can be decreased efficiently.
Edge Detection of Motion-Blurred Images Aided by Inertial Sensors
Authors: Tian Luo , Qiu Kepeng , Zhao Yufeng , Wang Peng
Published: August 2023

Edge detection serves as the foundation for advanced image processing tasks. The accuracy of edge detection is significantly reduced when applied to motion-blurred images. In this paper, we propose an effective deblurring method adapted to the edge detection task, utilizing inertial sensors to aid in the deblurring process. To account for measurement errors of the inertial sensors, we transform them into blur kernel errors and apply a total-least-squares (TLS) based iterative optimization scheme to handle the image deblurring problem involving blur kernel errors, whose relating priors are learned by neural networks. We apply the Canny edge detection algorithm to each intermediate output of the iterative process and use all the edge detection results to calculate the network’s total loss function, enabling a closer coupling between the edge detection task and the deblurring iterative process. Based on the BSDS500 edge detection dataset and an independent inertial sensor dataset, we have constructed a synthetic dataset for training and evaluating the network. Results on the synthetic dataset indicate that, compared to existing representative deblurring methods, our proposed approach demonstrates higher accuracy and robustness in edge detection of motion-blurred images.
An Unsupervised Machine Learning Approach for Monitoring Data Fusion and Health Indicator Construction
Authors: Huang Lin , Pan Xin , Liu Yajie , Gong Li
Published: August 2023

The prediction of system degradation is very important as it serves as an important basis for the formulation of condition-based maintenance strategies. An effective health indicator (HI) plays a key role in the prediction of system degradation as it enables vital information for critical tasks ranging from fault diagnosis to remaining useful life prediction. To address this issue, a method for monitoring data fusion and health indicator construction based on an autoencoder (AE) and a long short-term memory (LSTM) network is proposed in this study to improve the predictability and effectiveness of health indicators. Firstly, an unsupervised method and overall framework for HI construction is built based on a deep autoencoder and an LSTM neural network. The neural network is trained fully based on the normal operating monitoring data and then the construction error of the AE model is adopted as the health indicator of the system. Secondly, we propose related machine learning techniques for monitoring data processing to overcome the issue of data fusion, such as mutual information for sensor selection and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (T-SNE) for operating condition identification. Thirdly, in order to verify the performance of the proposed method, experiments are conducted based on the CMAPSS dataset and results are compared with algorithms of principal component analysis (PCA) and a vanilla autoencoder model. Result shows that the LSTM-AE model outperforms the PCA and Vanilla-AE model in the metrics of monotonicity, trendability, prognosability, and fitness. Fourthly, in order to analyze the impact of the time step of the LSMT-AE model on HI construction, we construct and analyze the system HI curve under different time steps of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 cycles. Finally, the results demonstrate that the proposed method for HI construction can effectively characterize the health state of a system, which is helpful for the development of further failure prognostics and converting the scheduled maintenance into condition-based maintenance.
Knowledge Management for Smart Cities—Standardization and Replication as Policy Instruments to Foster the Implementation of Smart City Solutions
Authors: Ruess Patrick , Lindner René
Published: August 2023

As cities tackle a variety of recent challenges, such as climate change or resilience against natural hazards, the concept of smart cities has increasingly moved into the spotlight to provide technological solutions as appropriate countermeasures. European policymakers chose the systematic funding of smart city initiatives to incentivize and accelerate innovation and sustainability transitions by disseminating knowledge, data, and information. As this undertaking is complex, there is a pressing need to involve and engage capable stakeholders to successfully implement and operate smart city projects. To ensure the diffusion and effectiveness of these initiatives, activities towards replication and standardization as knowledge management instruments have been applied in some of these research projects. However, there is a knowledge gap on how standardization can be combined with replication efforts. As one possible answer, the lighthouse project Smarter Together has actively integrated standardization in its replication activities, resulting in the development of the CEN Workshop Agreement 17381 for describing and assessing smart city solutions. The analysis of these activities resulted in the development of 11 assumptions, which show the role of standardization as a knowledge carrier for replication activities and as a facilitator for stakeholder engagement. These findings reinforce the chosen and future policy decisions.
“We Are Tired”—The Sharing of Unpaid Work between Immigrant Women and Men in Portugal
Authors: Silva Estefânia , Casimiro Cláudia , Vieira Cristina Pereira , Costa Paulo Manuel , Topa Joana , Neves Sofia , Borges Janete , Sousa Mafalda
Published: August 2023

In this article, we intend to understand and discuss how immigrant men and women living in Portugal perceive their contributions to the performance of unpaid work and how they try to deal with the situation of the greater burden on women. To this end, a qualitative methodology was used to conduct an exploratory study with 10 focus groups of immigrant men and women in five regions of the country: North, Centre, Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve. The participants, 43 females and 27 males, were aged between 19 and 80 years. From the discourse of the immigrant participants in this study, it could be concluded that the division of unpaid work between immigrant women and men is not equal, as their statements evidenced a greater responsibility and overload on women. From a traditional vision of gender roles, a persistent dichotomy of two worlds could be perceived, based on a “naturalized” vision of the social roles of gender and on a distribution grounded in biological differences. In parallel, discourses show a change in the sharing of household chores and childcare. However, this does not always occur regularly and appears very much associated with the entry of women into the paid labour market.
The Gaze Patterns of Group Fitness Instructors Based on Different Levels of Training and Professional Experience
Authors: Campos Francisco , Amaro Catarina M. , Duarte João P. , Mendes Rui , Martins Fernando
Published: August 2023

The way in which group fitness instructors observe participants has a great influence on their pedagogical intervention. Based on the above, the main objective of this research is to characterize and compare their gaze patterns according to their training and professional experience. Twenty group fitness instructors of choreographed classes participated, aged between 18 and 42 years old, and for the comparison, four groups were created. Eye movements were captured with TOBII Pro Glasses 3, and data were coded and analyzed using the TOBII Pro Lab software. For the characterization of the gaze patterns, descriptive statistics were used in terms of count (f/m) and duration (s/m), while the comparison was performed using a one-way ANOVA test. More trained and experienced instructors tend to look at participants less, in count (80.59 ± 0.74) and duration (17.74 ± 0.71), with significant differences between the groups in some areas of interest (head, lower body, and other). There are also significant differences in the total number of eye fixations (F = 34.614; p = 0.001; η2 = 0.866; effect size very high). In conclusion, and projecting future works, it is important to understand how these gaze patterns are related to pedagogical behaviors in general or based on some specific factors (e.g., pedagogical feedback).
Dietary Intake and Supplement Use in Competitive Women Bodybuilders
Authors: Haubenstricker John E. , Lee Jerry W. , Segovia-Siapco Gina , Medina Ernesto
Published: August 2023

(1) Background: Women bodybuilders use extreme diets, dietary supplementation, and training regimes to sculpt their physiques. Women’s participation in bodybuilding competitions has increased since the 1980s. Currently, studies on their dietary intake and supplement use are limited. Their dietary intake may be of poor quality and low in several micronutrients, while supplement use appears to be omnipresent. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine and compare the dietary intake, supplement use, and diet quality of in-season and off-season women bodybuilders. (2) Methods: In a cross-sectional design, we compared dietary intake, supplement use, and diet quality between seasons in women bodybuilders (n = 227). An online questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered to assess all non-dietary and supplement variables. The Automated Self-Administered 24 h Dietary Assessment Tool was used to collect four 24 h dietary recalls. The Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) was used to calculate diet quality. The analysis of covariance and Welch’s t-tests were used to assess the differences between in-season and off-season women bodybuilders’ dietary intake, supplement, and HEI-2015 variables. (3) Results: In-season competitors reported consuming significantly less energy, carbohydrates, and fat but more protein than off-season competitors. All competitors consumed excess protein, while in-season competitors consumed excess fat and off-season competitors consumed less energy than the physique athlete nutrition recommendations. All competitors’ micronutrient intakes were above the Dietary Reference Intakes. Supplements were used by all competitors, and the mean number used was similar between seasons. The HEI-2015 scores were not significantly different between seasons yet were below the US Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (4) Conclusion: Women bodybuilders would benefit from health education to achieve physique athlete nutrition recommendations, improve diet quality, and safe/efficacious supplement use to reach physique goals and improve overall health.
Influence of SOM Composition, Clay Minerals, and pH on 2,4-D and MCPA Retention in Peri-Urban Soils
Authors: Ćwieląg-Piasecka Irmina , Debicka Magdalena , Fleszar Anna
Published: August 2023

The use of ionic herbicides in urban and peri-urban areas has serious environmental and health consequences due to their common overapplication and mobility in the soil profile. The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of soil organic matter (SOM) fractions and clay minerals on the retention of 2,4-D and MCPA on loamy sand and loam topsoil materials under the pH range of 3–7. The results obtained indicate their weak, unfavorable, and physical sorption, presumably governed by partitioning. 2,4-D exhibited high affinity for polar SOM fractions as well as to kaolinite and montmorillonite, both present in the studied peri-urban soils. MCPA sorption was mainly related to soil fulvic (FA) and humic acid (HA) content; however, the pesticide was sorbed to a lesser extent than 2,4-D due to its great water solubility. This was reflected in MCPA’s low Koc values (41.33 and 84.21), indicating its very high mobility and leachability in the studied soils. Meanwhile, 2,4-D was moderately mobile in sandy soil while classified as a non-leacher in the loam topsoil material. Both herbicides were preferably retained at a low soil pH (3–4), which, together with soil amendment with exogenous, well-humified organic matter, could minimize the potential health and environmental risks of their application.
The Coupling and Coordination Relationship between Leisure Tourism and Ecological Environment: The Case of Ili Region in Xinjiang Province
Authors: Qiu Rumei , Wen Bin , Qiu Yang
Published: August 2023

There is no doubt that a coupling relationship between leisure tourism and the ecological environment exists, but how to realize their coordinated development on that basis is much less clear. In this paper, taking Xinjiang’s Ili region as the research object, we first established a leisure tourism and ecological environment evaluation index system using the mean-variance method to assign its weighting and then built a coupling coordination model. In this way, the coupling and coordination relationship between leisure tourism and the ecological environment of the Ili region over a recent 20-year period (2001–2020) was analyzed in depth. Our results show that the economic benefit of leisure tourism and the efficiency of ecological environment protection contribute most, respectively, to the leisure tourism and ecological environment subsystems. During the study period, the coupling and coordination of leisure tourism and ecological environment system in the Ili area could be divided into five types, namely, “serious disorder-system balanced development”, “moderate disorder-leisure tourism lags”, “near disorder-leisure tourism lags”, “barely coordination-leisure tourism lags’, and “primary coordination-system balanced development”. The comprehensive development level of leisure tourism has exceeded that of the ecological environment, and prominent ecological and environmental problems have gradually arisen. Therefore, when vigorously developing leisure tourism, we should pay more attention to the ecological environment’s problems so as to realize the sustainable, coordinated development of the two.
Green Marketing and Repurchase Intention: Stewardship of Green Advertisement, Brand Awareness, Brand Equity, Green Innovativeness, and Brand Innovativeness
Authors: Pancić Mladen , Serdarušić Hrvoje , Ćućić Dražen
Published: August 2023

Green marketing has been a growing trend in recent years as companies aim to align their business practices with environmental sustainability. This research aimed to examine the impact of green marketing strategies—including green advertisement, brand loyalty, equity, and innovativeness—to enhance consumer repurchase intention while also investigating the moderating effects of green awareness on these relationships and examining how green satisfaction influences the connection between green marketing and loyalty Research gaps include the unexplored integrated effects of green marketing on consumer repurchase intentions and the moderating roles of green awareness and green satisfaction in these relationships. Using Smart PLS 3.3.3, this study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the direct and moderating effects of green satisfaction and awareness. This study used a non-probabilistic sampling technique to target 371 final consumers on social media. The results suggest that green marketing positively impacted all green outcomes and that green advertising, brand loyalty, brand equity, and brand innovativeness positively impacted repurchase intention. However, this study found no significant moderating effects of green satisfaction and green awareness on the relationships between the green outcomes. The findings provide important insights for companies looking to implement green marketing strategies and offer potential avenues for future research.
Postsecondary Students’ Social Stress and Learning Styles
Authors: Wingenbach Gary , Zickafoose Alexis
Published: August 2023

Postsecondary students can experience anxiety or stress upon initial entry into large campus classrooms or education abroad settings. Social phobia scrutiny fears combined with social interaction anxieties may culminate in social anxiety disorder or social stress. Social stress may negatively affect one’s enjoyment and fulfillment of learning and one’s ability to learn. This study investigated relationships between students’ social stress, educational setting, learning style, and demographics using the Social Phobia Scale, Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, and the Learning Styles Inventory. Through a multiple correlational design, quantitative analysis revealed that social stress was positively associated with reflective observation and assimilative learning styles, but negatively associated with active experimentation learning styles for 144 students at a large southern US university. Females and on-campus students experienced more social stress than did males or those who participated in education abroad. Multiple linear regression revealed a significant increased level of social stress among minority students. About 18% of the variance in social stress was accounted for by significant independent variables (accommodative and convergent learning styles, being male, and Caucasian). Increased understanding of associations between social stress and learning style will help educators develop learning activities that promote inclusiveness for all. Continued research is needed to learn how to decrease social stressors in postsecondary education, especially for female and minority students to enable equitable learning spaces.
The Impact of War Conflict on Sustainable Shipping: Conference Report
Authors: Zhao Xiaonan , Duan Xingyi , Chang Yen-Chiang
Published: August 2023

The Russia–Ukraine conflict has had a significant shock to the global political and economic stable and sustainable order. The various sanctions it has triggered are accelerating changes in the world’s power structure. This paper is a conference report regarding the seminar titled “The One-Year of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Global Shipping Safety,” which was held on 25 February 2023 at Dalian Maritime University, China. The seminar made creative discussion surrounding the following topics: the impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on the safety and sustainability of shipping, the predictions and impact assessment of geopolitical relations, and sustainable economic development changing under the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, this seminar also mentioned the opening of the Arctic shipping route and Arctic shipping safety, the application of ship insurance sanctions, the relationship between the China Railway Express and maritime cargo transportation, the significant relationship between economic sanctions and China’s energy security, and naval and maritime safety. This conference report is relevant because it presents the full picture of the constructive discussion on the impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in the seminar and includes a literature review and further discussion surrounding the topic. A broader discussion on this subject matter attracted by this conference report is expected.
Study of the Spatial Spillover Effects of the Efficiency of Agricultural Product Circulation in Provinces along the Belt and Road under the Green Total Factor Productivity Framework
Authors: Dai Minghua , Wang Guanwei , Wang Jiaqiu , Gao Yuhan , Lu Quanzhen
Published: August 2023

In the context of China’s socialist market economy, production and circulation are equally important. Production creates value, while circulation realises value, and both are essential components of socialised reproduction. This paper, based on panel data from 30 provinces and cities in China covering the period from 2010 to 2021, uses methods such as the slacks-based model (SBM), global Malmquist–Luenberger (GML) index, generalised method of moments with system estimation (system GMM) and spatial Durbin model to investigate the developing mechanism and influencing factors of agricultural product circulation efficiency in provinces along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) within the framework of green total factor productivity. This study found the following: First, the overall trend of green total factor productivity of agricultural product circulation in provinces along the BRI shows negative growth, especially after the launch of the BRI initiative in 2014. Second, the level of foreign investment has a positive impact on the green total factor productivity of agricultural product circulation in provinces along the BRI. On the other hand, environmental regulations, government support and industrial structure have negative impacts. Third, based on the spatial weight matrix of geographical adjacency, there is a positive spatial spillover effect on the green total factor productivity of agricultural product circulation.
Accuracy Assessment of WRF Model in the Context of Air Quality Modeling in Complex Terrain
Authors: Rzeszutek Mateusz , Kłosowska Adriana , Oleniacz Robert
Published: August 2023

Output data from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are frequently used in air quality modeling for scientific, practical and regulatory purposes. Therefore, it is crucial to determine whether the accuracy of WRF predictions is suitable for application in air quality models on a local scale (<50 km) and in complex terrain. The presented research is unique because, to assess the accuracy of the WRF model, data from experimental data sets for the assessment of air quality models were used, which contained information about the actual conditions of selected meteorological parameters along the vertical profile of the atmosphere. The aim of the study was to conduct an evaluation of the WRF model using data derived from three field experiments designated to conduct air quality model evaluation studies for models such as AERMOD, ADMS or CALPUFF. Accuracy evaluation was carried out in relation to the grid resolution, station location (on-site and weather airport) and vertical profile of the atmosphere. Obtained results of the evaluation for temperature, wind speed and direction were analyzed with regard to the possibilities of application in air quality modeling systems. It was stated that the use of a grid with a resolution of 1 km generally resulted in statistically significantly lower values of errors for wind speed compared to a 4 km resolution. The outcomes of simulations for temperature and wind speed were sensitive with regard to the location. In on-site locations (complex terrain) significantly higher values of prediction errors (MB, MGE, RMSE) were obtained compared to the standard weather station locations (airport). In addition, wind speed predictions in on-site locations were generally biased (overestimated). Along the vertical profile of the atmosphere, up to the altitude of 100 m a.g.l., statistically significantly different outcomes of accuracy evaluation were achieved for wind speed and direction. Considering the above, caution should be exercised when using data from meteorological simulations in air quality modeling.
Integrated Optimization of Blocking Flowshop Scheduling and Preventive Maintenance Using a Q-Learning-Based Aquila Optimizer
Authors: Ge Zhenpeng , Wang Hongfeng
Published: August 2023

In recent years, integration of production scheduling and machine maintenance has gained increasing attention in order to improve the stability and efficiency of flowshop manufacturing systems. This paper proposes a Q-learning-based aquila optimizer (QL-AO) for solving the integrated optimization problem of blocking flowshop scheduling and preventive maintenance since blocking in the jobs processing requires to be considered in the practice manufacturing environments. In the proposed algorithmic framework, a Q-learning algorithm is designed to adaptively adjust the selection probabilities of four key population update strategies in the classic aquila optimizer. In addition, five local search methods are employed to refine the quality of the individuals according to their fitness level. A series of numerical experiments are carried out according to two groups of flowshop scheduling benchmark. Experimental results show that QL-AO significantly outperforms six peer algorithms and two state-of-the-art hybrid algorithms based on Q-Learning on the investigated integrated scheduling problem. Additionally, the proposed Q-learning and local search strategies are effective in improving its performance.
Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium Concentrations in Blood Products Transfused to Neonates: Elimination Not Just Mitigation
Authors: Aly Sanaa M. , Elfiky Samar , Mohamed Yasmine G. , Soliman Radwa A. M. , Shalaby Nancy , Beauval Nicolas , Gaulier Jean-Michel , Allorge Delphine , Omran Ahmed
Published: August 2023

Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) are identified as potent developmental neurotoxicants. Neonates are the main group receiving multiple blood transfusions. The exposure of neonates to these heavy metals (HMs) can occur through blood transfusions. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) in various blood products (plasma, platelets, packed red blood cells (pRBCs), and whole blood (WB)) to explore the probability of concurrent exposure of these HMs and to identify the metal load per transfusion with risk assessment. Residual bloods from blood bank bags were collected after neonatal transfusion. Pb, Hg, and Cd concentrations were determined in 120 samples of blood products by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Pb and Cd levels were over the normal levels in 19.2 and 5.9% of all blood units, respectively. In 35 and 0.8% of blood units, the Pb and Cd concentrations, respectively, were higher than that recommended for transfusions in premature neonates. The anticipated safe value was surpassed by 2.5% for Cd of all transfusions, primarily because of WB. However, Hg was detected only in 5.8% of all samples and their concentrations were within the normal range. The concurrent neonatal exposure to Pb, Hg, and Cd was statistically significant. Hazard quotients of Hg and Cr were >1 and Pb cancer risk was 2.41 × 10−4. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report examining Pb, Hg, and Cd in blood products other than WB and pRBCs using ICP-MS. This study demonstrated the exposure of neonates to Pb, Hg, and Cd during transfusion with a considerable amount of Pb. It confirms the significant concurrent exposure to the three HMs, which maximize their potential developmental neurotoxicity with a high probability of developing non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health effects.
Dynamic Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in a Patient on Chemotherapy
Authors: Huang Weihua , Yin Changhong , Briley Kimberly P. , Dalzell William A. B. , Fallon John T.
Published: August 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has evolved significantly during the pandemic and resulted in daunting numbers of genomic sequences. Tracking SARS-CoV-2 evolution during persistent cases could provide insight into the origins and dynamics of new variants. We report here a case of B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia on chemotherapy with infection of SARS-CoV-2 for more than two months. Genomic surveillance of his serial SARS-CoV-2-positive specimens revealed two unprecedented large deletions, Δ15–26 and Δ138–145, in the viral spike protein N-terminal domain (NTD) and demonstrated their dynamic shifts in generating these new variants. Located at antigenic supersites, these large deletions are anticipated to dramatically change the spike protein NTD in three-dimensional protein structure prediction, which may lead to immune escape but reduce their viral transmissibility. In summary, we present here a new viral evolutionary trajectory in a patient on chemotherapy.
Belarusian Healthcare Professionals’ Views on Monkeypox and Vaccine Hesitancy
Authors: Riad Abanoub , Rybakova Nadzeya , Dubatouka Nadzeya , Zankevich Ina , Klugar Miloslav , Koščík Michal , Drobov Anton
Published: August 2023

Background: Despite the low transmission risk of Monkeypox (mpox) in Belarus, this study is vital as it contributes to our understanding of vaccine hesitancy among healthcare professionals (HCPs). It aims to assess vaccination perceptions and evaluate the willingness to pay for the vaccine among Belarusian HCPs, thereby enhancing pandemic preparedness. Methods: in October 2022, a cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted among Belarusian HCPs using a self-administered questionnaire (SAQ). Invitations were disseminated via social media platforms using a snowball sampling method. The SAQ encompassed various categories, including sociodemographic details, medical history, sources of mpox information, perceived and factual mpox knowledge, and perceptions of the mpox vaccine according to the health belief model (HBM), mpox vaccine acceptance and willingness to pay (WTP). Results: while a large proportion of respondents had good knowledge of mpox epidemiology and its clinical manifestations, their awareness of available vaccines and treatment options was limited. Consequently, a significant correlation was found between the history of influenza vaccination and mpox-related knowledge. Furthermore, the study showed that just over half of the participants (51.4%) were willing to receive the mpox vaccine if offered for free, safely, and effectively, with their decision largely influenced by perceived benefits (Spearman’s rho = 0.451) and cues to action (Spearman’s rho = 0.349). However, a considerable degree of hesitancy (30.6%) and resistance (18.1%) towards the mpox vaccine was observed, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address these issues. Conclusions: this study highlights a significant knowledge gap among Belarusian HCPs about mpox vaccines and treatments, despite a general awareness of the disease’s epidemiology and symptoms, and it underscores the need for targeted interventions to enhance mpox knowledge and vaccine acceptance.
Estimating the Clinical and Economic Impact of Switching from the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) to Higher-Valent Options in Greek Infants
Authors: Warren Sophie , Barmpouni Myrto , Kossyvaki Vasiliki , Gourzoulidis George , Perdrizet Johnna
Published: August 2023

In June 2010, Greece introduced the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for pediatric vaccination and has since observed a large decrease in pneumococcal disease caused by these vaccine serotypes, yet the disease prevalence of non-vaccine serotypes has increased. Two higher-valent conjugate vaccines, a 15-valent (PCV15) and a 20-valent (PCV20), were developed to improve serotype coverage and combat serotype replacement. A decision-analytic model was adapted to the Greek setting using historical pneumococcal disease trends from PCV13 to forecast future clinical and economic outcomes of higher-valent PCVs over a 10-year period (2023–2033). The model estimated outcomes related to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), hospitalized and non-hospitalized pneumonia, and otitis media (OM) resulting from a switch in vaccination programs to PCV15 in 2023 or switching to PCV20 in 2024. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated from the third-party payer’s perspective in the Greek healthcare system. Compared to implementing PCV15 one year earlier, switching from PCV13 to PCV20 in 2024 was estimated to be a cost-saving strategy by saving the Greek health system over EUR 50 million in direct medical costs and averting over 250 IPD cases, 54,800 OM cases, 8450 pneumonia cases, and 255 deaths across all ages over a 10-year period.
Knowledge, Perceptions, and Self-Reported Rates of Influenza Immunization among Canadians at High Risk from Influenza: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Roumeliotis Paul , Houle Sherilyn K. D. , Johal Ajit , Roy Bertrand , Boivin Wendy
Published: August 2023

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that 80% of high-risk persons, including adults aged ≥65 years and 18–64 years with certain comorbidities, be vaccinated against influenza. During the 2022–2023 influenza season, we conducted an online survey of 3000 Canadian residents aged ≥18 years randomly recruited from the Léger Opinion (LEO) consumer panel to assess knowledge and perceptions about influenza vaccination as well as survey self-reported vaccination rates. Overall, 47.3% received an influenza vaccination during the 2022–2023 season. Vaccination rates among persons aged 18–64 years with high-risk medical conditions (n = 686) and among adults aged ≥65 years (n = 708) were 46.4% and 77.4%, respectively; 77.8% and 88.5%, respectively, believed influenza vaccination was important for people at high risk from influenza. Only 35.8% of adults aged 18–64 years with comorbidities were aware of being at high risk; 66.0% of this group was vaccinated against influenza, compared with 37.0% of those unaware of being at high-risk. During 2022–2023, 51.3% of people aged ≥65 years and 43.0% of people aged 18–64 years with comorbidities discussed influenza vaccination with healthcare providers. These findings suggest gaps in education regarding the importance of influenza vaccination among people at risk of influenza complications.
Editorial for the Special Issue “COVID-19 Vaccines: A Public Health Perspective”
Authors: de Waure Chiara , Cadeddu Chiara , Rosano Aldo
Published: August 2023

Public health is aimed at protecting and promoting citizens’ and communities’ health through different interventions, including vaccinations [...]
Evaluation of Methods for Estimating Long-Term Flow Fluctuations Using Frequency Characteristics from Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Lee Jinwook , Moon Geonsoo , Lee Jiho , Jun Changhyun , Choi Jaeyong
Published: August 2023

This study was aimed at exploring different indices to quantify flow fluctuations and calculate long-term flow indicators (L-FFI). Three approaches were considered to calculate the indicators: Method (1)—calculate the annual index and then average it; Method (2)—average the annual flow characteristics and then calculate the index; and Method (3)—calculate the index considering all available data. Wavelet analysis was performed to evaluate the derived L-FFI. The evaluation index was based on the period corresponding to the highest spectral power from the wavelet transformation of seasonally differenced data. Strong and negative positive correlations were observed between the L-FFI and the high- and low-flow variations, respectively. The correlation coefficient (R) between L-FFIs and the frequency with maximum global wavelet power showed that Method (2) consistently yielded the most reliable results across various facets, having a determination coefficient of 0.73 (R2) on average. In the regionalization analysis using the Ward method, it was consistently observed that the two largest dams (the Chungju Dam and the Uiam Dam) were significantly differentiated from the other dams. Furthermore, Method (2) showed the most similar characteristics to the clustering of the wavelet features. The outcomes are expected to facilitate long-term water resource management.
Assessing the Cooling Effect of Blue-Green Spaces: Implications for Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Authors: Pritipadmaja  , Garg Rahul Dev , Sharma Ashok K.
Published: August 2023

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is a significant concern in today’s rapidly urbanising cities, with exacerbating heatwaves’ impact, urban livelihood, and environmental well-being. This study aims to assess the cooling effect of blue-green spaces in Bhubaneswar, India, and explore their implications for mitigating UHI effects. Satellite images were processed with Google Earth Engine (GEE) to produce information on the blue-green spaces’ land surface temperatures (LST). The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Modified Normalised Difference Water Index (MNDWI) were employed to quantify the presence and characteristics of these blue-green spaces. The findings revealed significant spatial variations in the LST, with higher temperatures observed in bare land and built-up areas and lower temperatures in proximity to the blue-green spaces. In addition, a correlation analysis indicated the strong influence of the built-up index (NDBI) on the LST, emphasising the impact of urbanisation on local climate dynamics. The analysis demonstrated the potential of blue-green spaces in reducing surface temperatures and mitigating UHI effects. Based on these results, strategic interventions were proposed, such as increasing the coverage of green spaces, optimising access to water bodies, and integrating water-sensitive design principles into urban planning to enhance the cooling effects and foster a more sustainable and resilient urban environment. This study highlighted the importance of leveraging remote sensing and GEE for urban UHI analyses. It provides valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners to prioritise nature-based solutions for heat mitigation in Bhubaneswar and other similar cities. Future research could delve deeper into a quantitative assessment of the cooling benefits of specific blue-green infrastructure interventions and explore their socio-economic impacts on urban communities.
Analysis and Optimization of Fatigue Caused by Vibrations in the Quick-Replacement Battery Box for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Li Jianying , Hu Guifeng , Chen Junjie
Published: August 2023

Quick-replacement battery technology has the advantages of eliminating mileage issues, extending battery life and reducing cost. The battery box plays an important role in carrying and protecting the on-board battery pack. However, fatigue life has not been well-established in changeable operating environments and driving conditions; hence, this knowledge gap is the focus of this paper. Here, SolidWorks (SolidWorks, Waltham, MA, USA) was used to establish a three-dimensional model of a quick-replacement battery box for electric vehicles, OptiStruct software (Altair, Detroit, MI, USA) was used for sweep frequency and random vibration analyses, and random vibration fatigue analysis was carried out using Ncode software (ANSYS, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). The quick-replacement battery box structure was then optimized according to the analysis results and lightweight targets. The results of sweep frequency and random vibration analyses showed that the maximum stress of a quick-replacement battery box is 39.058 Mpa. Compared with the allowable stress of the DC01 material at 150 Mpa, a significant margin is still present. The results of random vibration fatigue analysis showed that the minimum service life of a quick-replacement battery box is 5.740 × 1010, which meets the design requirements. Following optimization design, the maximum stress of a quick-replacement battery box was 71.197 Mpa, still meeting the allowable stress of the DC01 material at 150 Mpa and effectively alleviating the stress concentration. Furthermore, the optimized quick-replacement battery box was approximately 4 kg lighter. Therefore, optimization of the quick-replacement battery box is feasible and necessary. The results provide great theoretical and engineering significance for the design and optimization of quick-replacement battery boxes for electric vehicles.
“Unpredictable” Results of 2022 and Potential Threats to Russia’s Strategic Development in the Current Year
Authors:   Institute of Economy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Frenkel Alexander A. , Tikhomirov Boris I. ,   Institute of Economy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Surkov Anton A. ,   Institute of Economy, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: August 2023

The article addresses the change in the market index of “Economic Strategies” (MIES) for 2022. Contribution of the supply and demand indicators to the KIES is assessed. Dynamics of industrial production is analyzed.
The role of the FSB in public authority system
Authors:   Faculty of Law, Moscow University for the Humanities, Nefedova Aleksandra Gennadievna , Gainutdinova Ekaterina Irekovna ,   Department of Criminal Law and Special Disciplines, Moscow University for the Humanities
Published: August 2023

The article discusses the legal status of the bodies of the Federal Security Service of Russia at the present stage, as well as the place of the FSB among public authorities; the general problems of ensuring information security in the Russian Federation are studied. Based on the analysis of the effectiveness of the competencies of the FSB of Russia in the field of ensuring national security, it is proposed to improve them through a set of measures of a regulatory, legal, financial, and economic nature in the areas of the special service activity and the development of interagency cooperation in order to ensure national security. The article also touches upon problematic issues, which include significant costs for the implementation of infrastructure protection systems, a shortage of personnel, and existing legislation gaps.
The propagation characteristics of flexural wave in periodic ballast track
Authors: Feng Qingsong , Yang Zhou , Guo Wenjie , Lu Jianfei , Liang Yuxiong
Published: August 2023

The vertical vibration band gap characteristics of the ballast track were investigated in this paper. The rail was simplified as a beam with double layer of periodic supports. The dispersion characteristics were studied considering the rail as Timoshenko beam, using the plane wave expansion
method. The eigenvalue equation of the Timoshenko beam with complex boundary conditions, which was a problem for the traditional plane wave expansion method, has been solved using special mathematical solution of matrix inversion. The band gap of the flexural waves in periodic track structure
was confirmed by the rail vibration transmission characteristics obtained from the experiments. The physical significance of band gap frequency was analyzed in detail in this paper. In addition, we give a more accurate prediction model of Bragg band gap frequency of periodic track structure
compared previous studies. The band gap of the flexural waves in periodic track structure was confirmed by the rail vibration transmission characteristics obtained from the experiments. The influence of temperature force on the band gap characteristics of the flexural waves was also analyzed,
and a sensitivity index of temperature force was given as a result. The results indicate that the square of the band gap frequency has a linear relation with the longitudinal temperature force, which is different from the previous research.
Case study: Hybrid inverse method for aircraft noise abatement isolator: Experimental and vibroacoustic assessment
Authors: El Khatiri Wafaa , Cherif Raef , El Bikri Khalid , Atalla Noureddine
Published: August 2023

In the aeronautical industry, the vibrations generated by mechanical systems produce unwanted noise perceived by users, which affects their comfort. Engineers encounter several difficulties in carrying out experimental measurements when studying complex systems. To solve this problem,
a solution was proposed for the manufacturers' benefit, allowing them to access the various identified measurement points, describe the systems' vibroacoustic behavior, whether coupled or decoupled, and share the work between several teams and reduce the time spent on measurements. This paper
deals with the experimental study performed on an aircraft noise abatement isolator. The component-based transfer path analysis hybrid inverse method is developed to allow the work on the subsystems separately between several teams and characterize them on an external test bench outside real
functioning conditions. The studied system consists of a mass coupled by a noise abatement isolator fixed in an aluminum plate backed by a concrete cavity. Several parameters are studied such as the number of transfer paths to be considered to see the effect of neglecting certain transfer
paths, the effects of coupling versus decoupling of the connected substructures and the number of indicator points chosen and used in the inversion method. The results are compared to the direct method.