bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of a Miniaturized Four-Element Antenna Integrated with Dipole Elements and Meta-Couplers for 5G Applications
Authors: Mohanty Asutosh , Behera Bikash Ranjan , Nasimuddin Nasimuddin , Alsharif Mohammed H. , Uthansakul Peerapong , Mohsan Syed Agha Hassnain
Published: July 2022

A miniaturized four-element antenna of 20 mm × 20 mm with edge-to-edge distance of 4.9 mm between the array antennas operating from 4.6–8.6 GHz is investigated in this article. The antenna consists of 4 × integrated dipole driven elements, and complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) metacells are loaded on the both sides of each dipole arms. The loaded meta-couplers magnetically couple to dipole drivers, and the induced resonance effect improves the 10-dB impedance bandwidth (IBW) to 60.6%. To improvise the isolation between antenna elements, metallic vias are implemented that trap electromagnetic (EM)-surface waves to condense into the ground. So, the meta-couplers induce electromagnetic (EM)-propagation as surface wave trapments for radiation and decouple near-field condensed currents, acting as couplers/decouplers. The maximum isolation achieved is >−22.5 dB without any external decoupling network. The diversity parameters indicate good attributes in isotropic, indoor, and outdoor channel environments with an envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) < 0.165 and realized gain of 5.5 dBi with average radiation efficiency of 80–90% in the desired operating bands. An equivalent circuit model using lumped components is designed for the proposed four-element antenna. For validation, a prototype antenna is fabricated and measured to be implemented in 5G applications, which shows good correlation with the full-wave simulated results.
Intelligent Posture Training: Machine-Learning-Powered Human Sitting Posture Recognition Based on a Pressure-Sensing IoT Cushion
Authors: Bourahmoune Katia , Ishac Karlos , Amagasa Toshiyuki
Published: July 2022

We present a solution for intelligent posture training based on accurate, real-time sitting posture monitoring using the LifeChair IoT cushion and supervised machine learning from pressure sensing and user body data. We demonstrate our system’s performance in sitting posture and seated stretch recognition tasks with over 98.82% accuracy in recognizing 15 different sitting postures and 97.94% in recognizing six seated stretches. We also show that user BMI divergence significantly affects posture recognition accuracy using machine learning. We validate our method’s performance in five different real-world workplace environments and discuss training strategies for the machine learning models. Finally, we propose the first smart posture data-driven stretch recommendation system in alignment with physiotherapy standards.
Microbe-Based Sensor for Long-Term Detection of Urine Glucose
Authors: Li Dunzhu , Shi Yunhong , Sun Yifan , Wang Zeena , Kehoe Daniel K. , Romeral Luis , Gao Fei , Yang Luming , McCurtin David , Gun’ko Yurii K. , Lyons Michael E. G. , Xiao Liwen
Published: July 2022

The development of a reusable and low-cost urine glucose sensor can benefit the screening and control of diabetes mellitus. This study focused on the feasibility of employing microbial fuel cells (MFC) as a selective glucose sensor for continuous monitoring of glucose levels in human urine. Using MFC technology, a novel cylinder sensor (CS) was developed. It had a quick response time (100 s), a large detection range (0.3–5 mM), and excellent accuracy. More importantly, the CS could last for up to 5 months. The selectivity of the CS was validated by both synthetic and actual diabetes-negative urine samples. It was found that the CS’s selectivity could be significantly enhanced by adjusting the concentration of the culture’s organic matter. The CS results were comparable to those of a commercial glucose meter (recovery ranged from 93.6% to 127.9%) when the diabetes-positive urine samples were tested. Due to the multiple advantages of high stability, low cost, and high sensitivity over urine test strips, the CS provides a novel and reliable approach for continuous monitoring of urine glucose, which will benefit diabetes assessment and control.
Biological Signal Processing and Analysis for Healthcare Monitoring
Authors: Wu Yunfeng , Ghoraani Behnaz
Published: July 2022

Nowadays, portable and wireless wearable sensors have been commonly incorporated into the signal acquisition modules of healthcare monitoring systems [...]
A Yearly Based Multiobjective Park-and-Ride Control Approach Simulation Using Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage Systems: Fuxin, China Case Study
Authors: Pai Liu , Senjyu Tomonobu
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a modern yearly based park-and-ride management scheme. The electric vehicles’ owners are encouraged to keep their cars away from the crowded areas in cities and use the public facilities such as bus, train, and metro. This action will help the owners to reach their work on time inside these crowded cities. Electric vehicle charging stations are designed to charge 1000 electric vehicles using the proposed park-and-ride control approach. A case study of Fuxin, China is considered. The electric vehicle charging stations demand is met using renewable energy sources, namely photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems. Meeting the load demand and minimizing the total life cycle cost are considered two objective functions to formulate a multiobjective approach. The optimal sizes of the photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems are obtained using a multiobjective genetic algorithm and ε-MOGA. The robustness and effectiveness of the proposed control methodology are verified by detailed analysis and comparison using MATLAB®.
Enhancing Farm Income through Boundary Plantation of Poplar (Populus deltoides): An Economic Analysis
Authors: Chavan S. B. , Dhillon R. S. , Sirohi Chhavi , Keerthika A. , Kumari Sushil , Bharadwaj K. K. , Jinger Dinesh , Kakade Vijaysinha , Chichaghare A. R. , Zin El-Abedin Tarek K. , Mahmoud Eman A. , Casini Rayan , Sharma Hanoor , Elansary Hosam O. , Yessoufou Kowiyou
Published: July 2022

Poplar is popular among farmers and planted widely in the form of block and boundary systems. The preferences of farmers are shifting much more towards bund plantations due to their smaller yield reductions and can take up kharif and rabi crops till rotation. As for boundary plantations, farmers tend to grow trees in any direction without concern for yield reduction or profitability. Against this background, an experiment was designed by planting poplar at 2 m intervals in East–West (E–W) and North–South (N–S) directions during 2008 to determine the production potential and economic viability of boundary plantations and their effect on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) crop rotations till harvesting of the trees. The experiment comprised three variables: stand age (years); four aspects (northern and southern E–W rows, eastern and western N–S rows; these four aspects are considered by dividing the tree lines); and six distances from tree the lines (0–3, 3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–15, 15–18 m and a control). A split-split plot design with three replicates was used. A significant reduction of fodder biomass of sorghum and wheat yield was observed up to 9 m distant from the tree line: the reduction was 10 to 60% for the kharif season and 7.2 to 29.5% for rabi crops from the second year to eight years after planting, respectively. Interestingly, the poplar boundary plantation had a favorable microclimatic effect from 9 to 15 m distance from the tree line, which increased crop yields compared with the control. The total dry wood production of poplar in the E–W direction (166.99 mg ha−1) was almost two times more than production for the N–S direction (82.62 mg ha−1) at 8 years of rotation. The economic analysis of this study concluded that an E–W boundary plantation of poplars exhibited the maximum net returns of INR 549,367 ha−1, a net present value of INR 222,951 ha−1, a BC ratio of 1:1.65, an IRR of 85% and an LEV of INR 1,220,337 ha−1. Therefore, it is concluded that the intercropping of a sorghum-wheat crop rotation in E–W boundary plantations was more beneficial for enhancing farm income over traditional agriculture in north India.
Development of Digital Twin for Intelligent Maintenance of Civil Infrastructure
Authors: Mahmoodian Mojtaba , Shahrivar Farham , Setunge Sujeeva , Mazaheri Sam
Published: July 2022

Over the life cycle of a civil infrastructure (a bridge as an example), 0.4–2% of the construction cost is spent annually on its maintenance. Utilising new technologies including the internet of things (IoT) and digital twin (DT) can significantly reduce the infrastructure maintenance costs. An infrastructure DT involves its digital replica and must include data on geometric, geospatial reference, performance, attributes (material, environment etc.) and management. Then, the acquired data need to be analysed and visualised to inform maintenance decision making. To develop this DT, the first step is the study of the infrastructure life cycle to design DT architecture. Using data semantics, this paper presents a novel DT architecture design for an intelligent infrastructure maintenance system. Semantic modelling is used as a powerful tool to structure and organize data. This approach provides an industry context through capturing knowledge about infrastructures in the structure of semantic model graph. Using new technologies, DT approach derives and presents meaningful data on infrastructure real-time performance and maintenance requirements, and in a more expressible and interpretable manner. The data semantic model will guide when and what data to collect for feeding into the infrastructure DT. The proposed DT concept was applied on one of the conveyors of Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal in Queensland Australia to monitor the structural performance in real-time, which enables predictive maintenance to avoid breakdowns and disruptions in operation and consequential financial impacts.
The Phenomenon of Technostress during the COVID-19 Pandemic Due to Work from Home in Indonesia
Authors: Farmania Aini , Elsyah Riska Dwinda , Fortunisa Ananda
Published: July 2022

The regulation of work from home (WFH) was suddenly instructed by many companies in Indonesia at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It improved the demand for information and communication technology, which triggered the emergence of technostress among workers. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the technostress phenomenon in Indonesia due to the regulation of WFH by involving 819 respondents collected using an online questionnaire. This quantitative study using an SEM-Model investigated the correlation of technostress on productivity and role stress. Moreover, this model research also analyzed the role of computer self-efficacy and techno-addiction toward technostress among Indonesia’s workers. Finally, the findings showed a significant correlation between variables, becoming the first empirical evidence of the technostress phenomenon during work from home in Indonesia. This research brings new insight to companies about the technostress phenomenon during work from home that has never been discussed thoroughly before in Indonesia, suggesting companies should find the right strategy to balance the use of ICT at work based on workers’ job roles.
An Empirical Study of Situational Teaching: Agricultural Location in High School Geography
Authors: Guo Fengtao , Duan Yushan , He Shanbo , Zhang Qi , Xu Qiangqiang , Miao Sheng
Published: July 2022

In China’s most recent round of curriculum reform, the “one situation to the end” (OSTE) situational teaching method has been successfully introduced in geography classes to improve students’ ability to solve problems in real-life situations. Taking an agricultural location course as an example, this study analyzes the implementation of situational teaching and discusses the effect of the OSTE method on the topic of sustainable development in the teaching of geography. Using a quasi-experimental design and by distributing a questionnaire to teachers in a Chinese high school, the following findings were obtained: (1) almost all teachers use some form of situational teaching, and the OSTE method has been widely used; (2) OSTE contributes to students’ awareness of sustainable and circular development, but it is not associated with an improvement in geographical skills; and (3) students are mostly interested in the promotion of higher-order thinking, a positive emotional experience, active learning, and the acquisition of systematic knowledge instead of fragmented knowledge. In short, OSTE is an efficient teaching method for geography classes, especially given how it fosters students’ sustainable development ideas. We suggest enriching the understanding of OSTE through teaching-training, jointly developed situations using students’ existing experiences, and well-designed question chains with more opportunities for interaction.
Can Green Innovation Affect ESG Ratings and Financial Performance? Evidence from Chinese GEM Listed Companies
Authors: Zheng Jianzhuang , Khurram Muhammad Usman , Chen Lifeng
Published: July 2022

Socially and environmentally responsible investing is becoming the benchmark in financial markets. Promoting emerging industries’ environmental performance, social responsibility, and corporate governance (ESG) ratings are increasingly becoming the consensus of multinational green financial institutions, investors, and governments. This study employs 3100 panel data from 2014 to 2019 to conduct empirical research on green innovation, ESG indicators, and the financial performance of China’s Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) listed companies. Based on the “causal steps approach”, we adopt the Sobel–goodman and Bootstrap test to explore the partial mediation effect of ESG indicators. Moreover, when testing the interactive effect of endogeneity, instrumental variables combined with two-stage least squares (2SLS) and a general method of moments (GMM) system are applied in the dynamic panel for robustness. Combing with the approach of ESG factors-integrated and ESG factors-embedded regression models, we find that: (1) Green innovation can significantly improve the ESG scores of GEM listed companies. (2) Both green innovation and ESG performance can improve the financial performances of GEM listed companies, and ESG performance plays an indirect mediating role in the promotion of green innovation on financial performance. (3) Both political connection strength and regional innovation capabilities can negatively moderate the promotion of green innovation on financial performance, and moderating the effect of corporate political connections is more significant than the regional innovation. This study expands the research on the effectiveness of ESG indices and green innovation from the view of micro-GEM companies, providing policy enlightenment for the sustainable development of emerging industries. Our findings provide noteworthy implications for regulators, academicians and practitioners interested in exploring green innovation, ESG rating and financial performance. In addition, providing regulators and the board of directors with insights into the company’s and country’s future growth prospects.
More than Merely Positive: The Immediate Affective and Motivational Consequences of Gratitude
Authors: Walsh Lisa C. , Armenta Christina N. , Itzchakov Guy , Fritz Megan M. , Lyubomirsky Sonja
Published: July 2022

Although gratitude is typically conceptualized as a positive emotion, it may also induce socially oriented negative feelings, such as indebtedness and guilt. Given its mixed emotional experience, we argue that gratitude motivates people to improve themselves in important life domains. Two single-timepoint studies tested the immediate emotional and motivational effects of expressing gratitude. We recruited employees (n = 224) from French companies in Study 1 and students (n = 1026) from U.S. high schools in Study 2. Participants in both studies were randomly assigned to either write gratitude letters to benefactors or outline their weekly activities (control condition). Expressing gratitude led to mixed emotional experiences (e.g., greater elevation and indebtedness) for employees and students as compared with the control group. Students also felt more motivated and capable of improving themselves, as well as conveyed stronger intentions to muster effort towards self-improvement endeavors.
Behavior Investigation of Necking Pile with Caps Assisted with Transparent Soil Technology
Authors: Le Xudong , Cui Xiuqin , Zhang Mengyang , Xu Zhijun , Dou Lin
Published: July 2022

Pile easily develops necking defects during construction, which can limit the exertion of shaft resistance, resulting in reducing ultimate bearing capacity and creating potential safety hazards to projects. Based on transparent soil technology, this paper took the necking located in the middle part of pile shafts as an example and carried out vertical loading experiments on one intact pile and nine necking piles with caps. Then, the influences of necking length and diameter on the vertical bearing capacity were studied. The speckle field of the soil around piles was processed using the MatPIV program to investigate soil displacement. Through comparison and analysis with the intact pile, the reasons for the reduction in bearing capacity were obtained. The results show that the bearing capacity of the piles is seriously damaged by the necking. When the necking diameter is 4 mm and the necking length is 20 mm, the loss of vertical bearing capacity was 26.6%. The vertical bearing capacity decreases with the increase in necking length or the decrease in necking diameter. Pile necking makes a significant contribution to the displacement of soil around the cap. Inclined downward displacement of soil occurs near necking, which reduces the relative displacement between pile and soil and leads to the loss of pile resistance. For the necking with a large size, the soil displacement at the necking and around the pile cap is connected, which causes the displacement range of the soil under the pile cap to increase, resulting in a weakening of the exertion of shaft resistance. Subsequently, the vertical bearing capacity of piles is reduced.
Achieving Transformative Change in Food Consumption in Austria: A Survey on Opportunities and Obstacles
Authors: Haider Verena , Essl Franz , Zulka Klaus Peter , Schindler Stefan
Published: July 2022

Modern agriculture negatively impacts on global biodiversity by converting natural and extensively used habitats into intensely managed systems, and by releasing pollutants, including greenhouse gases. Since the demand for certain food products determines what is grown, consumer behavior is key to reduce food system related biodiversity losses. Here, we used an online survey targeting consumers in Austria to identify opportunities and barriers for consuming more sustainably. Respondents were split into two groups according to their affinity for nature conservation topics. In total, we received 320 completed responses, of which 264 participants described themselves as being concerned with environmental and conservation issues (called henceforth “nature conservation-affine”), while 56 participants identified themselves as distant to nature conservation (called henceforth “nature conservation-distant”). In general, the majority of respondents were concerned about aspects such as animal welfare or regionality when buying food. Split into the two above-mentioned groups, however, substantial differences emerged for most replies. For example, respondents from the nature conservation distant group had greater doubts about the advantages of organic food compared to conventionally produced food and frequently stated (45%) that they would rather not include biodiversity impacts in their food purchasing decisions. Similarly, we found a significantly greater willingness to buy vegetarian meat substitutes in the nature conservation affine group because of biodiversity and climate impacts of meat production. Overall, this study provides important insights into opportunities and obstacles for advancing sustainable food consumption from a consumer perspective; in particular, awareness of and affinity to conservation emerge as major factors on dietary preferences. Finally, we found that those individuals who are more interested in nature conservation issues are also more likely to be aware of how their diet affects biodiversity.
Foundation Settlement Response of Existing High-Speed Railway Bridge Induced by Construction of Undercrossing Roads
Authors: Wang You , Liang Shaohua , Huang Changxi , Wang Rui
Published: July 2022

The construction of undercrossing roads often has an adverse effect on the upper existing railway line, and can cause an uneven subsidence of the crossed section. In response to the influence of new road construction on the existing high-speed railway bridge, a highway passing under an existing high-speed railway bridge was taken as the research object. Based on the FLAC3D finite difference software, a computational model of new roads undercrossing a high-speed railway bridge was established to analyze the structural deformation response of a high-speed railway bridge. The results show that the excavation of foundation pits during new road construction causes an overall upward heaving of the soil layers between the pits, with a greater amount of heaving near the high-speed railway piers than that at other locations. Meanwhile, a degree of upward displacement of the high-speed railway bridge piers occurred. The filling of a road base structure generates an additional stress greater than the original consolidation pressure, inducing an overall subsidence of the soil layers between the pits. The final deformation during construction of new roads undercrossing the high-speed railway bridge shows that the displacement of adjacent piles is manifested as an overall settlement and as a horizontal displacement to the side of soil excavation.
Performance Evaluation of a Novel Pilot-Scale Wet Electrostatic Precipitator in a Bio-Drying-Assisted Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) Generation Plant: Particulate Matter (PM) Collection Efficiency
Authors: Kim Min-Sang , Jo Hongmok , Park Yeongmi , Han Uijeong , Thapa Ajay , Kim Kyunghyun , Choi Du Hyeong , Park Gwang Jo , Cho Si-Kyung
Published: July 2022

The production of solid recovered fuel (SRF) from sewage sludge has been credited with facilitating Korea’s waste management shift toward a resource circular economy. In this study, a novel pilot-scale wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) was developed and installed in a bio-drying-assisted solid recovered fuel (SRF) generation plant for the first time. To investigate the performance of the novel WESP, various sizes of particulate matter, i.e., total particle matter (PM), particle matter smaller than 10 μm (PM10), and particle matter smaller than 0.1 μm (PM0.1), collection efficiencies were evaluated and demonstrated promising performances. Under optimal operating conditions (flow rate of 5 m3/min and an applied voltage of 30 kV), 99.76% PM and 91% PM10 collection efficiencies were achieved, and the PM concentration was 0.16 mg/m3, which met the exhaust emission standard. However, a dramatic increase in PM0.1 was observed and could be explained by the break-up theory, binary homogenous nucleation, and ion-induced nucleation. The experimental findings could serve as useful information to understand the WESP system.
Total Quality Management and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ (SMEs) Performance: Mediating Role of Innovation Speed
Authors: Niyi Anifowose Oluwaseun , Ghasemi Matina , Olaleye Banji Rildwan
Published: July 2022

This study focuses on investigating the role of innovation speed in mediating the relationship between total quality management and small and medium-sized enterprise performance. Cross-sectional data from 484 Nigerian small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises were collected using judgmental sampling, which was targeted at the owners and managers of small-scale manufacturing enterprises within Nigeria. The obtained data were evaluated using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Hence, the heuristic model for the relationship was subjected to a string of tests using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique. The results show that total quality management is positively related to operational performance as well as innovation speed, which has a substantial influence on the nexus between total quality management (TQM) and small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SME) performance. The study expands the understanding of innovation, regarding speed and its measures within total quality management, where the five basic dimensions of total quality management are top management quality practices, employee quality management, customer orientation, process management, and employee knowledge and training. Furthermore, the model contributes to the scarce literature on the mediating factors needed to boost the operational performance of small-scale manufacturing firms.
The Effects of Public Investment on Sustainable Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Emerging Countries in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Ocolișanu Andreea , Dobrotă Gabriela , Dobrotă Dan
Published: July 2022

The relationship between sustainable growth and public investment, considered one of the key factors, is a topic of interest in the context of globally adopted sustainable development strategies and current budgetary constraints, especially in the case of tight budgets in developing countries, which constrain public investment more than current expenditure, for political or other reasons. Although there are endogenous growth patterns that incorporate public spending as a factor that promotes growth, the findings in the empirical literature provide contradictory results. The study is an empirical investigation into the effects of public investment on sustainable economic growth in emerging EU and Central European countries. For the period 1995–2019, the research shows that, in most of the countries included in the sample, the long-term impact of a public capital shock on GDP is estimated to be negative. The analysis of the effect of public investment on sustainable economic growth was performed by applying the VAR model and impulse response functions, the results being confirmed by estimating the accumulated multiplier to obtain the GDP response to a shock equal to a standard deviation of public capital.
Spatiotemporal Evolution of Water Resource Utilization and Economic Development in the Arid Region of China: A “Matching-Constraint” Perspective
Authors: Ding Junyu , Bai Yongping , Yang Xuedi , Gao Zuqiao
Published: July 2022

Water resources are the most important guarantees for sustainable socioeconomic development in arid regions. However, serious water scarcity puts great pressure on the sustainable development of the northwest arid region of China. Based on the “matching-constraint” perspective, this study used the Gini coefficient, imbalance index, and growth drag model of water resources to quantify the spatiotemporal evolution of water resource utilization (WRU) and economic development (ED) in the northwest arid region from 2009 to 2019. The results showed the following: (1) The matching degree of WRU and ED in Gansu and Xinjiang from 2009 to 2019 was poorer than that in Ningxia, Shaanxi, and Qinghai. Cities with the high matching type of WRU and ED were dominant, with a proportion of 60.78%. (2) During the study period, the growth drag of water resources showed an “N-shaped” change of “rising–declining–rising” and a spatial pattern of “decreasing from inland to coastal” in the northwest arid region. The average growth drag coefficients for the five northwestern provinces were as follows: Xinjiang (2.22%), Gansu (1.61%), Ningxia (1.41%), Qinghai (1.01%), and Shaanxi (0.84%). The total percentage of low and medium constraint type cities was 74.51%. (3) Based on the urban “matching-constraint” types, the WRU status was divided into four zone types: Zones I and IV had relatively well-allocated water resources; however, zone IV had more significant water resource constraints, with the growth drag coefficient ranging from 1.10% to 2.30%. An imbalance between WRU and ED existed in Zones II and III; moreover, the water resource constraints of these two zones were also significant, with growth drag coefficients ranging from 0.12% to 1.47% and 1.03% to 2.90%, respectively. Additionally, we explored the driving mechanisms of WRU and sustainable ED in the northwest arid region. Policy recommendations are proposed for the optimal use of water resources, capital, and labor for different types of cities.
Association between Self-Efficacy and Learning Conformity among Chinese University Students: Differences by Gender
Authors: Xiao Bin , Song Guandong
Published: July 2022

Background: Although past research highlights the impact of self-efficacy on university students’ learning motivation, examining potential links with specific types of learning conformity is limited. The current study examined associations between Chinese university students’ perceived self-efficacy and learning conformity across different types of learning motivation.Methods: A total of 339 Chinese university students were surveyed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Learning Conformity Scale. Multiple regression models were constructed to focus on the mechanisms of general self-efficacy on learning conformity. Results: (1) There are three types of learning conformity: learning abidance, learning obedience, and learning compliance. (2) General self-efficacy has a negative effect on learning obedience. In contrast, it positively affects learning abidance and learning compliance. (3) The general self-efficacy of girls is lower than that of boys. Still, girls are more likely to be motivated to learn compliance than boys. Conclusions: The study reveals that it is essential to stimulate students’ motivation to learn abidance to love learning from the inside out; to improve girls’ self-efficacy; to raise students’ awareness of self-respect and self-development; and to encourage self-approval in public institutions.
The Integration of Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability into Model-Based Systems Engineering
Authors: Diatte Kyle , O’Halloran Bryan , Van Bossuyt Douglas L.
Published: July 2022

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods have developed a strong foothold in the design space in industry. These methods have proven fruitful when the right method is applied to the right problem. Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) is an equally important area. Currently, there is a gap in applying a methodology to integrate the two in the design process, particularly when the design is complex. This work attempts to provide a methodology that results in the successful integration of RAM and MBSE that can be used during the early phases of design. The methodology was developed after an extensive literature review, followed by the illustration of the methodology through an example of a steam turbine fuel system. Each step of the method is applied and explained in the illustrative example, to include figures, tables, and calculations demonstrating the effectiveness of the method, concluding with evidence for validation.
VFR Travel in Turkey during and Post-COVID-19
Authors: Zentveld Elisa , Erol Günay , Düşmezkalender Ebru
Published: July 2022

Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel is a significant component of travel across the globe. Whilst COVID-19 impacted all travel in all countries, its impact on VFR in certain cultures was particularly pronounced. Aside from reconnecting socially with friends and relatives, in some cultures, certain ceremonies and rituals were compromised, meaning a complex choice for residents between focusing on global health information (e.g., avoiding contact, especially with elderly who are at risk) and disobeying significant cultural rituals that signify respect and importance. Whilst most VFR travel research has focused on western countries, this research examined the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions and health warnings on VFR travel in the country of Turkey. The significance of COVID-19 to VFR travel in Turkey is explained, and implications for the future are put forward.
Cocktails of Mycotoxins, Phytoestrogens, and Other Secondary Metabolites in Diets of Dairy Cows in Austria: Inferences from Diet Composition and Geo-Climatic Factors
Authors: Penagos-Tabares Felipe , Khiaosa-ard Ratchaneewan , Schmidt Marlene , Bartl Eva-Maria , Kehrer Johanna , Nagl Veronika , Faas Johannes , Sulyok Michael , Krska Rudolf , Zebeli Qendrim
Published: July 2022

Dairy production is a pivotal economic sector of Austrian and European agriculture. Dietary toxins and endocrine disruptors of natural origin such as mycotoxins and phytoestrogens can affect animal health, reproduction, and productivity. This study characterized the profile of a wide spectrum of fungal, plant, and unspecific secondary metabolites, including regulated, emerging, and modified mycotoxins, phytoestrogens, and cyanogenic glucosides, in complete diets of lactating cows from 100 Austrian dairy farms. To achieve this, a validated multi-metabolite liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI–MS/MS) method was employed, detecting 155 of >800 tested metabolites. Additionally, the most influential dietary and geo-climatic factors related to the dietary mycotoxin contamination of Austrian dairy cattle were recognized. We evidenced that the diets of Austrian dairy cows presented ubiquitous contamination with mixtures of mycotoxins and phytoestrogens. Metabolites derived from Fusarium spp. presented the highest concentrations, were the most recurrent, and had the highest diversity among the detected fungal compounds. Zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, and fumonisin B1 were the most frequently occurring mycotoxins considered in the EU legislation, with detection frequencies >70%. Among the investigated dietary factors, inclusion of maize silage (MS) and straw in the diets was the most influential factor in contamination with Fusarium-derived and other fungal toxins and metabolites, and temperature was the most influential among the geo-climatic factors.
Gaps and Interventions across the Diagnostic Care Cascade of TB Patients at the Level of Patient, Community and Health System: A Qualitative Review of the Literature
Authors: Shah Harsh D , Nazli Khatib Mahalaqua , Syed Zahiruddin Quazi , Gaidhane Abhay M. , Yasobant Sandul , Narkhede Kiran , Bhavsar Priya , Patel Jay , Sinha Anish , Puwar Tapasvi , Saha Somen , Saxena Deepak
Published: July 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the important public health concerns globally, and India is among the seven countries with the largest burden of TB. There has been a consistent increase in the notifications of TB cases across the globe. However, the 2018 estimates envisage a gap of about 30% between the incident and notified cases of TB, indicating a significant number of patients who remain undiagnosed or ‘missed’. It is important to understand who is ‘missed’, find this population, and provide quality care. Given these complexities, we reviewed the diagnostic gaps in the care cascade for TB. We searched Medline via PubMed and CENTRAL databases via the Cochrane Library. The search strategy for PubMed was tailored to individual databases and was as: ((((((tuberculosis[Title/Abstract]) OR (TB[Title/Abstract])) OR (koch *[Title/Abstract])) OR (“tuberculosis”[MeSH Terms]))) AND (((diagnos *) AND (“diagnosis”[MeSH Terms])))). Furthermore, we screened the references list of the potentially relevant studies to seek additional studies. Studies retrieved from these electronic searches and relevant references included in the bibliography of those studies were reviewed. Original studies in English that assessed the causes of diagnostic gaps and interventions used to address them were included. Delays in diagnosis were found to be attributable to both the individuals’ and the health system’s capacity to diagnose and promptly commence treatment. This review provides insights into the diagnostic gaps in a cascade of care for TB and different interventions adopted in studies to close this gap. The major diagnostic gaps identified in this review are as follows: people may not have access to TB diagnostic tests, individuals are at a higher risk of missed diagnosis, services are available but people may not seek care with a diagnostic facility, and patients are not diagnosed despite reaching health facilities. Therefore, reaching the goal to End TB requires putting in place models and methods to provide prompt and quality assured diagnosis to populations at par.
Think like a Virus: Toward Improving Nanovaccine Development against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mohamed Nura A. , Abou-Saleh Haissam , Mohamed Hana A. , Al-Ghouti Mohammad A. , Crovella Sergio , Zupin Luisa
Published: July 2022

There is no doubt that infectious diseases present global impact on the economy, society, health, mental state, and even political aspects, causing a long-lasting dent, and the situation will surely worsen if and when the viral spread becomes out of control, as seen during the still ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite the considerable achievements made in viral prevention and treatment, there are still significant challenges that can be overcome through careful understanding of the viral mechanism of action to establish common ground for innovating new preventative and treatment strategies. Viruses can be regarded as devil nanomachines, and one innovative approach to face and stop the spread of viral infections is the development of nanoparticles that can act similar to them as drug/vaccine carriers. Moreover, we can use the properties that different viruses have in designing nanoparticles that reassemble the virus conformational structures but that do not present the detrimental threats to human health that native viruses possess. This review discusses the current preventative strategies (i.e., vaccination) used in facing viral infections and the associated limitations, highlighting the importance of innovating new approaches to face viral infectious diseases and discussing the current nanoapplications in vaccine development and the challenges that still face the nanovaccine field.
The Efficacy of the Combination of Naproxen and Fexofenadine (SJP-003) to Prevent or Reduce Side Effects of Receiving Multiple Travel Vaccines: A Case Report
Authors: Kiani Pantea , Iversen Jacqueline M. , Scholey Andrew , Verster Joris C.
Published: July 2022

A considerable number of travelers receive multiple travel vaccinations before going on holiday. Here, we present a case report of a 56-year-old male traveler. On day 1, he received vaccinations against influenza, Tdab (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis), MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), yellow fever, and cholera. On days 1,3, 5, and 7, he self-administered an oral vaccine against typhoid. Treatment comprised the combination of 220 mg naproxen and 180 mg fexofenadine (SJP-003), to be taken 4h before and 6h after the vaccinations on day 1, and every 12 h thereafter until the end of day 7. Side effects were noted daily, and their severity was scored on a scale ranging from 0 (absent) to 10 (severe). These reports revealed that, except from a slight bruising at the injection site, no side effects were experienced from day 1 to day 4. After the second dose on day 3, treatment was discontinued. Two hours after taking the typhoid vaccine on Day 5, various flu-like symptoms were reported of moderate to high severity, including fever, muscle aches (both with severity score of 8), headache (severity score 7), and nausea (severity score 6). Therefore, at 2 h after typhoid vaccination on day 5, naproxen and fexofenadine were self-administered. At 4 h thereafter, all symptoms were resolved. Treatment was continued at the 12 h schedule. On day 6 and 7, no side effects were reported. Taken together, this case study suggests that the combination of naproxen and fexofenadine was effective in preventing or reducing vaccination side effects. Therefore, more research is warranted to further evaluate the efficacy of SJP-003.
HPV Vaccination during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: Opportunity Loss or Incremental Cost
Authors: Mennini Francesco Saverio , Silenzi Andrea , Marcellusi Andrea , Conversano Michele , Siddu Andrea , Rezza Giovanni
Published: July 2022

Objectives: Italy was the first European country to introduce universal vaccination of adolescents, for both males and females, against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) starting in 2017 with the NIP 2017–2019′s release. However, vaccine coverage rates (VCRs) among adolescents have shown a precarious take-off since the NIP’s release, and this situation worsened due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The aim of this work is to estimate the epidemiological and economic impact of drops in VCRs due to the pandemic on those generations that missed the vaccination appointment and to discuss alternative scenarios in light of the national data. Methods: Through an analysis of the official ministerial HPV vaccination reports, a model was developed to estimate the number of 12-year-old males and females who were not vaccinated against HPV during the period 2017–2021. Based on previously published models that estimate the incidence and the economic impact of HPV-related diseases in Italy, a new model was developed to estimate the impact of the aggregated HPV VCRs achieved in Italy between 2017 and 2021. Results: Overall, in 2021, 723,375 girls and 1,011,906 boys born between 2005 and 2009 were not vaccinated against HPV in Italy (42% and 52% of these cohorts, respectively). As compared with the 95% target provided by the Italian NIP, between 505,000 and 634,000 girls will not be protected against a large number of HPV-related diseases. For boys, the number of the unvaccinated population compared to the applicable target is over 615,000 in the ‘best case scenario’ and over 749,000 in the ‘worst case scenario’. Overall, between 1.1 and 1.3 million young adolescents born between 2005 and 2009 will not be protected against HPV-related diseases over their lifetime with expected lifetime costs of non-vaccination that will be over EUR 905 million. If the 95% optimal VCRs were achieved, the model estimates a cost reduction equal to EUR 529 million, the net of the costs incurred to implement the vaccination program. Conclusion: Suboptimal vaccination coverage represents a missed opportunity, not only because of the increased burden of HPV-related diseases, but also in terms of economic loss. Thus, reaching national HPV immunization goals is a public health priority.
Genotype, but Not Climate, Affects the Resistance of Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) to Viral Infections and to the Mite Varroa destructor
Authors: Ramos-Cuellar Ana K. , De la Mora Alvaro , Contreras-Escareño Francisca , Morfin Nuria , Tapia-González José M. , Macías-Macías José O. , Petukhova Tatiana , Correa-Benítez Adriana , Guzman-Novoa Ernesto
Published: July 2022

This study was conducted to analyze the effect of genotype and climate on the resistance of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies to parasitic and viral diseases. The prevalence and intensity of parasitism by Varroa destructor, or infection by Nosema spp., and four honey bee viruses were determined in 365 colonies of predominantly European or African ancestry (descendants of A. m. scutellata) in subtropical and temperate regions of Mexico. Varroa destructor was the most prevalent parasite (95%), whilst N. ceranae was the least prevalent parasite (15%). Deformed wing virus (DWV) and black queen cell virus (BQCV) were the only viruses detected, at frequencies of 38% and 66%, respectively. Varroa destructor was significantly more prevalent in colonies of European ancestry (p < 0.05), and the intensity of parasitism by V. destructor or infection by DWV and BQCV was also significantly higher in colonies of European descent than in African descent colonies (p < 0.01), although no genotype–parasite associations were found for N. ceranae. Additionally, significant and positive correlations were found between V. destructor and DWV levels, and the abundance of these pathogens was negatively correlated with the African ancestry of colonies (p < 0.01). However, there were no significant effects of environment on parasitism or infection intensity for the colonies of both genotypes. Therefore, it is concluded that the genotype of honey bee colonies, but not climate, influences their resistance to DWV, BQCV, and V. destructor.
Abnormalities of External Jugular Veins in Bulldogs with Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Authors: Croce Marta , Vezzosi Tommaso , Marchesotti Federica , Patata Valentina , Bini Martina , Lacava Giuseppe , Venco Luigi , Domenech Oriol
Published: July 2022

Two French bulldogs and one English bulldog affected by pulmonary valve stenosis and referred for pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty were diagnosed with different abnormalities of the external jugular veins. The diagnosis included unilateral absence of the right external jugular vein and bilateral hypoplasia of the external jugular veins, associated with persistent left cranial vena cava. Vascular ultrasound and computed tomography were used for the diagnosis. Jugular vein anomalies can affect decision-making regarding the central venous catheterization needed to perform procedures such as pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty or central catheter placement. Based on the results of the present case series, anomalies of external jugular veins should be considered in French and English bulldogs when the external jugular veins cannot be palpated or when echocardiography shows coronary sinus dilation. Vascular ultrasound or computed tomography may help identify jugular venous anomalies and should be considered in the preoperative evaluation of bulldogs that need to undergo interventional procedures requiring transjugular catheterization.
External Ear Canal Evaluation in Dogs with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Externa: Comparison of Direct Cytology, Bacterial Culture and 16S Amplicon Profiling
Authors: Leonard Caroline , Thiry Damien , Taminiau Bernard , Daube Georges , Fontaine Jacques
Published: July 2022

A discrepancy between cytology and bacterial culture methods is sometimes observed in canine otitis externa. The objective of this study was to compare results from cytology, bacterial culture and 16S amplicon profiling. Twenty samples from 16 dogs with chronic suppurative otitis externa were collected. A direct cytological evaluation was carried out during the consultations. Aerobic bacterial culture and susceptibility were performed by an external laboratory used in routine practice. For 16S amplicon profiling, DNA was extracted and the hypervariable segment V1–V3 of the 16S rDNA was amplified and then sequenced with a MiSeq Illumina sequence carried out by the Mothur software using the SILVA database. A good correlation between cytology and bacterial culture was observed in 60% of the samples. Some bacterial species revealed by bacterial culture were present with low relative abundance (<10%) in 16S amplicon profiling. Some bacterial species revealed by the 16S amplicon profiling analysis were not identified with culture; most of the time, the offending species was a Corynebacterium. To conclude, a careful interpretation of the results of bacterial culture should be made and always be in agreement with the cytology. The 16S amplicon profiling method appears to be a more sensitive method for detecting strains present in suppurative otitis but does not provide information on bacterial susceptibility.