bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution Line Load Predicting and Heavy Overload Warning Model Based on Prophet Method
Authors: Lv Longjin , Luo Lihua , Yang Yueping
Published: October 2022

The load prediction of distribution network lines and the accurate prediction of impending overload lines can provide an important reference for the formulation of the power supply plan of distribution networks. This paper designs a line load predicting and heavy overload early warning model based on the Prophet method, where the time series decomposition and machine learning technologies are used. Firstly, we used the 5-day moving average to automatically fill the missing values in the data and automatically detect and correct the abnormal values in the data. Then, we decomposed the prediction model into the trend component, periodic component, and data mutation component by fully considering the periodicity, seasonality, holidays, and other factors of power data, which effectively improves the prediction accuracy and gives early warning of potential heavy overload risk. Finally, we tested the model according to the processing speed, root-mean-squared error (RMSE), recognition accuracy, and overload warning hit rate. The results showed that the model obtained in this paper has high accuracy and practicability.
Econometric Approaches That Consider Farmers’ Adaptation in Estimating the Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture: A Review
Authors: Su Xun , Chen Minpeng
Published: October 2022

The question of whether and to what extent farmers can adapt to climate change has recently gained academic interest. This paper reviews contemporary econometric approaches that assess the impacts of climate change on agriculture and consider farmer adaptation, complementing previous methodological reviews with this distinctive adaptation perspective. The value of adaptation can be measured by comparing the differences between the long-term climate change effect and the short-term weather shock effect. However, this theoretical model has not yet been well supported by empirical evidence, as it is difficult to identify true adaptation, incorporating adaptation cost, and estimated adaptation rate. Quasi-natural experiments, cost-benefit analysis, and Bayesian models are effective tools to address these methodological drawbacks. Two methods dominate in the estimation of climate effects, but each has its own advantages. A good estimate provides a trade-off between the incorporation of farmers’ adaptive behavior and the reduction in omitted variables bias. Cross-sectional data models based on climate variability can capture farmers’ long-term adaptations but are prone to bias due to omitted variables. Panel data models are more effective at mitigating omitted variable bias by applying fixed effects, but do not consider farmers’ adaptative behavior to long-term climate change. To address this dilemma, several cutting-edge approaches have been developed, including integration with the weather and climate model, the long differences approach, and the long- and short-term hybrid approach. We found three key challenges, namely: (1) exploring adaptation mechanisms, (2) the CO2 fertilization effect, and (3) estimating the distributional effects of climate impacts. We also recommend future empirical studies to incorporate satellite remote sensing data, examine the relationship between different adaptation measures, model farmers’ future climate expectations, and include adaptation costs.
An Analytic Hierarchy Process for Selection of Blockchain-Based Platform for Product Lifecycle Management
Authors: Hayat Mubashir , Winkler Herwig
Published: October 2022

Blockchain technology has disrupted traditional business processes and hence gained significant attention and popularity in recent years. Consequently, a number of blockchain-based platforms are available today that offer vast applications across multiple sectors and industries. Implementing these blockchain-based platforms as an alternative to traditional product lifecycle management systems (PLMs) is one of the applications. However, before any platform is adopted, its nature, functionalities, and adaptability need to be clearly defined, evaluated, and verified. In this context, the proposed work explores the available blockchain-based platforms that can be used for the purpose of product lifecycle management. We then apply one of the multi-criteria decision-making techniques, i.e., the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), to select the best possible blockchain-based platform for PLM. As transaction speed, data privacy, and scalability are our prime concerns in PLM, we only considered the permissioned (private) blockchain platforms as available alternatives in the final selection process. Results achieved on the basis of considered criteria show that Hyperledger Fabric is the top-ranked among available alternatives to be used for PLM. Furthermore, as blockchain is a new technology, a clear comparison of the available platforms based on the performance-based metrics and key performance indicators is not completely matured and is still in the development stage. However, our proposed approach can be considered an attempt to create a procedure for evaluating blockchain-based platform implementation in any sector.
Nonlinear Modelling and Control of a Power Smoothing System for a Novel Wave Energy Converter Prototype
Authors: Krüner Simon , Hackl Christoph M.
Published: October 2022

This contribution presents the control of the electrical system of a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) prototype developed by SINN Power. Due to the movement of the waves, the generated power has a very high fluctuation with a period of a few seconds. To be able to use this power, it has to be smoothed. The used Energy Storage System (ESS) is a supercapacitor bank, which is directly connected to the DC-link. Therefore, the DC-link voltage has to fluctuate according to the generated power, to charge and discharge the capacitors. The smoothed power is used to charge batteries with a DC/DC converter, which is typically used for photovoltaic applications. The DC-link voltage can be controlled with the current through the DC/DC converter, yielding a nonlinear control system where a stability analysis is carried out to prove a safe and stable operation. Measurement results at the prototype under typical sea conditions are presented, which fit the simulation results. With the presented control system, smooth power output can be guaranteed.
Applying Macroalgal Biomass as an Energy Source: Utility of the Baltic Sea Beach Wrack for Thermochemical Conversion
Authors: Vincevica-Gaile Zane , Sachpazidou Varvara , Bisters Valdis , Klavins Maris , Anne Olga , Grinfelde Inga , Hanc Emil , Hogland William , Ibrahim Muhammad Asim , Jani Yahya , Kriipsalu Mait , Pal Divya , Pehme Kaur-Mikk , Shanskiy Merrit , Saaremäe Egle , Pilecka-Ulcugaceva Jovita , Celms Armands , Rudovica Vita , Hendroko Setyobudi Roy , Wdowin Magdalena , Zahoor Muhammad , Aouissi Hani Amir , Krauklis Andrey E. , Zekker Ivar , Burlakovs Juris
Published: October 2022

Global resource limits and increasing demand for non-fossil energy sources have expanded the research on alternative fuels. Among them, algal biomass is designated as a third-generation feedstock with promising opportunities and the capability to be utilized for energy production in the long term. The paper presents the potential for converting beach wrack containing macroalgal biomass into gaseous fuel as a sustainable option for energy production, simultaneously improving the organic waste management that the coastline is facing. Beach wrack collected in the northern Baltic Sea region was converted by gasification technology applicable for carbon-based feedstock thermal recovery, resulting in syngas production as the main product and by-product biochar. Proximate and ultimate analysis, trace and major element quantification, detection of calorific values for macroalgal biomass, and derived biochar and syngas analysis were carried out. A higher heating value for beach wrack was estimated to be relatively low, 5.38 MJ/kg as received (or 14.70 MJ/kg on dry basis), but produced syngas that contained enough high content of CH4 (42%). Due to macroalgal biomass specifics (e.g., high moisture content and sand admixture), an adjusted gasification process, i.e., the combination of thermochemical procedures, such as mild combustion and pyrolytic biomass conversion, might be a better choice for the greater economic value of biowaste valorization.
Culture-Based Practices as Driver of Local Development Processes in Mountain Areas—Evidence from the Alpine Region of the Province of Cuneo (Italy)
Authors: Bertolino Maria Anna , Corrado Federica
Published: October 2022

Over the last few decades, Alpine communities have been affected by many social, cultural, economic and demographic changes that have challenged the hegemonic development models of the 20th century and questioned the city–country cleavage. Nevertheless, the huge potential expressed by culture-based practices in low-density areas—such as the Alps—still represents an unexplored field of research. In order to progress in research in the field, through the analysis of a case study in the Italian Western Alps (Cuneo, Piedmont Region), the article proposes a new methodology of analysis and highlights that new places of cultural production are emerging and that the related culture-based practices can play the role of driver of innovative and sustainable development paths. Based on the results of the case-study analysis, the article presents a taxonomy of new practices in which the binomial culture–territory acts as a driver and explores how these processes can be transferred to similar contexts, in particular, other low-density areas.
Work Addiction among Bank Employees in Italy: A Contribution to Validation of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale with a Focus on Measurement Invariance across Gender and Managerial Status
Authors: Falco Alessandra , Girardi Damiano , De Carlo Alessandro , Andreassen Cecilie Schou , Dal Corso Laura
Published: October 2022

This study contributes to the validation of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS) in the Italian context, with a focus on measurement invariance across gender and managerial status. The BWAS is a consolidated measure of work addiction (WA) anchored in general addiction theory that comprises seven items representing the core addiction components. Participants were 8419 bank workers (37.7% women, 12.9% managers) who completed a self-report questionnaire including the Italian version of the BWAS (BWAS-I) and the Dutch Work Addiction Scale, as well as measures of work engagement, perfectionism, workload, psycho-physical symptoms, work–family conflict, and job satisfaction. Results confirmed the single-factor structure of the BWAS-I. Partial scalar invariance held across gender and managerial status, meaning that most—but not all—item intercepts were equivalent across different populations. Furthermore, the BWAS-I showed adequate convergent, discriminant, criterion-related, and incremental validity. This study showed that the BWAS-I is a valuable instrument that can be used by researchers and practitioners to assess WA in the Italian context.
A Study on the Difference of LULC Classification Results Based on Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 Data
Authors: You Haotian , Tang Xu , Deng Weixi , Song Haoxin , Wang Yu , Chen Jianjun
Published: October 2022

Landsat 9 enhances the radiation resolution of the operational land imager from the 12 bits of Landsat 8 to 14 bits. The higher radiation resolution improves the sensitivity of the sensor to detect many subtler differences, especially in the case of dense forests or water. However, it remains unclear whether the difference in radiation resolution between Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 actually affects the classification results of water and tree species. Accordingly, the spectral reflectance and vegetation indices were extracted in this study, based on Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 images. Then, the classification models of land use and land cover (LULC) and tree species were developed by using a gradient tree boosting algorithm. Subsequently, the results were analyzed to further investigate how the differences in radiation resolution affect the classification results of LULC and tree species. It is shown that the LULC classification results of Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 are relatively favorable in most cases. However, the LULC classification results are relatively poor in test areas with a lower classification accuracy of water. Further analysis, in the case of test areas with poor classification results, indicates that there are significant differences in the water classification results between the two datasets. In other words, Landsat 9 produces better water classification results than Landsat 8 in most test areas. However, a temperature close to zero may lead to inverse water classification results. In addition, it indicates that the difference in forest classification results between the two datasets is small, but the results of forest tree species classification based on Landsat 9 are superior to those based on Landsat 8, with an improvement in overall accuracy of 6.01%. The results demonstrate that the difference in radiation resolution between Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 has little impact on the results of LULC classification in most cases. Nevertheless, in the case of some test areas, Landsat 9 is better suited for enhancing the classification accuracy of water and tree species.
Impact of Gravity-Driven Membrane Filtration Water Treatment Systems on a Rural School in Indonesia
Authors: Sudiyani Yanni , Widmer Kenneth , Andreas Andreas , Tasfiyati Aprilia Nur , Athaillah Zatil Afrah , Muryanto Muryanto , Aziz Azilah Abd , Lee Eun Young , Lee Yunho , Kang Suil
Published: October 2022

Improving access to safe drinking water in developing countries is still a challenge and Gravity-Driven Membrane (GDM) filtration systems may be a sustainable solution. Two rural schools in West Java Indonesia were studied, one as a control site and another having an installed GDM system. Chemical and microbiological water quality data were collected for an initial 3-month period at the GDM site and a final sampling at the study’s conclusion (6 months) at both sites. After the initial 3-month period, health surveys were conducted with students self-reporting incidences of diarrhea for 3 months at both school sites. An analysis of the chemical parameters indicated that both schools had good water quality. An average 2-log reduction of fecal indicator bacteria at the GDM site was observed, with the control site having numbers that exceeded the upper detection limits (>3.38 log CFU/100 mL). Student diarrhea incidence at the GDM site declined from 0.077 at the survey onset to 0.052 at the latter half of the survey period, while the control site had a diarrhea incidence of 0.077 throughout. The results indicate that GDM technology can serve as a practical water filtration technology, improving access to safe drinking water for rural populations.
Land-Use Pattern Evaluation Using GeoSOS-FLUS in National Territory Spatial Planning: A Case Study of Changzhi City, Shanxi Province
Authors: Wang Juan , Lv Jiaqi , Zhang Wenping , Chen Tianqian , Yang Yang , Wu Jinjin
Published: October 2022

Land-use patterns have always been affected by urban development, and their structural optimization is of great significance to high-quality urban development. However, since the establishment of the spatial planning system, there are still a lack of methods for optimizing the land-use structure. To this end, the research proposes an analysis framework, and proposes the direction of land-use structure adjustment through the status analysis, potential evaluation, and LUCC simulation model, and provides a new idea and method of spatial planning. The research uses an analytical framework to analyze the case of Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, puts forward the problems existing in the process of its land use, and further proposes the direction and focus of the adjustment of the land-use structure. Results show that the spatial distribution of land in Changzhi City presents a “forest-farm-forest” characteristic, and forest land, farmland and grassland account for 85% of its total area. From 2010 to 2018, the grassland area in Changzhi City decreased the most to 3486.13 hm2, and the comprehensive degree of land use increased from 235.88% to 236.73%; however, the cultivated land showed a downward trend. The construction land intensive utilization of Changzhi City is low, and the potential for rural construction land consolidation is high. In addition, the conversion probability of cultivated land in the Tunliu district and the conversion probability of construction land close to Luzhou district are relatively higher, which can be used as crucial areas for the future development of Changzhi City. In the process of urban development, cultivated land protection and construction land demand should be balanced.
Water Quality Variation Law and Prediction Method of a Small Reservoir in China
Authors: Yu Yu , Bai Yu , Ni Yingying , Luo Yi , Junejo Shafique
Published: October 2022

Compared with the attention of large reservoirs, the water quality of small reservoirs also needs attention. In recent years, the problem of reservoir water quality has become increasingly serious. How to predict reservoir water quality may be an urgent problem to be solved. Taking the Yangmeiling reservoir as an example, this paper collects the hydrological and water quality data of the Yangmeiling reservoir in the last ten years, analyzes the relationship between hydrological and water quality data, and uses a machine learning method to simulate the relationship between water quality and hydrological data. The results show that the water quality of small reservoirs can be simply linked with hydrological data and can be predicted through hydrological data, and has high simulation accuracy. This method can be popularized in the simulation and prediction of the water quality of small reservoirs; it does not provide a theoretical basis for the water quality management of small reservoirs.
A Measurement Model and Empirical Analysis of the Coordinated Development of Rural E-Commerce Logistics and Agricultural Modernization
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Jia Shitong , Wang Zixing , Guo Caiyun , Niu Yanqi
Published: October 2022

With technological revolutions and new rural revitalization strategies, rural e-commerce logistics and agricultural modernization are becoming the focus of society. The purpose of the current study is to measure the coupling coordination state of regional rural e-commerce logistics and agricultural modernization, to analyze the obstacles to coordinated development, to forecast the trend, and to propose policy suggestions for coordinated development. Based on the theory of system coordinated development, this paper selects representative indicators reflecting regional rural e-commerce logistics and agricultural modernization, and constructs a coordinated development measurement index system. This paper also constructs a coupling coordination-obstacle degree model, adopting Handan City, Hebei Province as an example, using the data obtained from 2010 to 2019 to measure the coordinated development status of rural e-commerce logistics and agricultural modernization; and analyzes the obstacles affecting coordinated development. By introducing the grey prediction GM (1,1) model and by applying it to the research, the results show that the model is feasible, and the coordinated development level of rural e-commerce logistics and agricultural modernization in Handan City presents a fluctuating upward trend. The prediction results show that the coordinated development of rural e-commerce logistics and agricultural modernization will achieve good coordination in 2024, and relevant development suggestions are proposed. The research can provide some decision-making references for establishing the measurement model, an obstacle-factor analysis, and a trend prediction for the coordinated development of regional rural e-commerce logistics and agricultural modernization.
Students’ Perceptions and Attitudes toward University Social Responsibility: Comparison between India and Croatia
Authors: Leko Šimić Mirna , Sharma Ekta , Kadlec Željka
Published: October 2022

In addition to teaching and research, the “third mission” has become one of the major societal challenges faced by higher education institutions worldwide. This is related to the university’s efforts to contribute to the economic and social development of the community in which they operate. One of the major concepts focused on this issue is university social responsibility (USR). This study aimed to compare students’ perceptions of and attitude toward USR in two different countries, India and Croatia, and contribute to the research gap in cross-cultural aspects of USR. Since students are the most important stakeholders of the university and today’s students are known as Generation Z–altruistic, caring about the environment and social issues on one hand, and knowing that social responsibility is highly contextual regarding environment—it makes sense to study and compare students from two different countries. The research was conducted at Indian and Croatian universities, with a sample of 1340 respondents. It is based on Carroll’s pyramid of social responsibility regarding levels of USR (economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic) and the ISO 26000 standards regarding areas of USR. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analysis indicated some differences in perceptions of USR in the two countries but also the significant impact of knowledge about USR and having a course on social responsibility built into the curriculum on perceptions and attitude toward USR. The results show that universities in both countries need to focus on their third mission—specifically, contributing to local community development in creating their USR policies.
Mobility Disruptions in Accra: Recurrent Flooding, Fragile Infrastructure and Climate Change
Authors: Andreasen Manja Hoppe , Agergaard Jytte , Møller-Jensen Lasse , Oteng-Ababio Martin , Yiran Gerald Albert Baeribameng
Published: October 2022

This paper analyzes the mobility disruptions experienced by urban residents in relation to heavy precipitation and flooding of roads. The empirical focus is Accra, Ghana, a rapidly growing African city with discernible challenges in its transport system and a longstanding history of recurrent flood hazards, which are likely to be exacerbated by climate change in the future. In a context where there is very little mobility data available from official sources, the paper utilizes data from a large mobility survey (n = 1053) conducted through in-person interviews in July–August 2021 in 10 selected neighborhoods in Accra’s sprawling periphery. The survey targeted economically active adults, who are travelling regularly in relation to their income-generating activities. The survey recorded respondents’ experiences with a wide range of mobility disruptions caused by heavy precipitation and water on the roads. The analysis of survey data is supplemented with insights from qualitative interviews with a range of local key informants (n = 75). The research illuminates the diversity of mobility disruptions experienced by Accra’s residents during and after heavy precipitation events and the adverse implications for livelihoods and access to markets and services. The results highlight that mobility disruptions related to heavy precipitation are an extremely commonplace experience for residents in Accra’s periphery, across a diverse collection of neighborhoods and across travel patterns and traveler characteristics. While existing research tends to privilege the most dramatic and disastrous flood events and the associated destruction of property, this research, however, draws attention to the somewhat under-researched topic of mobility disruptions to everyday activities and their implications for livelihoods and access to markets and services.
Technological Peculiarities of Epsilon Ferrite Epitaxial Stabilization by PLD
Authors: Dvortsova Polina A. , Suturin Sergey M.
Published: October 2022

The present paper describes the technological peculiarities relevant to the nucleation and further epitaxial growth of the metastable epsilon phase of iron oxide by means of pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The orthorhombic epsilon ferrite ε-Fe2O3 is an exotic member of a large family of iron oxide polymorphs, which attracts extensive attention nowadays due to its ultra-high magneto-crystalline anisotropy and room temperature multiferroic properties. Continuing the series of previous publications dedicated to the fabrication of ε-Fe2O3 films on GaN, this present work addresses a number of important requirements for the growing conditions of these films. Among the most sensitive technological parameters, the growth temperature must be high enough to aid the nucleation of the orthorhombic phase and, at the same time, low enough to prevent the thermal degradation of an overheated ε-Fe2O3/GaN interface. Overcoming the contradicting growth temperature requirements, an alternative substrate-independent technique to stabilize the orthorhombic phase by mild aluminum substitution is proposed. The advantages of this technique are demonstrated by the example of ε-Fe2O3 films PLD growth carried out on sapphire—the substrate that possesses a trigonal lattice structure and would normally drive the nucleation of the isostructural and energetically more favorable trigonal α-Fe2O3 phase. The real-time profiling of high-energy electron diffraction patterns has been extensively utilized throughout this work to keep track of the orthorhombic-to-trigonal balance being the most important feed-back parameter at the growth optimization stage.
Design of an Optically Transparent Microwave Absorber Based on Coding Metasurface
Authors: Lai Senfeng , Liu Guiyang , Guo Yanpei , Liu Yang
Published: October 2022

In this paper, a metamaterial absorber with a checkerboard patterned ITO (indium tin oxide) film as the surface is obtained by using flexible and optically transparent wave-absorbing material ITO–PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and a coding arrangement of two basic coding units based on the APS-PSO (Array Pattern Synthesis -Particle Swarm Optimization) algorithm. The surface structure of the absorber consists of ITO rectangular patch structures and ITO circular patch structures (110 Ω/sq). The ITO rectangular patch structures and ITO circular patch structures are symmetrical. The middle layer is made up of two layers of PET and one layer of PMMA, and the bottom surface is covered with a layer of low square resistance ITO film (8 Ω/sq). The experimental results, which are consistent with the simulation results, show that the absorber has superior performance: over 90% absorptance in the 5.06–9.01 GHz band, high transmittance, and a −10 dBsm RCS (radar cross-section) reduction in the 5.3–8.7 GHz band. This design also has polarization insensitivity and angular stability.
Global Asymptotic Stability of Competitive Neural Networks with Reaction-Diffusion Terms and Mixed Delays
Authors: Shao Shuxiang , Du Bo
Published: October 2022

In this article, a new competitive neural network (CNN) with reaction-diffusion terms and mixed delays is proposed. Because this network system contains reaction-diffusion terms, it belongs to a partial differential system, which is different from the existing classic CNNs. First, taking into account the spatial diffusion effect, we introduce spatial diffusion for CNNs. Furthermore, since the time delay has an essential influence on the properties of the system, we introduce mixed delays including time-varying discrete delays and distributed delays for CNNs. By constructing suitable Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals and virtue of the theories of delayed partial differential equations, we study the global asymptotic stability for the considered system. The effectiveness and correctness of the proposed CNN model with reaction-diffusion terms and mixed delays are verified by an example. Finally, some discussion and conclusions for recent developments of CNNs are given.
Distributed Energy-Efficient Assembly Scheduling Problem with Transportation Capacity
Authors: Lei Deming , Li Jinlin
Published: October 2022

The real-life assembly production often has transportation between fabrication and assembly, and the capacity of transportation machine is often considered; however, the previous works are mainly about two-stage distributed assembly scheduling problems. In this study, a distributed energy-efficient assembly scheduling problem (DEASP) with transportation capacity is investigated, in which dedicated parallel machines with symmetry under the given conditions, transportation machines and an assembly machine are used. An adaptive imperialist competitive algorithm (AICA) is proposed to minimize makespan and total energy consumption. A heuristic and an energy-saving rule are used to produce initial solutions. An adaptive assimilation with adaptive global search and an adaptive revolution are implemented, in which neighborhood structures are chosen dynamically, and revolution probability and search times are decided by using the solution quality. The features of the problem are also used effectively. Computational experiments are conducted on a number of instances. The computational results demonstrate that the new strategies of AICA are effective and efficient and AICA can provide promising results for the considered DEASP.
Photoacoustics Waveform Design for Optimal Signal to Noise Ratio
Authors: Baddour Natalie , Sun Zuwen
Published: October 2022

Time-frequency analysis in waveform engineering can be applied to many detection and imaging systems, such as radar, sonar, and ultrasound to improve their Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). Recently, photoacoustic imaging systems have attracted researchers’ attention. However, the SNR optimization problem for photoacoustic systems has not been fully addressed. In this paper, the one-dimensional SNR optimization of the photoacoustic response to an input waveform with finite duration and energy was considered. This paper applied an eigenfunction optimization approach to find the waveform for optimal SNR for various photoacoustic absorber profiles. SNR gains via the obtained optimal waveform were compared with simple square-pulse and pulsed sinusoidal waveforms in simulations. Results showed that by using the optimal waveform, SNR can be enhanced especially if the input wave duration is comparable with the absorber time profile duration. The optimal waveforms can achieve 5%–10% higher SNR than square pulses and over 100% higher SNR compared with pulsed sinusoids. The symmetry between time and frequency domains assures similar behavior when temporal durations of the input waveforms are too short or too long compared with the absorber.
Optimization of a Rural Portfolio Credit Granting System Using Improved Two-Dimensional Strip Packing Grouping Delay Problem
Authors: Huang Huijun , Li Yuzhong
Published: October 2022

Rural preferential loans usually take the form of portfolio credits. From the perspective of public interest, the total delay time for obtaining loans is expected to be minimized. To use rural portfolio credits effectively, the two-dimensional strip packing grouping delay problem (2SPGDP) is improved to optimize the rural portfolio credit granting system. First, 2SPGDP is established by adding grouping constraints and the latest start time constraints to the two-dimensional strip packing problem, and the total delay is taken as the optimization objective. Second, based on the depth search reverse spanning tree (DSRST) and the insert spare space (ISS) method, the branch-and-bound reverse order insert algorithm (BB-RIA) is designed. Finally, the lag pruning operator (LPO) is designed to reduce lag. The improved model (2SPGDP) and BB-RIA-LPO algorithm are used to solve several classical two-dimensional strip packing problems and a specific rural portfolio credit case. Compared with the Bottom-Left and Branch and Bound Algorithm, our model and algorithm improve the success rate by 25% and reduce the total delay by 6%. The case of rural portfolio credit illustrates the operability and effectiveness of this method.
Thermal Inkjet Printing: Prospects and Applications in the Development of Medicine
Authors: Uddin Md Jasim , Hassan Jasmin , Douroumis Dennis
Published: October 2022

Over the last 10 years, inkjet printing technologies have advanced significantly and found several applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sector. Thermal inkjet printing is one of the most widely used techniques due to its versatility in the development of bioinks for cell printing or biosensors and the potential to fabricate personalized medications of various forms such as films and tablets. In this review, we provide a comprehensive discussion of the principles of inkjet printing technologies highlighting their advantages and limitations. Furthermore, the review covers a wide range of case studies and applications for precision medicine.
Production Technologies, Regulatory Parameters, and Quality Control of Vaccine Vectors for Veterinary Use
Authors: Barbosa Raquel de M. , Silva Amélia M. , Silva Classius F. da , Cardoso Juliana C. , Severino Patricia , Meirelles Lyghia M. A. , Silva-Junior Arnobio A. da , Viseras César , Fonseca Joel , Souto Eliana B.
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the main types of vaccines approaching production technology, regulatory parameters, and the quality control of vaccines. Bioinformatic tools and computational strategies have been used in the research and development of new pharmaceutical products, reducing the time between supposed pharmaceutical product candidates (R&D steps) and final products (to be marketed). In fact, in the reverse vaccinology field, in silico studies can be very useful in identifying possible vaccine targets from databases. In addition, in some cases (subunit or RNA/ DNA vaccines), the in silico approach permits: (I) the evaluation of protein immunogenicity through the prediction of epitopes, (II) the potential adverse effects of antigens through the projection of similarity to host proteins, (III) toxicity and (IV) allergenicity, contributing to obtaining safe, effective, stable, and economical vaccines for existing and emerging infectious pathogens. Additionally, the rapid growth of emerging infectious diseases in recent years should be considered a driving force for developing and implementing new vaccines and reassessing vaccine schedules in companion animals, food animals, and wildlife disease control. Comprehensive and well-planned vaccination schedules are effective strategies to prevent and treat infectious diseases.
Supportive, Fitted, and Comfortable Bras for Individuals with Atypical Breast Shape/Size: Review of the Challenges and Proposed Roadmap
Authors: Bolaji Josephine Taiye , Dolez Patricia I.
Published: October 2022

Individuals with atypical breast shape/size often find it quite challenging to obtain a comfortable, supportive, and fitted bra off-the-shelf. They include people with very large breasts, who have significant breast asymmetry, and/or have undergone mastectomy or mammoplasty. This paper provides insights in their challenges and attempts to fill the gap in terms of critical review of the current state of knowledge around the topic of bras. Poor and ill fitted bras are associated with breast, chest and shoulder pain, embarrassment, and an overall reduction in quality of life among others. Building upon the advantages and limitations of solutions to improve the fit, support and comfort of bras found in the literature, this paper proposes strategies to solve these challenges. As the problem is multidisciplinary, a human-centered interdisciplinary approach is key to ensure that all aspects are considered at all stages of the process. A modular design allows selecting the fabric characteristics based on the requirements of each bra part. In terms of materials, stretch woven fabrics offer a large potential in the production of bras to enhance the support provided by areas such as the under band and back panels. Bespoke manufacturing takes into account the specificities of each individual. The road map proposed here will contribute to enhance the quality of life of individuals with atypical breast shape/size.
Comparison of the Medical Uses and Cellular Effects of High and Low Linear Energy Transfer Radiation
Authors: Russ Eric , Davis Catherine M. , Slaven John E. , Bradfield Dmitry T. , Selwyn Reed G. , Day Regina M.
Published: October 2022

Exposure to ionizing radiation can occur during medical treatments, from naturally occurring sources in the environment, or as the result of a nuclear accident or thermonuclear war. The severity of cellular damage from ionizing radiation exposure is dependent upon a number of factors including the absorbed radiation dose of the exposure (energy absorbed per unit mass of the exposure), dose rate, area and volume of tissue exposed, type of radiation (e.g., X-rays, high-energy gamma rays, protons, or neutrons) and linear energy transfer. While the dose, the dose rate, and dose distribution in tissue are aspects of a radiation exposure that can be varied experimentally or in medical treatments, the LET and eV are inherent characteristics of the type of radiation. High-LET radiation deposits a higher concentration of energy in a shorter distance when traversing tissue compared with low-LET radiation. The different biological effects of high and low LET with similar energies have been documented in vivo in animal models and in cultured cells. High-LET results in intense macromolecular damage and more cell death. Findings indicate that while both low- and high-LET radiation activate non-homologous end-joining DNA repair activity, efficient repair of high-LET radiation requires the homologous recombination repair pathway. Low- and high-LET radiation activate p53 transcription factor activity in most cells, but high LET activates NF-kB transcription factor at lower radiation doses than low-LET radiation. Here we review the development, uses, and current understanding of the cellular effects of low- and high-LET radiation exposure.
Human Exposure to Pesticides in Dust from Two Agricultural Sites in South Africa
Authors: Degrendele Céline , Prokeš Roman , Šenk Petr , Jílková Simona Rozárka , Kohoutek Jiří , Melymuk Lisa , Přibylová Petra , Dalvie Mohamed Aqiel , Röösli Martin , Klánová Jana , Fuhrimann Samuel
Published: October 2022

Over the last decades, concern has arisen worldwide about the negative impacts of pesticides on the environment and human health. Exposure via dust ingestion is important for many chemicals but poorly characterized for pesticides, particularly in Africa. We investigated the spatial and temporal variations of 30 pesticides in dust and estimated the human exposure via dust ingestion, which was compared to inhalation and soil ingestion. Indoor dust samples were collected from thirty-eight households and two schools located in two agricultural regions in South Africa and were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. We found 10 pesticides in dust, with chlorpyrifos, terbuthylazine, carbaryl, diazinon, carbendazim, and tebuconazole quantified in >50% of the samples. Over seven days, no significant temporal variations in the dust levels of individual pesticides were found. Significant spatial variations were observed for some pesticides, highlighting the importance of proximity to agricultural fields or of indoor pesticide use. For five out of the nineteen pesticides quantified in dust, air, or soil (i.e., carbendazim, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, diuron and propiconazole), human intake via dust ingestion was important (>10%) compared to inhalation or soil ingestion. Dust ingestion should therefore be considered in future human exposure assessment to pesticides.
Phenotypic and Metabolomic Characterization of 3D Lung Cell Cultures Exposed to Airborne Particulate Matter from Three Air Quality Network Stations in Catalonia
Authors: Villasclaras Paula , Jaén Clara , van Drooge Barend , Grimalt Joan , Tauler Romà , Bedia Carmen
Published: October 2022

Air pollution constitutes an environmental problem that it is known to cause many serious adverse effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The chemical characterization of particulate matter (PM) is key for a better understanding of the associations between chemistry and toxicological effects. In this work, the chemical composition and biological effects of fifteen PM10 air filter samples from three air quality stations in Catalonia with contrasting air quality backgrounds were investigated. Three-dimensional (3D) lung cancer cell cultures were exposed to these sample extracts, and cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, metabolomics, and lipidomics were explored. The factor analysis method Multivariate Curve Resolution–Alternating Least-Squares (MCR-ALS) was employed for an integrated interpretation of the associations between chemical composition and biological effects, which could be related to urban traffic emission, biomass burning smoke, and secondary aerosols. In this pilot study, a novel strategy combining new approach methodologies and chemometrics provided new insights into the biomolecular changes in lung cells associated with different sources of air pollution. This approach can be applied in further research on air pollution toxicity to improve our understanding of the causality between chemistry and its effects.
Quantitative Assessment and Spatial Analysis of Metals and Metalloids in Soil Using the Geo-Accumulation Index in the Capital Town of Romblon Province, Philippines
Authors: Senoro Delia B. , Monjardin Cris Edward F. , Fetalvero Eddie G. , Benjamin Zidrick Ed C. , Gorospe Alejandro Felipe B. , de Jesus Kevin Lawrence M. , Ical Mark Lawrence G. , Wong Jonathan P.
Published: October 2022

The municipality of Romblon in the Philippines is an island known for its marble industry. The subsurface of the Philippines is known for its limestone. The production of marble into slab, tiles, and novelty items requires heavy equipment to cut rocks and boulders. The finishing of marble requires polishing to smoothen the surface. During the manufacturing process, massive amounts of particulates and slurry are produced, and with a lack of technology and human expertise, the environment can be adversely affected. Hence, this study assessed and monitored the environmental conditions in the municipality of Romblon, particularly the soils and sediments, which were affected due to uncontrolled discharges and particulates deposition. A total of fifty-six soil and twenty-three sediment samples were collected and used to estimate the metal and metalloid (MM) concentrations in the whole area using a neural network-particle swarm optimization inverse distance weighting model (NN-PSO). There were nine MMs; e.g., As, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Ba, Mn, Zn and Fe, with significant concentrations detected in the area in both soils and sediments. The geo-accumulation index was computed to assess the level of contamination in the area, and only the soil exhibited contamination with zinc, while others were still on a safe level. Nemerow’s pollution index (NPI) was calculated for the samples collected, and soil was evaluated and seen to have a light pollution level, while sediment was considered as “clean”. Furthermore, the single ecological risk (Er) index for both soil and sediment samples was considered to be a low pollution risk because all values of Er were less than 40.
French Scorpionism (Mainland and Oversea Territories): Narrative Review of Scorpion Species, Scorpion Venom, and Envenoming Management
Authors: Vaucel Jules-Antoine , Larréché Sébastien , Paradis Camille , Courtois Arnaud , Pujo Jean-Marc , Elenga Narcisse , Résière Dabor , Caré Weniko , de Haro Luc , Gallart Jean-Christophe , Torrents Romain , Schmitt Corinne , Chevalier Johan , Labadie Magali , Kallel Hatem ,   French PCC Research Group
Published: October 2022

Sixty-seven scorpion species have been described in France and its territories, where they have been found to be heterogeneously distributed. Indeed, only one species can be found on Réunion Island, while 38 species exist in French Guiana. The number of stings is also heterogenous, with up to 90 stings per 100,000 inhabitants occurring annually. Scorpion species can frequently be determined through simple visual factors, including species of medical importance (i.e., Buthus, Centruroides and Tityus). Scorpion venom is composed of local enzymes and peptides with a cysteine-stabilized α/β motif (NaTxs, Ktxs, Calcines), which allow for venom diffusion and the prey’s incapacitation, respectively. Harmful scorpion species are limited to Centruroides pococki in the French West Indies, which can induce severe envenoming, and the Tityus obscurus and Tityus silvestris in French Guiana, which can cause fatalities in children and can induce severe envenoming, respectively. Envenomation by one of these scorpions requires hospital monitoring as long as systemic symptoms persist. Typical management includes the use of a lidocaine patch, pain killers, and local antiseptic. In the case of heart failure, the use of dobutamine can improve survival, and pregnant women must consult an obstetrician because of the elevated risk of preterm birth or stillbirth. France does not have scorpion antivenom, as scorpion stings are generally not fatal.
The Efficacy of Vaccination in the Prevention of Renal and Genital Leptospirosis in Experimentally Infected Sheep
Authors: Martins Gabriel , Guadelupe Bruna , Aymée Luiza , Balaro Mario Felipe Alvarez , Pinto Pedro Henrique , Di Azevedo Maria Isabel Nogueira , Brandão Felipe Zandonadi , Lilenbaum Walter
Published: October 2022

(1) Background: Leptospirosis, mainly determined by strains belonging to serogroup Sejroe, has a direct impact on the reproductive efficiency of ruminants, such as sheep. In Brazil, Leptospira santarosai serovar Guaricura, known to be able to chronically colonize the uterine environment, is of special note. Although vaccination minimizes the effects of acute disease, whether or not it can protect from renal colonization remains controversial, and its effects on the genital tract are unknown. In this context, the present study aims to investigate the efficacy of vaccination in the prevention of experimental genital leptospirosis. (2) Methods: Eighteen sheep were divided into three groups: one vaccinated with a polyvalent commercial bacterin, one vaccinated with an autologous bacterin, and one unvaccinated. After 14 days, the sheep were experimentally challenged with 108 leptospires (L. santarosai, serogroup Sejroe, serovar Guaricura, strain FV52) intraperitoneally. Serology and colonization of the urinary and genital tracts were carried out monthly by PCR for 210 days in all animals. (3) Results: Vaccination significantly elicited antibody titers with a predominance of agglutinins against serogroup Sejroe. Both urinary and genital infections were confirmed by PCR. Positivity in urine PCR was absent after D120, while genital infection persisted until the end of the study. Serological results and the finding that vaccination did not avoid renal colonization align with previous studies. Despite vaccination, Leptospira established chronic and asymptomatic colonization of the genital tract until D210, an outstanding finding that remains to be fully understood in its mechanisms. (4) Conclusions: This is the first study conducted to analyze the effects of vaccination in the prevention of genital leptospirosis.