bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Optimization Strategy Based on Region Division for Collaborative Multi-Agent Coverage Path Planning
Authors: Qin Yijie , Fu Lei , He Dingxin , Liu Zhiwei
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we investigate the algorithms for traversal exploration and path coverage of target regions using multiple agents, enabling the efficient deployment of a set of agents to cover a complex region. First, the original multi-agent path planning problem (mCPP) is transformed into several single-agent sub-problems, by dividing the target region into multiple balanced sub-regions, which reduces the explosive combinatorial complexity; subsequently, closed-loop paths are planned in each sub-region by the rapidly exploring random trees (RRT) algorithm to ensure continuous exploration and repeated visits to each node of the target region. On this basis, we also propose two improvements: for the corner case of narrow regions, the use of geodesic distance is proposed to replace the Eulerian distance in Voronoi partitioning, and the iterations for balanced partitioning can be reduced by more than one order of magnitude; the Dijkstra algorithm is introduced to assign a smaller weight to the path cost when the geodesic direction changes, which makes the region division more “cohesive”, thus greatly reducing the number of turns in the path and making it more robust. The final optimization algorithm ensures the following characteristics: complete coverage of the target area, wide applicability of multiple area shapes, reasonable distribution of exploration tasks, minimum average waiting time, and sustainable exploration without any preparation phase.
Application of Gaussian Mixtures in a Multimodal Kalman Filter to Estimate the State of a Nonlinearly Moving System Using Sparse Inaccurate Measurements in a Cellular Radio Network
Authors: Lind Artjom , Wu Shan , Hadachi Amnir
Published: March 2023

Kalman filter is a well-established accuracy correction method in control, guidance, and navigation. With the popularity of mobile communication and ICT, Kalman Filter has been used in many new applications related to positioning based on spatiotemporal data from the cellular network. Despite the low accuracy compared to Global Positioning System, the method is an excellent supplement to other positioning technologies. It is often used in sensor fusion setups as a complementary source. One of the reasons for the Kalman Filter’s inaccuracy lies in naive radio coverage approximation techniques based on multivariate normal distributions assumed by previous studies. Therefore, in this paper, we evaluated those disadvantages and proposed a Gaussian mixtures model to address the non-arbitrary shape of the radio cells’ coverage area. Having incorporated the Gaussian mixtures model into Switching Kalman Filter, we achieved better accuracy in positioning within the cellular network.
Determining the Safe Distance for Mining Equipment Operation When Forming an Internal Dump in a Deep Open Pit
Authors: Bazaluk Oleg , Anisimov Oleh , Saik Pavlo , Lozynskyi Vasyl , Akimov Oleksandr , Hrytsenko Leonid
Published: March 2023

In the surface mining of mineral deposits, land resources suitable for agricultural purposes are inappropriately spent in large volumes. When mining deep open pits, overburden rocks are mainly transported to the surface. The optimal solution for reducing the area of disturbed lands is the placement of overburden rocks in internal dumps in the open pit. This is especially suitable when mining a mineral deposit with several open pits where at least one of them is depleted. Therefore, it is important to assess the feasibility of building an internal dump, based on the stability parameters of its slopes and the safe distance for placing mining equipment within its boundaries, which was the focus of this research. Numerical modeling with Slide 5.0 software was used to determine the stability of the dump slope inside the open pit and the safe distance from the upper slope edge for placing mining equipment. This reflected the geomechanical situation occurring within the boundaries of the dump formed in the open-pit field with a high degree of reliability. It was determined that the maximum standard safety factor values of the open-pit slopes are within the limits when the overburden rocks border on the hard bedrock (Ks.s.f ≥ 1.2). Under the condition where the dump slope bordered on sedimentations represented by clays, loams, and sands with a strength of 2–3 on the Mohs scale, the safety factor decreased by 22%. It was determined that the minimum safe distance from the outer contour of the dragline base to the upper edge of a single-tier dump was 15.5 m with a safety factor of 1.21. The maximum safe distance values in the range of 73.5–93 m were concentrated within the boundaries of sections 5–9, with a safety factor from 1.18 to 1.28. When the dragline was located within the boundaries of section 7, the dump construction works should be conducted only if the dump exist for up to 3 years. Based on the identified parameters, on the example of using the ESH-11/70 walking dragline, a technological scheme of its operation was developed with the allocation of safe boundaries for its placement when forming an internal dump. The results obtained are useful for the development of projects for the reclamation of depleted open pits.
Can the MODIS Data Achieve the Downscaling of GOME-2 SIF? Validation of Data from China
Authors: Si Haixiang , Wang Ruiyan , Wang Ruhao , He Zixuan
Published: March 2023

Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) can accurately reflect the photosynthetic capacity of vegetation and information on the physiological status of vegetation, which is of great research significance and application value. However, the low resolution of the solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence product of the inverse performance makes it difficult to perform fine-scale studies. Therefore, concerning the above problem, this study proposes a random-forest-based downscaling method based on random forest. We used MODIS reflectance data to analyze GOME-2 SIF data at 0.5° resolution over the Chinese mainland in 2011 and created a monthly SIF product at 0.05° resolution for the Chinese mainland through downscaling. Then we performed a veracity check on the downscaled SIF data, analyzed factors (land cover type, climate zone type, and DEM) that could affect its accuracy, and explored the feasibility of using MODIS data in future GOME-2 SIF downscaling studies. The results show that the downscaled SIF is in remarkable agreement with the GOME-2 SIF, with an improved spatial resolution from 0.5° to 0.05°, and that the structural and physiological information of the SIF is well represented in the downscaled SIF, which is essential for assessing global photosynthesis. In addition, in the region with grassland land cover type, temperate grassland climate region, alpine vegetation climate region of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, as well as the region with high altitude and complex terrain, the accuracy of using MODIS to downscale the GOME-2 SIF data is low.
Market-Incentive Environmental Regulation and the Quality of Corporate Innovation
Authors: Tu Chao , Shi Yingfang
Published: March 2023

Environmental issues have received worldwide attention in recent years, and a large body of literature has focused on environmental regulations and business innovation. However, very few studies examine the effects of market-incentive-based environmental regulation policies on the quality of corporate innovation. Thus, this paper uses China’s A-share listed enterprises in 2010–2020 and China’s carbon trading policy (CCTP) to conduct a quasi-natural experiment. The results show that the CCTP significantly increases the quality of innovation but does not affect the quantity of firm innovation. Furthermore, according to the result of heterogeneity analysis, the effect of CCTP on high-quality innovation occurs mainly in low-financialization and non-state enterprises.
Rasch and Confirmatory Factor Analyses of the Arabic Version of the Psychological Empowerment Scale (PsyES): A Multicultural Approach for Measurable Sustainability
Authors: Kariri Hadi Dhafer Hassan , Somaili Hassan Edrees , Mansour Mohammed EL-Sayed Ibrahim , Omair Ali Hadi , Radwan Omaymah Abdulwahab
Published: March 2023

This research is focused on the well-known notion of workplace motivation known as psychological empowerment and how this may be used regarding sustainability. This research aimed to use Rasch and confirmatory factor analyses to examine the multidimensionality, reliability, and model fit of the Arabic version of the psychological empowerment scale (PsyES). A total of 579 male and female employees participated in this study. The participants were from the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. PsyES’s four constructs (meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact) and their dimensionalities were confirmed using Rasch and AMOS analyses. A total of 323 women (55.8%) and 256 men (44.2%) provided data. Most respondents were married (74.8%), followed by those who were never married (21.1%), divorced (3.1%), and widowed (1.0%). The final multidimensional scale model adequately fits the data (chi-square/df (cmin/df) = 3.55, comparative fit index = 0.97, root mean square error of approximation = 0.066, and standardized RMR = 0.035) according to the AMOS results. This multidimensional nature of PsyES was further confirmed using the Rasch model. The person and item separation indices were more than 1.5, and the Rasch analysis revealed 39 persons with a misfit. The modified rating scale’s functioning was confirmed by the item characteristic curve. The MnSq and Zstd values did not deviate from the two recognized limits or indicate that the data were consistent with the Rasch model based on the recommended indicators. This is the first study of its kind to find PsyES useful as a screening tool for psychological empowerment in its Arabic version. Its four dimensions are a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used in many measurable areas of sustainability.
The Management of IoT-Based Organizational and Industrial Digitalization Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Xu Aoqi , Darbandi Mehdi , Javaheri Danial , Navimipour Nima Jafari , Yalcin Senay , Salameh Anas A.
Published: March 2023

Recently, the widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) model has led to the development of intelligent and sustainable industries that support the economic security of modern societies. These industries can offer their participants a higher standard of living and working services via digitalization. The IoT also includes ubiquitous technology for extracting context information to deliver valuable services to customers. With the growth of connected things, the related designs often suffer from high latency and network overheads, resulting in unresponsiveness. The continuous transmission of enormous amounts of sensor data from IoT nodes is problematic because IoT-based sensor nodes are highly energy-constrained. Recently, the research community in the field of IoT and digitalization has labored to build efficient platforms using machine learning (ML) algorithms. ML models that run directly on edge devices are intensely interesting in the context of IoT applications. The use of intelligence ML algorithms in the IoT can automate training, learning, and problem-solving while enabling decision-making based on past data. Therefore, the primary aim of this research is to provide a systematic procedure to review the state-of-the-art on this scope and offer a roadmap for future studies; thus, a structure is introduced for industry sustainability, based on ML methods. The publications were reviewed using a systematic approach that divided the papers into four categories: reinforcement learning, semi-supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and supervised learning. The results showed that ML models could manage IoT-enabled industries efficiently and provide better results compared to other models, with significant differences in learning time and performance. The study findings are considered from a variety of angles concerning the industrial sector’s capacity management of the new elements of Industry 4.0 by combining the industry IoT and ML. Additionally, unique and relevant instructions are provided for the designers of expert intelligent production systems in industrial domains.
Sustainable Growth of Medicinal and Aromatic Mediterranean Plants Growing as Communities in Shallow Substrate Urban Green Roof Systems
Authors: Varela-Stasinopoulou Dimitra S. , Nektarios Panayiotis A. , Ntoulas Nikolaos , Trigas Panayiotis , Roukounakis Georgios I.
Published: March 2023

To date, the evaluation of the performance of Mediterranean native plants under urban green roof conditions has been limited to monoculture studies. However, plants grow naturally in plant communities and therefore it is of interest to evaluate their growth under realistic conditions, including interactions among plant species. The present study aims to evaluate the growth, flowering, and self-reproduction capacity of three artificially created plant communities consisting of native Mediterranean plants, as exemplified in Greece under shallow green roof substrate depths (8 and 15 cm) and two irrigation regimes (high, 20% ETo and low, 10% ETo). The plant communities (PC) were designed to resemble xerophytic vegetation found either in Chania, Crete (PC-1), as a combined pattern with plants from Attica, Crete, and the Cyclades (Kythnos) (PC-2), or to resemble the coastal vegetation of Attica and Cyclades (Kythnos) (PC-3). Each of the three artificial plant communities (PC-1, PC-2 and PC-3) consisted of nine species and subspecies. The deeper substrate significantly improved the growth, flowering and survival of most plant taxa. The irrigation regime was not significant for all species except one, indicating that minimal amounts of irrigation are required. Four species did not manage to bloom while 15 species were able to self-reproduce.
Application of AI Identification Method and Technology to Boron Isotope Geochemical Process and Provenance Tracing of Water Pollution in River Basins
Authors: Hou Gang , Yan Hui , Yu Zhengzheng
Published: March 2023

River water is the most important water source that people can use. Since the 20th century, human influence on river courses has become increasingly serious. The quantitative analysis of water quality is even more difficult. According to the characteristics of Fenhe water chemistry, pollution time and pollution control factors, the contribution rate of people in the polluted water body is not clear. Therefore, this paper aims to use AI identification methods and technologies to study water pollution and provenance tracing. The combination of major elements, trace elements and stable isotopes was used to study the chemical characteristics, water quality status, and sources of pollution of the Fenhe water in the Fenhe area. Because the water contains a large number of pollution sources, it is difficult to find the source using traditional methods. Using correlation analysis, principal component analysis, multi-factor regression analysis, trend analysis and other methods, the macroelements and trace elements in the water body of the Fenhe River were analyzed. The boron sources in the Fenhe river were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed using mass spectrometry equilibrium equation. Using the boron isotope value of the river, it showed a spatial variation of upstream (+5.1‰) < middlestream (+8.6‰) < downstream (+9.5‰) in dry season, and showed a spatial variation of upstream (+6.1‰) < downstream (+7.2‰) < middlestream (+9.0‰) in the wet season. The contribution of silicate to B is calculated by subtracting the contribution of other resources from the comprehensive contribution rate. It is found that the contribution of silicate is about 38.8%, 22% in dry season and 49.2%, 17% in wet season. The research results have provided a reliable scientific basis for the protection of water resources and pollution control in the Fenhe River Basin. Therefore, the above research confirms the role of AI identification method in the process of boron isotope geochemistry and provenance tracing of water pollution in river basins.
Optimization of Sustainable Bi-Objective Cold-Chain Logistics Route Considering Carbon Emissions and Customers’ Immediate Demands in China
Authors: Ma Zhichao , Zhang Jie , Wang Huanhuan , Gao Shaochan
Published: March 2023

To meet the national green development trend and realize the sustainable development of human society, the carbon emission in cold-chain distribution is costed. We plan the vehicle distribution path reasonably and optimize the distribution path locally for immediate demand to balance the economic benefits of enterprises and customer satisfaction while reducing the environmental pollution. To minimize distribution cost and maximize customer satisfaction, we design an improved ant colony algorithm to solve the initial distribution path and use the insertion method to solve the immediate customer demand. Taking the actual data of enterprise M as an example, we obtain the optimal distribution path using MATLAB software and optimize the distribution path locally according to the immediate customer demand. The results show that the proposed model and the designed algorithm are practical in satisfying the sustainable development of cold-chain logistics in China.
New Ways to Perform: Employees’ Perspective on Remote Work and Psychological Security in the Post-Pandemic Era
Authors: Radu Cătălina , Deaconu Alecxandrina , Kis Iudith-Anci , Jansen Adela , Mișu Sorina Ioana
Published: March 2023

With the increasing prevalence of remote work, understanding how it impacts employee perception, psychological safety, and job performance is critical for organisations. This study aims to investigate the relationships among these variables using a cross-sectional quantitative design and a questionnaire consisting of three scales: the Worktango employee sentiment around remote work survey, the Worktango psychological health and safety survey, and Goodman and Svyantek’s performance scale. Our sample included 857 participants, both managers and non-managers, from a large insurance company. Our first two hypotheses were confirmed using non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis tests: employee sentiment around remote work as part of hybrid work is more favourable in non-sales fields and among employees who actually work remotely more often. Moreover, we found that psychological safety moderates the relationship between employee sentiment around remote work and work performance. Specifically, we observed that the positive relationship between employee sentiment around remote work and work performance is stronger when psychological safety is high. Overall, our findings contribute to the understanding of how remote work is perceived by employees and its relationship and impact on their psychological safety and job performance. These insights can help organisations develop effective policies and practices for remote work that support their employees’ well-being and performance.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Cooperatives Business Sustainability in Indonesia: Legal Perspective
Authors: Asmara Teguh Tresna Puja , Murwadji Tarsisius , Kartikasari  , Afriana Anita
Published: March 2023

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the company’s contribution to sustainable development. In Indonesia, CSR is generally implemented by large companies in the form of limited liability companies (LLCs) and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Regulations do not accommodate other forms of companies, such as cooperatives, to perform such social responsibility, which in terms of cooperatives is known as cooperative social responsibility (CoopSR). Instead, the cooperatives are only viewed as the implementing object by the LLCs and SOEs, while not encouraged to perform their social and environmental responsibilities. This article uses a legal dogmatic analysis research method, with the aim to analyze and assess the prevailing regulations concerning CSR and cooperatives. The study shows that, in Indonesia, there are no comprehensive regulations on CSR, but they are spread across various regulations incompletely based on the type of business entity. In the Indonesian Cooperative Law, there is no provision concerning cooperative values and principles on concern for the community, therefore cooperatives are not encouraged to implement CoopSR. To implement CoopSR, the legal and policy strategy needed is through the amendment to the Indonesian Cooperative Law, including CoopSR in the cooperatives’ articles of association and by-laws, and discussing and agreeing to its implementation at the meeting of cooperatives’ members.
Sport Tourism, Regional Development, and Urban Resilience: A Focus on Regional Economic Development in Lake Toba District, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Widianingsih Ida , Abdillah Abdillah , Herawati Erna , Dewi Anggia Utami , Miftah Ahmad Zaini , Adikancana Qinthara M. , Pratama Masry Nanda , Sasmono Sudarmono
Published: March 2023

The focus of this research is to identify the dynamics of regional economic development through digital trends towards tourist visits and the promotion of tourist destinations in the Lake Toba area during the F1 Powerboat World Championship (F1H2O) event on Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Through the conduct of online research methods (ORMs) in diagnosing digital social issues and trends regarding the events, the results show that there was an effort to maximize the increase in regional economic development, by utilizing the potential and attractiveness of holding the F1 Powerboat as part of sports tourism. As an event aims to spur the movement of domestic tourists to super-priority destination areas, the implementation of the F1 Powerboat event is not only a driving force in the recovery and improvement of the local economy after the COVID-19 Pandemic, but also a venue for the promotion of other tourist destinations in North Sumatra. However, the positive impacts of this event organization on sustainable economic growth in the surrounding areas is not without reservations. The event has received some negative feedback, which include the problems of event preparation and implementation, and also the limited awareness of local community tourism. This research suggests that in order to achieve sustainable regional development and urban resilience, the future organization of sport tourism events should not only focus on the economic objectives, but also on the other aspects including socio-cultural and environmental perspectives.
Talaromyces purpurogenus Isolated from Rhizosphere Soil of Maize Has Efficient Organic Phosphate-Mineralizing and Plant Growth-Promoting Abilities
Authors: Sun Xuefang , Liu Feng , Jiang Wen , Zhang Peiyu , Zhao Zixuan , Liu Xiang , Shi Yan , Sun Qing
Published: March 2023

The scarcity of phosphorus (P) makes improving phosphorus use efficiency a critical issue in crop production. Plant rhizosphere microorganisms play a vital role in increasing phosphorus bioavailability and promoting the level of plant-absorbable P in agroecosystems. In this study, Talaromyces purpurogenus SW-10 strain with efficient organic phosphate-mineralizing ability was isolated from maize rhizosphere soil. SW-10 showed efficient phytate utilization with corresponding soluble P levels of 525.43 mg/L and produced phytase in the liquid medium. The response surface methodology (RSM) analysis showed that glucose as the carbon source and (NH4)2SO4 as the nitrogen source at 28 °C and pH 7.0 promoted higher mineralization of insoluble organic phosphate. When cocultivated with different genotypes of maize seedlings, SW-10 significantly increased the shoot’s dry weight by 37.93%, root’s dry weight by 31.25%, and the plant height by 13.03% for low-P sensitive inbred line 31778, while no significant change was observed in the low-P tolerance inbred line CCM454. In addition, SW-10 strain significantly increased total P-concentration in the shoots (22.4%~32.9%) and roots (3.10%~9.77%) for both inbred lines. In conclusion, the isolated T. purpurogenus SW-10 strain possesses an efficient organic phosphate-mineralizing ability and maize plant growth-promoting effect, especially for the low-P sensitive genotype that could be exploited for enhancing P availability in agriculture.
Local Territorial Practices Inform Co-Production of a Rewilding Project in the Chilean Andes
Authors: Guerrero-Gatica Matías , Reyes Tamara Escobar , Rochefort Benjamín Silva , Fernández Josefina , Elorrieta Andoni , Root-Bernstein Meredith
Published: March 2023

Co-production of conservation projects is favored by incorporating local ecological knowledge into project design and implementation. Using a mixed method approach, we asked how the territorial practices and knowledge of cowboys and livestock farmers inform their attitudes to this proposed project. We predicted that cowboy territorial practices would be reduced in diversity compared to the past, and that this may be associated with a reduction in coping or adaptation capacity in the face of environmental challenges. We further predicted that due to growing environmental and social pressures reducing traditional livelihood opportunities for this group, they are likely to see the guanaco reintroduction project in a conflictual and negative light. We additionally predicted that they would perceive local carnivorous species in a conflictual and negative way. We found that territorial practices among the sample had indeed decreased in diversity. The sample coped with changing socio-ecological conditions by taking up other jobs. However, we also found that they had majority favorable views on the guanaco reintroduction project. Yet their knowledge of current guanaco behavior led them to believe that the project would fail. However, they also observed that pumas and condors changed their behaviors. We suggest that there are opportunities to co-produce knowledge about the possibility of flexible and adaptive guanaco behavior, which may lead to restoration and create more sustainable future scenarios, by engaging with the territorial practices and local ecological knowledge of cowboys and livestock farmers.
Will Online MOOCs Improve the Efficiency of Chinese Higher Education Institutions? An Empirical Study Based on DEA
Authors: Liu Zihong , Xiong Haitao , Sun Ying
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the increasingly fierce competition among higher education institutions (HEIs), the finite resources, and the enormous influence of the COVID-19 epidemic on higher education have made it especially important to evaluate the performance of Chinese higher education institutions. This paper utilizes the DEA-BCC and Malmquist index to analyze the efficiency and productivity of 34 Chinese “985 Project” universities in the period 2017–2021. The indicator system includes three inputs and five outputs, contained in Model 1 and Model 2 for comparative analysis. The results demonstrate that the COVID-19 epidemic has had a considerable negative impact on Chinese higher education, and has induced the reduction of technical efficiency and productivity. Setting up online MOOCs is conducive to enhancing the efficiency and productivity of HEIs; in addition, the efficiency mentioned varies noticeably among different university levels, and there is no significant difference in different university types and geographical locations.
Policy-Oriented Examination of Left-Behind Children’s Health and Well-Being in China
Authors: Hung Jason
Published: March 2023

Introduction: This paper will build on existing scholarly assets, addressing how the avoidance of rural-to-urban labour migration as a solution to mitigate the challenges faced by left-behind children is pragmatically infeasible. As an alternative, this paper will engage in the discussion about the relevant policy development and existing policy gaps the Chinese Government has implemented and has been subject to, respectively, in order to locate the problems of how left-behind children continue to be exposed to emotional and psychological vulnerabilities, despite the Chinese Government’s interventions. Methods: Bibliographic databases, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched. A combination of words ((“left-behind children” OR “LBC”) AND (“China” OR “Chinese”) AND (“human rights” OR “mental health” OR “well-being”) AND (“policy” OR “policies” or “policymaking”)) was input into the search engines. A total of 38 papers deemed eligible and relevant were chosen non-systematically, studied and summarised. Results: Local rural governments lack any concrete measures designated for left-behind rural children to specifically support their mental health needs. Additionally, medical care coordination within the Chinese Government and across counties, respectively on improving the emotional and psychological well-being of left-behind rural children is disorganised. Moreover, there is a very limited collection of up-to-date and available datasets examining left-behind children’s development and well-being. Discussion: This paper suggests, in detail, how the Chinese Government can strategically apply policies and interventions for the redistribution of resources and opportunities to left-behind children in rural China. This paper recognises the existing interventions initiated and implemented by the Chinese Government for resource redistribution and, simultaneously, recommends that the Government follow two localised American models for further resource redistribution per se that are designed for benefitting left-behind rural Chinese children.
Socioeconomic Productive Capacity and Renewable Energy Development: Empirical Insights from BRICS
Authors: Li Biqing , Liu Qiuting , Li Yuming , Zheng Shiyong
Published: March 2023

Due to the depletion of fossil fuels, empirics began looking at the factors that might encourage investment in renewable energy. Socioeconomic productivity can encourage renewable energy development by encouraging authorities, businesses, and families to rely more on renewable energy sources. Therefore, this analysis is the first-ever effort to detect the impact of socioeconomic productivity on renewable energy development. We have used the panel ARDL and QARDL to examine the estimates. The results of the panel ARDL model predict that national income, financial development, productive capacity index, human capital, ICT, institutional quality, and structural changes are beneficial for renewable energy development in the long run. In the short run, only financial development, productive capacity index, human capital, and ICT promote renewable energy development. Likewise, the panel QARDL model estimates that the national income, financial development, and productive capacity index promote renewable energy development in the long run. However, in the short run, only the productive capacity index and financial development promote renewable energy development. Therefore, by integrating productive assets, entrepreneurial skills, and industrial connections, policymakers must work to boost the productive socioeconomic potential.
Linking Sustainable Design and Social Sustainability Performance of Chemical Manufacturing Firms: Moderating Role of Islamic Work Ethics
Authors: Asha’ari Maryam Jamilah , Daud Salina , Suki Norazah Mohd
Published: March 2023

This study examines the impact of sustainable design on firms’ social sustainability performance, and the moderating role of Islamic work ethics in this relationship. 344 chemical manufacturing organisations in Malaysia were invited to participate in a survey. Data from 130 completed questionnaire sets were subjected to partial least square (PLS) analysis. The results demonstrated significant effect of sustainable design on social sustainability performance. It was also shown that Islamic work ethics moderate the relationship between sustainable design and social sustainability performance. Al-Quran and hadith were used to support this study to link the relationships of the variables under study, particularly in the context of chemical manufacturing organisations in Malaysia. The present study has furnished significant theoretical contributions of how the Natural-resource-based view theory and stakeholder theory could be incorporated into the present proposed framework with the inclusion of the moderating role of Islamic work ethics, and eventually enrich the findings of extant research. As for practical contributions, businesses in the chemical industry would make well-informed decisions about which eco-friendly practices, particularly sustainable design, to adopt in order to attain social sustainability performance and successfully implement Islamic work ethics. Direction for future research is also recommended.
Viability of Baryon to Entropy Ratio in Modified Hořava–Lifshitz Gravity
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Sultan Abdul Malik , Rani Shamaila
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we study the matter–antimatter imbalance in the universe through baryogenesis (also known as baryosynthesis), which is a physical process that took off just a little while after the big bang explosion, producing a supremacy of matter over antimatter. In this work, we commit the reproduction of the baryon to entropy ratio (ηBS=ηβ−ηβ¯S), where ηβ(ηβ¯) is a baryon(anti-baryon) number and S is the entropy of the universe in the presence of modified Hořava-Lifshitz F(R) gravity, which is also called F(R˜)-gravity. We inspect different baryogenesis interactions proportional to R˜ (where R˜ is the argument of general function F used for the development of modified Hořava-Lifshitz gravity). For this study, we examine two models by choosing different values of F(R˜). In the first model, the functional value of F(R˜)=R˜+αR˜2 (where α is a real constant). The second model is more generalized and extended as compare to first one. Mathematically, this model is given by F(R˜)=R˜+αR˜2+βR˜m, where α, β are real constants and m>2 is a real model parameter. Our results for both models and different values of m point out that matter-antimatter asymmetry does not vanish under the effect of the modified Hořava-Lifshitz theory of gravity, which shows a consistent and compatible fact of gravitational baryogenesis with recent observational data.
Fluctuating Asymmetry of Fallow Deer Antlers Is Associated with Weapon Damage but Not Tactical Behaviour during Fights
Authors: Jennings Dómhnall J. , Gammell Martin P.
Published: March 2023

The horns and antlers borne by the males of many species of ungulate are considered to be both badges of quality, and armaments for use during intraspecific combat. Underpinning arguments concerning their dual utility is the idea that these structures should be costly to produce in order that the signal value of the structure is maintained. In agreement with such theorising is the belief that fluctuating asymmetry (FA), small deviations from symmetry around a mean of zero, measures individual quality as it represents the ability of the individual to withstand stress. We investigated whether the antlers of fallow deer indicated something of the quality of the bearer by assessing whether the degree of antler FA was associated with breakage (i.e., badge of quality) or with tactical investment in fighting (i.e., armament). We show the anticipated relationship between FA and antler damage, however, there was no relationship between FA and contest tactics. The present study, therefore, shows partial support for the idea that the magnitude of fluctuating asymmetry expressed by weaponry is related to individual quality.
Some New Estimates of Hermite–Hadamard, Ostrowski and Jensen-Type Inclusions for h-Convex Stochastic Process via Interval-Valued Functions
Authors: Afzal Waqar , Prosviryakov Evgeniy Yu. , El-Deeb Sheza M. , Almalki Yahya
Published: March 2023

Mathematical programming and optimization problems related to fluid dynamics are heavily influenced by stochastic processes associated with integral and variational inequalities. Furthermore, symmetry and convexity are intrinsically related. Over the last few years, both have become increasingly interconnected so that we can learn from one and apply it to the other. The objective of this note is to convert ordinary stochastic processes into interval stochastic processes due to the wide range of applications in various disciplines. We have developed Hermite–Hadamard (H.H), Ostrowski-, and Jensen-type inequalities using interval h-convex stochastic processes. Our main results can be applied to a variety of new and well-known outcomes as specific situations. The results of this study are expected to stimulate future research on inequalities using fractional and fuzzy integral operators. Furthermore, we validate our main findings by providing some non-trivial examples. To demonstrate their general properties, we illustrate the connections between the examined results and those that have already been published. The results discussed in this article can be seen as improvements and refinements to results that have already been published. This is a fascinating subject that can be investigated in the future to identify equivalent inequalities for various convexity types.
Numerical Analysis of the Fractional-Order Belousov–Zhabotinsky System
Authors: Yasmin Humaira , Alshehry Azzh Saad , Khan Asfandyar , Shah Rasool , Nonlaopon Kamsing
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a new approach for finding analytic solutions to the Belousov–Zhabotinsky system by combining the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) and the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) with the Elzaki transform. The ADM and HPM are both powerful techniques for solving nonlinear differential equations, and their combination allows for a more efficient and accurate solution. The Elzaki transform, on the other hand, is a mathematical tool that transforms the system into a simpler form, making it easier to solve. The proposed method is applied to the Belousov–Zhabotinsky system, which is a well-known model for studying nonlinear chemical reactions. The results show that the combined method is capable of providing accurate analytic solutions to the system. Furthermore, the method is also able to capture the complex behavior of the system, such as the formation of oscillatory patterns. Overall, the proposed method offers a promising approach for solving complex nonlinear differential equations, such as those encountered in the field of chemical kinetics. The combination of ADM, HPM, and the Elzaki transform allows for a more efficient and accurate solution, which can provide valuable insights into the behavior of nonlinear systems.
Gut Microbiota of Freshwater Gastropod (Bellamya aeruginosa) Assist the Adaptation of Host to Toxic Cyanobacterial Stress
Authors: Liu Hongfang , Yang Xianming , Yang Wen , Zheng Zhongming , Zhu Jinyong
Published: March 2023

Gut microbes play a critical role in helping hosts adapt to external environmental changes and are becoming an important phenotype for evaluating the response of aquatic animals to environmental stresses. However, few studies have reported the role that gut microbes play after the exposure of gastropods to bloom-forming cyanobacteria and toxins. In this study, we investigated the response pattern and potential role of intestinal flora in freshwater gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa when exposed to toxic and non-toxic strains of Microcystis aeruginosa, respectively. Results showed that the composition of the intestinal flora of the toxin-producing cyanobacteria group (T group) changed significantly over time. The concentration of microcystins (MCs) in hepatopancreas tissue decreased from 2.41 ± 0.12 on day 7 to 1.43 ± 0.10 μg·g−1 dry weight on day 14 in the T group. The abundance of cellulase-producing bacteria (Acinetobacter) was significantly higher in the non-toxic cyanobacteria group (NT group) than that in the T group on day 14, whereas the relative abundance of MC-degrading bacteria (Pseudomonas and Ralstonia) was significantly higher in the T group than that in the NT group on day 14. In addition, the co-occurrence networks in the T group were more complex than that in the NT group at day 7 and day 14. Some genera identified as key nodes, such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Ralstonia, showed different patterns of variation in the co-occurrence network. Network nodes clustered to Acinetobacter increased in the NT group from day 7 to day 14, whereas the interactions between Pseudomonas and Ralstonia and other bacteria almost changed from positive correlations in the D7T group to negative correlations in the D14T group. These results suggested that these bacteria not only have the ability to improve host resistance to toxic cyanobacterial stress by themselves, but they can also further assist host adaptation to environmental stress by regulating the interaction patterns within the community. This study provides useful information for understanding the role of freshwater gastropod gut flora in response to toxic cyanobacteria and reveals the underlying tolerance mechanisms of B. aeruginosa to toxic cyanobacteria.
Detection of Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles and Novel Recombinant Strain of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Causes High Mortality in Yaks
Authors: Li Yan , Zeng Zhibo , Li Kewei , Rehman Mujeeb Ur , Nawaz Shah , Kulyar Muhammad Fakhar-e-Alam , Hu Miao , Zhang Wenqian , Zhang Zhao , An Miao , Hu Jianwu , Li Jiakui
Published: March 2023

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is capable of causing transboundary diseases characterized by fever, nodules on the skin, mucous membranes, and inner organs. The disease may cause emaciation with the enlargement of lymph nodes and sometimes death. It has had endemic importance in various parts of Asia in recent years, causing substantial economic losses to the cattle industry. The current study reported a suspected LSDV infection (based on signs and symptoms) from a mixed farm of yak and cattle in Sichuan Province, China. The clinical samples were found positive for LSDV using qPCR and ELISA, while LSDV DNA was detected in Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles. The complete genome sequence of China/LSDV/SiC/2021 was determined by Next-generation sequencing. It was found that China/LSDV/SiC/2021 is highly homologous to the novel vaccine-related recombinant LSDV currently emerging in China and countries surrounding China. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the novel vaccine-associated recombinant LSDV formed a unique dendrograms topology between field and vaccine-associated strains. China/LSDV/SiC/2021 was found to be a novel recombinant strain, with at least 18 recombination events via field viruses identified in the genome sequence. These results suggest that recombinant LSDV can cause high mortality in yaks, and its transmission might be due to the Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles, which acts as a mechanical vector.
Prevalences of Tobamovirus Contamination in Seed Lots of Tomato and Capsicum
Authors: Dall David J. , Lovelock David A. , Penrose Lindsay D. J. , Constable Fiona E.
Published: March 2023

Seed lots of tomato and capsicum (Solanum lycopersicon and Capsicum annuum, respectively) are required to be free of quarantine pests before their entry to Australia is permitted. Testing of samples from 118 larger seed lots in the period 2019–2021 revealed that 31 (26.3%) carried one or more of four Tobamovirus species, including tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV), which is a quarantine pest for Australia. Testing of samples from a further 659 smaller seed lots showed that 123 (18.7%) carried a total of five Tobamovirus species, including ToMMV and tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which is also a quarantine pest for Australia. Estimated prevalence of contamination by tobamoviruses ranged from 0.388% to 0.004% in contaminated larger seed lots. Analyses of these data allow us to estimate probabilities of detection of contamination under different regulatory settings.
The Omicron Lineages BA.1 and BA.2 (Betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2) Have Repeatedly Entered Brazil through a Single Dispersal Hub
Authors: Lamarca Alessandra P. , Souza Ueric José Borges de , Moreira Filipe Romero Rebello , Almeida Luiz G. P. de , Menezes Mariane Talon de , Souza Adrieli Barboza de , Ferreira Alessandro Clayton de Souza , Gerber Alexandra L. , Lima Aline B. de , Guimarães Ana Paula de C. , Cavalcanti Andréa Cony , Silva Aryel B. Paz e , Lima Bruna Israel , Lobato Cirley , Silva Cristiane Gomes Da , Mendonça Cristiane P. T. B. , Queiroz Daniel Costa , Zauli Danielle Alves Gomes , Menezes Diego , Possebon Fábio Sossai , Cardoso Franciano Dias Pereira , Malta Frederico Scott Varella , Braga-Paz Isabela , Silva Joice do Prado , Ferreira Jorge Gomes Goulart , Galvão Jucimária Dantas , Souza Leandro Magalhães de , Ferreira Leonardo , Possuelo Lia Gonçalves , Cavalcante Liliane Tavares de Faria , Alvim Luige B. , Souza Luiz Fellype Alves de , Santos Luiza C. G. de Araújo E , Dias Rillery Calixto , Souza Rutilene Barbosa , Castro Thaís Regina y , Valim Andréia Rosane de Moura , Campos Fabrício Souza , Araujo João Pessoa , Trindade Priscila de Arruda , Aguiar Renato S. , Michael Delai Robson , Vasconcelos Ana Tereza R de
Published: March 2023

Brazil currently ranks second in absolute deaths by COVID-19, even though most of its population has completed the vaccination protocol. With the introduction of Omicron in late 2021, the number of COVID-19 cases soared once again in the country. We investigated in this work how lineages BA.1 and BA.2 entered and spread in the country by sequencing 2173 new SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected between October 2021 and April 2022 and analyzing them in addition to more than 18,000 publicly available sequences with phylodynamic methods. We registered that Omicron was present in Brazil as early as 16 November 2021 and by January 2022 was already more than 99% of samples. More importantly, we detected that Omicron has been mostly imported through the state of São Paulo, which in turn dispersed the lineages to other states and regions of Brazil. This knowledge can be used to implement more efficient non-pharmaceutical interventions against the introduction of new SARS-CoV variants focused on surveillance of airports and ground transportation.
Would Climate Change Influence the Potential Distribution and Ecological Niche of Bluetongue Virus and Its Main Vector in Peru?
Authors: Navarro Mamani Dennis A. , Ramos Huere Heydi , Vera Buendia Renzo , Rojas Miguel , Chunga Wilfredo Arque , Valdez Gutierrez Edgar , Vergara Abarca Walter , Rivera Gerónimo Hermelinda , Altamiranda-Saavedra Mariano
Published: March 2023

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arbovirus that is transmitted between domestic and wild ruminants by Culicoides spp. Its worldwide distribution depends on competent vectors and suitable environmental ecosystems that are becoming affected by climate change. Therefore, we evaluated whether climate change would influence the potential distribution and ecological niche of BTV and Culicoides insignis in Peru. Here, we analyzed BTV (n = 145) and C. insignis (n = 22) occurrence records under two shared socioeconomic pathway scenarios (SSP126 and SSP585) with five primary general circulation models (GCMs) using the kuenm R package v.1.1.9. Then, we obtained binary presence–absence maps and represented the risk of transmission of BTV and niche overlapping. The niche model approach showed that north and east Peru presented suitability in the current climate scenario and they would have a decreased risk of BTV, whilst its vector would be stable and expand with high agreement for the five GCMs. In addition, its niche overlap showed that the two niches almost overlap at present and would completely overlap with one another in future climate scenarios. These findings might be used to determine the areas of highest priority for entomological and virological investigations and surveillance in order to control and prevent bluetongue infections in Peru.