bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Adaptive Matrix Method for the Solution of a Nonlinear Inverse Heat Transfer Problem and Its Experimental Verification
Authors: Duda Piotr , Konieczny Mariusz
Published: March 2023

An adaptive matrix inverse (AMI) method is presented to identify the temperature and unknown boundary heat flux in a domain of a regular or irregular shape with temperature-dependent properties. The nonlinear problem is broken down into a number of linear submodels, and for each submodel, the temperature is obtained in measuring points. Next, based on the matching degree between the temperatures measured and calculated by each prediction submodel, the submodels are weighted and combined to create the full model for the solution of an inverse nonlinear heat transfer problem. Comparisons are also made with the existing multiple model adaptive inverse (MMAI) algorithm and method based on the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (LMA). The results of the presented numerical tests for undisturbed and disturbed “measuring” data indicate that the heat fluxes identified by the AMI method are close to the exact values. The application of the presented method for bodies with an irregular shape is also demonstrated. The AMI method has been experimentally verified during the thick-walled cylinder cooling process. The proposed method can be applied in online diagnostic systems for thermal state monitoring.
Soft Computing in Smart Grid with Decentralized Generation and Renewable Energy Storage System Planning
Authors: Abdulkader Rasheed , Ghanimi Hayder , Dadheech Pankaj , Alharbi Meshal , El-Shafai Walid , Fouda Mostafa , Aly Moustafa , Swaminathan Dhivya , Sengan Sudhakar
Published: March 2023

Distributed Power Generation and Energy Storage Systems (DPG-ESSs) are crucial to securing a local energy source. Both entities could enhance the operation of Smart Grids (SGs) by reducing Power Loss (PL), maintaining the voltage profile, and increasing Renewable Energy (RE) as a clean alternative to fossil fuel. However, determining the optimum size and location of different methodologies of DPG-ESS in the SG is essential to obtaining the most benefits and avoiding any negative impacts such as Quality of Power (QoP) and voltage fluctuation issues. This paper’s goal is to conduct comprehensive empirical studies and evaluate the best size and location for DPG-ESS in order to find out what problems it causes for SG modernization. Therefore, this paper presents explicit knowledge of decentralized power generation in SG based on integrating the DPG-ESS in terms of size and location with the help of Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms (MOAs). This research also reviews rationalized cost-benefit considerations such as reliability, sensitivity, and security studies for Distribution Network (DN) planning. In order to determine results, various proposed works with algorithms and objectives are discussed. Other soft computing methods are also defined, and a comparison is drawn between many approaches adopted in DN planning.
A Mini Review: Recent Advances in Asymmetrically Coordinated Atom Sites for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Ding Junyang , Liu Wenxian , Zhang Shusheng , Luo Jun , Liu Xijun
Published: March 2023

Energy is the substance foundation of human society. Single−atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as promising electrode materials in the energy field owing to their unique characteristics. It was demonstrated that the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of SACs relies on the metal−centric species and the corresponding local coordination engineering. Herein, the recent progress relating to asymmetric atomic catalysts for the HER is reviewed, including low coordination, heteroatomic coordination, and bimetallic coordination. In addition, the connection between the coordination structures and the presented electrocatalytic performance was discussed. The main challenges that need to be addressed for the asymmetric atomic catalysts in the HER are summarized. Finally, some insights into the development of high−quality asymmetric atomic catalysts are included.
Incipient Fault Diagnosis of a Grid-Connected T-Type Multilevel Inverter Using Multilayer Perceptron and Walsh Transform
Authors: Amaral Tito G. , Pires Vitor Fernão , Cordeiro Armando , Foito Daniel , Martins João F. , Yamnenko Julia , Tereschenko Tetyana , Laikova Liudmyla , Fedin Ihor
Published: March 2023

This article deals with fault detection and the classification of incipient and intermittent open-transistor faults in grid-connected three-level T-type inverters. Normally, open-transistor detection algorithms are developed for permanent faults. Nevertheless, the difficulty to detect incipient and intermittent faults is much greater, and appropriate methods are required. This requirement is due to the fact that over time, its repetition may lead to permanent failures that may lead to irreversible degradation. Therefore, the early detection of these failures is very important to ensure the reliability of the system and avoid unscheduled stops. For diagnosing these incipient and intermittent faults, a novel method based on a Walsh transform combined with a multilayer perceptron (MLP)-based classifier is proposed in this paper. This non-classical approach of using the Walsh transform not only allows accurate detections but is also very fast. This last characteristic is very important in these applications due to their practical implementation. The proposed method includes two main steps. First, the acquired AC currents are used by the control system and processed using the Walsh transform. This results in detailed information used to potentially identify open-transistor faults. Then, such information is processed using the MLP to finally determine whether a fault is present or not. Several experiments are conducted with different types of incipient transistor faults to create a relevant dataset.
Power Conditioning and Power Protection for Electronic Systems
Authors: Kularatna Nihal
Published: March 2023

Electrical energy is the most convenient form of energy, and modern society takes it for granted that it is always available by our side [...]
The Shading Influence on the Economic Viability of a Real Photovoltaic System Project
Authors: Pinho Correia Valério Bernardo Catarina , Marques Lameirinhas Ricardo A. , Neto Torres João Paulo , Baptista António
Published: March 2023

Renewable resources for producing energy for self-consumption are growing, namely solar energy. This work focuses on the comparison of photovoltaic systems for energy production for self-consumption on a property in three different regions of Portugal using traditional and emerging technologies, without batteries’ implementation. According to Portuguese law, there is no stipulated value for selling surplus energy produced by a self consumption unit, to the public grid. In order to analyse the economic viability of the project, two scenarios are studied: the delivery, at zero cost of the surplus energy produced to the grid, and its sale. Furthermore, the same analysis is carried out considering partial shading on the photovoltaic generator. The results show that if there is no surplus production sale to the grid, the project becomes economically unviable for the four PV technologies. Otherwise, for the traditional technologies, the project is economically viable, presenting a payback time lower than 10 years. Using emerging technologies, the project becomes economically unviable. When applying partial shading on the generator, the project becomes, in all the scenarios under study, economically unviable. It can be concluded that introducing nanostructures in solar cells to power an infrastructure is not, for now, the best solution from an economic point of view, considering the current legislation. In addition, the shading makes the projects under study unviable, as it is a factor that cannot be controlled in its entirety.
Energy, Economic and Environmental Analysis of Alternative, High-Efficiency Sources of Heat and Energy for Multi-Family Residential Buildings in Order to Increase Energy Efficiency in Poland
Authors: Alsabry Abdrahman , Szymański Krzysztof , Michalak Bartosz
Published: March 2023

The article presents energy, economic and environmental analyses of the possibilities of using alternative, high-efficiency sources of heat and energy for the multi-family residential building located in Wrocław, Poland, in the temperate climate zone characteristic of Central Europe. For conventional, alternative and hybrid heating systems based on renewable energy sources, comparative analyses of final energy demand, demand for non-renewable primary energy, CO2 emissions, investment costs and life cycle costs were carried out. The detailed comparative analyses of the research results led to the formulation of conclusions and recommendations which may serve as guidelines for designers of multi-family residential buildings and investors. The solutions of heating and hot water preparation systems recommended in the article will enable the design and construction of buildings with no negative impact on the environment. Taking into account the economic and environmental analyses, the optimal sources of heat and energy are alternative heating systems based on highly efficient heat pumps supplied from a photovoltaic installation. Such solutions, however, have both technical and legal limitations related to the possibility of their implementation and are generally associated with higher investment costs.
Assessment of Selected Determinants Affecting the Acceptance of the Development of Electromobility by the Private and Business Sectors—A Case Study in Portugal
Authors: Ferreira Henrique , Silva Susana , Andrade Tiago , Laranjeira Erika , Soares Isabel
Published: March 2023

The energy transition requires widespread electrification of the transport sector. To promote the penetration of electric vehicles (EVs), it is essential to understand consumers’ perceptions and behavior, particularly regarding the main determinants of EV purchase and the acceptance of electric mobility (EM). With this aim, we focused on an industrialized city in Portugal, addressing the differences between the effective ownership of an EV and the acceptability of EM and between the domestic sector (DS) and the business sector (BS) through questionnaires. Our results indicate that sociodemographic variables are the main determinants of the purchase of EVs and the acceptance of EM in the DS. Men and higher income individuals are more likely to own an EV. On the other hand, younger generations are more likely to have high EM acceptance. Individuals who already own an EV are the ones that have the desire and economic means to do so, regardless of any incentives. Still, widespread market penetration of EVs requires incentives for individuals who desire to own one of these vehicles but do not have the economic power to do so. Additionally, the DS and the BS behave differently; hence, specially designed policies are needed.
A Review of the Performance Improvement Methods of Phase Change Materials: Application for the Heat Pump Heating System
Authors: Zhou Cong , Li Yizhen , Wang Fenghao , Wang Zeyuan , Xia Qing , Zhang Yuping , Liu Jun , Liu Boyang , Cai Wanlong
Published: March 2023

With the development of the economy and society, energy problems have become a great concern. The heat pump-coupled thermal energy storage (TES) system is a potential form of building heating, which can improve the stability of the grid and promote the consumption of renewable energy. Phase change materials (PCMs) are widely used in the field of building heating, but there are still some problems such as unsatisfactory melting points, low thermal conductivity, phase separation, and supercooling, which limit the application of PCMs in heat pump heating systems. Therefore, it is very important to improve PCMs by a performance improvement method. This work first summarizes the classification, advantages and disadvantages of PCMs, and introduces the connection between PCMs and heat pumps. Then, a detailed summary of PCMs applied in heat pump heating systems is presented, and a comprehensive review of the performance improvement methods for PCMs, which include additives, encapsulation, and eutectic compounds, is discussed. Finally, the existing problems, solutions, and future research directions are proposed. The emphasis of the research is to clarify the influence of PCMs on heat pump performance and the effect of different performance improvement methods on PCMs, and to illustrate the future development direction for PCMs in heat pump heating technologies, including the matching of heat pumps and PCMs, multi-standard decision methods and advanced control strategies.
Carbon Sequestration Potential of Commercial Agroforestry Systems in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India: Poplar and Eucalyptus-Based Agroforestry Systems
Authors: Chavan Sangram Bhanudas , Dhillon Ravinder Singh , Sirohi Chhavi , Uthappa Appanderanda Ramani , Jinger Dinesh , Jatav Hanuman Singh , Chichaghare Akash Ravindra , Kakade Vijaysinha , Paramesh Venkatesh , Kumari Sushil , Yadav Dinesh Kumar , Minkina Tatiana , Rajput Vishnu D.
Published: March 2023

Climate change, land degradation, and desertification lead to the loss of carbon present in the soil and plants. The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere has reached 412 ppm. This is a rise of 47% since the start of the industrial period, when the concentration was close to 280 ppm. Therefore, the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere to earth is the need of the hour. Many scientists have suggested agroforestry as a potent instrument for climate change mitigation as well as to fetch lucrative benefits. The Indian government is also promulgating tree-based systems for increasing tree cover up to 33% of the total geographical area to mitigate climate change. Therefore, the expansion of the commercial agroforestry system of fast-growing tree species producing higher biomass could be a sustainable and ecologically benign technique to sequester carbon, increase green cover, and improve the financial status of farmers. This review highlights the commercial agroforestry systems, biomass and carbon sequestration potential, and case studies of poplar and eucalyptus. The species such as poplar (Populus deltoides), nilgiri (Eucalyptus spp.), subabul (Leucaena leucocephala), tree of heaven (Ailanthus excelsa), willow (Salix spp.), malabar neem (Melia dubia), cadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba), and white teak (Gmelina arborea) are the suitable tree species for carbon sequestration under agroforestry. Among these species, poplar and eucalyptus are major agroforestry tree species that have been adopted by millions of farmers in India since the 1990s. Indo-Gangetic plains are considered the birthplace of commercial or industrial agroforestry, as poplar and eucalyptus are widely planted. This review reports that poplar and eucalyptus have the potential to sequester carbon stock of 212.7 Mg C ha−1 and 237.2 Mg C ha−1, respectively. Further, the net carbon sequestration rate in poplar and eucalyptus was 10.3 and 12.7 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively. In conclusion, the commercial agroforestry system was very successful in the Indo-Gangetic regions of the country but needs further expansion with suitable compatible crops in different parts of the country.
Allelopathy and Allelochemicals in Grasslands and Forests
Authors: Xu You , Chen Xin , Ding Le , Kong Chui-Hua
Published: March 2023

Plants can produce and release allelochemicals to interfere with the establishment and growth of conspecific and interspecific plants. Such allelopathy is an important mediator among plant species in natural and managed ecosystems. This review focuses on allelopathy and allelochemicals in grasslands and forests. Allelopathy drives plant invasion, exacerbates grassland degradation and contributes to natural forest regeneration. Furthermore, autotoxicity (intraspecific allelopathy) frequently occurs in pastures and tree plantations. Various specialized metabolites, including phenolics, terpenoids and nitrogen-containing compounds from herbaceous and woody species are responsible for allelopathy in grasslands and forests. Terpenoids with a diversity of metabolites are qualitative allelochemicals occurring in annual grasslands, while phenolics with a few specialized metabolites are quantitative allelochemicals occurring in perennial forests. Importantly, allelochemicals mediate below-ground ecological interactions and plant–soil feedback, subsequently affecting the biodiversity, productivity and sustainability of grasslands and forests. Interestingly, allelopathic plants can discriminate the identity of neighbors via signaling chemicals, adjusting the production of allelochemicals. Therefore, allelochemicals and signaling chemicals synergistically interact to regulate interspecific and intraspecific interactions in grasslands and forests. Allelopathy and allelochemicals in grasslands and forests have provided fascinating insights into plant–plant interactions and their consequences for biodiversity, productivity and sustainability, contributing to our understanding of terrestrial ecosystems and global changes.
Distribution of Cadmium in Fresh Vegetables Marketed in Southeast China and Its Dietary Exposure Assessment
Authors: Pan Xiao-Dong , Han Jian-Long
Published: March 2023

This study investigated concentrations of cadmium (Cd) in 2465 vegetable samples (52 species) from 2018 to 2022 and estimated the associated health risk for local consumers. The average concentration of Cd was 0.035 mg kg−1, and the percentage of samples exceeding the Chinese maximum allowed concentration was 3.89% (96/2465). The top five species with highest Cd levels were Lilium brownii F (0.182 mg kg−1), Allium chinense G (0.117 mg kg−1), Allium macrostemon Bunge (0.105 mg kg−1), Colocasia esculenta (0.064 mg kg−1), and Amaranthus tricolor L (0.054 mg kg−1). Bulb vegetables had a higher relative accumulation of Cd compared to other vegetables. The levels of Cd in vegetables varied significantly across sampling areas and years. The mean estimated daily intake (EDI) of cadmium through consumption of vegetables was 0.519 μg kg−1 bw per day for adults and 0.217 μg kg−1 bw per day for children. The target hazard quotients (THQs) were all less than the threshold of 1 for both adults and children. This indicates that there is low health risk for Cd through vegetable consumption. However, routine monitoring of Cd levels in food is still crucial to ensure food safety and protect public health.
Dual-Loop Voltage–Current Control of a Fractional-Order Buck-Boost Converter Using a Fractional-Order PIλ Controller
Authors: Xie Lingling , Wan Di , Qin Rui
Published: March 2023

Based on the fact that the inductor and capacitor are of a non-integer order by nature, to provide a more accurate theoretical basis for the optimal control of the converter, the fractional-order model of the Buck-Boost converter in the continuous mode of current is established according to the fractional-order calculus theory. The fractional-order PIλ control system of the fractional-order Buck-Boost converter is designed to compare the performance of the integer-order PI controller with the fractional-order controller. Secondly, the sparrow search algorithm is applied to the optimal design of the fractional-order PIλ control system of the fractional-order Buck-Boost converter to improve the system’s phase margin, stability, and robustness. Finally, the simulation is verified on the Matlab/Simulink simulation platform and compared with the integer-order PI controller.
The Hidden Dimension of Façades: Fractal Analysis Reveals Composition Rules in Classical and Renaissance Architecture
Authors: Katona Vilmos
Published: March 2023

This study uses fractal analysis to measure the detailed intensity of well-known Classical and Renaissance façades. The study develops a method to understand their interrelated design principles more comprehensively. With this evaluation tool, one can observe intrinsic connections that support the historical continuity and point out balancing composition protocols, such as the ‘compensation rule’, that regulated design for centuries. The calculations offer mathematical constants to identify Classical and Renaissance details by plasticity rates. Finally, we base this method on spatial evaluation. Our calculations involve depth, which connects planar front views with the haptic reality of the façades’ tectonic layers. The article also discusses the cultural and urban implications of our results.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression of the Paulownia fortunei MADS-Box Gene Family in Response to Phytoplasma Infection
Authors: Deng Minjie , Dong Yang , Xu Saisai , Huang Shunmou , Zhai Xiaoqiao , Fan Guoqiang
Published: March 2023

Paulownia witches’ broom (PaWB), caused by phytoplasmas, is the most devastating infectious disease of Paulownia. Although a few MADS-box transcription factors have been reported to be involved in the formation of PaWB, there has been little investigation into all of the MADS-box gene family in Paulownia. The objective of this study is to identify the MADS-box gene family in Paulownia fortunei on a genome-wide scale and explore their response to PaWB infection. Bioinformatics software were used for identification, characterization, subcellular localization, phylogenetic analysis, the prediction of conserved motifs, gene structures, cis-elements, and protein-protein interaction network construction. The tissue expression profiling of PfMADS-box genes was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Transcriptome data and the protein interaction network prediction were combined to screen the genes associated with PaWB formation. We identified 89 MADS-box genes in the P. fortunei genome and categorized them into 14 subfamilies. The comprehensive analysis showed that segment duplication events had significant effects on the evolution of the PfMADS-box gene family; the motif distribution of proteins in the same subfamily are similar; development-related, phytohormone-responsive, and stress-related cis-elements were enriched in the promoter regions. The tissue expression pattern of PfMADS-box genes suggested that they underwent subfunctional differentiation. Three genes, PfMADS3, PfMADS57, and PfMADS87, might be related to the occurrence of PaWB. These results will provide a valuable resource to explore the potential functions of PfMADS-box genes and lay a solid foundation for understanding the roles of PfMADS-box genes in paulownia–phytoplasma interactions.
DNA Barcoding, Phylogenetic Analysis and Secondary Structure Predictions of Nepenthes ampullaria, Nepenthes gracilis and Nepenthes rafflesiana
Authors: Saidon Nur Azreen , Wagiran Alina , Samad Abdul Fatah A. , Mohd Salleh Faezah , Mohamed Farhan , Jani Jaeyres , Linatoc Alona C
Published: March 2023

Nepentheceae, the most prominent carnivorous family in the Caryophyllales order, comprises the Nepenthes genus, which has modified leaf trap characteristics. Although most Nepenthes species have unique morphologies, their vegetative stages are identical, making identification based on morphology difficult. DNA barcoding is seen as a potential tool for plant identification, with small DNA segments amplified for species identification. In this study, three barcode loci; ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL), intergenic spacer 1 (ITS1) and intergenic spacer 2 (ITS2) and the usefulness of the ITS1 and ITS2 secondary structure for the molecular identification of Nepenthes species were investigated. An analysis of barcodes was conducted using BLASTn, pairwise genetic distance and diversity, followed by secondary structure prediction. The findings reveal that PCR and sequencing were both 100% successful. The present study showed the successful amplification of all targeted DNA barcodes at different sizes. Among the three barcodes, rbcL was the least efficient as a DNA barcode compared to ITS1 and ITS2. The ITS1 nucleotide analysis revealed that the ITS1 barcode had more variations compared to ITS2. The mean genetic distance (K2P) between them was higher for interspecies compared to intraspecies. The results showed that the DNA barcoding gap existed among Nepenthes species, and differences in the secondary structure distinguish the Nepenthes. The secondary structure generated in this study was found to successfully discriminate between the Nepenthes species, leading to enhanced resolutions.
Association between Variants in the OCA2-HERC2 Region and Blue Eye Colour in HERC2 rs12913832 AA and AG Individuals
Authors: Salvo Nina Mjølsnes , Andersen Jeppe Dyrberg , Janssen Kirstin , Meyer Olivia Luxford , Berg Thomas , Børsting Claus , Olsen Gunn-Hege
Published: March 2023

The OCA2-HERC2 region is strongly associated with human pigmentation, especially eye colour. The HERC2 SNP rs12913832 is currently the best-known predictor for blue and brown eye colour. However, in a previous study we found that 43 of 166 Norwegians with the brown eye colour genotype rs12913832:AA or AG, did not have the expected brown eye colour. In this study, we carried out massively parallel sequencing of a ~500 kbp HERC2-OCA2 region in 94 rs12913832:AA and AG Norwegians (43 blue-eyed and 51 brown-eyed) to search for novel blue eye colour variants. The new candidate variants were subsequently typed in a Norwegian biobank population (total n = 519) for population specific association analysis. We identified five new variants, rs74409036:A, rs78544415:T, rs72714116:T, rs191109490:C and rs551217952:C, to be the most promising candidates for explaining blue eye colour in individuals with the rs12913832:AA and AG genotype. Additionally, we confirmed the association of the missense variants rs74653330:T and rs121918166:T with blue eye colour, and observed lighter skin colour in rs74653330:T individuals. In total, 37 (86%) of the 43 blue-eyed rs12913832:AA and AG Norwegians could potentially be explained by these seven variants, and we suggest including them in future prediction models.
Shear-Wave Anisotropy Measurements in the Crust from Receiver Functions: An Interplay of Lower and Upper Crustal Anisotropy
Authors: McCormack Kevin L. , Zoback Mark D. , Frederiksen Andrew W. , Dvory Noam Z.
Published: March 2023

We report a study using teleseismic P-wave receiver functions to infer the orientation of the maximum horizontal principal stress from the direction of upper crustal shear-wave velocity anisotropy. We apply an inverse approach using the Neighborhood Algorithm to conduct a nonlinear search, attaining a best-fitting crustal model that includes shear velocity anisotropy. Unlike previous methods reported in the literature, this method is able to distinguish anisotropy in the upper, brittle crust from that in the lower, ductile crust in certain instances. We apply this method to teleseismically recorded earthquakes in the Central Valley of California, the Permian Basin, Texas, northern Oklahoma and sites near the San Andreas Fault in California. Of the forty-one stations to which we apply this method, twenty have a good apparent signal. A misfit calculation is performed by calculating a zero-lag cross-correlation coefficient for each modeled receiver function with the data for a given back azimuth range. While the fast polarization direction in the upper crust of some of these stations aligns with independent indicators of the direction of the maximum horizontal principal stress, the fast direction in the upper crust at other stations does not, apparently indicating that the anisotropy was resulting from a different mechanism.
Reinforcement Learning for the Face Support Pressure of Tunnel Boring Machines
Authors: Soranzo Enrico , Guardiani Carlotta , Wu Wei
Published: March 2023

In tunnel excavation with boring machines, the tunnel face is supported to avoid collapse and minimise settlement. This article proposes the use of reinforcement learning, specifically the deep Q-network algorithm, to predict the face support pressure. The algorithm uses a neural network to make decisions based on the expected rewards of each action. The approach is tested both analytically and numerically. By using the soil properties ahead of the tunnel face and the overburden depth as the input, the algorithm is capable of predicting the optimal tunnel face support pressure whilst minimising settlement, and adapting to changes in geological and geometrical conditions. The algorithm reaches maximum performance after 400 training episodes and can be used for random geological settings without retraining.
Effect of Diversity Education on Young Adolescents in Japan: Toward the “Do No Harm” Principle
Authors: Izutsu Takashi , Sunagozaka Shodai , Yamada Yuhei , Tsutsumi Atsuro
Published: March 2023

This study evaluated the impact of a semi-structured diversity education program on young adolescents, which included five 45-min sessions facilitated by schoolteachers using an instructors’ manual. The study compared changes in knowledge and attitude related to diversity, self-esteem, and mental health among participants before and after the program. The participants were 776 junior high school students. Self-esteem and mental health conditions were assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Kessler 6-Item Psychological Distress Scale (K6). The ratio of those who answered the knowledge and attitude questions correctly increased significantly for most questions, while the ratio decreased significantly for two questions. The RSES scores improved significantly after the program, but the difference was very small. Mental health, as measured by K6, became significantly worse after the program. A logistic regression analysis indicated that lower K6 scores before the program and worse academic grades had significantly higher odds ratios; being a girl, not having a disability, and having close friends were associated with worse K6 scores after the program. Further, this indicates the importance of developing processes based on evidence and the “nothing about us without us” principle.
Collaborative Purification of Tert-Butanol and N2O over Fe/Co-Zeolite Catalysts
Authors: Wu Ruiqi , Liu Ning , Dai Chengna , Xu Ruinian , Wang Ning , Yu Gangqiang , Chen Biaohua
Published: March 2023

N2O is a greenhouse gas and a candidate oxidant. Volatile organic pollutants (VOCs) have caused great harm to the atmospheric ecological environment. Developing the technique utilizing N2O as the oxidant to oxidize VOCs to realize the collaborative purification has significant importance and practical value for N2O emission control and VOC abatement. Therefore, the study of N2O catalytic oxidation of tert-butanol based on zeolite catalysts was carried out. A series of molecular sieves, including FER, MOR, ZSM-5, Y, and BEA, were selected as the catalyst objects, and the 1.5% wt Fe and Co were, respectively, loaded on the zeolite catalysts via the impregnation method. It was found that the catalytic performance of BEA was the best among the molecular sieves. Comparing the catalytic performance of Fe-BEA under different load gradients (0.25~2%), it was found that 1.5% Fe-BEA possessed the best catalytic activity. A series of characterization methods showed that Fe3+ content in 1.5% Fe-BEA was the highest, and more active sites formed to promote the catalytic reaction. The α-O in the reaction eventually oxidized tert-butanol to CO2 over the active site. The Co mainly existed in the form of Co2+ cations over Co-BEA samples; the 2% Co-BEA possessing higher amounts of Co2+ exhibited the highest activity among the prepared Co-BEA samples.
The Effect of the Comprehensive Reform of Agricultural Water Prices on Farmers’ Planting Structure in the Oasis–Desert Transition Zone—A Case Study of the Heihe River Basin
Authors: Li Guifang , Ma Dongdong , Zhao Cuiping , Li Hang
Published: March 2023

The comprehensive reform of agricultural water prices is an important policy for promoting the high-quality sustainable development of agriculture and ensuring national water security. In this study, based on farmer survey data from different water price policy implementation areas in the oasis–desert transition zone of the Heihe River Basin (HRB), crops are divided into high-water-consuming crops and low-water-consuming crops based on the average water consumption per hm2. The content of this study consists of two main parts: first, the study explores the response of farmers to different agricultural water price policies by comparing the impact of uniform water price and tiered water price policies on their planting structure. Second, it studies the areas where the tiered water price policy is implemented to verify the impact of price signals on farmers’ production decisions. The results show that, compared with the uniform water price policy, the implementation of the tiered water price policy will significantly reduce the proportion of high-water-consuming crops planted when other conditions remain unchanged. Under the tiered water price policy, the increase in water prices will reduce the proportion of farmers planting high-water-consuming crops, but the difference is not significant. This result reveals that when the opportunity cost of irrigation water increases, farmers will increase the proportion of low-water-consuming crops. The findings also indicate that a higher educational level, improved land inflow, the number of crop types, and satisfaction with the current subsidy policy will help increase the proportion of low-water-consuming crops. However, an increase in the family-cultivated land area will reduce the area of low-water-consuming crops.
The Profile of Bullying Perpetrators and Victims and Associated Factors among High School Learners in Tshwane District, South Africa
Authors: Shiba Dudu , Mokwena Kebogile Elizabeth
Published: March 2023

Although bullying in South African schools remains a current public health and education discussion, the view has been limited to acts of criminality, and not much has been done to identify risk factors for being bullying perpetrators and victims in a school environment. This study used a cross sectional quantitative survey to determine the profile of bullying perpetrators and victims among high school learners in a township in Pretoria. The Illinois Bully Scale was used to screen for bullying perpetration and victimization, whilst the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to screen for depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively, among the sample of learners. STATA version 14 was used for data analysis. The sample of 460 consisted of 69% females with a mean age of 15 years. The 73.91% of learners who fitted the categories of bullying consisted of 21.96% victims, 9.57% perpetrators, and 42.39% perpetrator–victims. The Pearson Chi2 test of association found a significant association between being a bullying victim and reported lack of people who loved and cared for the learner. Being a bullying perpetrator was associated with anxiety symptoms of the learner and home alcohol use, while being a perpetrator –victim was associated with lack of family love and care, the school attended, as well as depression and anxiety symptoms. Using multivariate logistic regression, being a perpetrator–victim was associated with depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and home use of alcohol whilst being a perpetrator was associated with lack of anxiety symptoms. The study concluded that anxiety, depression, and the home environment are strongly associated with bullying, and most learners fitted the category of being both perpetrators and victims.
Using Codesign to Develop a Novel Oral Healthcare Educational Intervention for Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: Rojo Jacqueline , George Ajesh , Salamonson Yenna , Hunt Leanne , Ramjan Lucie M.
Published: March 2023

To build a nursing workforce that is equipped to undertake oral health promotion and screening, an educational program was needed. With codesign being used in multiple settings, it was selected as the approach to use, with Mezirow’s Transformative Learning theory as the underpinning framework. This study aimed to develop an oral healthcare educational intervention for nursing students. Using a six-step codesign framework, nursing students and faculty staff were invited to participate in two Zoom™ Video Communication workshops to codesign the learning activities to be used in the classroom. The codesign process was evaluated through focus groups and analysed using a hybrid content analysis approach. A multifaceted oral healthcare educational intervention was developed. Learning material was delivered using a range of different learning and teaching resources such as dental models, podcasts, and an oral health assessment across two subjects. Multiple approaches to recruitment, the inclusion of participants, and good facilitation of workshop discussions were critical to the codesign of the educational intervention. Evaluation revealed that preparing participants prior to the workshops acted as a catalyst for conversations, which facilitated the codesign process. Codesign was a useful approach to employ in the development of an oral healthcare intervention to address an area of need.
Study on the Evolution and Optimization of the Spatial Structure of the Oasis in the Arid Area: A Case Study of the Aksu River Basin in China
Authors: Jiang Yunlu , He Haotian , Zhang Haoyu , Cao Yuee , Shi Ge , Feng Lin , Yang Jianjun
Published: March 2023

To achieve high-quality sustainable development in arid areas based on the concept of ecological civilization, it is necessary to deeply study the territorial spatial structure characteristics. Taking the Aksu River Basin, an important ecological security barrier in northwest China, as an example, this paper follows the research idea of “feature analysis-suitability evaluation-conflict identification analysis-optimization” and constructs a comprehensive model based on the AHP-entropy weight comprehensive evaluation method, ArcGIS spatial identification analysis, variance coefficient-TOPSIS method, and NRCA. A comprehensive model based on the AHP-entropy power integrated evaluation method, ArcGIS spatial identification analysis, variance coefficient-TOPSIS method, and NRCA was constructed to guide the optimization of the territorial spatial layout by exploring the characteristics of territorial spatial pattern, the suitability of territorial spatial development, the identification of territorial spatial conflicts, and the efficiency and functional advantage of territorial spatial utilization in the study area. The results show that: (1) The spatial type of territorial space in the Aksu River Basin from 2000 to 2020 is dominated by ecological space, agricultural space, and urban space, and the three spatial boundaries are irregularly interlaced. (2) The spatial utilization conflict pattern of the Aksu River Basin has formed, and the general conflict area is overgrowing. (3) The overall efficiency of territorial utilization in the Aksu River Basin is low, with significant differences among county administrative units. (4) After optimization, the three types of space in the watershed are adjusted and refined into six functional areas: basic farmland protection area, rural development area, ecological protection red line area, ecological control area, urban development area, and industrial supporting construction area.
How to Regulate the Infringements of Geographical Indications of Agricultural Products—An Empirical Study on Judicial Documents in China
Authors: Li Lingling , Chen Yingzi , Gao Haoran , Li Changjian
Published: March 2023

Under the background of China’s strategy of becoming a powerful agricultural country, geographical indications (GIs) of agricultural products, as an important intellectual property right to enable Chinese agriculture to develop with high quality, have a strong effect of strengthening and promoting agriculture. However, there are a large number of infringements of GIs among agricultural products in judicial practice, which not only greatly damage the economic and social values of GIs of agricultural products, but also bring huge food safety hazards to consumers and hinder the overall protection of intellectual property rights in China. On this basis, this paper, with the help of a quasi-case research method, integrates the facts of relevant cases, the focus of disputes, the application of law, and other case elements to realize the case similarity judgment based on the legal argumentation model. With the help of the retrieval tool of “Peking University Magic Weapon”, this paper provides statistics on the civil cases of infringement of GIs of agricultural products in China from 1 January 2014 to 31 July 2022 and sets different retrieval conditions for two searches. After two screenings, 245 valid samples were obtained, and the judicial patterns of infringement disputes over GIs of agricultural products in China were systematically sorted out from the distribution of plaintiff and defendant, the distribution of infringement types, the basis of adjudication, and the standard of compensation. It was found that the plaintiff types showed double simplification, the infringement types took edge infringement as the basic form, and the general trademark provisions occupied the main position in legal applications. Then, the main litigation points, such as the dispute over the identification of GIs of agricultural products, the dispute over the use of geographical names, and the dispute over tort liability, are summarized, so as to dig out the characteristics of the implicitness of infringement, the expectation of implementation, and the concreteness of aspects. On this basis, the regulatory path of the infringement of GIs of agricultural products is put forward, such as introducing procuratorial public interest litigation, multi-agents cooperating to implement all-round supervision, and reasonably determining the amount of damages.
The Involvement in Domestic Violence and the Severity of Legal, Moral and Social Consequences for the Perpetrators in the Perceptions of Students in Poland and Belarus
Authors: Giezek Marta , Shpakou Andrei , Zabielska Paulina , Karakiewicz Beata
Published: March 2023

Domestic violence is sequential, developmental and dynamic. The aim of this study was to examine whether, in the perceptions of students in Poland and Belarus, there is a relationship between involvement in violence and the legal and social consequences for the perpetrators. A total of 482 university students took part in the study, including 251 students from Poland and 231 students from Belarus. Statistically, Polish respondents were more frequently involved in domestic violence as witnesses and victims, which was confirmed by χ2 test. Based on the 95% confidence interval (CI), it can be concluded that the largest number of respondents from both countries surveyed who have been involved in violence as witnesses (85.2–94.8) indicated that an adequate punishment for perpetrators of violence is imprisonment. Students who have never been involved in domestic violence indicated social consequences as appropriate punishment for the use of violence more often than those who have been involved in violence as witnesses, victims or perpetrators. Witnesses and victims were not found to be in favour of more severe punishment or more serious moral and social consequences than perpetrators. The largest number of respondents indicated that the appropriate consequence of using violence should be imprisonment, followed by a restraining order and eviction from the place of residence.
Comparison of Three Diagnostic Definitions of Metabolic Syndrome and Estimation of Its Prevalence in Mongolia
Authors: Myagmar-Ochir Enkhtuguldur , Haruyama Yasuo , Takaoka Nobuko , Takahashi Kyo , Dashdorj Naranjargal , Dashtseren Myagmartseren , Kobashi Gen
Published: March 2023

We sought to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in the urban population of Mongolia and suggest a preferred definition. This cross-sectional study comprised 2076 representative samples, which were randomly selected to provide blood samples. MS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adults Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the Joint Interim Statement (JIS). The Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) was analyzed to determine the agreement between the individual MS components using the three definitions. The prevalence of MS in the 2076 samples was 19.4% by NCEP ATP III, 23.6% by IDF, and 25.4% by JIS criteria. For men, moderate agreement was found between the NCEP ATP III and waist circumference (WC) (κ = 0.42), and between the JIS and fasting blood glucose (FBG) (κ = 0.44) and triglycerides (TG) (κ = 0.46). For women, moderate agreement was found between the NCEP ATP III and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (κ = 0.43), and between the JIS and HDL-C (κ = 0.43). MS is highly prevalent in the Mongolian urban population. The JIS definition is recommended as the provisional definition.
Differences in Factors Influencing Deprescribing between Primary Care Providers: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bužančić Iva , Ortner Hadžiabdić Maja
Published: March 2023

Deprescribing is a notable approach to improve medication management, but few healthcare systems recognize it. To introduce a new practice, it is important to examine the factors influencing the provision of a new or elaborate cognitive service within the desired setting. This study explores the perceived barriers and facilitators of deprescribing by primary healthcare providers, and identifies the factors associated with a willingness to suggest deprescribing. A cross-sectional survey was conducted (in Croatia, between October 2021 and January 2022) using a validated comprehensive healthcare providers’ opinions, preferences, and attitudes towards deprescribing (CHOPPED) questionnaire. A total of 419 pharmacists and 124 physicians participated. Participants showed a high willingness to deprescribe, with significantly higher scores in physicians than in pharmacists (5.00 (interquartile range—IQR 5–5) vs. 4.00 (IQR 4–5), p < 0.001). Pharmacists had significantly higher scores in seven out of ten factors (knowledge, awareness, collaboration facilitators, competencies facilitators, healthcare system facilitators, collaboration barriers, competencies barriers) while in the remaining three factors (patient facilitators, patient and healthcare system barriers) there was no difference in scores. The strongest positive correlation with willingness to suggest deprescribing was found with the collaboration and healthcare system facilitators factors for pharmacists (G = 0.331, p < 0.001, and G = 0.309, p < 0.001, respectively), and with knowledge, awareness, and patient facilitators factors for physicians (G = 0.446, p = 0.001; G = 0.771, p < 0.001; and G = 0.259, p = 0.043, respectively). Primary healthcare providers are willing to suggest deprescribing but face different barriers and facilitators. For pharmacists, the most important facilitators were extrinsic, while for physicians they were more intrinsic and patient related. The stated results provide target areas which one could focus upon to help to engage healthcare providers in deprescribing.