bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shia Clerics, Holy Sites, and the Online Visual Culture of the Revolutionary Youth in Iran
Authors: Taherifard Alireza
Published: June 2022

Since the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) called on the clergy to embark on an online jihad to rescue youngsters trapped in the “killing field” of the internet, a vast number of clerics and state-sponsored religious organizations and actors have expanded their online activities. The growing body of Islamic online contents produced by the IRI’s promoters and the proliferation of social media-related practices in religious places and events have shaped the online visual culture of the Iranian revolutionary youths. To explore this under-researched area, this study concentrates on three sets of visual tropes: (1) selfies with martyrs, (2) selfies taken by revolutionary clerics in disaster-stricken areas, and (3) shared images of the holy shrine of Imam Reza on Instagram. In addition to online documents (including posters, photographs, and reports), the data includes selectively chosen Instagram postings retrieved by searching pertinent accounts, hashtags, and locations on the platform. The investigation inquires the ways in which online image-making has been incorporated in the construction of holy sites and the culture of sacrifice and martyrdom propagated by the IRI as ideal youth aspirations. The findings demonstrate the extensive appropriation of social media and intensive integration of online image-making in this field. The study contributes to understanding of the online spaces and practices aimed at extending the influence over the online youth culture in Iran in line with the IRI’s cultural plans and policies.
The Astronomical Innovations of Monk Yixing 一行 (673–727)
Authors: Kotyk Jeffrey
Published: June 2022

The Chinese monk Yixing 一行 (673–727) is unique in being an early architect of the Mantrayāna tradition (Esoteric Buddhism) in East Asia in addition to featuring as a significant individual within the history of astronomy and calendrical science in China. His legacy in the Buddhist world is well known, but the enduring appreciation of his scientific work in later centuries is less understood. The present paper will document the achievements of Yixing’s work in astronomy while also discussing the perception and appreciation of his work in subsequent centuries.
Spatial Scale Effect and Correction of Forest Aboveground Biomass Estimation Using Remote Sensing
Authors: Yu Ying , Pan Yan , Yang Xiguang , Fan Wenyi
Published: June 2022

Forest biomass is critically important for forest dynamics in the carbon cycle. However, large-scale AGB mapping applications from remote sensing data still carry large uncertainty. In this study, an AGB estimation model was first established with three different remote sensing datasets of GF-2, Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8. Next, the optimal scale estimation result was considered as a reference AGB to obtain the relative true AGB distribution at different scales based on the law of conservation of mass, and the error of the scale effect of AGB estimation at various spatial resolutions was analyzed. Then, the information entropy of land use type was calculated to identify the heterogeneity of pixels. Finally, a scale conversion method for the entropy-weighted index was developed to correct the scale error of the estimated AGB results from coarse-resolution remote sensing images. The results showed that the random forest model had better prediction accuracy for GF-2 (4 m), Sentinel-2 (10 m) and Landsat-8 (30 m) AGB mapping. The determination coefficient between predicted and measured AGB was 0.5711, 0.4819 and 0.4321, respectively. Compared to uncorrected AGB, R2 between scale-corrected results and relative true AGB increased from 0.6226 to 0.6725 for Sentinel-2, and increased from 0.5910 to 0.6704 for Landsat-8. The scale error was effectively corrected. This study can provide a reference for forest AGB estimation and scale error reduction for AGB production upscaling with consideration of the spatial heterogeneity of the forest surface.
Remote Sensing Change Detection Based on Unsupervised Multi-Attention Slow Feature Analysis
Authors: Jing Weipeng , Zhu Songyu , Kang Peilun , Wang Jian , Cui Shengjia , Chen Guangsheng , Song Houbing
Published: June 2022

With the development of big data, analyzing the environmental benefits of transportation systems by artificial intelligence has become a hot issue in recent years. The ground traffic changes can be overlooked from a high-altitude perspective, using the technology of multi-temporal remote sensing change detection. We proposed a novel unsupervised algorithm by combining the image transformation and deep learning method. The new algorithm for remote sensing images is named multi-attention slow feature analysis (ASFA). In this model, three parts perform different functions respectively. The first part records to the K-BoVW to classify the categories of the ground objects as a channel parameter. The second part is a residual convolution with multiple attention mechanisms including temporal, spatial, and channel attention. Feature extraction and updating are completed at this link. Finally, we put the updated features in the slow feature analysis to highlight the variant components which we want and then generate the change map visually. Experiments on three very high-resolution datasets verified that the ASFA has a better performance than four basic change detection algorithms and an improved SFA algorithm. More importantly, this model works well for traffic road detection and helps us analyze the environmental benefits of traffic changes.
Ground and Satellite-Based Methods of Measuring Deformation at a UK Landslide Observatory: Comparison and Integration
Authors: Kelevitz Krisztina , Novellino Alessandro , Watlet Arnaud , Boyd James , Whiteley James , Chambers Jonathan , Jordan Colm , Wright Tim , Hooper Andrew , Biggs Juliet
Published: June 2022

With the advances of ESA’s Sentinel-1 InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission, there are freely available remote sensing ground deformation observations all over the globe that allow continuous monitoring of natural hazards and structural instabilities. The Digital Environment initiative in the UK aims to include these remote sensing data in the effort at forecasting and mitigating hazards across the UK. In this paper, we present a case study of the Hollin Hill landslide in North Yorkshire where a variety of ground-based geophysical measurements are available for comparison with InSAR data. To include Sentinel-1 data in the UK’s Digital Environment, it is important to understand the advantages and limitations of these observations and interpret them appropriately. The Hollin Hill landslide observatory (HHLO) is used by the British Geological Survey to understand landslide processes, and to trial new technologies and methodologies for slope stability characterisation and monitoring. In July 2019, six corner reflectors were installed to improve the coherence of the InSAR measurements. We use Sentinel-1 InSAR data acquired between October 2015 and January 2019 to study the behaviour of this landslide, and find that the line-of-sight component of the down-slope movement is 2.7 mm/year in the descending track, and 7.5–7.7 mm/year in the ascending track. The InSAR measurements also highlight the seasonal behaviour of this landslide. Using InSAR data after the installation of the six corner reflectors, we are able to track the most recent movement on the landslide that occurred in January 2021. This result is in agreement with other ground-based measurements such as tracking of pegs, and soil moisture data derived from electrical resistivity tomography.
A Vision-Based System for Stage Classification of Parkinsonian Gait Using Machine Learning and Synthetic Data
Authors: Marquez Chavez Jorge Marquez , Tang Wei
Published: June 2022

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by abnormal gait, which worsens as the condition progresses. Although several methods have been able to classify this feature through pose-estimation algorithms and machine-learning classifiers, few studies have been able to analyze its progression to perform stage classification of the disease. Moreover, despite the increasing popularity of these systems for gait analysis, the amount of available gait-related data can often be limited, thereby, hindering the progress of the implementation of this technology in the medical field. As such, creating a quantitative prognosis method that can identify the severity levels of a Parkinsonian gait with little data could help facilitate the study of the Parkinsonian gait for rehabilitation. In this contribution, we propose a vision-based system to analyze the Parkinsonian gait at various stages using linear interpolation of Parkinsonian gait models. We present a comparison between the performance of a k-nearest neighbors algorithm (KNN), support-vector machine (SVM) and gradient boosting (GB) algorithms in classifying well-established gait features. Our results show that the proposed system achieved 96–99% accuracy in evaluating the prognosis of Parkinsonian gaits.
Real-Time Temperature Monitoring under Thermal Cycling Loading with Optical Fiber Sensor
Authors: Her Shiuh-Chuan , Tasi Jr-Luen
Published: June 2022

A fiber optic sensing system consisting of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor, optical circulator, optical band pass filter and photodetector is developed to monitor the real-time temperature response of a structure under a dynamic thermal loading. The FBG sensor is surface-bonded on a test specimen and integrated with an optical band pass filter. As a broadband light source transmits into a FBG sensor, a specific wavelength is reflected and transmitted into an optical band pass filter. The reflected wavelength is significantly affected by the temperature, while the output light power from the optical band pass filter is dependent on the wavelength. By measuring the light power with a photodetector, the wavelength can be demodulated, resulting in the determination of the temperature. In this work, the proposed optical sensing system was utilized to monitor the dynamic temperature change of a steel beam under a thermal cycling loading. To verify the accuracy of the fiber optic sensor, a thermocouple was adopted as the reference. The experimental results illustrate a good agreement between the fiber optic sensor and thermocouple. Electronic packages composed of various components such as a solder joint, silicon die, mold compound, and solder mask are frequently subjected to a thermal cycling loading in real-life applications. Temperature variations’ incorporation with mismatches of coefficients of thermal expansion among the assembly components leads to crack growth, damage accumulation and final failure. It is important to monitor the temperature to prevent a thermal fatigue failure. A fast response and easy implementation of the fiber optic sensing system was proposed for the real-time temperature measurement under thermal cycling loading.
Noise Reduction Combining a General Microphone and a Throat Microphone
Authors: Kawaguchi Junki , Matsumoto Mitsuharu
Published: June 2022

In this study, we propose a method to reduce noise from speech obtained from a general microphone using the information of a throat microphone. A throat microphone records a sound by detecting the vibration of the skin surface near the throat directly. Therefore, throat microphones are less prone to noise than ordinary microphones. However, as the acoustic characteristics of the throat microphone differ from those of ordinary microphones, its sound quality degrades. To solve this problem, this study aims to improve the speech quality while suppressing the noise of a general microphone by using the information recorded by a throat microphone as reference information to extract the speech signal in general microphones. In this paper, the framework of the proposed method is formulated, and several experiments are conducted to evaluate the noise suppression and speech quality improvement effects of the proposed method.
The Dual Role of Artificial Intelligence in Developing Smart Cities
Authors: Zamponi Maria Enrica , Barbierato Enrico
Published: June 2022

Defining smart city pillars, and their nature and essence, continues to be debated in the scientific literature. The vast amount of information collected by electronic devices, often regarded merely as a means of rationalizing the use of resources and improving efficiency, could also be considered as a pillar. Information by itself cannot be deciphered or understood without analysis performed by algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence. Such analysis extracts new forms of knowledge in the shape of correlations and patterns used to support the decision-making processes associated with governance and, ultimately, to define new policies. Alongside information, energy plays a crucial role in smart cities as many activities that lead to growth in the economy and employment depend on this pillar. As a result, it is crucial to highlight the link between energy and the algorithms able to plan and forecast the energy consumption of smart cities. The result of this paper consists in the highlighting of how AI and information together can be legitimately considered foundational pillars of smart cities only when their real impact, or value, has been assessed. Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence can be deployed to support smart grids, electric vehicles, and smart buildings by providing techniques and methods to enhance their innovative value and measured efficiency.
Exploring Transiency in Four Urban Forest Patch Neighborhoods: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Authors: Johnson Gaither Cassandra , Cross Denzell A. , Dobbs G. Rebecca
Published: June 2022

This exploratory study begins to unpack the association between involuntary neighborhood transiency (i.e., forced household moves) and civic environmental stewardship, focusing on four neighborhoods adjacent to urban forest patches in the City of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The patches emerged on the sites of former public housing communities after the city razed housing projects in the first decade of the 2000s. Given intense competition for city land, e.g., affordable housing needs versus greenspace preservation, we might expect neighborhood-level inquiry regarding plans for these properties; however, there is no indication of popular interest in the sites. We suggest that such engagement is inhibited, in part, by involuntary neighborhood transiency as the neighborhoods surrounding the patches are inhabited mostly by low-income African American renters, a highly transient population. This is the first phase of a study that will eventually examine the association between transiency and greenspace civic engagement. In this exploratory step, we examine involuntary neighborhood transiency as an a priori social condition that necessarily influences people’s engagement with urban greenspaces. Building on input from community members, research by Stephanie DeLuca and colleagues, and Matthew Desmond’s work on evictions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we operationalize transiency in terms of Housing Choice Voucher units and eviction rate to assess the extent to which these indicators localize in the four urban patch neighborhoods. A geospatial cluster analysis indicated that both measures concentrate in the neighborhoods adjacent to the forest patches, and they are positively associated. Given these associations, we recommend further research examining how various forms of involuntary moving may ultimately inhibit civic environmental stewardship.
Circular Economy of Construction and Demolition Waste: A Case Study of Colombia
Authors: Colorado Henry A. , Muñoz Andrea , Neves Monteiro Sergio
Published: June 2022

This paper presents the results of research into construction and demolition (C&D) waste in Colombia. The data and analyses are shown in a local and Latin American context. As the situation in Colombia is quite similar to that in many developing countries worldwide, this research and its findings are potentially applicable to similar economies. Several factors were calculated and compared in order to evaluate which best fit the data from Colombia. We also included an experimental characterization and analysis of several key types of C&D waste from important infrastructure projects in Colombia, specifically by using the X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. For the quantification of CDW, a calculation was performed based on the area and four factors of volume and density, followed by an econometric analysis of the detailed information using the Hodrick–Prescott filter, which revealed the CDW trends. Our results revealed that there are limitations regarding the availability of information and effective treatments for this waste, as well as shortcomings in education and other issues, not only for Colombia but also for other countries in Latin America.
Engineered Stone Produced with Glass Packaging Waste, Quartz Powder, and Epoxy Resin
Authors: Barreto Gabriela Nunes Sales , Carvalho Elaine Aparecida Santos , Souza Vitor da Silva de , Gomes Maria Luiza Pessanha Menezes , de Azevedo Afonso R. G. , Monteiro Sérgio Neves , Vieira Carlos Maurício Fontes
Published: June 2022

Engineered stone (ENS) is a type of artificial stone composed of stone wastes bonded together by a polymeric matrix. ENS presents a profitable alternative for solid waste management, since its production adds value to the waste by reusing it as raw material and reduces environmental waste disposal. The present work’s main goal is to produce an ENS based on quartz powder waste, glass packaging waste, and epoxy resin. The wastes were size-distributed by the fine sieving method. Then, the closest-packed granulometric mixture, as well as the minimum amount of resin that would fill the voids of these mixtures, was calculated. ENS plates were prepared with 15%wt (ENS-15) and 20%wt (ENS-20) epoxy resin by vibration, compression (10 tons for 20 min at 90 °C), and vacuum of 600 mmHg. The plates were sanded and cut for physical, chemical, and mechanical tests. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of fractured specimens was performed. ENS-15 presented 2.26 g/cm3 density, 0.1% water absorption, 0.21% apparent porosity, and 33.5 MPa bend strength and was resistant to several chemical and staining agents. The results classified ENS as a high-quality coating material, technically and economically viable, with properties similar to commercial artificial stones. Therefore, the development of ENS based on waste glass and quartz powder meets the concept of sustainable development, as this proposed novel material could be marketed as a building material and simultaneously minimize the amount of these wastes that are currently disposed of in landfills.
Exploring the Demand-Side of the Informal Economy during the COVID-19 Restrictions: Lessons from Iași, Romania
Authors: Horodnic Ioana Alexandra , Williams Colin C. , Țugulea Oana , Stoian Bobâlcă Iuliana Claudia
Published: June 2022

Little attention has been paid to why consumers choose to purchase goods and services from the informal economy. Similarly, few studies have been conducted on consumer behaviour in relation to informal markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the article is to evaluate, for the first time, whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced consumer behaviour in relation to the informal economy. Qualitative evidence collected in Iași, Romania, is reported. The finding is that the most important motives for purchasing goods and services from the informal economy are related to social ends, such as supporting local businesses, maintaining relationships with others, and enhancing sustainable development. The novel finding of this research is that community exchange in the form of mutual aid and reciprocity is not activated only for friends, neighbours, kin or work colleagues but also for local businesses facing financial difficulties. The customers are displaying solidarity and empathy for their situation. As such, this article adds to previous findings indicating that the motivation of lower cost is not the universal rationale for purchasing from the informal economy as many consumers choose to make purchases from informal market driven by social rationales. The paper ends by discussing the policy implications of the findings.
Developing and Evaluating Educational Innovations for STEAM Education in Rapidly Changing Digital Technology Environments
Authors: Lavicza Zsolt , Weinhandl Robert , Prodromou Theodosia , Anđić Branko , Lieban Diego , Hohenwarter Markus , Fenyvesi Kristof , Brownell Christopher , Diego-Mantecón Jose Manuel
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we offer three examples from our research projects on both technological and pedagogical innovations to illustrate the impact of rapid technology changes on research. Members of our research team both developed and used technology applications in their research projects, utilizing design-based research (DBR). During the experiments, we encountered new challenges by the end of the research cycle due to updates in technologies. Although we had an idea of how to redesign the project for the next cycle based on the analyses of data, we noticed that we needed to not only redesign our approaches based on the research results but the changes in technologies were so rapid that materials and pedagogies needed to be altered as well. In our article, we propose an additional aspect to be considered in DBR while researching technology integration or innovative technologies. Moreover, the rapid change in technology raises further challenges to teachers’ professional development and the integration of those innovative technologies in classrooms. We anticipate our work to contribute to the development of technology resources and related pedagogies as well as the refinement of research methodologies in technology environments. Our contributions for the development of technology resources and refinement of research methods in technology-supported learning environments should, among other things, contribute to a less complex and at the same time more sustainable integration of pedagogical innovations into scientific and school practices.
Green Nanoparticle-Aided Biosorption of Nickel Ions Using Four Dry Residual Biomasses: A Comparative Study
Authors: Herrera-Barros Adriana , Tejada-Tovar Candelaria , González-Delgado Ángel Darío
Published: June 2022

The green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was performed using the sol-gel method for their use in the modification of several agricultural biomasses (orange, lemon, cassava and yam peels) to evaluate the enhancement of adsorption capacity. To this end, different particle sizes (0.355, 0.5 and 1.0 mm) and initial solution pHs (2, 4 and 6) were assessed to identify the optimum conditions for further experimentation with the selected lignocellulosic materials. The defined conditions reporting the highest removal yields were used to perform adsorption experiments for chemically modified biosorbents. The biomaterials were characterized via elemental and bromatological analysis in order to quantify their composition. After the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles, the resulting biosorbents were characterized via FT-IR and SEM techniques. The results revealed that the pH solution significantly affects the nickel ion uptake, reaching the best performance at pH = 6 for all biomasses. Unmodified biomasses shown adsorption capacities between 18–20 mg/g. For chemically modified with TiO2 orange peels and yam peels biomass, the increase in adsorption capacities was 21.3 and 18.01 mg/g, respectively. For cassava and lemon peels chemically modified, it was found the increasing in adsorption capacities with values of 21.3 and 18.01 mg/g, respectively, which suggested that the incorporation of nanoparticles enhances adsorption capacities.
Biomonitoring Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) Using Lichen Transplant Usnea misaminensis: A Case Study from Malaysia
Authors: Abas Azlan , Aiyub Kadaruddin , Awang Azahan
Published: June 2022

Urban air pollution has been a major concern due to its impact on global public health. Various techniques for monitoring urban air quality have been developed. However, there is currently a dearth of research on how effective bioaccumulators such as lichen are at monitoring urban air pollution. As a result, the purpose of this research is to investigate the use of U. misaminensis as a biological indicator for biomonitoring urban air quality in Malaysia. Three months were spent exposing lichen samples in three Malaysian cities (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru). The trace element content and vitality of the lichens were assessed. The results of this study revealed that U. misaminensis is an effective biological indicator for measuring 25 elements of air pollutants in metropolitan areas. They also revealed that all 25 elements accumulated in the urban area sample were greater than in the control sample. The vitality rate of lichens dropped in the urban area sample when compared with the control sample, indicating that an increase in elements in the air will impact the vitality rate of any biological component. In this study, two arguments are made: (a) Lichen is an excellent biological indicator, particularly for urban air pollutants such as potentially toxic elements; and (b) traffic is the primary contributor to urban air pollution; hence, the local government requires a better plan and design for urban areas to decrease air pollutants build-up.
Sustainable Consumption and Education for Sustainability in Higher Education
Authors: Al-Nuaimi Shaikha R. , Al-Ghamdi Sami G.
Published: June 2022

Sustainable consumption (SC) is the concept surrounding the use of products and services with minimal impact on environmental safeguarding resources for current and future generations. Since its implementation in 2015, SC is an expanding area of research as the increased occurrence of environmental impacts is observed globally. In this article, a literature review of sustainable consumption and education is presented as an in-depth review of relevant literature over the last 25 years. The review provides an understanding of the relationship, effect, and current concepts of sustainability education and consumption behavior. An analysis of the historical, geographical, and thematic characteristics of the relevant literature provided the scholarly context of the literature. An exploration into consumer behaviors on an individual and contextual level is presented, highlighting key factors for achieving sustainable consumption on the consumer level. A further review on the effect of education in general, and higher education on consumer behavior, is provided, noting the key findings for the support of sustainable education, as well as the anticipated barriers. In the conclusion, the effect of education on consumption is found to be positive and significant for pro-environmental consumption behaviors, and it is the main approach for implementing the ideals of sustainable consumption in the future.
Analysis of Short-Term Heart Rate Asymmetry in High-Performance Athletes and Non-Athletes
Authors: Mina-Paz Yecid , Santana-García Victoria Noemí , Tafur-Tascon Luis Javier , Cabrera-Hernández Moisés Arturo , Pliego-Carrillo Adriana Cristina , Reyes-Lagos José Javier
Published: June 2022

Heart rate asymmetry (HRA) refers to how asymmetrically the acceleration and deceleration patterns in heartbeat fluctuations are distributed. There is limited evidence regarding HRA changes in athletes and their association with autonomic regulation. This study aimed to compare the short-term HRA of high-performance athletes and non-athletes during an autonomic function test by calculating relevant HRA measures. This exploratory study obtained beat-to-beat RR interval time series from 15 high-performance athletes and 12 non-athletes during a standardized autonomic function test. This test includes rest, postural change, controlled respiration, prolonged orthostatism, exercise, and recovery phases. The following HRA parameters were computed from the RR time series for both groups: asymmetric spread index (ASI), slope index (SI), Porta’s index (PI), Guzik’s index (GI), and Ehlers’ index (EI). We found significant differences (p < 0.01) in the mean value of several HRA parameters between athletes and non-athletes and across the autonomic function test phases, mainly in postural change and recovery phases. Our results indicate that high-performance athletes manifest a higher number and magnitude of cardiac decelerations than non-athletes after an orthostatic challenge, as indicated by GI and EI. In addition, lower HRA was found in athletes in the recovery phase than in non-athletes, as indicated by ASI.
Medication Adherence of Vietnamese Outpatients with Chronic Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pham Suol Thanh , Dam Cuong Van , Duong Chu Xuan , Duong Nghi Huynh Phuong , Nguyen Xuyen Thi Kim , Diep Han Gia , Nguyen Nguyet Kim , Le Duyen Thi Nhan , Nguyen Trang Thi Nhu , Le Tu Thi Cam , Nguyen Thao Thi Thanh , Asten Henri van , Nguyen Thang
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the medication adherence of outpatients with chronic diseases and the association between both patient attitudes and preventive practices regarding COVID-19 and their medication adherence. We performed a cross-sectional study in Vietnam. Medication adherence was determined using the translated and validated Vietnamese version of the General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS). Patient attitudes and preventive practices regarding COVID-19 were measured using the 5K message of the Vietnam Ministry of Health (facemasks, disinfection, distance, no gatherings, health declarations). The associations between patient characteristics and medication adherence were determined by multivariable regression. The study included 1852 outpatients, and 57.6% of the patients adhered to their medications. Patients who recognized the pandemic’s obstruction of medical follow-ups (OR = 1.771; 95%CI = 1.461–2.147; p < 0.001), who applied ≥2 preventive methods (OR = 1.422; 95%CI = 1.173–1.725; p = 0.001), who were employed (OR = 1.677; 95%CI = 1.251–2.248; p = 0.001), who were living in urban areas (OR = 1.336; 95%CI = 1.090–1.637; p = 0.005,) who possessed higher education levels (OR = 1.313; 95%CI = 1.059–1.629; p = 0.013), or who had ≤2 comorbidities (OR = 1.293; 95%CI = 1.044–1.600; p = 0.019) were more likely to adhere to their medications. The adherence percentage for outpatients with chronic diseases was quite low during the pandemic. Patients who did not recognize the COVID-19 pandemic’s obstruction of medical follow-ups or who had poor preventive practices were less likely to adhere to medications. Healthcare providers should pay more attention to these groups to achieve desired treatment outcomes.
Correction: Nalin, D. Issues and Controversies in the Evolution of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT). Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2021, 6, 34
Authors: Nalin David
Published: June 2022

In the original publication [...]
Compliance with Medication amongst Persons with Diabetes Mellitus during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Kerala, India: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Jaya Ajan Maheswaran , Harries Anthony D. , Rahman Anisur , Khogali Mohammed , Chinnakali Palanivel , Gopal Bipin
Published: June 2022

Compliance with medication in persons with diabetes mellitus (DM) has been a challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to poor glycemic control and higher risk of complications. In the state of Kerala, India, 20–25% of adults have DM. Our cross-sectional study aimed to assess medication compliance and factors associated with poor compliance in DM persons attending selected primary care government facilities in Kerala during the COVID-19 pandemic. Persons registered with DM for >6 months were consecutively interviewed between August and September 2021. Poor compliance was defined as answering “No” to one or more of three questions related to access and intake of medication two weeks prior to and the day before the interview. Factors independently associated with poor compliance were assessed using adjusted prevalence ratios (aPr) and 95% confidence intervals. Of the 560 DM persons included, 209 (37%) exhibited poor compliance. Factors associated with poor compliance were age 19–45 years (aPr 1.4, 1.1–1.9); inability to be blood glucose tested during the COVID-19 pandemic (aPr 3.6, 2.9–4.3); not having COVID-19 (aPr 1.4, 1.0–1.9); and being double vaccinated against COVID-19 (aPr 1.4, 1.1–2.0). Focused attention must be paid to these groups to improve medication compliance and prevent DM complications and severe COVID-19-related disease.
Independent Cis-Regulatory Modules within the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infected Cell Protein 0 (ICP0) Promoter Are Transactivated by Krüppel-like Factor 15 and Glucocorticoid Receptor
Authors: Wijesekera Nishani , Hazell Nicholas , Jones Clinton
Published: June 2022

A corticosteroid antagonist impairs Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) productive infection and explant-induced reactivation from latency, suggesting corticosteroids and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mediate certain aspects of these complex virus–host interactions. GR-hormone complexes regulate transcription positively and negatively, in part, by binding GR response elements (GREs). Recent studies revealed infected cell protein 0 (ICP0), ICP4, and ICP27 promoter/cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) are cooperatively transactivated by GR and Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15), which forms a feed-forward transcription loop. We hypothesized the ICP0 promoter contains independent CRMs that are transactivated by GR, KLF15, and the synthetic corticosteroid dexamethasone (DEX). This hypothesis is based on the finding that the ICP0 promoter contains multiple transcription factor binding sites, and GR and KLF15 cooperatively transactivate the full-length ICP0 promoter. ICP0 promoter sequences spanning −800 to −635 (fragment A) were efficiently transactivated by GR, KLF15, and DEX in monkey kidney cells (Vero), whereas GR and DEX significantly enhanced promoter activity in mouse neuroblastoma cells (Neuro-2A). Furthermore, ICP0 fragment B (−458 to −635) was efficiently transactivated by GR, KLF15, and DEX in Vero cells, but not Neuro-2A cells. Finally, fragment D (−232 to −24) was transactivated significantly in Vero cells by GR, KLF15, and DEX, whereas KLF15 and DEX were sufficient for transactivation in Neuro-2A cells. Collectively, these studies revealed efficient transactivation of three independent CRMs within the ICP0 promoter by GR, KLF15, and/or DEX. Finally, GC-rich sequences containing specificity protein 1 (Sp1) binding sites were essential for transactivation.
Research Progress on Emerging Viral Pathogens of Small Ruminants in China during the Last Decade
Authors: Mao Li , Li Wenliang , Hao Fei , Yang Leilei , Li Jizong , Sun Min , Zhang Wenwen , Liu Maojun , Luo Xuenong , Cheng Zilong
Published: June 2022

China is the country with the largest number of domestic small ruminants in the world. Recently, the intensive and large-scale sheep/goat raising industry has developed rapidly, especially in nonpastoral regions. Frequent trading, allocation, and transportation result in the introduction and prevalence of new pathogens. Several new viral pathogens (peste des petits ruminants virus, caprine parainfluenza virus type 3, border disease virus, enzootic nasal tumor virus, caprine herpesvirus 1, enterovirus) have been circulating and identified in China, which has attracted extensive attention from both farmers and researchers. During the last decade, studies examining the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic methods, and vaccines for these emerging viruses have been conducted. In this review, we focus on the latest findings and research progress related to these newly identified viral pathogens in China, discuss the current situation and problems, and propose research directions and prevention strategies for different diseases in the future. Our aim is to provide comprehensive and valuable information for the prevention and control of these emerging viruses and highlight the importance of surveillance of emerging or re-emerging viruses.
Feline Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Sclerosing Fibroplasia—Extracellular Matrix Proteins and TGF-β1 Immunoexpression
Authors: Porras Néstor , Rebollada-Merino Agustín , Rodríguez-Franco Fernando , Calvo-Ibbitson Andrés , Rodríguez-Bertos Antonio
Published: June 2022

Feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (FGESF) has been described as an inflammatory disorder with an eosinophilic component with etiopathogenesis that is still unknown. Sixteen intestinal samples from two veterinary diagnostic services (2014–2017) were included in the study. A histopathological criterion classified the cases into three grades (mild, moderate, and severe) according to the distribution of the lesions and the course. An immunohistochemical study of collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was performed in each case. An immunohistochemical study of mild grades shows greater collagen III immunoexpression, compared to collagen I and fibronectin, which suggests an “early” stage of fibrosis. In more intense grades, an increased immunoexpression of collagen I, compared to collagen III, suggests a “late” stage of fibrosis. Otherwise, the highest expression of TGF-β1 was observed in the moderate phase, due to the high proliferation of reactive fibroblast and intense inflammation. The results suggest that the inflammatory infiltrate is the trigger for the elevation in TGF-β1, altering the collagen type III:I ratio. In conclusion, immunohistochemical studies can be a very useful method in diagnosing cases of FGESF of mild grades and could help to apply a differential diagnosis regarding feline eosinophilic chronic enteritis (CEE) in the context of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Dynamic Models of Within-Herd Transmission and Recommendation for Vaccination Coverage Requirement in the Case of African Swine Fever in Vietnam
Authors: Mai Thi Ngan , Sekiguchi Satoshi , Huynh Thi My Le , Cao Thi Bich Phuong , Le Van Phan , Dong Van Hieu , Vu Viet Anh , Wiratsudakul Anuwat
Published: June 2022

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease that is caused by the ASF virus (ASFV) with a high fatality rate in domestic pigs resulting in a high socio-economic impact. The pig business in Vietnam was recently affected by ASF for the first time. This study thus aimed to develop a disease dynamic model to explain how ASFV spreads in Vietnamese pig populations and suggest a protective vaccine coverage level required to prevent future outbreaks. The outbreak data were collected from ten private small-scale farms within the first wave of ASF outbreaks in Vietnam. Three methods were used to estimate the basic reproduction number (R0), including the exponential growth method, maximum likelihood method, and attack rate method. The average R0 values were estimated at 1.49 (95%CI: 1.05–2.21), 1.58 (95%CI: 0.92–2.56), and 1.46 (95%CI: 1.38–1.57), respectively. Based on the worst-case scenario, all pigs in a herd would be infected and removed within 50 days. We suggest vaccinating at least 80% of pigs on each farm once a commercially approved ASF vaccine is available. However, an improvement in biosecurity levels in small-scale farms is still greatly encouraged to prevent the introduction of the virus.
Numerical Study of Mixing Process by Point Source Pollution with Different Release Positions in a Sinuous Open Channel
Authors: Zhu Hai , Lu Shengjie , Wang Lingling , Xu Jieru , Yuan Saiyu
Published: June 2022

The process of pollutant mixing is significantly influenced by secondary flow and turbulence in meandering rivers. To investigate the influence of different point source release positions on the pollutant mixing process in sinuous open channel flows, a 3D large-eddy simulation (LES) model based on OpenFOAM was established to simulate the process of passive scalar transport in a sinuous channel with a rectangular cross-section. After verification by a flume experiment, two sets of cases in which the point sources were arranged at identical intervals in spanwise and streamwise directions were configured to evaluate the mixing efficiency. The effect of flow structure, secondary motion, and the turbulent viscosity on the scalar transport and mixing was discussed. The distribution of scalar as well as the scalar flux was analyzed in detail, and the fluctuation characteristics were also described. The results demonstrate that due to the existence of secondary flow in the sinuous channel, different transverse and streamwise release positions of the point source have significant influence on mixing efficiency and spatial distribution of the pollutant. The point source placed near the center of the cross-section in transverse or near the apex of the bend in streamwise result in higher mixing efficiency. Mixing efficiency calculated by different indices can be different, which requires comprehensive assessment.
ACCURACY OF THE NUMERICAL DIAGRAM METHOD FOR CALCULATING BAR REINFORCED CONCRETE ELEMENTS
Authors: Radaikin O. , Sabitov L. , Klyuev Sergey , Akhtyamova L. , Arakcheev T. , Darvish A.
Published: June 2022

The sources available for analysis do not explain why they adopted exactly such an accuracy (error) of the numerical diagram method for calculating core reinforced concrete elements (calculated and maximum permissible error values), such a control parameter for its evaluation. There is no definitive approach to estimating the error of the method under consideration yet. The available literature does not have a strict theoretical basis. The article is intended to try to correct this situation. For this purpose, the mathematical theory of numerical methods, metrology and the theory of reinforced concrete are involved. The classification of errors arising in determining the true value of the control parameter that integrally characterizes the stress-strain state of the element has been developed (unavoidable errors (≈12, %) – errors of the discrete nonlinear deformation model and inaccuracies in the initial data, errors of the numerical diagram method (≈5 %), computational errors (≈0 %)). The curvature of the axis of the reinforced concrete rod is taken as such a parameter. It is concluded that the maximum value of the permissible error of the numerical diagram method, which characterizes the accuracy, should not exceed 5 % and can be adjusted to decrease (increase accuracy) by clarifying the errors of the computational model and experimental base.
DNA Nanotechnology-Enabled Fabrication of Metal Nanomorphology
Authors: Xie Mo , Hu Yang , Yin Jue , Zhao Ziwei , Chen Jing , Chao Jie
Published: June 2022

In recent decades, DNA nanotechnology has grown into a highly innovative and widely established field. DNA nanostructures have extraordinary structural programmability and can accurately organize nanoscale materials, especially in guiding the synthesis of metal nanomaterials, which have unique advantages in controlling the growth morphology of metal nanomaterials. This review started with the evolution in DNA nanotechnology and the types of DNA nanostructures. Next, a DNA-based nanofabrication technology, DNA metallization, was introduced. In this section, we systematically summarized the DNA-oriented synthesis of metal nanostructures with different morphologies and structures. Furthermore, the applications of metal nanostructures constructed from DNA templates in various fields including electronics, catalysis, sensing, and bioimaging were figured out. Finally, the development prospects and challenges of metal nanostructures formed under the morphology control by DNA nanotechnology were discussed.
Pembuatan dan Pelatihan Pengelolaan Website SMA Negeri 1 Kota Tambolaka di Sumba Barat Daya
Authors: Riti Yosefina Finsensia , Gratcitwo Brielt Bella
Published: June 2022

Pemanfaatan teknologi informasi sangat penting bagi sebuah lembaga pendidikan untuk mendukung ketercapaian visi, misi, dan tujuannya. Salah satu pemanfaatan teknologi informasi adalah adanya website sekolah. Website dapat digunakan untuk memberikan gambaran mengenai profil sekolah dan juga sebagai media penyebaran informasi serta menjadi sarana untuk promosi sekolah yang lebih efektif dengan jangkauan yang lebih luas. SMAN 1 Kota Tambolaka merupakan SMA Negeri yang berlokasi di Kabapaten Sumba Barat Daya, dimana SMA ini belum belum memiliki website sekolah, sehingga penyebaran informasi masih dilakukan secara manual. Oleh karena itu SMAN 1 Kota Tambolaka memerlukan website sekolah sehingga penyebaran informasi tidak dilakukan secara manual lagi, dan informasi menjadi lebih cepat disebarkan dan bisa diakses secara luas, kapan saja dalam waktu yang berbeda-beda. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk membuat website sekolah bagi SMAN 1 Kota Tambolaka dan memberikan pelatihan bagi admin sekolah yang diberikan tanggungjawab untuk mengelola website. Diharapkan dengan adanya website sekolah menjadikan SMAN 1 Kota Tambolaka menjadi salah satu sekolah yang memenuhi standar nasioanal khususnya dalam pemanfaatan teknologi informasi dan memudahkan pihak sekolah dalam menyebarkan informasi serta sebagai media promosi sekolah sehingga sekolah menjadi lebih kenal di masyarakat luas.
Sloanea pilosa (Elaeocarpaceae), a Rare and New Emergent Tree Species from the Ecuadorian Amazon
Authors: Guevara Andino Juan Ernesto
Published: June 2022

Sloanea pilosa J. E. Guevara is described from material collected in the Ecuadorian Amazon and distinguished by stamen, ovary, foliage, and fruit characters. The new species is also illustrated, and its morphological similarities with other species of Sloanea L. are discussed.
International comparison of motor abilities and floorball skills in U-11 to U-14 teams from the Czech Republic and Australia
Authors: K Švátora , M Mašková , T Fajfrlíková , D Benešová
Published: June 2022

Floorball is a young and rapidly developing team game. At the world floorball championships, the considerable disparity in performance can be seen between the individual countries. The aim of this study was to compare the level of floorball skills and motor abilities of children in the U-11 - U-14 age category at floorball clubs in the Czech Republic and Australia. The players from FBŠ Slavia Pilsen clubs (Czech Republic) (n=18; 12.1y±1.0; 155.4cm±10.6; 44.7kg±12.1) and Peninsula Floorball club (Australia) (n=18; 12.7y±1.0; 160.7cm±12.0; 53.2kg±11.6) participated in this study. To compare the tested groups, 6 items (3 motor abilities, 3 floorball skills) were used from the test battery prepared by the Czech Floorball Association for the given age category. In motor abilities, a statistically and substantially significant difference was found only for one item (Illinois agility test without stick). In floorball skills, a statistically and substantially significant difference was found for all of the tested items. Only for one criterion of the Shooting test, namely the time required for performing the task, the difference was not statistically significant, and substantial significance reached only a medium effect. The presented results clearly indicate the different level of floorball skills between the Czech and Australian floorball players in the age category tested by us.