bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of the Digital Economy on the Urban Total-Factor Energy Efficiency: Evidence from 275 Cities in China
Authors: Huang Senhua , Chen Lingming
Published: February 2023

The widespread application of new-generation information technology, such as big data and artificial intelligence, has promoted the development of economic and technological transformation and the deep integration of digital and real economies. The digital economy is an essential force of China in the new era and it is promoting China’s economic development in a high-quality way. In this study, we theoretically describe the mechanism of the digital economy that affects total-factor energy efficiency and empirically analyze the impact of digital economy development on total-factor energy efficiency using data from 275 cities at the prefecture level and above in China from 2011 to 2019. We found that the digital economy has significantly improved total-factor energy efficiency. We used instrumental variable estimation and the replacement of explanatory variables to test the robustness of our results, finding that our conclusions were valid. Technological innovation, industrial structure optimization, and resource misallocation improvement are the channels through which the digital economy affects total-factor energy efficiency. Resource misallocation at the city level as the intermediary variable was this paper’s research gap. Further research showed that the improvement effect of the total-factor energy efficiency in eastern regions and megacities was more evident under the influence of the digital economy. All regions in China should combine their resource endowments to further release the dividends of the digital economy, enabling it to best promote total-factor energy efficiency. The relevant departments of the government should also stimulate market demand and promote the deep integration and balanced development of the digital economy and energy industry in low-energy-efficiency cities.
From Greening to Meaning: Understanding the Content of Catholic Attitudes towards the Ecological Crisis
Authors: Daw Roland , Girardi Gherardo , Riva Silvia
Published: February 2023

The contribution of faith organisations to public discourse on the ecological crisis appears to be intensifying, leading some to conjecture that Christians are becoming more concerned with the environment. In social science research, this observation is generally understood as the greening of religion hypothesis. Empirical studies have tried to confirm this hypothesis for over three decades, but have generally returned the same, negative results. In this paper, we argue that the ill-fated preoccupation with quantifying the extent of Christian environmental concern has overlooked the more substantive investigation of how environmentally engaged Christians think, feel about, and perform the relationship between Christianity and the environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate environmental attitudes within a parish community. We surveyed 254 parishioners in the Catholic diocese of Salford, U.K. We used cluster analysis to identify groups of parishioners within the sample who exhibited especially pro-environmental attitudes. We then conducted a regression analysis on the relationships between the individuals’ beliefs and the number of pro-environmental actions they performed. We found that, on the one hand, belief in the importance of caring for the environment to the Catholic faith does not result in parishioners being more ecologically active, consistent with existing findings in the literature. On the other hand, however, the importance of care for the environment to one’s own religious practice results in parishioners being more ecologically active, consistent with the greening of religion hypothesis. These results point to the need for a much subtler analysis that considers the precise meaning of faith for Christian parishioners. We conclude with recommendations for further investigation of the greening of religion that can generate more detailed hypotheses from the greater level of detail afforded by this study.
The Role of Work Engagement in Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic among Mental Healthcare Workers: An Italian Study to Improve Work Sustainability during Emergency Situations
Authors: Fietta Valentina , Bertoldo Francesca , Gasperi Lorenzo , Mazza Cristina , Roma Paolo , Monaro Merylin
Published: February 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers faced an emergency that had significant psychological impacts on them. In this study, an investigation regarding work engagement as a protective factor for well-being was conducted on a sample of Italian healthcare workers in the field of mental health. Correlation and linear regression analyses were run on scores of standardized questionnaires about work engagement, burnout, resilience, stress, and coping strategies. Results indicate that work engagement is positively correlated with resilience, while it is negatively correlated with burnout and stress, particularly caused by personal attacks at work. As concerns the use of functional or dysfunctional coping strategies, negative correlations between work engagement and problem avoidance and emotional distress strategies were found. In conclusion, work engagement was confirmed to be an important protective factor that should be promoted among mental healthcare professionals to help them deal with health emergencies and to improve the psychological sustainability of the work.
What Predicts Behavioral Intention in Eco-Friendly Hotels? The Roles of Tourist’s Perceived Value and Satisfaction: A Case Study of Thailand
Authors: Kokkhangplu Akkhaporn , Onlamai Wanida , Chokpreedapanich Tananat , Phikul Kraisak
Published: February 2023

Currently, the hospitality industry is related to environmental issues, generating both positive and negative impacts for the earth. Tourists are interested in staying and spending money in hotels that care about the environment. Based on the previous research in the hotel industry, empirical studies showed a relationship between perceived value and tourist satisfaction in general. Consequentially, this study aimed to empirically investigate the relationship between eco-friendly perceived value (EFPV), tourist satisfaction (TS) and behavioral intention to revisit eco-friendly hotels (BIVE) in Thailand. Data was collected from tourists who used to stay in an eco-friendly hotel in Thailand. This study investigated the mediation of TS in the relationship between EFPV and BIVE. Accordingly, the method employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to appraise the hypotheses. The results showed significant positive influences between EFPV, TS and BIVE. Moreover, EFPV and TS had significant and direct positive impacts on BIVE. Additionally, TS partially mediates the relationship between EFPV and BIVE. Regarding the finding, the theoretical and practical implications for enhancing EFPV and promoting TS toward increasing BIVE in the hotel industry are proposed in this study.
Turbo-Roundabouts as an Instrument for Improving the Efficiency and Safety in Urban Area: An Italian Case Study
Authors: Leonardi Salvatore , Distefano Natalia
Published: February 2023

In recent years, numerous turbo-roundabouts have been built in many European countries. To date, there are no turbo-roundabouts in Italy and even the regulations do not provide for their implementation. Turbo-roundabouts are considered the ideal alternative to multi-lane roundabouts as they have numerous advantages. However, they offer better operational performance only for specific traffic flow distributions. This research used the case study of an important and complex urban arterial road in eastern Sicily, Italy, to compare the operational and safety performance between multi-lane roundabouts and turbo-roundabouts. The evaluations were carried out with two simulation software: (1) AIMSUN Next 20.0.1 (operational performance); (2) SSAM 3.0 (safety performance). The results show that at medium/low traffic volumes, multi-lane roundabouts are significantly superior to turbo-roundabouts in terms of operational performance. At high traffic volumes, the operational performance of turbo-roundabouts improves significantly. As regards the safety parameters, for turbo-roundabouts there is always an increase in the TTC and PET, a reduction in maximum speeds and decelerations. There is also a significant decrease in conflict points. Ultimately, the safety and efficiency performance of turbo-roundabouts should: (1) Encourage administrations to replace the multi-lane roundabouts (illegal in Italy) with turbo-roundabouts; (2) encourage Italian legislators to revise intersection design legislation to include turbo-roundabouts among possible design solutions.
Evolution Process and Characteristics of Multifactor Flows in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Licheng Village in Hebei, China
Authors: Li Zhi , Liu Jinsong
Published: February 2023

This paper, taking a typical agricultural village in China as an example, explored the evolution process and characteristics of rural population flows, capital flows and information flows since the reform and opening up in 1978, using a social survey and spatial analysis. The daily mobility of the rural population constantly increased around the township and central village. The volume of rural capital flows was increased. The income of residents mainly came from the township and central village, and consumption was concentrated in the county, township, central village and online network. Rural information flows developed significantly, showing typical translocality. Additionally, rural production space and living space were constantly restructured, and physical space and virtual space intertwined, forming new features of urban and rural spatial–coordinated development and a hybridity of rural space. In conclusion, affected by the dominant economic form, the evolution process of rural population flows, capital flows and information flows had obvious stage characteristics, and there were guidance, promotion and competition relationships among the three factor flows. Daily mobility was a more objective representation of the rural evolution process. Additionally, the study proposed the theory and spatio-temporal model of rural multifactor flows.
Preliminary Results of the Introduction of Dicotyledonous Meadow Species
Authors: Janicka Maria , Pawluśkiewicz Bogumiła , Gnatowski Tomasz
Published: February 2023

The reintroduction and introduction of native plant species is becoming more and more important in the restoration of plant communities. The study aimed to determine the possibility of predicting the effectiveness of the introduction of dicotyledonous species into impoverished patches of meadows in the landscape nature reserve in the proglacial valley of the Vistula River (Poland). Fourteen species planted into the soil from seedlings, after growing them from seeds in pots, in pure stands were assessed. Field studies were carried out in 2015–2017 on post-bog soil. Parameters of plant development and growth that were analysed included, among others, range, condition and height of shoots (vegetative and generative). Based on the biometric parameters, a statistical analysis (PCA, analysis of variance, decision tree) was performed. It was found that the range, i.e., the spread of the population, did not determine the classification of species into groups with a different nature of development after introduction. This classification was mainly determined by the plant condition in the following years after the introduction (over 3.4 on a 5-point scale), and the occurrence of generative shoots in the second year after planting. The group with the highest potential efficiency of introduction included three species: Achillea millefolium, Hypericum perforatum, Veronica longifolia. The failure of the introduction of other species resulted from their life form (two years old) and unfavourable weather conditions in the third year of study (2017), due to the high level of groundwater.
Sustainable Shaping of Lightweight Structures Created According to Different Methods
Authors: Bysiec Dominika
Published: February 2023

This paper presents the problem of the efficient shaping of spherical structures of geodesic domes, which is the basis for creating a regular octahedron, in the aspect of sustainable development. The proposed two methods of shaping covered by this study differ in the way the dividing points of the initial edges of the regular octahedron are connected, and, therefore, in the way the sphere is shaped. Using different methods, two families of domes with different lengths of struts but with a similar number of them were obtained. The conducted comparative analysis leads to the indication of this method of shaping the topology, thanks to which it is possible to obtain structures with less consumption of construction material, and, consequently, with less weight. Both the geometry and weight indicate the advantages of geodesic domes created using the first subdivision method. The selection of the appropriate method of shaping geodesic domes is a consequence of a sustainable design strategy. The presented structures in the form of geodesic domes, the basis of which is a regular octahedron, can be original, innovative coverings, while the detailed analysis carried out is intended to provide design guidelines that will facilitate both architects and designers.
Are Librarians Ready for Space Transformation? A Systematic Review of Spatial Literacy for Librarians
Authors: Jiang Yiping , Chen Yanhua , Wu Yanqi , Yang Xianlin , Yu Wenyan
Published: February 2023

To achieve transformation, libraries must undertake a profound and rapid reconfiguration of space. The spatial literacy competencies of librarians are directly related to the construction and service level of library spaces. This paper clarifies the concept of spatial literacy and its constituent elements. Using the method of systematic literature review, the current status of research on librarians’ spatial literacy is analyzed from three aspects: spatial theory, spatial method, and spatial practice by focusing on the trajectory of library space-related literature.
The Social Dimension of Corporate Sustainability: Review of an Evolving Research Field
Authors: Hogrefe Robin , Bohnet-Joschko Sabine
Published: February 2023

The social dimension of corporate sustainability has received increasing scholarly attention, especially during the last two decades. As a result, the research field is growing and evolving in different directions, yet currently missing a structured overview. The purpose of the present paper is to close this shortcoming by means of a scoping review of the relevant literature. A total of 53 papers have been identified for review through systematic database search. The research contributes to the academic discussion by providing the following key results: (1) an overview on the conceptual approach, definitions and industry/region-wise coverage of corporate social sustainability research; (2) a review and discussion of the key elements of the concept and (3) the identification and discussion of gaps and avenues to systematically develop the research field further. The results indicate a need for joint empirical and theoretical development, especially with stronger theoretical/conceptual discussions also from empirical research.
Direct and Indirect Infection Effects of Four Potent Fungal Isolates on the Survival and Performance of Fall Armyworm Larval Parasitoid Cotesia icipe
Authors: Chepkemoi Junitor , Fening Ken Okwae , Ambele Felicitas Chaba , Munywoki Joseph , Akutse Komivi Senyo
Published: February 2023

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, has recently invaded Africa where it is seriously threatening food security. Current management methods rely heavily on synthetic insecticides which are harmful to humans, the environment, and non-target beneficial insects. Cotesia icipe was recently identified as a major FAW-associated indigenous parasitoid causing a high parasitism rate on the pest in Kenya. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 7, ICIPE 41, ICIPE 78, and Beauveria bassiana ICIPE 621 against FAW. However, limited information is available on the interactions between these potent isolates and C. icipe. This study therefore assessed direct and indirect infection effects of these fungal isolates on C. icipe, induced 2nd instar FAW mortality, and parasitism rates of the infected C. icipe. Results showed that when C. icipe were directly exposed to dry conidia of the fungal isolates, ICIPE 7 and ICIPE 41 caused the highest (100%) C. icipe adult mortality seven days post-exposure. Both isolates also induced the highest FAW larval mortality of 55% and 53%, respectively. ICIPE 78 recorded the highest parasitism rates after direct infection. In the indirect exposure (fungal-infected FAW larvae exposed to the parasitoid), 1 × 109 conidia mL−1 recorded high C. icipe adult and FAW 2nd instar mortalities for all fungal isolates. This study provides an important baseline for effective fungal-based biopesticides development that could also be used in augmentative biological control. However, further studies are warranted to assess the performance of C. icipe in combination with these potent biopesticides in the field.
The Effect of Destination Brand Identity on Tourism Experience: The Case of the Pier-2 Art Center in Taiwan
Authors: Chiang Chien-Ting , Chen Ying-Chieh
Published: February 2023

This paper examines the tourism destination brand identity and brand experiences which can influence visitors’ intention to recommend. The study of the importance of destination brand identity and brand experiences in the context of Taiwan has shaped some important insights with the potential to enhance the attractiveness of cultural and creative sectors. In this study, this paper explores perceptions of destination brand identity (tourism brand perception and tourism brand self-concept) and brand experiences. The analysis draws upon data collected at the Pier-2 Art Center in Taiwan in 2019, using a self-administrated questionnaire survey. Both confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were applied. It has been found that the role of various constructs of a brand perception and a brand self-concept of the tourism brand identity during a visit to cultural and creative parks is on top of the list of concerns associated with visitors’ brand experience. An examination of the research comments concluded that the cultural and creative tourism sector about consumer demands and update the development of appropriate marketing strategies, thereby providing visitors to experience the brand characteristics within the creative arts sector.
The Dialectics of (Deep) Accessible Tourism and Reality—Hermeneutics of a Journey to Madrid
Authors: Farkas Jácint , Raffay Zoltán , Kárpáti József , Fekete-Frojimovics Zsófia , Dávid Lóránt Dénes
Published: February 2023

The authors have made an attempt in this case study, which is based on ‘subjective’ travel and existence experiences, for the indispensable separation of technical accessibility and fundamental or ‘deep’ accessibility—in both interpretation and application—and then to reconsider these concepts in their special philosophy-centred study, which is at the same time built on empirical inquiries and analyses. This is in line with a series of their publications in high-class periodicals. The authors are aware and understand at first sight that this hybrid analysis method has several shortcomings concerning objectivity expected by the academic community, and also concerning the verification of the findings with exact data. Nevertheless, they are convinced that in today’s world of transdisciplinarity, subjective and objective viewpoints are no longer dimensions mutually excluding each other in research. Accordingly, the ‘artificially’ created boundaries between ontological and epistemological philosophical approaches are not of substantial character either. In fact, their very necessity and even their existence can be questioned at certain types of applications (e.g., hermeneutical and Buddhist analytics). The experiences gained and analyses made by the authors make it clear that technical accessibility, and the interpretation and implementation of fundamental accessibility, as well as the control of these by the actual users, are still hindered by several obstacles. Additionally, the existence or lack of fundamental accessibility is a more significant issue than the mere fact of providing accessibility by technical solutions. Last but not least, it should be remarked that it is just the spirit of fundamental accessibility and its implementation in the real world that is capable of mostly meeting the personal needs for accessibility, which seems to be partially impossible. The paper is hermeneutic in nature, so it seeks to understand and interpret a phenomenon, and not to causally explain something. Accordingly, the reported data (both subjective and objective facts) serve the purpose of hermeneutics and not that of providing empirical proof.
Defining Psychological Factors of Cycling in Tehran City
Authors: Rashidi Mahdi , Seyedhosseini Seyed-Mohammad , Naderan Ali
Published: February 2023

Studying active transportation (walking or cycling) is widespread in American and European research. Studies which include latent variables (LV) are growing to identify the exact results of determining the strategies to increase the utility of active transportation (AT). LVs help us conduct more accurate research. LVs are defined as psychological factors such as feeling safe while you ride at night, and thus they are not subjective and hard to understand, but very important to consider in order to increase the utility of using AT modes. In the present paper, most of the previous studies on cycling were reviewed. Different variables, including subjective and LVs, were included to maximize using the bicycle utility and introduced to have better sight for future researchers to deal with modeling AT mode choice. This study applied the latent class analysis to a sample of 345 survey respondents in Tehran, the capital city of Iran, exploring the variables affecting cycling behavior and a confirmatory factor analysis, and a structural equation modeling (SEM) was developed. Results show the importance of having a ‘will’ for using a bicycle, especially in difficult situations, and in view of cultural barriers that affect women cyclists.
Optimal Energy Management for Hydrogen Economy in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Authors: Ferahtia Seydali , Rezk Hegazy , Ghoniem Rania M. , Fathy Ahmed , Alkanhel Reem , Ghonem Mohamed M.
Published: February 2023

Fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles (FCEVs) are mainly electrified by the fuel cell (FC) system. As a supplementary power source, a battery or supercapacitor (SC) is employed (besides the FC) to enhance the power response due to the slow dynamics of the FC. Indeed, the performance of the hybrid power system mainly depends on the required power distribution manner among the sources, which is managed by the energy management strategy (EMS). This paper considers an FCEV based on the proton exchange membrane FC (PEMFC)/battery/SC. The energy management strategy is designed to ensure optimum power distribution between the sources considering hydrogen consumption. Its main objective is to meet the electric motor’s required power with economic hydrogen consumption and better electrical efficiency. The proposed EMS combines the external energy maximization strategy (EEMS) and the bald eagle search algorithm (BES). Simulation tests for the Extra-Urban Driving Cycle (EUDC) and New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) profiles were performed. The test is supposed to be performed in typical conditions t = 25 °C on a flat road without no wind effect. In addition, this strategy was compared with the state machine control strategy, classic PI, and equivalent consumption minimization strategy. In terms of optimization, the proposed approach was compared with the original EEMS, particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based EEMS, and equilibrium optimizer (EO)-based EEMS. The results confirm the ability of the proposed strategy to reduce fuel consumption and enhance system efficiency. This strategy provides 26.36% for NEDC and 11.35% for EUDC fuel-saving and efficiency enhancement by 6.74% for NEDC and 36.19% for EUDC.
Multiverse as an Ensemble of Stable and Unstable Universes
Authors: Urbanowski Krzysztof
Published: February 2023

Estimates of the Higgs and top quark masses, mH≃125.10±0.14 [GeV] and mt≃172.76±0.30 [GeV], based on the experimental result place the Standard Model in the region of the metastable vacuum. A consequence of the metastability of the Higgs vacuum is that it should induce the decay of the electroweak vacuum in the early Universe with catastrophic consequences. It may happen that certain universes were lucky enough to survive the time of canonical decay, that is the exponential decay, and live longer. This means that it is reasonable to analyze conditions allowing for that. We analyze the properties of an ensemble of universes with unstable vacua considered as an ensemble of unstable systems from the point of view of the quantum theory of unstable states. We found some symmetry relations for quantities characterizing the metastable state. We also found a relation linking the decay rate Γ of the metastable vacuum state with the Hubble parameter H(t), which may help to explain why a universe with an unstable vacuum that lives longer then the canonical decay times does not necessarily decay.
Comparison of Seed Images with Geometric Models, an Approach to the Morphology of Silene (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Martín-Gómez José Javier , Rodríguez-Lorenzo José Luis , Janoušek Bohuslav , Juan Ana , Cervantes Emilio
Published: February 2023

Seed morphological description is traditionally based on adjectives, which originated from the comparison with other shapes, including geometric figures. Nevertheless, descriptions based on this feature are not quantitative and measurements giving the percentage of similarity of seeds with reference figures are not available in the literature. Lateral views of Silene seeds resemble the cardioid and cardioid-derived figures. Dorsal views, nonetheless, resemble ellipses and derivatives, allowing seed shape quantification by comparison with defined geometric figures. In this work, we apply already-described models as well as new models to the morphological analysis of 51 Silene species. Our data revealed the existence of a link between lateral and dorsal models. Lateral models closed in the hilum region (models LM2 and LM4) were associated with those convex models of the dorsal seed views (DM1-DM4, DM10). Lateral models more open around the hilum region adjusted to seeds characterized as dorso canaliculata type better, i.e., to those geometric models with partial concavities in their dorsal views. The relationship between lateral and dorsal models, as well as between the models to their utility in taxonomy, is discussed.
PCM-Impregnated Textile-Reinforced Cementitious Composite for Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Guimarães Túlio Caetano , Gomes Otavio da Fonseca Martins , Oliveira de Araújo Olga Maria , Tadeu Lopes Ricardo , da-Gloria M´hamed Yassin Rajiv , Toledo Filho Romildo Dias , Koenders Eddie , Caggiano Antonio , Mankel Christoph , Nazari Sam Mona , Mendes de Andrade Rodolfo Giacomim , Ferreira Saulo Rocha
Published: February 2023

The growing global energy demand requires solutions that improve energy efficiency in all sectors. The civil construction sector is responsible for a large part of global energy consumption. In this context, phase change materials (PCMs) can be incorporated into construction materials to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. The purpose of this study was to incorporate a PCM to jute fabric, applying it in civil construction as a reinforcement for cement matrices. In order to do that, a method of immersing jute fabric in liquid phase change material, and then coating it with a polymer, was proposed. Treated jute fabric was then used to produce a laminated composite with a cementitious matrix. Morphological, mechanical and chemical characterization of jute textiles was performed, as well as an analysis of the composites’ mechanical and thermal behavior. The results verified that jute textiles absorbed 102% PCM in weight, which was successfully contained in the capillary porosity of jute. The PCM was able to delay the composite’s temperature increase by up to 24 °C. It was concluded that this method can be used to incorporate PCM to natural textiles, producing composites with thermal energy storage properties.
[18F]FDG PET/CT: Lung Nodule Evaluation in Patients Affected by Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Airò Farulla Lighea Simona , Travaini Laura Lavinia , Cuomo Mariarosaria , Galetta Domenico , Mattana Francesco , Frassoni Samuele , Buonsanti Giuseppe , Muraglia Lorenzo , Zuccotti Giulia Anna , Bagnardi Vincenzo , Spaggiari Lorenzo , Ceci Francesco
Published: February 2023

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is generally characterized by low-FDG avidity, and [18F]FDG-PET/CT is not recommended to stage the primary tumor. However, its role to assess metastases is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in correctly identifying RCC lung metastases using histology as the standard of truth. The records of 350 patients affected by RCC were retrospectively analyzed. The inclusion criteria were: (a) biopsy- or histologically proven RCC; (b) Computed Tomography (CT) evidence of at least one lung nodule; (c) [18F]FDG-PET/CT performed prior to lung surgery; (d) lung surgery with histological analysis of surgical specimens; (e) complete follow-up available. A per-lesion analysis was performed, and diagnostic accuracy was reported as sensitivity and specificity, using histology as the standard of truth. [18F]FDG-PET/CT semiquantitative parameters (Standardized Uptake Value [SUVmax], Metabolic Tumor Volume [MTV] and Total Lesion Glycolysis [TLG]) were collected for each lesion. Sixty-seven patients with a total of 107 lesions were included: lung metastases from RCC were detected in 57 cases (53.3%), while 50 lesions (46.7%) were related to other lung malignancies. Applying a cut-off of SUVmax ≥ 2, the sensitivity and the specificity of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in detecting RCC lung metastases were 33.3% (95% CI: 21.4–47.1%) and 26% (95%CI: 14.6–40.3%), respectively. Although the analysis demonstrated a suboptimal diagnostic accuracy of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in discriminating between lung metastases from RCC and other malignancies, a semiquantitative analysis that also includes volumetric parameters (MTV and TLG) could support the correct interpretation of [18F]FDG-PET/CT images.
Editorial of the Special Issue “Toxins: Mr Hyde or Dr Jekyll?”
Authors: Ladant Daniel , Prévost Gilles , Popoff Michel R. , Benoit Evelyne
Published: February 2023

The 27th Annual Meeting of the French Society of Toxinology (SFET, http://sfet [...]
Interaction between Development Intensity: An Evaluation of Alternative Spatial Weight Matrices
Authors: Li Manman , Cui Mengying , Levinson David
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates the spatial dependency of job and worker densities for the Minneapolis–St. Paul (Twin Cities) metropolitan area using census block level data from 2002 to 2017. A spatial weight matrix is proposed, considering the statistical expression of data, referred to as the correlation matrix, which detects the variations of dependencies among spatial units in both direction and level. The superior performance of the correlation matrix is demonstrated through a series of spatial regression models to predict land use patterns, in comparison with the conventionally used adjacency matrix as well as the accessibility matrix.
Special Issue: “Evolution, Ecology and Diversity of Plant Virus”
Authors: Yin Mengxue , Xu Wenxing
Published: February 2023

The next-generation sequencing method was developed in the second half of the 2000s and marked the beginning of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) analyses of viral communities [...]
Short and Long-Term Cardiovascular Sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Narrative Review Focusing on Athletes
Authors: Monosilio Sara , Prosperi Silvia , Squeo Maria Rosaria , Spataro Stefano , Spataro Antonio , Maestrini Viviana
Published: February 2023

Cardiovascular (CV) involvement after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection was found to be frequent among the general population, especially in the pre-vaccination era, and particularly for hospitalized patients or those who experienced a more severe course of the disease. The spectrum of CV disease varies; however, acute myocarditis is particularly fearsome for the athletic population due to the possible associated risk of malignant arrhythmias during training. Alarming percentages of CV injuries, even in young and healthy athletes with a benign course of the disease, arose from a few initial studies limited to case series. Subsequent single-center studies and larger observational registries reported a lower prevalence of SARS-CoV2 CV involvement in athletes. Studies showing the occurrence of CV adverse events during follow-up periods are now available. The objective of our narrative review is to provide an updated summary of the literature on CV involvement after coronavirus disease 2019, both in the early post-infection period and over a longer period of time, with a focus on athletic populations.
Caffeic Acid Has Antiviral Activity against Ilhéus Virus In Vitro
Authors: Saivish Marielena Vogel , Pacca Carolina Colombelli , da Costa Vivaldo Gomes , de Lima Menezes Gabriela , da Silva Roosevelt Alves , Nebo Liliane , da Silva Gislaine Celestino Dutra , de Aguiar Milhim Bruno Henrique Gonçalves , da Silva Teixeira Igor , Henrique Tiago , Mistrão Natalia Franco Bueno , Hernandes Victor Miranda , Zini Nathalia , de Carvalho Ana Carolina , Fontoura Marina Alves , Rahal Paula , Sacchetto Lívia , Marques Rafael Elias , Nogueira Maurício Lacerda
Published: February 2023

Ilhéus virus (ILHV) is a neglected mosquito-borne flavivirus. ILHV infection may lead to Ilhéus fever, an emerging febrile disease like dengue fever with the potential to evolve into a severe neurological disease characterized by meningoencephalitis; no specific treatments are available for this disease. This study assessed the antiviral properties of caffeic acid, an abundant component of plant-based food products that is also compatible with the socioeconomic limitations associated with this neglected infectious disease. The in vitro activity of caffeic acid on ILHV replication was investigated in Vero and A549 cell lines using plaque assays, quantitative RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence assays. We observed that 500 µM caffeic acid was virucidal against ILHV. Molecular docking indicated that caffeic acid might interact with an allosteric binding site on the envelope protein.
Prognostic Prediction for Therapeutic Effects of Mutian on 324 Client-Owned Cats with Feline Infectious Peritonitis Based on Clinical Laboratory Indicators and Physical Signs
Authors: Katayama Masato , Uemura Yukina
Published: February 2023

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal disease classified as either effusive, non-effusive (‘dry’), or a mixture (‘mixed’) of the forms of FIP, with mixed showing signs of both effusive and dry. To determine whether the therapeutic effect of Mutian on dry and mixed FIP can be predicted using clinical indicators before starting treatment, we entered 161 cats with mixed FIP and 163 cats with dry FIP into this study. Physical assessments, the reverse transcriptase-PCR detection of viral genes, and clinical laboratory tests (hematocrit, albumin/globulin ratio, serum amyloid A, α1-acid glycoprotein, and total bilirubin) were performed before Mutian was administered. These indicators were compared between the FIP groups that survived after receiving Mutian for 84 days and those that died before the completion of treatment. Significant differences in body temperature, appetite, and activity scores were confirmed between the surviving and non-surviving groups. The therapeutic effect was insufficient when total bilirubin levels increased in cats with the mixed form. In both of the FIP types, therapeutic effects were difficult to obtain when neurological clinical signs were observed. The therapeutic effects of Mutian on the cats with dry and mixed FIP can be predicted based on pre-treatment body temperature, appetite scores, and activity scores, as well as the presence of neurological signs.
Research on the Early Warning Model for Pipelines Due to Landslide Geohazards under Multiple Influencing Factors
Authors: Ning Po , Jiang Yuan-jun , Tang Jun-jie , Xie Qi-jun
Published: February 2023

Because of the wide distribution of overland oil and gas pipelines, some pipelines will unavoidably pass through landslide-prone mountainous areas. Landslides may cause deformation or even damage to pipelines, affecting the normal working of the pipeline system. Therefore, it is necessary to study the multiple influence factors of pipeline deformation caused by landslides and establish a forewarning model for oil and gas pipelines buried in landslides. In the present research, the field investigation and a series of large deformation numerical simulations are conducted along four pipelines located in the southeast region of China. Results show that small soil landslides are the main types of landslides threatening the safety of pipelines, whose deformation degree mainly depends on the scale of the landslides and the location of the pipelines in the landslides. Through the investigation, the scale of landslides is the main factor determining the deformation of pipelines induced by landslides. Considering the variation of the scale of landslides, with the increase of the angles, thicknesses, and lengths of the landslides, the pipeline deformation keeps increasing. When crossing the landslides laterally, the pipeline buried in the leading edge of landslides is safer than in the tail edge. What is more, it is most dangerous when the pipeline is buried in the middle of a landslide. Considering the variation of the scale of landslides, including the longitudinal length, horizontal width, thickness, and slope of landslides, as well as the location of pipelines in the landslides, a piecewise forewarning model including those parameters was established based on the influence function for crossing pipelines in landslides. The proposed forewarning model can be used for monitoring and evaluating landslide geological disasters of pipelines and reduce the risk of pipeline landslide geological hazards in the monitored area effectively.
Effect of Artificial (Pond) Recharge on the Salinity and Groundwater Level in Al-Dibdibba Aquifer in Iraq Using Treated Wastewater
Authors: Hassan Waqed H. , Ghanim Abdulnoor A. J. , Mahdi Karrar , Adham Ammar , Mahdi Fatima A. , Nile Basim K. , Riksen Michel , Ritsema Coen
Published: February 2023

Groundwater is one of the most important water resources in Iraq, so efficient management of storage, recharge, and consumption rates is required, for maintaining the sustainability of groundwater supplies. Some of the most valuable methods for ensuring the long-term sustainability of groundwater aquifers are those that provide artificial recharge. This study was conducted to determine the effect of artificial recharge on groundwater levels and quality in Iraq’s Dibdibba unconfined aquifer, utilizing groundwater modeling system software (GMS). Reclaimed water (tertiary treatment) from Kerbala’s central wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was used as raw water to recharge the aquifer. The effects of this artificial recharge were determined using built-up groundwater flow (MODFLOW) and dissolved transport (MT3DMS) simulation models. Model calibration and validation were implemented based on groundwater monitoring data from 2016 to 2017. The model matched observed elevations at R2 = 0.96 for steady state and R2 = 0.92 in transient state simulations. After the 3D numerical model was calibrated and validated, two scenarios were explored based on the daily production of 5000 and 10,000 m3/d from Karbala’s WWTP. The results indicated that the pumping of the treated wastewater through the pond would increase water levels by more than 20 cm for more than 78.2 and 110 km2 for pumping rates of 5000 and 10,000 m3/day, respectively. More than 40 km2 would be added (reclaimed) to the agricultural areas in the region as a result of the use of artificial recharge using a pond. Groundwater quality was also improved, as the TDS decreased by more than 55%, down to 1900 ppm, and the EC decreased by more than 68%, down to 1500 µ.S/cm. The findings of this study can assist decision-makers in developing strategies to reduce water scarcity and adapt to climate change.
Factors Affecting the dividend payout: Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aman Qaiser , Altass Sultan , Qadri Faran Ahmad
Published: February 2023

Businesses need financing and investors need higher returns. Both are indispensable for each other. Keeping in view the above fact, the current study examined the dividend payout factors affecting the Saudi cement industry. Secondary data are used to investigate the mentioned purpose over the period from 2006 to 2020. It was noticed that cement industry has become crucial for all other industries in general and particularly to the construction industry of Saudi Arabia. The study has employed the regression examination to explore the association regarding endogenous and exogenous variables. The present study has used the dividend payout ratio as an endogenous variable, while exogenous variables are liquidity (CR), profitability (ROA), FS (Firm Size), and financial leverage. The study reported that ROA has statistical significant and positive association with depended variable i.e. (dividend disbursement ratio). ROA is an important predictor of dividend payout, while FS, LEV, and CR have reported insignificant association with the dividend payout ratio. Cement industry of Saudi Arabia and investors would benefit from the current findings.
Simulações numéricas para aproximações de integrais
Authors: Alves Railson de Medeiros Nóbrega , de Abreu Kelyane Barboza , Soares Jean Pereira
Published: February 2023

Dentre os resultados mais interessantes e importantes do Cálculo Diferencial e Integral, podemos destacar o Teorema Fundamental do Cálculo. Ele estabelece uma interessante relação entre o cálculo integral e o cálculo diferencial. O primeiro, motivado pelo cálculo de áreas e o segundo, já aparecia desde antes no contexto de dinâmica. Existem inúmeras aplicações do Teorema Fundamental do Cálculo, quando se trata de calcular comprimentos, áreas e volumes. No entanto, existem certas funções que são extremamente complicadas de se encontrar suas primitivas ou, até mesmo, não existe uma primitiva em termos de funções elementares, ou, ainda, em casos de experimentos obtidos por análises, onde temos somente dados e não uma função que expresse esses números. Nesse sentido, a proposta do nosso artigo é apontar métodos de aproximações, obtidos por métodos numéricos no cálculo de integrais definidas, chamados de Integração Numérica, mais especificamente apresentando as técnicas do trapézio e 1/3 de Simpson para integrais numéricas utilizando a linguagem Python para resolver problemas matemáticos através de programação. Estas metodologias nos fornecem soluções numéricas com a precisão desejada, através de um erro pré-estabelecido.
Body Extension by Using Two Mobile Manipulators
Authors: Hirao Yusuke , Wan Weiwei , Kanoulas Dimitrios , Harada Kensuke
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a remotely operated robotic system that includes two mobile manipulators to extend the functional capabilities of a human body. Compared with previous tele-operation or robotic body extension systems, using two mobile manipulators helps with enlarging the workspace and allowing manipulation of large or long objects. The system comprises a joystick for controlling the mobile base and robotic gripper, and a motion capture system for controlling the arm poses. They together enable tele-operated dual-arm and large-space manipulation. In the experiments, a human tele-operator controls the two mobile robots to perform tasks such as handover, long object manipulation, and cooperative manipulation. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed system, resulting in extending the human body to a large space while keeping the benefits of having two limbs.
A New Model Inspired by the Pompeii Worm to Reverse Overheating in Nanosatellites
Authors: Yazıcı Ayşe Meriç , Persson Erik
Published: February 2023

“Those who are inspired by a model other than Nature, a mistress above all masters, are labouring in vain.”

attributed to Leonardo DaVinci

Nanosatellites are exposed to extreme temperatures on the spacecraft surface, which can reach up to ±100 °C. In this paper, we suggest a novel solution to this challenge by the use of biomimicry. The imitation of the behavior of living creatures in nature is an attempt to understand and synthesize a natural object or phenomenon in an abstract or concrete form. This inspiration from living things in nature can come through the materials, processes, or designs we see around us, and there is no engineering effort involved. In nature, the best example of temperature reversal is the Pompeii worm. The Pompeii worm realizes the conversion of the excess heat it is exposed to into cooling inside a multilayered tube. In this work, inspired by the strategy of the Pompeii worm in reversing overheating, we present a new model for the overheating problem in nanosatellites.
Smart Cities Using Machine Learning and Intelligent Applications (ITALIC)
Authors: Giri Prawiyogi Anggy , Purnama Suryari , Meria Lista
Published: February 2023

The goal of smart cities is to properly manage to expand urbanization, Reduce energy usage, Enhance the economic and quality of life of the locals while also preserving the environment conditions, and improve people's ability to use and adapt modern technology used in information and communication efficiently (ICT). Information and communication technology (ICT) is central to the concept of smart cities because it facilitates the development of policies, decision-making, implementation, and, eventually, the provision of useful services. This review's main objective is to examine how machine learning, deep reinforcement learning (DRL), and artificial intelligence are advancing smart cities. The previous strategies are effectively utilized to provide the best policies possible for a number of challenging issues relating to smart cities. The uses of the earlier methods are thoroughly discussed in this survey. in intelligent transportation systems (ITSs), Cybersecurity, as well as smart grid energy efficiency (SGs), ensuring the best 5G and beyond 5G (B5G) networking service, as well as a smart city with a smart health system, by effectively using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Finally, we list a number of the above-mentioned research problems and potential future directions approaches can be extremely helpful in bringing the idea of a smart city to life.
Molecular doping principles in organic electronics: fundamentals and recent progress
Authors: Kim Tae Hoon , Kim Ji Hwan , Kang Keehoon
Published: February 2023

Molecular doping of organic semiconductors has been widely utilized to modulate the charge transport characteristics and charge carrier concentration of active materials for organic electronics such as organic photovoltaics, organic light-emitting diodes, and organic field-effect transistors. For the application of molecular doping to organic electronics, the fundamentals of molecular doping should be thoroughly understood in terms of doping mechanism, host and dopant materials, doping methodologies, and post-doping properties such as doping-induced structural/energetic disorder and doping stability. In this report, the fundamental understanding of molecular doping, types of dopants, doping methods, and their practical applications as organic field-effect transistors, organic photovoltaics, and organic thermoelectric are reviewed. Finally, key strategies for efficient molecular doping may exceed the trade-off relation between device performance and structural disorder.