bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid Triple Collocation-Deep Learning Approach for Improving Soil Moisture Estimation from Satellite and Model-Based Data
Authors: Ming Wenting , Ji Xuan , Zhang Mingda , Li Yungang , Liu Chang , Wang Yinfei , Li Jiqiu
Published: April 2022

Satellite retrieval and land surface models have become the mainstream methods for monitoring soil moisture (SM) over large regions; however, the uncertainty and coarse spatial resolution of these products limit their applications at the regional and local scales. We proposed a hybrid approach combining the triple collocation (TC) and the long short-term memory (LSTM) network, which was designed to generate a high-quality SM dataset from satellite and modeled data. We applied the proposed approach to merge SM data from Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), Global Land Data Assimilation System-Noah (GLDAS-Noah), and the land component of the fifth generation of European Reanalysis (ERA5-Land), and we then downscaled the merged SM data from 0.36° to 0.01° resolution based on the relationship between the SM data and auxiliary environmental variables (elevation, land surface temperature, vegetation index, surface albedo, and soil texture). The merged and downscaled SM results were validated against in situ observations. The results showed that: (1) the TC-based validation results were consistent with the in situ-based validation, indicating that the TC method was reasonable for the comparison and evaluation of satellite and modeled SM data. (2) TC-based merging was superior to simple arithmetic average merging when the parent products had large differences. (3) Downscaled SM of the TC-based merged product had better performance than that of the parent products in terms of ubRMSE and bias values, implying that the fusion of satellite and model-based SM data would result in better downscaling accuracy. (4) Downscaled SM of TC-based merged data not only improved the representation of the SM spatial variability but also had satisfactory accuracy with a median of R (0.7244), ubRMSE (0.0459 m3/m3), and bias (−0.0126 m3/m3). The proposed approach was effective for generating a SM dataset with fine resolution and reliable accuracy for wide hydrometeorological applications.
On Investigating the Dynamical Factors Modulating Surface Chlorophyll-a Variability along the South Java Coast
Authors: Mandal Samiran , Susanto Raden Dwi , Ramakrishnan Balaji
Published: April 2022

Twelve years of remotely sensed all-sat merged chlorophyll-a concentration unveils strong signatures of chlorophyll-a blooms along the south Java coast. An unprecedented three-times increase in chlorophyll-a concentration is significantly observed along the south Java coast during the southeast monsoon (June–October) than the northwest monsoon (December–April). The multiple regression analysis of dynamic factors evidently indicates that seasonal upwelling is predominantly controlled by the seasonally evolving coastal eddies associated with the seasonally reversing south Java coastal currents (SJCC) and Ekman mass transport (EMT), followed by the relative roles of sea surface temperature (SST) and wind stress curl. The eddy-induced upwelling and EMT-induced coastal upwelling lead to chlorophyll-a blooms during southeast monsoon, well-supported by the entrainment of cold and saline waters (thermocline doming) with low spiciness. On the other hand, the coastal eddies associated with SJCC and SST anomalies play a significant role in modulating the interannual surface chlorophyll-a variability in the domain. Intense chlorophyll-a blooms are observed during the positive IOD years, whereas the least chlorophyll-a concentration is observed during the negative IOD years. The unprecedentedly least chlorophyll-a concentrations during 2010 and 2016 are attributed to the intense and prolonged surface marine heatwaves.
Use of Wearable Sensors to Assess the Effects of Performing a Cognitive Task on Sensory Integration of Balance in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Tweel Emily , Stromberg Arnold J. , Gera Geetanjali
Published: April 2022

This study investigated the effects of performing a cognitive task on the sensory integration of balance in healthy individuals. Ten subjects (five F/five M; 21.5 ± 2.17 years; 69.9 ± 3.4 inches; 155.6 ± 26.1 lbs; Caucasian), without known balance issues, performed the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction of Balance (mCTSIB) with and without a cognitive task. The cognitive task involved counting down in threes from a randomly assigned number between 95 and 100. Postural sway area and postural sway jerk were assessed through the use of inertial sensors placed around the subjects’ lower lumbar region. Each subject performed four trials for the four conditions of the mCTSIB: eyes open firm (EOFirm), eyes closed firm (ECFirm), eyes open foam (EOFoam), and eyes closed foam (ECFoam). We tested the effect of performing a cognitive task on the sensory integration of balance. We hypothesized that sensory cognitive interaction would be more apparent for more complex conditions and would be better assessed with postural sway jerk compared to postural sway area measure. With the addition of a cognitive task for the mCTSIB: (1) postural sway area increased in the baseline condition, i.e., EOFirm (p < 0.05), but did not increase in the most difficult condition, i.e., ECFoam; (2) postural sway jerk increased in all conditions of the mCTSIB (p < 0.05); (3) cognitive performance did not deteriorate across conditions of the mCTSIB. Postural sway jerk was shown to be a more sensitive measure in detecting the effect of a cognitive task on sensory integration for postural control. Overall, inertial sensors can be used to reliably assess postural sway differences related to sensory–cognitive integration.
Effect of Finite-Sized Optical Components and Pixels on Light-Field Imaging through Correlated Light
Authors: Massaro Gianlorenzo , Di Lena Francesco , D’Angelo Milena , Pepe Francesco V.
Published: April 2022

Diffraction-limited light-field imaging has been recently achieved by exploiting light spatial correlations measured on two high-resolution detectors. As in conventional light-field imaging, the typical operations of refocusing and 3D reconstruction are based on ray tracing in a geometrical optics context, and are thus well defined in the ideal case, both conceptually and theoretically. However, some properties of the measured correlation function are influenced by experimental features such as the finite size of apertures, detectors, and pixels. In this work, we take into account realistic experimental conditions and analyze the resulting correlation function through theory and simulation. We also provide an expression to evaluate the pixel-limited resolution of the refocused images, as well as a strategy for eliminating artifacts introduced by the finite size of the optical elements.
Behavior of Low-Cost Receivers in Base-Rover Configuration with Geodetic-Grade Antennas
Authors: Sanna Giannina , Pisanu Tonino , Garau Salvatore
Published: April 2022

The main goal of this research was to evaluate the performances of the ZED-F9P-Ublox low-cost GNSS receiver in a base-rover real configuration. We realized a base configuration with two permanent stations based on the ZED-F9P and two geodetic antennas and the rover configuration based on another ZED-F9P and an ANN-MB-00-00 Multi-band (L1, L2/E5b/B2I) active GNSS u-blox antenna. In the calculation of the reference stations, we compared the solutions with the ZED-F9P receiver and a professional receiver. Comparison showed greater variability in the solutions, but the coordinate values were in very good agreement. Standard deviations were in the order of a few millimeters. On the rover side, two car tests were performed in two different environments, one in an extra-urban environment with a long baseline of approximately 30 km in an open sky area with varying visibility and shielded locations, the other one in an urban area around a circle approximately 10 km in diameter with the presence of buildings and open sectors. The results of the measurements were very good, with more than 95% of fixed solutions in real-time and a time to fix on reacquisition of 1 or 2 s. Moreover, real-time kinematic solutions were in good agreement with the post-processed ones, showing that less than 5% of differences were above 30 mm in the horizontal component and 100 mm in the vertical component.
Wideband Filtering Slot Antenna Design with Stable Gain Using Characteristic Mode Analysis
Authors: Ni Chao , Wen Biyang , Wu Weijun , Ren Ping
Published: April 2022

A filtering slot antenna with a simple structure combination using characteristic mode analysis (CMA) is proposed. To realize filtering characteristics, characteristic magnetic currents of line and ring slots are analyzed and designed. Then, the folding-line slot and double-ring slot are selected to realize radiation null separately and combined to construct the basic slot antenna. By properly exciting the selected characteristic modes, a wide filtering bandwidth and a stable gain are obtained. To validate the design process, a prototype antenna with a finite ground plane of about 1.1 λ × 1.1 λ is designed and fabricated. Simulated and measured results agree well, which both show a sharping roll rate in the lower and higher frequency and a flat gain realization in the pass band. The filtering bandwidth is 32.7%, the out-of-band suppression level at the higher frequency is over 20 dB, and the gain in the working frequency varies from 3.9 to 5.2 dB.
A Low-Current and Multi-Channel Chemiresistor Array Sensor Device
Authors: Wang Zaiqi , Shang Guojun , Dinh Dong , Yan Shan , Luo Jin , Huang Aimin , Yang Lefu , Lu Susan , Zhong Chuan-Jian
Published: April 2022

This paper describes the design of a low-current, multichannel, handheld electronic device integrated with nanostructured chemiresistor sensor arrays. A key design feature of the electronic circuit board is its low excitation current for achieving optimal performance with the arrays. The electronics can rapidly acquire the resistances for different sensors, not only spanning several orders of magnitude, but also as high as several hundreds of megaohms. The device tested is designed using a chemiresistor array with nanostructured sensing films prepared by molecularly-mediated assemblies of gold nanoparticles for detection. The low-current, wide-range, and auto-locking capabilities, along with the effective coupling with the nanostructured chemiresistor arrays, meet the desired performances of a low excitation current and low power consumption, and also address the potential instability of the sensors in a complex sensing environment. The results are promising for potential applications of the device as a portable sensor for the point-of-need monitoring of air quality and as a biosensor for point-of-care human breath screening for disease biomarkers.
Electrochemical Cytosensor Based on a Gold Nanostar-Decorated Graphene Oxide Platform for Gastric Cancer Cell Detection
Authors: Zhang Amin , Liu Qianwen , Huang Zhicheng , Zhang Qian , Wang Ruhao , Cui Daxiang
Published: April 2022

Effectively capturing and sensitively detecting cancer cells are critical to clinical diagnosis and cancer therapy. In this work, we prepared gold nanostar-decorated graphene oxide (GO-AuNSs) nanocomposites using a ultraviolet (UV)-induced strategy, and then modified them with a layer of bio-complex rBSA-FA (coupled reduced bovine serum albumin with folic acid) to generate GO-AuNSs@rBSA-FA nanocomposites. Herein, the application of GO and AuNSs not only strengthened the conductivity of the sensing platform but also guaranteed nanocomposites with biocompatible performance. Moreover, the adopted rBSA-FA layer could effectively enhance the stability and specificity towards gastric cancer cells (MGC-803). According to a systemic construction procedure, a novel electrochemical cytosensor based on GO-AuNSs@rBSA-FA was fabricated for MGC-803 cell detection. With the assistance of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the cytosensor reached a detection limit of 100 cell/mL in a wide linear range of 3 × 102~7 × 106 cell/mL towards MGC-803 cells. The good electrochemical characteristics for the cancer cell analysis indicate a promising prospect of this electrochemical cytosensor in clinical cancer diagnosis.
Preparation of Smart Surfaces Based on PNaSS@PEDOT Microspheres: Testing of E. coli Detection
Authors: Tomšík Elena , Laishevkina Svetlana , Svoboda Jan , Gunar Kristýna , Hromádková Jiřina , Shevchenko Natalia
Published: April 2022

The main task of the research is to acquire fundamental knowledge about the effect of polymer structure on the physicochemical properties of films. A novel meta-material that can be used in manufacturing sensor layers was developed as a model. At the first stage, poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PNaSS) cross-linked microspheres are synthesized (which are based on strong polyelectrolytes containing sulfo groups in each monomer unit), and at the second stage, PNaSS@PEDOT microspheres are formed. The poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) shell was obtained by the acid-assisted self-polymerization of the monomer; this process is biologically safe and thus suitable for biomedical applications. The suitability of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for E. coli detection was tested; it was revealed that the attached bacterial wall was destroyed upon application of constant oxidation potential (higher than 0.5 V), which makes the PNaSS@PEDOT microsphere particles promising materials for the development of antifouling coatings. Furthermore, under open-circuit conditions, the walls of E. coli bacteria were not destroyed, which opens up the possibility of employing such meta-materials as sensor films. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, water contact angle, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction methods were applied in order to characterize the PNaSS@PEDOT films.
Non-Singular Finite Time Tracking Control Approach Based on Disturbance Observers for Perturbed Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: El-Sousy Fayez F. M. , Alattas Khalid A. , Mofid Omid , Mobayen Saleh , Asad Jihad H. , Skruch Paweł , Assawinchaichote Wudhichai
Published: April 2022

In this paper, a disturbance observer based on the non-singular terminal sliding mode control method was presented for the quadrotor in the presence of wind perturbation. First, the position and attitude dynamical equation of the quadrotor was introduced in the existence of windy perturbation. It was difficult to exactly determine the upper bound of the perturbations in the practical systems such as robot manipulators and quadrotor UAVs. Then, a disturbance observer was designed for the estimation of wind perturbation which was entered to the quadrotor system at any moment. Afterward, a non-singular terminal sliding surface was proposed based on the disturbance observer variable. Furthermore, finite time convergence of the closed-loop position and attitude models of the quadrotor was proved using Lyapunov theory concept. Unlike the existing methods, the new adaptive non-singular terminal sliding mode tracker for quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles enabled accurate tracking control, robust performance, and parameter tuning. Through the combination of the finite time tracker and disturbance observer, the position and attitude tracking of quadrotor UAVs could be accurately performed not only in the nominal environment but also in the existence of different types of perturbations. Finally, simulation results based on the recommended method were provided to validate the proficiency of the suggested method. Moreover, comparison results with another existing study were presented to prove the success of the proposed method.
Sensitive Electrochemical Non-Enzymatic Detection of Glucose Based on Wireless Data Transmission
Authors: Kim Young-Joon , Chinnadayyala Somasekhar R. , Le Hien T. Ngoc , Cho Sungbo
Published: April 2022

Miniaturization and wireless continuous glucose monitoring are key factors for the successful management of diabetes. Electrochemical sensors are very versatile and can be easily miniaturized for wireless glucose monitoring. The authors report a microneedle-based enzyme-free electrochemical wireless sensor for painless and continuous glucose monitoring. The microneedles (MNs) fabricated consist of a 3 × 5 sharp and stainless-steel electrode array configuration. Each MN in the 3 × 5 array has 575 µm × 150 µm in height and width, respectively. A glucose-catalyzing layer, porous platinum black, was electrochemically deposited on the tips of the MNs by applying a fixed cathodic current of 2.5 mA cm−2 for a period of 200 s. For the non-interference glucose sensing, the platinum (Pt)-black-coated MN was carefully packaged into a biocompatible ionomer, nafion. The surface morphologies of the bare and modified MNs were studied using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The wireless glucose sensor displayed a broad linear range of glucose (1→30 mM), a good sensitivity and higher detection limit of 145.33 μA mM−1 cm−2 and 480 μM, respectively, with bare AuMN as a counter electrode. However, the wireless device showed an improved sensitivity and enhanced detection limit of 445.75, 165.83 μA mM−1 cm−2 and 268 μM, respectively, with the Pt-black-modified MN as a counter electrode. The sensor also exhibited a very good response time (2 s) and a limited interference effect on the detection of glucose in the presence of other electroactive oxidizing species, indicating a very fast and interference-free chronoamperometric response.
Low-SNR Infrared Point Target Detection and Tracking via Saliency-Guided Double-Stage Particle Filter
Authors: Jia Liangjie , Rao Peng , Zhang Yuke , Su Yueqi , Chen Xin
Published: April 2022

Low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) infrared point target detection and tracking is crucial to study regarding infrared remote sensing. In the low-SNR images, the intensive noise will submerge targets. In this letter, a saliency-guided double-stage particle filter (SGDS-PF) formed by the searching particle filter (PF) and tracking PF is proposed to detect and track targets. Before the searching PF, to suppress noise and enhance targets, the single-frame and multi-frame target accumulation methods are introduced. Besides, the likelihood estimation filter and image block segmentation are proposed to extract the likelihood saliency and obtain proper proposal density. Guided by this proposal density, the searching PF detects potential targets efficiently. Then, with the result of the searching PF, the tracking PF is adopted to track and confirm the potential targets. Finally, the path of the real targets will be output. Compared with the existing methods, the SGDS-PF optimizes the proposal density for low-SNR images. Using a few accurate particles, the searching PF detects potential targets quickly and accurately. In addition, initialized by the searching PF, the tracking PF can keep tracking targets using very few particles even under intensive noise. Furthermore, the parameters have been selected appropriately through experiments. Extensive experimental results show that the SGDS-PF has an outstanding performance in tracking precision, tracking reliability, and time consumption. The SGDS-PF outperforms the other advanced methods.
Internet of Things for Sustainable Smart Education: An Overview
Authors: Zeeshan Khaula , Hämäläinen Timo , Neittaanmäki Pekka
Published: April 2022

In the realm of fourth-generation industrialization, there will be great demand for a skilled workforceTo produce a skilled workforce, we need sustainable education with quality and equity. Conventional ways of delivering and managing education would not fulfil the demands of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). Disruptive technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT), have great potential in revolutionizing the current educational setup. Therefore, this research work aims to present an overview of the capabilities of IoT applications in educational settings. Our research article digs into recent research carried out referring to IoT applications in education and provides a detailed insight into the topic from three different perspectives, i.e., from the perspective of school management, teachers, and learners. The present research explains the ways in which IoT has been applied for the benefit of school managers, teachers, and learners, showcased in the recent literature. The paper also sheds light on bottlenecks for IoT applications and explains security, privacy, scalability, reliability, and dehumanization as main constraints in IoT applications in educational settings.
Human Systematic Innovation Helix: Knowledge Management, Emotional Intelligence and Entrepreneurial Competency
Authors: Blázquez Puerta Carmen Dolores , Bermúdez-González Guillermo , Soler García Ismael P.
Published: April 2022

This study analyzes the relationship between the innovation capacity of Spanish companies through the ability to obtain their information through the integration of these three variables: knowledge management, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurial competency of Spanish executives. The questionnaires were distributed to executives of companies from different sectors of activity. The sample consists of 241 executives. The hypothesis was examined by structural equation modeling. Regarding the direct effects, the hypothesis testing result proves that the knowledge management of executives exerts a positive effect on Innovation, and, the entrepreneurial competency of executives exerts a positive effect on innovation. However, the influence of EI on innovation is not significant. The indirect effect shows that the integration of knowledge management, emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial competency of executives exert a positive statistical effect on Innovation at enterprises. This paper contributes with both, scientific and socio-economic impacts. Scientific impact, generating new knowledge that strengthens the value of executives as a catalyst for innovation; and, socio-economic impact, originating the human systematic innovation helix, a new socio-economic management tool to develop knowledge management capacity, socio-emotional abilities, and entrepreneurial competencies of executives, which acts as a lever to boost the results of innovation at companies.
Implementing Sustainable Development Concept: A Typology of Family Firms in Poland
Authors: Domańska Ada , Więcek-Janka Ewa , Zajkowski Robert
Published: April 2022

For companies, sustainable development generally represents a long-term business orientation towards social, economic and environmental well-being. The concept has gained momentum among researchers partly due to the necessity of finding a modern approach to business development that does not deprive the next generation of the opportunity to meet its own needs. Based on a sample of 333 Polish family firms, three groups of businesses were isolated (via k-means clustering) on the basis of low, medium and high deployment of pro-sustainability initiatives. This paper aims to investigate whether family firms demonstrating divergent levels of sustainable development express between-group differences. Measuring diversity using ANOVA with post hoc testing produced results associating business growth and higher levels of family involvement (e.g., via increased participation of family members from different generations in firm management) with the increased absorption of sustainable solutions and actions. These findings support notions from social identity theory suggesting that groups significantly shape the individual identities of their members. This means that family members inclined to implement sustainable development initiatives are likely to stimulate each other to introduce particular solutions and actions in praxis.
Assessment of Species Composition and Community Structure of the Suburban Forest in Hangzhou, Eastern China
Authors: Yao Liangjin , Wang Zhigao , Zhan Xiaohao , Wu Weizhi , Jiang Bo , Jiao Jiejie , Yuan Weigao , Zhu Jinru , Ding Yi , Li Tingting , Yang Shaozong , Wu Chuping
Published: April 2022

The forest community structure and dynamic structure provide basic data for in-depth study of the community maintenance mechanisms and succession processes of urban forest ecosystems. Moreover, the study on the dynamics of suburban forest communities can provide a reference for the succession process of forest communities under severe human disturbance. In this context, this study analyzes the species composition and community structure of a 6 ha subtropical secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest plot in Wuchaoshan National Forest Park, Hangzhou, Eastern China. There are 36,757 existing woody plants (with DBH ≥ 1 cm), belonging to 94 species (45 evergreen species, and 48 deciduous species) in 63 genera of 34 families, with a plant density of 6126 plants/ha. The overall size–class distribution shows an obvious inverted “J” shape. Species with the top-five important values in the sample are Schima superba, Camellia fraternal, Symplocos anomala, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Eurya rubiginosa, accounting for 57.3% of all individuals within the sample. In addition, different species have different habitat preferences and different distribution areas. The Wuchaoshan forest is in the middle and late stages of the succession. Different interference histories in the community succession process are demonstrated through studies of secondary evergreen broad-leaved forests. Long-term community monitoring contributes to indicating the direction and potential of the secondary forest succession.
Labor Markets and Sustainability: Short-Run Dynamics and Long-Run Equilibrium
Authors: Faria João Ricardo , Mixon Franklin G.
Published: April 2022

Many of the world’s economies experienced rapid structural changes due to globalization and other forces over the past 50 years. During this period, developing countries were the recipients of massive foreign direct investment, and their industrialization was accompanied by urbanization, city gigantism, and related environmental issues, such as pollution. Over time, investments in the education of the urban poor allowed their move from the industrial sector to the service sector. This growth of the service sector came at the expense of the industrial sector, which implied structural changes in cities and massive cleaning efforts. The objective of this study is to model these transitions in a simple dynamic framework. The economic model indicates that in the short run, urban growth is negatively impacted by environmental degradation and agglomeration costs, while service sector growth is negatively impacted by environmental cleaning costs. In the long run, optimal city and service sizes are both decreasing functions of environmental degradation and agglomeration and cleaning costs. Thus, sustainability ultimately determines the optimal city size.
A Multicriteria Methodology to Evaluate Climate Neutrality Claims—A Case Study with Spanish Firms
Authors: Larrea Iker , Correa Jose Manuel , López Rafaella , Giménez Lidia , Solaun Kepa
Published: April 2022

Net-zero pledges have become a paradigm of ambitious climate change action for companies, governments, and other organisations. However, there is no international standard or criteria to assess whether those commitments are feasible or truly represent a landmark in low carbon performance. In this paper, a methodology is proposed against which those statements can be quantified and assessed. The methodology was applied to Spanish companies that report to the Carbon Disclosure Project and showed that the biggest areas for improvement are the design of action plans, calculation, and offsetting. From a sectoral perspective, the energy sector, finance, and other services stood out as those with the highest scores. The food, beverages and tobacco, industry, and the entertainment industry obtained the lowest results. From a technical standpoint, strategy and commitment, calculation and scope, and communication are the areas where companies had the highest average scores. On the contrary, offsetting and action plans are the areas with the greatest room for improvement. Still, actual commitments are not enough to meet international climate neutrality objectives in the long-term and companies should continue to work in this direction. An enabling regulatory framework would be very useful to align private and public action in this area.
The Effect of Labor Reallocation and Economic Growth in China
Authors: Wu Shengqin , Yang Degang , Xia Fuqiang , Zhang Xinhuan , Huo Jinwei , Cai Tianyi , Sun Jing
Published: April 2022

In recent years, China’s economic growth rate has slowed down significantly, exceeding the normal range of cyclical fluctuations in terms of declining rate and period. However, the research on the structural problems of the economic slowdown from the sector level is still limited. This paper uses a novel index decomposition method to decompose the covariant effect according to the influence of factors. It separates the labor input effect (LIE), labor reallocation effect (LRE), and labor productivity effect (LPE) from China’s economic growth rate from 1989 to 2019. The evolving characteristics and influence of these effects are revealed. It also focuses on the structural problems of the economic slowdown caused by the LRE. The study found that: (i) the economic contribution rate of LIE declined during the study period and had recently shown a negative value; (ii) the economic contribution rate of LRE peaked in 2014 and then rapidly declined; (iii) LPE has always been an essential contributor to China’s economic growth, with an annual contribution rate of 80%. The key factors behind China’s downward economic growth are the decline of the new labor force input, the weakening of LRE, and the technological progress rate in some sectors that have declined. The analysis of the LRE found that 37% of the economic slowdown could be explained by it. The reason behind economic slowdown lies in how the labor force transfers: (i) from agriculture to non-modern services without manufacturing; and (ii) from high-productivity sectors (usually manufacturing) to low-productivity sectors (usually non-modern services). In order to reduce the downward pressure of economic growth, future development intervention measures should focus on improving the employment absorption capacity of manufacturing, enabling enterprise innovation, correcting distorted industrial development policies, and prudently treating environmental protection policies and industrial upgrading policies.
Strengthening of Community Tourism Enterprises as a Means of Sustainable Development in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Community Tourism Development in Chimborazo
Authors: Maldonado-Erazo Claudia Patricia , del Río-Rama María de la Cruz , Miranda-Salazar Sandra Patricia , Tierra-Tierra Nancy P.
Published: April 2022

Community tourism (CT) constitutes a management model for tourism practice within communities, which was consolidated within Ecuador through the Plurinational Federation of Community Tourism of Ecuador (FEPTCE), with the Corporation for the Development of Community Tourism of Chimborazo (CORDTUCH) as the central network in the province of Chimborazo. This network, with 14 years of experience, has been committed to tourism as a mechanism for the diversification of the productive matrix of the peasant and indigenous communities that comprise it, integrating 1772 direct beneficiaries articulated in 10 CT organizations. Thus, they have managed to support actions related to land management, the equitable distribution of benefits, the valuation of natural and cultural heritage, and the organizational strengthening of communities. This support has contributed to the consolidation of “Alli Kawsay,” that is, working to achieve a full life for these human groups, generating an integral sustainability of their spaces, and contributing to the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from this other Andean perspective. The methodology employed focused on participatory action research (PAR), which allows for listening and obtaining information directly from key actors, recognizing the existence of knowledge that has not been published that corresponds to peoples’ ancestral knowledge. The aim of this research is to provide an overview of the current reality of CT within CORDTUCH, as well as the strengthening achieved in the community enterprises that comprise it. Among the main results achieved, it is highlighted that CT has become, for these communities, a tool of insurgency against extractive activities and the advance of the agricultural frontier that threatens these spaces, showing that the territories can be exploited under other approaches and through innovative proposals.
Fire Safety of Healthcare Units in Conditions of Oxygen Therapy in COVID-19: Empirical Establishing of Effects of Elevated Oxygen Concentrations
Authors: Wróblewski Wojciech , Tuśnio Norbert , Wolny Paweł , Siuta Dorota , Trzebicki Janusz , Bączkowska Teresa , Dzikowska-Diduch Olga , Pruszczyk Piotr
Published: April 2022

Large-scale usage of oxygen therapy (OT) may lead to increased oxygen concentrations (OC) in places where COVID-19 patients are treated. The aim of the study was to establish in an empirical way the OC in COVID-19 at the patient’s bedside and to assess the relationships and reactions that occur during OT in an uncontrolled oxygen-enriched environment. We analyzed and took into account the OC, the technical conditions of the buildings and the air exchange systems. Based on the results, we performed a Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis to assess evacuation conditions in the event of a fire outbreak in the COVID-19 zone. A total of 337 measurements of OC were carried out, and three safety thresholds were then defined and correlated with fire effects. The highest ascertained oxygen concentration was 25.2%. In the event of a fire outbreak at 25.2% oxygen in the atmosphere, the response time and evacuation of medical staff and patients is no longer than 2.5 min. Uncontrolled oxygen enrichment of the environment threatens the safety of medical staff and patients in COVID-19 hospitals.
Technological Innovation, Fiscal Decentralization, Green Development Efficiency: Based on Spatial Effect and Moderating Effect
Authors: Zhu Yongming , Zhou Xiaoyu , Li Junjie , Wang Fan
Published: April 2022

Green development efficiency is an essential measure of China’s economy turning into a stage of high-quality development in the new era. This paper establishes a spatial Durbin model based on the new geography economics. It empirically investigates the spatial effect of technological innovation on regional green development efficiency and the moderating effect of fiscal decentralization on the above mechanism using panel data of 29 provinces in China from 2010 to 2018. The results show that: from 2010 to 2018, both technological innovation and green development efficiency in Chinese provinces show significant spatial clustering effects; technological innovation not only has a significant role in promoting green development efficiency in the region but also leads to the improvement of green development efficiency in neighboring regions; and fiscal decentralization positively regulates the direct effect of technological innovation on green development efficiency in the region, and negatively regulates the spatial spillover effect of technological innovation on green development efficiency in neighboring regions.
4-Mercaptobenzoic Acid Adsorption on TiO2 Anatase (101) and TiO2 Rutile (110) Surfaces
Authors: Compeán-González Claudia Lorena , Thomas Andrew Guy , Syres Karen Louise , Cole Jordan , Li Zheshen
Published: April 2022

The adsorption of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) on anatase (101) and rutile (110) TiO2 surfaces has been studied using synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy techniques. Photoelectron spectroscopy results suggest that the 4-MBA molecule bonds to both TiO2 surfaces through the carboxyl group, following deprotonation in a bidentate geometry. Carbon K-edge NEXAFS spectra show that the phenyl ring of the 4-MBA molecule is oriented at 70° ± 5° from the surface on both the rutile (110) and anatase (101) surfaces, although there are subtle differences in the electronic structure of the molecule following adsorption between the two surfaces.
Temperature Effects in the Initial Stages of Heteroepitaxial Film Growth
Authors: To Tung B. T. , Aarão Reis Fábio D. A.
Published: April 2022

Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of a model of thin film heteroepitaxy are performed to investigate the effects of the deposition temperature in the initial growth stages. Broad ranges of the rates of surface processes are used to model materials with several activation energies and several temperature changes, in conditions of larger diffusivity on the substrate in comparison with other film layers. When films with the same coverage are compared, the roughness increases with the deposition temperature in the regimes of island growth, coalescence, and initial formation of the continuous films. Concomitantly, the position of the minimum of the autocorrelation function is displaced to larger sizes. These apparently universal trends are consequences of the formation of wider and taller islands, and are observed with or without Ehrlich-Schwöebel barriers for adatom diffusion at step edges. The roughness increase with temperature qualitatively matches the observations of recent works on the deposition of inorganic and organic materials. In thicker films, simulations with some parameter sets show the decrease of roughness with temperature. In these cases, a re-entrance of roughness may be observed in the initial formation of the continuous films.
Compensation of the Frequency Offset in Communication Systems with LoRa Modulation
Authors: Mukhamadiev Semen , Rogozhnikov Evgeniy , Dmitriyev Edgar
Published: April 2022

This study focused on methods estimation and compensation frequency offset in communication systems with LoRa modulation. LoRa being used in IoT applications rapidly expands its markets. The article discusses three methods for estimation and compensation frequency offset as well as details of the comparative analysis made. Aside from the well-known methods by Ghanaatian and Golden Section Search (GSS), the third method is offered by the authors of the article and represents an improved version of the method proposed by Ghanaatian. The proposed method is based on a symmetric processing signal that is divided into two parts. The advantages and drawbacks of the considered methods are described. As a result of the performed study, a software model was developed, the dependence of the root mean-square error (RMSE) estimation of the frequency offset, and cumulative density function (CDF) of the frequency estimation error was calculated. Modeling was performed under identical conditions. The frequency offset accuracy provided by the proposed method exceeded the accuracy of the considered methods.
Foliar Application of Wood Distillate Alleviates Ozone-Induced Damage in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Vannini Andrea , Fedeli Riccardo , Guarnieri Massimo , Loppi Stefano
Published: April 2022

This study examined whether foliar applications of wood distillate (WD) have a protective effect on photosynthesis and the antioxidant power of lettuce when exposed to an ecologically relevant O3 concentration. Seedlings of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were fumigated daily with 60 ppb of O3 for 30 days, five hours per day. Once per week, 50% of the fumigated plants were treated with foliar applications of 0.2% WD, while control plants were treated with water. The results clearly showed the ability of WD to protect lettuce plants from ozone-induced damage. Specifically, WD-treated plants exhibited lower damage to the photosynthetic machinery, assessed through a series of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, a higher chlorophyll content, higher antioxidant power, as well as antioxidant molecules, i.e., caffeic acid and quercetin, and higher biomass. Counteracting the overproduction of ozone-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) is speculated to be the main mechanism by which WD protects the plant from ozone-induced damage.
Trichothecene Genotype Profiling of Wheat Fusarium graminearum Species Complex in Paraguay
Authors: Arrua Alvarenga Andrea Alejandra , Iehisa Ouchi Julio César Masaru , Cazal Martínez Cinthia Carolina , Moura Mendes Juliana , Colmán Adans Agustín , Fernández Ríos Danilo , Arrua Pablo David , Barboza Guerreño Claudia Adriana , Kohli Man Mohan , Ramírez María Laura , Acuña Ruíz Ana , Sarmiento María Magdalena , Ortíz María Cecilia , Nuñez Adriana , Lopez-Nicora Horacio D.
Published: April 2022

Paraguay is a non-traditional wheat-producing country in one of the warmest regions in South America. Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a critical disease affecting this crop, caused by the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC). A variety of these species produce trichothecenes, including deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated forms (3-ADON and 15-ADON) or nivalenol (NIV). This study characterized the phylogenetic relationships, and chemotype diversity of 28 strains within FGSC collected from wheat fields across different country regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequence of elongation factor-1α gene (EF-1α) from 28 strains revealed the presence of four species in the FGSC: F. graminearum sensu stricto, F. asiaticum, F. meridionale and F. cortaderiae. Ten strains selected for further analysis revealed that all F. graminearum strains were 15-ADON chemotype, while the two strains of F. meridionale and one strain of F. asiaticum were NIV chemotype. Thus, the 15-ADON chemotype of F. graminearum sensu stricto was predominant within the Fusarium strains isolated in the country. This work is the first report of phylogenetic relationships and chemotype diversity among Fusarium strains which will help understand the population diversity of this pathogen in Paraguay.
Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound in the Treatment of Nonunions and Fresh Fractures: A Case Series
Authors: Romanò Carlo Luca , Kirienko Alexander , Sandrone Clemente , Toro Giuseppe , Toro Antonio , Valente Ettore Piero , Caporale Manlio , Imbimbo Margareth , Falzarano Gabriele , Setti Stefania , Meani Enzo
Published: April 2022

It is estimated that approximately 5% to 10% of fractures will evolve into nonunions. Nonunions have a significant impact on patient quality of life and on socioeconomic costs. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a non-invasive therapy widely used within the orthopedic community to accelerate the healing of fresh fractures, to minimize delayed healing, and to promote healing of nonunions. In this case series, 46 nonunions and 19 fresh fractures were treated with LIPUS for at least three months or until fracture healing. Bone healing was assessed both at a radiological and a functional level. Of the nonunions healed, 89% had a mean healing time of 89 ± 53 days. In the group of fresh fractures, the healing percentage was 95% with a mean healing time of 46 ± 28 days. LIPUS treatment is proven to be safe and well tolerated; there were no adverse events related to the use of the device, even in the presence of internal fixations and infections. LIPUS therapy should be considered a low-risk option both as an adjunct to surgery or as a standalone therapy in the management of nonunion and fresh fractures.
Characterizing Kinetics and Avidity of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses in COVID-19 Greek Patients
Authors: Labropoulou Stavroula , Vassilaki Niki , Milona Raphaela S. , Terpos Evangelos , Politou Marianna , Pappa Vasiliki , Pagoni Maria , Grouzi Elisavet , Dimopoulos Meletios A. , Mentis Andreas , Emmanouil Mary , Angelakis Emmanouil
Published: April 2022

In-depth understanding of the immune response provoked by SARS-CoV-2 infection is necessary, as there is a great risk of reinfection and a difficulty in achieving herd immunity due to a decline in both antibody concentration and avidity. Avidity testing, however, could overcome variability in the immune response associated with sex or clinical symptoms, and thus differentiate between recent and past infections. In this context, here, we analyzed SARS-CoV-2 antibody kinetics and avidity in Greek hospitalized (26%) and non-hospitalized (74%) COVID-19 patients (N = 71) in the course of up to 15 months after their infection to improve the accuracy of the serological diagnosis in dating the onset of the infection. The results showed that IgG-S1 levels decline significantly at four months (p = 0.0239) in both groups of patients and are higher in hospitalized ones (up to 2.1-fold, p < 0.001). Additionally, hospitalized patients’ titers drop greatly and are equalized to non-hospitalized ones only at a time-point of twelve to fifteen months. Antibody levels of women in total remain more stable months after infection, compared to men. Furthermore, we examined the differential maturation of IgG avidity after SARS-CoV-2 infection, showing an incomplete maturation of avidity that results in a plateau at four months after infection. We also defined 38.2% avidity (sensitivity: 58.9%, specificity: 90.91%) as an appropriate “cut-off” that could be used to determine the stage of infection before avidity reaches a plateau.
Low-Temperature Multiple Micro-Dispensing on Microneedles for Accurate Transcutaneous Smallpox Vaccination
Authors: Yim Sang-Gu , Hwang Yun-Ho , An Seonyeong , Seong Keum-Yong , Kim Seo-Yeon , Kim Semin , Lee Hyeseon , Lee Kang-Oh , Kim Mi-Young , Kim Dokeun , Kim You-Jin , Yang Seung-Yun
Published: April 2022

Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus. According to WHO guidelines, the smallpox vaccine is administrated by scarification into the epidermis using a bifurcated needle moistened with a vaccine solution. However, this invasive vaccination method involving multiple skin punctures requires a special technique to inoculate, as well as a cold chain for storage and distribution of vaccine solutions containing a live virus. Here, we report a transcutaneous smallpox vaccination using a live vaccinia-coated microneedle (MN) patch prepared by a low-temperature multiple nanoliter-level dispensing system, enabling accurate transdermal delivery of live vaccines and maintenance of bioactivity. The live vaccinia in hyaluronic acid (HA) solutions was selectively coated on the solid MN tips, and the coating amount of the vaccine was precisely controlled through a programmed multiple dispensing process with high accuracy under low temperature conditions (2–8 °C) for smallpox vaccination. Inoculation of mice (BALB/C mouse) with the MN patch coated with the second-generation smallpox vaccine increased the neutralizing antibody titer and T cell immune response. Interestingly, the live vaccine-coated MN patch maintained viral titers at −20 °C for 4 weeks and elevated temperature (37 °C) for 1 week, highlighting improved storage stability of the live virus formulated into coated MN patches. This coated MN platform using contact dispensing technique provides a simple and effective method for smallpox vaccination.