bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Twin-Based Intelligent Safety Risks Prediction of Prefabricated Construction Hoisting
Authors: Liu Zhan-Sheng , Meng Xin-Tong , Xing Ze-Zhong , Cao Cun-Fa , Jiao Yue-Yue , Li An-Xiu
Published: April 2022

Prefabricated construction hoisting has one of the highest rates of fatalities and injuries compared to other construction processes, despite technological advancements and implementations of safety initiatives. Current safety risk management frameworks lack tools that are able to process in-situ data efficiently and predict risk in advance, which makes it difficult to guarantee the safety of hoisting. Thus, this article proposed an intelligent safety risk prediction framework of prefabricated construction hoisting. It can predict the hoisting risk in real-time and investigate the spatial-temporal evolution law of the risk. Firstly, the multi-dimensional and multi-scale Digital Twin model is built by collecting the hoisting information. Secondly, a Digital Twin-Support Vector Machine (DT-SVM) algorithm is proposed to process the data stored in the virtual model and collected on the site. A case study of a prefabricated construction project reveals its prediction function and deduces the spatial-temporal evolution law of hoisting risk. The proposed method has made advancements in improving the safety management level of prefabricated hoisting. Moreover, the proposed method is able to identify the deficiencies regarding digital-twin-level control methods, which can be improved towards automatic controls in future studies.
A Brief Review on the Development of Alginate Extraction Process and Its Sustainability
Authors: Saji Sijin , Hebden Andrew , Goswami Parikshit , Du Chenyu
Published: April 2022

Alginate is an attractive marine resource-based biopolymer, which has been widely used in pharmaceutical, food and textile industries. This paper reviewed the latest development of the conventional and alternative processes for alginate extraction from brown seaweed. To improve extraction yield and product quality, various studies have been carried out to optimize the operation condition. Based on literature survey, the most commonly used protocol is soaking milled seaweed in 2% (w/v) formaldehyde, overnight, solid loading ratio of 1:10–20 (dry weight biomass to solution), then collecting the solid for acid pre-treatment with HCl 0.2–2% (w/v), 40–60 °C, 1:10–30 ratio for 2–4 h. Next, the solid residue from the acid pre-treatment is extracted using Na2CO3 at 2–4% (w/v), 40–60 °C, 2–3 h, 1:10–30 ratio. Then the liquid portion is precipitated by ethanol (95%+) with a ratio of 1:1 (v/v). Finally, the solid output is dried in oven at 50–60 °C. Novel extraction methods using ultrasound, microwave, enzymes and extrusion improved the extraction yield and alginate properties, but the financial benefits have not been fully justified yet. To improve the sustainable production of alginate, it is required to promote seaweed cultivation, reduce water footprint, decrease organic solvent usage and co-produce alginate with other value-added products.
The Role of Managerial and Technological Innovations in the Tourism Industry: A Review of the Empirical Literature
Authors: Giotis Georgios , Papadionysiou Evangelia
Published: April 2022

The constant changes typically present in the market along with intense competition force companies to be flexible and adaptable. Firms that operate in the tourism industry need to be well prepared and ready to face challenges that arise on different levels. Managerial and technological innovations can play a significant role in the profitability, sustainable development and longevity of a company. In this respect, this paper aims to analyze the role of innovation, as well as the key elements that affect the capability of a firm to manage innovation (as corporate strategy, organizational structure, management style, employee management, innovation process and knowledge management). To this end, it highlights the importance of the way that a firm is directed in order to enhance its performance and maintain its competitive advantage in the market. Some of the results show that the proper style of management, appropriate personnel and a pleasant working environment characterized by collaboration among employees and managers enhance the possibilities of a firm to increase innovation. Moreover, some managerial implications are also proposed to assist managers of firms in the tourist industry to create appropriate strategies. Since managers are positive and support innovation in all aspects of the firm, this may also enhance the use of technology, which will give tourism firms increased opportunity to enlarge their market share. In addition, our study accentuates the roles of ICT, social media, mobile phones and smartphones, websites, as well as multimedia, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and several other technological advances in the tourism industry, which have helped to develop operations and transform the process of travelling to a much more pleasant and efficient experience. Within this framework of the essential role of managerial and technological innovations in tourism, our study aims to provide an extensive review of the empirical studies that have been conducted to investigate these issues.
Social Impact Assessment Comparison of Composite and Concrete Bridge Alternatives
Authors: Martínez-Muñoz David , Martí Jose V. , Yepes Víctor
Published: April 2022

The definition of sustainability includes three fundamental pillars: economic, environmental, and social. Studies of the economic impact on civil engineering infrastructures have been focused on cost reduction. It is not necessarily in line with economic sustainability due to the lack of other economic factors. Moreover, the social pillar assessment has been weakly developed compared to the economic and the environmental ones. It is essential to focus on the social pillar and evaluate clear indicators that allow researchers to compare alternatives. Furthermore, bridge life cycle assessment studies have been focused on concrete options. This has resulted in a lack of analysis of the impact of composite bridge alternatives. This study is conducted in two stages. The first part of the study makes a cradle-to-grave social and environmental sustainability evaluation with the SOCA v2 and ecoinvent v3.7.1 databases. This assessment is carried out on four concrete and composite bridge alternatives with span lengths between 15 and 40 m. The social impact weighting method and recipe have been used to obtain the social and environmental indicators. The second part of the study compares the results obtained from the social and environmental assessment of the concrete and the composite alternatives varying the steel recycling rate. The bridge alternatives are prestressed concrete solid slab, prestressed concrete lightened slab, prestressed concrete box-girder, and steel–concrete composite box-girder. The results show that composite options are the best for environmental impact, but the concrete box girder solutions are better for social impact. Furthermore, an increase in the steel recycling rate increases the social impact and decreases the environmental one.
Differences in Ecological Traits between Plants Grown In Situ and Ex Situ and Implications for Conservation
Authors: Sun Qinglin , Lai Liming , Zhou Jihua , Yi Sangui , Liu Xin , Guo Jiaojiao , Zheng Yuanrun
Published: April 2022

Ex situ conservation plays an important role in maintaining global plant biodiversity and protects thousands of wild plants. Plant conservation in botanical gardens is an important part of ex situ conservation; however, little attention has been given to whether plant ecophysiological traits change and whether plant conservation goals are reached following ex situ conservation. In this study, tree and shrub plants were selected from Shanxi, Beijing of China and from Beijing Botanical Garden, and plants with good growth and similar ages were randomly selected to measure their light response curves, CO2 response curves with a portable photosynthesis system (Li-6400XT), relative chlorophyll contents using a chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502) and leaf water potential using a dew point water potential meter (WP4C). In comparison with cultivated plants, wild plants had higher water use efficiencies among all plants considered (by 92–337%) and greater light use efficiencies among some of plants considered (by 107–181%), while light response curves and CO2 response curves for wild plants were either higher or lower compared with cultivated plants. Ecological traits of wild and cultivated plants changed more as a result of habitat factors than due to plant factors. The initial slope of the light response curve, net photosynthetic rate at light saturation, light saturation point, maximum light energy utilization efficiency, maximum water use efficiency, leaf water content, and the leaf water potential of wild plants were larger or equal to those of cultivated plants, while dark respiration rate (by 63–583%) and light compensation point (by 150–607%) of cultivated plants were higher than those of wild plants. This research compared the ecophysiological traits of common green space plants cultivated in botanical gardens and distributed in different areas in wild environments. The response of plant ecophysiological traits to the changing environment has important theoretical and practical significance for wild plant conservation and urban green space system construction.
Development and Validation of a Measurement Instrument for Sustainability in Food Supply Chains
Authors: Mastos Theofilos , Gotzamani Katerina , Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this paper is to develop a measurement instrument for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) critical factors, practices and performance and validate it in the food industry. A literature review was conducted in order to identify pertinent variables and propose relevant measuring items. An email survey was carried out in 423 Greek companies in the food and beverage sector. The questionnaire was sent by e-mail in the Google Forms format and it was requested to be answered by a representative of the company. The collected data was processed using exploratory factor analysis in order to extract the latent constructs of the SSCM critical factors, practices and performance measures. The validity of the proposed instrument was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis. The extracted SSCM critical factors are “firm-level sustainability critical factors” and “supply chain sustainability critical factors”. The extracted SSCM practices are “supply chain collaboration” and “supply chain strategic orientation”. The extracted SSCM performance factors are “economic performance”, “social performance” and “environmental performance”. The three developed constructs constitute a measurement instrument that can be used both by practitioners who desire to implement SSCM and by researchers who can apply the proposed scales in other research projects or use them as assessment tools.
Some New Quantum Hermite-Hadamard Type Inequalities for s-Convex Functions
Authors: Gulshan Ghazala , Budak Hüseyin , Hussain Rashida , Nonlaopon Kamsing
Published: April 2022

In this investigation, we first establish new quantum Hermite–Hadamard type integral inequalities for s-convex functions by utilizing newly defined Tq-integrals. Then, by using obtained inequality, we establish a new Hermite–Hadamard inequality for coordinated s1,s2-convex functions. The results obtained in this paper provide significant extensions of other related results given in the literature. Finally, some examples are given to illustrate the result obtained in this paper. These types of analytical inequalities, as well as solutions, apply to different areas where the concept of symmetry is important.
A CNN-MPSK Demodulation Architecture with Ultra-Light Weight and Low-Complexity for Communications
Authors: Wang Bingrui , Lin Zhijian , Zhang Xingang
Published: April 2022

Modulation is an indispensable component in modern communication systems and multiple phase shift keying (MPSK) is widely studied to improve the spectral efficiency. It is of great significance to study the MPSK modulations of symmetric phases in practice. Based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs), we propose a generic architecture for MPSK demodulation, referred to as CNN-MPSK. The architecture utilizes a single-layer CNN and a pooling trick to crop network parameters. In comparison with conventional coherent demodulation, the CNN-MPSK eliminates three modules, i.e., carrier multiplication, bandpass filter and sampling decision. Thus, we can avoid π-inverted phenomenon from the multiplication of two carrier waves with different phases, as the carrier multiplication is not employed. In addition, we can reduce errors introduced by sampling decision. Furthermore, we conduct bit-error-rate tests for binary-PSK, 4PSK, 8PSK, and 16PSK demodulation. Experimental results reveal that the performance of CNN-MPSK is almost the same to that of conventional coherent demodulation. However, the CNN-MPSK demodulation reduces computational complexity from O(n2) to O(n) as compared to the latter one. Additionally, the proposed scheme can be readily applied for demodulation of non-symmetric MPSK constellations that maybe distorted by linear and nonlinear impairments in communication systems.
A Literature Review of Social Commerce Research from a Systems Thinking Perspective
Authors: Wang Xintian , Wang Hai , Zhang Caiming
Published: April 2022

The paper aims to investigate social commerce systems from a systems thinking perspective. It proposes to model the social commerce process and outlines how Following, Communicating, Purchasing, and Sharing are systematically connected with each other in the social commerce process. The paper describes an exploratory review study using the systematic literature review method, including 384 social commerce research papers, which were published from 2011 to 2021. The data are refined by documentary analysis, including Study Selection Criteria and Quality Assessment processes. The paper systematically develops a conceptual framework for understanding social commerce. Previous research on social commerce mainly focuses on one or more particular key success factors (such as trust) in social commerce, and a few of them investigate social commerce as an integral business system. This review provides a more comprehensive basis for future social commerce research.
Health Risk Assessment of Ortho-Toluidine Utilising Human Biomonitoring Data of Workers and the General Population
Authors: Huuskonen Pasi , Karakitsios Spyros , Scholten Bernice , Westerhout Joost , Sarigiannis Dimosthenis A. , Santonen Tiina
Published: April 2022

The aim of this work was to demonstrate how human biomonitoring (HBM) data can be used to assess cancer risks for workers and the general population. Ortho-toluidine, OT (CAS 95-53-4) is an aniline derivative which is an animal and human carcinogen and may cause methemoglobinemia. OT is used as a curing agent in epoxy resins and as intermediate in producing herbicides, dyes, and rubber chemicals. A risk assessment was performed for OT by using existing HBM studies. The urinary mass-balance methodology and generic exposure reconstruction PBPK modelling were both used for the estimation of the external intake levels corresponding to observed urinary levels. The external exposures were subsequently compared to cancer risk levels obtained from the evaluation by the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL). It was estimated that workers exposed to OT have a cancer risk of 60 to 90:106 in the worst-case scenario (0.9 mg/L in urine). The exposure levels and cancer risk of OT in the general population were orders of magnitude lower when compared to workers. The difference between the output of urinary mass-balance method and the general PBPK model was approximately 30%. The external exposure levels calculated based on HBM data were below the binding occupational exposure level (0.5 mg/m3) set under the EU Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive.
In Vitro Neutralization of the Myotoxicity of Australian Mulga Snake (Pseudechis australis) and Sri Lankan Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelii) Venoms by Australian and Indian Polyvalent Antivenoms
Authors: Thakshila Prabhani , Hodgson Wayne C. , Isbister Geoffrey K. , Silva Anjana
Published: April 2022

We studied the neutralisation of Sri Lankan Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) and Australian mulga snake (Pseudechis australis) venom-induced myotoxicity by Indian (Vins and Bharat) and Australian (Seqirus) polyvalent antivenoms, using the in vitro chick biventer skeletal muscle preparation. Prior addition of Bharat or Vins antivenoms abolished D. russelii venom (30 µg/mL)-mediated inhibition of direct twitches, while Australian polyvalent antivenom was not protective. Bharat antivenom prevented, while Vins and Australian polyvalent antivenoms partially prevented, the inhibition of responses to exogenous KCl. Myotoxicity of Mulga venom (10 µg/mL) was fully neutralised by the prior addition of Australian polyvalent antivenom, partially neutralised by Vins antivenom but not by Bharat antivenom. Although the myotoxicity of both venoms was partially prevented by homologous antivenoms when added 5 min after the venom, with an increasing time delay between venom and antivenom, the reversal of myotoxicity gradually decreased. However, antivenoms partially prevented myotoxicity even 60 min after venom. The effect of antivenoms on already initiated myotoxicity was comparable to physical removal of the toxins by washing the bath at similar time points, indicating that the action of the antivenoms on myotoxicity is likely to be due to trapping the toxins or steric hindrance within the circulation, not allowing the toxins to reach target sites in muscles.
Viral Population Diversity during Co-Infection of Foot-And-Mouth Disease Virus Serotypes SAT1 and SAT2 in African Buffalo in Kenya
Authors: Palinski Rachel M. , Brito Barbara , Jaya Frederick R. , Sangula Abraham , Gakuya Francis , Bertram Miranda R. , Pauszek Steven J. , Hartwig Ethan J. , Smoliga George R. , Obanda Vincent , Omondi George P. , VanderWaal Kimberly , Arzt Jonathan
Published: April 2022

African buffalo are the natural reservoirs of the SAT serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in sub-Saharan Africa. Most buffalo are exposed to multiple FMDV serotypes early in life, and a proportion of them become persistently infected carriers. Understanding the genetic diversity and evolution of FMDV in carrier animals is critical to elucidate how FMDV persists in buffalo populations. In this study, we obtained oropharyngeal (OPF) fluid from naturally infected African buffalo, and characterized the genetic diversity of FMDV. Out of 54 FMDV-positive OPF, 5 were co-infected with SAT1 and SAT2 serotypes. From the five co-infected buffalo, we obtained eighty-nine plaque-purified isolates. Isolates obtained directly from OPF and plaque purification were sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Phylogenetic analyses of the sequences obtained from recombination-free protein-coding regions revealed a discrepancy in the topology of capsid proteins and non-structural proteins. Despite the high divergence in the capsid phylogeny between SAT1 and SAT2 serotypes, viruses from different serotypes that were collected from the same host had a high genetic similarity in non-structural protein-coding regions P2 and P3, suggesting interserotypic recombination. In two of the SAT1 and SAT2 co-infected buffalo identified at the first passage of viral isolation, the plaque-derived SAT2 genomes were distinctly grouped in two different genotypes. These genotypes were not initially detected with the NGS from the first passage (non-purified) virus isolation sample. In one animal with two SAT2 haplotypes, one plaque-derived chimeric sequence was found. These findings demonstrate within-host evolution through recombination and point mutation contributing to broad viral diversity in the wildlife reservoir. These mechanisms may be critical to FMDV persistence at the individual animal and population levels, and may contribute to the emergence of new viruses that have the ability to spill-over to livestock and other wildlife species.
Characteristics of the First 284 Patients Infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 Subvariant at a Single Center in the Apulia Region of Italy, January–March 2022
Authors: Loconsole Daniela , Centrone Francesca , Sallustio Anna , Accogli Marisa , Casulli Daniele , Sacco Davide , Zagaria Riccardo , Morcavallo Caterina , Chironna Maria
Published: April 2022

Since its initial detection, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineage BA.2 has been spreading rapidly worldwide. The aims of this study were to describe the first 284 patients infected with the Omicron BA.2 variant of concern (VOC) in the Apulia region of southern Italy and to assess the differences in the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 BA.1 and BA.2 variants. The demographic characteristics of patients, as well as information about symptoms, vaccinations and hospitalizations for COVID-19, were collected. A subset of samples from patients infected with the BA.2 variant was subjected to whole-genome sequencing. The characteristics of the first 284 patients infected with Omicron BA.2 and the first 175 patients infected with Omicron BA.1 were compared. The proportion of patients infected with the BA.2 variant rapidly increased, from 0.5% during the third week of 2022 to 29.6% during the tenth week of 2022. Ten isolates (out of 34 BA.2 isolates) contain the substitutional mutation, H78K in ORF3a, and four isolates include two mutations, A2909V in ORF1a and L140F in ORDF3a. Compared with patients infected with BA.1, those infected with BA.2 were more likely to be symptomatic and booster-vaccinated, and showed a shorter time from the last dose of vaccine to infection. The high transmissibility and immune-evasive properties of Omicron BA.2, which will become the leading SARS-CoV-2 VOC, suggest that short-term public health measures should not be discontinued in Italy.
A COVID-19 Vaccine for Dogs Prevents Reverse Zoonosis
Authors: Ga Eulhae , Won Yongkwan , Hwang Jaehyun , Moon Suyun , Yeom Minju , Lyoo Kwangsoo , Song Daesub , Han Jeonghee , Na Woonsung
Published: April 2022

COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which can infect both humans and animals. SARS-CoV-2 originated from bats and can affect various species capable of crossing the species barrier due to active mutation. Although reports on reverse zoonosis (human-to-animal transmission) of SARS-CoV-2 remain limited, reverse zoonosis has been reported in many species such as cats, tigers, minks, etc. Therefore, transmission to more animals cannot be ruled out. Moreover, the wide distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population could result in an increased risk of reverse zoonosis. To counteract reverse zoonosis, we developed the first COVID-19 subunit vaccines for dogs, which are representative companion animals, and the vaccine includes the SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein of whole S1 protein and the receptor-binding domain (RBD). A subunit vaccine is a vaccine developed by purifying only the protein region that induces an immune response instead of the whole pathogen. This type of vaccine is safer than the whole virus vaccine because there is no risk of infection and proliferation through back-mutation of the virus. Vaccines were administered to beagles twice at an interval of 3 weeks subcutaneously and antibody formation rates were assessed in serum. We identified a titer, comparable to that of vaccinated people, shown to be sufficient to protect against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the vaccination of companion animals, such as dogs, may prevent reverse zoonosis by protecting animals from SARS-CoV-2; thus, reverse zoonosis of COVID-19 is preventable.
Factors Influencing the Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccines in a Country with a High Vaccination Rate
Authors: Toro-Ascuy Daniela , Cifuentes-Muñoz Nicolás , Avaria Andrea , Pereira-Montecinos Camila , Cruzat Gilena , Peralta-Arancibia Katherine , Zorondo-Rodríguez Francisco , Fuenzalida Loreto F.
Published: April 2022

Control of the COVID-19 pandemic largely depends on the effectiveness of the vaccination process. An understanding of the factors that underlie the willingness to accept vaccination contributes pivotal information to controlling the pandemic. We analyzed the association between the willingness to accept the available COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine determinants amidst the Chilean vaccination process. Individual-level survey data was collected from 744 nationally representative respondents and multivariate regression models were used to estimate the association between outcome and explanatory variables. We found that trust in COVID-19 vaccines, scientists, and medical professionals significantly increased the willingness to: accept the vaccines and booster doses, as well as annual vaccinations and the vaccination of children. Our results are critical to understanding the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in the context of a country with one of the world’s highest vaccination rates. We provide useful information for decision-making and policy design, in addition to establishing guidelines regarding how to effectively explain vaccination programs to citizens.
Analysis of Climate Variability in a Time Series of Precipitation and Temperature Data: A Case Study in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Authors: Arrieta-Pastrana Alfonso , Saba Manuel , Alcázar Adriana Puello
Published: April 2022

Anthropogenic climate change is a global trend, hitherto incontrovertible, causing immense social and economic damage. Although the this is evident at the global level, at the local level, there is still debate about the most appropriate analyses to support this fact. This debate is particularly relevant in developing countries, such as Colombia, where there is a significant lack of data at the local level that require analysis and interpretation. Consequently, studies are often superficially conducted to support climate change theory at the local level. However, such studies are then used to design hydraulic infrastructure, with potential catastrophic errors for human and environmental health. In this study, we sought evidence of climate change through an analysis of a series of data on temperature (maximum, mean and minimum), as well as total annual and maximum rainfall in 24 h registered at the Rafael Nuñez Airport station in the city of Cartagena, Colombia, from 1941 to 2015. The hypotheses of homogeneity, trend, stationarity and non-stationarity were analyzed. Problems of non-homogeneity and the presence of periodicity in the analyzed series were found, showing a trend and apparent non-stationarity in the original series. This could be associated with the effects of climate change. In this case, no correlation was found between temperatures and rainfall. Spectral analysis was performed for all series, and residual series were generated by extracting the harmonics of greatest significance. It was found that the series data generated from the third harmonic are generally stationary and without trend. Therefore, the trend and non-stationarity of the original series are due to problems of non-homogeneity and periodicity in the series. In the results of the stationarity test conducted according to the Phillips–Perron criterion, all series were non-stationary. For the two additional criteria of stationarity tests, 40% were shown to be stationary, and 60% were non-stationary. Specifically, non-homogeneity problems and apparent trends associated with climate change could have negative implications for the design of drainage systems.
Salt Removal by Chemically Modified Graphene in Capacitive Deionization (CDI)
Authors: Peng Ching-Yu , Chen Yi-Fang , Wang Ching-Yi
Published: April 2022

Obtaining clean water from salt water by capacitive deionization (CDI) with chemically modified graphene (rGO) was explored in this study. Strong acid (HNO3:H2SO4 = 2:1) was employed to modify rGO to enhance its hydrophilicity and electrochemical properties. Characteristics of rGO with/without acid modification were analyzed by XRD, SEM, FTIR, contact angle, BET, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Contributions of sulfonic acid groups, hydroxyl groups, and NO2 stretching after acid modification resulted in better wettability and higher specific capacitance of rGO. The contact angle for rGO dropped from 84.9° to 35.1° (am-rGO), indicating improved hydrophilicity of rGO with acid modification. The specific capacitance of am-rGO can reach 150.2 F/g at the scan rate of 1 mV/s. The average NaCl electrosorption capacity of the CDI process with am-rGO was 0.63 mg NaCl/g electrode (10.86 μmol NaCl/g electrode), which indicated rGO with acid modification can enhance the electrosorption capacity by 3.9 times. This study demonstrated that chemical modification can significantly improve the hydrophilicity, electrochemical properties, and electrosorption performance of rGO, which has potential for applications to other carbon-based materials for CDI systems to improve salt removal efficiency.
Evaluation of Kinetic, Equilibrium and Thermodynamics of Cationic Ion Using Agro-Industrial Residues of Plantain (Musa paradisiaca)
Authors: Villabona-Ortíz Angel , González-Delgado Ángel Darío , Tejada-Tovar Candelaria
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the adsorptive capacity of Cr (VI) on the residues of the plantain starch extraction process in a batch system, determining the effect of temperature, initial concentration and adsorbent dose. The adsorbent was characterized by FTIR and SEM. The Cr (VI) solution was placed in contact with the adsorbent at pH 2 and 200 rpm. The results revealed the presence of COO−, OH− and CHx+ functional groups in the adsorbent. In addition, the adsorption process is controlled by chemisorption and electrostatic interactions. We also found that temperature and adsorbent dose are the variables with significant influence. The highest adsorption capacity was 64.46 mg/g at 55 °C, 200 mg/L and 0.14 g of biomaterial. Based on the kinetic behavior, it was found that the data are adjusted by the pseudo-second order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. The fit of the isotherms to the Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich models establishes that the limiting step of the process is the chemical reaction. The thermodynamic parameters determine that the process is endothermic, with strong biomass–metal bonds that are favorable and spontaneous as the temperature increases. The results indicate that the residual plantain pulp is a residue that can be used in the removal of Cr (VI) ions, and it contributes to the state of the art in terms of the use of new agro-industrial waste.
A Review on Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Smart Technology in Water Treatment and Monitoring
Authors: Lowe Matthew , Qin Ruwen , Mao Xinwei
Published: April 2022

Artificial-intelligence methods and machine-learning models have demonstrated their ability to optimize, model, and automate critical water- and wastewater-treatment applications, natural-systems monitoring and management, and water-based agriculture such as hydroponics and aquaponics. In addition to providing computer-assisted aid to complex issues surrounding water chemistry and physical/biological processes, artificial intelligence and machine-learning (AI/ML) applications are anticipated to further optimize water-based applications and decrease capital expenses. This review offers a cross-section of peer reviewed, critical water-based applications that have been coupled with AI or ML, including chlorination, adsorption, membrane filtration, water-quality-index monitoring, water-quality-parameter modeling, river-level monitoring, and aquaponics/hydroponics automation/monitoring. Although success in control, optimization, and modeling has been achieved with the AI methods, ML models, and smart technologies (including the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors, and systems based on these technologies) that are reviewed herein, key challenges and limitations were common and pervasive throughout. Poor data management, low explainability, poor model reproducibility and standardization, as well as a lack of academic transparency are all important hurdles to overcome in order to successfully implement these intelligent applications. Recommendations to aid explainability, data management, reproducibility, and model causality are offered in order to overcome these hurdles and continue the successful implementation of these powerful tools.
Photosynthetic Responses of Two Woody Halophyte Species to Saline Groundwater Irrigation in the Taklimakan Desert
Authors: Liu Jiao , Zhao Ying , Sial Sial , Liu Haidong , Wang Yongdong , Zhang Jianguo
Published: April 2022

The study of plant photosynthesis under different degrees of drought stress can provide a deeper understanding of the mechanism of plant drought resistance. In the Taklimakan Desert, saline groundwater is the only local water source with regard to shelterbelt construction and determines plant growth and photosynthetic changes. In this study, daily dynamics of gas exchange parameters and their responses to photosynthetic photon flux density at three irrigation levels (W1 = 17.5, W2 = 25, W3 = 35 mm) were measured for two main species, i.e., Calligonum mongolicum (C) and Haloxylon ammodendron (H). H was better adapted to drought stress than C. Net photosynthetic rate (PN) was mainly related to soil water status in the main root system activity layer. In July, the daily variations of PN and transpiration (Tr) for C were higher than H. C increased water use efficiency (WUE) with increases in PN, while H decreased Tr to obtain a higher WUE. Either C or H, drought reduced the low light and metabolic capacity, and thus decreased the light adaptability and photosynthesis potential. We suggest a prerequisite understanding of physiological mechanisms and possible plant morphological adjustments required to adapt plant species to desert drought conditions.
Meeting the Learning Needs of Refugees and Migrants in Tertiary Blended ESOL Courses
Authors: Danaher Katherine
Published: April 2022

Technology use in higher education is becoming ubiquitous. However, the particular needs of adult migrant and refugees studying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) necessitate careful course design and teaching practice if technology is not to present an insuperable barrier. This article surveys the literature to identify barriers to technology use by these learners, of which literacy and lack of prior experience stand out. Critical success factors in meeting their learning needs are categorized under self-regulated learning skills (as defined by (Zimmerman, 2002)), teacher support and course design. Recommendations include explicit teaching of self-regulated learning skills, using the embedded phases of forethought, performance and reflection. Also, intensive teacher support should be provided and a flexible design model used, with authentic tasks and clear interfaces. These recommendations provide research-informed guidelines for teachers and course designers looking to support the learning needs of adult tertiary refugee and migrant ESOL learners.
Embedding Building Information Modelling into Construction Technology and Documentation Courses
Authors: McGarrigle M
Published: April 2022

The aim of this research is to generate a resource to assist construction lecturers in identifying opportunities where Building Information Modelling [BIM] could be employed to augment the delivery of subject content within individual courses on construction technology programmes. The methodology involved a detailed analysis of the learning objectives and underpinning knowledge of the course content by topic area, within the residential Construction Systems 1 course presently delivered at Unitec on the National Diplomas in Architectural Technology[NDAT], Construction Management [NDCM] and Quantity Surveying [NDQS]. The objective is to aid students’ understanding of specific aspects such as planning controls or sub-floor framing by using BIM models, and investigate how these could enhance delivery modes using image,animation and interactive student activity. A framework maps the BIM teaching opportunities against each topic area highlighting where these could be embedded into construction course delivery. This template also records software options and could be used in similar analyses of other courses within similar programmes to assist with embedding BIM in subject delivery.
A Revisit of Price Discovery Dynamics Across Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Dassanayake Wajira , Li Xiaoming , Buhr Klaus
Published: April 2022

This study re-investigates the price discovery dynamics of selected stocks cross-listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) during a bear trading phase from January 2008 to December 2011. A differing price discovery dynamic in a bear market versus a bull market may occur because of variations in investor sentiments and disparities in the role of the stock prices. Using intraday data, we employ the vector error correction mechanism, Hasbrouck’s (1995) information share and Grammig et al.’s (2005) conditional information share methods. Consistent with previous research, we find that price discovery takes place mostly on the home market for the Australian firms and for all but one of the New Zealand firms. However, not seen in existing studies, we show that the NZX has grown in importance for both the Australian and New Zealand firms. This suggests that the NZX is deviating from being a pure satellite market.
Nothing Stands By Itself: Advocacy in the New Zealand Not-For-Profit Sector
Authors: Elliot Sue , Haigh David
Published: April 2022

This research focuses on the nature of Government/Not for Profit (NFP) sector relationships with particular reference to advocacy in New Zealand. It follows up on a study of advocacy in NSW and Queensland carried by Onyx et al. (2009). There has been concern that NFP organisations in NZ have had their advocacy functions curtailed by the requirements of government contracting and by decisions from the Charities Commission. This study looks at the kinds of advocacy activities that NFP sector organisations are involved in, the language they use to describe their advocacy and the reasons given for the strategies NFPs adopt. The study shows that advocacy has not slowed down, the methods are evolving and NFPs are finding new ways to get their message across in a rapidly changing context.
IDENTIFIKASI PENYAKIT LEAF MOLD PADA DAUN TOMAT MENGGUNAKAN MODEL DENSENET121 BERBASIS TRANSFER LEARNING
Authors: Awalia Nani
Published: April 2022

Penyakit leaf mold pada daun tomat merupakan penyakit bercak daun yang disebabkan oleh jamur Cladosporium fulvum. penyakit tersebut biasanya terjadi pada tomat yang dibudidayakan dalam lingkungan lembab. Gejala penyakit yang sulit terdeteksi secara manual, dapat menyebabkan penurunan kualitas dan hasil panen tomat  selama 10 tahun terakhir. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi penyakit leaf mold pada daun tomat menggunakan pre-trained model convolutional neural network. Model tersebut yaitu DenseNet121 dengan teknik transfer learning. Penelitian ini menggunakan sebanyak 2.283 dataset citra daun tomat, yang terdiri dari 3 jenis kelas prediksi diantaranya yaitu  penyakit leaf mold, daun tomat sehat, dan penyakit tomat lainnya yang dimasukan kedalam kelas prediksi penyakit lainnya. Hasil penelitian diperoleh model A sebagai model terbaik diantara 3 model yang diuji coba, dengan nilai akurasi, precision, dan recall yang dihasilkan yaitu sebesar 92,6%, 93,3%, dan 93%.
COVID-19 Hastalarında Total Oksidan ve Antioksidan Düzeylerinin Uzun Vadeli Araştırılması
Authors: DAĞLI Şeyda Nur , ÖZGÖÇER Tuba , ÇELİK Hakim , TAŞKIN Seyhan , TAŞKIN Abdullah , CEYLAN Mehmet Reşat
Published: April 2022

Amaç: Koronavirüs hastalığı 2019 (COVID-19), tehlikeli küresel bir pandemi olarak tüm dünyada yüksek morbidite ve mortaliteye yol açmıştır. Oksidatif stres, proteinler, lipitler ve DNA üzerinde güçlü etkilere sahip olup, çeşitli hücresel fonksiyonların bozulmasına neden olmaktadır. Bu nedenle oksidatif stresin; nörodejeneratif, kardiyovasküler hastalıklar, diyabet ve metabolik sendrom gibi birçok hastalığın patogenezinde rol oynadığı gösterilmiştir. COVID-19'da oksidatif stresin olası rolüne dair birçok kanıt bulunmasına rağmen hastalık seyri boyunca nasıl değiştiği bilinmemektedir.
Materyal Metod: Bu çalışmaya hafif, orta ve yüksek semptom gösteren 18 kadın, 25 erkek olmak üzere toplam 43 COVID-19 hastaları dahil edilmiştir. Hastalardan; 15. gün, 30. gün, 45. gün ve 60. gün olmak üzere 4 defa venöz kan örnekleri alınıp; serumlarında MDA, Protein karbonil, total antioksidan ve total oksidan düzeyleri ölçülmüştür.
Bulgular: Erkeklerde 45. ve 60. günlerdeki total antioksidan düzeyleri kadınlara kıyasla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ölçüde yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0.05). Total oksidan düzeyleri yüksek semptom gösteren hastalarda diğer semtomlara kıyasla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ölçüde yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0.05). Hastalar yaşlara göre kıyaslandığında ise MDA, PC ve total oksidan düzeyleri 47 yaşının üzerinde olan hastalarda anlamlı ölçüde yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0.05).
Sonuç: COVID-19’un oksidatif strese neden olduğu ve bu durumun membran yapısını bozma, inflamasyon, apoptoz ve semptomların daha şiddetli olmasına neden olacağı kanaatindeyiz. Bu nedenle COVID-19 hastalarına özellikle 47 yaşının üzerindeki erkek hastalarına etkili tedavi stratejilerinden biri olarak antioksidan maddelerin uygulanması önerilebilir.
Utilidad de la Ecocardiografía Tridimensional en la valoración de la insuficiencia tricuspidea en pacientes con catéteres en el ventrículo derecho
Authors:   , Chango Azanza Diego Xavier
Published: April 2022

La regurgitación tricuspidea asociada a catéteres permanentes implantadas en el ventrículo derecho puede ser evaluada mediante ecocardiografía transtorácica. El estudio de los mecanismos de la insuficiencia valvular mediante ecocardiografía tridimensional ofrece ventajas en cuanto su identificación y análisis. Existe ausencia de estudios en cuanto a la prevalencia de la regurgitación resultante a dispositivos implantados en Argentina y Latinoamérica.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning
Authors: Betthäuser Bastian Andreas , Bach-Mortensen Anders , Engzell Per
Published: April 2022

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected learning progress among school-age children? A growing number of studies address this question, but findings vary depending on context. We conduct a pre-registered systematic review, quality appraisal and meta-analysis of 42 studies across 15 countries to assess the magnitude of the effect of the pandemic on learning. We find a substantial overall learning deficit (Cohen’s d = -0.14, 95% c.i. -0.17, -0.10), which arose early in the pandemic and persists over time. Forgone learning is particularly large among children from low socio-economic backgrounds. It is also larger in math than in reading, and in middle-income countries, relative to high-income countries. There is a lack of evidence on learning progress during the pandemic in low-income countries. Future research should address this evidence gap and avoid the common risks of bias that we identify.
PRESSURE CHARACTERISTICS OF HANDWRITING IN THE DOMESTIC FORENSIC HANDWRITING
Authors: Khomyakov E.G.
Published: April 2022

The article considers pressure as a sign of handwriting, studied and applied in domestic judicial handwriting. A summary review of sources on forensic handwriting is given for the mention and description of pressure in writing, its research and the possibility of using it in certain methods of forensic handwriting examination. Taking into account the low efficiency of using this feature of handwriting in the study of handwriting objects, the author concludes that it is necessary to further develop the theory of pressure in writing, including in terms of creating a three-dimensional physical model of the writing process and developing new terminology in this direction. Attention is drawn to the need to search for or create new tools necessary for the study of the pressure characteristics of handwriting.
LEGAL ASPECTS OF VACCINATION OF MEDICAL WORKERS IN THE UDMURT REPUBLIC
Authors: Shkatova E.Yu. , N.V. Povolotskaya N.V. x
Published: April 2022

The article considers the issue of legal regulation of vaccination of employees of medical institutions on the example of the Udmurt Republic. The formation of vaccination adherence in the population is largely determined by the active position of medical workers. The main legal acts in the area under consideration are highlighted, the problem of the ratio of volunteerism and the obligation to vaccinate against COVID-19 coronavirus infection is noted, both for the entire population of the Russian Federation as a whole and for certain categories of workers, including medical institutions. The main reasons for not vaccinating are the high rate of vaccine creation without convincing clinical studies and unknown side effects. Often this information is unreliable, "fake", which is not subject to supervision by the health system, leads to the formation of caution and mistrust among the population regarding vaccination against COVID-19 There are cases of forced vaccination, restrictions on work or coercion by management when refusing vaccination. It was concluded that federal legislation on the introduction of compulsory vaccination of the population should be improved and some recommendations were made.
Membangun Budaya Literasi Anak Usia Dini Dengan Penguatan Pendampingan Keluarga
Authors: Prabowo Rendra Agung , Budiyono Kodrad , Norhalimah Norhalimah
Published: April 2022

Keluarga merupakan lingkungan pertama dan utama dalam kehidupan anak. Keluarga memberi peran yang sangat penting dalam upaya mengembangkan kepribadian anak begitu pula dalam membangun budaya literasi anak di rumah. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk konsep penguatan peran keluarga dalam membangun literasi pada anak. Metode penelitian yang dilakukan dengan metode library research dan analisis data menggunakan teknik content analisis. Hasil penelitian mengemukakan bahwa literasi merupakan pertimbangan yang penting dalam pengembangan diri anak. Budaya literasi pada anak usia dini bukan hanya terfokus pada membaca dan menulis saja, akan tetapi juga melibatkan beberapa proses komunikasi yaitu menyimak atau mendengarkan, anak mampu berpikir kritis, logis, dan pengembangan kecerdasan bahasa secara lisan. Diantara upaya orang tua untuk mengenalkan budaya literasi pada anak usia dini adalah: menyediakan perpustakaan mini di dalam rumah dan membacakan buku cerita kepada anak supaya mengapresiasi budaya literasi sejak usia masih dini. Keaktifan orang tua sangat berperan dalam upaya membangun budaya literasi anak usia dini. Sebagaimana yang diharapkan orang tua akan lahir generasi yang mampu berpikir kritis, logis, dan pengembangan kecerdasan bahasa secara lisan. Jadi literasi harus kita bangun sejak dini. Membangunnya dimulai dari rumah kita masing-masing.