bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tunable Perfect Absorption of Microwave Radiation via Dielectric Slabs in Irregular Arrangements: A Non-Hermitian Approach
Authors: Franco-Villafañe John , Domínguez-Rocha Victor , Fernández-Marín Antonio , Flores-Castro Carlos , Ramírez-Hintze Eduardo
Published: April 2024

This study introduces a novel passive approach for achieving tunable perfect absorption of microwave radiation, employing non-Hermitian physics to manipulate electromagnetic waves without conductive elements. By utilizing common dielectric slabs in irregular configurations within a rectangular waveguide, we can completely absorb electromagnetic energy, distinctively retaining it within the electromagnetic field instead of converting it into heat. This method contrasts with traditional metamaterials that rely on conductive components to absorb energy. Employing the transfer matrix method and Sequential Quadratic Programming for optimization, our research identifies specific non-uniform placements of FR4 slabs that maximize absorption within targeted microwave bands. Experimental validation, executed in a standard WR90 waveguide connected to a vector network analyzer, confirms the theoretical and finite element simulation results, underscoring the effectiveness of our passive strategy. This work advances our understanding of non-Hermitian systems in electromagnetic wave control and offers significant potential for applications in reducing electromagnetic pollution and enhancing secure communications, all while aligning with ecological preservation objectives.
Patient and Clinician Experiences with the Implementation of Telemedicine and Related Adaptations in Office-Based Buprenorphine Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Davoust Melissa , Bazzi Angela R. , Blakemore Samantha , Blodgett Juliana , Cheng Anna , Fielman Sarah , Magane Kara M. , Theisen Jacqui , Saitz Richard , Ventura Alicia S. , Weinstein Zoe M.
Published: April 2024

Background: Deaths from opioid overdose have increased dramatically in the past decade, representing an epidemic in the United States. For individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), agonist medications such as methadone and buprenorphine reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality. Historically, the provision of buprenorphine treatment in office-based settings has relied on frequent in-person contact, likely influencing patients’ access to and retention in care. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providers of office-based buprenorphine treatment rapidly adapted their care processes, increasingly relying on telemedicine visits. To date, relatively few prior studies have combined patient and clinician perspectives to examine the implementation of telemedicine and related care adaptations, particularly in safety-net settings.
Methods: Qualitative methods were used to explore clinician and patient experiences with telemedicine in an office-based buprenorphine treatment clinic affiliated with an urban safety-net hospital. From this clinic, we interviewed 25 patients and 16 clinicians (including prescribers and non-prescribers) to understand how telemedicine impacted treatment quality and engagement in care, as well as preferences for using telemedicine moving forward.
Results: Five themes regarding the implementation of telemedicine and other COVID-19-related care adaptations arose from patient and clinician perspectives: 1) telemedicine integration precipitated openness to more flexibility in care practices, 2) concerns regarding telemedicine-related adaptations centered around safety and accountability, 3) telemedicine encounters required rapport and trust between patients and clinicians to facilitate open communication, 4) safety-net patient populations experienced unique challenges when using telemedicine, particularly in terms of the technology required and the need for privacy, and 5) there is an important role for telemedicine in office-based buprenorphine treatment moving forward, primarily through its use in hybrid models of care.
Conclusions: Telemedicine implementation within office-based buprenorphine treatment has the potential to improve patients’ engagement in care; however, our findings emphasize the need for tailored approaches to implementing telemedicine in office-based buprenorphine treatment, particularly within safety-net settings. Overall, this study supports the maintenance of changes to policy and practice that facilitate the use of telemedicine in office-based buprenorphine treatment beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Design of a single computational model to simulate the three foot-rocker mechanisms of the gait cycle
Authors: Muñoz Nicolas Yanguma , Bayod Javier , Portilla Christian Cifuentes-De la
Published: April 2024

The use of computational models of the human foot based on finite element analysis (FEM) offers a promising avenue for understanding the biomechanical internal changes of this structure. Bone and soft tissues have been modeled. However, models reported in the literature often lack a comprehensive representation of the foot's dynamic. This research aims to overcome these limitations by designing a computational model that accurately simulates foot biomechanics during the stance period of the gait in healthy and flatfoot scenarios. The model is focused on analyzing stress variations in soft tissues such as the plantar fascia and spring ligament to provide valuable insights into the internal biomechanics of the foot. The designed FEM foot model includes 26 bones with cortical and trabecular differences, cartilages, ligaments, plantar fascia, and tendons related to foot arch support. The results were evaluated through maximum principal stress, and validations were performed by measuring clinical angles and compared with the range of motion for foot joints. Results show that the plantar fascia and spring ligament suffer a stress increment during mid-stance and toe-off compared to heel-strike. Additionally, as was expected, flatfoot simulations show stress increments in evaluated soft tissues, while surgical treatment scenarios contributed to tension reduction in these regions. The findings emphasize the active role of the plantar fascia and spring ligament, particularly during approximately 50\% of the stance period when the plantar arch is deformed. Results show valuable insights into the internal biomechanics of the foot through computational models.
Sociodemographic and Clinical Determinants of Suicidal Ideation: An Analysis in a Peruvian Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Unit
Authors: Huarcaya-Victoria Jeff , Salvador-Carillo José , Cabrejos-Espinoza Michaell , Ponce-Pantigoso Mercedes , Broncano-Rivera Kelly , Loarte-Cabrera Andrea
Published: April 2024

Background
Suicidal ideation (SI) poses a significant global health concern, particularly among hospitalized individuals, with gaps in understanding its contributing factors in low and middle-income countries like Peru.
Methods
Utilizing a cross-sectional design, this study examined 940 patients evaluated by the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Unit at a major Peruvian general hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed, employing standardized instruments such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). The prevalence of SI and its associations were explored through bivariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
The prevalence of SI was 19.7%, with notable associations found in patients experiencing moderate-to-severe depression (36.8%) and those rated as moderately to severely ill on CGI (33.2%). Multivariate analysis confirmed these associations, emphasizing the impact of retirement (aPR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.04–2.26, p = 0.032), clinical severity (aPR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.22–1.63, p < 0.0001), and depressive symptoms (aPR = 2.98, 95% CI = 2.13–4.17, p < 0.0001) on SI.
Conclusion
This study provides essential insights into SI factors among hospitalized patients. Identifying risk factors, like retirement and clinical severity, underscores the importance of targeted interventions in the Peruvian general hospital context.
Effects of different algal diets on growth and development of the larvae of the copepod Bestiolina amoyensis
Authors: Ma Zhouyang , Wang Shuhong , Chen Nan , Zhang Yueping
Published: April 2024

Copepods are an important food source for many economically important fish larvae. Especially the larvae of copepod, compared to rotifers and artemia, they are a very promising live feed. Bestiolina amoyensis with small body size, nutrient-rich, excellent reproductive capacity and wide range of adaptability, making it being a promising biological feed for aquaculture. However, the effects of different algal diets on the growth and development of B. amoyensis larvae have not been studied. In this study, Isochrysis galbana (Iso), Pavlova viridis (Pav) and Chaetoceros miielleri (Cha) were selected to feed larvae in single- or mixed-species diets: Iso, Pav, Cha, Iso + Pav, Iso + Cha, Pav + Cha, Iso + Pav + Cha. The effects were evaluated by several growth and development indicators, including survival rate, ingestion, development time, and carbon content. The larvae fed Iso or Iso + Pav + Cha had the highest survival rates compared with other diet combinations. The development time of the larvae fed Cha was longer compared with all other algal diets. Ingestion by nauplii (1.72 × 105 cells/ind) and copepodites (3.82 × 105 cells/ind) was highest when fed Iso. The larvae fed a 3-species diet had the highest carbon content compared with other algal diets. Our findings demonstrate that a combination of the 3 species could maximize growth and development of B. amoyensis larvae.
Malaria transmission in the coastal zone and in the center of Cote d’Ivoire during the dry season
Authors: Gouamene Tinma J. R. , Edi A.V.Constant , Kwadio Eric , Gbalegba Constant N. G. , Zahouli Julien Z. B. , Koudou Benjamin G.
Published: April 2024

Background: Malaria remains a threat in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire. In Côte d'Ivoire it is endemic and represents the leading cause of hospital consultations, morbidity and mortality. The strong climatic variations that exist between coastal and savannah areas of Cote d’Ivoire suggest that vector control interventions should be scheduled according to the eco-epidemiological diversity. This study evaluates bioecological parameters of vectors and malaria transmission in two health districts, one coastal and one central of Côte d'Ivoire.
Methods: The study was conducted in the coastal (Jacqueville) and savannah (Béoumi) areas of Côte d’Ivoire from November 2018, at the end of the rainy season to March 2019, in the dry season. Human Landing Catches (HLC) were conducted monthly at the study sites to determine Anopheles vector species composition, aggressive density, aggression cycle, and biting location (indoor/outdoor of houses) as well as entomological parameters of malaria transmission. Mosquitoes were collected over 12 hours, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. Mosquitoes infectivity was revealed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for P. falciparumcircumsporozoite protein. A random sample of 100 An. gambiae s.l. including all CSP-positive females, were further classified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the species and molecular form levels.
Results: In Jacqueville 853 (99.7%) An. gambiae s.l., and 3 (0.35%) An. pharoensis were collected. In Béoumi 811 (96;3%) An. gambiae s.l., 23 (2; 73%) An. funestus and 8 (0; 95%) An. pharoensis have been found. An. coluzzii represented the only species of the An. gambiae s.l., complex in Jacqueville while. Among the An. gambiae s.l samples tested in Beoumi, 58% (n= 29) were An. coluzzii and the rest (42%; n= 21) was An. gambiae s.s The human biting rate (HBR) in Jacqueville increased from 5.7 (b/p/n) in November to 17.3 (b/p/n) in March. Conversely in Béoumi the HBR decreased from 16.4 (b/p/n) in November to 0.69 (b/p/n) in March. In Jacqueville, the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) varies from 0.21 to 0.56 (ib/p/n) with the pic of 0.56 (ib/p/n) in February. In Béoumi no infection was detected in the parous An. gambiae s.l samples tested during the study period.
Conclusions: This study evaluates bioecological parameters of vectors and malaria transmission in two health districts, one coastal and one central of Côte d'Ivoire.
Multinational Firms and the Economic Self-Reliance of North American Cities
Authors: Ahmed Soha , Zaidi Faraz , Rozenblat Celine
Published: April 2024

The economic development of cities is heavily influenced by multinational corporations (MNCs), whose presence and interconnections with their subsidiaries across various regions and continents significantly shape their global operations and potential expansions. North America serves as a pivotal hub for numerous leading MNCs globally, and cities within this region play a vital role in establishing both local and global economic relationships. This research aims to investigate these tightly coupled interdependent networks of cities facilitated by MNCs and their subsidiaries, with a specific focus on North American cities and urban centers.
Through the analysis of empirical data spanning four distinct time periods (2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019), the analysis aims to uncover intriguing insights. Particularly noteworthy is the prevalence of robust intra-regional ties observed within North American over the studied period. Such connectivity fosters economic self-reliance the cities and urban centers, and stimulates sustainable economic growth.
Subjective well-being can be predicted by the caudate volume and promotion focus
Authors: Matsunaga Masahiro , Ohtsubo Yohsuke , Ishii Keiko , Tsuboi Hirohito , Suzuki Kohta , Takagishi Haruto
Published: April 2024

It is a well-known fact that the caudate nucleus is associated with motivational behaviors and subjective well-being. However, there are no longitudinal studies that have examined the relationship between brain structure, behavioral orientations, and subjective well-being. This study analyzes data from our previous longitudinal study to examine whether future subjective well-being can be predicted by the volume of the caudate nucleus. We also examined whether behavioral orientation, based on the regulatory focus theory showing two orientations: promotion and prevention focus, was related to the volume of the caudate nucleus. Voxel-based morphometry analysis indicated that the left caudate volume was positively associated with rating scores for future subjective well-being and promotion orientation. Furthermore, mediation analysis indicated that promotion orientation significantly mediated the relationship between future subjective well-being and left caudate volume. The findings indicate that future subjective well-being can be predicted by the volume of the left caudate nucleus, and that this relationship is mediated by promotion focus orientation.
A simplified symbolic computation method based on Hirota bilinear equations for constructing multiple-order rogue waves
Authors: Tang Lu , Zeng Hang
Published: April 2024

The computation of higher-order rogue waves can be a time-consuming process.Hirota bilinear equations with controllable centers for all orders of rogue wave solutions can be solved by a simplified symbolic computation method.Only one-third of the computational effort needed by the original method is required by the simplified one, for very high orders. For instance, simpler first- to fourth-order rogue waves, as well as fifth-order rogue waves that were previously unpublished, are yielded by the simplified method for a generalized (2+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation. To be honest, the obtained results in this paper substantially improve or complement the corresponding conditions in the references [17,18]. As a consequence,~this paper gives a new idea to derive high-order rogue waves for the generalized (2+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation.
Sero-prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Adigrat General Hospital, Eastern Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Abay Getachew Kahsu , Gebrewahd Aderajew , Berhe Brhane , Belay Getachew , Tesfanchal Birhane , Kahsay Tsega , Fseha Berhane , Tadesse Senait , Birhane Mulugeta , Gebre Mulualem , Petrucka Pammla
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVES
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common health problems, causing high mortality and heavy economic burden worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Adigrat General Hospital Northern Ethiopia.
METHODS
Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March, 2024 among 385 pregnant women. Participants were selected through systematic random sampling method. Socio demographic and associated factors data were collected using a structured questionnaire and 5 milliliter blood sample was collected. The data were entered to EPI Info and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were computed. Bivariate and multi-variant regression analysis was employed to measure the association values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The overall sero-prevalence of HBsAg among the 385 study subjects enrolled was 10.4% (n = 40). HBsAg was common in all age groups. The infection was higher those who had history of multiple sexual partner (22.7%),ear-piercing (13.4%), history of abortion (27.6%), history of delivery (26.3%) and history of genital mutilation (35.7%).In multivariate logistic regression being unmarried (AOR 8.57; 95% CI 3.20-22.93) ,being illiterate (AOR 12.06; 95% CI 3.07–47.33) ,history of ear piercing (AOR 5.66; 95% CI 1.65–19.45), history of abortion (AOR 8.16; 95% CI 3.18–20.95), history of home delivery (AOR 6.69; 95% CI 1.26–35.53) and history of genital mutilation (AOR 9.77; 95% CI 2.64–36.18) of acquiring HBV infection compared to their counterparts.
CONCLUSIONS
The result showed that HBV was highly prevalent in our study area. Being unmarried, Low educational level, ear piercing, abortion, home delivery and genital mutilation were significantly associated with HBV infection. Therefore, this finding suggests that health education programs should be given to the community to raise the awareness of mothers.
Optimal Design of CFRP Plates For Strengthening RC Flat Slab-Column Connections: Parametric Study and GWO-Based Optimization
Authors: Kohneposhi Zana , Azizian Hadi , Haddad Omid , Ghaderi Seyed Jamil
Published: April 2024

The present study assesses the efficacy of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates in enhancing the strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) flat slab-column connections under both punching shear and seismic loading conditions. A comprehensive parametric analysis is conducted using the Abaqus finite element software, encompassing 33 distinct models with variations in key parameters including loading conditions, number of fiber layers, orientation, thicknesses, and dimensions of the CFRP plate. The numerical model is validated through experimental testing of a laboratory-scale prototype, demonstrating a mean error of 5.2% relative to experimental data, indicating satisfactory accuracy. Furthermore, an optimal design approach for CFRP plates is developed employing the gray wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm. The primary objective of this optimization framework is to mitigate damage in the slab-column connection under loading. Computational simulations are performed simultaneously in Abaqus and MATLAB to determine the optimal geometric parameters of CFRP for retrofitting the connection. The results demonstrate that CFRP plates with optimal parameters can reduce more than 90% of the damage incurred at the slab-column connection. The results, together with the CFRP optimization model developed using GWO, can be practically utilized for the optimal design of CFRP plates to reinforce structures.
Fuzzy-logic-based collision risk model to evaluate the safety of signalized intersections at the cycle level
Authors: Fu Hanbing , Zhou Zhuping
Published: April 2024

The safety assessment of signalized intersections is usually carried out by developing statistical and data-driven methods based on data aggregated at some temporal and spatial level (e.g., yearly or hourly; interval or approach segment). However, such aggregations suffer from significant simplifications that obscure patterns of potential spatiotemporal security risks within the level of data aggregation.The existing alternative indicators, Surrogate Safety Measures (SSMs), cannot effectively describe the real-time collision risk process of cross conflicts. This research presents a vehicle collision risk model based on fuzzy logic to express the real-time collision risk process of intersection conflicts in signalized intersections and proposes a function analysis method to perform a new characterization of the safety risk mode of signalized intersections.A signalized intersection with double right-turn lanes is selected as the research site, and about 1 hour of traffic video data recorded by a UAV is used to extract vehicle trajectory data. The proposed risk model is based on the characterization of the collision risk function, which can reveal the time distribution cycle of the risk of each lane within the signal. There is a difference between the same turning traffic movements of the opposite direction in the same phase. It is necessary to distinguish between two types of traffic movement in the opposite direction in the same phase.The proposed model has the potential to be used to facilitate active safety management and optimize signal timing while considering traffic safety on a more granular level.
Spearmint enhances lettuce biomass and provides microbes to co-cultured lettuce in a decoupled aquaponic system
Authors: Atique Faiqa , Juottonen Heli , Kytöviita Minna-Maarit
Published: April 2024

Aquaponics, where recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and hydroponics are combined to grow fish and plants, is a promising farming technique for sustainable food production. We investigated whether lettuce yield in aquaponics can be enhanced by companion plants and the role of companion plant-derived microbes. Lettuce and companion plants (spearmint, rucola, wormwood) were grown for 30 days in hydroponic units in RAS effluents in three time replicates. The growth of lettuce increased when grown with spearmint and rucola. Companion plants also influenced the bacterial community composition in lettuce. In particular, lettuce grown with spearmint or wormwood contained bacteria that potentially originated from the companion plant. A specific subset of bacterial taxa from spearmint were also associated with increased lettuce growth. On the other hand, the microbial community in mature lettuce did not develop markedly from the RAS effluents. However, the factor with the largest effect on plant growth and bacterial community composition was time replicate. In conclusion, the companion plants particularly spearmint enhanced the growth of lettuce through facilitation and potentially by providing lettuce with bacteria associated with increased growth. Our results emphasize the importance of the bacterial components and temporal fluctuations in optimizing aquaponics productivity.
Deep representation learning for clustering longitudinal survival data from electronic health records
Authors: Qiu Jiajun , Hu Yao , Li Frank , Erzurumluoglu Abdullah Mesut , Braenne Ingrid , Whitehurst Charles , Schmitz Jochen , de Jong Johann
Published: April 2024

Precision medicine can be defined as providing the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, and it requires the ability to identify clinically relevant patient subgroups with high accuracy. The increasing availability of large-scale longitudinal electronic health records (EHR) datasets has provided major opportunities for artificial intelligence and machine learning in mining such complex datasets for identifying novel disease subtypes. However, disease subtypes often exist in the context of certain disease-relevant risk events, and current efforts have been limited by stratifying patients either only by disease trajectory or only by event risk, largely ignoring the interactions between the two, which can result in subgroups that still display great heterogeneity in event risk and/or underlying molecular mechanisms. To capture such interactions, novel methods are needed that allow for clustering patients simultaneously by disease trajectory and event risk,
To address this current gap in the literature, we developed TransVarSur (Transformer Variational Survival modeling). TransVarSur integrates a Transformer-based Gaussian mixture variational autoencoder with time-to-event modeling to capture complex relationships between cluster-specific EHR trajectories and survival times. We validated TransVarSur by showing superior performance relative to a range of baseline methods that either ignore longitudinality or the interactions between disease trajectories and event risk, on both synthetic and real-world benchmark datasets with known ground-truth clustering. We then applied TransVarSur to 1908 Crohn's disease patients from the UK Biobank and successfully identified four clusters displaying both divergent EHR trajectories and divergent progression towards the risk event intestinal obstruction. A further analysis of the clusters revealed known clinical and genetic factors relevant in Crohn's disease and progression to intestinal obstruction.
In conclusion, we demonstrated TransVarSur’s ability to disentangle interactions between disease trajectories and risk events to more accurately stratify a patient population into clinically and genetically relevant subgroups. Hence, it can be a powerful tool in the development of precision medicine approaches.
CNN Models for Accurate Pose Localization
Authors: ELOUNI Achref , royer eric , thierry chateau
Published: April 2024

Visual Localization is the problem of estimating the camera pose of a given image relative to a visual representation of a known scene. The estimation process becomes increasingly difficult due to factors such as a large quantity of outliers and changes in viewpoints. To overcome these challenges, we leverage semantic segmentation algorithms to enhance the localization performance. We propose three distinct approaches that effectively combine semantic and visual information, allowing us to assign more than one label to each keypoint. We compare the performance of these methods against state-of-the-art techniques and evaluate the scenario where only mono labels are utilized. The evaluation is conducted on four datasets (Dubrovnik, Rome, Aachen, and Vienna). Through extensive experimentation, we demonstrate that by incorporating both visual and semantic information, the accuracy of pose estimation can be significantly improved in terms of both time efficiency and precision.
Characterization and Properties of PVC/Talc composites
Authors: bendjaouahdou Chaouki
Published: April 2024

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of talc (TC) on the properties of a polychloride vinyl (PVC) polymer used in the fabrication of electrical cable sheath. The resulted blend, based on TC and PVC polymer was prepared by dry blending followed by melt calendering. The results obtained showed a clear improvement of the blend mechanical properties (tensile strength, shore A hardness and elongation at break) when the amount of the talc was 1 wt. %. The thermal stability (deshydrochloration or Beilstein test) is maximal wh e n t he c o n cen t r at i on of t he talc was equal to 1 wt. %. A morphological analysis (optical microscopy) revealed that for 1 wt. %. of talc concentration there is a uniform distribution of talc particles inside PVC matrix. Moreover, water absorption did not exceed 0.15 wt % for all studied talc concentrations.
Retrieval based Emotionally responsive chatbot Utilizing emotions clustering and XAI Techniques.
Authors: Ashen
Published: April 2024

Chatbots are becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, handling a variety of tasks from booking flights to checking the balance of a bank account. However, these interactions are often limited to transactional nature, lacking the depth and nuance of natural human conversations. Therefore, while chatbots are becoming more sophisticated, they still have a significant way to go in terms of authentic human-like interaction. Enhancing chatbots' ability to interact with humans and making them more user-friendly is a crucial challenge in contemporary conversational technology. One promising approach is to imbue these chatbots with the ability to express and understand emotions. Hence, the focus is on developing empathetic dialogue systems that effectively model empathy, ultimately making chatbots more human-like in their interactions with users. In this project, A retrieval-based approach is adopted to mitigate the limitations encountered in generative-based models, particularly concerning logical coherence and response appropriateness. Unlike generative models, retrieval-based approaches offer a more pragmatic solution that demands fewer computational resources. Through the integration of deep learning techniques, transparency in decision-making processes is ensured by eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), providing users with insights into the chatbot's reasoning. Furthermore, clustering techniques are leveraged to generalize various emotion types, allowing the chatbot to cater to a broader spectrum of emotional inputs effectively.
A novel and comprehensive approach for understanding the social impacts of flooding: assessing social flood vulnerability and social flood risk in Denmark
Authors: Prall Mia Cassidy , Brandt Urs Steiner , Halvorsen Nick Schack , Hansen Morten Uldal , Dahlberg Niklas , Andersen Kaija Jumppanen
Published: April 2024

Flood risk assessment approaches have traditionally been dominated by measures of economic damage. However, the importance of understanding the intangible social impacts of flooding are increasingly being acknowledged. Social vulnerability indices have been constructed in diverse geographical contexts to understand differential susceptibility of different social groups to flood hazards. However, integrated assessments of social vulnerability, exposure, and hazard information are lacking. Here, we construct a national social vulnerability index (SVI) for Denmark and combine this with direct and indirect social exposure data and coastal flood hazard data to construct a national social flood risk index (SFRI). Results show the spatial distribution of social flood vulnerability and social flood risk in Denmark. Our work introduces a comprehensive flood risk modelling approach that explicitly considers the social impacts of flooding in all model components. Such an approach can facilitate a shift towards the implementation of more holistic and inclusive flood risk management and climate change adaptation planning approaches that are usable within the context of existing risk management frameworks such as the EU Floods Directive. We hope that introducing a comprehensive, socially-specific approach to flood risk assessment can help to mainstream social wellbeing, resilience, and justice as central considerations in decision making on flood risk management.
Rosa abietina – eine seltene Hundsrose unklaren Ursprungs. Wie können zytologische, genetische und morphologische Daten zum Verständnis der Sippe beitragen?
Authors: Smolka Alisia , Simon Michel , Herklotz Veit , Reichel Katja , Ritz Christiane M.
Published: April 2024

Die ausnahmslos polyploiden Hundsrosen (Rosa sect. Caninae) gehören aufgrund ihrer komplexen hemisexuellen Vererbung zu den bestimmungskritischen Sippen in Mitteleuropa. Die seltene Tannen-Rose (R. abietina) ist im Alpenraum und französischen Jura verbreitet, in letzterem Gebiet wurde die Art erstmal von Charles Grenier gesammelt und später von Hermann Christ auch basierend auf Material aus den Alpen beschrieben. Sieben Individuen von R. abietina wurden zusammen mit weiteren Vertretern von Hundsrosen zytologisch, genetisch und morphologisch untersucht, um die Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse dieser Sippe innerhalb der Caninae zu untersuchen. Sowohl die genetischen als auch die morphologischen Daten zeigen eine intermediäre Stellung von R. abietina zwischen den Subsektionen Caninae und Vestitae, sodass ein hybridogener Ursprung der Art wahrscheinlich ist. Im Gegensatz zu bisher gefunden Hybriden zwischen Subsektionen waren aber alle Aufsammlungen von R. abietina pentaploid (2n = 5x = 35).
Danthonia decumbens hat eine weite ökologische Amplitude – die Abtrennung von Danthonia decumbens subsp. decipiens auf Kalkböden lässt sich nicht rechtfertigen
Authors: Thiel Hjalmar , Fuchs Jörg , Gregor Thomas
Published: April 2024

Die taxonomische Gliederung von Danthonia decumbens in eine tetraploide Danthonia decumbens subsp. decipiens auf kalkreichen Standorten und eine hexaploide Nominatunterart auf sauren Böden wird durch Bestimmung der Kern-DNA-Gehalte mit Hilfe von Durchflusszytometrie überprüft. Sämtliche analysierten Pflanzen haben einen DNA-Gehalt, der einer Chromosomenzahl von 2n = 36 entspricht. Die für Danthonia decumbens subsp. decipiens postulierte Chromosomenzahl von 2n = 24 kann weder an der Typuslokalität noch andernorts verifiziert werden. Pflanzen von bodensauren und kalkhaltigen Standorten unterscheiden sich blattanatomisch in der Zahl der Gelenkzellen beiderseits des Blattmittelnervs, sind jedoch durch gehäuftes Auftreten von mittleren Werten an Intermediärstandorten nicht klar voneinander differenziert. Aus unseren Untersuchungen ergeben sich keine Hinweise auf die Existenz einer taxonomisch als Unterart auszugliedernden Form von D. decumbens auf Kalkstandorten. Wir betrachten D. d. subsp. decipiens daher als Synonym zu D. decumbens.
Die Haftung von Frontex für Grundrechtsverletzungen
Authors: Berger Melanie , Progin-Theuerkauf Sarah
Published: April 2024

Frontex steht wegen einer möglichen Beteiligung an Grundrechtsverletzungen an den EU-Aussengrenzen seit langem in der Kritik. Diese Frage wurde auch in der Schweiz 2022 im Rahmen der Volksabstimmung über einen Ausbau des Mandats von Frontex diskutiert. Bei der Verordnung 2019/1896 handelte es sich bereits um die vierte Erweiterung des Mandats von Frontex seit 2004. Die Pflicht von Frontex zur Beachtung der Grundrechte wurde seither immer stärker in den an-wendbaren Rechtsakten verankert. Kürzlich musste sich das Europäische Gericht (EuG) erstmals mit einer Schadenersatzklage gegen Frontex wegen Grundrechtsverletzungen befassen. Das wäre die Gelegenheit gewesen, die Verantwortlichkeit der Agentur für Menschenrechtsverletzungen näher zu beleuchten. Dies ist jedoch nicht geschehen; stattdessen begnügte sich das Gericht mit einer sehr banalen Rechtsprüfung, im Rahmen derer es eine direkte Kausalität zwischen dem Handeln von Frontex und dem Schaden der Kläger verneinte.

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L'agence Frontex est depuis longtemps critiquée pour son implication potentielle dans des violations des droits fondamentaux aux frontières extérieures de l'UE. Cette question a notamment été débattue en Suisse en 2022 dans le cadre de la votation populaire sur l'extension du mandat de Frontex. Le règlement 2019/1896 était déjà la quatrième extension dudit mandat depuis 2004. L'obligation de Frontex de respecter les droits fondamentaux a depuis été progressivement ancrée dans les actes juridiques pertinents. Récemment, la Cour de justice de l'Union européenne (CJUE) a dû traiter pour la première fois une demande de dommages et intérêts contre Frontex pour violation des droits fondamentaux. Cela aurait pu être l'occasion d'examiner plus en avant la responsabilité de l'agence pour de telles violations. Au lieu de cela, le tribunal s'est contenté d'un examen juridique sommaire, dans lequel il a nié l'existence d'un lien de causalité entre les actions de Frontex et les préjudices subis par les plaignants.
Effect of Warm Temperature Interruption on the Accumulation of Winter Chilling in Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch. and A. deliciosa A. Chev.)
Authors: Hartmann Timothy P. , Spiers James D. , Stein Larry A. , Scheiner Justin J.
Published: April 2024

Warm temperature exposure during winter has reportedly resulted in the apparent negation of chilling in several fruit species. This study was conducted to investigate the floral and vegetative response of two pistillate kiwifruit cultivars to intermittent warm temperature interruption during chilling accumulation. Dormant 1-year-old canes of Actinidia chinensis ‘AU Golden Dragon’ and Actinidia deliciosa ‘AU Fitzgerald’ were collected in December 2018 and 2019 (334 and 360 chilling units, respectively), shortly after leaf abscission. Canes were cut to 10 nodes after removing the first six basal nodes, placed in jars filled with distilled water, and transferred to respective chilling treatments. Treatments included continuous chilling (CC) (in addition to base chilling) at 1-week (168 chilling units) increments (0–5 weeks) and chilling exposure at the same increments with intermittent warm temperature (WT). For the WT treatments, each week of chilling was followed by 3 days of exposure to warm conditions. Chilling and warm temperature exposure were simulated by 7/4 °C and 25/17.2 °C (day/night) air temperatures, respectively, using separate climate-controlled growth chambers. After treatments, canes were forced in a third chamber at 21.1 to 25.0 °C with light-emitting diode lighting. Vegetative budbreak, floral bud number (from here on defined as floral response), and floral development stage were recorded for each cane at 2-day intervals. For ‘AU Golden Dragon’, WT did not result in any reduced floral response at any of the observed chilling levels. However, lower mean floral response was observed with WT, as compared with CC for ‘AU Fitzgerald’ at 5 weeks of chilling over the 2 years (P = 0.05). WT also lessened the effect of apical dominance with respect to vegetative/floral response to node position for both cultivars. Chilling type had no significant effect on vegetative response in either cultivar. Estimated chilling requirements (CC) in this experiment were similar to those reported previously for these cultivars. Results suggest that A. chinensis cultivars may respond more favorably than A. deliciosa to the erratic winter temperature patterns experienced in the southeastern United States.
Extensão universitária: promovendo ações de Incentivo e divulgação da logística reversa em escola de ensino fundamental em Imperatriz – MA
Authors: FERNANDES Elizabeth Nunes , NASCIMENTO João Vitor Ferreira , SANTOS Mirely Bento dos , ROCHA Daniel dos Santos , NUNES Sheila Elke Araújo , NASCIMENTO Ivaneide de Oliveira , BELFORT Marcia Guelma Santos
Published: April 2024

No Brasil, a Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos foi instituída pela Lei nº 12.305/2010, e regulamentada pelo Decreto nº 10.936/2022. A legislação vigente apresenta a Logística Reversa (LR) como um dos instrumentos da PNRS para minimizar o cenário de excessiva geração de resíduos sólidos, com vistas à diminuição dos impactos originados pelo descarte inadequado de resíduos. Este trabalho aplicou ações de incentivo e divulgação da LR na Escola Frei Manoel Procópio, Imperatriz - MA. Os estudantes foram bastante receptivos, demostrando interesse nas primeiras ações que deram início aos trabalhos, o que resultou na participação efetiva desses discentes no processo de coleta de seletiva de pilhas, baterias e medicamentos. Investir em campanhas de educação ambiental, por meio de projetos de extensão universitária, promove conhecimento sobre o tema desde a mais tenra idade e constitui uma excelente alternativa para conscientizaçãodas gerações futuras em defesa da sustentabilidade.
The Suggestions for the Restoration of Failed Leadership in Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God and Anthills of the Savannah
Authors:   British And American Language And Literature Association Of Korea, Ha Sangbok
Published: April 2024

Examining the internal problems that cause chaos in Nigeria, this paper tries to look into Chinua Achebe’s suggestions for overcoming it in his novels, Arrow of God and Anthills of the Savannah. Especially, the paper makes a close study of the failure of leadership to which Achebe pays attention as the core of the internal problems. The failure of leadership that can be stated first is resulted from the leaders’ limitations and attributes in both novels. Those are their incompetency, irresponsibility, and lust for power and interests. Emphasizing that the failure of leadership is due not only to the leader but also to the people, the paper also claims that the situation in which a real leader cannot appear is because the people conform to the system and lose their sense of resistance. Finally, this paper confirms that Achebe does not stop at analyzing and criticizing the failure of leadership, but instead proposes the community where leaders and the people support and cooperate with each other to overcome chaos and create a new Nigeria.
Chemical and microbiological assessment of house-filtered water produced by household water filtration systems
Authors: M. Ammar A. S. , El-Ziney M. G. , Al-Turki A. I.
Published: April 2024

Chemical characteristics and microbiological quality of filtered water generated from municipal water using mono-, di- and penta-stage (5-stage) filters, as well as disposed drain water were investigated. With the application of the household water penta filters, the total dissolved solids (TDS) of the filtered water were highly reduced (0.04–0.07 g/L) and, consequently, electrical conductivity also decreased. Furthermore, total hardness was completely removed (0–2 mg CaCO3/L), as well as the chloride content. In the same manner, the nitrate content in the filtered water resulted from the household water penta filters decreased significantly (0.5–0.9 mg/L). Cations, such as Na+ and K+, in the filtered water were greatly affected and were 18–28 and 2 mg/L, respectively. Filtered water generated from the house-water penta filters was not in compliance with the daily amounts of F, Na and K necessary for teenagers and kids, and it might cause a risk of deficiencies. From the microbiological point of view, the penta-stage filter effectively removed total bacterial counts and total coliforms from water making it completely safe for potable and other domestic uses. The home water mono- and di- filters had low effectiveness of contaminant removal.
Prediction of technological properties of wheat flour by combination of UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy and multivariate analysis methods
Authors: Platova R. A. , Zhirkova E. V. , Metlenkin D. A. , Lysenkova A. A. , Platov Yu. T. , Rassulov V. A.
Published: April 2024

Over the last decades, optical spectroscopy methods that do not require complex sample preparation have been widely used to identify and control the composition of food products. In the present study, the possibility of using UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis for grading wheat flour into groups differing in technological properties was analyzed. UV-VIS-NIR spectra contain information on the combination and intensity of absorption bands assigned to functional groups of the composition components and determining the technological properties of wheat flour. The database of UV-VIS-NIR spectra of wheat flour samples differing by technological properties was formed into three groups: the first group — wheat flour samples with good baking properties, the second group — with reduced baking properties, the third group — with low baking properties. The visible range of UV-VIS-NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum was used to calculate the color coordinates in the CIE colorimetric system L*a*b*. The greatest difference among the groups in the color coordinates of the samples was found for the coordinate b*, which is associated with the different content of coloring pigments. The spectra database was used to build a classification model for grading wheat flour into quality groups using a combination of principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) methods. The achieved results indicate that the classification model built on the training sample is able to distinguish wheat flour spectra by quality groups with an accuracy of 96.49%. The effective- ness of the model is verified using a test set of spectra of wheat flour samples. The present study confirms that the combina- tion of UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy in conjunction with the PCA-LDA method has significant potential for determining a quality group of wheat flour based on technological properties.
Feeding ration of yaks of the Kyrgyz population and its influence on the biochemical composition of milk
Authors: Saalieva A. N. , Usubalieva A. M. , Musulmanova M. M.
Published: April 2024

Yaks are the large herbivorous ruminants that live in high mountain pastures at altitudes from 2,000 to 4,000 m above sea level. This environment is quite harsh, and yaks calmly tolerate extreme cold — down to minus 40 ºС. The main food of yaks are herbaceous plants, the vegetation season of which in a cold mountain climate is short, about 3–4 months, and therefore they feed mostly on wilted pasture, which is, in principle, sufficient for these animals. At the end of winter, when the amount of pasture feed decreases, the animals become malnourished and lose weight. Therefore, yak farmers often face the need to feed their animals in winter. A complete ration of an animal, along with other factors, has a significant impact on the composition of milk and its productive ability. The aim of the work is to study the chemical composition, in particular the protein fraction, of the milk of yaks living in the mountainous regions of Kyrgyzstan in comparison with the milk of yaks from different regions of the world. The object of the study was milk of yaks inhabiting the highland regions of Naryn province of Kyrgyzstan. Samples were collected and tested according to standard methods. Studies have shown that the milk of yaks from the Kyrgyz population contains more protein (5.66%) than milk from yaks in the mountains of China, Russia and Mongolia (4.95, 4.55 and 5.3%, respectively). Milk we studied is high in amino acids such as methionine, lysine, proline, phenylalanine, and alanine. Seasonal (spring, summer) changes in the protein composition (whey proteins, casein proteins), amino acid profile, total nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen of yak milk were also studied. The total content of amino acids in the milk of Kyrgyz female yaks is noticeably higher in spring (6189.96 mg/100 g) than in summer (5101.47 mg/100 g). The research results presented in this article showed that the milking season and the associated feeding ration of yaks affects the composition of milk, which is associated with the nutritional value of grass feed and its nutrient content. Spring milk contains more proteins and amino acids than summer milk, which is due to the high protein content of plants in the spring period before the flowering phase. Milk of Kyrgyz yak with proven high nutritional and biological value is an alternative to cow milk.