bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating Innovation into Business Strategy: Perspectives from Innovation Managers
Authors: López Daniel , Oliver Miquel
Published: April 2023

This article presents the results of a literature review and the preliminary results of interviews with directors and innovation managers of large companies on the importance of innovation in business strategy, innovation strategy, and the factors they consider when choosing their strategy. Therefore, the study determines nine statements. There is no global consensus on the definition of innovation, which could affect its relevance in business. This contributes to the fact that the innovation department is not integrated as the main lever of the core business. A business strategy needs innovation, and a business innovation needs its own strategy. In fact, it is positive to incorporate the innovation strategy into the business strategy to improve productivity, performance, and sustainability. The innovation strategy is framed in a multidimensional way, and the innovation strategies are oriented to the offering, efficiency, and business plan. In turn, there are factors (internal and external) that affect or influence the decision of companies when deciding on an innovation strategy. It is also concluded that it is reasonable to consider that we can use the business strategy methodology to determine the innovation strategy. Future research could delve into how to establish a framework that defines the innovation strategy methodology with a unified approach where the main strategies and their components are revealed.
Fungal Strain as Biological Tool to Remove Genotoxicity Effect of Phenolic Compounds from Olive Mill Wastewater
Authors: Boutafda Aziz , Hafidi Mohamed , Ouhdouch Yedir , Pinelli Eric , Jemo Martin , El Fels Loubna
Published: April 2023

This study aims to select fungi isolates to reduce olive mill wastewater (OMWW) chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenolic compounds (PC), as well as their genotoxicity effect. Treatment with mold, isolated by an innovative technique using phenolic compound-selective media, showed a reduction rate of about 4% for COD and 2% for PC during one month of incubation without optimization of the treatment conditions. Whereas this percentage reached 98% and 96% for COD and PC, respectively, after only 12 days of treatment, when the C:N ratio was adjusted to 30 by adding urea as a nitrogen source at 150 rpm agitation speed. Genetic sequence homology of the most efficient mold isolate showed 100% similarity to Penicillium chrysogenum. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of phenolic extracts of untreated OMWW showed the presence of five compounds—hydroxytyrosol at 1.22 g.L−1, tyrosol at 0.05 g.L−1, caffeic acid at 0.16 g.L−1, p-coumaric acid at 0.05 g.L−1 and oleuropein at 0.04 g.L−1—that were eliminated during the degradation process at 88.82%. Genotoxicity, assessed by the Vicia-faba root cell, showed a significant decrease in micronucleus frequency of about 96% after fungal treatment. These results confirm the positive role of fungal treatment of OMWW to eliminate genotoxicity and their ability to improve the agronomic potential.
The Economies’ Ability to Produce Diversified and Complex Goods to Meet the Global Competition: Role of Gross Value Chain, Institutional Quality, and Human Capital
Authors: Nan Ding , Shahbaz Pomi , Haq Shamsheer ul , Nadeem Muhammad , Imran Muhammad
Published: April 2023

The theory of capabilities describes the need for a country to adopt different capabilities to enhance its productivity through the production of diversified and complex goods. These capabilities are not independent of the human, physical, institutional, legal systems, and gross value chain (GVC) of a country. Therefore, the current study analyzed the relationship between GVC, institutional quality, human capital development, and the economic fitness of different countries. This study used panel data from 131 countries for the period of 2007–2019. The generalized method of moments (GMM), fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS), and quantile regression showed that GVC, institutional quality, and human capital development have a big positive effect on a country’s economic health. The quantile regression results also showed that GVC, institutional quality, and skilled human capital have a positive and significant effect on the economic fitness of all three quantiles (25th, 50th, and 75th). Overall, the study concludes that greater GVC participation, political stability, effective government, good rules of law, high regulatory quality, and good human capital all enhance the country’s capabilities to produce diversified and complex goods that increase its market share in the global competitive market. Thus, the government should formulate policies in such a way that they promote participation in GVC to overcome the limitations of resource availability and poor technology. In addition, it should be ensured that effective policy implementation is in place to facilitate business without unjust means, violence, etc.
The Nexus between Managerial Overconfidence, Corporate Innovation, and Institutional Effectiveness
Authors: Wen Ningrui , Usman Muhammad , Akbar Ahsan
Published: April 2023

Innovative projects are considered risky and challenging, and specific managerial traits (such as managerial overconfidence) are needed to gain momentum. Moreover, corporate innovations are also crucial for sustainable development through the creation of more efficient, ecofriendly, and socially responsible products, processes, and business models. Therefore, the present study adds to the existing literature by examining (a) how managerial overconfidence influences firm-level innovation, (b) whether the strength of the relationship between managerial overconfidence and corporate innovation is a moderator of institutional effectiveness, and (c) whether these relationships are evident, particularly in developing contexts. We employed firm-level data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey to test such contentions and developed unique proxies for managerial overconfidence and corporate innovation. The timeframe of the study ranged from 2014 to 2017. This study is unique, as we have used a large dataset and various novel proxy measures to quantify managerial overconfidence and corporate innovation. Utilizing probit and ordered probit regression with year-fixed effect models, our robust results reveal that a firm’s innovativeness is significantly associated with managerial overconfidence. As the mother of all psychological biases, overconfidence is the most ubiquitous, with many features influencing human judgment. The findings imply that hiring managers with confident personalities or encouraging existing managers to become bold in their decision-making may increase firm-level innovation in developing countries. Moreover, the strength of the relationship between managerial overconfidence and corporate innovation is moderated by institutional effectiveness. These findings suggest that institutions play a crucial role in escalating managerial confidence and innovation by connecting and understanding the flow of knowledge, risk taking, and investing activities. Corporations can be critical in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development by incorporating sustainable principles into their innovation strategies.
Research on the Factors Influencing the Perception of Urban Park Recreational Behavior Based on the “Homo Urbanicus” Theory
Authors: Ren Yi , Yang Qiusheng
Published: April 2023

The improvement of the quality of urban parks plays a vital role in the construction and development of urban society. This study examined the factors influencing recreational satisfaction with urban parks, providing a reference for measures to improve the quality of urban parks. Based on the theory of “Homo Urbanicus”, we conducted a factor analysis of recreation satisfaction with urban parks and constructed a structural equation model. It can be seen from the analysis results produced by the causal model that “supporting facilities” and “functional facilities” have the highest contributions to the factor load of the model, which indicates that individual recreational satisfaction with urban parks is mainly based on the relationship between individuals and space conditions. In other words, these elements are necessary to meet the requirement of the “physical” in the “Homo Urbanicus” theory and to supplement the “physical–group–rational” method structure in the “Homo Urbanicus” theory. This conclusion indicates that the improvement of the “functional facilities” and “supporting facilities” of urban parks will play an important role in improving recreational satisfaction with urban parks. The results of this study can help researchers to build an urban park quality evaluation system from the perspective of recreation quality.
Sport Academics’ Awareness and Knowledge of Sustainability in Higher Education in Türkiye
Authors: Bor Özgür , Tosun Burcu , Eler Serdar , Eler Nebahat
Published: April 2023

It is widely accepted that sport plays a critical role in the achievement of sustainable development goals. The sport colleges, faculties, and universities that have undertaken the role to educate students, future trainers, educators, managers, and academic staff naturally have a significant impact on increasing awareness regarding sustainability issues. Therefore, in this study, the awareness, perception, and knowledge of the academic staff working in sport faculties and the factors affecting them are analyzed. For this purpose, a survey including a total of 19 questions is designed to measure the level of awareness regarding sustainable development, and it is answered by 366 faculty members in all 75 sport faculties in Türkiye. The results of the study point out that the vast majority of sport academics at universities have a common, general understanding of sustainability, but insufficient awareness of sustainable development goals and the relationship between sport and sustainable development. Furthermore, recognition and awareness regarding sustainable development seem to be limited at the institutional level. However, the results also imply that a great majority of the respondents are aware of the importance of sustainability and consider it necessary to improve themselves and their courses accordingly. Therefore, including sustainability issues in the curriculum, increasing awareness in all layers of institutions, and implementing sustainability in the entire higher education system with projects, seminars, and on-campus events are recommended.
Comprehensive Evaluation and Promotion Strategy of Agricultural Digitalization Level
Authors: Zhu Min , Li Yajie , Khalid Zainab , Elahi Ehsan
Published: April 2023

The development of digitalization is a crucial aspect of agricultural progress, and expediting the establishment of digital systems is a significant driving force behind high-quality agricultural advancements in the current era. Utilizing data from 16 cities within Shandong Province in China between 2014 and 2020, we created an assessment system to measure the degree of agricultural digitalization, utilized the entropy technique to assess the level of digitalization, scrutinized the general trends and time-dependent features of each city, and then utilized the obstacle degree model to pinpoint the primary hindrances to digitalization in agriculture. Lastly, the ESDA method was utilized to examine the differences in spatial distribution among regions and the spatial characteristics of agricultural digitalization at different stages and levels. Overall, the degree of agricultural digitalization can be categorized into three stages: deceleration and upswing (2014–2015), steady fluctuation (2016–2017), and high-level upswing (2018–2020). From the perspective of obstacles, the main hurdles to agricultural digitalization are e-commerce transaction volume and the total amount of telecommunication business. To accelerate the development of the entire agricultural industry chain, it is required to leverage the strengths of high-value areas and reinforce the coordination mechanism among various departments while hastening the construction of rural infrastructure in low-value areas. Additionally, it is necessary to improve inter-regional communication and cooperation to nurture different regional development models in line with local conditions.
Impact of Financial Inclusion, Globalization, Renewable Energy, ICT, and Economic Growth on CO2 Emission in OBOR Countries
Authors: Tsimisaraka Raymondo Sandra Marcelline , Xiang Li , Andrianarivo Andriandafiarisoa Ralison Ny Avotra , Josoa Eric Zonia , Khan Noheed , Hanif Muhammad Shehzad , Khurshid Aitzaz , Limongi Ricardo
Published: April 2023

This study examines the short-term and long-term effects of various important determinants such as financial inclusion (FI), information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy (RE), globalization (GOB), and economic growth (EG) on CO2 emissions in the top 10 emitter countries in the OBOR region based on the collected data for the years 2004 to 2019. This study employed the CS-ARDL technique. Findings demonstrate a strong relationship between FI, ICT, and CO2 emissions in both the long-term and short-term. Renewable sources of energy have been found to have a CO2 emission reduction effect, both in the long and short term. In the long run, there is a negative connection between globalization and CO2 emissions; however, in the short run, this connection is inconsequential, while economic growth (EG) has a positive association with CO2 emission. The development of ICT infrastructure carries the potential to directly mitigate the detrimental effects of CO2 emissions while also playing an important role in raising people’s environmental consciousness. OBOR countries should welcome and encourage clean and green foreign investment that provides technical skills, environmental technology development, and carbon-free processes.
The Pandemic Waves’ Impact on the Crude Oil Price and the Rise of Consumer Price Index: Case Study for Six European Countries
Authors: Boldea Costin Radu , Boldea Bogdan Ion , Iancu Tiberiu
Published: April 2023

This study examines the response of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in local currency to the COVID-19 pandemic using monthly data (March 2020–February 2022), comparatively for six European countries. We have introduced a model of multivariate adaptive regression that considers the quasi-periodic effects of pandemic waves in combination with the global effect of the economic shock to model the variation in the price of crude oil at international levels and to compare the induced effect of the pandemic restriction as well and the oil price variation on each country’s CPI. The model was tested for the case of six emergent countries and developed European countries. The findings show that: (i) pandemic restrictions are driving a sharp rise in the CPI, and consequently inflation, in most European countries except Greece and Spain, and (ii) the emergent economies are more affected by the oil price and pandemic restriction than the developed ones.
Unravelling Complex Interaction among Coastal Management and Marine Biodiversity: A Case Study in Southern Spain
Authors: Alcorlo Paloma , García-Tiscar Susana , Vidal-Abarca María Rosario , Suárez-Alonso María Luisa , Santos-Martín Fernando
Published: April 2023

In this work, we use an integrated modelling approach to explore the complex relationships and interconnections in marine ecosystems among anthropogenic pressures, biodiversity loss, delivery of ecosystem services (ES), and implemented conservation and management strategies. We selected 60 indicators at regional (34), national (12) and international (14) scales that provided long-term information during the 1985–2019 time frame. The results show a decline in marine biodiversity and its associated provisioning services despite the increasing number of responses delivered by a society which are not enough and/or need more time to exert their effects and highlight the pressure on exploited species of unknown conservation status. The decline in Provisioning ES is explained by the decrease in the overall biomass of the captures, mostly large and carnivorous commercially-targeted species and the increase in the number of small-bodied fish species included in the IUCN Red List. The degradation of ecosystem integrity and the continuing loss of biodiversity affect the ability of the ecosystem to provide Regulating ES. The Cultural ES delivery, related to artisanal fisheries, is better preserved in the Gulf of Cádiz. We conclude how the implementation of new management regulations is needed and should be developed through participatory processes to protect and improve marine ecosystem status.
Nutrient Sequestration by Two Aquatic Macrophytes on Artificial Floating Islands in a Constructed Wetland
Authors: Chen Zhaozhe , Costa Ozeas S.
Published: April 2023

Artificial floating islands (AFIs) have been documented as an efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective solution to address nutrient pollution. However, most AFI studies to date have been conducted in controlled experiments, and AFI applications in natural settings, particularly in the U.S. Midwest, are limited. Here, we present the results of a combination of field and mesocosm experiments with two native aquatic plant species (Carex comosa and Eleocharis palustris) in a constructed wetland in north-central Ohio. Results showed that C. comosa outperformed E. palustris with respect to biomass accumulation and root system development. In natural conditions, C. comosa had a total dry biomass production of 58.5 ± 22.2 g/plug compared to 6.1 ± 3.2 g/plug in E. palustris. The maximum estimated mean nutrient storage for C. comosa was 20.24 g/m2 of N and 1.33 g/m2 of P, whereas it was 2.31 g/m2 of N and 0.17 g/m2 of P for E. palustris. In addition, the more developed root system of C. comosa suggests that AFIs containing this plant have better total nutrient removal capacity. The growth conditions of both species were significantly impacted by seasonal dynamics with respect to their biomass production and root elongation, as evidenced by reduced growth towards the end of the growing season.
Spatial Patterns Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Cultural Resources in the Yellow River National Cultural Park, China
Authors: Yuan Dan , Wu Runhan , Li Dong , Zhu Lei , Pan Yaguang
Published: April 2023

This paper aims to analyze the spatial patterns characteristics of cultural resources within the Yellow River National Cultural Park in China. Therefore, this paper plans to use Arcgis-10.8 software to describe the spatial patterns of cultural resources within the Yellow River National Cultural Park and use Geographic detector tools to study the influence of physical geography and social and human factors on the spatial distribution pattern of cultural resources. The results indicate that: (1) the cultural resources in the Yellow River National show a spatial distribution pattern that is dense in the east and sparse in the west; (2) the spatial patterns of cultural resources within the planning scope of the Yellow River National Cultural Park are clustered, and multiple high-density areas such as south of the Shanxi province, north of the North Henan and Middle Shaanxi have formed, and the area covered by intangible cultural heritage is larger than that of tangible cultural heritage; (3) cultural resources show a “triangular” spatial distribution pattern, intangible cultural heritage shows an “N” spatial distribution pattern, and tangible cultural heritage shows an inverted “V” spatial distribution structure; (4) the influence of a single factor on the spatial distribution pattern of cultural resources is limited. The interaction of multiple factors can significantly improve explanation, and the landscape layout of cultural resources is the main factor affecting the spatial patterns of cultural resources.
The Sustainable Impact of Import on Chinese Residents’ Happiness: Evidence from CGSS
Authors: Li Shuyun , Wei Mingxue , Elahi Ehsan , Khalid Zainab , Chen Shaozhi
Published: April 2023

In recent years, China’s trade policy has been geared towards expanding imports and enhancing consumer welfare with a focus on sustainability. To investigate the sustainable impact of import trade on the well-being of residents, this study analyzed data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) and import data from the General Administration of Customs of China spanning from 2003 to 2017. Using the Ordered Logit model, the study found that import trade can significantly improve residents’ happiness in a sustainable manner. The impact of import trade on happiness varied among different education and income groups, with higher education and high-income groups showing the most significant effect. Furthermore, imports from G7 countries and sustainable consumer good imports were found to have the most significant positive impact on residents’ happiness. The study suggests that import trade can promote sustainable development by upgrading product quality, increasing income, promoting employment, and improving health levels. These findings hold vital references and guiding significance for the formulation of sustainable trade policies and the realization of sustained high quality for the Chinese economy.
Fibrous Materials for Potential Efficient Energy Recovery at Low-Temperature Heat
Authors: Frontera Patrizia , Bonaccorsi Lucio , Fotia Antonio , Malara Angela
Published: April 2023

Technology must improve energy generation and utilization to support human societies. All highly industrialized nations support the attempt to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources—a process which is irreversible—but the support is not yet strong enough to make the switch. Energy-efficient and renewable heating and cooling systems offer considerable energy saving potential, since buildings use a large percentage of EU energy for heating and cooling, which still uses fossil fuels (75%). For this transition, innovation regarding the traditional material for thermal energy storage appears to be crucial. This work proposes a review of a new approach to thermochemical materials for energy recovery in the low-temperature range, based on the production of microfibers by electrospinning. The novelty of applying fibrous materials in thermal energy storage systems is related to the particular configuration of the adsorbing phase and the production technique used. Microfibers show a large surface area, high vapor permeability, and high structural stability, and they can be easily electrospun to form self-standing foils or coatings for heat exchangers.
GPU-Accelerated Anisotropic Random Field and Its Application in the Modeling of a Diversion Tunnel
Authors: Ding Yu , Zhu Guojin , Meng Qingxiang
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a GPU-accelerated Cholesky decomposition technique and a coupled anisotropic random field are suggested for use in the modeling of diversion tunnels. Combining the advantages of GPU and CPU processing with MATLAB programming control yields the most efficient method for creating large numerical model random fields. Based on the geological structural characteristics of red-bedded soft rocks in central Yunnan, anisotropic rock random fields and tunnel excavation with various rotation degrees are simulated. In the comparison of anisotropic random fields specifically, the relationship between the anisotropic rotation angle and the plastic zone, as well as the multiple measurements for the overall safety factor, are analyzed. The distribution of the plastic zone after excavation has a significant relationship with the random parameters of the anisotropic random field. When the stronger or weaker random parameters are located in the surrounding rock of the cavern, they will cause a change in the radius of the plastic zone. The overall safety factor of the anisotropic random field is relatively stable, with an average value of about 2, which mainly depends on the strength of the random parameter of the rock mass. Based on the random fluctuation of the suggested value in the engineering report, the simulation result is safe. This study can provide theoretical and technical support for the design and construction of relevant rock engineering in the red-bedded soft rock region of central Yunnan.
Vegetative Flow Resistance for Erosion Control Using Grass Species from the Caribbean Region
Authors: Silva-Araya Walter , Rodríguez-Quiñones Enrique
Published: April 2023

Vegetative channels convey runoff effectively, prevent flooding, protect soil against erosion, avoid the formation of gullies, maintain adequate water quality, and reduce the generation of sediments. The degree of retardance as a measure of the drag force on the vegetation cover is a crucial parameter for determining resistance to water flow in these channels. This research developed a new procedure to assess Manning’s coefficient and retardance index for vegetation using four Caribbean Area grass species: Bahía Grass (Paspalum notatum), Zoysia Grass (Zoysia sp.), Pangola Grass (Digitaria eriantha), and Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon). The USDA-NRCS Caribbean Area identified 16 species as vegetative lining for waterways and proposed a classification according to the degree of vegetative retardance. The category for these species was developed for use in the Western Gulf Region and required validation for the Caribbean region. A modified universal log law fitted the velocity distributions above the vegetative lining in the experiments. The energy equation for a gradually varied flow, the momentum equation, and Manning’s equation provided a solution for Manning’s coefficient. The procedure allowed us to assign a degree of retardance to the species obtained by comparing Manning’s coefficients with those from USDA-NRCS. Results show that retardance degrees published in the Puerto Rico Erosion and Sedimentation Control Handbook for Developing Areas apply to the species tested in this project. This research identified a new retardance degree for Pangola grass when the plant height is less than 0.15 m. The experimental values for Manning’s coefficient are also recommended for use in overland flow conditions.
Foliar Supplementation of Recycled Phosphorus from Cattle Bone Meal Improves Soybean Growth Characteristics, Nutrient Content, and Chlorophyll Pigment Concentration
Authors: Nieto-Monteros Diego Alejandro , de Oliveira Penha Rafaela , Soccol Carlos Ricardo
Published: April 2023

Plants can absorb only 30 to 40% of nutrients from the soil through the root system because the absorption process depends on soil properties, wheatear conditions, and the plant’s species. Therefore, foliar fertilization using macro- and micronutrients has proven to be an excellent alternative. Herein, we evaluated the foliar application of a neutralized sulfuric bone meal hydrolysate (NSBMH) on soybean growth parameters, pod yield, nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll pigment concentrations under greenhouse conditions. A complete randomized block design was performed, and each block contained three treatments: 1% NSBMH, commercial fertilizer, and negative control. After 90 days of growth, soybean plants foliar-sprayed with 1% NSBMH improved significantly (p < 0.05) in terms of foliar area, plant fresh mass, plant dried mass, plant height, nitrogen, and chlorophyll a + b concentrations, while trifoliar leaf number, pod number, and pod fresh and dried masses were higher but not significant, and phosphorus concentration maintained suitable levels when compared to the negative control treatment. Additionally, the 1% NSBMH group presented similar and higher values, but not significant (p > 0.05), on the evaluated traits versus the commercial fertilizer treatment. Consequently, cattle bone recycling for the obtainment of alternative phosphorus as neutralized sulfuric bone meal hydrolysate is an excellent choice because it encourages the reutilization of anthropogenic waste, such as cattle bone waste, which protects the environment and reduces the soil and foliar application of mineral phosphoric fertilizers and reduces dependency on the main unsustainable fertilizer suppliers.
Waveform Modulation of High-Order Harmonics Generated from an Atom Irradiated by a Laser Pulse and a Weak Orthogonal Electrostatic Field
Authors: Fu Tingting , Guo Fuming , Wang Jun , Chen Jigen , Yang Yujun
Published: April 2023

The detailed characteristics of the harmonics emission of atoms driven via a linearly polarized laser field combined with an orthogonal, weaker electrostatic field were investigated by numerically solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. It was found that the direction of the laser polarization and the polarization of the attosecond light, which is synthesized from the harmonic, can be controlled by the amplitude of the electrostatic field. With the analysis of the spatial distribution of the time-dependent dipole moment and the time-dependent evolution of the electronic wave packet, the control mechanism for the harmonic characters was investigated. The generation of harmonics in the vertical direction of the laser electric field is caused by the breaking of the symmetry of the time wave packet distribution. With this mechanism, we obtained circularly polarized attosecond light.
One-Parameter Hyperbolic Dual Spherical Movements and Timelike Ruled Surfaces
Authors: Mofarreh Fatemah , Abdel-Baky Rashad A.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, explicit expressions were improved for timelike ruled surfaces with the similarity of hyperbolic dual spherical movements. From this, the well known Hamilton and Mannhiem formulae of surfaces theory are attained at the hyperbolic line space. Then, by employing the E. Study map, a new timelike Plücker conoid is immediately founded and its geometrical properties are examined. In addition, via the height dual function, we specified the connection among the timelike ruled surface and the order of contact with its timelike Disteli-axis. Lastly, a classification for a timelike line to be a stationary timelike Disteli-axis is attained and explained in detail. Our findings contribute to a deeper realization of the cooperation between hyperbolic spatial movements and timelike ruled surfaces, with potential implementations in fields such as robotics and mechanical engineering.
Civil Servant and Expert Perspectives on Drivers, Values, Challenges and Successes in Adopting Systems Thinking in Policy-Making
Authors: Nguyen Le Khanh Ngan , Kumar Cecilia , Bisaro Shah Marine , Chilvers Andrew , Stevens Isabella , Hardy Rachel , Sarell Claire J. , Zimmermann Nici
Published: April 2023

The use of systems thinking (ST) to handle complexity and wicked policy problems is gaining traction in government and the Civil Service, but policy-makers and civil servants can encounter several challenges in practice. How best to support them in understanding and applying ST in policy-making is not well understood. This study aims to explore civil servant and expert perspectives on the drivers and values of ST and the challenges, successes and solutions for its adoption in policy-making. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 31 civil servants across 17 UK government departments, agencies and public bodies, and 5 experts skilled in supporting ST use in policy-making. Via thematic analysis, we identified the values, challenges and successes interviewees experienced when implementing ST and their definitions of the term systems thinking. Civil servants were drawn into an ST approach by their academic training and exposure to it in their previous role(s), workshops, networking events and apprenticeships and through appreciating its values. Civil servants provided various interpretations of ST concepts and values with a strong emphasis on ‘complexity’ and ‘interrelationship’. Our analysis identified eight challenge themes for the implementation of ST in policy-making, including (i) ST language and interpretation, (ii) the policy landscape, (iii) government structure and operation, (iv) methodology and technical aspects, (v) capacity and expertise, (vi) conceptualisation, expectations and buy-in, (vii) stakeholders, engagement and collaboration and (viii) evaluation and evidence. Despite the high interest in ST among civil servants across different policy areas within the UK government and the Civil Service, implementation is challenging. Recommendations for implementation include ST language in policy, systems leadership, policy-specific capacity development and evaluation processes for collecting evidence of impacts.
Dengue Exposure and Wolbachia wMel Strain Affects the Fertility of Quiescent Eggs of Aedes aegypti
Authors: Petersen Martha Thieme , Couto-Lima Dinair , Garcia Gabriela Azambuja , Pavan Márcio Galvão , David Mariana Rocha , Maciel-de-Freitas Rafael
Published: April 2023

(1) Background: The deployment of the bacterium Wolbachia to reduce arbovirus transmission is ongoing in several countries worldwide. When Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti are released and established in the field, females may feed on dengue-infected hosts. The effects of simultaneous exposure on life-history traits of Ae. aegypti to Wolbachia wMel strain and dengue-1 virus DENV-1 remain unclear. (2) Methods: We monitored 4 groups (mosquitoes with either DENV-1 or Wolbachia, coinfected with DENV-1 and Wolbachia, as well as negative controls) to estimate Ae. aegypti survival, oviposition success, fecundity, collapsing and fertility of quiescent eggs for 12 weeks. (3) Results: Neither DENV-1 nor Wolbachia had a significant impact on mosquito survival nor on mosquito fecundity, although the last parameter showed a tendency to decrease with ageing. There was a significant decrease in oviposition success in individuals carrying Wolbachia. Wolbachia infection and storage time significantly increased egg collapse parameter on the egg viability assay, while DENV-1 had a slight protective effect on the first four weeks of storage. (4) Conclusions: Despite limitations, our results contribute to better understanding of the tripartite interaction of virus, bacteria and mosquito that may take place in field conditions and aid in guaranteeing the Wolbachia strategy success.
Novel Putative Tymoviridae-like Virus Isolated from Culex Mosquitoes in Colombia
Authors: Laiton-Donato Katherine , Guzmán Camila , Perdomo-Balaguera Erik , Sarmiento Ladys , Torres-Fernandez Orlando , Ruiz Héctor Alejandro , Rosales-Munar Alicia , Peláez-Carvajal Dioselina , Navas Maria-Cristina , Wong Matthew C. , Junglen Sandra , Ajami Nadim J. , Parra-Henao Gabriel , Usme-Ciro José A.
Published: April 2023

The family Tymoviridae comprises positive-sense RNA viruses, which mainly infect plants. Recently, a few Tymoviridae-like viruses have been found in mosquitoes, which feed on vertebrate sources. We describe a novel Tymoviridae-like virus, putatively named, Guachaca virus (GUAV), isolated from Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus species of mosquitoes and collected in the rural area of Santa Marta, Colombia. After a cytopathic effect was observed in C6/36 cells, RNA was extracted and processed through the NetoVIR next-generation sequencing protocol, and data were analyzed through the VirMAP pipeline. Molecular and phenotypic characterization of the GUAV was achieved using a 5′/3′ RACE, transmission electron microscopy, amplification in vertebrate cells, and phylogenetic analysis. A cytopathic effect was observed in C6/36 cells three days post-infection. The GUAV genome was successfully assembled, and its polyadenylated 3′ end was corroborated. GUAV shared only 54.9% amino acid identity with its closest relative, Ek Balam virus, and was grouped with the latter and other unclassified insect-associated tymoviruses in a phylogenetic analysis. GUAV is a new member of a family previously described as comprising plant-infecting viruses, which seem to infect and replicate in mosquitoes. The sugar- and blood-feeding behavior of the Culex spp., implies a sustained contact with plants and vertebrates and justifies further studies to unravel the ecological scenario for transmission.
The Willingness toward Vaccination: A Focus on Non-Mandatory Vaccinations
Authors: Capodici Angelo , Sanmarchi Francesco , Bonaccorso Nicole , Costantino Claudio , Maietti Elisa
Published: April 2023

The Special Issue “The Willingness toward Vaccination: A Focus on Non-mandatory Vaccinations”, published in the journal Vaccines, has the main aim of gathering more data on vaccine hesitancy and the willingness of individuals to receive vaccinations, particularly in the context of non-mandatory vaccines. The aim is to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine coverage rates, in addition to identifying the determinants of vaccine hesitancy itself. This Special Issue garners articles that examine the external and internal factors that can influence the decision-making process of individuals regarding vaccination. Given that vaccine hesitancy is present in a significant part of the general population, it is crucial to have a better analytical understanding of the areas where hesitancy arises to determine appropriate strategies to address this issue.
Identification of Anti-gp41 Monoclonal Antibodies That Effectively Target Cytotoxic Immunoconjugates to Cells Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Type 1
Authors: Klug Grant , Cole Frances M. , Hicar Mark D. , Watt Connie , Peters Tami , Pincus Seth H.
Published: April 2023

We are developing cytotoxic immunoconjugates (CICs) targeting the envelope protein (Env) of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, type 1 (HIV) to purge the persistent reservoirs of viral infection. We have previously studied the ability of multiple monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to deliver CICs to an HIV-infected cell. We have found that CICs targeted to the membrane-spanning gp41 domain of Env are most efficacious, in part because their killing is enhanced in the presence of soluble CD4. The ability of a mAb to deliver a CIC does not correlate with its ability to neutralize nor mediate Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In the current study, we seek to define the most effective anti-gp41 mAbs for delivering CICs to HIV-infected cells. To do this, we have evaluated a panel of human anti-gp41 mAbs for their ability to bind and kill two different Env-expressing cell lines: persistently infected H9/NL4-3 and constitutively transfected HEK293/92UG. We measured the binding and cytotoxicity of each mAb in the presence and absence of soluble CD4. We found that mAbs to the immunodominant helix-loop-helix region (ID-loop) of gp41 are most effective, whereas neutralizing mAbs to the fusion peptide, gp120/gp41 interface, and the membrane proximal external region (MPER) are relatively ineffective at delivering CICs. There was only a weak correlation between antigen exposure and killing activity. The results show that the ability to deliver an effective IC and neutralization are distinct functions of mAbs.
Polyethylene Microplastic Particles Alter the Nature, Bacterial Community and Metabolite Profile of Reed Rhizosphere Soils
Authors: Tian Zeyuan , Liu Biao , Zhang Wenjun , Liang Fan , Wu Junfeng , Song Zhongxian , Zhu Yichun
Published: April 2023

With the wide use of polyethylene film, the influence of polyethylene microplastic particles produced by its weathering on the rhizosphere soil microenvironment has attracted more and more attention from scientific research circles. In this study, the effects of low (0.2% w/w), medium (1% w/w), and high (2% w/w) doses of polyethylene particles and the combined reed biomass (2% w/w) on soil environmental factors and bacterial communities and metabolites in the reed rhizosphere were evaluated by a 90-day pot microscopic simulation system. The shape and surface microstructure of polyethylene particles in each treatment group changed obviously. A high (2% w/w) dose of microplastics significantly increased the TKN, TOC, and TP in reed root soil. The addition of the biomass significantly improved the activities of urease and sucrase in the soil. The α diversity of bacteria was not significantly affected by the addition of LDPE microplastics and biomass, but the β diversity of the bacterial community and the relative abundance of the Candidatus_Roku Bacteria, Chloroflexi, Unclassified_Blastocatella_Genus were significantly changed by the addition of middle (1% w/w) and high (2% w/w) doses of microplastics. In addition, the spectrum analysis of the soil metabolites showed that the abundance of soil metabolites was changed in each treatment group, and the differential metabolites were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated. Our findings provide a scientific reference to elucidate the impact of LDPE microplastic particles on the inter-rooted soil microenvironment and improve our understanding of the potential risks of microplastics in soil ecosystems.
Analysis of Flow Characteristics around a Square Cylinder with Boundary Constraint
Authors: Xu Zhun , Wu Shiqiang , Wu Xiufeng , Xue Wanyun , Wang Fangfang , Gao Ang , Zhang Weile
Published: April 2023

Based on the two-dimensional hydrodynamic model of the finite volume method and structured multigrid, the flow characteristics around a square cylinder with boundary constraint are analysed. The gap ratio G/D (G is the distance from the cylinder to the channel boundary, and D is the side length of the square cylinder) does not change the four flow patterns. Under the laminar vortex street phase, the boundary constraint only reduces the scale of the vortices. The vortex centres are pressed toward the boundaries of the channel, and a low velocity zone is formed near the boundary, but the law of vorticity attenuation along the flow direction is not changed. The flow pattern classification map shows that the boundary constraint increases the Reynolds number required to generate the turbulence flow pattern, and the range of the Reynolds number in the flow pattern of the laminar vortex street has a maximum increase range. The correlation between the time-averaged drag coefficient or the vortex shedding frequency and Reynolds number under different gap ratios indicates that the resistance of the square cylinder and the vortex shedding frequency increase accordingly with the strengthening of the boundary constraint. When G/D < 3.5, the increase is particularly obvious. Meanwhile, the correlation characteristics between the resistance or the vortex shedding frequency of the square cylinder and the Reynolds number are unrelated to the boundary constraint strength.
A Comparison of Different Methods for Modelling Water Hammer Valve Closure with CFD
Authors: Neyestanaki Mehrdad Kalantar , Dunca Georgiana , Jonsson Pontus , Cervantes Michel J.
Published: April 2023

Water hammer is a transient phenomenon that occurs when a flowing fluid is rapidly decelerated, which can be harmful and damaging to a piping system. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with three-dimensional geometry is a common tool for studying water hammer, which is more accurate than numerical simulation with one-dimension approximation of the geometry. There are different methods with different accuracy and computational costs for valve closure modelling. This paper presents the result of water hammer 3D simulation with three main technics for modelling an axial valve closure: dynamic mesh, sliding mesh, and immersed solid methods. The variation of the differential pressure variation and the wall shear stress are compared with experimental results. Additionally, the 3D effects of the flow after the valve closure and the computational cost are addressed. The sliding mesh method presents the most physical results compared to the other two methods. The immersed solid method predicts a smaller pressure rise which may be the result of using a source term in the momentum equation instead of modelling the valve movement. The dynamic mesh method adds fluctuations to the primary phenomenon. Moreover, the sliding mesh is less expensive than the dynamic mesh method in terms of computational cost (approximately one-third), which was the primary method for axial valve closure modelling in the literature.
The Development of a Hydrological Drought Index for Lithuania
Authors: Nazarenko Serhii , Kriaučiūnienė Jūratė , Šarauskienė Diana , Povilaitis Arvydas
Published: April 2023

Recently, the number and intensity of hydrological droughts have been increasing; thus, it is necessary to identify and respond to them quickly. Since the primary hydrological data in Lithuania are water levels, and converting these data into discharge takes additional time, there is a need to develop a methodology or adapt these data to analyze and detect hydrological droughts. This paper examines the concept of the standardized water level index (SWLI) calculation, which is based on the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and streamflow drought index (SDI) methods. SDI and SWLI data were compared; SWLI was used to analyze the situation in the past and future. A total of 15 main sub-basins were considered, and the future discharge of three rivers was estimated; SWLI showed good compatibility with SDI. To better analyze droughts, the use of severe drought threshold values (SDTV) was suggested as some river data (especially those for small rivers) needed to be corrected due to dense riverine flora. The dry years and trends identified by SWLI are consistent with previous studies.
Assessment of the Breaching Event, Breach Parameters and Failure Mechanisms of the Spillway Collapse in the Swa Dam, Myanmar
Authors: Kyaw Pa Pa Shwe Sin , Uchida Taro
Published: April 2023

The spillway of the Swa earthen dam, constructed in Yedashe Township, Bago Region, Myanmar, collapsed suddenly on 29 August 2018 and resulted in a huge flood to downstream areas causing fatalities and the displacement of thousands of localities. This study aimed to assess the spillway breaching process in terms of the breaching parameters such as the average breach width, failure time and peak outflow, and failure mechanisms. We analyzed the event from the changes in the study site before and after the event and used water discharge conditions from satellite data and water level records during the event. We compared the breaching parameters using empirical equations from past failed events with tested scenarios for failure mechanisms, such as overtopping and piping. According to satellite data, 97% of the storage from the reservoir was discharged, and the peak breach outflow rate was 7643 m3/s calculated from the water level records. The selected empirical formulas were applied, and the estimated average breach widths, failure times and peak discharge from the formulas were larger in overtopping and nearer in piping than that of the observed data for the Swa Dam. Thus, a concrete spillway might impact the erodibility rate of breaching compared with concrete-faced and earthen dam types.