bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Optimization Scheme of Slant Transition for Offshore Wind Turbine Foundation
Authors: Huang Zhuye , Feng Yong , Wang Zhenyu
Published: June 2024

Offshore wind power stands as a prime exemplar of high-end technological innovation in the renewable energy sector and is poised to be one of the high-growth industries of the future. In this study, a static mechanics and fatigue characteristic curve approach was utilized, employing both Abaqus and Fe-safe for the simulation analysis of the braced foundation transition sections in an offshore wind farm project in Shantou, Guangdong. The analysis revealed vulnerabilities in the stiffener plates and base plates of the transition sections. By increasing the thickness of the stiffener plates and adding sub-beams to the base plates, the structural stress was effectively reduced by 10–50%, thus ensuring the safety and suitability of the turbines. This provides a reference for the design of similar engineering transition sections.
The Impact of Digital Trade on China’s Position in the GVC: An Empirical Analysis Based on Sino-Russian Cross-Border Panel Data
Authors: Zhao Zezhong , Gao Guifu
Published: June 2024

This study analyzes OECD input–output data and UNCTAD database information to assess the impact of Sino-Russian digital trade on China’s position in the global value chain (GVC). The findings indicate that digital trade between China and Russia enhances China’s GVC status, especially in technology-intensive manufacturing sectors, while its impact is less pronounced in non-technology-intensive sectors. The digitalization level of the service industry significantly influences its effectiveness, with stronger effects in sectors that are less digitally mature. Mechanism analysis reveals that Sino-Russian digital trade boosts GVC positions through effective technology transfer, increased capital stock, and optimized human resources. Based on theoretical and empirical analyses, deepening the digitization of the manufacturing sector, expanding the layout of digital industries, strengthening Sino-Russian digital trade cooperation, and promoting the development of a digital “Belt and Road” initiative are beneficial for enhancing China’s position in the GVC and enhancing overall prosperity. These strategies not only enhance global competitiveness but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development by fostering economic resilience and innovation.
Determinants of the Tendency for Migration of Nursing Students Living in Rural Areas of Eastern Poland
Authors: Kowalewska Grażyna , Markowski Lesław
Published: June 2024

The economic emigration of young people from rural areas in Poland, and in particular the emigration of young medical personnel, is a relatively little-recognized phenomenon. What distinguishes this study from many works on related topics is that the subject of the study is the tendency or desire to migrate itself, and not the study of the migration motives of people who have already emigrated. The main aim of the research was to identify the migration conditions of young nurses from rural areas. An additional goal was to determine the directions and types of foreign migrations and their impact on the competitiveness and sustainable development of the studied region. The research was conducted in five voivodeships of Eastern Poland among students at state medical universities. The research tool was a survey, the essence of which was to provide data on the purpose of migration of young people, chances of finding a job abroad, and identification of push and pull migration factors. Based on the logistic regression model, a number of factors were identified explaining the tendency to migrate, such as economic factors, gaining professional experience, and prospects. The influence of factors pushing migration should be reduced through state policy tools. The intensity of migration may significantly impact the sustainable development of healthcare in Poland in the near and distant future.
Meta-Learning Guided Weight Optimization for Enhanced Solar Radiation Forecasting and Sustainable Energy Management with VotingRegressor
Authors: Boutahir Mohamed Khalifa , Hessane Abdelaaziz , Farhaoui Yousef , Azrour Mourade , Benyeogor Mbadiwe S. , Innab Nisreen
Published: June 2024

Solar radiation prediction plays a crucial role in renewable energy management, impacting various decision-making processes aimed at optimizing the utilization of solar resources and promoting sustainability. Ensemble regression methods, notably VotingRegressor, have emerged as promising tools for accurate solar radiation forecasting. By integrating predictions from multiple base estimators, ensemble methods have the potential to capture intricate patterns inherent in solar radiation data. However, achieving optimal predictive performance with ensemble methods heavily relies on the careful weighting assigned to each base estimator, presenting a significant challenge. In this study, a novel approach is presented to enhance solar radiation prediction by utilizing meta-learning techniques to optimize the weighting mechanism in the VotingRegressor ensemble. Meta-learning, a subfield of machine learning focusing on learning algorithms across different tasks, provides a systematic framework for learning to learn. This enables models to adapt and generalize more effectively to new datasets and tasks. Our proposed methodology demonstrated significant improvements, with the VotingRegressor with meta-learning techniques achieving an RMSE of 8.7343, an MAE of 5.42145, and an R² of 0.991913. These results mitigate the need for manual weight tuning and improve the adaptability of the VotingRegressor to varying solar radiation conditions, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of renewable energy systems. The methodology involves a comprehensive exploration of meta-learning techniques, encompassing gradient-based optimization, reinforcement learning, and Bayesian optimization.
Influencing Factors of Urban Public Flood Emergency Evacuation Decision Behavior Based on Protection Motivation Theory: An Example from Jiaozuo City, China
Authors: Liu Delin , Chang Xiaole , Wu Siyu , Zhang Yongling , Kong Nana , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: June 2024

Public flood emergency evacuation is an important way to reduce casualties during a flood disaster. In this study, the influencing factors of urban public flood emergency evacuation decision behavior were studied using the protection motivation theory. The measurement index system of influencing factors of urban public flood emergency evacuation decision behavior was constructed from five dimensions (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, self-efficacy, response efficiency, and response cost) based on the protection motivation theory. The impacts of key influencing factors on flood emergency evacuation decision behavior were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that (1) the susceptibility assessment and severity assessment of the public in threat appraisal had positive impacts on the process of flood emergency evacuation decision behavior. The direct effects of susceptibility assessment and severity assessment of the public on flood emergency evacuation decision behavior were 0.27 and 0.23, respectively. (2) The self-efficacy assessment and response efficiency assessment in coping appraisal also had positive impacts on the flood emergency evacuation decision behavior; the response efficiency had the greatest impact on the flood emergency evacuation decision behavior, and the standard path coefficients from response efficiency assessment and self-efficacy assessment to flood emergency evacuation decision behavior were 0.37 and 0.17, respectively. (3) The response cost assessment in coping appraisal had negative impacts on the flood emergency evacuation decision behavior, and its standard coefficient was −0.18. Finally, some strategies were proposed to improve the urban public flood emergency evacuation capacity based on this study.
DTSA: Dynamic Tree-Seed Algorithm with Velocity-Driven Seed Generation and Count-Based Adaptive Strategies
Authors: Jiang Jianhua , Huang Jiansheng , Wu Jiaqi , Luo Jinmeng , Yang Xi , Li Weihua
Published: June 2024

The Tree-Seed Algorithm (TSA) has been effective in addressing a multitude of optimization issues. However, it has faced challenges with early convergence and difficulties in managing high-dimensional, intricate optimization problems. To tackle these shortcomings, this paper introduces a TSA variant (DTSA). DTSA incorporates a suite of methodological enhancements that significantly bolster TSA’s capabilities. It introduces the PSO-inspired seed generation mechanism, which draws inspiration from Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to integrate velocity vectors, thereby enhancing the algorithm’s ability to explore and exploit solution spaces. Moreover, DTSA’s adaptive velocity adaptation mechanism based on count parameters employs a counter to dynamically adjust these velocity vectors, effectively curbing the risk of premature convergence and strategically reversing vectors to evade local optima. DTSA also integrates the trees population integrated evolutionary strategy, which leverages arithmetic crossover and natural selection to bolster population diversity, accelerate convergence, and improve solution accuracy. Through experimental validation on the IEEE CEC 2014 benchmark functions, DTSA has demonstrated its enhanced performance, outperforming recent TSA variants like STSA, EST-TSA, fb-TSA, and MTSA, as well as established benchmark algorithms such as GWO, PSO, BOA, GA, and RSA. In addition, the study analyzed the best value, mean, and standard deviation to demonstrate the algorithm’s efficiency and stability in handling complex optimization issues, and DTSA’s robustness and efficiency are proven through its successful application in five complex, constrained engineering scenarios, demonstrating its superiority over the traditional TSA by dynamically optimizing solutions and overcoming inherent limitations.
Solutions for the Nonlinear Mixed Variational Inequality Problem in the System
Authors: Gissy Husain , Ahmadini Abdullah Ali H. , Salahuddin
Published: June 2024

Our paper proposes a system of nonlinear mixed variational inequality problems (SNMVIPs) on Banach spaces. Under suitable assumptions, using the K-Fan fixed point theorem and Minty techniques, we demonstrate that the solution set to the SNMVIP is nonempty, weakly compact, and unique. Additionally, we suggest a stability result for the SNMVIPs by perturbing the duality mappings. Furthermore, we present an optimal control problem that is governed by the SNMVIPs and show that it can be solved.
Frequency-Enhanced Transformer with Symmetry-Based Lightweight Multi-Representation for Multivariate Time Series Forecasting
Authors: Wang Chenyue , Zhang Zhouyuan , Wang Xin , Liu Mingyang , Chen Lin , Pi Jiatian
Published: June 2024

Transformer-based methods have recently demonstrated their potential in time series forecasting problems. However, the mainstream approach, primarily utilizing attention to model inter-step correlation in the time domain, is constrained by two significant issues that lead to ineffective and inefficient multivariate forecasting. The first is that key representations in the time domain are scattered and sparse, resulting in parameter bloat and increased difficulty in capturing time dependencies. The second is that treating time step points as uniformly embedded tokens leads to the erasure of inter-variate correlations. To address these challenges, we propose a frequency-wise and variables-oriented transformer-based method. This method leverages the intrinsic conjugate symmetry in the frequency domain, enabling compact frequency domain representations that naturally mix information across time points while reducing spatio-temporal costs. Multivariate inter-correlations can also be captured from similar frequency domain components, which enhances the variables-oriented attention mechanism modeling capability. Further, we employ both polar and complex domain perspectives to enrich the frequency domain representations and decode complicated temporal patterns. We propose frequency-enhanced independent representation multi-head attention (FIR-Attention) to leverage these advantages for improved multivariate interaction. Techniques such as cutting-off frequency and equivalent mapping are used to ensure the model’s lightweight nature. Extensive experiments on eight mainstream datasets show that our approach achieves first-rate satisfactory results and, importantly, requires only one percent of the spatio-temporal cost of mainstream methods.
Fixed Point of α-Modular Nonexpanive Mappings in Modular Vector Spaces 𝓁p(·)
Authors: Bin Dehaish Buthinah A. , Khamsi Mohamed A.
Published: June 2024

Let C denote a convex subset within the vector space 𝓁p(·), and let T represent a mapping from C onto itself. Assume α=(α1,⋯,αn) is a multi-index in [0,1]n such that ∑i=1nαi=1, where α1>0 and αn>0. We define Tα:C→C as Tα=∑i=1nαiTi, known as the mean average of the mapping T. While every fixed point of T remains fixed for Tα, the reverse is not always true. This paper examines necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of fixed points for T, relating them to the existence of fixed points for Tα and the behavior of T-orbits of points in T’s domain. The primary approach involves a detailed analysis of recurrent sequences in R. Our focus then shifts to variable exponent modular vector spaces 𝓁p(·), where we explore the essential conditions that guarantee the existence of fixed points for these mappings. This investigation marks the first instance of such results in this framework.
Advanced Statistical Approach for the Mathematical Modeling of Transfer Processes in a Layer Based on Experimental Data at the Boundary
Authors: Chernukha Olha , Pukach Petro , Bilushchak Halyna , Bilushchak Yurii , Vovk Myroslava
Published: June 2024

In this work, a mathematical model of the transfer process in a layer under the condition of given experimental data on a part of the layer boundary is presented and investigated. Such research is important for the mathematical description of the objects and systems for which, based on physical considerations, it is impossible to correctly impose boundary or initial conditions, even in a sufficiently general form, but there are experimental data on the desired function or its derivative at the boundary of the body or at the initial time. The values of the desired function at the boundary are known at certain moments in time. The boundary condition is constructed by the experimental data and the initial-boundary value problem, with such a boundary condition, is formulated and solved. The influence of the statistical characteristics of the sample of experimental data on the solution to the initial-boundary value problem is analyzed, and a two-sided statistical estimation of the solution is determined. The confidence intervals for the coefficients of the regression equation and the corresponding confidence intervals for the sought function are established. The influence of the statistical characteristics of the sample on the sought function at the lower boundary of the layer is investigated. Numerical analysis of the solution to the initial-boundary value problem is carried out depending on the statistical characteristics of the sample. Various cases of samples by size and variance are considered. Numerical solutions are studied under the conditions of large and small time intervals of the considered process.
Optical Bistability of Graphene Incorporated into All-Superconducting Photonic Crystals
Authors: Xiao Qun , Liu Jun , Zhao Dong , Zhao Miaomiao , Hu Haiyang
Published: June 2024

We investigated optical bistability and its temperature dependence in a composite system composed of an all-superconducting photonic crystal and graphene. The photonic crystal, constructed from two types of superconducting sheets, and which is temperature-sensitive and can greatly localize the electric field, alternately supports a defect mode in a cryogenic environment. Graphene is located at the strongest site in the electric field, so the third-order nonlinearity of graphene is enhanced tremendously, and, subsequently, low thresholds of optical bistability are achieved in the near-infrared region. The thresholds of optical bistability and the interval between the upper and lower thresholds decrease with the increase in environmental temperature, while the bistable thresholds increase with the addition of the incident wavelength. Furthermore, the critical threshold triggering optical bistability can be modulated by environment temperature and the periodic number of photonic crystals as well. The simulations may be found to be applicable for all temperature-sensitive optical switches or sensors in cryogenic environments.
Radial Oscillations of Strange Quark Stars Admixed with Dark Matter
Authors: Zhen Yu , Sun Ting-Ting , Wei Jin-Biao , Zheng Zi-Yue , Chen Huan
Published: June 2024

We investigate the equilibrium structure and radial oscillations of strange quark stars admixed with fermionic dark matter. For strange quark matter, we employ a stiff equation of state from a color-superconductivity improved bag model. For dark matter, we adopt the cold free Fermi gas model. We rederive and numerically solve the radial oscillation equations of two-fluid stars based on general relativity, in which the dark matter and strange quark matter couple through gravity and oscillate with the same frequency. Our results show that the stellar maximum mass and radius are reduced by inclusion of dark matter. As to the fundamental mode of the radial oscillations, the frequency f0 is also reduced comparing to pure strange stars, and f02 reaches the zero point at the maximum stellar mass with dM/dϵq,c=0. Therefore, the stability criteria f02>0 and dM/dϵq,c>0 are consistent in our dark matter-mixed strange quark stars with a fixed fraction of dark matter. We also find a discontinuity of f0 as functions of the stellar mass, in contrast to the continuous function in pure strange stars. And it is also accompanied with discontinuity of the oscillation amplitudes as well as a discontinuous in-phase-to-out-phase transition between oscillations of dark matter and strange quark matter.
Minimization over Nonconvex Sets
Authors: Vilchez Membrilla José Antonio , Salas Moreno Víctor , Moreno-Pulido Soledad , Sánchez-Alzola Alberto , Cobos Sánchez Clemente , García-Pacheco Francisco Javier
Published: June 2024

Minimum norm problems consist of finding the distance of a closed subset of a normed space to the origin. Usually, the given closed subset is also asked to be convex, thus resulting in a convex minimum norm problem. There are plenty of techniques and algorithms to compute the distance of a closed convex set to the origin, which mostly exist in the Hilbert space setting. In this manuscript, we consider nonconvex minimum norm problems that arise from Bioengineering and reformulate them in such a way that the solution to their reformulation is already known. In particular, we tackle the problem of min∥x∥ subject to ∥Rk(x)∥ ≥ ak for k = 1,…,l, where x∈X and Rk:X→Y are continuous linear operators between real normed spaces X,Y, and ak > 0 for k = 1,…,l. Notice that the region of constraints of the previous problem is neither convex nor balanced. However, it is additively symmetric, which is also the case for the objective function, due to the properties satisfied by norms, which makes possible the analytic resolution of such a nonconvex minimization. The recent literature shows that the design of optimal coils for electronics applications can be achieved by solving problems like this. However, in this work, we apply our analytical solutions to design an optimal coil for an electromagnetic sensor.
Association of Air Quality Improvement and Frailty Progression: A National Study across China
Authors: Liu Mingqin , Zeeshan Mohammed , Sun Tiantian , Hu Xiangming , Nie Zhiqiang , Dong Haojian , Dong Guanghui , Ou Yanqiu
Published: June 2024

Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that exposure to ambient air pollution is linked with increased frailty. However, little is known about the effect of improved air quality on frailty progression. We aimed to investigate whether improvements in air quality (PM1, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3) can alleviate frailty progression, particularly in the aftermath of implementation of the “Clean Air Action” policy in China. The study involved 12,891 participants with geocoded environmental data from the nationwide China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) during the period from May 2011 to August 2015. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of air pollution improvements and frailty progression. The protective effects were noted for PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 indices, with an aOR (adjusted odds ratio) ranging from 0.72 to 0.79. Air quality improvement in PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 could alleviate the progression of frailty. The study is the first to examine the association between the improvement of air quality and the progression of frailty, setting a precedent for the importance of a nationwide clean air policy and its impact on healthy ageing.
Investigating the Effects of Tropical Plant Community Structures on Energy Exchange in Urban Green Areas for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Authors: Ruckchue Rutsawadee , Choomanee Parkpoom , Bualert Surat , Rungratanaubon Thitima , Fungkeit Yossakorn , Maskulrath Parkin
Published: June 2024

Urban green spaces are crucial for the exchange of energy fluxes, particularly sensible heat (QH) and latent heat (QE) fluxes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the characteristics of plant communities in urban green areas that affect turbulent fluxes, specifically QH and QE. The energy balance was measured using an eddy covariance system tower set up in three green areas at Kasetsart University: the Varunawan Garden (S1), the 100-Year Garden of Luang Suwan Vajokkasikit (S2), and the Phaholyothin Garden (S3). The results show that the canopy coverages of trees in S1, S2, and S3 were 526.23, 895.81, and 756.70 m2, respectively. The Bowen ratios (QH/QE) during the daytime in S1, S2, and S3 were 1.75, 1.09, and 1.43, respectively. These relationships suggest that dense trees, a dense canopy layer top, and the presence of water sources within the green areas resulted in a higher latent heat flux and a lower proportion of sensible heat flux. The findings of this study can be used as a guideline for the development and improvement of plant community structures in green areas within urban climate change adaptation.
Viromic and Metagenomic Analyses of Commercial Spirulina Fermentations Reveal Remarkable Microbial Diversity
Authors: McDonnell Brian , Parlindungan Elvina , Vasiliauskaite Erika , Bottacini Francesca , Coughlan Keith , Krishnaswami Lakshmi Priyadarshini , Sassen Tom , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Ventura Marco , Mastroleo Felice , Mahony Jennifer , van Sinderen Douwe
Published: June 2024

Commercially produced cyanobacteria preparations sold under the name spirulina are widely consumed, due to their traditional use as a nutrient-rich foodstuff and subsequent marketing as a superfood. Despite their popularity, the microbial composition of ponds used to cultivate these bacteria is understudied. A total of 19 pond samples were obtained from small-scale spirulina farms and subjected to metagenome and/or virome sequencing, and the results were analysed. A remarkable level of prokaryotic and viral diversity was found to be present in the ponds, with Limnospira sp. and Arthrospira sp. sometimes being notably scarce. A detailed breakdown of prokaryotic and viral components of 15 samples is presented. Twenty putative Limnospira sp.-infecting bacteriophage contigs were identified, though no correlation between the performance of these cultures and the presence of phages was found. The high diversity of these samples prevented the identification of clear trends in sample performance over time, between ponds or when comparing successful and failed fermentations.
A Comprehensive Review of Hepatitis B Vaccine Nonresponse and Associated Risk Factors
Authors: Tahir Albashir , Shinkafi Sa’adatu Haruna , Alshrari Ahmed Subeh , Yunusa Abdulmajeed , Umar Muhammad Tukur , Hudu Shuaibu Abdullahi , Jimoh Abdulgafar Olayiwola
Published: June 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health concern worldwide, contributing to high rates of mortality and morbidity, including chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Universal vaccination programs have significantly reduced the rate of HBV transmission; however, a subset of individuals fail to develop a protective immune response following vaccination and are termed nonresponders. A comprehensive search strategy using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases was employed to search for relevant studies using keywords including “hepatitis B vaccine”, “vaccine nonresponse”, “immunogenicity”, “immune response to the hepatitis B vaccine”, and “associated risk factors”. Factors influencing the vaccine’s response include demographic factors, such as age and sex, with increased nonresponse rates being observed in older adults and males. Obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption are lifestyle factors that decrease the vaccine response. Medical conditions, including diabetes, chronic kidney and liver diseases, HIV, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease, affect the vaccine response. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes and genetic polymorphisms linked to immune regulation are genetic factors that further influence the vaccine’s effectiveness. To reduce the global burden of hepatitis B infection, it is essential to understand these factors to improve vaccine effectiveness and develop individualized vaccination strategies.
Promoting Rural-Residing Parents’ Receptivity to HPV Vaccination: Targeting Messages and Mobile Clinic Implementation
Authors: Fisher Carla L. , Mullis M. Devyn , McFarlane Antionette , Hansen Marta D. , Vilaro Melissa J. , Bylund Carma L. , Wiggins Lori , Corbitt Halie , Staras Stephanie A. S.
Published: June 2024

Interventions are needed to increase low HPV vaccination rates within rural areas in the United States, particularly in the state of Florida, which has the seventh highest number of HPV-related cancers. Florida also ranks low compared to other states in terms of HPV vaccination. Rural-residing parents may benefit from two evidence-based strategies to increase vaccination rates: reminder messages informing and prompting vaccination appointments and mobile clinics to reduce transportation barriers. We sought to identify parental attitudes towards (1) message features that promote rural-residing parents’ receptivity to HPV vaccination; (2) parents’ acceptability of three reminder message modalities (text, postcard, phone); and (3) implementation factors that promote parents’ acceptability of using a mobile clinic for vaccination. We recruited 28 rural-residing parents of 9- to 12-year-old children (unvaccinated for HPV) for focus group and individual interviews and thematically analyzed transcripts. Three features promoted parents’ receptivity to HPV vaccination messages: source credibility, specific information coverage, and personalization (name and birthday wishes). Parents most preferred text messages and identified three factors promoting parents’ mobile clinic use: convenience and feasibility, trustworthiness, and detailed information. The findings indicate rural-residing parents’ acceptability of reminder messages and mobile clinics as well as the importance of trust and feasibility when implementing these evidence-based strategies for rural-residing parents.
Timeliness of Childhood Vaccinations Following Strengthening of the Second Year of Life (2YL) Immunization Platform and Introduction of Catch-Up Vaccination Policy in Ghana
Authors: Muhoza Pierre , Shah Monica P. , Amponsa-Achiano Kwame , Gao Hongjiang , Quaye Pamela , Opare William , Okae Charlotte , Aboyinga Philip-Neri , Opare Joseph Kwadwo Larbi , Ehlman Daniel C. , Wardle Melissa T. , Wallace Aaron S.
Published: June 2024

Strengthening routine immunization systems to successfully deliver childhood vaccines during the second year of life (2YL) is critical for vaccine-preventable disease control. In Ghana, the 18-month visit provides opportunities to deliver the second dose of the measles–rubella vaccine (MR2) and for healthcare workers to assess for and provide children with any missed vaccine doses. In 2016, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) revised its national immunization policies to include guidelines for catch-up vaccinations. This study assessed the change in the timely receipt of vaccinations per Ghana’s Expanded Program on Immunizations (EPI) schedule, an important indicator of service quality, following the introduction of the catch-up policy and implementation of a multifaceted intervention package. Vaccination coverage was assessed from household surveys conducted in the Greater Accra, Northern, and Volta regions for 392 and 931 children aged 24–35 months with documented immunization history in 2016 and 2020, respectively. Age at receipt of childhood vaccines was compared to the recommended age, as per the EPI schedule. Cumulative days under-vaccinated during the first 24 months of life for each recommended dose were assessed. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess the associations between child and caregiver characteristics and time to MR2 vaccination. From 2016 to 2020, the proportion of children receiving all recommended doses on schedule generally improved, the duration of under-vaccination was shortened for most doses, and higher coverage rates were achieved at earlier ages for the MR series. More timely infant doses and caregiver awareness of the 2YL visit were positively associated with MR2 vaccination. Fostering a well-supported cadre of vaccinators, building community demand for 2YL vaccination, sustaining service utilization through strengthened defaulter tracking and caregiver-reminder systems, and creating a favorable policy environment that promotes vaccination over the life course are critical to improving the timeliness of childhood vaccinations.
Blunt Force Trauma in the Canarian Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae) Produced by Collision with Overhead Lines
Authors: Suárez-Santana Cristian M. , Marrero-Ponce Lucía , Navarro-Sarmiento Jose , Rivero Herrera Candela , Grandía-Guzmán Raiden , Colom-Rivero Ana , Quesada-Canales Óscar , Sierra Eva , Fernández Antonio
Published: June 2024

The mortality of birds resulting from collisions and electrocutions with overhead lines, such as power lines and phone lines, among others, has been implicated in the decline of various avian species globally. Specifically, overhead line collisions pose a significant threat to the conservation of the Canarian houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae), an endangered subspecies endemic to the Canary Islands. This study centers on the postmortem findings of Canarian houbara bustards that have collided with overhead lines, providing insights into the post-collision outcomes for these birds. A complete standardized necropsy of nine Canarian houbara bustards revealed that trauma was the cause of death in all cases. The most notable gross lesions associated with trauma included bone fractures, soft tissue lacerations, hemorrhages, luxations, and hemocoelom. The inguinal area, chest, and wings were the body regions more frequently affected. A histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and entomology analysis confirmed that numerous birds survived the initial trauma. We concluded that when a houbara bustard collides with an overhead line, it frequently survives the initial trauma, with a survival time ranging from minutes to hours. The histopathology, immunohistochemistry, or entomologic analysis may be helpful to approximate the timing interval between trauma and death.
A CFD Study on Optimization of Mass Transfer and Light Distribution in a Photocatalytic Reactor with Immobilized Photocatalyst on Spheres
Authors: Jamil Qasim , Rana Khush Bakhat , Matoh Lev
Published: June 2024

This study explores the influence of flow velocity, sphere size, and inter-sphere distance on hydrodynamics and mass transfer in a photocatalytic reactor. The effects of two different light configurations on light distribution and degradation were also evaluated. A 2D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the continuous flow photocatalytic reactor with TiO2-coated spheres and validated with experimental measurements by observing the degradation of methyl orange. The experimental setup consists of a tube containing an equal number of TiO2-coated glass spheres. The case with radiation from one wall shows a non-uniform light distribution compared with the case with radiation from both walls. The CFD simulations focused on analyzing the velocity streamlines and turbulence characteristics (turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and turbulence dissipation rate (TDR)). These parameters showed significant variations in each studied case. The case with larger spheres reached the highest velocity of 38 m/s of the pollutant solution. The highest TKE and TDR values of 0.47 m2/s2 and 12.2 m2/s2, respectively, were also observed in the same case, indicating enhanced mixing and mass transfer to the catalyst surfaces, ultimately leading to a more efficient degradation process. The results show that an optimized design of photocatalytic reactors can significantly improve mass transfer and, thus, degradation efficiency.
Elimination of Residual Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in a Low-Temperature Post-Denitrifying Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)
Authors: Leonhard Stephan , Wichern Marc , Hilliges Rita
Published: June 2024

Moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) are compact biofilm systems that provide a sustainable solution for biological nitrogen removal. A study was conducted on an innovative post-denitrification method as a polishing step to reduce low nitrate nitrogen concentrations (10 mg/L) to 2.1–4.9 mg/L. The objective was to minimize residual chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the effluent caused by the external carbon source required for this final treatment step. Therefore, four continuous flow reactors with varying synthetic loads and hydraulic retention times (HRTs), as well as two carrier sizes, were operated over 335 days. The results showed that an HRT of 2 h is necessary to successfully reduce the residual COD to 5–6 mg/L. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the protected volume of the biofilm carriers has a significant impact on MBBRs compared to the protected surface, which is commonly discussed in the literature. The available protected volume can limit biofilm growth, as demonstrated by measuring the total biofilm solids (TBS) and biofilm thickness on the carrier at varying COD eliminations. When providing sufficient protected volume for the biofilm through the filling ratio and carrier size, a COD elimination rate of 1.4 to 1.45 kg/(m3d) was achieved with a biofilm thickness of only 500 µm.
The Hydrogeochemical Processes of Groundwater in the Bieletan Area, the Western Potash Production Region in China
Authors: Duan Rui , Chang Liang , Gu Xiaofan , Li Xiaodeng , You Xiangzhi , Zhang Qunhui , Wang Qian
Published: June 2024

The hydrogeochemical research of groundwater in the Bieletan area, China’s largest potash producing zone, used a variety of methods, including multivariate analysis, saturation index, and hydrogeochemical modeling. Water samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical parameters, along with soluble ions from soil cores. The results showed that total dissolved solids (TDS) of groundwater exceeded 300 g/L, with the main hydrochemical characteristics being Cl-Mg type and Cl-Na type. Groundwater is recharged by lake water and canal water, with evaporation being the main factor affecting water chemistry. Hydrogeochemical modeling analyzed the processes occurring from these two different recharge sources: mineral precipitation mainly occurred with lake water recharge, while mineral dissolution mainly occurred with canal water recharge. Regarding potash dissolution, canal water and lake water recharge resulted in 8.860 mmol/L of polyhalite dissolution and 0.278 mmol/L of carnallite dissolution, respectively. This study highlights the complex hydrogeochemical processes controlling groundwater in the potash-rich Bieletan area, providing insights for water resource management and potash mining.
Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Nitrates and Heavy Metals in the Groundwater of the Alluvial Area of the Danube River near Kostolac Basin, Serbia
Authors: Devic Gordana , Pergal Marija , Pergal Miodrag
Published: June 2024

Water-quality indicators and trace elements were measured in the alluvial area of the Kostolac Basin, Serbia. The results revealed that the groundwater was naturally neutral, with a mean conductance of 920.10 μs/cm. The primary factors contributing to the decline in the groundwater quality in the researched area were electrical conductivity (EC), NO3−, SO42−, Cd, and Pb; the water samples were deemed unfit for human consumption and the water was classified as having impaired quality. A Pearson correlation matrix, a principal component analysis (PCA), and a cluster analysis (CA) were applied to identify the pollution source and factors controlling the groundwater quality and the results indicated that both natural and anthropogenic factors influenced the groundwater of the studied area. The Nemerow pollution index indicated medium to high pollution levels along with the degree of contamination. A health risk evaluation was conducted to determine the non-carcinogenic risks posed by nitrates and heavy metals from oral consumption and skin contact in the researched area. Nearly all monitoring sites had hazard quotients (HQs) below 1, suggesting that potential concerns might be negligible. However, children showed the highest exposure levels, with HQs for nitrates at 2.26 and for lead (Pb) at 2.515. No carcinogenic risk from oral lead (Pb) exposure was found in any sample.
La morosidad y su relación con la liquidez de una institución de educación básica regular – Puno, Perú
Authors: Farfán Rosmery , Mamani Nancy , Cusilayme-Barrantes Helfer
Published: June 2024

Toda unidad económica se desenvuelve con una meta, al margen de su propósito de negocio; esta busca continuidad y crecimiento. Sin embargo, el COVID-19 ha complicado este fin en el sector educativo de gestión privada. Por tanto, el objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar la relación entre la morosidad y la situación financiera de una institución educativa durante los períodos comprendidos entre 2019 y 2021. Se empleó un enfoque cuantitativo correlacional de diseño no experimental, dado que las variables son de naturaleza numérica. Se buscaba una relación inversa entre ambas variables. Sin embargo, los resultados obtenidos a través del análisis estadístico, utilizando el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson, mostraron una correlación negativa muy débil, representada por un valor de (-0.195). Además, el alto margen de error (p-valor = 0.356) indicó que no se podía confirmar estadísticamente la relación entre ambas variables con un nivel de confianza del 95%. En conclusión, a pesar de la suposición inicial, los resultados no respaldaron la idea de que la morosidad tuviera un impacto estadísticamente significativo en la liquidez general y la prueba defensiva. Esto sugiere que otros factores pueden estar influyendo en la situación financiera de la institución, y la morosidad podría no ser el factor principal en este caso.
Utilização da inteligência artificial na segurança pública e sua contribuição na Polícia Militar
Authors: Nagata Sabrina Vettorazzi
Published: June 2024

Este estudo tem como objetivo geral analisar a aplicação da Inteligência Artificial (IA) na segurança pública, identificando seus benefícios, desafios e implicações. Adotou-se uma abordagem exploratória com base em pesquisa bibliográfica, utilizando artigos científicos, livros e documentos relevantes. A análise qualitativa dos conteúdos permitiu uma compreensão detalhada das questões levantadas. A pesquisa revelou que a IA pode fortalecer a prevenção e o combate ao crime, melhorar a resposta a emergências e crises, e incluir tecnologias como reconhecimento facial e análise preditiva de crimes. Contudo, também identificou desafios significativos, como questões éticas, legais e de privacidade, além de riscos de viés algorítmico e discriminação. Os desafios técnicos e operacionais, como a confiabilidade, escalabilidade e interpretabilidade dos sistemas de IA, foram igualmente destacados. O estudo concluiu que, apesar dos desafios, a IA tem um potencial significativo para melhorar a segurança pública. A cooperação entre especialistas de IA, profissionais de segurança, juristas e sociedade civil é essencial para a criação de diretrizes e regulamentações adequadas, assegurando o uso ético e eficaz da IA. Recomenda-se um aprofundamento futuro na temática para confirmar ou refutar os resultados obtidos, promovendo um diálogo contínuo e colaborativo para maximizar os benefícios da IA na segurança pública.
Examining the impact of aspirin on patients with chronic kidney disease; a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Eskandarian Rahime , Mehrabi Pari Samira , Memarian Mohammad
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant global health burden, and the efficacy and safety of aspirin in CKD patients have yielded conflicting results. Thus, our study aims to investigate the impact of aspirin consumption on individuals with CKD. Materials and Methods: This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis involved searching PubMed, ProQuest, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases without any time restrictions until December 22, 2023. Data analysis was conducted using STATA 14 software, with a significance level set at P<0.05. Results: Our analysis encompassed 12 studies involving a total of 92,271 participants. The findings revealed no meaningfully significant relationship between aspirin administration (≤200 mg) and renal failure in these patients (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.86, 1.14). Similarly, the use of low-dose aspirin (≤100 mg) did not impact renal failure in CKD patients (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.81, 1.15). The association between aspirin administration and renal failure in CKD patients aged 50-59 years (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.34) and 60-69 years (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.15) was not statistically significant. However, aspirin use in CKD patients aged 70-79 demonstrated a reduction in renal failure (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.82). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant association between aspirin administration and all-cause death in CKD patients (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.81, 1.13). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that aspirin consumption does not pose a risk for renal failure or all-cause mortality in CKD individuals. Registration: This study has been compiled based on the PRISMA checklist, and its protocol was registered on the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024497581) and Research Registry (UIN: reviewregistry1768) website.
Molecular and biochemical detection of bacteria in adult patients with urinary tract infection associate renal stones
Authors: Al-Tulaibawi Nooralden Abdulkarem Jasim , AL-Nussairawi Mohammed , AL-Zuhairy Noor AL-Huda Salah
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Introduction: Renal stone poses a significant public health issue worldwide, particularly in Iraq’s southern region. Although urinary tract infections are more likely in the presence of renal stones, the role of bacteria in the development of common stone types remains underexplored. Objectives: This study aimed to identify bacterial species isolated from urine and stones, to determine their sensitivity to antibiotics, and also to perform a chemical analysis of stones, focusing on the most prevalent type. Patients and Methods: One hundred adult patients with renal stones admitted to the surgical department of Al-Zahrawi surgical hospital in Maysan governorate were enrolled, then urine and surgical stone cultures were gathered. Bacterial identification was conducted using 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Additionally, a qualitative chemical composition analysis of stones was conducted. Results: A total of 130 bacterial isolates were identified (comprising nine different species), Escherichia coli was the predominant bacterium in both urine and stone cultures (41 and 20 isolates respectively), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (15 and 9, respectively) and Proteus mirabilis (11 and 8 respectively). Most isolates showed high sensitivity to imipenem and amikacin (80% and 71.5%, respectively; P<0.01), while sensitivity to tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, and ampicillin was notably lower (30.7%, 24.9%, 21.5% and 12.3% respectively). The incidence of renal stones was more frequent in males (64%), particularly among patients aged 31-40 years (60%), with a significant difference at P ≤ 0.05. Additionally, calcium oxalate was the most common biochemical composition of stones (51%), followed by calcium phosphate and uric acid (19% and 15% respectively), since magnesium-ammonium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and cystine were less common (9%, 4%, and 2%, respectively). There was also a significant relationship between bacterial urinary tract infection and the presence of renal stones. Conclusion: The most common bacteria isolated from adult patients with renal stones in Maysan governorate were Escherichia coli, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. Calcium oxalate stones were most frequent, followed by uric acid. The infection rate between urinary tract infection and renal stones was 65% and this is considered significant.
Applicability of Both/and Thinking in International Sustainable Business Studies
Authors: Gómez Juan Marcelo , McKenzie Jane
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this article is to provide a methodological demonstration making use of the both/and thinking (BAT) framework to perform analysis of intertemporal tensions. The BAT framework as an analytical tool is able to holistically examine complex multi-level business problems that involve tensions, contradictions and paradox that could be useful to others. Engaging the BAT framework in international sustainable business studies can be a challenging choice as it requires holistic understanding of the affects in the separation of contradictory elements across time and distance to shape research inquiry and direction. The approach considers that while paradoxes deal with contradictions, as a methodological process it enables a strategy for juxtaposing apparent opposites using an integrative lens embedded in BAT. As such, the use of BAT is discussed using a constructionist approach to gain insight and understanding on surfacing intertemporal tensions exemplified by the socio-business case study that is situated in the chocolate industry. The article draws on BAT primary and sub-themes and discusses implications and applications as a technique to frame the grappling of tensions. The findings are guided by the existing literature and the analysis from the empirical case study providing contributions in practice to further support the use of the BAT framework. Paradoxes examined in this article are based on affects for the themes of organizing, belonging, performing and learning. This article provides understanding of the findings to gain insight from an empirical and theoretical perspective to illustrate the practical implications of the methodological approach. As such, the principles of paradox theory are placed in the context of the BAT framework which are exemplified by making use of the empirical case study data to surface the potential applicability of the approach for future research. This article aims to contribute to the business and management methodological literature by demonstrating the use of the BAT approach and contributes with specificity in relation to the paradox taxonomy and the use of the BAT framework. Despite certain limitations, the BAT framework can be an excellent choice for qualitative sustainable business research that deals with contradictory demands.