bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waste Plastic and Rubber in Concrete and Cement Mortar: A Tertiary Literature Review
Authors: Marinelli Simona , Marinello Samuele , Lolli Francesco , Gamberini Rita , Coruzzolo Antonio Maria
Published: April 2023

In recent years, the addition of plastic and rubber waste to construction materials has been widely studied by the research community. This great interest can mainly be attributed to the achievable potential environmental and economic benefits, mainly deriving from the reduction of incinerated or landfilled wastes and the decrease of used raw materials. Several reviews have been published on the addition of polymeric waste materials in concrete and cement mortar mixtures, discussing properties, environmental and cost implications. However, there are not available studies that organize and analyses the knowledge presented in this review. For the scope, in this paper we present a tertiary study of previous relevant review articles from peer-reviewed journals, with the aim to provide an overview of the state of the evidence related to this topic and to highlight the main critical aspects and open issues. The overview provides conclusions drawn from the 33 included reviews finding different open issues on the theme regarding environmental performance, cost savings and impacts on the supply chain as well as long term health problem related to the use of waste plastic and rubber in concrete and cement mortar. For each open issue further research proposals are also suggested.
Research on Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Methods of SBR and Anoxic Oxic Urban Sewage Treatment System
Authors: Bai Mei , Li Wen , Xu Jin
Published: April 2023

With the rising awareness of environmental protection, more sewage treatment plants have been built. However, this is also one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. This study carried out a series of sewage treatment experiments to analyze the factors affecting the greenhouse gas emissions of the two commonly used treatment processes in the current urban sewage treatment: the A/O and SBR methods. The experimental results showed that the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the A/O method was 415.63 gCO2-eq/m3, and the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the SBR method was 879.51 gCO2-eq/m3. The N2O emission factor in the A/O method experimental group was 0.76% of the nitrogen content in the influent. In the aerobic section, when the content of dissolved oxygen was in the range of 1.30~2.10 mg/L, and the content of dissolved oxygen was 1.90 mg/L, the minimum N2O emission factor was reduced to 0.29% of the nitrogen content of the influent. In the SBR experimental group, the ammonia oxidation rate of sewage decreased rapidly as the temperature decreased, thus affecting the discharge rate of N2O. At 25 °C, the biological enzyme activity of nitrifying bacteria was higher, thus promoting denitrification and generating more greenhouse gases. The research results provide reference for strengthening the management of sewage treatment plants and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from sewage treatment plants.
The Adoption of Robotic Process Automation Considering Financial Aspects in Beef Supply Chains: An Approach towards Sustainability
Authors: E-Fatima Khushboo , Khandan Rasoul , Hosseinian-Far Amin , Sarwar Dilshad
Published: April 2023

Sustainable beef production is a global challenge in present times. This research paper aims to investigate the financial risks and barriers in the adoption of robotic process automation (RPA), which has emerged as a strategic catalyst for achieving sustainability in the beef sector. Beef manufacturers constantly strive to achieve sustainability and a competitive advantage in order to gain enhanced beef productivity at low operational costs. There is a gap in the research, as there is a lack of knowledge about the financial aspects, barriers, and challenges influencing the RPA adoption process in the beef supply chain. To bridge this gap, secondary research is used to extract statistical data and information relevant to the RPA adoption process in beef supply chains, considering financial aspects. This study utilises a simulation method adopting a process model created in previous research and analyses different scenarios based on financial parameters using values or variables in Simul8 software. The scenario analysis allows for the identification of financial risks in the adoption of RPA and evaluates the simulation results from a sustainability perspective. The scenario analysis highlights the financial risks and barriers in the adoption of RPA in beef supply chains through process simulation, using financial parameters as a basis. KPI values, income statements, and carbon emission reports are generated to evaluate the main bottlenecks at various beef supply chain stages, thus allowing business users to conduct a thorough cost analysis. Successful adoption of RPA can lead to reduced supply chain complexity, thus improving financial and operational efficiency, which results in increased beef productivity, quality, and shelf life. This study is extremely important as it assesses scenarios from a sustainability perspective and contributes to academic knowledge and professional practice. It provides a process model to support the financial and ethical decision-making of managers or stakeholders, while helping the beef sector adopt RPA with greater ease. The process model can be adopted or modified according to the financial circumstances and individual requirements of business users. Furthermore, it provides decision-makers with the knowledge to eliminate or prevent financial barriers, thus advancing and accelerating the adoption of RPA. Robust adoption of RPA assists beef supply chains in gaining higher productivity at reduced costs, thus creating sustainable value.
Measuring Café Lovability Using Google’s HEART and Understanding the Roles of Usability, Sustainability Innovation, and Innovation Cocreation in Café Lovability
Authors: Ghory Samina , Obeidat Bader , Masa’deh Ra’ed
Published: April 2023

This research paper explores and investigates the contemporary, developing, and under-researched concept of product lovability in the UAE café industry to introduce a scientific measure for café lovability using Google’s HEART framework for developing lovable product experiences. Taking a pragmatic view to drawing comparisons between the café ecosystem and layout and digital product interface and experience, the research elaborates on mediating roles of product (café) usability and innovation (by virtue of innovation cocreation and sustainability innovation) in the existence of café lovability. Using a deductive and quantitative approach, a measure of café lovability is devised using Google’s HEART framework to assess levels of happiness, engagement, adoption, retention, and task success at cafés and validates findings using the brand love scale. Once measurable, café lovability is then examined for having possible associations with café usability (a measure of experience, aesthetic, and quality) and café innovation (a measure of innovation cocreation, sustainability innovation and sustainability knowledge), and we also study the mediating impact of café innovation and usability on café lovability and brand love. The resulting model for café lovability provides the means for measuring café lovability and provides grounds for understanding the roles of usability and innovation in this phenomenon. Comparing contemporary café experience with a digital product interface in order to produce a lovable coffee experience is a non-conventional approach; like product lovability, the comparison, measurement, and application relies on pragmatic and innovative strategic decision making; it is therefore considered a practical approach due to the onset of digital and creative new-age customers. Further, the concept of product lovability is gaining popularity in practice but remains undiscussed and unexplored in academic research. This study provides grounds for further scientific research—both quantitative and qualitative—to define, test, and apply the measures of lovable products to businesses outside of technology and digital offerings, as well as providing us with the opportunity to study the overlap of product and café lovability with sustainability.
Progress and Hotspots of Research on Land-Use Carbon Emissions: A Global Perspective
Authors: Liu Min , Chen Yinrong , Chen Kun , Chen Yi
Published: April 2023

Carbon emissions from land use change are the leading causes of the greenhouse effect. Exploration of the progress and hotspots of research on land-use carbon emissions (LUCE) is crucial for mitigating global climate warming. However, a comprehensive and systematic review of LUCE research from a global perspective is still lacking. We used the WoS Core Collection Database to analyze the current status of research on LUCE from a global perspective with the aid of a bibliometrix tool, aiming to reveal research hotspots and future development trends. We found that (1) the process of LUCE research has gone through a nascent exploration stage (1992–2001), a problem-focused stage (2002–2011), and a prosperous development stage (2012–2022) under different policy orientations. European and North American countries prioritize LUCE research more than others. (2) Overseas research hotspots mainly focus on the climate effects of land-use change, the impact of deforestation and fire on carbon stocks, the impact of soil organic carbon stocks on climate change and biodiversity, and agricultural carbon emissions. Research hotspots in China mainly focus on the study of the influencing factors of land-use carbon emissions, the path to achieving the dual carbon goal, and the transition to a low carbon economy. (3) Research frontiers show that China mainly researches low-carbon land use intensification in the context of a “dual carbon” strategy; carbon emission reduction based on energy transition; and the multi-dimensional, dynamic, and accurate tracking and monitoring of land-use carbon emission systems using remote sensing satellite data. Other countries have shifted from measuring historical land-use carbon emissions, deforestation, degradation and fire carbon emissions to biomass combustion and global warming mitigation research. This study enhances the depth and breadth of LUCE research, which can provide a theoretical foundation and scientific reference for subsequent research on LUCE.
Toward a Resilient Future: The Promise of Microbial Bioeconomy
Authors: Akinsemolu Adenike , Onyeaka Helen , Fagunwa Omololu , Adenuga Adewale Henry
Published: April 2023

Naturally occurring resources, such as water, energy, minerals, and rare earth elements, are limited in availability, yet they are essential components for the survival and development of all life. The pressure on these finite resources is anthropogenic, arising from misuse, overuse, and overdependence, which causes a loss of biodiversity and climate change and poses great challenges to sustainable development. The focal points and principles of the bioeconomy border around ensuring the constant availability of these natural resources for both present and future generations. The rapid growth of the microbial bioeconomy is promising for the purpose of fostering a resilient and sustainable future. This highlights the economic opportunity of using microbial-based resources to substitute fossil fuels in novel products, processes, and services. The subsequent discussion delves into the essential principles required for implementing the microbial bioeconomy. There is a further exploration into the latest developments and innovations in this sub-field. The multi-sectoral applications include use in bio-based food and feed products, energy recovery, waste management, recycling, and cascading. In multi-output production chains, enhanced microbes can simultaneously produce multiple valuable and sustainable products. The review also examines the barriers and facilitators of bio-based approaches for a sustainable economy. Despite limited resources, microbial-based strategies demonstrate human ingenuity for sustaining the planet and economy. This review highlights the existing research and knowledge and paves the way for a further exploration of advancements in microbial knowledge and its potential applications in manufacturing, energy production, reduction in waste, hastened degradation of waste, and environmental conservation.
Facile Fabrication of Fe2O3/TiO2 Composite from Titanium Slag as Adsorbent for As(V) Removal from Aqueous Media
Authors: Tran Chinh Van , Nguyen Phuong Thi Hoai , Nguyen Dinh Duc , Pham Hanh T. T. , Do Dinh Trung , La Duong Duc
Published: April 2023

Mixed metal oxide composites have been widely used as adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater. In this work, Fe2O3/TiO2 composite was sustainably prepared via the treatment of titanium slag with a low-concentration sulfuric acid solution (20%) and used for the removal of As(V) from aqueous solutions. The resulting products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption−desorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The batch adsorption was employed to investigate the removal efficiency of the Fe2O3/TiO2 adsorbent toward As(V). The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were plotted in order to study the adsorption process. The adsorption of As(V) on FeO3/TiO2 fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model, suggesting a multilayer adsorption process with an adsorption capacity of 68.26 mg·g−1. The adsorption kinetics study demonstrated that the adsorption behavior of the Fe2O3/TiO2 composite for the As(V) was pseudo-second-order. With low-cost preparation and high adsorption capacity, the prepared Fe2O3/TiO2 adsorbent could be used as an effective adsorbent for As(V) removal from contaminated water sources. The approach utilized in this research is viewed as a sustainable route for creating a proficient adsorbent for the purification of water.
Exploration of Coupling Effects in the Digital Economy and Eco-Economic System Resilience in Urban Areas: Case Study of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Yuan Kai , Hu Biao , Li Xinlong , Niu Tingyun , Zhang Liang
Published: April 2023

Exploring the interaction and coupling effects within the digital economy and eco-economic system resilience in urban agglomeration areas is conducive to promoting high-quality sustainable urban development. Based on the coupling effect perspective, we construct a coupling coordination and development system with multiple elements, information, and interaction flow. The JJJ urban agglomeration from 2010 to 2019 was used as the study sample. The spatiotemporal differences and spatial effects of the coupled coordination were evaluated by combining the tools of combined weight model, coupled coordination model, nuclear density estimation, and exploratory spatial data analysis. The main results can be summarized as follows. (1) From 2010 to 2019, the digital economic index and eco-economic system resilience index of JJJ urban agglomeration maintained an upward trend, and the time series characteristics of the two sides showed a significant positive correlation. Additionally, the overall digital economic development index is better than the resilience development index of the urban eco-economic system. (2) In terms of the type of coupling coordination, the JJJ region has experienced a dynamic evolution process from the imbalance in 2010 to the primary coordination in 2019. The coupling and coordinated development levels of Beijing and Tianjin are obviously better than those of Hebei Province as a whole. (3) The coupling coordination of the system shows certain characteristics of spatial agglomeration and distribution. The overall spatial pattern presents a development pattern with Beijing and Tianjin as the core, and the gap between the north and the south is gradually narrowing. (4) Spatial spillovers and diffusion effects are evident. However, the influential factors have significant differences in the coupling and coordinated development between this region and neighboring regions. The results may provide theoretical support for the continuous improvement of ecological environment quality and green sustainable economic efficiency in urban agglomeration. It provides decision-making reference for promoting regional synergistic development strategy and optimizing spatial pattern of regional integration.
The Effect of Rainfall and Illumination on Automotive Sensors Detection Performance
Authors: Li Hexuan , Bamminger Nadine , Magosi Zoltan Ferenc , Feichtinger Christoph , Zhao Yongqi , Mihalj Tomislav , Orucevic Faris , Eichberger Arno
Published: April 2023

Vehicle safety promises to be one of the Advanced Driver Assistance System’s (ADAS) biggest benefits. Higher levels of automation remove the human driver from the chain of events that can lead to a crash. Sensors play an influential role in vehicle driving as well as in ADAS by helping the driver to watch the vehicle’s surroundings for safe driving. Thus, the driving load is drastically reduced from steering as well as accelerating and braking for long-term driving. The baseline for the development of future intelligent vehicles relies even more on the fusion of data from surrounding sensors such as Camera, LiDAR and Radar. These sensors not only need to perceive in clear weather but also need to detect accurately adverse weather and illumination conditions. Otherwise, a small error could have an incalculable impact on ADAS. Most of the current studies are based on indoor or static testing. In order to solve this problem, this paper designs a series of dynamic test cases with the help of outdoor rain and intelligent lightning simulation facilities to make the sensor application scenarios more realistic. As a result, the effect of rainfall and illumination on sensor perception performance is investigated. As speculated, the performance of all automotive sensors is degraded by adverse environmental factors, but their behaviour is not identical. Future work on sensor model development and sensor information fusion should therefore take this into account.
Developing a Framework for Evaluating and Predicting Management Innovation in Public Research Institutions
Authors: Park Kyungbo , Cha Jeonghwa , Hong Jongyi
Published: April 2023

As the external environment changes rapidly, organizations need management innovation to adapt to and exploit change as an opportunity. To innovate, it is necessary to evaluate management innovation, because if an organization can measure the degree of management innovation, it can also achieve it. Moreover, if management innovation is predictable, profits can be maximized, and costs can be minimized by allocating efficient resources and establishing appropriate strategies. Therefore, this study attempts to predict the management innovation in public research institutions. Basic data mining and ensemble data mining techniques were used for the prediction. This analysis targeted public research institutes in South Korea. The results showed that the predictive power of public research institutions with high innovation was high. This study suggests that management innovation can be predicted in highly innovative public research institutions. Furthermore, this study’s framework can be applied to other industries.
Making the Case for the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area: A Scoping Review
Authors: Newton Madelyn , Berry Chandler J. , Arrington Bethany , Wilson Nick , McCormack Colin , Wilcox Michael , Barmoh Alexis , Zajchowski Chris A. B.
Published: April 2023

National Heritage Areas (NHAs) are nationally distinct landscapes that represent unique cultural, historical, and/or natural attributes significant to the legacy of the United States of America (U.S.). The Great Dismal Swamp, located in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, is a prime candidate for NHA designation with diverse qualifications, among which was its antebellum role as a refuge for formerly enslaved people. The goal of our research, conducted in 2022 during the period of the U.S. Congressional debate on designation, was to investigate and expound upon the rationale for NHA designation of the Swamp. To do so, we used a scoping review to explore a sample of existing literature focused on the Great Dismal Swamp. We found significant evidence to support the Great Dismal Swamp NHA designation. Now, in its final hours of federal review and ratification, the Great Dismal Swamp will likely become America’s next NHA and continue its legacy as a place for nature-based and heritage tourism, inspiration, and reflection on the strength of humans to live and resist against even the most arduous of external forces. Further, our work serves to illustrate the range of unique factors that can support similar designations throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Students Digital Maturity and Its Implications for Sustainable Behavior
Authors: Awdziej Marcin , Jaciow Magdalena , Lipowski Marcin , Tkaczyk Jolanta , Wolny Robert
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition to remote and hybrid teaching and learning, highlighting the importance of digital maturity among university staff and students. Digital maturity includes technological proficiency and skills necessary to navigate and use digital tools for personal learning and development, as well as responsible and ethical use of technology, digital citizenship, and critical thinking. Developing digital maturity among students is critical to promoting sustainable practices and success in a digitally connected world. This article examines the impact of students’ digital maturity on online learning engagement and explores the relationship between digital maturity, acceptance of universities’ digital transformation, online education satisfaction, student engagement, and sustainable behavior. The study randomly selected 358 students from three Polish universities who completed an online survey (CAWI). The results indicate that digital competences positively affect the students’ acceptance of the digital transformation of the university. Personal innovation and motivation for formal digital learning also influence acceptance. Accepting the digital transformation has a positive impact on online learning satisfaction. Engagement in online learning has minimal impact on informal digital learning. The positive moderating effects of commitment to sustainable development on satisfaction and commitment to distance learning and informal digital learning were insignificant. The study suggests that universities need to promote digital maturity among all stakeholders, and students need to improve their digital competences to take full advantage of the educational offer of universities.
Assessing the Effects of Modalities of Takeover Request, Lead Time of Takeover Request, and Traffic Conditions on Takeover Performance in Conditionally Automated Driving
Authors: Yang Weida , Wu Zhizhou , Tang Jinjun , Liang Yunyi
Published: April 2023

When a conditionally automated vehicle controlled by the machine faces situations beyond the capability of the machine, the human driver is requested to take over the vehicle. This study aims to assess the short-term effects of three factors on the takeover performance: (1) traffic conditions (complex and simple); (2) modality of takeover request (auditory and auditory + visual); (3) lead time of takeover request (TORlt, 5 s and 7 s). The scenario is the obstacle ahead. Indicators include: (1) Take Over Reaction Time (TOrt); (2) approximate entropy (ApEn), operating order of steering wheel Angle and pedal torque; (3) the choice of target lane and speed of lane-changing; (4) mean and standard deviation of acceleration and velocity; (5) quantifiable lateral cross-border risk and longitudinal collision risk. A driving simulation experiment is conducted to collect data for analysis. The effects of the three factors on takeover performance are analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and non-parametric tests. The results show that when the traffic conditions are complex, drivers have a larger ApEn of the steering wheel angle and brake pedal torque, and a smaller ApEn of acceleration pedal torque. In the 5 s TORlt case, drivers have a smaller ApEn of brake pedal torque the interaction between TORlt, traffic conditions, and modality of TOR affects ApEn of accelerator pedal torque. 5 s TORlt/complex traffic condition makes the scene more urgent, which is easy to cause driver to make sudden and simultaneous turning and sudden braking dangerous behavior meanwhile. Compared with other combinations of modality and TORlt, the combination of 7 s and auditory + visual significantly reduces the lateral cross-border risk and longitudinal collision risk.
Enhancing Sustainable Business Models for Green Transportation
Authors: Simões Vasco , Pereira Leandro , Dias Álvaro
Published: April 2023

Business models (BMs) are crucial for the successful market penetration and diffusion of sustainable innovations. Nonetheless, consumer preference knowledge about adopting electric vehicles (EVs) under innovative BMs is low. Drawing on existing conceptualizations of BMs, this investigation studied consumer preferences for three innovative BMs (EV-leasing; battery-leasing; B2C EV-sharing) and the traditional total purchase BM. This research aimed to analyze the growth of the EV market, as well as to understand consumer preferences regarding business models and how these can overcome the barriers to EV purchase. During this study, an empirical study was applied based on a quantitative method. Data were collected through Google Forms and disseminated via social media. Using survey data to conduct a quantitative analysis, the findings showed that most people have an interest in EVs but consider their high cost the main barrier. The environmental benefits are the main motivation for buying an EV, since people are very concerned about the environment. Regarding the innovative business models (IBMs), most people were not aware of their existence but believed that they were fundamental for EV acquisition.
RETRACTED: On Cubic Roots Cordial Labeling for Some Graphs
Authors: ELrokh Ashraf , Ismail Rashad , Abd El-hay Atef , Elmshtaye Yasser
Published: April 2023

In this paper we used the cubic roots of unit group together with the concept of cordiality in graph theory to introduce a new method of labeling, this construed cubic cordial labeling can be applied to all paths, cycles, fans and wheel graphs. Moreover, some other properties are investigated and show that the union of any two cycles and the union any two paths are cubic cordial graphs. Also, we study the cubic cordiality for the union of any cycle with a path.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Knowledge, Beliefs, and Hesitancy Associated with Stages of Parental Readiness for Adolescent HPV Vaccination: Implications for HPV Vaccination Promotion
Authors: Jin Seok Won , Lee Yeonggeul , Brandt Heather M.
Published: April 2023

The vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) has shown effectiveness in preventing six different types of cancer. Despite a safe, effective HPV vaccine, vaccination coverage for adolescents remains suboptimal, especially in the Memphis, Tennessee metropolitan area. Parents/Guardians have a substantial influence on adolescent vaccination, but little is known about parental cognitive factors contributing to intent on adolescent HPV vaccination in this region. Thus, this study examined factors associated with stages of parental readiness for adolescent HPV vaccination by applying the transtheoretical model. A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted to collect quantitative data on sociodemographic characteristics; health-related information; HPV vaccination knowledge, beliefs, and hesitancy; and stages of readiness for adolescent HPV vaccination among parents. Convenience sampling was performed to recruit a total of 497 parents of adolescents aged 11–17 years in Shelby and Tipton Counties in Tennessee and DeSoto County in Mississippi. Binary logistic regression analyses showed that greater knowledge of HPV vaccination, greater perceived susceptibility to HPV, and lower levels of HPV vaccination hesitancy, respectively, distinguished higher from lower stages of parental readiness for adolescent HPV vaccination after controlling for other variables. The findings provide implications for developing readiness for stage-specific interventions targeted to effectively influence the parental decision-making process regarding HPV vaccination for adolescents.
Strong Interaction Dynamics and Fermi β Decay in the Nucleon and the Nucleus
Authors: Miller Gerald A.
Published: April 2023

Nuclear super-allowed β decay has been used to obtain tight limits on the value of the CKM matrix element Vud that is important for unitarity tests and, therefore, for tests of the standard model. Current requirements on precision are so intense that effects formerly thought too small to matter are now considered relevant. This article is a brief review of personal efforts to include the effects of strong interactions on Fermi β decay. First, I examine the role of isospin violation in the decay of the neutron. The size of the necessary correction depends upon detailed strong-interaction dynamics. The isospin violating parts of the nucleon wave function, important at the low energy of β decay, can be constrained by data taken at much higher energies, via measurements, for example, of ed→e′π±+X reactions at Jefferson Laboratory. The next point of focus is on the role of nuclear short-ranged correlations, which affect the value of the correction needed to account for isospin violation in extracting the value of Vud. The net result is that effects previously considered as irrelevant are now considered relevant for both neutron and nuclear β decay.
Second-Generation SARS-CoV-2 Recombinants: Lessons from Other Viruses
Authors: Focosi Daniele , Maggi Fabrizio
Published: April 2023

RNA viruses have developed notable strategies to evolve and escape host immunity [...]
COVID-19 Vaccines Status, Acceptance and Hesitancy among Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study and the Implications for Pakistan and Beyond
Authors: Amjad Zara , Maryam Iqra , Munir Maria , Salman Muhammad , Baraka Mohamed A. , Mustafa Zia Ul , Khan Yusra Habib , Mallhi Tauqeer Hussain , Hasan Syed Shahzad , Meyer Johanna C. , Godman Brian
Published: April 2023

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy continues to be a widespread problem in Pakistan due to various conspiracy beliefs, myths and misconceptions. Since the hemodialysis population is at a higher risk of contracting infections, we sought to investigate the current COVID-19 immunization status and reasons for any vaccine hesitancy among these patients in Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted among maintenance hemodialysis patients at six hospitals in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Data were collected anonymously using a questionnaire. A total of 399 hemodialysis patients took part in the survey, the majority of them were male (56%) and aged 45–64 years. A calculated 62.4% of the patients reported receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those vaccinated (249), 73.5% had received two doses and 16.9% had received a booster dose. The most common reasons for vaccination were “being aware they were at high risk” (89.6%), “fear of getting infected” (89.2%) and “willingness to fight against COVID-19-pandemic” (83.9%). Of the 150 patients who had not yet been vaccinated, only 10 showed a willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The major reasons for refusal included “COVID-19 is not a real problem” (75%), the “corona vaccine is a conspiracy (72.1%)” and “I don’t need the vaccine” (60.7%). Our study revealed that only 62% patients receiving hemodialysis were partially or completely vaccinated against COVID-19. Consequently, there is a need to initiate aggressive approaches to educate this high-risk population in order to address their concerns with vaccine safety and efficacy as well as correct current myths and misconceptions to improve the COVID-19 immunization status in this population.
Evaluation of the Local Immune Response to Hydatid Cysts in Sheep Liver
Authors: De Biase Davide , Prisco Francesco , Pepe Paola , Bosco Antonio , Piegari Giuseppe , d’Aquino Ilaria , Russo Valeria , Papparella Serenella , Maurelli Maria Paola , Rinaldi Laura , Paciello Orlando
Published: April 2023

In order to characterize the inflammatory phenotype of livers of sheep naturally infected by cystic echinococcosis, 100 sheep livers have been macroscopically assessed for the presence of hydatid cysts and sampled for histopathological and molecular analysis. According to gross and microscopic examination, livers were subsequently classified into three groups: normal liver (Group A), liver with the presence of fertile hydatid cysts (Group B), and liver with the presence of sterile hydatid cysts (Group C). Immunohistochemical analyses were accomplished using primary antibodies anti-Iba1, anti-CD3, anti-CD20, anti-TGF-β, and anti-MMP9. Finally, real-time PCR was performed in order to estimate the concentration levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (INF-γ), interleukin (IL)-12, IL-10, and TGF-β. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a diffuse immunolabelling of mononuclear cells for Iba-1 and TGF-β and a higher amount of CD20+ B cells compared to CD3+ T cells in both Groups B and C. The expression levels of Th-1-like immune cytokines TNF-α, INF-γ, and IL-12 did not show significant statistical differences. However, we found a significant increase in expression levels of Th-2 immune cytokines TGF-β and IL-10 in Groups B and C compared to Group A. Taken together, our findings suggest that macrophages have a predominant role in the local immune response to cystic echinococcosis. Moreover, we can speculate that Th2 immunity may be dominant, corroborating the idea that B cells are decisively essential in the control of the immune response during parasitic infection and that the immunomodulatory role of IL-10 and TGF-β may ensure the persistence of the parasite within the host.
Temporal Dynamics of the Hydropower Water Reservoirs of the Tocantins–Araguaia Basin, Brazil, Based on Remote Sensing and Hydrometeorological Station Datasets
Authors: Vieira Valadão Larissa , Fonseca Iara Resende da , Cicerelli Rejane Ennes , Almeida Tati de , Garnier Jeremie , Sano Edson Eyji
Published: April 2023

The Tocantins–Araguaia Basin covers an extensive area of Brazilian territory and has a water reservoir system installed in a cascade that is very important for water storage and hydropower production. There is concern about the use of this resource because of the current tendency of surface water reduction in the reservoir systems. Sustainable management can help to guarantee the water supply and the hydropower supply. However, accurate data on the monitoring parameters are required. This study aims to analyze which factors most influence the changes in the areas of water reservoirs and, subsequently, the changes in the water availability. Trends, correlations, and principal component analyses (PCAs) were used to assess the association between the areas of water reservoirs and the liquid evaporation, discharge, precipitation, and land use and land cover (LULC) in the basin. We observed that the precipitation did not decrease significantly. On the other hand, changes in the LULC and the areas of reservoirs were highly correlated with each other. The PCA also showed a strong association between meteorological factors and the areas of reservoirs. In conclusion, this study showed that reductions in the areas of water reservoirs are mostly related to deforestation and reduced reservoir discharge rather than climate change. This paper provides a straightforward approach to monitoring reservoir changes based on the tendencies of some parameters that are strongly correlated with reservoir changes.
Preliminary Study on the Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Eichhornia crassipes on Co-Cultured Raphidiopsis raciborskii
Authors: Cheng Xiaowei , Pan Weibin , Hu Yuanyuan , Zou Yulin , Huang Xiaojia
Published: April 2023

Raphidiopsis raciborskii, which harms water supply and ecological security, may expand its range with climate warming. To explore the ecological management method of R. raciborskii blooms, the co-culture system of Eichhornia crassipes and R. raciborskii was established to study the inhibitory effect and inhibition mechanism of E. crassipes on R. raciborskii compared with the shaded culture of R. raciborskii alone. It was found that after co-cultured with E. crassipes (fresh weight, 5.10 ± 0.60 g·L−1) for seven days under initial high nutrient concentration, the algal cell density of co-culture groups with an initial cell density of 1.57 × 108 cells·L−1 and 1.57 × 109 cells·L−1 decreased by 63.19% and 14.87%, respectively. Meanwhile, the algal cell density in the co-culture group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.01). The algal cell density change showed that the growth of R. raciborskii was inhibited by co-cultured E. crassipes. In addition, E. crassipes could significantly reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus content in the water, but the growth state and photosynthesis of E. crassipes were not inhibited by R. raciborskii. These results suggested that E. crassipes has the potential to control R. raciborskii blooms. The study also found that when co-cultured, there was no significant difference in algal cell density between the groups supplemented with a certain amount of nutrients and the group without additional nutrients. Meanwhile, the inhibition rates of the co-culture groups were over 99% on day 4. These results showed that nutrient factors had no significant effect on the inhibitory effect of E. crassipes in the range of nutrients regulated by the experiment, and other factors played a leading role. In other words, under experimental conditions, nutrient competition was not the primary inhibitory mechanism of E. crassipes. This study also confirmed that E. crassipes had inhibitory allelopathy on R. raciborskii. The contribution and significance of allelopathy and other mechanisms could be studied in the future.
Adaptation of a Scientific Decision Support System to the Productive Sector—A Case Study: MOPECO Irrigation Scheduling Model for Annual Crops
Authors: Domínguez Alfonso , Martínez-López José Antonio , Amami Hacib , Nsiri Radhouan , Karam Fadi , Oueslati Maroua
Published: April 2023

Despite the great number of models developed in research projects, only a small percentage have been successfully transferred to the productive sector. The PRIMA programme supported by Horizon 2020, the European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, aims to reverse this situation. The SUPROMED project funded by PRIMA sought to develop an online platform composed of several models adapted to the requirements of end users for increasing the economic and environmental sustainability of Mediterranean agricultural systems. MOPECO, in its research version, was designed to maximize the profitability of irrigated farms in water-scarce regions. A simplified version of this model (MOPECO irrigation scheduling) was included in the SUPROMED platform for improving irrigation efficiency, providing farmers with a useful irrigation scheduling software. This paper shows the approach to adapt and transfer MOPECO to the productive sector. The tool was validated in three different demosite areas across the Mediterranean, involving local stakeholders in the design, validation, and dissemination of the software. The simplified tool reached similar or higher yields than farmers using less water. Thus, the average water saved was around 16%, while the average yield increased around 10% in the plots located in the three demosites of the project (Eastern Mancha in Spain, Bekaa valley in Lebanon, and Sidi Bouzid in Tunisia). This fact decreased the water footprint and increased the profitability of farms. The high applicability of the tool has generated interest among many technicians, farmers, and advisory enterprises. Furthermore, regional and national governmental extension services have shown interest in spreading the use of the tool across their territories, validating the methodology used for adapting and transferring a scientific model to the productive sector.
Advancing Medium-Range Streamflow Forecasting for Large Hydropower Reservoirs in Brazil by Means of Continental-Scale Hydrological Modeling
Authors: Kolling Neto Arthur , Siqueira Vinícius Alencar , Gama Cléber Henrique de Araújo , Paiva Rodrigo Cauduro Dias de , Fan Fernando Mainardi , Collischonn Walter , Silveira Reinaldo , Paranhos Cássia Silmara Aver , Freitas Camila
Published: April 2023

Streamflow forecasts from continental to global scale hydrological models have gained attention, but their performance against operational forecasts at local to regional scales must be evaluated. This study assesses the skill of medium-range, weekly streamflow forecasts for 147 large Brazilian hydropower plants (HPPs) and compares their performance with forecasts issued operationally by the National Electric System Operator (ONS). A continental-scale hydrological model was forced with ECMWF medium-range forecasts, and outputs were corrected using quantile mapping (QM) and autoregressive model approaches. By using both corrections, the percentage of HPPs with skillful forecasts against climatology and persistence for 1–7 days ahead increased substantially for low to moderate (9% to 56%) and high (72% to 94%) flows, while using only the QM correction allowed positive skill mainly for low to moderate flows and for 8–15 days ahead (29% to 64%). Compared with the ONS, the corrected continental-scale forecasts issued for the first week exhibited equal or better performance in 60% of the HPPs, especially for the North and Southeast subsystems, the DJF and MAM months, and for HPPs with less installed capacity. The findings suggest that using simple corrections on streamflow forecasts issued by continental-scale models can result in competitive forecasts even for regional-scale applications.
Efficacy and safety of antidepressant and antipsychotic combinations in the treatment of depression
Authors:   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation, Shnaider K. O. , Maksimov M. L. ,   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation; Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russian Federation; Kazan State Medical Academy — Branch Campus of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Kazan, Russian Federation, Mikheeva A. S. ,   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: April 2023

Based on the research by the Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the level of anxiety and depression is growing across the country. The greatest blow falls on young people aged 18–24, with about 77 % noting depressive symptoms in themselves. Zurab Kekelidze, the director general of the Serbsky Center, responsible for providing the World Health Organization (WHO) with data on people with depression, revealed that about 8 million people in Russia suffer from this disease. That is why it is essential for a practitioner to pay attention to the effectiveness of the chosen drug therapy, as well as to take into account adverse reactions. The purpose of the review. This article provides an update on the clinical pharmacology, mechanisms of action, and safety of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and the results of their combination in the treatment of depression. We identified potentially relevant studies by searching the electronic databases MEDLINE, SCOPUS, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for the last 5 years up to December 2022, using the terms: depression, mental disorders, therapy, safety, efficacy, adverse effects. Results. Recent studies have shown the efficacy and good tolerability of antidepressant and antipsychotic therapy in the treatment of depression.
The dress code in French labor law: regulation and law enforcement issues
Authors:   Ural State Law University named after V.F. Yakovlev, Yekaterinburg, Grigoriev I.V. , Stepanov K.A. ,   Ural State Law University named after V.F. Yakovlev, Yekaterinburg, Kushnarev A.S. ,   Ural State Law University named after V.F. Yakovlev, Yekaterinburg
Published: April 2023

This article discusses the legal regulation of the dress code in French labor law. The author provides an analysis of the current legislation, key decisions of the courts, as well as competent authorities for the protection of persons from discrimination. The article examines the main problems that exist in the regulation and enforcement of the institute of dress code in French labor legislation, gives a general assessment of the institution in question.
Strangulated internal hernia through a defect of the broad ligament: a case report of laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Song Ji Hyeong , Kim Jin Soo
Published: April 2023

An internal hernia is defined as the protrusion of an internal organ through a defect in the abdominal cavity. Broad ligament hernia (BLH) is an extremely rare type of internal hernia that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively because the symptoms are nonspecific. However, early diagnosis is crucial, and early surgery is required to reduce complications such as strangulation. Laparoscopy has the advantage of enabling simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of BLH. With the advancement of the laparoscopic techniques, several cases of laparoscopic treatment of BLH have been reported. Nevertheless, open surgery is primarily performed in patients requiring bowel resection. We present a case of laparoscopic surgery for a strangulated internal hernia through a broad ligament defect. We successfully resected the strangulated small intestine and closed the defect of the broad ligament laparoscopically with a minor incision.
Stratification of rate of lymph node metastasis according to risk factors and oncologic outcomes in patients who underwent radical resection for rectal neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Jin Myung Jae , Park Sung Sil , Lee Dong-Eun , Park Sung Chan , Lee Dong Woon , Yu Kiho , Chang Hee Jin , Hong Chang Won , Sohn Dae Kyung , Han Kyung Su , Kim Bun , Kim Byung Chang , Oh Jae Hwan
Published: April 2023

Purpose: Most predictive factors for lymph node metastasis in rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) have been based on local and endoscopic resection. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors for lymph node metastasis in patients who underwent radical resection for rectal NETs and stratify the risk of lymph node metastasis.Methods: Sixty-four patients who underwent radical resection for rectal NETs between January 2001 and January 2018 were included. We investigated the risk factors of lymph node metastasis using clinicopathologic data. We also performed a risk stratification for lymph node metastases using the number of previously known risk factors. For oncologic outcomes, the 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival were evaluated in both groups.Results: Among the patients who underwent radical surgery, 32 (50.0%) had lymph node metastasis and 32 (50.0%) had non–lymph node metastasis. In the multivariable analysis, only the male sex was identified as a risk factor for lymph node metastasis (odds ratio, 3.695; 95% confidence interval, 1.128–12.105; P=0.031). When there were 2 or more known risk factors, the lymph node metastasis rate was significantly higher than when there were one or no risk factors (odds ratio, 3.667; 95% confidence interval, 1.023–13.143; P=0.046). There was also no statistical difference between the 2 groups in 5-year overall survival (P=0.431) and 5-year recurrence-free survival (P=0.144).Conclusion: We found that the rate of lymph node metastasis increased significantly when the number of known risk factors is 2 or more.