bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Fuzzy Control and Neural Network Control in the Commercial Development of Sustainable Energy System
Authors: Xie Fanbao , Guan Xin , Peng Xiaoyan , Zeng Yanzhao , Wang Zeyu , Qin Tianqiao
Published: May 2024

Sustainable energy systems (SESs) occupy a prominent position in the modern global energy landscape. The purpose of this study is to explore the application of fuzzy control and neural network control in photovoltaic systems to improve the power generation efficiency and stability of the system. By establishing the mathematical model of a photovoltaic system, the nonlinear and uncertain characteristics of photovoltaic system are considered. Fuzzy control and neural network control are used to control the system, and their performance is verified by experiments. The experimental results show that under the conditions of low light and moderate temperature, the fuzzy neural network control achieves a 3.33% improvement in power generation efficiency compared with the single control strategy. Meanwhile, the system can still maintain relatively stable operation under different environmental conditions under this comprehensive control. This shows that fuzzy neural network control has significant advantages in improving power generation efficiency and provides beneficial technical support and guidance for the commercial development of SESs.
Ukrainian Women’s Entrepreneurship and Business Ecosystem during the War: New Challenges for Development
Authors: Stroiko Tetiana , Iglesias-Sanchez Patricia P. , Jambrino-Maldonado Carmen , Fernández-Díaz Elena , de las Heras-Pedrosa Carlos
Published: May 2024

This research focuses on the key aspects of the basis of women’s entrepreneurship in the particular case of the Ukrainian ecosystem of entrepreneurship. Even in wartime, entrepreneurship is a chance to overcome circumstances, and it should be developed for women and men. A correlation regression analysis and simulation modeling were carried out in order to rank the priorities for the development of types of economic activity of small business entities managed by women, making it possible to substantiate the forecast of the development of women’s entrepreneurship in Ukraine for 2024–2026. The findings show the positive impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the need to continue to strengthen policies that encourage and facilitate female entrepreneurship. This analysis provides three types of development scenarios for women’s entrepreneurship in Ukraine.
Walking in Tandem with the City: Exploring the Influence of Public Art on Encouraging Urban Pedestrianism within the 15-Minute Community Living Circle in Shanghai
Authors: Tan Ran , Wu Yu , Zhang Suhui
Published: May 2024

As a new urban model, the 15-min city has gradually become a touchstone with which to measure the future sustainability of cities. With a time-limited planning of urban living circles, urban residents can be allowed to access basic daily needs, such as food, health and education, while walking or cycling, thus reducing motor traffic and carbon dioxide emissions and contributing to the improvement of people’s well-being and the environmental climate. Within the temporal and spatial confines of the 15-min living sphere, governmental authorities and community bodies commonly integrate public art installations into public spaces to enrich spatial dynamics, cultivate cultural identities, enhance environmental aesthetics, elevate service quality, and foster communal interactions. This study aims to probe into the impact of public art on encouraging urban pedestrianism within the specific context of the 15-min community living sphere along the Suzhou River in northern Shanghai. Drawing upon Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) theory, a theoretical framework is constructed to unravel the mechanisms by which public art influences residents’ propensity for walking, encompassing the attributes of public art, perceived value, and walking intention. Employing Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), the model is analyzed to scrutinize the proposed hypotheses. Through this research, we establish and substantiate a novel and pertinent theoretical perspective for advancing human-centric and sustainable urban regeneration. The findings underscore that integrating public art within the framework of constructing 15-min community living spheres contributes to catalyzing proactive urban pedestrianism by enhancing its value proposition.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Replacing Humans in Making Human Resource Management Decisions on Fairness: A Case of Resume Screening
Authors: Cai Fei , Zhang Jiashu , Zhang Lei
Published: May 2024

A growing number of organizations have used artificial intelligence (AI) to make decisions to replace human resource (HR) workers; yet, the fairness perceptions of the people affected by the decision are still unclear. Given that an organization’s sustainability is significantly influenced by individuals’ perceptions of fairness, this study takes a resume-screening scenario as an example to explore the impact of AI replacing humans on applicants’ perceptions of fairness. This study adopts the method of the online scenario experiment and uses SPSS to analyze the experimental data: 189 and 214 people, respectively, participated in two online scenarios, with two independent variables of decision makers (AI and humans), two dependent variables of procedural and distributive fairness, and two moderating variables of outcome favorability and the expertise of AI. The results show that the applicants tend to view AI screening resumes as less fair than humans. Furthermore, moderating effects exist between the outcome favorability and the expertise of AI. This study reveals the impact of AI substituting for humans in decision-making on fairness. The proposed model can help organizations use AI to screen resumes more effectively. And future research can explore the collaboration between humans and AI to make human resource management decisions.
Drivers of Spontaneous Plant Communities in Urban Parks: A Case from Nanjing, China
Authors: Xu Wenjie , Dai Wenjing , Ding Yanfen , Song Shanshan , Liu Qian , Yang Wei
Published: May 2024

Urban plant diversity is one of the key elements for sustainable urban development. Urban plant landscapes not only create a variety of experiences for residents but also have a positive effect on their physiology and psychology. In order to better introduce nature into urban green spaces, this study conducted a field survey in Nanjing, China, to analyze the current situation of spontaneous plants in Nanjing’s urban green spaces and propose a plant planning strategy that takes into account both ecology and residents’ well-being. This study surveyed the herbaceous plant resources in 96 sample plots in nine typical urban parks in Nanjing, and recorded 284 plant species in 192 genera and 78 families. The research results show that the differences in plant diversity, richness, and evenness among urban parks in Nanjing are significant; combined with cluster analysis and ranking results, the total area of urban parks, green space construction time, lighting conditions, and management frequency have an impact on plant communities. Further analysis of the species composition of plant communities showed that moderate management frequency in urban parks can increase plant diversity. With the advantages of both high ecological benefits and low management costs, a model of “artificial plants + native spontaneous plants” was finally proposed for the planting of herbaceous plants in sustainable urban green spaces.
A Microstructural Study of Cu-10Al-7Ag Shape Memory Alloy in As-Cast and Quenched Conditions
Authors: Liverić Lovro , Sitek Wojciech , Snopiński Przemysław , Maziarz Wojciech , Grgurić Tamara Holjevac
Published: May 2024

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) represent an exceptional class of smart materials as they are able to recover their shape after mechanical deformation, making them suitable for use in actuators, sensors and smart devices. These unique properties are due to the thermoelastic martensitic transformation that can occur during both thermal and mechanical deformation. Cu-based SMAs, especially those incorporating Al and Ag, are attracting much attention due to their facile production and cost-effectiveness. Among them, Cu-Al-Ag SMAs stand out due to their notably high temperature range for martensitic transformation. In this study, a Cu-based SMA with a new ternary composition of Cu-10Al-7Ag wt.% was prepared by arc melting and the samples cut from this casting alloy were quenched in water. Subsequently, the phase composition and the development of the microstructure were investigated. In addition, the morphology of the martensite was studied using advanced techniques such as electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analyzes confirmed the presence of martensitic structures in both samples; mainly 18R (β1′) martensite was present but a small volume fraction of (γ1′) martensite also was noticed in the as-quenched sample. The observation of fine, twinned martensite plates in the SMA alloy with symmetrically occurring basal plane traces between the twin variants underlines the inherent correlation between microstructural symmetry and the properties of the material and provides valuable insights into its behavior. The hardness of the quenched sample was found to be lower than the as-cast counterpart, which can be linked to the solutioning of Ag particles during the heat treatment.
Approximation Conjugate Gradient Method for Low-Rank Matrix Recovery
Authors: Chen Zhilong , Wang Peng , Zhu Detong
Published: May 2024

Large-scale symmetric and asymmetric matrices have emerged in predicting the relationship between genes and diseases. The emergence of large-scale matrices increases the computational complexity of the problem. Therefore, using low-rank matrices instead of original symmetric and asymmetric matrices can greatly reduce computational complexity. In this paper, we propose an approximation conjugate gradient method for solving the low-rank matrix recovery problem, i.e., the low-rank matrix is obtained to replace the original symmetric and asymmetric matrices such that the approximation error is the smallest. The conjugate gradient search direction is given through matrix addition and matrix multiplication. The new conjugate gradient update parameter is given by the F-norm of matrix and the trace inner product of matrices. The conjugate gradient generated by the algorithm avoids SVD decomposition. The backtracking linear search is used so that the approximation conjugate gradient direction is computed only once, which ensures that the objective function decreases monotonically. The global convergence and local superlinear convergence of the algorithm are given. The numerical results are reported and show the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Yemeni Sidr Honey Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis in Human Cancer and Mouse-Derived Cell Lines
Authors: Almnayan Danah , Lafrenie Robert M.
Published: May 2024

Honey has become popular as a potential treatment for several ailments, including cancer. Honeys from different parts of the world have been shown to have different anti-proliferative, immune-modulatory, and anti-inflammatory actions. Yemeni Sidr honey (YSH) is world-renowned for its anti-inflammatory activity and has been suggested to have anti-cancer activity, although empirical evidence is lacking. We tested three YSH samples by HPLC to show they contained similar sugars and an overlapping group of phenolic and flavonoid components, as described previously. YSH’s apoptotic and anti-proliferative activities were measured in in vitro models of cancer growth. The treatment of breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7), a cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), and mouse melanoma cells (B16-BL6) with 1% (w/v) YSH in media for 48–72 h almost completely inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. In contrast, a non-malignant HBL-100 cell line was more resistant to treatment with YSH. This suggests that YSH may be a good candidate as an anti-cancer treatment, which requires further study.
A Cyber–Physical System Based on Digital Twin and 3D SCADA for Real-Time Monitoring of Olive Oil Mills
Authors: Martinez-Ruedas Cristina , Flores-Arias Jose-Maria , Moreno-Garcia Isabel M. , Linan-Reyes Matias , Bellido-Outeiriño Francisco Jose
Published: May 2024

Cyber–physical systems involve the creation, continuous updating, and monitoring of virtual replicas that closely mirror their physical counterparts. These virtual representations are fed by real-time data from sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and other sources, enabling a dynamic and accurate reflection of the state of the physical system. This emphasizes the importance of data synchronization, visualization, and interaction within virtual environments as a means to improve decision-making, training, maintenance, and overall operational efficiency. This paper presents a novel approach to a cyber–physical system that integrates virtual reality (VR)-based digital twins and 3D SCADA in the context of Industry 4.0 for the monitoring and optimization of an olive mill. The methodology leverages virtual reality to create a digital twin that enables immersive data-driven simulations for olive mill monitoring. The proposed CPS takes data from the physical environment through the existing sensors and measurement elements in the olive mill, concentrates them, and exposes them to the virtual environment through the Open Platform Communication United Architecture (OPC-UA) protocol, thus establishing bidirectional and real-time communication. Furthermore, in the proposed virtual environment, the digital twin is interfaced with the 3D SCADA system, allowing it to create virtual models of the process. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize the olive oil industry by improving operational efficiency, product quality, and sustainability while optimizing maintenance practices.
Introducing Time and Space
Authors: Arias Elisa
Published: May 2024

Time is an essential element in today’s world, spreading over multiple applications that range from societal activities up to those requiring the highest precision for scientific purposes [...]
Experience Economy Perspective on Recreational Fishing Tourism Travelers’ Reviews: A Data Science Approach
Authors: Yfantidou Georgia , Yfantidou Sofia , Karanatsiou Dimitra , Liontakis Angelos , Maniopoulou Mairi , Balaska Panagiota , Papaioannou Alkistis , Vassilopoulou Vassiliki
Published: May 2024

Fishing tourism, a niche yet burgeoning sector within the broader tourism industry, presents a unique opportunity to explore the dynamics of the Experience Economy. This study delves into the intricacies of fishing tourism through the lens of data science, leveraging web crawling techniques to gather extensive data from reviewer profiles on TripAdvisor. By employing natural language processing (NLP) techniques, the study investigates the correlation between Experience Economy dimensions and user profiling aspects within this domain. The findings of this study shed light on the predominant dimensions of the Experience Economy within fishing tourism. “Entertainment” emerges as the primary dimension, closely followed by “Aesthetic”, “Educational”, and “Escapist” elements. Notably, the study reveals frequent co-occurrences of certain dimension pairs, such as “Entertainment”–“Aesthetic” and “Educational”–“Entertainment”, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the fishing tourism experience. The implications of this research extend beyond academic discourse to practical considerations for stakeholders in the fishing tourism sector. By highlighting the socioeconomic benefits inherent in fishing tourism for local communities and fishers, the study emphasizes the importance of governmental support. This support, in the form of infrastructure development, effective leadership, legislative measures, and financial backing, is deemed essential for fostering sustainable growth and development in this sector. This study stands as a pioneering endeavor within the realm of fishing tourism research, particularly in its focus on Experience Economy dimensions and user profiling. By drawing data from both business pages and user profiles on TripAdvisor, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between tourist experiences and the broader economic and social landscape of fishing tourism destinations.
Influenza Virus Genomic Surveillance, Arizona, USA, 2023–2024
Authors: Maqsood Rabia , Smith Matthew F. , Holland LaRinda A. , Sullins Regan A. , Holland Steven C. , Tan Michelle , Hernandez Barrera Gabrielle M. , Thomas Alexis W. , Islas Mario , Kramer Joanna L. , Nordstrom Lora , Mulrow Mary , White Michael , Murugan Vel , Lim Efrem S.
Published: May 2024

Influenza viruses are constantly evolving and are therefore monitored worldwide in the hope to reduce the burden of disease by annual updates to vaccine recommendations. We conducted genomic sequencing of 110 influenza A and 30 influenza B viruses from specimens collected between October 2023 and February 2024 in Arizona, USA. We identified mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) antigenic sites as well as the neuraminidase (NA) gene in our samples. We also found no unique HA and NA mutations in vaccinated yet influenza-infected individuals. Real-time genomic sequencing surveillance is important to ensure influenza vaccine effectiveness.
Factor-Dependent Internal Ribosome Entry Site and -1 Programmed Frameshifting Signal in the Bemisia-Associated Dicistrovirus 2
Authors: Chen Yihang , Chapagain Subash , Chien Jodi , Pereira Higor Sette , Patel Trushar R. , Inoue-Nagata Alice K. , Jan Eric
Published: May 2024

The dicistrovirus intergenic (IGR) IRES uses the most streamlined translation initiation mechanism: the IRES recruits ribosomes directly without using protein factors and initiates translation from a non-AUG codon. Several subtypes of dicistroviruses IRES have been identified; typically, the IRESs adopt two -to three overlapping pseudoknots with key stem-loop and unpaired regions that interact with specific domains of the ribosomal 40S and 60S subunits to direct translation. We previously predicted an atypical IGR IRES structure and a potential -1 programmed frameshift (-1 FS) signal within the genome of the whitefly Bemisia-associated dicistrovirus 2 (BaDV-2). Here, using bicistronic reporters, we demonstrate that the predicted BaDV-2 -1 FS signal can drive -1 frameshifting in vitro via a slippery sequence and a downstream stem-loop structure that would direct the translation of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Moreover, the predicted BaDV-2 IGR can support IRES translation in vitro but does so through a mechanism that is not typical of known factorless dicistrovirus IGR IRES mechanisms. Using deletion and mutational analyses, the BaDV-2 IGR IRES is mapped within a 140-nucleotide element and initiates translation from an AUG codon. Moreover, the IRES does not bind directly to purified ribosomes and is sensitive to eIF2 and eIF4A inhibitors NSC1198983 and hippuristanol, respectively, indicating an IRES-mediated factor-dependent mechanism. Biophysical characterization suggests the BaDV-2 IGR IRES contains several stem-loops; however, mutational analysis suggests a model whereby the IRES is unstructured or adopts distinct conformations for translation initiation. In summary, we have provided evidence of the first -1 FS frameshifting signal and a novel factor-dependent IRES mechanism in this dicistrovirus family, thus highlighting the diversity of viral RNA-structure strategies to direct viral protein synthesis.
Two Lineages of Papillomaviruses Identified from Caracals (Caracal caracal) in South Africa
Authors: Kraberger Simona , Serieys Laurel E. K. , Leighton Gabriella R. M. , De Koch Matthew D. , Munday John S. , Bishop Jacqueline M. , Varsani Arvind
Published: May 2024

Papillomaviruses (PV) infect epithelial cells and can cause hyperplastic or neoplastic lesions. In felids, most described PVs are from domestic cats (Felis catus; n = 7 types), with one type identified in each of the five wild felid species studied to date (Panthera uncia, Puma concolor, Leopardus wiedii, Panthera leo persica and Lynx rufus). PVs from domestic cats are highly diverse and are currently classified into three genera (Lambdapapillomavirus, Dyothetapapillomavirus, and Taupapillomavirus), whereas those from wild felids, although diverse, are all classified into the Lambdapapillomavirus genus. In this study, we used a metagenomic approach to identify ten novel PV genomes from rectal swabs of five deceased caracals (Caracal caracal) living in the greater Cape Town area, South Africa. These are the first PVs to be described from caracals, and represent six new PV types, i.e., Caracal caracal papillomavirus (CcarPV) 1–6. These CcarPV fall into two phylogenetically distinct genera: Lambdapapillomavirus, and Treisetapapillomavirus. Two or more PV types were identified in a single individual for three of the five caracals, and four caracals shared at least one of the same PV types with another caracal. This study broadens our understanding of wild felid PVs and provides evidence that there may be several wild felid PV lineages.
Virus Quasispecies Rarefaction: Subsampling with or without Replacement?
Authors: Gregori Josep , Ibañez-Lligoña Marta , Colomer-Castell Sergi , Campos Carolina , Quer Josep
Published: May 2024

In quasispecies diversity studies, the comparison of two samples of varying sizes is a common necessity. However, the sensitivity of certain diversity indices to sample size variations poses a challenge. To address this issue, rarefaction emerges as a crucial tool, serving to normalize and create fairly comparable samples. This study emphasizes the imperative nature of sample size normalization in quasispecies diversity studies using next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. We present a thorough examination of resampling schemes using various simple hypothetical cases of quasispecies showing different quasispecies structures in the sense of haplotype genomic composition, offering a comprehensive understanding of their implications in general cases. Despite the big numbers implied in this sort of study, often involving coverages exceeding 100,000 reads per sample and amplicon, the rarefaction process for normalization should be performed with repeated resampling without replacement, especially when rare haplotypes constitute a significant fraction of interest. However, it is noteworthy that different diversity indices exhibit distinct sensitivities to sample size. Consequently, some diversity indicators may be compared directly without normalization, or instead may be resampled safely with replacement.
Research Progress on Spike-Dependent SARS-CoV-2 Fusion Inhibitors and Small Molecules Targeting the S2 Subunit of Spike
Authors: Freidel Matthew R. , Armen Roger S.
Published: May 2024

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive drug repurposing efforts have sought to identify small-molecule antivirals with various mechanisms of action. Here, we aim to review research progress on small-molecule viral entry and fusion inhibitors that directly bind to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Early in the pandemic, numerous small molecules were identified in drug repurposing screens and reported to be effective in in vitro SARS-CoV-2 viral entry or fusion inhibitors. However, given minimal experimental information regarding the exact location of small-molecule binding sites on Spike, it was unclear what the specific mechanism of action was or where the exact binding sites were on Spike for some inhibitor candidates. The work of countless researchers has yielded great progress, with the identification of many viral entry inhibitors that target elements on the S1 receptor-binding domain (RBD) or N-terminal domain (NTD) and disrupt the S1 receptor-binding function. In this review, we will also focus on highlighting fusion inhibitors that target inhibition of the S2 fusion function, either by disrupting the formation of the postfusion S2 conformation or alternatively by stabilizing structural elements of the prefusion S2 conformation to prevent conformational changes associated with S2 function. We highlight experimentally validated binding sites on the S1/S2 interface and on the S2 subunit. While most substitutions to the Spike protein to date in variants of concern (VOCs) have been localized to the S1 subunit, the S2 subunit sequence is more conserved, with only a few observed substitutions in proximity to S2 binding sites. Several recent small molecules targeting S2 have been shown to have robust activity over recent VOC mutant strains and/or greater broad-spectrum antiviral activity for other more distantly related coronaviruses.
Nirmatrelvir Resistance in an Immunocompromised Patient with Persistent Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Yamamoto Chie , Taniguchi Masashi , Furukawa Keitaro , Inaba Toru , Niiyama Yui , Ide Daisuke , Mizutani Shinsuke , Kuroda Junya , Tanino Yoko , Nishioka Keisuke , Watanabe Yohei , Takayama Koichi , Nakaya Takaaki , Nukui Yoko
Published: May 2024

Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is coming to an end, it still poses a threat to the immunocompromised and others with underlying diseases. Especially in cases of persistent COVID-19, new mutations conferring resistance to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) therapies have considerable clinical implications. We present a patient who independently acquired a T21I mutation in the 3CL protease after nirmatrelvir exposure. The T21I mutation in the 3CL protease is one of the most frequent mutations responsible for nirmatrelvir resistance. However, limited reports exist on actual cases of SARS-CoV-2 with T21I and other mutations in the 3CL protease. The patient, a 55 year-old male, had COVID-19 during chemotherapy for multiple myeloma. He was treated with nirmatrelvir early in the course of the disease but relapsed, and SARS-CoV-2 with a T21I mutation in the 3CL protease was detected in nasopharyngeal swab fluid. The patient had temporary respiratory failure but later recovered well. During treatment with remdesivir and dexamethasone, viruses with the T21I mutation in the 3CL protease showed a decreasing trend during disease progression while increasing during improvement. The impact of drug-resistant SARS-CoV-2 on the clinical course, including its severity, remains unknown. Our study is important for examining the clinical impact of nirmatrelvir resistance in COVID-19.
A Clinical Study on Urinary Clusterin and Cystatin B in Dogs with Spontaneous Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Gordin Emilia , Viitanen Sanna , Gordin Daniel , Szlosek Donald , Peterson Sarah , Spillmann Thomas , Labato Mary Anna
Published: May 2024

Novel biomarkers are needed in diagnosing reliably acute kidney injury (AKI) in dogs and in predicting morbidity and mortality after AKI. Our hypothesis was that two novel tubular biomarkers, urinary clusterin (uClust) and cystatin B (uCysB), are elevated in dogs with AKI of different etiologies. In a prospective, longitudinal observational study, we collected serum and urine samples from 18 dogs with AKI of different severity and of various etiology and from 10 healthy control dogs. Urinary clusterin and uCysB were compared at inclusion between dogs with AKI and healthy controls and remeasured one and three months later. Dogs with AKI had higher initial levels of uClust (median 3593 ng/mL; interquartile range [IQR]; 1489–10,483) and uCysB (554 ng/mL; 29–821) compared to healthy dogs (70 ng/mL; 70–70 and 15 ng/mL; 15–15; p < 0.001, respectively). Initial uCysB were higher in dogs that died during the one-month follow-up period (n = 10) (731 ng/mL; 517–940), compared to survivors (n = 8) (25 ng/mL; 15–417 (p = 0.009). Based on these results, uClust and especially uCysB are promising biomarkers of AKI. Further, they might reflect the severity of tubular injury, which is known to be central to the pathology of AKI.
Analysis of Unsteady Internal Flow and Its Induced Structural Response in a Circulating Water Pump
Authors: Lu Jinqi , Yao Xueliang , Zheng Haixia , Yan Xiaowei , Liu Houlin , Wu Tianxin
Published: May 2024

As critical equipment in nuclear power systems, the stability of circulating water pumps (CWP) directly impacts the efficiency of power plants. To investigate the impact mechanisms of the unsteady flow characteristics and flow-induced forces on the rotation system, numerical simulation methods were employed to calculate the internal flow of a volute mixed-flow CWP under different flow rates (0.8Qd, 1.0Qd, 1.2Qd). The flow field results indicate that, under the part-load condition, the flow within the volute is chaotic with high energy losses, while under the over-load condition, there is a significant velocity gradient within the impeller, leading to relatively severe flow losses. Additionally, the rotor–stator interface is a major factor in flow-induced pulsations, and the asymmetric pressure distribution within the volute results in radial force imbalance. The finite element method (FEM) results indicate that the position of maximum stress on the pump shaft is closely related to the ratio of radial and axial force. Increasing the flow rate appropriately has been noted to be advantageous in reducing flow-induced forces and their amplitude, consequently diminishing the forces on the rotation system and improving the long-term operational stability of the CWP.
Dual Effect of Microplastics and Cadmium on Stream Litter Decomposition and Invertebrate Feeding Behavior
Authors: He Hualong , Cai Sulin , Chen Siyuan , Li Qiang , Luo Yunchao , Zeng Xiaoyi , Ye Rumeng , Wan Pengwei , Tian Xingjun
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the combined effect of microplastics and cadmium on the decomposition of litter, the structure of fungal communities, and the feeding behavior of invertebrates in an aquatic ecosystem. Through a series of microcosm experiments, we demonstrate that exposure to MPs and Cd significantly reduced the decomposition of leaf litter. Notably, the cumulative impact of combined MP and Cd exposure was found to be greater than their individual effects. During this process, the carbon–nitrogen ratio of the litter increased, while dehydrogenase activity and fungal biomass were inhibited. Additionally, the relative abundance of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota fungi decreased, weakening their role in the decomposition of leaf litter. Conversely, MPs and Cd reduced the relative content of leaf litter lignin, improving its quality as food, thereby leading to an increase in the feeding rate of invertebrates. This dual effect indicates that micropollutants suppress the decomposition of litter by regulating microbial metabolic activity and fungal community structure but promote invertebrate feeding. Our findings provide crucial insights into the adverse effects of MPs and Cd on the structure and diversity of aquatic fungal communities, which could have long-term impacts on the food webs and nutrient cycling progress of aquatic ecosystems.
Challenges When Assessing Water-Related Environmental Impacts of Livestock Farming: A Case Study of a Cow Milk Production System in Catalonia
Authors: Ruiz-Colmenero Marta , Bàllega Ariadna , Andón Miquel , Terré Marta , Devant Maria , Antón Assumpció , Rosenbaum Ralph K. , Targa Anna , Núñez Montserrat
Published: May 2024

Water availability is a local issue of growing importance in Mediterranean areas where water scarcity linked to climate change and population growth is already leading to increased competition for this resource. This study is aimed at the following: (i) assessing the water-related environmental impacts (water use, freshwater ecotoxicity and eutrophication, marine eutrophication, acidification, human toxicity, and ionizing radiation) along the production chain of cow milk in Catalonia, northeastern Spain; and (ii) addressing the issues encountered (modelling choices, data gaps and inconsistencies) which t can affect the quality of results when performing a water-footprint comprehensive assessment, focusing on water use and associated water scarcity impacts. The scope included the process from the extraction of raw materials up to the distribution of the packaged fat- and protein-corrected milk to the distribution centres of the supermarket chains and markets. Results showed the farm stage to be determinant (contributing to over 60% of the impact), due to the impact of feed production. Impact results were in the range of the European benchmark given by the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for dairy products, except for the water scarcity footprint which was one order of magnitude larger than the reference value, due to water scarcity in Spain. Considering compound feed ingredients with a lower water scarcity footprint, and research into slurry treatment for its use as irrigation and cleaning water (without compromising safety and health) could help reduce this impact. Water accounting and traceability along the production chain could support the dairy industry to take responsibility for the consequences of their production choices.
A Combination of UV and Disinfectant for Inactivating Viable but Nonculturable State Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Efficiency and Mechanisms
Authors: Zhao Jinfeng , Zhu Huichao , Tao Chen , Wang Zhiquan , Deng Ning , Huang Xin
Published: May 2024

Conventional disinfection techniques, relying on a single disinfection step, often fail to directly eliminate microorganisms, instead causing them to enter a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state. However, microorganisms in the VBNC state retain metabolic activity and can reactivate under suitable conditions, representing a “hidden source of contamination” that threatens drinking water safety. This study fundamentally assessed the feasibility of combined disinfection methods by integrating UV254 with disinfectant (NaClO, PAA, and PDS) for inactivating Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), an opportunistic pathogen that has been widely detected in water supply systems. The number of culturable cells was determined using the heterotrophic plate counting (HPC) method, and the number of VBNC cells was quantified using our recently developed qPCR approach. Quantitative analyses showed that combined disinfection methods can effectively reduce both culturable and VBNC cells by several orders of magnitude compared to a single disinfection step. Notably, VBNC P. aeruginosa, after 30 min of UV/NaCIO treatment, was below the detection limit (3.191 log CFU/mL) of PMA-qPCR. The reactivation experiment also confirmed that VBNC P. aeruginosa did not reactivate for 16 h after 30 min of UV/NaClO treatment under controlled laboratory conditions. The higher disinfection capacity of combined methods can be attributed to the generation of reactive radicals. This study highlighted combined disinfection as a promising approach for the inactivation of bacteria in the VBNC state, yet further studies are needed before an application can be considered for minimizing VBNC reactivation in city utility water processing or high-risk building water distribution systems.
Mutual Inductance Identification and Bilateral Cooperation Control Strategy for MCR-BE System
Authors: Li Ke , Liu Yuanmeng , Sun Xiaodong , Tian Xiang
Published: May 2024

Considering that the excitation method of an electric excitation synchronous motor has the disadvantages of the brush and slip ring, this article proposes a new brushless excitation system, which includes two parts: a wireless charging system and a motor. To meet the requirements of maximum transmission efficiency and constant voltage output of the system, a bilateral cooperation control strategy is proposed. For the strategy, the buck converter in the receiving side of the system can maintain maximum transmission efficiency through impedance matching, while the inverter in the transmitting side can keep the output voltage constant through phase shift modulation. In the control process, considering that the offset of coupling coils will affect the control results, a grey wolf optimization–particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed to identify mutual inductance. Simulation and experimental results show that this identification algorithm can improve the identification accuracy and maximize the avoidance of falling into local optima. The final experimental result shows that the bilateral cooperation control strategy can maintain the output voltage around 48 V and the transmission efficiency around 84.5%, which meets the expected requirements.
“We Can Transform This, We Can Change This”: Adolescent Sociopolitical Development as a Catalyst for Healthy Life-Span Development
Authors: Maker Castro Elena , Dull Brandon D. , Jones Chantay , Rivera Johnny
Published: May 2024

In the late 1970s, adolescents in East Harlem, New York, participated in a program called the Youth Action Program where they worked collectively to address systemic issues causing inequities in their communities (e.g., inequities in housing and education). In the current study, we integrate the sociopolitical development framework with life-course health development to explore how participation in the program shaped adolescents’ skills and capacities for social transformation in ways that were health-promotive and informative for life trajectories. Data included retrospective interviews and member-checking focus group data of 10 former Youth Action Program members (current Mage = 63; 45% female; 55% male) from predominantly Black and Latinx backgrounds. We used reflexive thematic analysis and adopted a case study approach to highlight how participants’ adolescent experiences of sociopolitical development and resistance against oppressive circumstances propelled healthy life-course development. Specifically, participants were able to establish healthy lives through four health-promotive sociopolitical developmental processes: questioning the system not the self; carving out alternative spaces and pathways; building agency in a dehumanizing society; and finding purpose through committing to social change. Our study suggests that contemporary youth organizing programs can incorporate sustaining practices including the careful vetting and training of adult staff, pursuing tangible opportunities to create change, and embedding youth voice and leadership into programmatic structures to encourage healthy development via sociopolitical development.
Spatial distribution of non-communicable diseases; a case of Ischaemic Heart Diseases, Cancer and Diabetes in Sri Lanka
Authors: Andradige Hansa Jayarathne , Liyanage Liwan
Published: May 2024

The abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the global prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their impact on public health, emphasizing their leading role in morbidity and mortality worldwide. It highlights the specific burden of Ischaemic heart diseases, cancers, and diabetes, with a significant portion of premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Transitioning to Sri Lanka, the abstract underscores the country's shift towards NCDs as the primary health concern, attributing over 80% of premature deaths to these diseases. The narrative emphasizes the influence of rapid lifestyle changes and socio-economic development on the rise of NCDs in Sri Lanka and emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive research to understand trends, patterns, and contributing factors for effective preventive measures.
PENGARUH PROPORSI DEWAN KOMISARIS WANITA, PROPORSI DEWAN KOMISARIS INDEPENDEN, DAN STRUKTUR KEPEMILIKAN ASING TERHADAP KINERJA PERUSAHAAN PADA SEKTOR TRANSPORTASI DAN LOGISTIK YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA TAHUN 2020
Authors: Kusuma Regina Deandra
Published: May 2024

This study aims to examine the effects of the variables of the proportion of female board of commissioners, the proportion of independent board of commissioners, and foreign ownership structure on the company performance, proxied by return on assets (ROA), of transportation and logistics companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2020. The research adopts a quantitative approach and utilizes annual financial data obtained from the official websites of the companies and IDX. Data collection is conducted through documentation study and literature review. All collected data are processed using SPSS 26. The results of this study demonstrate that the variables of the proportion of female board of commissioners, the proportion of independent board of commissioners, and foreign ownership structure collectively have a significant impact on the financial performance of the companies, proxied by return on assets (ROA). Specifically, the variable of the proportion of independent board of commissioners has a positive and significant influence on the financial performance of the companies. However, the variables of the proportion of female board of commissioners and foreign ownership structure do not show evidence of their impact on the company's performance.
QUAN ĐIỂM CỦA GIÁO VIÊN VÀ SINH VIÊN VỀ VIỆC SỬ DỤNG KĨ THUẬT ĐÓNG VAI ĐỂ CẢI THIỆN KĨ NĂNG NÓI CỦA SINH VIÊN NĂM THỨ HAI TRONG KHÓA HỌC TIẾNG ANH CHUYÊN NGÀNH NGHIỆP VỤ NHÀ HÀNG VÀ KHÁCH SẠN
Authors: An Hoàng Thị Thúy , Ly Hoàng Hương
Published: May 2024

Nghiên cứu này tìm hiểu quan điểm của giáo viên và sinh viên đối với việc sử dụng hoạt động đóng vai để cải thiện kỹ năng nói của sinh viên trong khóa học Tiếng Anh chuyên nghành Nghiệp vụ Nhà hàng và Khách sạn. Nghiên cứu đề cập đến ba vấn đề chính bao gồm sinh viên nhận thức thế nào về tác động của kĩ thuật đóng vai đối với phát triển kỹ năng nói, giáo viên nhận thức như thế nào về việc sử dụng kĩ thuật đóng vai để nâng cao khả năng nói của sinh viên và các khuyến nghị để tối ưu hóa kĩ thuật đóng vai như một phương pháp giảng dạy. Bảng câu hỏi, phỏng vấn và quan sát được sử dụng như một phần của cả phương pháp định tính và định lượng. Kết quả nghiên cứu nhấn mạnh giá trị của hoạt động đóng vai trong việc cải thiện kỹ năng nói trong khóa học Tiếng Anh chuyên ngành Nghiệp vụ Nhà hàng và Khách sạn. Sinh viên nhận thấy kĩ thuật đóng vai mang lại lợi ích, mặc dù còn có những thách thức liên quan đến sự tự tin, trình độ ngôn ngữ và hạn chế về thời gian. Nghiên cứu cung cấp những hiểu biết sâu sắc để cải thiện các hướng dẫn cho hoạt động đóng vai, giải quyết những khó khăn, điều chỉnh kỹ thuật giảng dạy và tích hợp kiến thức chuyên ngành để tạo ra trải nghiệm học tập sâu rộng hơn. Kết quả và khuyến nghị từ nghiên cứu mang lại lợi ích cho sinh viên, giáo viên và khóa học Tiếng Anh Nghiệp vụ Nhà hàng và Khách sạn.
FACTORS AFFECTING ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE SOUTHWEST KEY ECONOMIC REGION
Authors: Trung Nguyễn Hoàng , Hải Nguyễn Chí
Published: May 2024

Nghiên cứu này hướng đến việc tìm hiểu các yếu tố tác động đến tăng trưởng kinh tế của vùng kinh tế trọng điểm Tây Nam Bộ. Nhóm tác giả nghiên cứu dựa trên bộ dữ liệu của 04 tỉnh, thành phố thuộc vùng trong giai đoạn 2005 - 2022, thông qua các phương pháp ước lượng dữ liệu bảng như hồi quy gộp OLS, tác động cố định (FEM), tác động ngẫu nhiên (REM). Sau khi tiến hành kiểm định và so sánh các mô hình này, REM được đánh giá là tối ưu nhất. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy trong 6 yếu tố đưa vào phân tích bao gồm Lao động, Vốn đầu tư, Chi tiêu công, Giáo dục, Đầu tư trực tiếp nước ngoài và Tỷ lệ thất nghiệp, chỉ có chi tiêu công và đầu tư trực tiếp nước ngoài có tác động đến tăng trưởng kinh tế của vùng. Phát hiện này là cơ sở cho các tỉnh, thành thuộc vùng kinh tế trọng điểm tập trung cải thiện các chính sách liên quan đến sử dụng vốn đầu tư, thương mại quốc tế và thu hút đầu tư trực tiếp nước ngoài;  nâng cao chất lượng lao động.
NGHIÊN CỨU ỨNG DỤNG PHƯƠNG PHÁP MA TRẬN ĐỂ GIẢI CÁC BÀI TOÁN CÂN BẰNG TĨNH HỌC
Authors: Kiên Nguyễn Trọng , Đức Phan Văn , Phúc Hồ Văn , Hùng Hồ Văn , Định Trương Quốc
Published: May 2024

Ma trận là một phần quan trọng của toán học. Các lý thuyết ma trận đã được sử dụng để giải quyết nhiều vấn đề kỹ thuật trong các lĩnh vực khác nhau như trong vật lý, ma trận có ứng dụng trong điện tử, cơ học, quang học. Trong lĩnh vực kỹ thuật máy tính, nó được sử dụng để xử lý hình ảnh,…. Trong bài báo này, chúng tôi chủ yếu tập trung vào các phép toán ma trận và ứng dụng của nó trong việc giải các bài toán cân bằng tĩnh học mà trước đây chủ yếu được giải bằng phương pháp giải tích, bằng cách chuyển đổi các phương trình cân bằng dưới dạng giải tích thành các phương trình cân bằng dưới dạng ma trận. Mục đích là cung cấp một ứng dụng mới cho phép sử dụng thuận lợi các phần mềm chuyên dụng như Maple, Matlab,… giúp giải nhanh hơn các bài toán cân bằng tĩnh học. Động lực sử dụng phương pháp ma trận là mong muốn giúp sinh viên kỹ thuật tiếp cận tốt hơn với các thành tựu của công nghệ thông tin, khơi dậy sự hứng thú trong học tập. Hiệu quả của phương pháp ma trận khi kết hợp với phần mềm Matlab đã được chứng minh trong bốn ví dụ cụ thể. Hy vọng đây sẽ là một phương pháp cải tiến hiệu quả cho môn cơ học kỹ thuật.
ỨNG DỤNG PHƯƠNG PHÁP DELPHI XÂY DỰNG CẤU TRÚC NĂNG LỰC MÔ HÌNH HOÁ TRONG GIÁO DỤC STEM
Authors: Quyên Kiều Thị , Biên Nguyễn Văn , Thuấn Nguyễn Anh
Published: May 2024

Phát triển các công cụ đánh giá phù hợp và các thước đo đánh giá các biểu hiện hành vi trong năng lực mô hình hoá của học sinh không chỉ cho biết kết quả của việc học tập khoa học mà còn làm cho giáo viên, học sinh có thể nhìn thấy kết quả đó. Các nghiên cứu đã chỉ ra rằng bài học STEM là bối cảnh để học sinh phát triển năng lực mô hình hoá và thông qua quá trình mô hình hoá, học sinh hiểu biết về thế giới tự nhiên. Vì vậy, nhóm nghiên cứu thực hiện phương pháp đánh giá hệ thống tài liệu và phương pháp phỏng vấn chuyên gia nhằm đề xuất khung cấu trúc năng lực mô hình hoá trong giáo dục STEM gồm 3 cụm thành tố, 7 thành tố năng lực và 18 biểu hiện hành vi. Cuối cùng khung cấu trúc năng lực mô hình hoá trong giáo dục STEM được thực hiện lấy ý kiến đồng thuận của chuyên gia qua 2 vòng Delphi. Khung cấu trúc năng lực mô hình hoá trong giáo dục STEM được xây dựng sẽ là cơ sở để đánh giá sự phát triển, bồi dưỡng năng lực mô hình hoá trong các bài học STEM.
THIẾT KẾ, CHẾ TẠO BỘ THÍ NGHIỆM MÔ MEN LỰC VÀ VẬN DỤNG TRONG DẠY HỌC VẬT LÍ TRUNG HỌC PHỔ THÔNG THEO CHƯƠNG TRÌNH 2018
Authors: Hiền Dương Diệp Thanh , Lâm Huỳnh Xuân
Published: May 2024

Làm thế nào để đề xuất và phát triển một bộ thí nghiệm moment lực mới nhằm khắc phục những hạn chế của bộ thí nghiệm moment lực hiện tại? Nghiên cứu nhằm cung cấp cho học sinh một bộ thiết bị học tập hiệu quả để tránh những khó khăn và sai lầm khi thực hiện các thí nghiệm về cân bằng lực và moment lực trong chương trình vật lí phổ thông. Phương pháp nghiên cứu được tiến hành bằng việc phân tích kỹ lưỡng những hạn chế của bộ thí nghiệm moment lực hiện có, cũng như khó khăn và sai lầm mà học sinh thường gặp phải khi sử dụng bộ này. Dựa trên những phân tích này, chúng tôi đã đề xuất và chế tạo thành công bộ thí nghiệm moment lực mới theo quy trình xây dựng thiết bị thí nghiệm đã đề xuất, bộ thí nghiệm này mang lại khả năng thực hiện hầu hết các thí nghiệm về cân bằng lực và moment lực trong chương trình vật lí phổ thông năm 2018. Kết quả nghiên cứu này có ý nghĩa quan trọng trong việc đổi mới phương pháp dạy và học vật lí ở trường phổ thông.