bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Topics and Motivating Factors Behind Human-Social Chatbot Interactions: Thematic Analysis of User Experiences
Authors: Ta-Johnson Vivian P , Boatfield Carolynn , Wang Xinyu , DeCero Esther , Krupica Isabel C , Rasof Sophie D , Motzer Amelie , Pedryc Wiktoria M
Published: October 2022

Background

Although social chatbot usage is expected to increase as language models and artificial intelligence improve, very little is known about the dynamics of human-social chatbot interactions. Specifically, there is a paucity of research examining why human-social chatbot interactions are initiated and the topics that are discussed.

Objective

We sought to identify the motivating factors behind initiating contact with Replika, a popular social chatbot, and the topics discussed in these interactions.

Methods

A sample of Replika users completed a survey that included open-ended questions pertaining to the reasons why they initiated contact with Replika and the topics they typically discuss. Thematic analyses were then used to extract themes and subthemes regarding the motivational factors behind Replika use and the types of discussions that take place in conversations with Replika.

Results

Users initiated contact with Replika out of interest, in search of social support, and to cope with mental and physical health conditions. Users engaged in a wide variety of discussion topics with their Replika, including intellectual topics, life and work, recreation, mental health, connection, Replika, current events, and other people.

Conclusions

Given the wide range of motivational factors and discussion topics that were reported, our results imply that multifaceted support can be provided by a single social chatbot. While previous research already established that social chatbots can effectively help address mental and physical health issues, these capabilities have been dispersed across several different social chatbots instead of deriving from a single one. Our results also highlight a motivating factor of human-social chatbot usage that has received less attention than other motivating factors: interest. Users most frequently reported using Replika out of interest and sought to explore its capabilities and learn more about artificial intelligence. Thus, while developers and researchers study human-social chatbot interactions with the efficacy of the social chatbot and its targeted user base in mind, it is equally important to consider how its usage can shape public perceptions and support for social chatbots and artificial agents in general.
Assessing the design of Conversational Agents for Asthma support: Protocol for an Observational Pilot Study (Preprint)
Authors: Calvo Rafael , Peters Dorian , Cook Darren , Rizos Georgios , Schuller Bjoern , Wong Ernie , Kallis Constantinos , Quint Jennifer
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

A significant number of people have poorly controlled asthma – 60% according to some estimates. One likely reason is poor self-assessment of risk by those with asthma, an issue that could be addressed with a conversational agent that assesses and communicates risk accurately. Such a system could further improve outcomes by providing follow-up recommendations to address other common obstacles to asthma control such as poor inhaler technique and insufficient understanding of asthma triggers and management strategies.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study are to: 1) Determine the feasibility and usability of a text-based conversational agent (i.e. chatbot) that processes a patient’s text responses and short sample voice recordings to calculate an estimate of their risk for an asthma exacerbation and then offers follow-up information for improving asthma control; 2) Assess the level of engagement of different types of users, particularly those who do not control their asthma well; 3) Assess self-reported level of asthma control and symptoms and 4) explores associations between asthma control and engagement with the conversational agent.

METHODS

For this pilot study we will recruit 90 adults with asthma through NHS outpatient clinics across primary and secondary care. Participants will have access to the conversational agent through WhatsApp on their mobile phone. Participants will be sent scheduled and randomly timed messages to invite them to engage in a dialogue about their asthma management during the period of the study. After a data collection period (28 days), participants will respond to survey items related to the quality of the interaction. A pre and post questionnaire will measure asthma control and symptoms before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

This study was funded in March 2021 and started in January 2022. We developed a pilot conversational agent, which will be improved in iterations of work with nurses, starting in September 2022. This pilot evaluation will start recruitment in January 2023. The anticipated completion of the study is July 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study will support a follow-up study to assess the impact of a conversational agent on asthma care.
Gamification of Behavior Change: Mathematical Principle and Proof-of-Concept Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lieder Falk , Chen Pin-Zhen , Prentice Mike , Amo Victoria , Tošić Mateo
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Many people want to build good habits to become healthier, live longer, or become happier but struggle to change their behavior. Gamification can make behavior change easier by awarding points for the desired behavior and deducting points for its omission.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we introduced a principled mathematical method for determining how many points should be awarded or deducted for the enactment or omission of the desired behavior, depending on when and how often the person has succeeded versus failed to enact it in the past. We called this approach optimized gamification of behavior change.

METHODS

As a proof of concept, we designed a chatbot that applies our optimized gamification method to help people build healthy water-drinking habits. We evaluated the effectiveness of this gamified intervention in a 40-day field experiment with 1 experimental group (n=43) that used the chatbot with optimized gamification and 2 active control groups for which the chatbot’s optimized gamification feature was disabled. For the first control group (n=48), all other features were available, including verbal feedback. The second control group (n=51) received no feedback or reminders. We measured the strength of all participants’ water-drinking habits before, during, and after the intervention using the Self-Report Habit Index and by asking participants on how many days of the previous week they enacted the desired habit. In addition, all participants provided daily reports on whether they enacted their water-drinking intention that day.

RESULTS

A Poisson regression analysis revealed that, during the intervention, users who received feedback based on optimized gamification enacted the desired behavior more often (mean 14.71, SD 6.57 times) than the active (mean 11.64, SD 6.38 times; P<.001; incidence rate ratio=0.80, 95% CI 0.71-0.91) or passive (mean 11.64, SD 5.43 times; P=.001; incidence rate ratio=0.78, 95% CI 0.69-0.89) control groups. The Self-Report Habit Index score significantly increased in all conditions (P<.001 in all cases) but did not differ between the experimental and control conditions (P>.11 in all cases). After the intervention, the experimental group performed the desired behavior as often as the 2 control groups (P≥.17 in all cases).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that optimized gamification can be used to make digital behavior change interventions more effective.

CLINICALTRIAL

Open Science Framework (OSF) H7JN8; https://osf.io/h7jn8
MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDY OF HENTRIACONTANE FOR ANTICANCER AND ANTITUBERCULAR ACTIVITY
Authors: MADRIWALA BURHANUDDIN , B.V. SUMA , JAYS JUDY
Published: October 2022

Objective: The present study discusses the molecular docking study of Hentriacontane for its Anti-tubercular and Anti-cancer activity.
Methods: Two protein targets were selected for the study and their structures were taken from RCSB Protein Data Bank in PDB format. Preparation of proteins was done using Discovery Studio 2021 Client. The structure of Hentriacontane was drawn using ChemDraw 20.0 and saved in Mol format. Molecular docking was performed using PyRx software. 3D and 2D docking interactions were visualized by Discovery Studio 2021 Client.
Results: Hentriacontane has docked against the selected proteins, namely Extra-cellular regulated kinase–2 (ERK-2; PDB ID: 3QYW) and Shikimate kinase (PDB ID: 1ZYU). The compound has shown the best binding score against Shikimate kinase (-10.4 kcal/mol), and Extra-cellular regulated kinase–2 (-7.4 kcal/mol) than the standard drugs.
Conclusion: Molecular Docking study indicates that Hentriacontane could be an effective inhibitor for the proteins under study. Hence, the compound may be considered a lead molecule and further investigation of its analogues may help in the development of novel drugs for the treatment of breast cancer and tuberculosis.
ROLE OF P-GP INHIBITORS ON GUT PERMEATION OF METFORMIN: AN EX-VIVO STUDY
Authors: SHAH ISHA , VYAS JIGAR
Published: October 2022

Objective: Metformin hydrochloride is a biguanide derivative that is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. Metformin has a low oral bioavailability of 50% to 60 %. To overcome these challenges, metformin was used as a Pgp substrate in this research work and used in conjunction with natural P-gp inhibitors.
Methods: The study commenced with a chicken non-everted gut sac model that closely resembled in vivo intestinal transport processes. The effect of different P-gp inhibitors on Metformin intestinal permeability was examined in this study to fully recognize the potential significance of Pgp and intestinal metabolism.
Results: After evaluating the effectiveness of different P-gp inhibitors at different concentration concentrations i.e. Piperine, Ginger, Drumstick, and Verapamil (standard) at (2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml, and 6 mg/ml) by non-everted gut sac study. At 2 mg/ml ginger and drumstick could not show any significant improvement. At 4 mg/ml also drumstick could not show any significant improvement in percentage drug permeation. At 6 mg/ml all three natural inhibitors show a significant difference in percentage drug permeation when compared using the f2 similarity index. But piperine was found to be the most potent of all 3 inhibitors because it shows complete release with higher permeation in less time than ginger and drumstick when given in conjunction with Metformin. Then the comparative permeation study of different concentrations (i.e. 2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml, and 6 mg/ml) of P-gp inhibitors was carried out using the f2 similarity parameter and was that there is no significant difference in the percentage of drug permeation of Metformin in the presence of 2 mg/ml versus 4 mg/ml inhibitors. The same is with 4 mg/ml versus 6 mg/ml of inhibitors. However, when the percentage drug permeation of Metformin in the presence of 2 mg/ml as compared to 6 mg/ml, a significant difference was observed.
Conclusion: It was concluded from this research work that Piperine shows significant improvement in % drug permeation when compared using the f2 similarity index and its formulation with metformin may offer a simple and safe approach to enhance the pharmacological profile of metformin for effective anti-diabetic therapy in humans.
The assistance provided by the nurse to the patient with the onset of preeclampsia and preeclampsia: Literature review
Authors: Faria Gleison , Nogueira Suzana , Kades Márcia Gisele Peixoto , da Silva Paulo Henrique Campos , Souza Francisco Leandro Soares de , Oliveira Taís Loutarte , Firigolo Jackson , Carvalho Alexandra Alves de , Betin Thais Antunes , Silva Cleci da , Tavares Thauany Ferreira , Bordon Francielly Maira , Souza Wellington Ferreira de , Peres Vitória de Oliveira , Solcia Iana Carbonera , Cargnin Giselen Maleski , Silva Marco Rogério da , Santos Cleverson de Oliveira , Vieira Mateus Duarte , Santos Welesmar Barros dos , Pereira Moisés Sobral , Paula Natielen Aparecida de , Pereira Samira Sbardelatti Regis , Souza Cleitineia da Silva , Gomes Letícia Ferreira , Onofre Sueli , Lima Elizamar de Souza , Freitas Letícia Aparecida de Moura , Lima Francisco Jonábio Castro , Rodrigues Emilia Costa , Silva Hingreedy Fischer da , Almeida Tatiane Moreira de , Rodrigues Deusirene Sousa
Published: October 2022

Family Health Strategies (ESFs) play an important role in nursing and aim to expand, define and consolidate primary health care. The nurse must integrate the FHS team and work continuously in the chronic disease control program. The objective of this study was to describe the role of nurses in the care of patients with diabetes and arterial hypertension in primary care. The method was a narrative review of the literature with an exploratory, observational and retrospective research approach, searching for 20 articles in the literature between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS: When evaluating the nursing effects cited by nurses, nursing was predominant in relation to food and humidity, followed by glycemic control, blood pressure and breastfeeding weight. On the other hand, the nursing process is a technology that can humanize care in a systematic and dynamic way, with positive and low-cost results. It was concluded that the role of the nurse as an educator is fundamental for both the patient and the family, and must follow their guidelines to understand and be aware of the importance of treatment and activities to improve quality of life.
MANUFACTURING AND ECONOMIC COMPLEXITY: A MULTISECTORIAL EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Nepomuceno Lima Rebeca Maria , Gabriel Luciano Ferreira , Jayme Jr. Frederico G.
Published: October 2022

This paper aims to analyze empirically how manufacturing, disaggregated into subsectors by R&D intensity, influences the level of economic complexity (ECI). For this, two methods are used: i) the parametric, and ii) the non-parametric: a) Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and b) Malmquist Decomposition. The econometric results suggests that the allocation of workers in the manufacture (of high R&D level) has a positive impact on the ECI level of all the countries in the sample analyzed, whereas in the sectors of lower R&D there is a greater impact in emerging countries, but lower effects (or negative) on advanced countries. In general, the non-parametric results present the relationship between efficiency in manufacturing subsectors and economic complexity as an inverted U shape. Special attention is given to Brazil, which manufacturing catching up was underperformed in explaining total factor productivity in the analyzed period.
THE PURCHASING POWER PARITY HYPOTHESIS TESTED -ONCE AGAIN-. NEW EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FOR 28 OECD COUNTRIES
Authors: Boundi-Chraki Fahd , Mateo Tomé Juan Pablo
Published: October 2022

The present study is aimed to examine the validity of the purchasing power parity hypothesis for 28 OECD countries over the 1960q1-2021q4 period. To reach this goal, we apply three methods to evaluate whether the real exchange rates are stationary: the traditional unit root tests in time series, the panel unit root tests, and nonlinear unit root tests based on OLS and GLS detrending. The findings suggest that the purchasing power parity hypothesis does not hold even if the assessment considers nonlinear adjustment.
Physiological stretching induces a differential extracellular matrix gene expression response in acetabular labrum cells
Authors:   Institute for Biomechanics, HPP O14, Hönggerbergring 64, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland, Huber S , Günther S , Cambria E , Leunig M , Ferguson SJ
Published: October 2022

The acetabular labrum is a fibrocartilaginous ring surrounding the acetabulum and is important for hip stability and contact pressure dissipation through a sealing function. Injury of the labrum may contribute to hip-joint degeneration and development of secondary osteoarthritis. Understanding how extracellular matrix (ECM) production and remodelling is regulated is of key importance for successful tissue restoration. The present study hypothesised that physiological stretching enhanced the metabolic activity and altered the ECM gene expression in labrum cells. Primary bovine labrum cells were physiologically stretched for up to 5 d. 24 h after the last stretch cycle, changes in metabolic activity were measured using the PrestoBlue™ HS Cell Viability Reagent and ECM gene expression was examined using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. Targets of interest were further investigated using immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Metabolic activity was not affected by the stretching (0.9746 ± 0.0614, p > 0.05). Physiological stretching upregulated decorin (DCN) (1.8548 ± 0.4883, p = 0.002) as well as proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) (1.7714 ± 0.6600, p = 0.029) and downregulated biglycan (BGN) (0.7018 + 0.1567, p = 0.008), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) (0.5747 ± 0.2650, p = 0.029), fibronectin (FN1) (0.5832 ± 0.0996, p < 0.001) and spondin 1 (SPON1) (0.6282 ± 0.3624, p = 0.044) gene expression. No difference in PRG4 and DCN abundance or release could be measured. The here identified mechanosensitive targets are known to play relevant roles in tissue organisation. Therefore, physiological stretching might play a role in labrum tissue homeostasis and regeneration.
Cerebellar Dysfunction with Lung Pathology on Imaging
Authors: Winberg Carter , Grindal Alexander , Chakroborty Amitabha
Published: October 2022

A patient presented with ataxia with cerebellar dysfunction on examination. After lung imaging revealed a large consolidation, the patient was eventually diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease during admission. The imaging and case demonstrate how clinicians must include Legionella on their differential diagnosis when there is a combination of respiratory and neurologic pathologies, even when respiratory symptoms are not the presenting concern.
RésuméUn patient présente une ataxie accompagnée d’un dysfonctionnement cérébelleux révélé à l’examen. Après que l’imagerie pulmonaire ait révélé la présence d’une consolidation importante, le patient a finalement reçu un diagnostic de légionellose lors de son admission. L’imagerie et le présent cas montrent aux cliniciens la nécessité d’inclure la légionelle dans leur diagnostic différentiel en présence d’une combinaison de pathologies respiratoires et neurologiques, même lorsque les symptômes respiratoires ne sont pas la principale préoccupation.
Gastric adenocarcinoma presenting as bloody ascites
Authors: Zhou Felix , Morgenthau Ari , Arnason Thomas , Tran Allen
Published: October 2022

A 71-year-old male presented to hospital with 3 months of increasing abdominal distention and pain. CT showed large volume ascites and gastric wall thickening in the antrum. He had no history of significant alcohol use or other risk factors for cirrhosis. He underwent paracentesis, and 3 litres of homogenously bloody ascites fluid was removed. Ascites cytology showed discohesive malignant cells. Upper endoscopy showed a 10 cm circumferential gastric mass. Biopsies revealed a diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma. The presence of homogenously bloody ascites can be a startling finding to healthcare providers. The differential diagnosis for bloody ascites includes hepatocellular carcinoma or other malignancy, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, perforated ulcers/varices, blunt trauma, and iatrogenic (suggested by recent paracentesis, transjuglar intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, or other procedure). The presence of bloody ascites in an otherwise relatively asymptomatic individual should prompt a search for malignancy. This case highlights a rare presentation of gastric adenocarcinoma as bloody ascites.
Pituitary Apoplexy Presenting as Acute Headache
Authors: Zhou Shijie , Patel Ameen
Published: October 2022

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is an acute and potentially vision-threatening clinical condition caused by hemorrhage or infarction of the pituitary gland. PA usually occurs in a pre-existing pituitary tumor. Severe headache is almost universal and is often accompanied by hormonal deficiencies that require immediate empiric treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging is the recommended diagnostic imaging modality. Patients without acute neurological decline can be managed conservatively.
RésuméL’apoplexie hypophysaire est un état clinique aigu pouvant faire perdre la vue qui est causée par une hémorragie ou un infarctus de l’hypophyse. Elle survient généralement en présence d’une tumeur hypophysaire préexistante. Un mal de tête intense apparaît dans pratiquement tous les cas, accompagné souvent d’insuffisances hormonales qui nécessitent un traitement empirique immédiat. L’imagerie par résonance magnétique est la modalité d’imagerie diagnostique recommandée. Les patients ne présentant aucune détérioration neurologique aiguë peuvent être pris en charge de manière conservatrice.
Three Separate Instances of Cytarabine-Induced SIADH
Authors: Valentini Daniele , Das Debapria
Published: October 2022

We present a case of cytarabine-induced syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), a rare manifestation and complication, which based on review of the medical literature was reported only in one prior case report. It involves a 74-year-old male with acute myeloid leukemia who developed asymptomatic hyponatremia during three cycles of consolidation chemotherapy with high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC). Urine studies were consistent with SIADH. Due to the rapid onset and timing throughout all three cycles, the SIADH was suspected to be secondary to cytarabine. Serum sodium quickly corrected after the final administered dose of cytarabine in all cycles, and fluid restriction was only instituted during the third cycle.
RésuméNous présentons un cas de syndrome de sécrétion inappropriée d’hormone antidiurétique (SIADH) induit par la cytarabine, une manifestation et une complication rares que l’on ne rapporte que dans une seule étude de cas antérieure reposant sur une revue de la documentation médicale1. Il s’agit d’un homme de 74 ans atteint d’une leucémie myéloïde aiguë (LMA) chez qui est apparue une hyponatrémie asymptomatique pendant trois cycles de chimiothérapie de consolidation à des doses élevées de cytarabine. Les analyses d’urine sont compat-ibles avec le SIADH. En raison de la rapidité d’apparition et de la périodicité tout au long des trois cycles, on soupçonne que ce syndrome est attribuable à la cytarabine. La concentration sérique du sodium s’est corrigée rapidement après l’administration de la dernière dose de cytarabine à chaque cycle, et une restriction liquidi-enne n’a été instaurée qu’au cours du troisième cycle.
Video Summary - Chinese Lotus Shoes
Authors: Zhenyi Zhou
Published: October 2022

This is video is a summary of the digital exhibition about Chinese lotus shoes.

link: https://trc-leiden.nl/trc-digital-exhibition/index.php/chinese-lotus-shoes.
The Effects of Explicit versus Implicit Targets on Worker Performance, Reciprocity, and Trust and the Role of Peer Benchmarking
Authors: Chan Eric W. , Lill Jeremy B.
Published: October 2022

We examine the relative effects of managers using binding targets to reward workers before observing their performance (explicit targets) versus managers deciding whether to reward workers after observing their performance (implicit targets) in the common setting where managers cannot directly observe workers’ effort and ability. In a multiperiod interactive experiment, we find that workers’ performance, positive reciprocity, and trust toward their managers are lower under explicit targets than implicit targets. Evidence suggests that workers under explicit targets withhold effort because managers often set ineffective targets, whereas workers under implicit targets provide close to maximum effort because they trust managers to reward them accordingly. Importantly, providing managers with peer performance benchmark information improves the effectiveness of explicit targets by decreasing target variance and increasing workers’ perceived fairness of the target-setting process. Our results highlight how the type of performance targets and peer performance benchmarking can motivate worker performance and build trust.

Data Availability: Data are available upon request.

JEL Classifications: D91; J41; M41; M52.
An Early Biopsychosocial Intervention Design for the Prevention of Low Back Pain Chronicity: A Multidisciplinary Empirical Approach
Authors: Nieminen Linda , Vuori Jari , Kankaanpää Markku
Published: October 2022

Objective: Comprehensive intervention models for prevention of chronification of low back pain, in which the early identification of holistic risk factors is considered are needed. The aim of this study is to design a tailored biopsychosocial intervention for patients with low back pain to prevent pain chronicity.Design: A multidisciplinary empirical approach.Methods: A multidisciplinary team designed a biopsychosocial intervention following an application from the Medical Research Council’s complex intervention framework. The methods used included problem identification, identification of the evidence, theory, and needs, examination of the current context and modelling of the theory. Biomechanical, psychological, social and environmental, and lifestyle and personal risk factors were taken into account.Results: The intervention process was introduced in a logic model. The model presents all the required resources, their activities and outputs, as well as the outcomes and impacts of the intervention. The intervention was tailored according to the underlying risk factors for pain chronification in patients with low back pain.Conclusion: A comprehensive tailored intervention may decrease the risk of pain chronicity. Further studies are needed to obtain information on the feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of such interventions.
LAY ABSTRACTLow back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. In cases of non-specific low back pain, a specific structural reason for the pain cannot be identified. It is recognized, however, that individual factors, such as biomechanical, psychological, social, environmental, lifestyle, and personal factors, can increase the risk of pain chronicity. Therefore, a multidisciplinary intervention was designed to address these individual factors in addition to traditional treatment methods. The intervention was also designed to improve the timing of the rehabilitation to prevent pain chronification. This study presents the background, the different phases of the design process, and the model for the intervention. Further studies will be conducted to determine the applicability and effectiveness of the design.
Temporal stability in beta diversity does not guarantee surrogacy or compositional stability in a micro-phytoplankton metacommunity
Authors: Ferraz Sampaio Marina , Ferreira Paula Carolina , Veiga Ludwig Thelma Alvim , Padial Andre Andrian
Published: October 2022

Temporal stability in beta diversity does not guarantee surrogacy or compositional stability in a micro-phytoplankton meta¬community. In this study, we evaluated phytoplankton community organization (i.e., microalgae filtered in 20 μm mesh-sized plankton net) in a highly dynamic subtropical tidal river over three years. Specifically, we assessed temporal stability in the spatial organization of phytoplankton, the diatoms’ efficiency as an indicator (surrogate group) of ecological patterns of other phytoplankton groups, the temporal variation in species composition, and the beta diversity of a metacommunity. We performed six sampling occasions at the end of the summers and winters from 2017 to 2019 at 16 sampling points comprising a strong en¬vironmental gradient in the Guaraguaçu River, South Brazil. We tested for correlations of community structures from different periods and for correlations between diatoms species and those from other phytoplankton groups using Mantel tests. Species compositions were compared among periods using a permutational multivariate analysis of variance, and temporal variation in metacommunity beta diversity was evaluated using null models. There was temporal stability in the spatial dissimilarities of communities. Diatoms were poorly correlated with the other phytoplankton groups. The temporal stability in spatial structure, a facet of beta diversity, was in line with the temporal stability in compositional variation – a measurement of metacommuni¬ty beta diversity. Our results also showed that such stability was not static, since community compositions varied over time, mainly between seasons. We conclude that even in a highly dynamic tidal river, the temporal stability of spatial organization may indicate that the spatial gradient is so strong that it maintains spatial structuring over time. Such patterns were maintained even with the dynamic species changes over seasons. The fact that different phytoplankton groups do not respond similarly to the spatial gradient reinforces that microalgae should be analyzed separately in ecological studies, and long-term monitoring should consider different algal groups for a complete assessment of ecological patterns.
Optimization of Isocratic Ion Chromatography Methods for Simultaneous Inorganic Anions and Carboxylic Acids Determination
Authors:   Institute of Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 Sklodowska-Curie St., Zabrze 41-819, Poland, Pecyna-Utylska Paulina , Michalski Rajmund ,   Institute of Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 Sklodowska-Curie St., Zabrze 41-819, Poland
Published: October 2022

As a part of preliminary studies, the possibility of quantitative oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids and their determination by isocratic ion chromatography with conductometric detection has been tested. A methodology for the simultaneous separation of inorganic anions (F-, Cl-, NO2-, Br-, NO3-, PO43-, SO42-) and carboxylic acids (formate, acetate and oxalate) by using isocratic ion chromatography with conductivity detection have been developed and validated. Six anion-exchange columns were tested. The best results were achieved for Dionex IonPac AS10 column with 50mM NaOH eluent and flow rate of 1.0 mL∙min-1.
Subsolidus Structure of the MgO – Al2O3 – FeO – TiO2 system
Authors:   National Technical University ", Borysenko Oksana ,   Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute",   , 2, Kyrpychova str., 61002 Kharkiv, Ukraine, Logvinkov Sergey ,   Simon Kuznets Kharkov National University of Economics, 9-а, pr-t Nauki, 61166 Kharkiv, Ukraine, Shabanova Galina ,   National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", 2, Kyrpychova str., 61002 Kharkiv, Ukraine, Pitak Yaroslav ,   National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", 2, Kyrpychova str., 61002 Kharkiv, Ukraine, Ivashura Andrii ,   Simon Kuznets Kharkov National University of Economics, 9-а, pr-t Nauki, 61166 Kharkiv, Ukraine, Ostapenko Igor ,   TOV "Druzhkivskiy Vognetrivkiy zavod", 121-a, O. Tykhoho str., 84293 Druzhkovka, Ukraine
Published: October 2022

The subsolidus structure of the four-component system MgO – Al2O3 – FeO – TiO2 was studied in six temperature ranges. Geometric-topological characteristics of the phases of the system under study have been determined, topological graphs of the relationship of elementary tetrahedrons have been constructed, their volumes, degrees of asymmetry for all temperature ranges have been found. The optimal regions of compositions for the production of spinel-containing materials have been predicted, which are within the limits of elementary tetrahedra: MgO – FeO – Mg2TiO4 – MgAl2O4, FeAl2O4 – Mg2TiO4 – FeO – Fe2TiO4, FeAl2O4 – Mg2TiO4 – MgAl2O4 – FeO and FeAl2O4 – MgTiO3 – MgAl2O4 – Al2O3.
Kovar Tube as a Potential Catalyst for Conversion of Tar Produced from Biomass Gasification
Authors:   Chemical Engineering Department, Mutah University, 61710 Al-Karak, Jordan, Aljbour Salah H. , Kawamoto Katsuya ,   School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University, 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan, Tagawa Tomohiko ,   National Institute of Technology, Toyota College, Eisei-cho 2-1, Toyota-shi, 471-8525, Japan, Yamada Hiroshi ,   Chemical Systems Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya-shi, 464-8603, Japan
Published: October 2022

A pre-oxidized Kovar tube was employed as a reforming catalyst for the conversion of naphthalene. Under dry reforming condition, 24.7% naphthalene conversion could be achieved, whereas 36.6 and 42.3 % naphthalene conversion could be achieved when steam was added to the producer gas at the volume ratio of 0.06 and 0.11, respectively. Increasing the reforming temperature to 1173 K enhanced the catalytic removal of naphthalene to 91.5%. The activation energy and frequency factor values were found to be 136 kJ/mol and 3.07107 cm3cm-2min-1, respectively.
Production of Distilled Bitumen from High-Viscosity Crude Oils of Ukrainian Fields
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University 12, S.Bandery St., 79013 Lviv, Ukraine, Yarmola Tetiana , Topilnytskyy Petro ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University 12, S.Bandery St., 79013 Lviv, Ukraine, Gunka Volodymyr ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University 12, S.Bandery St., 79013 Lviv, Ukraine, Tertyshna Olena ,   State Higher Educational Institution "Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology" 8, Gagarina Ave., 49005, Dnipro, Romanchuk Viktoria ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University 12, S.Bandery St., 79013 Lviv, Ukraine
Published: October 2022

The characteristics of initial crudes of Yablunivske field (Poltava, Ukraine) and the properties of blended crudes have been examined to select the ways of their further processing. The crude oils were found to be heavy high-sulfuric oils without light distillates. The possibility of obtaining paving bitumen from blended crudes under study has been considered. Distilled bitumen obtained through distillation of this blend was found to meet the requirements for commercial paving bitumen 100/150. To improve the durability and resistance to aging of resulting bitumen, a polymeric modifier was added. The modifier amount of 3 wt.% was found to be appropriate to improve the operational characteristics of obtained bitumen to those of BMW 60/90 grade.
Meeting the European green deal objective of expanding organic farming
Authors: Kowalska Aleksandra , Bieniek Milena
Published: October 2022

Research background: Economic growth is unsustainable. However, a circular economy has the potential to lead to sustainable development, while decoupling economic growth from the negative consequences of resource depletion and environmental degradation. The EU's strategy of climate neutralization in 2050 developed, inter alia, into a European Green Deal action plan aiming at the efficient use of resources by moving to a cleaner, circular economy. More sustainable EU food system is a cornerstone of the European Green Deal. The European Commission's goal is 25% of agricultural land to be used for organic production in 2030. The question is if it is possible to reach the objective with the use of current incentives. What else may be done to encourage European farmers to convert to organic farming?
Purpose of the article: The aim of this research is to review the development of organic agriculture in Europe and the EU and to identify incentives for farmers to convert to organic farming.
Methods: First of all, the methodological approach is to iteratively review the existing literature to frame the problem. Secondly, the data on organic agriculture in Europe is to be analyzed to answer the research questions. The analysis is based on international statistics, mainly collected by FiBL, IFOAM, EC Agri-food data portal and Eurostat..Fitting the trend functions to the actual data has been made in three scenarios (pessimistic, realistic and optimistic). These trend functions were used for the long-term forecasts of the share of organic farmland in the EU.
Findings & value added: The long-run forecast might be treated as a goal, which can motivate to act more intensively to achieve the objective. The existing measures, including organic farming payments, are not sufficient to meet the goal of massive increase in the acreage under organic production. It is necessary to develop new incentives e.g. Green Public Procurement, innovative and effective media campaigns, development of a dynamic network of actors within the organic food supply chain with the use of blockchain technology.
Determinants for international competitiveness of the food industry in 43 countries world-wide: evidence from panel models
Authors: Hamulczuk Mariusz , Pawlak Karolina
Published: October 2022

Research background: Food industry is of key importance to each economy due to its role in ensuring food security, balancing the labour market, as well as contributing to the economic growth and international trade. With a limited increase in demand for food in many highly developed countries, further growth in this sector of the economy will largely depend on the ability to successfully distribute manufactured goods in international markets and cope with competitive pressure from other entities. Purpose of the article: Therefore, the study attempts to assess the determinants of international competitiveness of the food industry worldwide measured by the trade balance. Methods: The research was based on data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Data Center (UNCTADStat) and the World Input-Output Database (WIOD). The time frame for the analyses was determined by the availability of internationally comparable data and thus covered the period of 2000?2014. The empirical analysis was performed with the use of panel models, while international competitiveness was measured by trade balance (net export). Findings & value added: It was proved that increasing trade openness and relative demand, as well as decreasing relative unit labour costs have a positive impact on international competitiveness of the food industry worldwide. However, the nature of the relationship between relative labour productivity and trade balance appears to be ambiguous. A stronger impact of the examined factors on net exports in the long-run rather than the short-run was also evidenced. The novelty of our analysis is that we consider trade balance determinants of the food industry worldwide using panel models, whereas most of the existing studies focus either on one or a narrow group of countries.
The distribution of wage inequality across municipalities in Mexico: a spatial quantile regres-sion approach
Authors: Valdez Rolando I. , García-Fernández Francisco
Published: October 2022

Research background: According to classical labor economics, wage differences among regions of a country that has free-factor mobility should eventually vanish. However, the level of wage inequality among Mexican territories is increasing. The nature and causes of this discrepancy are worth identifying.
Purpose of the article: To identify the spatial relationship of wage inequality that existed in the Mexican metropolitan system during the years 2010 and 2015.
Methods: We develop a model of wages that considers the interaction between spatial units within a region. Then, we specify a spatial autoregressive model with the average wage per municipality as a dependent variable. This variable is spatially lagged along with other controls such as productivity, schooling, and migration. We combine data from population and economic censuses. Then, we perform a quantile regression to estimate the spatial effect of wage in a region upon quartiles of the wage distribution.
Findings & value added: Wage inequality increases within a given region when the average wage increases in one of said region?s municipalities. This phenomenon occurs because in municipalities that are neighbors of the one that enjoys a wage increase, the average wage tends to decrease. The impact is larger in those municipalities whose average wage is in the lower range of the regional wage distribution. Wage inequality is also increased by internal migration and increased productivity. These latter findings are some of the first for Mexico at this aggregation level. A novel aspect of our study is its use of territory as an observation unit for which statistics from population and economic censuses are combined to draw inferences about spatial inequality.
Hybrid demand forecasting models: pre-pandemic and pandemic use studies
Authors: Kolkova Andrea , Rozehnal Petr
Published: October 2022

Research background: In business practice and academic sphere, the question of which of the prognostic models is the most accurate is constantly present. The accuracy of models based on artificial intelligence and statistical models has long been discussed. By combining the advantages of both groups, hybrid models have emerged. These models show high accuracy. Moreover, the question remains whether data in a dynamically changing economy (for example, in a pandemic period) have changed the possibilities of using these models. The changing economy will continue to be an important element in demand forecasting in the years to come. In business, where the concept of just in time already proves to be insufficient, it is necessary to open new research questions in the field of demand forecasting.
Purpose of the article: The aim of the article is to apply hybrid models to bicycle sales e-shop data with a comparison of accuracy models in the pre-pandemic period and in the pandemic period. The paper examines the hypothesis that the pandemic period has changed the accuracy of hybrid models in comparison with statistical models and models based on artificial neural networks.
Models: In this study, hybrid models will be used, namely the Theta model and the new forecastHybrid, compared to the statistical models ETS, ARIMA, and models based on artificial neural networks. They will be applied to the data of the e-shop with the cycle assortment in the period from 1.1. 2019 to 5.10 2021. Whereas the period will be divided into two parts, pre-pandemic, i.e. until 1 March 2020 and pandemic after that date. The accuracy evaluation will be based on the RMSE, MAE, and ACF1 indicators.
Findings & value added: In this study, we have concluded that the prediction of the Hybrid model was the most accurate in both periods. The study can thus provide a scientific basis for any other dynamic changes that may occur in demand forecasting in the future. In other periods when there will be volatile demand, it is essential to choose models in which accuracy will decrease the least. Therefore, this study provides guidance for the use of methods in future periods as well. The stated results are likely to be valid even in an international comparison.
The role of formal and informal remittances as the determinants of formal and informal finan-cial services
Authors: Virak Khiev , Bilan Yuriy
Published: October 2022

Research background: The choice of financial services and remittances are important as they influence the livelihood of remittance recipients, who are mostly poor and financially excluded. In literature, extensive evidence suggests a positive impact of the size of remittances on access to financial inclusion and financial development of remittance-recipient countries. However, a concern of such studies is that they might provide a biased outcome as the available data of remittances tend to be formal, whereas informal remittances are difficult to observe. Hence, their evidence might not be applicable in developing countries where remittance transfer via informal channels is very popular.
Purpose of the article: The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of the remittance channel (formal and informal) on the choice of formal, informal financial services of credit and savings of remittance recipients.
Methods: As our dependent variable is a financial service which is a categorical variable (formal and informal), the paper will employ a multinomial logistic regression model to estimate the impact. The data employed in this analysis is from the Finscope survey conducted in Myanmar in 2013 and 2018. Myanmar is the best context for our study, as it is one of a big migrant-sending countries and a developing country whose financial sector is significantly underdeveloped.
Findings & value added: Our findings show that formal remittances promote the use of formal financial services such as credit and savings. However, there is no evidence regarding women recipients` informal channels and formal financial services. Our evidence also suggests there is a need for the government to encourage migrant workers to transform informal remittances into formal ones by removing the barriers of formal remittance channels to promote the use of formal credit and saving among remittance-recipients who are poor and financially excluded.
Determination of Feasibility Analysis of Wind Turbines Using Weibull Parameter for Chad
Authors: Souloukngaa Marcel Hamda , Coban Hasan Huseyin
Published: October 2022

Wind energy is one of the most important renewable energy sources whose technology and use have shown the fastest development and the economy has become competitive with fossil-based energy sources. To assess the potential of wind energy as a source of electricity generation, this paper uses the Weibull probability density function for three sites. Five wind turbines are considered for the study. The standard method is used to determine the values of the Weibull parameters. The average wind speed was measured and collected at the General Directorate of National Meteorology at 10 m altitudes. The results obtained show that the turbine capacity factor for three sites ranges from 0.03% to 6.47% (Enercon-70); 0.09% to 13.50% (Enercon-82); 0.04% to 9.27% (Nordex N90); 0.03% to 9.87% (Nordex S77) and 0.07% to 11.63% (Vestas V90-20). The present cost value (PVC) calculation technique economically evaluates the five wind turbines. The Enercon‑82 wind turbine has a capacity factor of up to 13.5% with a cost of USD 23.09, while Enercon-70 has a lower factor of 6.47% with a cost of USD 496,393. Considering its capacity factor and annual energy generation of up to 3,000 TWh, therefore the Enercon-82 wind turbine could be recommended for the three cities in Chad.
Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Malaysia: Contributing Factors and Smart Farming Prospects
Authors: Rathakrishnan Thanuja , Suntharalingamb Chubashini , Shern Lim Yi , Keng Loong Shih , Yen Lee Hai , Kok Tee Keng , Thanarajoo Sathis Sri , Balasundram Siva K
Published: October 2022

Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAP) among smallholder dairy farmers in developing countries, especially within the Asia Pacific region remains low. This is probably attributable to the fact that psycho-social factors are not considered during the adoption process. The current study was carried out in order to increase the adoption of SAP in Malaysia, by investigating psycho-social factors among dairy farmers. It adopted the enhanced Theory of Planned Behaviour to investigate smallholder dairy farmers’ intention to uptake SAP in Malaysia. This study applied the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to model how psycho-social factors influence farmers’ SAP adoption decisions.  A key finding of this study was that farmers who are equipped with the right attitude and belief have the ability to adopt SAP and are inclined to adopt SAP in their farms. Hence, it was proposed that a holistic approach is recommended towards formulating policies and drawing intervention strategies that focus on the farmers’ needs and abilities.  This would motivate farmers to make choices that would lead to a change of behaviour towards adopting SAP. Additionally, the producer-led approach adopted in this study provided insights into smallholder dairy farmers’ beliefs and behaviour.