bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate Sustainable Growth, Carbon Performance, and Voluntary Carbon Information Disclosure: New Panel Data Evidence for Chinese Listed Companies
Authors: Dan Erli , Shen Jianfei , Guo Yiwei
Published: March 2023

At present, to comply with carbon reduction commitments, China has only required energy-intensive enterprises to report their carbon information to regulators, aside from mandatory public disclosures. Although some enterprises have been disclosing their own carbon information voluntarily by means of corporate reports in order to shape their green image, their carbon information disclosures (CID) still need to be improved. This study attempts to systematically investigate links between corporate growth, carbon emission (CEP) or reduction performance (CRP) in two forms (intensity and amount), and CID in industries with different carbon intensities on the basis of stakeholder theory as well as legitimacy theory. This study took Chinese companies listed on the main board market from 2009 to 2021 as samples. The Arellano–Bover/Blundell–Bond dynamic panel data model was used for regression analysis. Results showed that sustainable growth enhanced the promotion effect of CEP (both in terms of intensity and amount) on CID in carbon-intensive industries, while sustainable growth enhanced the inhibition effect of CEP measured in terms of amount, rather than intensity, on CID in low-carbon industries. This revealed that CEP, not CRP, had a significant influence on CID, and uncovered the influence mechanism between carbon performance and CID from the perspective of sustainable enterprise growth. The carbon information disclosure of high-carbon industries is closely and positively related to carbon performance, indicating that the interaction between high-carbon industries and capital markets will be more affected by the mitigation of carbon information asymmetry. Further, circulating A-shares are moderators for better CID in both carbon-intensive industries and low-carbon industries, which fits the expectation of stakeholder theory as well as legitimacy theory. Additionally, measurement habits or preference for carbon emissions performance (in the form of amount or intensity) in different industries should be brought to the forefront to enhance investors’ confidence in CID. This study has certain guiding value for the formulation of CID standards and contributes to the process of mandatory CID.
Community-Centered Sustainable Ecotourism Planning in the Bossou Forest Reserve, Guinea, West Africa
Authors: Samani Destina , Bosak Keith , Halvorson Sarah J.
Published: March 2023

Forest reserves are spaces of conservation and are often spaces of ecotourism as well. Evidence suggests that local community participation in the conservation of the forest reserve space tends to break down under weak ecotourism sector management. The Bossou Forest Reserve (BFR) in Guinea, West Africa has deteriorated considerably due to the fragmentation of the reserve and the inexorable decline in Bossou chimpanzee populations since the 1970s. The situation is largely attributable to several complex and interrelated factors, including the lack of established processes to support meaningful community participation in conservation and ecotourism planning. Ecotourism planning, with the participation of local communities, is considered to strengthen the management of the BFR and conservation connectivity. This paper reports on an approach to sustainable ecotourism planning of the BFR using the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) framework to determine the drivers of change and livelihood concerns. Fieldwork undertook in 2019 entailed concept mapping activities which were followed by a participatory geographic information system (PGIS) approach to support community-scale ecotourism planning that considers the multiple needs of stakeholders. Data analysis resulted in a community-centered situational assessment and classification of opportunities, both of which inform ecotourism planning and social-ecological resilience. The study provides baseline data for developing a robust ecotourism management plan capable of coping with the changing internal and external stressors. PGIS-based ecotourism planning can support community priorities and is potentially applicable to other West African areas with similar ecological and livelihood settings.
Finite Element Analysis for the Mechanism of Stress Wave Propagation and Crack Extension Due to Blasting of a Frozen Rock Mass
Authors: Wang Tingting , Li Pingfeng , Tang Chun’an , Zhang Bingbing , Yu Jiang
Published: March 2023

The propagation mechanism of explosion stress waves in frozen rock mass is the main factor affecting the blasting efficiency and safety construction of strip mines in alpine cold regions. In order to study explosion stress wave propagation and crack extension in the blasting process of frozen rock mass with ice-filled cracks, RFPA2D is adopted to simulate the influence of the geometric parameters of ice-filled cracks (ice-filled crack thickness d, normal distance R from blasting hole to the ice-filled crack, and ice-filled crack angle α), loading intensity and loading rate on the explosion stress wave propagation effect and the damage range. The results show: The attenuation trend of explosion stress waves decreases gradually with an increase of thickness (e.g., In the case of R is 0.2 m, when d is 0.02 m, 0.04 m, and 0.08 m, the calculated attenuation factor of the minimum principal stress peak value is 7.128%, 18.056%, and 30.035%, respectively), and it decreases slightly with an increase of normal distance and ice-filled crack angle. The damage elements range of the ice-filled crack decreases when the ice-filled crack thickness and normal distance increases. The loading intensity and the loading rate have a significant influence on blasting hole fracture patterns. The ice-filled crack has a guiding effect on the growth of blasting cracks at the blasting hole. Nevertheless, the existence of ice-filled cracks inhibits the propagation of explosion stress waves in frozen rock mass.
The Effects of Student-Engaged Video Lectures on Motivation for Sustainable Flipped Learning
Authors: Koh TaeJin , Ahn Jeongmin
Published: March 2023

Flipped learning has a metacognitive effect on learning and knowledge and cultivates students’ active and subjective attitudes toward participatory lessons. This pedagogical model is a specific type of blended learning that frees up classroom time for interaction and higher-order activities. Recent research on flipped learning tends to focus on its educational effects and operational methods. However, no studies have considered the types of video lectures that should be developed or how to encourage students’ engagement in pre-class activities. If students do not watch the video lecture beforehand, the effects of the flipped learning class may be restricted. Therefore, for flipped learning to be sustainable, instructors should encourage students to watch the video lecture before class. In this study, we aimed to determine whether videos that engage students affect students’ motivation more than videos produced by instructors alone. Fifty-two students studying ”Basic Hindi I” provided their consent to participate in the study. Questionnaire surveys were conducted before and after midterm exams, using video lecture type and students’ grades as parameters. We examined the contributions and educational effects of flipped learning and sustainable language education on motivation. Our study’s methodology combines qualitative and quantitative approaches based on a mixed methods sequential explanatory design. We used the Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (IMMS) designed by Keller to investigate how students’ motivation is affected by different types of video lecture. Two focus group interviews were conducted to interpret the results of quantitative studies. The results show that a significant difference could not be obtained between the traditional video lecture (TVL) and student-engaged video lecture (SEVL). However, the SEVL made a slight difference in the attention variable regardless of students’ grades.
Beyond “Community-Washing”: Effective and Sustained Community Collaboration in Urban Waterways Management
Authors: Perera Ethmadalage Dineth , Moglia Magnus , Glackin Stephen
Published: March 2023

Urban waterways are an important part of urban ecosystems, and well-managed urban waterways can support diverse benefits to communities and nature. The literature suggests that collaborative engagement is a pathway to unlocking broader benefits. There is, however, an intention–implementation gap, limiting the adoption of community collaboration in urban waterways governance. This paper reports on two case studies based on interviews and analysed with the aim of better understanding the factors that cause this dilemma. The case studies are in Melbourne, Australia, and are examples of where such community participation practices have been attempted. Our analysis includes twenty-three semi-structured interviews from these two cases. Data were analysed using the Values–Rules–Knowledge framework, a heuristic to help decision-makers analyse how social systems shape decision contexts. The results from the case study highlight three key factors that hinder effective community involvement. Bureaucratic processes act as de facto gatekeepers, reinforcing existing power dynamics. Inclusivity is difficult to define and achieve, highlighting the limited availability of appropriate tools. Finally, implementing participatory practices is resource intensive in terms of time, staff skills, and funding, leading to inadequate resourcing. Overcoming these challenges requires a comprehensive change in bureaucratic procedures, choice of engagement methods, and improved resource management.
Impact of Teachers’ Commitment to the Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Sustainable Teaching Performance
Authors: Alzoraiki Mohammed , Ahmad Abd Rahman , Ateeq Ali Ahmed , Naji Gehad Mohammed Ahmed , Almaamari Qais , Beshr Baligh Ali Hasan
Published: March 2023

In the field of education, ongoing processes, and optimal schoolwork outcomes require educational leadership, especially in developing countries, due to the lack of sustainable teaching performance and effective leadership. The present study aims to examine the mediating role of teachers’ commitment to transformational leadership and sustainable teaching performance. The sample of the study was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Out of the 450 copies distributed to the participants, only 374 were retrieved as valid. The hypotheses of the study were tested using PLS–SEM. The findings showed a positive effect of transformational leadership on teachers’ commitment. Moreover, transformational leadership was also found to positively impact teachers’ performance. In contrast, the teachers’ commitment was revealed to positively affect sustainable teaching performance. Finally, the study showed that the teachers’ commitment mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and sustainable teaching performance. This study is unique for being among the few studies that examine the effects of principals’ transformational leadership. It provides educational leaders and policymakers with significant insights by providing a roadmap that aids in understanding the most influential factors on teaching performance sustainability. Consequently, this study holds significant practical relevance for leaders in the field of education and policymakers, as they provide valuable insights into policies and practices that can be implemented to foster sustainability in the school environment.
Low Carbon Management of China’s Hotel Tourism through Carbon Emission Trading
Authors: Wang Lei
Published: March 2023

In recent years, with the continuous improvement in the economic conditions of our people, people pay more and more attention to the spiritual aspect of consumption. Therefore, tourism has developed by leaps and bounds, and the tourism economy has become an important form of economic growth in China. However, as the global climate continues to deteriorate, people have begun to seek a sustainable development path, and the concept of low carbon tourism has been put forward, which requires hotels to make certain changes in their management mode in order to adapt to the concept of low carbon tourism in the new era. Since carbon trading is an important means for the promotion of carbon dioxide emission reduction, this paper explores the emission reduction effect and transmission mechanism of the carbon trading pilot through a spatial double difference model based on the study of spatial characteristics. The experiment shows that carbon trading not only effectively promotes local CO2 emission reduction, but also has a certain spillover effect on the surrounding areas. In addition, carbon trading can promote the economic growth of the pilot areas and the neighboring regions, and drive CO2 emission reduction at the same time. The paper concludes with an analysis of how to strengthen policy and behavioral guidance, improve government regulatory mechanisms, reduce environmental pollution in hotel tourism, and ensure that the model of hotel management meets the needs of the industry from the perspective of low carbon tourism under the situation of information symmetry and asymmetry.
Microbial Risk Assessment of Mature Compost from Human Excreta, Cattle Manure, Organic Waste, and Biochar
Authors: Werner Katharina A. , Castro-Herrera Daniela , Yimer Fantaw , Tadesse Menfese , Kim Dong-Gill , Prost Katharina , Brüggemann Nicolas , Grohmann Elisabeth
Published: March 2023

Lack of sanitation is the underlying cause of many diarrheal infections and associated deaths. Improving sanitation through the set-up of ecological sanitation dry toilets, followed by the thermophilic composting of human excreta, could offer a solution. In addition, treating the excreta via thermophilic composting allows us to recycle the nutrients to be used as fertilizer for agriculture. However, for this purpose, the compost should be free of pathogens. We conducted a thermophilic composting trial over 204 to 256 days with human excreta, along with vegetable scraps and teff straw, with and without biochar. A sawdust–cattle manure mixture with the same supplements served as a control treatment. To evaluate the hygienic quality of the mature compost, the bacterial indicators Escherichia coli and Salmonella were assessed using the cultivation-based most probable number method. In addition, Ascaris lumbricoides eggs were quantified through light microscopy. The amount of detected E. coli was below the thresholds of German and European regulations for organic fertilizer. Salmonella and Ascaris eggs were not detected. No significant differences between the treatments were observed. Thus, the composting process was efficient in decreasing the number of potential human pathogens. The mature compost fulfilled the legal regulations on organic fertilizer regarding potential human pathogens.
The Effectiveness of Educational Robots in Improving Learning Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Kai , Sang Guo-Yuan , Huang Lan-Zi , Li Shi-Hua , Guo Jian-Wen
Published: March 2023

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the potential effect of educational robots, but what appears to be missing is an up-to-date and thorough review of the learning effectiveness of educational robots and the various influencing factors. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted to systematically synthesize studies’ findings on the effects of educational robots on students’ learning outcomes. After searching for randomized studies describing educational robots interventions to improve learning outcomes, 34 effect sizes described in 17 articles met the selection criteria. The results of our work evidence a moderate but significantly positive effect of educational robots on learning outcomes (g  =  0.57, 95% CI [0.49, 0.65], p  <  0.00001). Moreover, moderator analyses were conducted to investigate important factors relating to the variation of the impact, including educational level and assessment type. Based on the findings of this study, we provide researchers and practitioners with insights into what characteristics of educational robot interventions appear to benefit students’ learning outcomes and how pedagogical approaches can be applied in various educational settings to guide the design of future educational robot interventions.
Wind Energy Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals: Case Study on London Array
Authors: Olabi A. G. , Obaideen Khaled , Abdelkareem Mohammad Ali , AlMallahi Maryam Nooman , Shehata Nabila , Alami Abdul Hai , Mdallal Ayman , Hassan Asma Ali Murah , Sayed Enas Taha
Published: March 2023

Clean and safe energy sources are essential for the long-term growth of society. Wind energy is rapidly expanding and contributes to many countries’ efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. In terms of sustainable development goals (SDGs), renewable energy development promotes energy security while also facilitating community development and environmental conservation on a global scale. In this context, the current article aims to investigate wind energy’s role within the SDGs. Furthermore, the present study highlights the role of the London Array wind farm in achieving the SDGs. Indeed, deploying clean and economical energy sources in place of conventional fossil fuel power plants provides vital insights into environmental impacts. The London Array operation is saving approximately 1 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. Furthermore, the London Array contributes to the achievement of multiple SDGs, including SDG 8: decent employment and economic growth; SDG 9: industry, innovation, and infrastructure; SDG 11: sustainable cities and communities; and SDG 15: life on land. To enhance the London Array’s contribution to the SDGs, a total of 77 indicators (key performance indicators) were proposed and compared to the current measurements that have been carried out. The results showed that the London Array used most of the suggested indicators without classifying them from the SDGs’ perspective. The proposed indicators will help cut operation costs, mitigate climate change and environmental damage, improve employee engagement and morale, reduce learning gaps, set goals and plans, and use resources efficiently.
The Portuguese Circular Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Experts Advice on How to Overcome the Challenges
Authors: Rocha Raysa Geaquinto , Paço Arminda do , Alves Helena , Gaspar Pedro Dinis
Published: March 2023

Entrepreneurial ecosystems are unique. Considering the singularities of the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem, this study aims to answer the following question: how can entrepreneurs overcome the challenges of starting their circular businesses in Portugal? To answer it, we carried out a focus group with experts. This study is based on the empirical analysis of data collected in the scope of the RE-START (Reinforcing the Circular Economy Model for START-Ups) Erasmus Plus project, involving organizations from five European countries. The solutions chosen to boost circular businesses predominantly involve education for circular entrepreneurship, cooperation between businesses and universities, and circular entrepreneurs’ competencies. Therefore, these research contributions involve an in-depth understanding of the current context of the circular entrepreneurial ecosystem in Portugal, aligned with elucidating what ought to be adopted to overcome the challenges of this context. These draw attention to the crucial issues that policymakers should consider when regulating and promoting the circular economy. Furthermore, we recommend various actions for the stakeholders in order to foster a sound circular economy ecosystem in Portugal while emphasizing collaborative behaviors.
A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization of Aviation Carbon Emissions Studies
Authors: Li Xirui , Tang Junqi , Li Weidong , Si Qingmin , Guo Xinyao , Niu Linqing
Published: March 2023

Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality are gaining global consensus, and carbon reduction in aviation is necessary and urgent. The main objective of this research paper is to map and analyze the knowledge graph of aviation carbon emissions research from a bibliometric perspective. Publications related to aviation carbon emissions indexed by Scopus for the period 1992 to 2021 were analyzed primarily using CiteSpace software. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of current research progress from four perspectives: (1) descriptive analysis of publications, involving annual distribution, authors, and journals; (2) analysis of co-cited authors and their countries; (3) co-citation analysis of cited references; and (4) co-occurrence analysis of keywords. A series of domain knowledge maps were constructed to visualize the core of aviation carbon emissions research and to distill the research perspectives on aviation carbon emissions in the past 20 years. The latest and most important research results in the field obtained through the combing provide certain references for the research and development of aviation carbon emissions.
ERP System Development for Business Agility in Industry 4.0—A Literature Review Based on the TOE Framework
Authors: Morawiec Patryk , Sołtysik-Piorunkiewicz Anna
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how technological, organizational and environmental factors are affecting the use and development of ERP (enterprise resource planning) in the context of the Industry 4.0 (Fourth Industrial Revolution) concept. This article discusses the role of the ERP system in agile organization and the impact of Industry 4.0 factors on business agility with the use of the TOE (technology–organization–environment) framework. The research methods used in this study were based on a systematic literature review of the Scopus and Web of Science databases sources. Both academic and practical examples of the literature were examined. The presented outcomes of this study are a selection of Industry 4.0 technologies assigned to the TOE factors, the indication of the role of organizational agility in the enterprise and the potential technological support of Industry 4.0 indicators in achieving organizational agility. The research results might be interesting for both academic researchers and the practitioners, e.g., project managers involved in the implementation of Industry 4.0, such as top management planning to increase organizational agility in their organizations. However, there is an identified need for conducting additional studies on the influence of each identified factor on organizational agility.
Stakeholders’ Collaboration in the Development of an Authentic Gastronomic Offering in Rural Areas: Example of the Ravni Kotari Region in Croatia
Authors: Đurkin Badurina Jelena , Klapan Manuela , Soldić Frleta Daniela
Published: March 2023

The development of food tourism, with an emphasis on authentic gastronomy, is important to ensure the long-term sustainability of tourism, especially in rural areas. Success in developing this type of tourism is largely dependent on strong stakeholder commitment. This study aims to understand the dynamics of the mechanisms of collaboration between different categories of stakeholders in the local development of authentic gastronomy for the purpose of tourism development, using a single rural region as an example. The case study method was selected to obtain a better understanding of the complexity of relationships among rural tourism stakeholders and the Ravni Kotari region in Croatia, as a rural area in the hinterland, with significant gastronomy tourism potential. Content analysis of available secondary sources was conducted to reveal cooperation patterns among different categories of stakeholders that are relevant for authentic gastronomy, together with onsite semi-structured interviews of representatives of different stakeholder categories. The research findings revealed a significant level of cooperation among public sector stakeholders, especially in terms of cooperating on projects that promote local gastronomy. However, the lack of horizontal cooperation among stakeholders from the private sector is also noted as a big challenge. This research provides valuable insights into the roles’ relationships and the collaboration mechanisms among key local stakeholders in the provison authentic gastronomy tourism.
Effect of Hotel Employees’ Organizational Politics Perception on Organizational Silence, Organizational Cynicism, and Innovation Resistance
Authors: Lee Ki-Seoung , Kim Yoon-Seo , Shin Hyoung-Chul
Published: March 2023

This study investigates the relationship between hotel employees’ perceptions of organizational politics, organizational silence, organizational cynicism, and innovation resistance. For this purpose, subjects (n = 351, 235 men and 116 women) from four-star hotels in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do, and Jeju-do in South Korea were surveyed. The following four hypotheses were presented to achieve this study’s goal. First, the perception of organizational politics has a positive effect on organizational silence. Second, organizational silence positively affects organizational cynicism. Third, organizational silence has a positive effect on innovation resistance. Fourth, organizational cynicism positively affects innovation resistance. The results of hypothesis testing reveal that all hypotheses except for the fourth one are accepted. This study’s findings suggest that hotels should provide a work environment that is free from unfair organizational political activities.
Gap Filling Method and Estimation of Net Ecosystem CO2 Exchange in Alpine Wetland of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang Xiuying , Ma Yuancang , Li Fu , Chen Qi , Sun Shujiao , Ma Honglu , Zhang Rui
Published: March 2023

The net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and water and energy fluxes at the alpine ecosystem level were obtained through the eddy covariance technique in an alpine wetland of the Longbao Region, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Our research used the NEE as the research object combined with meteorological factors. The NEE prediction model was constructed using Reddyproc and machine learning. Moreover, the effects of the data and features on the models and the selection of the model parameters were discussed. The results revealed the following information: (1) After removing the NEE outliers according to the friction wind speed thresholds of the different seasons, the NEE interpolation accuracy (R2) reached 0.65. Additionally, the NEE data dispersion decreased after removing the outliers, and the data quality improved effectively. (2) The decision coefficients (R2) of the eight kinds of combined machine learning algorithm models varied from 0.22 to 0.62, and the root mean square error (RMSE) ranged from 2.10 to 2.99 μmol s−1 m−2. Additionally, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) model had the best stability and the best interpolation effect. (3) There was a seasonal difference between the estimated values of Reddyproc and the estimated values of MLP. The monthly mean values of January, February, March, and October were lower than the monthly mean values of the latter, while the monthly mean values from April to September were higher than the monthly mean values of the latter, indicating that the prediction of the machine learning algorithm tends towards the carbon source in the cold season (nongrowing season) and tends towards the carbon sink in the warm season (growing season). (4) Reddyproc detected the outliers through the relationship between the night NEE and frictional wind speed, which made it possible to accurately estimate the nighttime flux under the condition of determining the threshold of the night frictional wind speed, thus obtaining a better NEE estimate with fewer input parameters. Before the training and prediction of the MLP model, the NEE was detected for the time series outliers, and the prediction accuracy was significantly improved, indicating that the elimination of the time series outliers is essential for NEE model training and further indicating that the understanding of the potential mechanism of the NEE is of great significance for the prediction model.
Towards Equity: Exploring Gifted and High Achieving Students’ Lived Experiences with a Mathematical Enrichment Program Based on PISA
Authors: Almarashdi Hanan Shaher , Mohamed Ahmed H. , Jarrah Adeeb M.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness and usefulness of a Mathematics Enrichment Program (MEP) from students’ perspectives. The case study presented in this paper highlights the need for the MEP as a possible way to fulfill the needs of high-achieving and gifted students in mathematics in regular classrooms. This MEP was designed to improve students’ mathematical literacy in relation to their readiness for work after school and using mathematics in real life. The process for developing the MEP was described. The sample consisted of 51 grade 10 students from the advanced stream in two high schools in the UAE. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a survey designed specifically for this study to gain insight into students’ perceptions of their participation in the MEP experience. Students’ responses to the survey showed a significant impact of the enrichment program on them in many aspects. It is evident that this program helped the students see the importance of mathematics in their life. Although participants reported excitement and more understanding of their mathematics classroom, a few students complained about the of lack of time and difficulty with language and problem-solving skills.
Synthesis, Characterization of Some Conductive Aromatic Polyamides/Fe3O4 NPs/ITO, and Their Utilization for Methotrexate Sensing
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Mona A. , El-Said Waleed A. , Sayed Eman M. , Abdel-Wahab Aboel-Magd A.
Published: March 2023

Here, we have synthesized four series of polyamide-conductive polymers and used them to modify Fe3O4 NPs/ITO electrodes. The ability of the modified electrodes to detect methotrexate (MTX) anticancer drug electrochemically was investigated. Synthesis of the target-conducting polyamides, P1a–d, P2a–d, P3a, P3b, P3d, and P4c-d, based on different aromatic moieties, such as ethyl 4-(2-(4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene)hydrazinyl)benzoate, diphenyl sulfone, diphenyl ether or phenyl, has been achieved. They were successfully prepared in good yield via solution–polycondensation reaction of the diamino monomers with different dicarboxylic acid chlorides in the presence of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and anhydrous LiCl as a catalyst. A model compound 4 was synthesized from one mole of ethyl-4-(2-(3, 5-diamino-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene)hydrazinyl) benzoate (diamino monomer) (3) with two moles benzoyl chloride. The structure of the synthesized monomers and polymers was confirmed by elemental and spectral analyses. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis evaluated the thermal stabilities of these polyamides. Furthermore, the morphological properties of selected polyamides were examined using an scanning electron microscope. Polyamide/Fe3O4/ITO electrodes were prepared, and the electrochemical measurements were performed to measure the new polyamides’ conductivity and to detect the MTX anticancer drug in phosphate buffer saline using cyclic voltammetry. The polyamides (P3b and P4b)/Fe3O4/ITO electrodes showed the highest sensitivity and reversibility towards MTX.
Aczel–Alsina Power Aggregation Operators for Complex Picture Fuzzy (CPF) Sets with Application in CPF Multi-Attribute Decision Making
Authors: Ali Zeeshan , Mahmood Tahir , Yang Miin-Shen
Published: March 2023

Complex picture fuzzy sets are the updated version of the complex intuitionistic fuzzy sets. A complex picture fuzzy set covers three major grades such as membership, abstinence, and falsity with a prominent characteristic in which the sum of the triplet will be contained in the unit interval. In this scenario, we derive the power aggregation operators based on the Aczel–Alsina operational laws for managing the complex picture of fuzzy values. These complex picture fuzzy power aggregation operators are complex picture fuzzy Aczel–Alsina power averaging, complex picture fuzzy Aczel–Alsina weighted power averaging, complex picture fuzzy Aczel–Alsina power geometric, and complex picture fuzzy Aczel–Alsina weighted power geometric operators. We also investigate their theoretical properties. To justify these complex picture fuzzy power aggregation operators, we illustrate a procedure of a decision-making technique in the presence of complex picture fuzzy values and derive an algorithm to evaluate some multi-attribute decision-making problems. Finally, a practical example is examined to illustrate the decision-making procedure under the consideration of derived operators, and their performance is compared with that of various operators to show the supremacy and validity of the proposed approaches.
Circuit Complexity in Interacting Quenched Quantum Field Theory
Authors: Choudhury Sayantan , Gharat Rakshit Mandish , Mandal Saptarshi , Pandey Nilesh
Published: March 2023

In this work, we explore the effects of quantum quenching on the circuit complexity of quenched quantum field theory with weakly coupled quartic interactions. We use the invariant operator method under a perturbative framework to compute the ground state of this system. We give the analytical expressions for specific reference and target states using the ground state of the system. Using a particular cost functional, we show the analytical computation of circuit complexity for the quenched and interacting field theory. Furthermore, we give a numerical estimate of circuit complexity with respect to the quench rate, δt, for two coupled oscillators. The parametric variation in the unambiguous contribution of the circuit complexity for an arbitrary number of oscillators has been studied with respect to the dimensionless parameter (t/δt). We comment on the variation in the circuit complexity for different values of coupling strength, different numbers of oscillators and even in different dimensions.
Effects of Symmetry Restriction on the Antenna Gain Optimized Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Renzler Michael , Mair Dominik , Hesche Markus , Ussmueller Thomas
Published: March 2023

Automated design techniques for antennas are highly interesting regarding their ability to cut down on development time and their overall importance for communication technology. Sub-dividing a given area into individual pixels renders methods such as genetic algorithms possible, which enables an automated optimization process by evolutionary methods. While there are many examples in the literature that use this approach, most of them use the reflection coefficient as the optimization goal. Although this yields satisfying antennas for a variety of different applications, this approach generally does not achieve high directivities or antenna gains. In this work, we present the evolutionary optimization of antenna gain for pixelated antennas and the effect of symmetry restriction on the optimized topologies.
Ammonia Toxicity in the Bighead Carp (Aristichthys nobilis): Hematology, Antioxidation, Immunity, Inflammation and Stress
Authors: Zou Yuning , Chen Weixing , Xia Banghua , Xiang Yifang , Shen Zhentao , Han Ying , Xue Shuqun
Published: March 2023

Ammonia is one of the main environmental pollutants that affect the survival and growth of fish. The toxic effects on blood biochemistry, oxidative stress, immunity, and stress response of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) under ammonia exposure were studied. Bighead carp were exposed to total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations of 0 mg/L, 3.955 mg/L, 7.91 mg/L, 11.865 mg/L, and 15.82 mg/L for 96 h. The results showed that ammonia exposure significantly reduced hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell, white blood cell count, and platelet count and significantly increased the plasma calcium level of carp. Serum total protein, albumin, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase changed significantly after ammonia exposure. Ammonia exposure can induce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (Mn-SOD, CAT, and GPx) increases at the initial stage of ammonia exposure, while MDA accumulates and antioxidant enzyme activity decreases after ammonia stress. Ammonia poisoning changes the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines; promotes the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, and IL-1β; and inhibits IL-10. Furthermore, ammonia exposure led to increases in stress indexes such as cortisol, blood glucose, adrenaline, and T3, and increases in heat shock protein 70 and heat shock protein 90 content and gene expression. Ammonia exposure caused oxidative stress, immunosuppression, inflammation, and a stress reaction in bighead carp.
Serum Iodine and Bromine in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients—An Observational Study in a Cohort of Portuguese Patients
Authors: Novakova Gergana , Bonev Presian , Duro Mary , Azevedo Rui , Couto Cristina , Pinto Edgar , Almeida Agostinho
Published: March 2023

Background: Patients on chronic hemodialysis therapy are at high risk of disturbances in trace element status due to both the underlying disease and the hemodialysis process itself. Data on iodine and bromine levels in these patients are scarce. Methods: Using an ICP-MS analytical procedure, serum iodine and bromine levels were determined in a cohort (n = 57) of end-stage renal disease patients on chronic hemodialysis. The results were compared with those of a control group (n = 59). Results: Hemodialysis patients presented serum iodine levels within the normal range, slightly lower than in controls, but without reaching a statistically significant difference (67.6 ± 17.1 µg/L vs. 72.2 ± 14.8 µg/L; p = 0.1252). In contrast, serum bromine levels were much lower in patients (1086 ± 244 µg/L vs. 4137 ± 770 µg/L; p < 0.0001), at values only about 26% of the values observed in controls. Conclusions: Hemodialysis patients had normal serum iodine levels, but highly decreased serum bromine levels. The clinical significance of this finding requires further investigation, but it may be associated with sleep disturbances and fatigue that affect hemodialysis patients.
Alphatoxin Nanopore Detection of Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin and Fumonisin in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Silva Artur Alves Rodrigues da , Silva Júnior Janilson José da , Cavalcanti Maria Isabel dos Santos , Machado Dijanah Cota , Medeiros Paloma Lys , Rodrigues Claudio Gabriel
Published: March 2023

Mycotoxins are toxic and carcinogenic metabolites produced by groups of filamentous fungi that colonize food crops. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) are among the most relevant agricultural mycotoxins, as they can induce various toxic processes in humans and animals. To detect AFB1, OTA and FB1 in the most varied matrices, chromatographic and immunological methods are primarily used; however, these techniques are time-consuming and expensive. In this study, we demonstrate that unitary alphatoxin nanopore can be used to detect and differentiate these mycotoxins in aqueous solution. The presence of AFB1, OTA or FB1 inside the nanopore induces reversible blockage of the ionic current flowing through the nanopore, with distinct characteristics of blockage that are unique to each of the three toxins. The process of discrimination is based on the residual current ratio calculation and analysis of the residence time of each mycotoxin inside the unitary nanopore. Using a single alphatoxin nanopore, the mycotoxins could be detected at the nanomolar level, indicating that alphatoxin nanopore is a promising molecular tool for discriminatory analysis of mycotoxins in aqueous solution.
“Two Cultures in Favor of a Dying Patient”: Experiences of Health Care Professionals Providing Snakebite Care to Indigenous Peoples in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Murta Felipe , Strand Eleanor , de Farias Altair Seabra , Rocha Felipe , Santos Alícia Cacau , Rondon Evellyn Antonieta Tomé , de Oliveira Ana Paula Silva , da Gama Hiran Satiro Souza , Vieira Rocha Yasmim , Rocha Gisele dos Santos , Ferreira Mena , Azevedo Machado Vinícius , Lacerda Marcus , Pucca Manuela , Cerni Felipe , Nickenig Vissoci João Ricardo , Tupetz Anna , Gerardo Charles J. , Moura-da-Silva Ana Maria , Hui Wen Fan , Sachett Jacqueline , Monteiro Wuelton
Published: March 2023

In the Brazilian Amazon, deaths and disabilities from snakebite envenomations (SBEs) are a major and neglected problem for the indigenous population. However, minimal research has been conducted on how indigenous peoples access and utilize the health system for snakebite treatment. A qualitative study was conducted to understand the experiences of health care professionals (HCPs) who provide biomedical care to indigenous peoples with SBEs in the Brazilian Amazon. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were carried out in the context of a three-day training session for HCPs who work for the Indigenous Health Care Subsystem. A total of 56 HCPs participated, 27 in Boa Vista and 29 in Manaus. Thematic analysis resulted in three key findings: Indigenous peoples are amenable to receiving antivenom but not to leaving their villages for hospitals; HCPs require antivenom and additional resources to improve patient care; and HCPs strongly recommend a joint, bicultural approach to SBE treatment. Decentralizing antivenom to local health units addresses the central barriers identified in this study (e.g., resistance to hospitals, transportation). The vast diversity of ethnicities in the Brazilian Amazon will be a challenge, and additional studies should be conducted regarding preparing HCPs to work in intercultural contexts.
A Low-Cost, Portable Device for Detecting and Sorting Aflatoxin-Contaminated Maize Kernels
Authors: Yao Haibo , Zhu Fengle , Kincaid Russell , Hruska Zuzana , Rajasekaran Kanniah
Published: March 2023

Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a major food safety issue worldwide. The problem is of special significance in African countries because maize is a staple food. This manuscript describes a low-cost, portable, non-invasive device for detecting and sorting aflatoxin-contaminated maize kernels. We developed a prototype employing a modified, normalized difference fluorescence index (NDFI) detection method to identify potentially aflatoxin-contaminated maize kernels. Once identified, these contaminated kernels can be manually removed by the user. The device consists of a fluorescence excitation light source, a tablet for image acquisition, and detection/visualization software. Two experiments using maize kernels artificially infected with toxigenic Aspergillus flavus were implemented to evaluate the performance and efficiency of the device. The first experiment utilized highly contaminated kernels (71.18 ppb), while mildly contaminated kernels (1.22 ppb) were used for the second experiment. Evidently, the combined approach of detection and sorting was effective in reducing aflatoxin levels in maize kernels. With a maize rejection rate of 1.02% and 1.34% in the two experiments, aflatoxin reduction was achieved at 99.3% and 40.7%, respectively. This study demonstrated the potential of using this low-cost and non-invasive fluorescence detection technology, followed by manual sorting, to significantly reduce aflatoxin levels in maize samples. This technology would be beneficial to village farmers and consumers in developing countries by enabling safer foods that are free of potentially lethal levels of aflatoxins.
Long-Term Administration of Vespa velutina nigrithorax Venom Ameliorates Alzheimer’s Phenotypes in 5xFAD Transgenic Mice
Authors: Jeong Yoon Ah , Yun Hyun Seok , Kim Yoonsu , Jang Chan Ho , Lim Ji Sun , Kim Hyo Jung , Choi Moon Bo , Jung Jae Woo , Oh Jisun , Kim Jong-Sang
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, is characterized by progressive and irreversible impairment of cognitive functions. However, its etiology is poorly understood, and therapeutic interventions are limited. Our preliminary study revealed that wasp venom (WV) from Vespa velutina nigrithorax can prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory signaling, which is strongly implicated in AD pathogenesis. Therefore, we examined whether WV administration can ameliorate major AD phenotypes in the 5xFAD transgenic mouse model. Adult 5xFAD transgenic mice (6.5 months of age) were treated with WV by intraperitoneal injection at 250 or 400 μg/kg body weight once weekly for 14 consecutive weeks. This administration regimen improved procedural, spatial, and working memory deficits as assessed by the passive avoidance, Morris water maze, and Y-maze tasks, respectively. It also attenuated histological damage and amyloid-beta plaque formation in the hippocampal region and decreased expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors in the hippocampus and cerebrum, while it reduced oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde in the brain and liver and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine in the plasma). Overall, these findings suggest that long-term administration of WV may alleviate AD-related symptoms and pathological phenotypes.
Clinical Characteristics of Acute Kidney Injury Associated with Tropical Acute Febrile Illness
Authors: Omar Fardosa Dahir , Phumratanaprapin Weerapong , Silachamroon Udomsak , Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Sriboonvorakul Natthida , Thaipadungpanit Janjira , Pan-ngum Wirichada
Published: March 2023

Tropical acute febrile illness (TAFI) is one of the most frequent causes of acute kidney injury (AKI). The prevalence of AKI varies worldwide because there are limited reports available and different definitions are used. This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of AKI associated with TAFI among patients. Patients with TAFI were classified into non-AKI and AKI cases based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Of 1019 patients with TAFI, 69 cases were classified as having AKI, a prevalence of 6.8%. Signs, symptoms, and laboratory results were significantly abnormal in the AKI group, including high-grade fever, dyspnea, leukocytosis, severe transaminitis, hypoalbuminemia, metabolic acidosis, and proteinuria. 20.3% of AKI cases required dialysis and 18.8% received inotropic drugs. Seven patients died, all of which were in the AKI group. Risk factors for TAFI-associated AKI were being male (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.1; 95% CI 1.3–7.4), respiratory failure (AOR 4.6 95% CI 1.5–14.1), hyperbilirubinemia (AOR 2.4; 95% CI 1.1–4.9), and obesity (AOR 2.9; 95% CI 1.4–6). We recommend clinicians investigate kidney function in patients with TAFI who have these risk factors to detect AKI in its early stages and offer appropriate management.