bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Level Control of Blast Furnace Gas Cleaning Tank System with Fuzzy Based Gain Regulation for Model Reference Adaptive Controller
Authors: Aslan Özgür , Altan Aytaç , Hacıoğlu Rıfat
Published: November 2022

Iron making processes and automation systems are mostly controlled by logical rules and PID controllers. The dynamic behavior of these processes varies due to factors such as raw materials, outdoor conditions, and equipment aging. Changes in system dynamics necessitate re-determination of PID controller parameters. Model reference adaptive controllers (MRACs) are used in many industrial application areas with their adaptability to variable conditions. In this study, an MRAC is applied in the gas cleaning tank system level control problem in the blast furnace facility, which is at the center of the iron making processes. In addition, fuzzy based gain regulation is proposed to improve MRAC performance. MRAC and PID controller system control results are observed and compared. The fast response and adaptation performance of the proposed fuzzy MRAC approach along with external disturbance effects are analyzed. Fuzzy based gain regulation MRAC performances show better performance especially in level change as well as disturbance effect.
Investigating the Possibilities for Simulation of the Interconnected Electric Power and Communication Infrastructures
Authors: Vrtal Matej , Benedikt Jan , Fujdiak Radek , Topolanek David , Toman Petr , Misurec Jiri
Published: November 2022

In recent years, we have seen an increasing dependency between different urban critical infrastructures, which raises the demands on their analysis and cybersecurity. Current open-source solutions do not provide simulations of interconnected data networks and power grids, which are essential for analysing of both infrastructures weak parts and reducing the risk of emerging threats. The main purpose of this paper is to describe the design of a simulation platform that provides this type of simulation to customers using the virtual user interface. The paper describes the development of a complex model of interconnected power and data infrastructures. Created virtualization platform that consists of several open-source tools is described in detail. Outputs of this paper can be used for analysis of critical infrastructures at the level of urban networks.
Numerical Simulation of Multifracture Growth under Extremely Limited Entry Fracturing of Horizontal Well
Authors: Wang Tengfei , Chen Ming , Xu Yun , Weng Dingwei , Yang Zhanwei , Liu Zhaolong , Ma Zeyuan , Jiang Hao
Published: November 2022

The multifracture competitive growth from a horizontal well is an essential issue in multi-cluster fracturing design. In recent years, extremely limited entry (ELE) fracturing has been implemented to promote uniform multifracture growth. However, the mechanism of multifracture growth and ELE design remain unclear. Based on the planar three-dimensional multifracture propagation model, a multi-cluster horizontal well fracturing model that considers ELE design has been developed. The model considers flow in the wellbore and fluid filtration loss in the fracture. The simulator enables the simulation and analysis of non-uniform in situ stress, filtration loss, and fracture properties. Using this program, we simulated the propagation process of multiple clusters of fractures in ELE fracturing of horizontal wells. The results show the following: The perforation friction in the ELE fracturing can counteract the difference in fluid allocation caused by stress interference, allowing all clusters of perforations to have even fluid allocation but to differ significantly in fracture geometry. The in situ stress profile and 3D fracture stress interference determine the fracture geometry, and the fracture of the middle cluster could cross through the layer with relatively higher in situ stress, resulting in a decrease in effective fracture area in the pay zone. Furthermore, an increase in perforation diameter causes the flow-limiting effect of the perforations to decrease. The fluid volumes entering different clusters of perforations become less uniform. The difference in fracture toughness within a perforated stage has a minor influence on the fluid allocation between different clusters, while the in situ stress distribution within a perforated stage has a significant impact on the fluid allocation between different perforation clusters in the stage. Fractures preferentially propagate at the perforation points with lower in situ stress and stress interference. This study can be helpful to understand multifracture competitive growth and the optimization of ELE fracturing design.
The Role of Remote Sensing in Olive Growing Farm Management: A Research Outlook from 2000 to the Present in the Framework of Precision Agriculture Applications
Authors: Messina Gaetano , Modica Giuseppe
Published: November 2022

Given the importance of olive growing, especially in Mediterranean countries, it is crucial that there is a constant process of modernization aimed at both environmental sustainability and the maintenance of high standards of production. The use of remote sensing (RS) allows intervention in a specific and differentiated way in olive groves, depending on their variability, in managing different agronomic aspects. The potentialities of the application of RS in olive growing are topics of great agronomic interest to olive growers. Using the tools provided by RS and the modernization of the olive sector can bring great future prospects by reducing costs, optimizing agronomic management, and improving production quantity and quality. This article is part of a review that aims to cover the past, from the 2000s onwards, and the most recent applications of aerial RS in olive growing in order to be able to include research and all topics related to the use of RS on olive trees. As far as the use of RS platforms such as satellites, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as olive growing is concerned, a literature review showed the presence of several works devoted to this topic. This article covers purely agronomic matters of interest to olive farms (and related research that includes the application of RS), such as yielding and managing diseases and pests, and detection and counting of olive trees. In addition to these topics, there are other relevant aspects concerning the characterization of the canopy structure of olive trees which is particularly interesting for mechanized pruning management and phenotyping.
Adaptive Modulation and Coding for Underwater Acoustic Communications Based on Data-Driven Learning Algorithm
Authors: Jing Lianyou , Dong Chaofan , He Chengbing , Shi Wentao , Yin Hongxi
Published: November 2022

With the development of the underwater acoustic (UWA) adaptive communication system, energy-efficient transmission has become a critical topic in underwater acoustic (UWA) communications. Due to the unique characteristics of the underwater environment, the transmitter node will almost always have outdated channel state information (CSI), which results in low energy efficiency. In this paper, we take full advantage of bidirectional links and propose an adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) scheme that aims to maximize the long-term energy efficiency of a single link by jointly scheduling the coding rate, modulation order, and transmission power. Considering the complexity characteristics of UWA channels, we proposed a bit error ratio (BER) estimation method based on deep neural networks (DNN). The proposed network could realize channel estimation, feature extraction, and BER estimation by using a fixed pilot of the feedback link. Then, we design a channel classification method based on the estimated BERs of the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and further model the UWA channels as a finite-state Markov chain (FSMC) with an unknown transition probability. Thus, we formulate the AMC problem as a Markov Decision Process (MDP) and solve it through a reinforcement learning framework. Considering the large state-action pairs, a double deep Q-network (DDQN) based scheme is proposed. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed AMC scheme outperforms the fixed MCS with a perfect channel information state, and achieves near-optimal energy efficiency.
Estimating All-Weather Surface Longwave Radiation from Satellite Passive Microwave Data
Authors: Jiao Zhonghu
Published: November 2022

Surface longwave radiation (SLR) is an essential geophysical parameter of Earth’s energy balance, and its estimation based on thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing data has been extensively studied. However, it is difficult to estimate cloudy SLR from TIR measurements. Satellite passive microwave (PMW) radiometers measure microwave radiation under the clouds and therefore can estimate SLR in all weather conditions. We constructed SLR retrieval models using brightness temperature (BT) data from an Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) based on a neural network (NN) algorithm. SLR from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) product was used as the reference. NN-based models were able to reproduce well the spatial variability of SLR from ERA5 at the global scale. Validations indicate a reasonably good performance was found for land sites, with a bias of 1.32 W/m2, root mean squared error (RMSE) of 35.37 W/m2, and coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.89 for AMSR2 surface upward longwave radiation (SULR) data, and a bias of −2.26 W/m2, RMSE of 32.94 W/m2, and R2 of 0.82 for AMSR2 surface downward longwave radiation (SDLR) data. AMSR2 SULR and SDLR retrieval accuracies were higher for oceanic sites, with biases of −2.98 and −4.04 W/m2, RMSEs of 6.50 and 13.42 W/m2, and R2 values of 0.83 and 0.66, respectively. This study provides a solid foundation for the development of a PMW SLR retrieval model applicable at the global scale to generate long-term continuous SLR products using multi-year satellite PMW data and for future research with a higher spatiotemporal resolution.
The Effects of Digital Leadership and ESG Management on Organizational Innovation and Sustainability
Authors: Niu SiJian , Park Byung Il , Jung Jin Sup
Published: November 2022

Companies around the world have recognized that environmental issues and social values constitute some of the most important management concerns and have actively introduced environmental, social, and governance management (ESG management, ESGM). In the digital age, an attempt is also often made to incorporate digital transformation into ESGM. However, research on the combination of digital leadership, ESGM, and organizational innovation is still in its early stages. Therefore, in this study, a research model was constructed by combining ESGM and organizational innovation (OI) from the perspective of digital leadership (DL). Specifically, for achieving organizational sustainability (OS), the mediating effect of two variables—ESGM and organizational innovation—was also explored, and empirical analysis was conducted on Korean and Chinese companies. We took into consideration the premise that the impact of digital leadership, ESGM, and organizational innovation on organizational sustainability could be different due to the differences in the cultures and systems of the two countries. For empirical analysis, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used. The results showed that digital leadership in both countries had a significant effect on ESGM and organizational innovation. Specifically, both digital leadership and ESGM together with organizational innovation played an important role in organizational sustainability in the entire model. However, between digital leadership and organizational sustainability, the mediating effect of ESGM and organizational innovation was different, viz., Korea had partial mediating effects and China had complete mediating effects. It is expected that this study would fill the research gap in the area of digital leadership in ESGM and contribute to the implementation of corporate ESGM strategies and organizational innovation. Furthermore, valuable implications for organizational sustainability and the sustainable growth of companies are also presented.
Impacts of Mechanized Crop Residue Management on Rice-Wheat Cropping System—A Review
Authors: Korav Santosh , Rajanna Gandhamanagenahalli A. , Yadav Dharam Bir , Paramesha Venkatesh , Mehta Chandra Mohan , Jha Prakash Kumar , Singh Surendra , Singh Shikha
Published: November 2022

Residue management has become a new challenge for Indian agriculture and agricultural growth, as well as environmental preservation. The rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) is predominantly followed cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP), resulting in generating a large volume of agricultural residue. Annually, India produces 620 MT of crop residue, with rice and wheat accounting for 234 MT of the surplus and 30% of the total. Farmers are resorting to burning crop residue due to the short window between paddy harvest and seeding of rabi season crops, namely wheat, potato, and vegetables, for speedy field preparation. Burning of residues pollutes the environment, thus having adverse effects on human and animal health, as well as resulted in a loss of plant important elements. This problem is particularly prevalent in rice-wheat-dominant states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. If we may use in situ management as residue retention after chopper and spreader, sowing wheat with Happy seeder/zero drill/special drill with full residue load, full residue, or full residue load incorporation with conventional tillage, burning is not the sole approach for residue management. In addition, off-farm residues generated are being utilized for animal feed and raw materials for industries. While there are regional variations in many mechanization drivers and needs, a wide range of mechanization components can be transported to new places to fit local conditions. This article focuses on innovations, methods, and tactics that are relevant to various mechanization systems in particular geographical areas. This article also stresses the need for a thorough analysis of the amount of residue generated, residue utilization using modern mechanical equipment, and their positive and negative effects on crop yield and yield attributes, weed diversity, soil physic-chemical, biological properties, beneficial, and harmful nematode populations in the IGP, which will aid researchers and policymakers in farming research priorities and policy for ensuring sustainability in RWCS.
Does Green Investment Improve the Comprehensive Performance of Enterprises? A Study on Large and Medium-Sized Steel Enterprises in China
Authors: Sun Yiwan , Yang Fan
Published: November 2022

In recent years, enterprise green investment is becoming more and more important for improving enterprise environment and promoting enterprise development. Combined with the measurement of slack (SBM) model and the “super efficiency” model, based on the panel data of China’s large and medium-sized steel enterprises from 2009 to 2020, this paper uses the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method to construct a corresponding model to evaluate the comprehensive performance of enterprises, and further studies the impact of enterprise green investment on the comprehensive performance. The results show that: (1) Enterprise green investment has a significant positive effect on enterprise comprehensive performance; (2) Government supervision has a significant positive effect on enterprise comprehensive performance, and the influence of enterprise green investment on comprehensive performance is negatively regulated by government supervision; (3) Enterprise green investment has a heterogeneous effect in promoting comprehensive performance. In terms of scale, the promotion effect is more significant on large enterprises than medium-sized enterprises. In terms of ownership, the green investment of state-owned enterprises has no significant effect on comprehensive performance, while the green investment of private enterprises has a significant effect on the comprehensive performance. In terms of region, green investment has no significant effect on the comprehensive performance in eastern China while the green investment in the center of China and western China has a significant role in promoting comprehensive performance. The most important implication of this study is that enterprise green investment is an effective way to achieve comprehensive green transformation of enterprises.
Synthesizing the Attributes of Computer-Based Error Analysis for ESL and EFL Learning: A Scoping Review
Authors: Mariappan Rajati , Tan Kim Hua , Yang Jiaming , Chen Jian , Chang Peng Kee
Published: November 2022

An error analysis (EA) is the process of determining the incidence, nature, causes, and consequences of unsuccessful language acquisition. Traditional EA for English as a second language/English as a foreign language technique lacks an orderly investigation due to human errors. Consequently, computer-based error analysis (CBEA) was introduced into EA in linguistics to achieve accuracy and instant analysis. Although many studies have concluded that CBEA holds numerous strengths, other studies have found that CBEA has certain limitations. However, the strengths and limitations of the CBEA were not clearly synthesized and outlined. Accordingly, this review aims to explore the strengths and limitations of CBEA to provide areas for improvement of computer applications toward an efficient EA procedure. This work also aims to synthesize the strengths and limitations of CBEA mentioned in a variety of articles into a single review to sustain its efficiency and serve as a guide for teachers to benefit from the strengths and gain awareness of CBEA’s limitations. Stakeholders can access broader perspectives on developing application software capable of addressing the deficiencies in EA. By doing so, we can sustain CBEA’s efficiency for the benefit of all. For this purpose, Arksey and O’Malley’s procedure of a scoping review and the PRISMA framework were adopted to guide the filtering and selection of relevant previous studies. Sixty-two articles were selected through the processes of identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. Although the findings showed six strengths and seven limitations of CBEA, CBEA can only perform the diagnostic part of EA. Human intervention is still required to perform the prognostic part to accomplish an efficient EA.
Logistic Network Construction and Economic Linkage Development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: An Analysis Based on Spatial Perspective
Authors: Tao Yi , Wang Shihang , Wu Jiang , Zhao Mingsong , Yang Zhen
Published: November 2022

Regional logistic networks and linking urban clusters to boost high quality economic development are both key topics in sustainable development in China. In recent years, China has highlighted the significance of the logistics industry and urban cluster development, attaching practical importance to the connections between these two topics from a spatial perspective. This paper aims to discuss how regional logistic networks linking urban clusters improve economic development. This study constructs a logistic evaluation indicator system based on the multi-indicator data of 11 cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in 2020. This research employs the entropy-weighted-TOPSIS method to measure and rank the comprehensive logistics quality of each city in the economically linked logistic network of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This study applies the modified gravity model to explore the logistics linkage and logistic network characteristics of each city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Finally, this research analyzes how the agglomeration ability of the central cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area affects other cities from a spatial perspective. Furthermore, this spatial perspective investigates the agglomeration effect of the economic linkage logistic network through the social network analysis method. The results have the following three implications. (1) The logistic network has a high density, a stable overall structure with a strong agglomeration effect, and there is an increasingly mature logistic network development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the Bay Area. (2) Agglomeration is significant in the central cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area including Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Macao. Nonetheless, insufficient peripheral cities have been cultivated. Therefore, the government should focus on strengthening the balance of urban development in the bay area and improving the logistics access among cities to break through the barriers of regional synergistic development. (3) The economic development of cities is highly correlated with the level of logistics links. Additionally, the economy is the cornerstone to promoting the high-quality development of the logistics industry. Moreover, the economy and logistics are inseparable, mutually promoted, and developed together.
The Tourism Eco-Efficiency Measurement and Its Influencing Factors in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhan Ying , Yin Ruiyang , Yuan Xunbo
Published: November 2022

Tourism eco-efficiency is an essential indicator to measure the level of green and sustainable development of tourism. Based on the data of nine provinces in the Yellow River Basin, from 2011 to 2020, this article estimates the changes in tourism eco-efficiency in the Yellow River Basin and explores its internal drivers by establishing multiple input-output index systems using the Global Malmquist-Luenberger (GML) index method. Finally, a panel stochastic Tobit model was applied to identify the key external drivers of its eco-efficiency improvement. The analysis shows that with the continuous promotion of the Yellow River Basin’s high-quality development strategy and ecological civilization construction, the tourism eco-efficiency of the Yellow River Basin provinces has been improved in the past decade. Due to the obvious ecological advantages in the upper reaches of the Yellow River Basin and the high level of tourism promotion and economic development in the lower reaches, tourism ecological efficiency in the upstream and downstream areas is commonly higher than in the midstream areas. The improvement of efficiency is the internal core driver of regional tourism eco-efficiency, but the essence of eco-efficiency improvement lies in technological progress. In the analysis of the impact of external drivers on tourism eco-efficiency, tourism economy scale, tourism industry structure, technological innovation, and economic development are the crucial external factors to eco-efficiency enhancement. This work can serve as a guide for the high-level growth of regional tourism industry.
The Effect of Course Characteristics and Self-Efficacy on Practical Training Course Satisfaction: Moderating Effect of the Perceived Usefulness of Wisdom Teaching
Authors: He Zhihua , Yang Shuhui , Liu Yong , Yin Liang , Li Zhigang , Weng Qunying
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore how course characteristics and self-efficacy affect the inter-professional comprehensive practical training course satisfaction and to explore the moderating effect of the perceived usefulness of wisdom teaching. We recruited 190 senior students from four majors who participated in the inter-professional comprehensive practical training course to participate in the questionnaire survey. We adopted the partial least squares (PLS) method to analyze the measurement model and structural model. The results show that, on the one hand, learning attitude is the direct antecedent that positively affects the inter-professional comprehensive practical training course satisfaction, and both course characteristics and self-efficacy indirectly affect course satisfaction through the learning attitude. On the other hand, the perceived usefulness of wisdom teaching significantly enhanced the relationship between learning attitude and course satisfaction. This paper provides an empirical basis to improve the satisfaction of the inter-professional comprehensive practical training course.
Accounting for Expansive Soil Movement in Geotechnical Design—A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Devkota Bikash , Karim Md Rajibul , Rahman Md Mizanur , Nguyen Hoang Bao Khoi
Published: November 2022

Lightweight structures built on expansive soils are susceptible to damage caused by soil movement. Financial losses resulting from the improper design of structures on expansive soils can be significant. The interactions and failure mechanisms of different geotechnical structures constructed on such soils differ depending on the structure type, site characteristics, and climatic conditions, as the behaviour of expansive soils is influenced by moisture variations. Therefore, the performance of different geotechnical structures (e.g., lightweight footings for residential buildings) is expected to be adversely affected by climate change (especially rainfall and temperature change), as geotechnical structures are often designed to have a service life of 50–100 years. Some structures may even fail if the effect of climate change is not considered in the present design. This review aims to provide insights into problems associated with expansive soils that trigger the failure of lightweight structures, including current investigations and industry practices. This review recognises that although the soil moisture conditions govern expansive soil behaviour, limited studies have incorporated the effect of future climate changes. In addition, this review identifies the need to improve the current Australian design practice for residential footings through the inclusion of more site-specific investigations and expected climate changes.
Spatio-Temporal Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Urban Spatial Quality in Northeast China Based on DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS Nighttime Light Data
Authors: Liu Hang , Chen Xiaohong , Wang Ying , Xu Xiaoqing , Zhang Mingxuan
Published: November 2022

The quality of urban spaces is a pivotal part of high-quality spatial development. It is directly connected to the comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development of a region. In recent years, Northeast China has characterized urban space contraction and development. To study the quality of urban space in Northeast China, this paper fitted the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP-VIIRS) nighttime light data with 11 indicators related to high-quality urban development for the period 1992–2018. The feasibility of nighttime light data reflecting urban spatial quality was verified by a linear equation, and the temporal characteristics of urban spatial quality in Northeast China were obtained. The Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (ESDA-GTWR) explores the spatial relevance and possible influencing factors of this kind of development. The results suggest that the overall trend of spatial quality in the three northeastern provinces is “initial slow growth and significantly weakened after”. The fast developing cities include Panjin, Liaoyang, Shenyang, and Dalian in the Liaoning Province. On the other hand, cities such as Heihe and Yichun in the Heilongjiang Province have relatively slow development speeds. Furthermore, the spatial quality development in the three northeastern provinces exhibits a trend of continuous concentration. The cities with high spatial qualities are concentrated near the Liaoning Province, with low spatial qualities in the north and high spatial qualities in the southern parts of the three provinces. As there is a notable gap between the northern and the southern regions, the central region represents an area in partial transition. The spatial quality of each city in the three northeastern provinces is the result of a number of intertwined factors, with significant differences in the degree of their influence. The significant degree of influence factors on spatial quality from higher to lower is urbanization, quality of life, rural revitalization, government promotion, and infrastructure.
AR Search Engine: Semantic Information Retrieval for Augmented Reality Domain
Authors: Shakeri Maryam , Sadeghi-Niaraki Abolghasem , Choi Soo-Mi , AbuHmed Tamer
Published: November 2022

With the emergence of the metaverse, the popularity of augmented reality (AR) is increasing; accessing concise, accurate, and precise information in this field is becoming challenging on the world wide web. In regard to accessing the right information through search engines, semantic information retrieval via a semantic analysis delivers more relevant information pertaining to the user’s query. However, there is insufficient research on developing semantic information retrieval methods in the AR domain that ranks and clusters AR-based search results in a fair fashion. This paper develops an AR search engine that automatically organizes, understands, searches, and summarizes web documents to enhance the relevancy scores in AR domains. The engine enables users to organize and manage relevant AR documents in various AR concepts and efficiently discover more accurate results in terms of relevancy in the AR field. First, we propose an AR ontology for clustering AR documents into AR topics and concepts. Second, we developed an ontology-based clustering method using the k-means clustering algorithm, vector space model, and term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) weighting model with ontology to explore and cluster the AR documents. Third, an experiment was designed to evaluate the proposed AR search engine and compare it with the custom search engine in the AR domains. The results showed that the AR search engine accessed the right information about 42.33% faster and with a 34% better ranking.
A Highly Accurate Mathematical Model for Analyzing Modular Multilevel Converters in Transformer-Less Applications
Authors: Liu Jinshuo , Xu Wenhua , Xu Tao
Published: November 2022

Transformer-less connection schemes can provide a feasible solution for lowering the economic cost, occupied space, and device weight of modular multilevel converter (MMC) systems. However, due to the reduction in the converter transformer, the current flow loop is changed; as a result, the existing MMC model is not suitable. In this paper, the ac- and dc-side equivalent circuit models of the MMC system using a transformer-less connection scheme are established in both a–b–c stationary and d–q rotating coordinate systems. Then, a highly accurate mathematical analysis model is proposed, in which the interactions among the electrical quantities can be fully seen. The mathematical model is established in the time domain, and hence the amplitude and phase angle of every harmonic component in each quantity can be directly obtained. The proposed model is verified under various typical situations by comparing the calculated values with the actual waveforms. The comparison results prove that the calculation error is small enough to be negligible. The mathematical model in this paper can provide a powerful tool in terms of the performance analysis and the main circuit parameter design for MMCs in transformer-less applications.
Simulation Analysis of Signal Conditioning Circuits for Plants’ Electrical Signals
Authors: Carneiro Mirella , Oliveira Victor , Oliveira Fernanda , Teixeira Marco , Pinto Milena
Published: November 2022

Electrical signals are generated and transmitted through plants in response to stimuli caused by external environment factors, such as touching, luminosity, and leaf burning. By analyzing a specific plant’s electrical responses, it is possible to interpret the impact of external aspects in the plasma membrane potential and, thus, determine the cause of the electrical signal. Moreover, these signals permit the whole plant structure to be informed almost instantaneously. This work presents a brief discussion of plants electrophysiology theory and low-cost signal conditioning circuits, which are necessary for the acquisition of plants’ electrical signals. Two signal conditioning circuits, which must be chosen depending on the signal to be measured, are explained in detail and electrical simulation results, performed in OrCAD Capture Software are presented. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulations were performed to evaluate the impact of components variations on the accuracy and efficiency of the signal conditioning circuits. Those simulations showed that, even after possible component variations, the filters’ cut-off frequencies had at most 4% variation from the mean.
Effects of Pesticides on the Survival of Shredder Nectopsyche sp. (Trichoptera) and Leaf Decomposition Rates in Tropical Andes: A Microcosm Approach
Authors: Villamarín Christian , Cañedo-Argüelles Miguel , Carvajal-Rebolledo Constanza , Ríos-Touma Blanca
Published: November 2022

Andean streams are becoming increasingly impacted by agricultural activities. However, the potential effects of pesticides on their aquatic biodiversity remain unassessed. In order to address this knowledge gap, we conducted an experiment over 37 days in microcosms to assess the effect of two pesticides commonly used in Ecuador (Engeo and Chlorpyrifos) on the aquatic insect Nectopsyche sp. (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) at 0, 0.10, 5 and 10 μg L−1 concentrations. The highest concentration corresponds to the maximum concentration allowed by the Equatorian legislation. We assessed insect mortality every 24 h, with leaf litter decomposition rates of organic matter determined by deploying Andean alder (Alnus acuminata) dry leaf packs in the microcosms. We found significant mortality of Nectopsyche sp. at high concentrations of Chlorpyrifos, whereas leaf litter was not significantly affected by any of the treatments. We conclude that the environmental legislation of Ecuador might not be fully protecting aquatic biodiversity from pesticide pollution. Further studies are needed, especially when considering that the maximum permitted concentration is very likely exceeded in many areas of the country. We also suggest that the maximum permissible values should be reviewed, considering each pesticide individually.
Genetic Characterization of African Swine Fever Virus from Pig Farms in South Korea during Outbreaks in 2019–2021
Authors: Cho Ki-Hyun , Kim Da-Young , Jang Min-Kyung , Hong Seong-Keun , Ryu Ji-Hyoung , Kang Hae-Eun , Park Jee-Yong
Published: November 2022

In South Korea, a total of 21 African swine fever (ASF) infected farms were confirmed during 2019–2021. ASF viruses (ASFVs) were isolated from the blood and spleen samples of the 21 affected farms and their genetic characteristics were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the 21 Korean ASFV strains belonged to p72 genotype II and serogroup 8. All isolates were of the intergenic region (IGR) II variant with 10 tandem repeat sequences between I73R and I329L and the central variable region (CVR) 1 variant of the B602L gene. There were no IGR variations between the A179L and A137R and between the MGF 505 9R and10R nor mutations in the O174L, K145R, MGF 505-5R, CP204L, and Bt/Sj regions. The genes of the 21 ASFV strains were identical to those of Georgia 2007/1 and Chinese and Vietnamese strains (Pig/HLJ/2018, China/2018/AnhuiXCGQ, and ASFV_NgheAn_2019); however, X69R of the J268L region of the 18th isolate (Korea/Pig/Goseong/2021) had three nucleotide (CTA) insertions at the 209th position, which led to the addition of one tyrosine (Y) at the C-terminal. This suggests that there are variations among ASFVs circulating in South Korea and the 18th ASFV-infected farm was due to a variant different from those of the other 20 pig farms.
Understanding Parental Attitudes toward Vaccination: Comparative Assessment of a New Tool and Its Trial on a Representative Sample in Hungary
Authors: Gács Zsófia , Koltai Júlia
Published: November 2022

Background: Last year’s epidemic experience proved that measurement of vaccine hesitancy is undeniably important. Existing methods for measuring this propensity are still either too specific, concerning a single vaccine, or only describe the general attitude towards vaccination. When a specific, but previously unknown infection and vaccine (such as SARS-CoV2) appear, these limitations are meaningful. Methods: Based on a method used to identify social prejudice, we created a new tool to assess vaccine hesitancy assessment and to study parental attitudes toward existing and non-existing (‘Piresian’) vaccines. After validating it with traditional tools for the measurement of vaccine hesitancy, we used the new tool for the demographic characterisation of different vaccine hesitant parent groups in Hungary. The data collected in 2017 on 430 parents, sorted by type of settlement and by geographic region, are representative of Hungarian households with children aged 0 to 18 years. Results: Our results show that attitudes towards a non-existing (‘Piresian’) vaccine have strong correlations with those towards existing vaccines (p < 0.001). No gender differences in vaccine hesitancy were found using either method. Notably, rejection was significantly higher among parents with low educational levels. Conclusion: The Piresian measurement of vaccine hesitancy offers a simple way to detect vaccine-hesitant groups, reliably quantitating vaccine hesitancy as measured for real vaccinations.
Research on Sea Spray Distribution of Marine Vessels Based on SPH-FEM Coupling Numerical Simulation Method
Authors: Chen Jiajing , Bai Xu , Wang Jialu , Chen Guanyu , Zhang Tao
Published: November 2022

Due to the effect of the maritime environment and low temperature factor, ice phenomena are easily produced while a ship is sailing in a polar location. Types of ice accumulation include sea spray icing, which accounts for 90% of all ice accumulation, and, therefore, sea spray generation is a crucial step in ice accumulation prediction research. In order to investigate the phenomenon of ice formation on ships, this paper uses the SPH-FEM (Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics-Finite Element) coupling approach in this paper, and tracks the data pertaining to the wave current particles by simulating the impact of a single wave on the ship hull under the wave height standard of various sea conditions. Following the numerical simulation, it was discovered that when the sea state reaches five levels, the waves will produce marine sea spray on the simulated hull and distribute them in an arc on both sides of the hull; the phenomenon is influenced by the sea state level, meaning that the arc becomes more obvious as the sea state level rises. Furthermore, the number of sea spray particles formed in different sea state levels accounts for about 9–13% of the range of individual waves, and the rest of the sea spray particles will flow back to the surface quickly after passing through the hull.
Seismic Safety Assessment of Arch Dams Using an ETA-Based Method with Control of Tensile and Compressive Damage
Authors: Alegre André , Oliveira Sérgio , Mendes Paulo , Proença Jorge , Ramos Rafael , Carvalho Ezequiel
Published: November 2022

The seismic safety assessment of large concrete dams remains a significant challenge in dam engineering, as it requires appropriate analysis methods, modern performance criteria, and advanced numerical models to simulate the dam seismic behavior. This paper presents a method for seismic safety assessment of arch dams based on Endurance Time Analysis (ETA), using tensile and compressive damage results from a robust formulation for seismic analysis considering joint opening/sliding and concrete non-linear behavior (finite element program DamDySSA, under development in LNEC). The seismic performance is evaluated by controlling the evolution of the damage state of the dam, according to predefined performance criteria, to estimate acceleration endurance limits for tensile and compressive damage. These acceleration limits are compared, respectively, with the peak ground accelerations prescribed for the Operating Basis Earthquake (OBE) and Safety Evaluation Earthquake (SEE), aiming to evaluate the dam seismic performance relative to both earthquake levels efficiently, using a single intensifying acceleration time history. The ETA-based method is applied to the cases of Cabril Dam (132 m-high) and Cahora Bassa Dam (170 m-high), confirming its usefulness for future seismic safety studies, while the potential of DamDySSA for non-linear seismic analysis of arch dams is highlighted.
Reconstrução de polegar utilizando o segundo pododáctilo
Authors: Filho José Isnack Ponte de Alencar , Júnior José Alberto Guilherme Frota , Lima Maria de Fátima de Brito Coutinho Nogueira , Cardoso Guilherme Pinho , Filho Aluísio Kennedy de Sousa , Gomes Larissa Eleutério , Muniz Vitor de Vasconcellos , Alcântara Fernando Soares de , Pessoa Salustiano Gomes de Pinho
Published: November 2022

Introdução: O polegar permite uma grande amplitude de movimentos essenciais para as atividades cotidianas. Portanto, a amputação traumática do primeiro quirodáctilo provoca um significativo comprometimento estético e funcional. Nesses casos, a reconstrução do polegar utilizando dedo do pé constitui-se como opção terapêutica, devendo-se avaliar cada caso individualmente. Objetivos: Descrever e avaliar as técnicas cirúrgicas realizadas em dois pacientes com transferência do segundo pododáctilo para a mão devido à amputação traumática. Caso clínico: Dois pacientes do sexo masculino foram submetidos a cirurgias de reconstrução do polegar com transferência do segundo pododáctilo para a mão numa clínica privada localizada na cidade de Fortaleza – Ceará. O primeiro paciente teve amputação total, inclusive do metacarpo, já o segundo teve amputação de falange média e distal. Em ambos os casos, utilizou-se o segundo pododáctilo para a reconstrução do polegar. No pós-operatório tardio, os pacientes evoluíram estética e funcionalmente bem. Considerações finais:  O transplante de dedos do pé para a mão, em casos de trauma, como a amputação do polegar, apesar da sua complexidade e dos riscos de complicações, apresenta resultados estéticos e funcionais favoráveis ao paciente.
Surto de enterocolite necrosante em unidade neonatal na pandemia de COVID-19 e os fatores de risco associados
Authors: Laranjeira Patrícia Fabiane Monteiro , Barbosa Beatriz Guerra de Holanda , Santos Paula Corado Carneiro dos , Amorim Gabriel Monteiro , Santana Alyce Luisa Mendonça de , Damacena Roney da Silva
Published: November 2022

Em meio à pandemia da COVID-19, mudanças nas práticas assistenciais podem aumentar as infecções e os casos de enterocolite necrosante, doença grave de origem multifatorial, que atinge o trato gastrointestinal do recém-nascido prematuro. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a etiologia do surto de enterocolite necrosante na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal de uma maternidade pública de referência durante a pandemia do Covid-19, analisando os principais fatores de risco envolvidos. O presente artigo é retrospectivo, observacional e descritivo, baseado na coleta e análise de dados dos prontuários. A população do estudo foi constituída por recém-nascidos prematuros diagnosticados com enterocolite necrosante nos meses de março e abril de 2021. Em 30 dias, 10 neonatos tiveram diagnóstico de enterocolite necrosante, entre eles 1 recém-nascido a termo e 9 pré-termos. Desses, 3 neonatos foram excluídos, devido à falta de dados nos prontuários, totalizando 7 participantes na população estudada. Tal população englobou prematuros de 25 a 33 semanas de idade gestacional, com peso de nascimento de 670 a 1965 g. Com a diminuição dos estoques de leite humano e impossibilidade de ordenha à beira leito, em decorrência das mudanças estruturais e das práticas assistenciais pela pandemia do Covid 19, 100% (7) dos recém-nascidos receberam leite materno pasteurizado complementado com fórmula láctea. Observamos que os fatores ambientais e as práticas alimentares alteradas pela falta do leite humano combinados com a susceptibilidade dos recém-nascidos contribuíram para aumentar os riscos do desenvolvimento da doença e ocorrência do surto na unidade.
The Implementation of TEYL in Indonesia Revisited: A Study at Primary Schools in Bandung
Authors: Suwanto Slamet , Rahman Fadhlur
Published: November 2022

This study explored Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL) implementation in elementary schools in Bandung, Indonesia. Surveys, interviews, observation, and document analysis were used to obtain data. The survey was distributed to 30 TEYL teachers from 30 schools within the region. Interviews were conducted with four teachers from four different schools. The data were triangulated and descriptively examined to assess TEYL in primary schools. The findings showed a mismatch between the government's policy on English instruction in primary schools and TEYL's implementation. In the 30 schools investigated, English was taught as local content in 21 schools (70%) and extracurricular in 7 schools (23%). Meanwhile, only 2 schools (7%) did not conduct English in their teaching-learning process. Due to the lack of government supervision, teachers are free to construct their own TEYL course content. According to the interviews, adopting TEYL is challenging due to varying teacher abilities and the availability of school’s infrastructure. The discussion suggests some recommendations on how to utilize the TEYL curriculum in Indonesian's primary schools effectively.
A Posthumanist Reading of ‘The Sphinx’ and ‘Mesmeric Revelation’
Authors: Wang Quan
Published: November 2022

This article proposes a new reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s two short stories ‘The Sphinx’ and ‘Mesmeric Revelation’. The moth/monster conversation in ‘The Sphinx’ dramatizes Poe’s speculation of the world. The monster-like cosmos is mysterious and elusive, however human beings endeavor to contain and stabilize it into the hierarchy of human knowledge. ‘Mesmeric Revelation’ goes beyond the surface stability and unearths a hidden world of becoming. This process also marks a progression from anthropocentrism to posthumanism. In this posthumanist world, the decentering of human beings enables the equality of multiple species and their harmonious symbiosis. Poe’s hypothetical world of particles further consolidates this posthumanist reading: all things originate from indivisible particles, and particles are in a constant process of becoming and coalescing, capable of infinite potentialities. Once the particles are perceived by human organs, they will configurate into reality in accord with human idiosyncrasy. ‘The Sphinx’ accentuates the scientific aspects of moth/monster, and ‘Mesmeric Revelation’ highlights the mysterious dimensions of the issue; together they outline the obscure path from anthropocentrism to posthumanism in Poe’s epistemology.
APLIKASI REGRESI LOGISTIK BERGANDA PADA KASUS FAKTOR PENYEBAB STUNTING (STUDI KASUS : PUSKESMAS EIMADAKE, KABUPATEN SABU RAIJUA)
Authors: Lapenangga Febrianti , Ginting Keristina Br.
Published: November 2022

Stunting adalah bentuk atau kondisi tumbuh kembang anak yang terganggu atau terhambat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi seorang anak dapat menderita stunting dan untuk melihat model dari faktor-faktor yang berpengaruh secara signifikan dengan menggunakan metode Analisis Linear Logistik Berganda. Dari sebelas variabel yang sudah ditentukan untuk penelitian, hanya terdapat lima variabel saja yang berpengaruh secara signifikan. Variabel-variabel tersebut adalah pemberian ASI eksklusif, frekuensi makan, imunisasi, penyakit yang diderita, dan tinggi badan anak. Sedangkan variabel yang berpengaruh secara dominan adalah imunisasi. Karena imunisasi mempunyai nilai odd rasio yang paling besar.