bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Side Duct Position and Venting Position on the Explosion and Combustion Characteristics of Premixed Methane/Air
Authors: Cheng Junping , Hao Yongmei , Xing Zhixiang , Song Rui , Wu Fan , Zhuang Sunqi
Published: March 2024

In order to explore the influence of the side duct position and venting position on the premixed combustion and explosion characteristics of methane/air, a premixed combustion and explosion experiment of methane/air and a simulation of an explosion of the same size were carried out in a tube with an internal size of 2000 mm × 110 mm × 110 mm. The results showed that the side duct could change the flame structure and accelerate the flame inside the tube. The maximum increase ratio of the flame propagation speed was 106.1%. The side duct had a certain venting effect on the explosion pressure. For different position cases, when the venting film was placed over the bottom section, the maximum overpressure first decreased and then increased. When the venting film was placed over the middle section and the top section, the maximum overpressure first increased and then decreased, and the change trend of the top section was stronger. Turbulence mostly occurred inside the side duct when the venting film of the side duct ruptured. There is no linear relationship between the maximum flame propagation velocity within the tube and the maximum turbulent kinetic energy inside the side duct. The two had a relationship that could be fitted to the Gauss function; the correlation coefficient R2 was 0.836, and the minimum value was at (4767.72, 17.918), suggesting that the side duct had the best venting effect on the flame inside the duct at this maximum turbulent kinetic energy. The analysis results of the influence of the location of the vent on the maximum flame propagation velocity inside the tube are helpful for optimizing the layout design of the underground space, reducing the combustion efficiency, and ensuring the safety of the process.
Item Response Analysis of a Structured Mixture Item Response Model with mirt Package in R
Authors: Lee Minho , Suh Yon Soo , Jeon Minjeong
Published: March 2024

Structured mixture item response models (StrMixIRMs) are a special type of constrained confirmatory mixture item response theory (IRT) model for detecting latent performance differences in a measurement instrument by characteristic item groups, and classifying respondents according to these differences. In light of limited software options for estimating StrMixIRMs under existing frameworks, this paper proposes reparameterizing it as a confirmatory mixture IRT model using interaction effects between latent classes and item groups. The reparameterization allows for easier implementation of StrMixIRMs with multiple software programs that have mixture modeling capabilities, including open-source ones. This widens the accessibility to these models to a broad range of users and thus can facilitate research and applications of StrMixIRMs. This paper serves two main goals: First, we introduce StrMixIRMs, focusing on the proposed reparameterization based on interaction effects and its various extensions. Second, we illustrate use cases of this novel reparameterization within the mirt 1.41 package in R by employing two empirical datasets. Detailed R code with notes are provided for the applications along with an interpretation of the outputs.
Effects of the Construction of Granadilla Industrial Port in Seagrass and Seaweed Habitats Using Very-High-Resolution Multispectral Satellite Imagery
Authors: Mederos-Barrera Antonio , Sevilla José , Marcello Javier , Espinosa José María , Eugenio Francisco
Published: March 2024

Seagrass and seaweed meadows hold a very important role in coastal and marine ecosystems. However, anthropogenic impacts pose risks to these delicate habitats. This paper analyses the multitemporal impact of the construction of the largest industrial port in the Canary Islands, near the Special Area of Conservation Natura 2000, on Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows (sebadales) of the South of Tenerife, in the locality of Granadilla (Canary Islands, Spain). Very-high-resolution WorldView-2 multispectral satellite data were used for the analysis. Specifically, three images were selected before, during, and after the construction of the port (2011, 2014, and 2022, correspondingly). Initially, advanced pre-processing of the images was performed, and then seabed maps were obtained using the machine learning K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) supervised classification model, discriminating 12 different bottom types in Case-2 complex waters. The maps achieved high-quality metrics with Precision values of 85%, 81%, and 80%, recall of 76%, 77%, and 77%, and F1 scores of 80%, 79%, and 77% for 2011, 2014, and 2022, respectively. The results mainly show that the construction directly affected the seagrass and seaweed habitats. In particular, the impact of the port on the meadows of Cymodocea nodosa, Caulerpa prolifera, and maërl was assessed. The total maërl population was reduced by 1.9 km2 throughout the study area. However, the Cymodocea nodosa population was maintained at the cost of colonizing maërl areas. Furthermore, the port sedimented a total of 0.98 km2 of seabed, especially Cymodocea nodosa and maërl. In addition, it was observed that Caulerpa prolifera was established as a meadow at the entrance of the port, replacing part of the Cymodocea nodosa and maërl areas. As additional results, bathymetric maps were generated from satellite imagery with the Sigmoid model, and the presence of a submarine outfall was, as well, presented.
Underlying Topography Estimation over Forest Using Maximum a Posteriori Inversion with Spaceborne Polarimetric SAR Interferometry
Authors: Li Xiaoshuai , Lv Xiaolei , Huang Zenghui
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a method for extracting the digital elevation model (DEM) of forested areas from polarimetric interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PolInSAR) data. The method models the ground phase as a Von Mises distribution, with a mean of the topographic phase computed from an external DEM. By combining the prior distribution of the ground phase with the complex Wishart distribution of the observation covariance matrix, we derive the maximum a posterior (MAP) inversion method based on the RVoG model and analyze its Cramer–Rao Lower Bound (CRLB). Furthermore, considering the characteristics of the objective function, this paper introduces a Four-Step Optimization (FSO) method based on gradient optimization, which solves the inefficiency problem caused by exhaustive search in solving ground phase using the MAP method. The method is validated using spaceborne L-band repeat-pass SAOCOM data from a test forest area. The test results for FSO indicate that it is approximately 5.6 times faster than traditional methods without compromising accuracy. Simultaneously, the experimental results demonstrate that the method effectively solves the problem of elevation jumps in DEM inversion when modeling the ground phase with the Gaussian distribution. ICESAT-2 data are used to evaluate the accuracy of the inverted DEM, revealing that our method improves the root mean square error (RMSE) by about 23.6% compared to the traditional methods.
Simulation and On-Site Detection of the Failure Characteristics of Overlying Strata under the Mining Disturbance of Coal Seams with Thin Bedrock and Thick Alluvium
Authors: Zhang Qunlei , Guo Jianping , Lu Xiaowei , Ding Kunpeng , Yuan Ruifu , Wang Decai
Published: March 2024

When mining deep coal seams with thin bedrock and thick alluvium, the collapse and fracture of thin bedrock layers may cause geological disasters, such as water inrush and sand inrush of the mining face. Comprehensively obtaining the response data of coal mining and reasonably analyzing the failure characteristics of overlying strata are helpful in guiding safe production. In this study, the caving zone heights of overlying strata are obtained by field detection during layered mining. Then, the caving zone heights during the once-full-height mining are evaluated by theoretical analysis. Further, the force and failure characteristics of coal–rock structures under different mining conditions are compared by the simulation detection and analysis. Finally, the results of on-site observation, theoretical analysis, and simulation detection are compared and discussed, and an optimized mining technology is proposed to ensure safe mining. The research shows the caving zone heights of on-site and simulation detections are, respectively, 14.65 m and 13.5 m during bottom-layer mining, which is larger than the caving zone heights of the top-layer coal mining. During once-full-height mining, the maximum caving zone height of simulation detection is 21 m, which is in between two standard results. For the mechanical responses of an aquiclude clay layer under thick loose alluvium, the maximum disturbance displacement of clay aquiclude is 5.8 m during layered mining, which is slightly larger than the disturbance displacement of once full-height mining; however, the maximum stress of the clay layer is 25 MPa during once-full-height mining, which is larger than the maximum stress of clay layer during layered mining. For the clay aquiclude failure, the clay layer during layered mining is in the deflection deformation area, and there is no obvious fracture structure to inrush the water and sand of thick loose alluvium; however, the clay layer during once-full-height mining is prone to produce obvious fracture structure. Therefore, the layered mining technology can effectively reduce and prevent the water/sand inrush disaster of mining working face.
Algorithms for Liver Segmentation in Computed Tomography Scans: A Historical Perspective
Authors: Niño Stephanie Batista , Bernardino Jorge , Domingues Inês
Published: March 2024

Oncology has emerged as a crucial field of study in the domain of medicine. Computed tomography has gained widespread adoption as a radiological modality for the identification and characterisation of pathologies, particularly in oncology, enabling precise identification of affected organs and tissues. However, achieving accurate liver segmentation in computed tomography scans remains a challenge due to the presence of artefacts and the varying densities of soft tissues and adjacent organs. This paper compares artificial intelligence algorithms and traditional medical image processing techniques to assist radiologists in liver segmentation in computed tomography scans and evaluates their accuracy and efficiency. Despite notable progress in the field, the limited availability of public datasets remains a significant barrier to broad participation in research studies and replication of methodologies. Future directions should focus on increasing the accessibility of public datasets, establishing standardised evaluation metrics, and advancing the development of three-dimensional segmentation techniques. In addition, maintaining a collaborative relationship between technological advances and medical expertise is essential to ensure that these innovations not only achieve technical accuracy, but also remain aligned with clinical needs and realities. This synergy ensures their applicability and effectiveness in real-world healthcare environments.
Optimization of the Semi-Active-Suspension Control of BP Neural Network PID Based on the Sparrow Search Algorithm
Authors: Li Mei , Xu Jie , Wang Zelong , Liu Shuaihang
Published: March 2024

Electric vehicles with hub motors have integrated the motor into the wheel, which increase the unsprung mass of the vehicle, and intensifies the vibration of the underspring components. The motor excitation during driving also intensifies the wheel vibration. The coupling effect between the two makes the performance of electric vehicles deteriorate. The article employed a disc-type permanent-magnet motor as the hub motor, taking into consideration the increase in sprung mass caused by the hub motor and the adverse effects of vertical vibration from motor excitation. Based on random road-surface excitation, and considering the secondary excitation caused by wheel motor drive and vehicle-road coupling, a coupled-dynamics model of a semi-active-suspension vehicle-road system for vertical vehicle motion is investigated under multiple excitations. Using body acceleration, suspension deflection, and dynamic tire load as evaluation indicators, a BP neural network PID controller based on the sparrow search algorithm optimization is proposed for the semi-active-suspension system. Compared with PID control and particle swarm optimization (PSO-BPNN-PID), the research findings indicate that the optimized semi-active suspension significantly improves the ride comfort of hub-motor electric vehicles, and meets the requirements for control performance under different vehicle driving conditions.
A Review of the Use of Gaze and Pupil Metrics to Assess Mental Workload in Gamified and Simulated Sensorimotor Tasks
Authors: Gorin Holly , Patel Jigna , Qiu Qinyin , Merians Alma , Adamovich Sergei , Fluet Gerard
Published: March 2024

Gaze and pupil metrics are used to represent higher cognitive processes in a variety of contexts. One growing area of research is the real-time assessment of workload and corresponding effort in gamified or simulated cognitive and motor tasks, which will be reviewed in this paper. While some measurements are consistent across studies, others vary and are likely dependent on the nature of the effort required by the task and the resulting changes in arousal. Pupil diameter is shown to consistently increase with task effort and arousal; however, the valence of arousal must be considered. In many cases, measures of pupil diameter were sensitive to both excessive and insufficient challenge. Overall, it is evident that gaze and pupil metrics are valuable to assess the cognitive state during gamified and simulated tasks, and further research is indicated regarding their use in clinical populations in rehabilitation to inform optimally engaging interventions.
Self-Powered Intelligent Water Droplet Monitoring Sensor Based on Solid–Liquid Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Authors: Zhu Lijie , Guo Likang , Ding Zhi , Zhao Zhengqian , Liu Chaoran , Che Lufeng
Published: March 2024

Real-time monitoring of rainwater is a critical issue in the development of autonomous vehicles and smart homes, while the corresponding sensors play a pivotal role in ensuring their sensitivity. Here, we study a self-powered intelligent water droplet monitoring sensor based on a solid–liquid triboelectric nanogenerator (SL-TENG). The sensor comprises a SL-TENG, a signal acquisition module, a central processing unit (CPU), and a wireless transmission module, facilitating the real-time monitoring of water droplet signals. It is worth noting that the SL-TENG has self-powering characteristics and can convert the kinetic energy of water droplets into electrical energy. The excellent output performance, with open-circuit voltage of 9 V and short-circuit current of 2 μA without any treatment of the SL-TENG, can provide an effective solution to the problem that traditional sensor need battery replacement. In addition, the SL-TENG can generate stable amplitude electrical signals through water droplets, exemplified by the absence of decay in a short-circuit current within 7 days. More importantly, the sensor is equipped with intelligent analytical capabilities, allowing it to assess rainfall based on variables such as amplitude and frequency. Due to its excellent stability and intelligent analysis, this sensor can be used for roof rainwater monitoring, intravenous administration monitoring, and especially in automobile automatic wipers and other fields.
Upgraded Three-Wavelength Lidar for Real-Time Observations of Volcanic Aerosol Optical and Microphysical Properties at Etna (Italy): Calibration Procedures and Measurement Tests
Authors: Manzo Matteo , Aiesi Gianpiero , Boselli Antonella , Consoli Salvatore , Damiano Riccardo , Di Donfrancesco Guido , Saraceno Benedetto , Scollo Simona
Published: March 2024

An innovative mobile lidar device, developed to monitor volcanic plumes during explosive eruptions at Mt. Etna (Italy) and to analyse the optical properties of volcanic particles, was upgraded in October 2023 with the aim of improving volcanic plume retrievals. The new configuration of the lidar allows it to obtain new data on both the optical and the microphysical properties of the atmospheric aerosol. In fact, after the upgrade, the lidar is able to measure three backscattering coefficients, two extinction coefficients and two depolarisation ratios in a configuration defined as “state-of-the-art lidar”, where properties such as particle size distribution and the refractive index can be derived. During the lidar implementation, we were able to test the system’s performance through specific calibration measurements. A comparison in an aerosol-free region (7.2–12 km) between lidar signals at 1064 nm, 532 nm and 355 nm and the corresponding pure molecular profiles showed a relative difference of <1% between them for all the wavelengths, highlighting the good dynamic of the signals. The overlap correction allowed us to reduce the underestimation of the backscattering coefficient from 50% to 10% below 450 m and 750 m at both 355 and 532 nm, respectively. The correct alignment between the laser beam and the receiver optical chain was tested using the signal received from the different quadrants of the telescope, and the relative differences between the four directions were comparable to zero, within the margin of error. Finally, the first measurement results are shown and compared with results obtained by other instruments, with the aim of proving the ability of the upgraded system to more precisely characterise aerosol optical and microphysical properties.
Research on Image Mapping Spectrometer Based on Ultra-Thin Glass Layered Mapping
Authors: Zhou Pengwei , Lv Yangfan , Zhou Jiamin , Zheng Yuqi
Published: March 2024

The imaging quality of the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer (IMS) is crucial for spectral identification and detection performance. In IMS, the image mapper significantly influences the imaging quality. Traditional image mappers utilize a single-point diamond machining process. This process leads to inevitable edge eating phenomena that further results in noticeable deficiencies in imaging, impacting spectral detection performance. Therefore, we propose a manufacturing process for the image mapper based on ultra-thin layered glass. This process involves precision polishing of ultra-thin glass with two-dimensional angles, systematically assembling it into an image mapper. The surface roughness after coating is generally superior to 10 nm, with a maximum angle deviation of less than 3′. This results in high mapping quality. Subsequently, a principle verification experimental system was established to conduct imaging tests on real targets. The reconstructed spectrum demonstrates excellent alignment with the results obtained from the Computed Tomography Imaging Spectrometer (CTIS). We thereby validate that this approach effectively resolves the issues associated with edge eating (caused by traditional single-point diamond machining), and leads to improved imaging quality. Also when compared to other techniques (like two-photon polymerization (2PP)), this process demonstrates notable advantages such as simplicity, efficiency, low processing costs, high fault tolerance, and stability, showcasing its potential for practical applications.
BiVi-GAN: Bivariate Vibration GAN
Authors: Jeong HoeJun , Jeung SeongYeon , Lee HyunJun , Kwon JangWoo
Published: March 2024

In the domain of prognosis and health management (PHM) for rotating machinery, the criticality of ensuring equipment reliability cannot be overstated. With developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning, there have been numerous attempts to use those methodologies in PHM. However, there are challenges to applying them in practice because they require huge amounts of data. This study explores a novel approach to augment vibration data—a primary component in traditional PHM methodologies—using a specialized generative model. Recognizing the limitations of deep learning models, which often fail to capture the intrinsic physical characteristics vital for vibration analysis, we introduce the bivariate vibration generative adversarial networks (BiVi-GAN) model. BiVi-GAN incorporates elements of a physics-informed neural network (PINN), emphasizing the specific vibration characteristics of rotating machinery. We integrate two types of physical information into our model: order analysis and cross-wavelet transform, which are crucial for dissecting the vibration characteristics of such machinery. Experimental findings show the effectiveness of our proposed model. With the incorporation of physics information (PI) input and PI loss, the BiVi-GAN showed a 70% performance improvement in terms of JS divergence compared with the baseline biwavelet-GAN model. This study maintains the potential and efficacy of complementary domain-specific insights with data-driven AI models for more robust and accurate outcomes in PHM.
Comparative Study of Vibration Response in Steel and Braided-Carbon-Fiber Bicycle Handlebars: A Numerical-Experimental Approach with Various Sensors
Authors: Abad Javier , Castejon Luis , Cuartero Jesus , Palacin Roberto
Published: March 2024

The comfort and safety of a cyclist are directly influenced by the vibrational behavior of the handlebar. Hence, the objective of this article is to comparatively assess the vibrational characteristics of two bicycle handlebars: one made of steel and the other made of braided composite material. The transmissibility function represents the relationship between the excitation applied to both handlebars through their stems and the corresponding response in the handle area, which was experimentally obtained by applying a random vibrating signal (constant amplitude of 0.01 g2/Hz) using a shaker. This signal was applied in a frequency range between 100 Hz and 1200 Hz, and the response was measured at one of the two cantilevered ends of the handlebar. Different sensors, including a laser vibrometer and a control accelerometer in the shaker, were utilized. The transmissibility, natural frequencies and damping functions were obtained. Subsequently, another experimental analysis was carried out with the instrumented handlebars mounted on a bicycle, placing three accelerometers and a GPS meter and traveling through a real test circuit, with a rough surface, speed bumps and areas with shaped warning bands. Power Spectral Density (PSD) curves were obtained for the steel and carbon-fiber-composite handlebars in order to quantify the signal intensity. Finally, a fatigue analysis was carried out in order to evaluate the expected life of both handlebars under the experimentally applied load, which is considered the reference cycle. This study offers a comparative analysis of the vibration behavior exhibited by steel and carbon-fiber-composite bicycle handlebars under experimentally applied load. In conclusion, data on natural frequencies, damping functions and fatigue life expectancy for both handlebar materials were obtained. Our study provides valuable insights into the vibrational behavior and performance characteristics of steel and carbon-fiber-composite bicycle handlebars, contributing to the understanding of their comfort and safety implications for cyclists.
Video Compression Prototype for Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Wiseman Yair
Published: March 2024

There are several standards for representing and compressing video information. These standards are adapted to the vision of the human eye. Autonomous cars see and perceive objects in a different way than humans and, therefore, the common standards are not suitable for them. In this paper, we will present a way of adjusting the common standards to be appropriate for the vision of autonomous cars. The focus of this paper will be on the H.264 format, but a similar order can be adapted to other standards as well.
Wilcoxon-Type Control Charts Based on Multiple Scans
Authors: Triantafyllou Ioannis S.
Published: March 2024

In this article, we establish new distribution-free Shewhart-type control charts based on rank sum statistics with signaling multiple scans-type rules. More precisely, two Wilcoxon-type chart statistics are considered in order to formulate the decision rule of the proposed monitoring scheme. In order to enhance the performance of the new nonparametric control charts, multiple scans-type rules are activated, which make the proposed chart more sensitive in detecting possible shifts of the underlying distribution. The appraisal of the proposed monitoring scheme is accomplished with the aid of the corresponding run length distribution under both in- and out-of-control cases. Thereof, exact formulae for the variance of the run length distribution and the average run length (ARL) of the proposed monitoring schemes are derived. A numerical investigation is carried out and depicts that the proposed schemes acquire better performance towards their competitors.
Correction: Pereira et al. Do the Levels of Environmental Sustainability Disclosure and Indebtness Affect the Quality of Earnings? Sustainability 2023, 15, 2871
Authors: Pereira Cláudia , Monteiro Albertina , Silva Diana , Lima Armindo
Published: March 2024

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]
Leveraging Remotely Sensed and Climatic Data for Improved Crop Yield Prediction in the Chi Basin, Thailand
Authors: Chaiyana Akkarapon , Hanchoowong Ratchawatch , Srihanu Neti , Prasanchum Haris , Kangrang Anongrit , Hormwichian Rattana , Kaewplang Siwa , Koedsin Werapong , Huete Alfredo
Published: March 2024

Predictions of crop production in the Chi basin are of major importance for decision support tools in countries such as Thailand, which aims to increase domestic income and global food security by implementing the appropriate policies. This research aims to establish a predictive model for predicting crop production for an internal crop growth season prior to harvest at the province scale for fourteen provinces in Thailand’s Chi basin between 2011 and 2019. We provide approaches for reducing redundant variables and multicollinearity in remotely sensed (RS) and meteorological data to avoid overfitting models using correlation analysis (CA) and the variance inflation factor (VIF). The temperature condition index (TCI), the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land surface temperature (LSTnighttime), and mean temperature (Tmean) were the resulting variables in the prediction model with a p-value < 0.05 and a VIF < 5. The baseline data (2011–2017: June to November) were used to train four regression models, which revealed that eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), and XGBoost achieved R2 values of 0.95, 0.94, and 0.93, respectively. In addition, the testing dataset (2018–2019) displayed a minimum root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.18 ton/ha for the optimal solution by integrating variables and applying the XGBoost model. Accordingly, it is estimated that between 2020 and 2022, the total crop production in the Chi basin region will be 7.88, 7.64, and 7.72 million tons, respectively. The results demonstrated that the proposed model is proficient at greatly improving crop yield prediction accuracy when compared to a conventional regression method and that it may be deployed in different regions to assist farmers and policymakers in making more informed decisions about agricultural practices and resource allocation.
Investigating the Determinants of Construction Stakeholders’ Intention to Use Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Products Based on the S-O-R Model in China
Authors: Ding Zhikun , Huang Xinyue , Wang Xinrui , Chen Qiaohui , Zhang Jiasheng , Wu Zezhou
Published: March 2024

In China, the annual generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW) has been steadily increasing, accompanied by a generally low recycling rate. To promote sustainable development, there is an urgent need to enhance the recycling of CDW. This paper aims to investigate the determinants of construction stakeholders’ intention to use CDW recycling products in China. The stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) model, integrating the technological–organizational–environmental (TOE) framework, personal perceptions, personal traits, and the intention to use, was chosen as our theoretical model. Through an analysis of 272 valid questionnaires, the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to evaluate the model and test the proposed hypotheses. The results indicated that personal traits are the most influential factor shaping construction stakeholders’ intention to use, followed by personal perceptions, while external stimuli exert no direct significant impact on the intention to use. Nevertheless, personal traits and personal perceptions play a significant mediating role in the relationship between external stimuli and the intention to use, forming a noteworthy serial chain mediation. The research findings imply that in China, bolstering personal traits plays a critical role in guiding and promoting the intention to use CDW recycling products.
Pioneering a Framework for Robust Telemedicine Technology Assessment (Telemechron Study)
Authors: Morelli Sandra , Daniele Carla , D’Avenio Giuseppe , Grigioni Mauro , Giansanti Daniele
Published: March 2024

The field of technology assessment in telemedicine is garnering increasing attention due to the widespread adoption of this discipline and its complex and heterogeneous system characteristics, making its application complex. As part of a national telemedicine project, the National Center for Innovative Technologies in Public Health at the Italian National Institute of Health played the role of promoting and utilizing technology assessment tools within partnership projects. This study aims to outline the design, development, and application of assessment methodologies within the telemedicine project proposed by the ISS team, utilizing a specific framework developed within the project. The sub-objectives include evaluating the proposed methodology’s effectiveness and feasibility, gathering feedback for improvement, and assessing its impact on various project components. The study emphasizes the multifaceted nature of action domains and underscores the crucial role of technology assessments in telemedicine, highlighting its impact across diverse realms through iterative interaction cycles with project partners. Both the impact and the acceptance of the methodology have been assessed by means of specific computer-aided web interviewing (CAWI) tools. The proposed methodology received significant acceptance, providing valuable insights for refining future frameworks. The impact assessment revealed a consistent quality improvement trend in the project’s products, evident in methodological consolidations. The overall message encourages similar initiatives in this domain, shedding light on the intricacies of technology assessment implementation. In conclusion, the study serves as a comprehensive outcome of the national telemedicine project, witnessing the success and adaptability of the technology assessment methodology and advocating for further exploration and implementation in analogous contexts.
A Pilot Study on Bioaccumulation and Tissue Distribution of Mercury in Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Authors: Tian Li , Zhu Yujing , Yu Ruiming , Zheng Xiaobo
Published: March 2024

Although extensive research has been carried out on the occurrence of mercury (Hg) in biota, bioaccumulation and tissue distribution of Hg in songbirds have not been well characterized. In the present study, Hg was investigated in insects and barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) to explore the bioaccumulation characteristics of Hg. Hg in swallow feathers and tissues including muscle, liver, and bone was investigated to determine the tissue distribution of Hg. The concentrations of Hg were 1.39 ± 1.01 μg/g, 0.33 ± 0.09 μg/g, 0.47 ± 0.10 μg/g, and 0.23 ± 0.09 μg/g in feather, muscle, liver, and bone samples, respectively. The trophic magnification factor of Hg in swallows and insects was higher than 1. However, the Hg concentrations in swallow feathers were not significantly correlated with stable isotope values of carbon or nitrogen, which implies the complex food sources and exposure processes of Hg for swallows. Feathers had significantly higher concentrations of Hg than liver, muscle, and bone samples (p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Feather, muscle, bone, and other organs had fractions of 64.4 ± 11.9%, 6.07 ± 2.06%, 20.0 ± 8.19%, and 9.56 ± 2.96% in total body burden of Hg in swallows. Hg in feathers contributed more than half of Hg in the whole body for most swallow individuals. Swallows may efficiently eliminate Hg by molting, and the excretion flux of Hg and other contaminants via molting deserves more investigation.
Potential Biotechnological Applications of Venoms from the Viperidae Family in Central America for Thrombosis
Authors: Chang Estrada Jorge Eduardo , Guerrero Taissa Nunes , Reyes-Enríquez Daniel Fernando , Nardy Erica Santos , Guimarães Ferreira Roseane , Ruiz Calderón Cristian José , Wellmann Irmgardt A. , Monteiro Espíndola Kaio Murilo , do Prado Alejandro Ferraz , Soares Andreimar Martins , Fontes Marcos Roberto de Mattos , Chagas Monteiro Marta , Zingali Russolina Benedeta
Published: March 2024

Central America is home to one of the most abundant herpetofauna in the Americas, occupying only 7% of the continent’s total area. Vipers and lizards are among the most relevant venomous animals in medical practice due to the consequences of envenomation from the bite of these animals. A great diversity of biomolecules with immense therapeutic and biotechnological value is contained in their venom. This paper describes the prominent leading representatives of the family Viperidae, emphasizing their morphology, distribution, habitat, feeding, and venom composition, as well as the biotechnological application of some isolated components from the venom of the animals from these families, focusing on molecules with potential anti-thrombotic action. We present the leading protein families that interfere with blood clotting, platelet activity, or the endothelium pro-thrombotic profile. In conclusion, Central America is an endemic region of venomous animals that can provide many molecules for biotechnological applications.
Analyzing Subnational Immunization Coverage to Catch up and Reach the Unreached in Seven High-Priority Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2019–2021
Authors: Fahmy Kamal , Hasan Quamrul , Sharifuzzaman Md , Hutin Yvan
Published: March 2024

Yearly national immunization coverage reporting does not measure performance at the subnational level throughout the year and conceals inequalities within countries. We analyzed subnational immunization coverage from seven high-priority countries in our region. We analyzed subnational, monthly immunization data from seven high-priority countries. Five were Gavi eligible (i.e., Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen); these are countries that according to their low income are eligible for support from the Global Alliance on Vaccine and Immunization, while Iraq and Jordan were included because of a recent decrease in immunization coverage and contribution to the regional number of under and unimmunized children. DTP3 coverage, which is considered as the main indicator for the routine immunization coverage as the essential component of the immunization program performance, varied monthly in 2019–2021 before reaching pre-pandemic coverage in the last two months of 2021. Somalia and Yemen had a net gain in DTP3 coverage at the end of 2021, as improvement in 2021 exceeded the regression in 2020. In Pakistan and Iraq, DTP3 improvement in 2021 equaled the 2020 regression. In Afghanistan, Syria and Jordan, the regression in DTP3 coverage continued in 2020 and 2021. The number of districts with at least 6000 zero-dose children improved moderately in Afghanistan and substantially in Somalia throughout the follow-up period. In Pakistan, the geographical distribution differed between 2020 and 2021.Of the three countries with the highest number of zero-dose children, DTP1 coverage reached 109% in Q4 of 2020 after a sharp drop to 69% in Q2 of 2020. However, in Pakistan, the number of zero-dose children decreased to 1/10 of its burden in Q4 of 2021. In Afghanistan, the number of zero-dose children more than a doubled. Among the even countries, adaptation of immunization service to the pandemic varied, depending on the agility of the health system and the performance of the components of the expanded program on immunization. We recommended monitoring administrative monthly immunization coverage data at the subnational level to detect low-performing districts, plan catchup, identify bottlenecks towards reaching unvaccinated children and customize strategies to improve the coverage in districts with zero-dose children throughout the year and monitor progress.
Factors Explaining the Distribution of Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) in Freshwaters of Morocco
Authors: Taybi Abdelkhaleq F. , Mabrouki Youness , Glöer Peter , Piscart Christophe
Published: March 2024

Invasive species are a major threat to global biodiversity. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor their presence and expansion within invaded areas and carry out studies to improve our knowledge of their biology and ecology. One of the most effective and spectacular invaders among freshwater snails is the acute bladder snail (Physella acuta) (Draparnaud, 1805). This study aims to update the available data on P. acuta in Morocco and determine the main environmental factors that favor its distribution and expansion in this country. Field surveys were conducted in northern Morocco between 2014 and 2023, with a focus on protected areas such as Ramsar sites, and especially great geographical barriers such as the Middle Atlas Mountains and the Sebou and Moulouya River basins. The gastropods were collected using Surber samplers (20 × 25 cm surface area, 400 µm mesh), together with measurements of the physicochemical parameters of the water and other abiotic factors. The bladder snail is probably the most widespread freshwater snail in Morocco, where the species appears to be highly adaptable and can thrive in different habitats, including degraded ones, showing great plasticity in terms of the physicochemical parameters of the water. The main factor limiting the geographical distribution and abundance of P. acuta in the study area was water velocity and conductivity. However, further studies are required to address the future range of expansion of P. acuta in relation to climate change. Although one of the consequences of climate change is reduced water flow speed, which may promote its range of expansion in Morocco, salinization of streams may also reduce its ability to colonize new environments.
Assessing Future Hydrological Variability in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Basin: Soil and Water Assessment Tool Model Projections under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways Climate Scenarios
Authors: Haji Mohammadi Marziyeh , Shafaie Vahid , Nazari Samani Aliakbar , Zare Garizi Arash , Movahedi Rad Majid
Published: March 2024

Climate is one of the main drivers of hydrological processes, and climate change has caused worldwide effects such as water scarcity, frequent floods and intense droughts. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of climate change on the water balance components, high flow and low flow stream conditions in a semi-arid basin in Iran. For this reason, the climate outputs of the CanESM5 model under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) scenarios SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585 were spatially downscaled by the Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM). The hydrological process was simulated by the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Key findings include a 74% increase in evapotranspiration, a reduction by up to 9.6% in surface runoff, and variations in discharge by up to 53.6%. The temporal analysis of snow melting changes revealed an increase in the volume of snow melting during winter months and a reduction in the volume during spring. The projected climate change is expected to cause notable variations in high and low flow events, particularly under the SSP585 scenario, which anticipates significant peaks in flow rates. This comprehensive analysis underscores the pressing need for adaptive strategies in water resource management to mitigate the anticipated impacts of climate variability.
Predicting the Torque Demand of a Battery Electric Vehicle for Real-World Driving Maneuvers Using the NARX Technique
Authors: Alhanouti Muhammed , Gauterin Frank
Published: March 2024

An identification technique is proposed to create a relation between the accelerator pedal position and the corresponding driving moment. This step is beneficial to replace the complex physical model of the vehicle control unit, especially when the sufficient information needed to model certain functionalities of the vehicle control unit are unavailable. We utilized the nonlinear autoregressive exogenous model to regenerate the electric motor torque demand, given the accelerator pedal position, the motor’s angular speed, and the vehicle’s speed. This model proved to be extremely efficient in representing this highly complex relationship. The data employed for the identification process were chosen from an actual three-dimensional route with sudden changes of a dynamic nature in the driving mode, different speed limits, and elevations, as an attempt to thoroughly cover the driving moment scope based on the alternation of the given inputs. Analyzing the selected route data points showed the widespread coverage of the motor’s operational scope compared to a standard driving cycle. The training outcome revealed that linear modeling is inadequate for identifying the targeted system, and has a substantial estimation error. Adding the nonlinearity feature to the model led to an exceptionally high accuracy for the estimation and validation datasets. The main finding of this work is that the combined model from the nonlinear autoregressive exogenous and the sigmoid network enables the accurate modeling of highly nonlinear dynamic systems. Accordingly, the maximum absolute estimation error for the motor’s moment was less than 10 Nm during the real-world driving maneuver. The highest errors are found around the maximum motor’s moment. Finally, the model is validated with measurements from an actual field test maneuver. The identified model predicted the driving moment with a correlation of 0.994.
Tongue plasmacytoma in a dog treated with adjuvant metronomic melphalan
Authors: Saggioro Rezk Sofia , Brandão Cláudia , Rahal Sheila , Rocha Noeme , Sessa Mariana
Published: March 2024

A 9-year-old female crossbred dog was referred due to a tongue neoformation. A marginal resection was performed to proceed with the histopathological examination, which indicated malignant round cell neoplasia, and immunohistochemical staining diagnosed the mass as plasmacytoma. The owner refused another surgical intervention to extend margins and approach another growth verified on the ventral surface of the base of the tongue. Thus, the patient underwent three months of metronomic chemotherapy with melphalan. The disease progression was not detected after two years of follow-up. This report shows that daily low-dose melphalan may be used as an adjuvant treatment option for oral plasmacytoma in dogs when clean margins cannot be achieved.
Diagnóstico del bienestar psicológico y Burnout en docentes de Educación Superior
Authors: Ruiz Segarra María Isabel , Cortés Valiente José Andrés , Villafuerte Garzón Cristian Moisés , Benítez Cruz Daysi Alejandra
Published: March 2024

Los docentes de instituciones de educación superior son proclives a padecer el síndrome de burnout, lo cual puede impactar en su bienestar emocional. El objetivo de esta investigación es describir los niveles de bienestar y burnout en profesores de una institución de educación superior en Quito, Ecuador. En este estudio, se utilizó una metodología cuantitativa con un diseño no experimental transversal. Para medir el bienestar, se consideraron dimensiones como autoaceptación, relaciones positivas, autonomía, dominio del entorno, propósito de vida y crecimiento personal, basados en el modelo de bienestar psicológico de Ryff. En cuanto al burnout, se evaluaron el agotamiento emocional, la despersonalización y el logro personal, según la teoría de Maslach. Se aplicó una encuesta en línea y se obtuvo que los docentes no muestran signos de burnout en ninguno de los tres componentes, aunque se debe prestar atención al agotamiento del 35,86% de los encuestados. En cuanto al bienestar psicológico, los puntajes indican un nivel "elevado". Como conclusión, se destaca la necesidad de levantar diagnósticos sobre el burnout y bienestar de los docentes para implementar programas de bienestar emocional respaldados por la psicología positiva en las Instituciones de Educación Superior y así contribuir a un entorno laboral saludable.
Постать Богдана Хмельницького на українському кіноекрані: трансформації образу
Authors: Никоненко Володимир
Published: March 2024

У статті послідовно розглянуто українські ігрові кінофільми, присвячені гетьманові Богдану Хмельницькому. Виокремлено основні характерні риси Хмельницького у кожній стрічці та визначена логіка екранної трансформації образу гетьмана крізь десятиліття. Значна увага приділяється соціокультурним і політичним чинникам, що у різні роки прямо чи опосередковано впливали на кінематографічне трактування військово-політичних діянь Хмельницького
Жанр horror та творчість Куросави Кійосі
Authors: Курбанов Георгій
Published: March 2024

Метою статті є дослідження творчості Куросави Кійосі, а також феномену японського погляду на фільми жахів й те, як вони переплітаються з людськими бажаннями та страхами. Проаналізовано причини прояву страху, цікавості й любові до цього жанру та його соціального значення в світі кінематографа. На прикладі творчості Куросави Кійосі, який є одним з найталановитіших і найвідоміших кінорежисерів нового японського кіно і який хоча й працює в різних жанрах, та найбільше прославився на терені фільмів жахів, розглянуті варіації й бачення японського боку питання. Його фільми вражають своїм постмодерністським трактуванням ідентичності, і в них вирізняється концепція азійського погляду на кризу жанру і концепти страху, що визначаються як особлива мова переказу культурної історії. Розглянуто взаємозв’язок концептів страху, їх соціальні та культурні замисли. Порушується питання достовірності переказу культурної історії мовою кінематографа, наголошується суперечність між історією та міфом, створюваними кінематографом. Проаналізовано картини Куросави Кійосі на Каннських кінофестивалях, а також проведено порівняння його робіт з роботами західних кінорежисерів, таких як Роберт Еггерс, Олександр Ажа, Баррі Левінсон, Роман Поланський, Річард Доннер та Джон Карпентер.
Р.Дж. Колінгвуд: проблема свідомості в концептуальному полі «принципів мистецтва»
Authors: Тернова Марина
Published: March 2024

Виокремлено проблему свідомості, яка посідає неабияке місце в ґрунтовному дослідженні відомого англійського історика науки, естетика та теоретика мистецтва Р.Дж. Колінгвуда, позиція якого формувалася із урахуванням психоаналітичної моделі свідомості.
Показано, що англійський науковець сприймав свідомість як складну структуру, яка потребує міжнаукового підходу. Внаслідок цього історико-філософська інтерпретація свідомості трансформується передусім у поле психологічного знання, оскільки від початку ХХ століття саме на теренах психології аргументується найбільш структурована модель психіки людини, в якій «свідомість» має власне місце, виконуючи низку функцій.
Наголошено, що авторська позиція Р.Дж. Колінгвуда сфокусована навколо низки проблем, таких як художня творчість, емоція, почуттєва сфера та її вплив як на створення, так і на сприймання мистецьких творів.