bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morpho-Physiological Traits and Oil Quality in Drought-Tolerant Raphanus sativus L. Used for Biofuel Production
Authors: Moura Luciana Minervina de Freitas , Costa Alan Carlos da , Müller Caroline , Silva-Filho Robson de Oliveira , Almeida Gabriel Martins , Silva Adinan Alves da , Capellesso Elivane Salete , Cunha Fernando Nobre , Teixeira Marconi Batista
Published: June 2024

Raphanus sativus L. is a potential source of raw material for biodiesel fuel due to the high oil content in its grains. In Brazil, this species is cultivated in the low rainfall off-season, which limits the productivity of the crop. The present study investigated the effects of water restriction on the physiological and biochemical responses, production components, and oil quality of R. sativus at different development stages. The treatments consisted of 100% water replacement (control), 66%, and 33% of field capacity during the phenological stages of vegetative growth, flowering, and grain filling. We evaluated characteristics of water relations, gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, chloroplast pigment, proline, and sugar content. The production components and chemical properties of the oil were also determined at the end of the harvest cycle. Drought tolerance of R. sativus was found to be mediated primarily during the vegetative growth stage by changes in photosynthetic metabolism, stability of photochemical efficiency, increased proline concentrations, and maintenance of tissue hydration. Grain filling was most sensitive to water limitation and showed a reduction in yield and oil content. However, the chemical composition of the oil was not altered by the water deficit. Our data suggest that R. sativus is a drought-tolerant species.
Exploring the Effects of Different Drying Methods on Related Differential Metabolites of Pleurotus citrinopileatus Singer Based on Untargeted Metabolomics
Authors: Lu Huan , Peng Simin , Xu Ning , Shang Xiaodong , Liu Jianyu , Xu Zhen , Jiang Ning , Dong Haoran , Wang Ruijuan , Dong Hui
Published: June 2024

Pleurotus citrinopileatus Singer (PCS) has attracted increasing attention as a raw material for medicine and food. Its quality is greatly affected by the accumulation of metabolites, which varies with the applied drying methods. In this study, we utilize an approach based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/Q Exactive mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS) to reveal the metabolic profiles of PCS from three different drying methods (natural air-drying, NAD; hot-air-drying, HAD; vacuum freeze-drying, VFD). The results showed that lipids, amino acids and their derivatives were all important secondary metabolites produced during NAD, HAD and VFD treatments, with the key differential metabolites of PCS during drying including fifteen lipids and seven amino acids. Meanwhile, VFD was the best way for long-term preservation of dried PCS. Hot-drying methods, especially HAD, can improve the medicinal component of PCS. Furthermore, KEGG enrichment analysis highlighted 16 pathways and indicated that amino acid metabolism might be the key metabolite pathway for the PCS drying process. Our study elucidates the relationship between drying methods and metabolites or metabolic pathways of PCS to determine the mechanisms affecting the quality of PCS, and finally provides reference values for further development and application in functional food and medications.
Development and Characterization of the Shale Stratum Well Wall Stabilized with Nanosomal Sealing Agent
Authors: Li Daqi , Gao Shuyang , Tang Zhichuan , Wu Huimei , Zhang Yayun
Published: June 2024

The development of micro cracks in shale formations can easily lead to wellbore instability caused by liquid phase invasion. In order to effectively seal the shale micropores, the surface treatment of nano-SiO2 particles was developed using the silicane coupling agent A-1891. Then, the temperature-sensitive polypenic acrylamide polymer was modified onto the surface of the nanoprocal particle through reaction to obtain the nanosomal blocking agent ASN. The infrared spectrum shows that there are chemical bonds between the generated polymer chains, rather than simple physical composites, indicating the successful synthesis of the temperature-responsive nanosealing agent ASN. The particle size analysis showed that the synthesized nanoparticles in ASN have a uniform particle size distribution and display no agglomeration phenomenon. Applying ASN as a sealing agent in drilling fluid effectively fills the nanoscale micropores and microcracks in shale, making shale denser and significantly improving the wellbore stability of shale formations. In addition, it has good temperature resistance, can adapt to reservoirs at different temperatures, is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, and has good prospects for stable applications in shale formation wellbore.
Additive Manufacturing of Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites via Fused Deposition Modelling: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Jamal Muhammad Azfar , Shah Owaisur Rahman , Ghafoor Usman , Qureshi Yumna , Bhutta M. Raheel
Published: June 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM) has arisen as a transformative technology for manufacturing complex geometries with enhanced mechanical properties, particularly in the realm of continuous fiber-reinforced polymer composites (CFRPCs). Among various AM techniques, fused deposition modeling (FDM) stands out as a promising method for the fabrication of CFRPCs due to its versatility, ease of use, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Several research papers on the AM of CFRPs via FDM were summarized and therefore this review paper provides a critical examination of the process-printing parameters influencing the AM process, with a focus on their impact on mechanical properties. This review covers details of factors such as fiber orientation, layer thickness, nozzle diameter, fiber volume fraction, printing temperature, and infill design, extracted from the existing literature. Through a visual representation of the process parameters (printing and material) and properties (mechanical, physical, and thermal), this paper aims to separate out the optimal processing parameters that have been inferred from various research studies. Furthermore, this analysis critically evaluates the current state-of-the-art research, highlighting advancements, applications, filament production methods, challenges, and opportunities for further development in this field. In comparison to short fibers, continuous fiber filaments can render better strength; however, delamination issues persist. Various parameters affect the printing process differently, resulting in several limitations that need to be addressed. Signifying the relationship between printing parameters and mechanical properties is vital for optimizing CFRPC fabrication via FDM, enabling the realization of lightweight, high-strength components for various industrial applications.
Modeling Analysis of Complex Deformation of Woven Coating Film during the Cyclic Tensile Process
Authors: Cai Li , Zhang Zhengyan , Cai Deng’an , Zhou Guangming , Wang Xinwei
Published: June 2024

It is difficult for the existing Burgers model to accurately depict the off-axis cyclic drawing process of woven coatings. In this paper, the mechanical deformation of woven PVC (polyvinyl chloride)-coated film at different temperatures is investigated. One-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) constitutive models were established to characterize cyclic deformation processes. The 1D model is an improved Burgers model. The effects of the time dependence of the viscosity coefficient and the ratio of elastic to viscous deformation are considered simultaneously. The accuracy of the 1D model for predicting the cyclic nonlinear deformation at different temperatures and loading rates is improved. The 2D model is a nonlinear orthotropic model using polynomials. On the basis of the single-objective genetic algorithm, the inverse algorithm is used to obtain the shear polynomial coefficients in the tension phase and the shear modulus in the unloading phase, which circumvents performing the difficult shear test. UMAT subroutines of off-axis stretching and off-axis cyclic stretching are written separately. The intelligent inverse algorithm program consists of a single-objective genetic algorithm program, a finite element parametric modelling program, and a UMAT subroutine. The simulation results are compared with the off-axis cyclic tensile test data to validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed 2D model for the analysis of the woven PVC-coated films in the tension–shear coupling state.
Study on Characteristics of Front Abutment Pressure and Rational Stop-Mining Coal Pillar Width in Large Height Working Face
Authors: Yu Wei , Fan Gangwei , Zhang Dongsheng , Guo Wenhao , Zhang Wenhui , Zhang Shizhong , Fan Zhanglei
Published: June 2024

The width of a stop-mining coal pillar is of great significance to the stability of the surrounding rock of the main roadway and the safety of production in the mine. This paper focuses on the west panel of Sihe Coal Mine as the engineering background, analyzes the evolution characteristics of front abutment pressure in the mining area under conditions of rapid advancement and large mining height and its sensitivity to influencing factors, explores the coupling mechanism between the width of the stop-mining coal pillar and the surrounding rock of the main roadway, and analyzes the differences in mining pressure characteristics such as internal stress of the coal pillar, vertical stress, deformation, and failure of the main roadway’s surrounding rock under different coal pillar widths with the influence of mining. The comprehensive results indicate that the influence range of front abutment pressure on the working face is 65 m, and the significance ranking of different mining factors acting on it is as follows: mining height > working face length > advancing speed. The rational width of the stop-mining coal pillar is determined to be 80 m while the stress field of the surrounding rock in the main roadway is in a critical state of mining disturbance. Industrial tests have shown that the relative displacements between the roof and floor as well as the ribs of the main roadway are relatively small, at 105 and 260 mm, respectively, which can effectively maintain the stability of the surrounding rock of the main roadway. The research results can provide a scientific basis and engineering reference for the design of stop-mining coal pillars in mines with similar geological conditions.
Influence of the Material Mechanical Properties on Cutting Surface Quality during Turning
Authors: Kang Il-Seok , Lee Tae-Ho
Published: June 2024

In cutting processing, the mechanical properties of the material are very important, and the optimal cutting conditions, depending on strength, hardness, and elongation, affect the quality of the machined surface. Therefore, this study was conducted to obtain optimized cutting conditions such as the tool depth of the cut, cutting speed, and feed rate, considering the mechanical properties of the material. AISI 1045 cold-drawn (CD) bars showed an average tensile strength of 695.31 MPa in the tensile test and an average value of 308.6 HV in the Vickers hardness measurement. AISI 1020 CD bars showed a 22.66% lower average tensile strength of 537.74 MPa and an average of 198.77 HV in the hardness measurement. Therefore, AISI 1020 showed a 32.62% higher elongation than AISI 1045. In the measurement results for surface roughness after cutting, different results were observed depending on the strength and elongation at a feed rate of 0.05 mm/rev. AISI 1045 exhibited the highest machining quality, with a surface roughness of approximately 0.374 µm at a cutting speed of 150 m/min, and the cutting depth was 0.4 mm at a feed rate of 0.05 mm/rev. Alternatively, AISI 1020, which had relatively low strength and hardness with high elongation, exhibited the highest machining quality with a roughness of 0.383 µm with similar cutting parameters as AISI 1045.
Comparison of Mechanical, Fatigue, and Corrosion Properties of Fusion-Welded High-Strength AA6011 Alloy Using Three Filler Wires
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed , Javidani Mousa , Maltais Alexandre , Chen X.-Grant
Published: June 2024

In this study, the welding performance of three filler wires, ER4043, ER5356, and the newly developed FMg0.6, were systematically investigated in the gas metal arc welding of high-strength AA6011-T6 plates. An extensive analysis of the microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, fatigue resistance, and corrosion behavior of different weldments was conducted. The ER4043 and FMg0.6 joints exhibited finer grain sizes in the fusion zone (FZ) than the ER5356 joint. The as-welded ER5356 and FMg0.6 joints exhibited higher hardness and tensile strength values than the ER4043 joint. The FMg0.6 joint demonstrated the highest mechanical strength among all of the joints with superior fatigue resistance under both the as-welded and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) conditions. In the as-welded state, the ER5356 joint exhibited the lowest corrosion resistance, attributed to the precipitation of β-Al2Mg3 at the grain boundaries. The FMg0.6 joint, characterized by a high-volume fraction of eutectic Mg2Si in the as-welded state, exhibited a higher corrosion rate than that of the ER4043 joint. However, the PWHT effectively improved the corrosion resistance of the FMg0.6 joint. Given its excellent tensile properties, superior fatigue properties, and satisfactory corrosion resistance, particularly with PWHT, the newly developed FMg0.6 filler has emerged as a promising candidate for welding high-strength 6xxx alloys.
Satisfaction with Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems and Feed-in-Tariffs Effects on Energy and Environmental Goals in Jordan
Authors: Al-Refaie Abbas , Lepkova Natalija
Published: June 2024

Rooftop photovoltaic (RPV) systems are valuable clean-energy-efficient technology that facilitates the transition toward energy sustainability in residential buildings. Hence, the government in Jordan implemented the feed-in-tariffs (FiT) policy to motivate residents’ willingness to install RPV systems. However, the quality of RPV products and services is a key determinant of social acceptance to install RPV systems. Hence, manufacturers and suppliers are working closely with adopters to design and manufacture RPV systems that meet or exceed their expectations. Still, there is a need to develop a quantitative assessment to examine the effects of this FiT policy and the quality of RPV systems on energy security. This study, therefore, develops a system dynamics model to examine the effects of the FiT policy and the quality of RPV products and services on social acceptance to install RPV systems. To achieve this objective, several hypotheses were established related to the main model factors, including the quality of services, complaint reduction, performance ratio, payback period and warranty, and FiT price, with a willingness to install RPV systems. Then, a system dynamics model was constructed. The simulation results reveal the significant factor that impacts energy goals. Moreover, from the end of the year 2030 to the end of 2050, RPV installations, generated power, and CO2 emission reductions are expected to increase from 0.681 GW to 72.83 GW, from 1.07 to 125.74 TWh, and from 0.680 to 79.59 million tons of CO2, respectively. Optimization was performed to maximize the three objectives under the uncertainty of key model variables. The optimal factor values can significantly increase the current energy goals by about 20%. In conclusion, collecting, analyzing, and evaluating adopter input and feedback on RPV systems regarding their design and technology and manufacturing and the post-services of RPV systems significantly influence energy sustainability in residential buildings. In addition, government support through investing in the FiT policy can boost RPV installations in residential buildings.
Study of Retention of Drilling Fluid Layer on Annulus Wall during Cementing
Authors: Wu Zhiqiang , Chen Zehua , Wang Chengwen
Published: June 2024

To guarantee that the cement sheath has a sealing effect, it is best to replace the drilling fluid entirely and fill the annulus with cement slurry throughout the cementing process. A significant driving power and high stability at the interface between the cement slurry and drilling fluid are often necessary for achieving a high displacement efficiency. It is important that a comprehensive theoretical characterization is established on the thickness and location of drilling fluid retention and the conditions to prevent the formation of drilling fluid retention. In this study, firstly, the characteristics of annulus fluid shear stress distribution are analyzed by establishing the differential equation of shear stress distribution. Subsequently, the calculation model of the drilling fluid retention layer’s thickness is constructed. Subsequently, the impact of cement slurry and drilling fluid properties, eccentricity of the casing, and additional variables on the annular wall’s drilling fluid retention thickness are scrutinized. The quantitative conditions for preventing drilling fluid retention are also analyzed (i.e., Equation (23)). Based on the newly developed model, a case study is conducted to show the significance of the new model. This offers a theoretical foundation for enhancing cement injection displacement efficiency and cementing performance optimization.
Vulnerability of Wetlands Due to Projected Sea-Level Rise in the Coastal Plains of the South and Southeast United States
Authors: Lizcano-Sandoval Luis , Gibeaut James , McCarthy Matthew J. , Murray Tylar , Rueda-Roa Digna , Muller-Karger Frank E.
Published: June 2024

Coastal wetlands are vulnerable to accelerated sea-level rise, yet knowledge about their extent and distribution is often limited. We developed a land cover classification of wetlands in the coastal plains of the southern United States along the Gulf of Mexico (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) using 6161 very-high (2 m per pixel) resolution WorldView-2 and WorldView-3 satellite images from 2012 to 2015. Area extent estimations were obtained for the following vegetated classes: marsh, scrub, grass, forested upland, and forested wetland, located in elevation brackets between 0 and 10 m above sea level at 0.1 m intervals. Sea-level trends were estimated for each coastal state using tide gauge data collected over the period 1983–2021 and projected for 2100 using the trend estimated over that period. These trends were considered conservative, as sea level rise in the region accelerated between 2010 and 2021. Estimated losses in vegetation area due to sea level rise by 2100 are projected to be at least 12,587 km2, of which 3224 km2 would be coastal wetlands. Louisiana is expected to suffer the largest losses in vegetation (80%) and coastal wetlands (75%) by 2100. Such high-resolution coastal mapping products help to guide adaptation plans in the region, including planning for wetland conservation and coastal development.
A Review of Deep Learning-Based Methods for Road Extraction from High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Liu Ruyi , Wu Junhong , Lu Wenyi , Miao Qiguang , Zhang Huan , Liu Xiangzeng , Lu Zixiang , Li Long
Published: June 2024

Road extraction from high-resolution remote sensing images has long been a focal and challenging research topic in the field of computer vision. Accurate extraction of road networks holds extensive practical value in various fields, such as urban planning, traffic monitoring, disaster response and environmental monitoring. With rapid development in the field of computational intelligence, particularly breakthroughs in deep learning technology, road extraction technology has made significant progress and innovation. This paper provides a systematic review of deep learning-based methods for road extraction from remote sensing images, focusing on analyzing the application of computational intelligence technologies in improving the precision and efficiency of road extraction. According to the type of annotated data, deep learning-based methods are categorized into fully supervised learning, semi-supervised learning, and unsupervised learning approaches, each further divided into more specific subcategories. They are comparatively analyzed based on their principles, advantages, and limitations. Additionally, this review summarizes the metrics used to evaluate the performance of road extraction models and the high-resolution remote sensing image datasets applied for road extraction. Finally, we discuss the main challenges and prospects for leveraging computational intelligence techniques to enhance the precision, automation, and intelligence of road network extraction.
Polarization Characteristics Distortion for L-Band Fully Polarimetric Radar Subject to Magnetized Plasma Sheath
Authors: Guo Wei , Hu Yanpeng , Shen Fangfang , Xiao Peng
Published: June 2024

High-velocity reentry objects suffer from plasma sheath during reentry through the atmosphere, which affects the propagation characteristics of radar signals. The existing research mainly focuses on the time-frequency characteristics of radar signals, neglecting the polarization within the geomagnetic environment. In this article, the distortion of polarization characteristics for L-band fully polarimetric radar is analyzed, and the influence of the geomagnetic field is evaluated. Based on the Appleton–Hartree formula, the refractive index of the plasma sheath considering the geomagnetic field is derived and analyzed. The error model for the polarization deflection (PD) of radar waves is then established based on the phase screen model. The magnetized plasma sheath causes the deflection of the polarization plane for the radar signal, leading to distortion in the polarization characteristics and the attenuation of the echo amplitude. Considering the typical parameters of the plasma sheath, the influences of the electron density, collision frequency, the geomagnetic field and the radar frequency are analyzed quantitatively. Specifically, the PD anomaly phenomenon is analyzed and the corresponding analytical result of radar frequency is also derived. The relationship between the geomagnetic field and the PD, as well as the attenuation, is considered to be approximately linear. The absorption attenuation is primarily influenced by collision frequency and is immune to the geomagnetic field. In addition, the increasing electron density expands them, whereas the radar frequency and the collision frequency have the opposite effect. Simulations with real SAR data from ALOS-2 demonstrate the distortions resulting from the magnetized plasma sheath on the radar echoes in an L-band fully polarimetric radar system.
Estimation of Rice Leaf Area Index Utilizing a Kalman Filter Fusion Methodology Based on Multi-Spectral Data Obtained from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Authors: Yu Minglei , He Jiaoyang , Li Wanyu , Zheng Hengbiao , Wang Xue , Yao Xia , Cheng Tao , Zhang Xiaohu , Zhu Yan , Cao Weixing , Tian Yongchao
Published: June 2024

The rapid and accurate estimation of leaf area index (LAI) through remote sensing holds significant importance for precise crop management. However, the direct construction of a vegetation index model based on multi-spectral data lacks robustness and spatiotemporal expansibility, making its direct application in practical production challenging. This study aimed to establish a simple and effective method for LAI estimation to address the issue of poor accuracy and stability that is encountered by vegetation index models under varying conditions. Based on seven years of field plot trials with different varieties and nitrogen fertilizer treatments, the Kalman filter (KF) fusion method was employed to integrate the estimated outcomes of multiple vegetation index models, and the fusion process was investigated by comparing and analyzing the relationship between fixed and dynamic variances alongside the fusion accuracy of optimal combinations during different growth stages. A novel multi-model integration fusion method, KF-DGDV (Kalman Filtering with Different Growth Periods and Different Vegetation Index Models), which combines the growth characteristics and uncertainty of LAI, was designed for the precise monitoring of LAI across various growth phases of rice. The results indicated that the KF-DGDV technique exhibits a superior accuracy in estimating LAI compared with statistical data fusion and the conventional vegetation index model method. Specifically, during the tillering to booting stage, a high R2 value of 0.76 was achieved, while at the heading to maturity stage, it reached 0.66. In contrast, within the framework of the traditional vegetation index model, the red-edge difference vegetation index (DVIREP) model demonstrated a superior performance, with an R2 value of 0.65, during tillering to booting stage, and 0.50 during the heading to maturity stage, respectively. The multi-model integration method (MME) yielded an R2 value of 0.67 for LAI estimation during the tillering to booting stage, and 0.53 during the heading to maturity stage. Consequently, KF-DGDV presented an effective and stable real-time quantitative estimation method for LAI in rice.
Validity and Reliability of the Orthelligent Pro Sensor for Measuring Single-Leg Vertical Jump Height in Healthy Athletic Adults
Authors: Pasquale Caterina , Baschung Pfister Pierrette , Kuhn Manuel , Stöggl Thomas
Published: June 2024

The Orthelligent Pro sensor is a practicable, portable measuring instrument. This study assessed the validity and reliability of this sensor in measuring single-leg countermovement jumps. Fifty healthy athletic adults participated in two measurement sessions a week apart in time. They performed single-leg countermovement jumps on the force plate while wearing the Orthelligent Pro sensor on their lower leg. During the first measurement session, Tester 1 invited the participants to make three single-leg countermovement jumps; subsequently, Tester 2 did the same. For assessing the sensor’s intratester reliability, Tester 1 again invited the participants to make three single-leg countermovement jumps during the second measurement session. The sensor’s validity was assessed by using the force plate results as the gold standard. To determinate the agreement between two measurements, Bland–Altman plots were created. The intertester reliability (ICC = 0.99; 0.97) and intratester reliability (ICC = 0.96; 0.82) were both excellent. The validity calculated (i) on the basis of the mean value of three jumps and (ii) on the basis of the maximum value of three jumps was very high, but it showed a systematic error. Taking this error into account, physiotherapists can use the Orthelligent Pro sensor as a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the jump height of countermovement jumps.
Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Single-Arm Bimodal Plasmo-Photonic Refractive Index Sensors
Authors: Fotiadis Konstantinos , Chatzianagnostou Evangelia , Spasopoulos Dimosthenis , Simos Stelios , Bellas Dimitris V. , Bhalerao Omkar , Suckow Stephan , Lemme Max C. , Lidorikis Elefterios , Pleros Nikos
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we study both theoretically and experimentally the sensitivity of bimodal interferometric sensors where interference occurs between two plasmonic modes with different properties propagating in the same physical waveguide. In contrast to the well-known Mach–Zehnder interferometric (MZI) sensor, we show for the first time that the sensitivity of the bimodal sensor is independent of the sensing area length. This is validated by applying the theory to an integrated plasmo-photonic bimodal sensor that comprises an aluminum (Al) plasmonic stripe waveguide co-integrated between two accessible SU-8 photonic waveguides. A series of such bimodal sensors utilizing plasmonic stripes of different lengths were numerically simulated, demonstrating bulk refractive index (RI) sensitivities around 5700 nm/RIU for all sensor variants, confirming the theoretical results. The theoretical and numerical results were also validated experimentally through chip-level RI sensing experiments on three fabricated SU-8/Al bimodal sensors with plasmonic sensing lengths of 50, 75, and 100 μm. The obtained experimental RI sensitivities were found to be very close and equal to 4464, 4386, and 4362 nm/RIU, respectively, confirming that the sensing length has no effect on the bimodal sensor sensitivity. The above outcome alleviates the design and optical loss constraints, paving the way for more compact and powerful sensors that can achieve high sensitivity values at ultra-short sensing lengths.
Detecting and Predicting Pilot Mental Workload Using Heart Rate Variability: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wang Peizheng , Houghton Robert , Majumdar Arnab
Published: June 2024

Measuring pilot mental workload (MWL) is crucial for enhancing aviation safety. However, MWL is a multi-dimensional construct that could be affected by multiple factors. Particularly, in the context of a more automated cockpit setting, the traditional methods of assessing pilot MWL may face challenges. Heart rate variability (HRV) has emerged as a potential tool for detecting pilot MWL during real-flight operations. This review aims to investigate the relationship between HRV and pilot MWL and to assess the performance of machine-learning-based MWL detection systems using HRV parameters. A total of 29 relevant papers were extracted from three databases for review based on rigorous eligibility criteria. We observed significant variability across the reviewed studies, including study designs and measurement methods, as well as machine-learning techniques. Inconsistent results were observed regarding the differences in HRV measures between pilots under varying levels of MWL. Furthermore, for studies that developed HRV-based MWL detection systems, we examined the diverse model settings and discovered that several advanced techniques could be used to address specific challenges. This review serves as a practical guide for researchers and practitioners who are interested in employing HRV indicators for evaluating MWL and wish to incorporate cutting-edge techniques into their MWL measurement approaches.
Trace Metals in Phytoplankton: Requirements, Function, and Composition in Harmful Algal Blooms
Authors: Manic Dolly C. , Redil Richard D. , Rodriguez Irene B.
Published: June 2024

In a constantly changing environment brought about by the climate crisis and escalated anthropogenic perturbations driven by the growing population, harmful algal bloom dynamics and their impacts are expected to shift, necessitating adaptive management strategies and comprehensive research efforts. Similar to primary productivity, HABs have been thought to be driven primarily by major nutrients such as N, P, and Si. However, recent investigations on the role and importance of micronutrients as limiting factors in aquatic environments have been highlighted. This paper provides a review of metal and phytoplankton interactions, with a specific emphasis on pertinent information on the influence of trace nutrients on growth, toxin production, and other underlying mechanisms related to the dynamics of HABs. Low to near-depleted levels of essential nutrients, including Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Co, and Mo, negatively impact cell growth and proliferation of various marine and freshwater HAB species. However, evidence shows that at elevated levels, these trace elements, along with other non-essential ones, could still cause toxic effects to certain HAB species manifested by decreased photosynthetic activities, oxidative stress, ultrastructure damage, and cyst formation. Interestingly, while elevated levels of these metals mostly result in increased toxin production, Co (i.e., yessotoxins, gymnodimine, and palytoxins) and Mn (i.e., isodomoic acid, okadaic and diol esters) enrichments revealed otherwise. In addition to toxin production, releasing dissolved organic matter (DOM), including dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and humic substances, was observed as an adaptation strategy, since these organic compounds have been proven to chelate metals in the water column, thereby reducing metal-induced toxicity. Whilst current research centers on free metal toxicity of specific essential elements such as Cu and Zn, a comprehensive account of how trace metals contribute to the growth, toxin production, and other metabolic processes under conditions reflective of in situ scenarios of HAB-prone areas would yield new perspectives on the roles of trace metals in HABs. With the growing demands of the global population for food security and sustainability, substantial pressure is exerted on the agriculture and aquaculture sector, highlighting the need for effective communication of information regarding the interactions of macro- and micronutrients with HABs to improve existing policies and practices.
Assessing the Prevalence and Severity of Global Hunger and Food Insecurity: Recent Dynamics and Sub-Saharan Africa’s Burden
Authors: Otekunrin Olutosin Ademola
Published: June 2024

One of today’s most critical challenges is ensuring sufficient and safe food production and supply for the ever-expanding global population. Recently, many countries around the world, particularly those in Africa, have been grappling with severe hunger and food insecurity, frequently exacerbated by events such as escalating global prices, persistent insecurity, and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study undertook an extensive review of the prevalence and severity of hunger and food insecurity across diverse countries and regions. The review utilised several metrics, including Global Hunger Index (GHI) scores, Global Food Security Index (GFSI) scores, 2015–2022 data (related to two Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) targets) from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and other pertinent sources to assess the development of the current status of the countries included in this study. The 20 countries with 2023 GHI scores below five were collectively ranked from 1 to 20, signifying low hunger levels. However, the Central African Republic (CAR) received the lowest ranking, at 125 out of 125, with a score of 42.3, indicating an alarming level of hunger. Finland achieved the highest GFSI score of 83.7, with Oman showing the most notable GFSI improvement at +13.8, while Syria experienced a significant decline in the GFSI score by −10.5. Over time, many countries, particularly the developed ones, have witnessed significant improvements in their GHI and GFSI scores. Meanwhile, most countries in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced the greatest deterioration in their GFSI scores and notable increases in their GHI scores. The review documented the significant progress made by countries and regions in reducing levels of hunger and food insecurity while highlighting the substantial burden borne by sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in combating global hunger and food insecurity.
Exploring Passenger Satisfaction in Multimodal Railway Hubs: A Social Media-Based Analysis of Travel Behavior in China’s Major Rail Stations
Authors: Zeng Zhongzhong , Wang Meizhu , Gao Xiayuanshan , Wang Na
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the dynamics of passenger satisfaction and sustainable urban mobility within the context of multimodal railway hubs, focusing on travel behaviors at major stations in China. Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and the nation’s initiatives to improve transportation efficiency, this research employs social media data analysis to assess passenger sentiment across six key transportation hubs in Eastern China. Utilizing methodological approaches such as keyword frequency analysis and semantic categorization of 39,061 Dianping reviews, supplemented by network visualizations with Gephi, this study reveals insights into factors influencing passenger satisfaction beyond travel efficiency. Signage quality, facility availability, queueing, and crowding emerge as significant determinants of passenger behavior. The study underscores the importance of strategic improvements in station design, navigational aids, and facility management, grounded in real-time data analytics and passenger feedback, to enhance overall passenger satisfaction and promote sustainable urban mobility. This research contributes to advancing understanding of passenger behavior and informs efforts aimed at improving urban transportation systems to meet the evolving needs of passengers and cities.
Developing a Participatory Process for Soil Fertility: A Case Study in an Urban Area of Italy
Authors: Criscuolo Laura , Bordogna Gloria , Barbara Lara , Benessia Alice , Bergami Caterina , Calastri Elisa , Capocefalo Valentina , Caretto Andrea , Cavallo Chiara , Chakraborty Anwesha , Colella Christian , Colucci-Gray Laura , Crosetto Stefano , De Lazzari Amelia , Di Lonardo Sara , Ercole Enrico , Giuffredi Rita , Grasso Francesca , Grasso Valentina , Laurenza Lucia , Mallardo Salvatore , Nigro Francesco , Oggioni Alessandro , Piccolin Fabio , Pizzi Flavia , Serini Beatrice , Spagna Raffaella , Ubbiali Giorgio A. , Vergine Pompilio , L’Astorina Alba
Published: June 2024

Approaches that are transdisciplinary and participatory can help to address complex socio-ecological issues by integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives while taking into account the different needs and experiences of community members and other stakeholders. Despite this promise, such approaches are rarely applied within the scientific community, as researchers and public actors often lack the training, practice and reference cases required to handle the working relationships and translations of terminology, ideas and values across multiple bodies of knowledge. A case study described in this manuscript depicts a group of researchers, artists and citizens consciously engaged in the construction of a transdisciplinary process as part of a 40-day ‘citizen science’ experiment focussed on assessing soil fertility in the urban area of Milan, Italy. The group drew from recognised scientific approaches, applied agronomic methodologies, artistic practices and technological tools, integrating them into a hybrid process of collective and participatory inquiry. As a quantitative outcome of the experiment, a dataset of bio-chemical parameters was generated, which was enriched by agronomic interpretations but also by artistic and reflective materials. Importantly, the process developed transdisciplinary and participatory skills, as it created a potentially replicable procedure of engagement, analysis and presentation for use in other citizen science settings. This article presents the context, the multiple objectives of the research and the applied approach and its timeline. Described in detail are the process of designing and conducting the experiment by involving an extended research community—including both junior and senior researchers—in progressive steps. Quantitative and qualitative results are provided. The findings are meant to contribute case material and methods to inform the advancement of transdisciplinary research approaches within the scientific community as well as examples of ways to transcend the boundaries of science to include artists and community stakeholders. The aspiration is to inform and inspire concrete application of transdisciplinary and participatory methods in concert to address complex socio-environmental challenges.
Assessment of Factors Influencing Educational Effectiveness in Higher Educational Institutions
Authors: Vasilev Yurii , Vasileva Polina , Batova Olga , Tsvetkova Anna
Published: June 2024

This paper discusses the results of the study of educational effectiveness at the tertiary level. It contains an overview of the research considering the quality and effectiveness of higher education development, the issues of creating criteria for their assessment and measurement. The four groups of factors (“Man”, “Milieu”, “Material”, “Method”) for evaluating educational effectiveness were determined, totally including 65 points. The results of the students’ surveys revealed the most significant factors as well as the least crucial ones influencing educational effectiveness in higher educational institutions. The total number of respondents was 279. It was found that the subgroup of factors “Teacher’s competence” is the most important from the viewpoint of the respondents, while the subgroup “Infrastructure facilities” is the least valuable one. The priority measures list was given, the implementation of which will make it possible to increase educational effectiveness in higher educational institutions. Methods such as Ishikawa diagram building, brainstorming and the survey of students were used for achieving the objectives of this research.
Landscape Indicators—An Inventive Approach for the Sustainability of Landscapes
Authors: Aad Roula , el Balaa Rodrigue , Tanios Challita , Nemer Nabil
Published: June 2024

Despite the prerequisite tools of sustainability, there is an arising need to particularly assess landscape sustainability (LS). In this regard, no quantitative approach was identified, neither locally nor internationally. The main objective of this current study is to design a new set of Landscape Indicators (LIs) and a new scheme of LS assessment. Accordingly, an inventive mixed research method was adopted, including different techniques, diverse data categories, and extensive analysis. 15 potential tools were examined, and 51 indicators were prioritized based on an inventive four-dimensional approach to LS. Diverse landscape experts and local stakeholders were consulted to justify the choice of LIs. Site visits and the different aspects of international and local policies were also considered. The new identified set of LIs was applied at Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve, North Lebanon. While some LIs showed a need for further attention, transformative management was proposed to actively present the unique identity of the reserve and make it a true sustainable Lebanese landscape. Remarkably, this research led to the establishment, for the first time, of an educational tool for landscape sustainability assessment, the LSA tool, that will help decision-makers towards landscape correction, conservation, or even protection.
Replacing Potassium Hydroxide with Carbide Lime Waste in Preparing Sludge-Based Activated Carbon for Methylene Blue Removal from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Al Madhoon Ahmad A. , Maraqa Munjed A. , El Dieb Amr , Alhalabi Ahmad M.
Published: June 2024

Domestic wastewater treatment plants produce large amounts of waste sludge. Sludge can be used to produce activated carbon using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an activating agent. However, KOH is expensive (relative to the cost of waste carbide lime), making the conversion of waste into valuable products unsustainable. This study explored the utilization of a solid waste by-product, carbide lime waste, as a replacement for KOH to produce sludge-based activated carbon (SBAC). The effects of activation conditions on the characteristics of SBAC were investigated and its performance for methylene blue (MB) removal from a solution was assessed. Post-production analyses using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the SBAC produced had a porous surface rich in hydroxyl, aromatic, and alkyl functional groups. Among the tested cases of SBAC prepared using carbide lime, the highest removal of MB (240 mg/g) was achieved for the SBAC prepared at 700 °C with a 1:1 impregnation ratio when activated for 60 min and post-treated with 5M hydrochloric acid. The equilibrium adsorption of MB on SBAC was nonlinear. A strong correlation was found between the pore volume and adsorption capacity of the SBAC produced. The findings of this study suggest that the use of carbide lime waste for SBAC production is a viable alternative to an analytical-grade KOH activator.
Analyzing Coupling Coordination of Pollution and Carbon Reduction with High-Quality Economic Development: A Case Study of China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Nie Changfei , Li Ruyi , Feng Yuan
Published: June 2024

Promoting the synergy of pollution and carbon reduction (PCR), as well as accelerating high-quality economic development (HQED), are the two major tasks of China’s current economic development. Thus, it is crucial to achieve a deep integration between PCR and HQED. We first construct the indicator system of PCR and HQED, and use the entropy method to assign weights to the indicator system. The coupling coordination model often portrays the level of coordinated development between systems. We apply this model to measure the synergistic relationship between PCR and HQED in 108 cities of the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) in China from 2006 to 2021.We further analyze its spatial-temporal characteristics, regional differences, and convergence. The results reveal that the coupling coordination degree (CCD) between PCR and HQED in the YREB increases from 0.4234 in 2006 to 0.5832 in 2021. A higher CCD reflects a better coordinated developmental relationship between the two subsystems, and the relationship between the PCR and HQED shifts from on the verge of being uncoordinated to barely coordinated. Meanwhile, the CCD of the YREB shows a trend of decreasing downstream, midstream, and upstream, with significant spatial positive autocorrelation characteristics. Moreover, the overall differences in the CCD of the YREB from 2006 to 2021 show a fluctuating trend, with larger contributions of inter-regional differences and intra-regional differences. The convergence model reflects whether there is a tendency for the coupling coordination differences to narrow. Finally, the model indicates that there is no σ convergence but exists β convergence in the CCD of the YREB. Convergence is fastest in the downstream, followed by the midstream, and slowest in the upstream. The study reveals that the CCD of the YREB is increasing and has significant positive spatial correlation characteristics. It could utilize inter-city synergies, implement integrated strategies, and promote synergies between PCR and HQED in accordance with local conditions. Our findings provide empirical evidence and policy references for effectively promoting the deep integration of PCR with HQED.