bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors, Pathogens, and Outcomes of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Non-Cardiac Surgical Patients: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Chang Po-Hsun , Lin Ting-Lung , Chen Ying-Ju , Lai Wei-Hung , Chen I-Ling , Chang Hui-Chuan , Lin Yu-Cheng , Lin Yu-Hung , Li Wei-Feng , Liu Yueh-Wei , Wang Chih-Chi , Liu Shih-Feng
Published: July 2024

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a critical hospital-acquired infection following non-cardiac surgeries, leading to poor outcomes. This study identifies VAP risk factors in non-cardiac surgical patients and determines the causative pathogens. A retrospective analysis with 1:4 propensity-score matching was conducted on patients in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) from 2010 to 2020 at a private tertiary medical center. Among 99 VAP patients, the mortality rate was 64.7%. VAP risk factors included prolonged mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR] 6.435; p < 0.001), repeat intubation (OR 6.438; p < 0.001), lower oxygenation levels upon ICU admission (OR 0.950; p < 0.001), and undergoing gastrointestinal surgery (OR 2.257; p = 0.021). The 30-day mortality risk factors in the VAP group were late-onset VAP (OR 3.450; p = 0.022), inappropriate antibiotic treatment (OR 4.083; p = 0.041), and undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries (OR 4.776; p = 0.019). Nearly half of the Gram-negative infections were resistant strains, and a third were polymicrobial infections. Non-cardiac surgical patients with VAP face adverse hospital outcomes. Identifying high-risk patients and understanding VAP’s resistant and microbial nature are crucial for appropriate treatment and improved health outcomes.
Brain Abscesses in Domestic Ruminants: Clinicopathological and Bacteriological Approaches
Authors: Ferreira Lucas Vinícius de Oliveira , Rocha Thaís Gomes , Takahira Regina Kiomi , Laufer-Amorim Renée , Machado Vânia Maria de Vasconcelos , Ribeiro Márcio Garcia , Pereira Wanderson Adriano Biscola , Oliveira-Filho José Paes , Borges Alexandre Secorun , Amorim Rogério Martins
Published: July 2024

Brain abscesses in ruminants often arise from primary infection foci, leading to an unfavorable prognosis for affected animals. This highlights the need for comprehensive studies on brain abscesses across different ruminant species. We retrospectively investigated medical records of epidemiological, clinical, neuroimaging, anatomopathological, and bacteriological findings in six ruminants (three goats, two cows, and one sheep) diagnosed with brain abscesses. All animals studied were female. Apathy (50%), compulsive walking (33%), decreased facial sensitivity (33%), head pressing (33%), seizures (33%), semicomatous mental status (33%), strabismus (33%), unilateral blindness (33%), and circling (33%) represented the most common neurologic signs. Leukocytosis and neutrophilia were the main findings in the hematological evaluation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed predominant hyperproteinorrachia and pleocytosis. In three cases, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were used, enabling the identification of typical abscess lesions, which were subsequently confirmed during postmortem examination. Microbiological culture of the abscess samples and/or CSF revealed bacterial coinfections in most cases. Advanced imaging examinations, combined with CSF analysis, can aid in diagnosis, although confirmation typically relies on postmortem evaluation and isolation of the causative agent. This study contributes to clinicopathological aspects, neuroimages, and bacteriological diagnosis of brain abscesses in domestic ruminants.
High Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in Traditionally Fermented Foods as a Critical Risk Factor for Host Gut Antibiotic Resistome
Authors: Li Yutong , Fu Siying , Klein Matthias S. , Wang Hua
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to assess the suitability of fermented food interventions to replenish damaged gut microbiota. Metagenomic assessment of published sequencing data found that fermented food interventions led to a significant increase in the gut antibiotic resistome in healthy human subjects. Antibiotic resistome and viable antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacteria were further highly prevalent in retail kimchi and artisan cheeses by metagenomic and culture analyses. Representative AR pathogens of importance in nosocomial infections, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), as well as commensals and lactic acid bacteria, were characterized; some exhibited an extremely high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against antibiotics of clinical significance. Exposing fermented food microbiota to representative antibiotics further led to a boost of the corresponding antibiotic and multidrug-resistance gene pools, as well as disturbed microbiota, including the rise of previously undetectable pathogens. These results revealed an underestimated public health risk associated with fermented food intervention at the current stage, particularly for susceptible populations with compromised gut integrity and immune functions seeking gut microbiota rescue. The findings call for productive intervention of foodborne AR via technology innovation and strategic movements to mitigate unnecessary, massive damages to the host gut microbiota due to orally administered or biliary excreted antibiotics.
Research on Electric Field Homogenization in Radial Multi-Nozzle Electrospinning
Authors: Liu Jian , Dong Shoujun , Wang Chenghao , Liu Yanbo , Pan Shanshan , Yin Zhaosong
Published: July 2024

Electrospinning is an effective method to prepare nanofibers at present. Aiming at problems such as low spinnable viscosity and the low productivity of the traditional multi-needle, a radial nozzle was proposed in this paper. In order to solve the problem of end effects in multi-nozzle electrospinning, COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 software was used to simulate the electric field in electrospinning with seven radial nozzles. And the influence on the electric field intensity and distribution of the structural parameters of the radial nozzle, including the number, length, tip-shape, and tip-pointing direction of the vanes, were studied. Then, the electric field intensity of any point on the central axis of a radial nozzle was obtained based on the principle of electric field superposition, and then the rotation angle of the vanes corresponding to the minimum Coulomb repulsion force on the target point was deduced. At last, the method of electric field homogenization of a rotating vane arrangement was obtained. In the simulation, the strength and homogenization of the electric field were taken as the research objective, and the optimum structure parameters of the radial nozzle were obtained; the uniform theory of the electric field based on the orientation of the vanes was verified. Then, electrospinning with seven radial nozzles was performed, and it was found that each radial nozzle can produce multiple jets during electrospinning, and the prepared electrospun membranes have even thickness and high porosity. What is more, the fibers are relatively finer and more uniform.
Thermal Effects on Domain Wall Stability at Magnetic Stepped Nanowire for Nanodevices Storage
Authors: Al Bahri Mohammed , Al-Kamiyani Salim
Published: July 2024

In the future, DW memory will replace conventional storage memories with high storage capacity and fast read/write speeds. The only failure in DW memory arises from DW thermal fluctuations at pinning sites. This work examines, through calculations, the parameters that might help control DW thermal stability at the pinning sites. It is proposed to design a new scheme using a stepped area of a certain depth (d) and length (λ). The study reveals that DW thermal stability is highly dependent on the geometry of the pinning area (d and λ), magnetic properties such as saturation magnetization (Ms) and magnetic anisotropy energy (Ku), and the dimensions of the nanowires. For certain values of d and λ, DWs remain stable at temperatures over 500 K, which is beneficial for memory applications. Higher DW thermal stability is also achieved by decreasing nanowire thickness to less than 10 nm, making DW memories stable below 800 K. Finally, our results help to construct DW memory nanodevices with nanodimensions less than a 40 nm width and less than a 10 nm thickness with high DW thermal stability.
Effects of Short-Term Gluten-Free Diet on Cardiovascular Biomarkers and Quality of Life in Healthy Individuals: A Prospective Interventional Study
Authors: Lange Simon , Tsohataridis Simeon , Boland Niklas , Ngo Lisa , Hahad Omar , Münzel Thomas , Wild Philipp , Daiber Andreas , Schuppan Detlef , Lurz Philipp , Keppeler Karin , Steven Sebastian
Published: July 2024

Introduction: The exposome concept includes nutrition as it significantly influences human health, impacting the onset and progression of diseases. Gluten-containing wheat products are an essential source of energy for the world’s population. However, a rising number of non-celiac healthy individuals tend to reduce or completely avoid gluten-containing cereals for health reasons. Aim and Methods: This prospective interventional human study aimed to investigate whether short-term gluten avoidance improves cardiovascular endpoints and quality of life (QoL) in healthy volunteers. A cohort of 27 participants followed a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) for four weeks. Endothelial function measured by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), blood testing, plasma proteomics (Olink®) and QoL as measured by the World Health Organisation Quality-of-Life (WHOQOL) survey were investigated. Results: GFD resulted in decreased leucocyte count and C-reactive protein levels along with a trend of reduced inflammation biomarkers determined by plasma proteomics. A positive trend indicated improvement in FMD, whereas other cardiovascular endpoints remained unchanged. In addition, no improvement in QoL was observed. Conclusion: In healthy individuals, a short-term GFD demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects but did not result in overall cardiovascular improvement or enhanced quality of life.
A Nutrigenomic View on the Premature-Aging Disease Fanconi Anemia
Authors: Velleuer Eunike , Carlberg Carsten
Published: July 2024

Fanconi anemia, a rare disorder with an incidence of 1 in 300,000, is caused by mutations in FANC genes, which affect the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks. The disease is characterized by congenital malformations, bone marrow failure within the first decade of life, and recurrent squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, esophagus, and anogenital regions starting around age 20. In this review, we propose that Fanconi anemia should be considered a premature-aging syndrome. Interestingly, the onset and severity of the life-limiting clinical features of Fanconi anemia can be influenced by lifestyle choices, such as a healthy diet and physical activity. These factors shape the epigenetic status of at-risk cell types and enhance the competence of the immune system through nutritional signaling. Fanconi anemia may serve as a model for understanding the aging process in the general population, addressing research gaps in its clinical presentation and suggesting prevention strategies. Additionally, we will discuss how the balance of genetic and environmental risk factors—affecting both cancer onset and the speed of aging—is interlinked with signal transduction by dietary molecules. The underlying nutrigenomic principles will offer guidance for healthy aging in individuals with Fanconi anemia as well as for the general population.
Identifying and Analyzing Low Energy Availability in Athletes: The Role of Biomarkers and Red Blood Cell Turnover
Authors: Suzuki Daisuke , Suzuki Yoshio
Published: July 2024

Low energy availability (LEA) is a growing concern that can lead to several problems for athletes. However, adaptation to LEA occurs to maintain balance over time, making diagnosis difficult. In this review, we categorize LEA into two phases: the initial phase leading to adaptation and the phase in which adaptation is achieved and maintained. We review the influence of LEA on sports performance and health and discuss biomarkers for diagnosing LEA in each phase. This review also proposes future research topics for diagnosing LEA, with an emphasis on the recently discovered association between red blood cell turnover and LEA.
Antitumor Activity of a Pyrrolobenzodiazepine Antibody–Drug Conjugate Targeting LGR5 in Preclinical Models of Neuroblastoma
Authors: Tu Jianghua , Toh Yukimatsu , Aldana Adela M. , Wen Jake J. , Wu Ling , Jacob Joan , Li Li , Pan Sheng , Carmon Kendra S. , Liu Qingyun J.
Published: July 2024

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a cancer of the peripheral nervous system found in children under 15 years of age. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer during infancy, accounting for ~12% of all cancer-related deaths in children. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) is a membrane receptor that is associated with the primary tumor formation and metastasis of cancers in the gastrointestinal system. Remarkably, high levels of LGR5 are found in NB tumor cells, and high LGR5 expression is strongly correlated with poor survival. Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are monoclonal antibodies that are covalently linked to cell-killing cytotoxins to deliver the payloads into cancer cells. We generated an ADC with an anti-LGR5 antibody and pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer-based payload SG3199 using a chemoenzymatic conjugation method. The resulting anti-LGR5 ADC was able to inhibit the growth of NB cells expressing LGR5 with high potency and specificity. Importantly, the ADC was able to completely inhibit the growth of NB xenograft tumors in vivo at a clinically relevant dose for the PBD class of ADCs. The findings support the potential of targeting LGR5 using the PBD class of payload for the treatment of high-risk NBs.
Illumination Field Uniformity Correction by Novel Finger Arrays for Lithography Illumination System
Authors: Luo Shaoqin , Liu Junbo , Jin Chuan , Zhou Ji
Published: July 2024

In order to correct the integrated nonuniformity of a lithographic illumination field, a high-precision uniformity correction method for an advanced lithographic illumination system is proposed. The method adopts the opaque finger array structure and improves correction ability and accuracy by optimizing the arrangement and structure of the unit without changing the width of each unit. The correction accuracy is expressed as the percentage of the corrected integrated nonuniformity. Through theoretical analysis and simulation, it can be seen that the correction accuracy of a staggered finger array is better than 0.22%. When staggered and layered, the correction accuracy of a finger array is better than 0.14%, which is better than that of a non-layered finger array. When staggered, layered, and chamfered of each unit, the correction accuracy of the finger array structure is better than 0.12%.
Cellulose Acetate and Polycaprolactone Fibre Coatings on Medical-Grade Metal Substrates for Controlled Drug Release
Authors: Cidade do Carmo Catarina , Brito Miguel , Oliveira J. P. , Marques Ana , Ferreira Isabel , Baptista Ana Catarina
Published: July 2024

This study explores a method that has the potential to be cost effective in inhibiting biofilm formation on metallic prostheses, thereby preventing rejection or the requirement for replacement. A cost-effective metal alloy used in biomedical implants was chosen as the substrate, and ibuprofen (Ibu), a well-known anti-inflammatory drug, was selected for drug release tests for its widespread availability and accessibility. Multilayer coatings consisting of cellulose acetate (CA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and chitosan (CHI), with or without ibuprofen (Ibu) content, were applied onto medical-grade stainless steel (SS-316 type) through electrospinning, electrospray, or blow spinning. The adhesion of the CA, PCL, and layered CA/PCL membranes, with thicknesses ranging from 20 to 100 μm, to SS substrates varied between 0.15 N and 0.22 N without CHI, which increased to 0.21 and 0.74 N, respectively, when a CHI interlayer was introduced by electrospraying between the SS and the coatings. Although drug release in a simulated body fluid (SBF) medium is predominantly governed by diffusion-driven mechanisms in all single- and multilayer coatings, a delayed release was noted in CA coatings containing Ibu when overlaid with a PCL coating produced by blow spinning. This suggests avenues for further investigations into combinations of multilayer coatings, both with and without drug-imbued layers.
Optimization of Flexural Performance of PETG Samples Produced by Fused Filament Fabrication with Response Surface Method
Authors: Tunçel Oğuz , Kahya Çağlar , Tüfekci Kenan
Published: July 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM), particularly fused filament fabrication (FFF), has gained significant attention for its design flexibility and cost-effectiveness. This study focuses on optimizing FFF parameters that employ response surface methodology (RSM) to enhance the flexural performance of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) parts. Three essential parameters—layer height, print speed, and nozzle temperature—were varied, and their effects on flexural strength, flexural modulus, flexural toughness for ultimate strength, flexural toughness at 5% strain, and strain at ultimate strength were evaluated. Based on a Box–Behnken design, the experiments revealed significant effects of these parameters on the mechanical responses. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicates that layer height predominantly affects flexural modulus and toughness, while nozzle temperature significantly impacts flexural strength. The RSM models exhibited high accuracy, with R2 values exceeding 99%. Optimal parameter combinations yield remarkable improvements: flexural strength reached 39.55 MPa, flexural modulus peaked at 1344.60 MPa, flexural toughness for ultimate strength reached 218.22 J/mm3, flexural toughness at 5% strain reached 381.47 J/mm3, and strain at ultimate strength reached 3.50%. Validation experiments confirm the effectiveness of the optimization, with errors below 3.17%.
Efficient Bio-Oxidation of Cellobiose with Engineered Gluconobacter oxydans to Provide Highly Concentrated Cellobionic Acid
Authors: Bieringer Emmeran , Pütthoff Lisa , Zimmermann Arne , de Souza Góes Mariana , Yilmaz Uraz , Ehrenreich Armin , Liebl Wolfgang , Weuster-Botz Dirk
Published: July 2024

Cellobionic acid (CBA) can be obtained through the oxidation of cellobiose, the monomer of cellulose. CBA serves as a plant-based alternative to its stereoisomer lactobionic acid, which is used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Gluconobacter oxydans is a well-established whole-cell biocatalyst with membrane-bound dehydrogenases (mDH) for regio-specific oxidations. As G. oxydans wildtype cells show low cellobiose oxidation activities, the glucose mDH from Pseudomonas taetrolens was overexpressed in G. oxydans BP9, a multi mDH deletion strain. Whole-cell biotransformation studies were performed with resting cells of the engineered G. oxydans in stirred tank bioreactors. Initial biomass specific cellobionate formation rates increased with increasing cellobiose concentrations up to 190 g L−1, and were constant until the solubility limit. The maximal volumetric CBA formation rates and the oxygen uptake rates increased linearly with the concentration of engineered G. oxydans. This enables the estimation of the maximum biocatalyst concentration limited by the maximum oxygen transfer rate of any bioreactor. Thus, 5.2 g L−1 G. oxydans was sufficient to produce 502 g L−1 CBA with >99% yield in a simple aerobic batch process. The highly concentrated CBA will reduce downstream processing costs considerably after cell separation.
Para-Hydroxy Ni(II)-POCOP Pincer Complexes as Modifiers on Carbon Paste Electrodes and Their Application in Methanol Electro-Oxidation in Alkaline Media
Authors: Hernández-García Fabiola , Sanchez-Mora Arturo T. , Serrano-García Juan S. , Amaya-Florez Andrés , Ortiz-Frade Luis A. , Alvarez-Romero Giaan A. , Cruz-Navarro J. Antonio , Morales-Morales David
Published: July 2024

The application of organometallic materials as anodes in fuel cell devices has experienced a notable increase in recent years. However, the use of POCOP pincer complexes remains scarcely explored despite their great relevance in catalysis. Thus, in this work, the electrocatalytic activity to methanol in alkaline media of three Ni(II)-based POCOP pincer complexes—[NiCl{C6H2-4-OH-2,6-(OPiPr2)2}] (a1), [NiCl{C6H2-4-OH-2,6-(OPtBu2)2}] (a2), and [NiCl{C6H2-4-OH-2,6-(OPPh2)2}] (a3)—will be discussed. The complexes were use as modifiers of carbon paste electrodes that were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry considering diverse factors, such as the absence and presence of MeOH, diverse proportions (% w/w) of the complex in the electrode, scan rate, and different MeOH concentrations. Results indicated the presence of a redox pair Ni(II)/Ni(III) with a quasi-reversible behavior in all complexes, the anodic peak currents of which were proportional to the increase in MeOH concentrations (0.05–0.3 mM), and their oxidation potentials varied in the function of the P-substituent in the Ni(II)-POCOPs backbone. Complex a1 exhibited the best current density (429.5 mA cm2 at 0.5 mM) compared to its analogs a2 and a3. The current intensity of all electrodes displays good stability, which remains—with slight changes—up to 100 s. Moreover, a comparison of their catalytic rate constants suggested a great activity in complex a1 (0.52 × 106 cm3 mol−1 s−1) compared to its analogues, implying a great activity in the electro-oxidation of MeOH. Hence, this work opens new opportunities for the electrochemical application of POCOPs complexes for future DMFCs development.
Modeling and Control for Beam Pumping Units: An Overview
Authors: Gao Zhi-Wei , Jia Shifeng
Published: July 2024

Beam pumping units play a key role in oil extraction. There is an increasing demand for optimal oil-extracting performance as operational environments are becoming more challenging and complex. Therefore, it is vital to create an acceptable mathematical model and develop robust control mechanisms. In the past decades, researchers have achieved fruitful results regarding modeling and control methods in this field. This article provides a comprehensive review of the research on modeling and control methods for beam pumping units, including mathematical models based on differential equations and boundary conditions, as well as the control strategies designed. Finally, future perspectives and recommendations are presented.
Experimental Investigation of Spherical Particles Settling in Annulus Filled with Rising-Bubble-Containing Newtonian Fluids
Authors: Jing Silin , Song Xianzhi , Zhou Mengmeng , Xu Zhengming , Zhu Zhaopeng , Wang Lei
Published: July 2024

During the drilling of ultra-deep wells, gas kick often occurs, influenced by the complex void pressure profile. The accurate description of particle settling behavior in the gas–liquid mixture is of great significance to effectively deal with gas kicks and ensure drilling safety. In this study, the gas–liquid two-phase annulus flow with different gas volume fractions is created through the transparent annular pipe, constant pressure air pump, and gas flowmeter. High-speed photography is used to record and analyze the sedimentation of particles in gas–liquid mixtures. This study is based on 288 tests. The main parameters in this experiment include the particle Reynolds number, the gas fraction, and liquid viscosity. The effects of wall and gas fraction on the drag coefficient were analyzed. The correlation of particle terminal settling velocity was established. The results obtained show a correlation with average absolute errors (AAE) of 10.7%. This study reveals the settling characteristics of particles in the annular gas–liquid mixed flow, provides an accurate terminal settling velocity prediction explicit formula, and provides guidance for the calculation of bottom hole pressure under the condition of gas kick.
Sustainable Sludge Management in China: Quantifying GHG Emissions and Exploring Its Reduction Strategies
Authors: Hu Dongming , Jiang Peng , Chen Yipei , Gao Fuyan , Liu Shuai
Published: July 2024

This study aims to evaluate the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) stemming from the sludge treatment sector in China and to investigate the feasibility of novel technologies in curtailing these emissions, with the aim of fostering sustainable sludge management methodologies. Employing a life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, the research computed the comprehensive GHG emissions resulting from sludge treatment, taking into consideration diverse elements such as treatment techniques (e.g., landfills, incineration, and land application) and the geographical variations among China’s 660 municipalities. Findings indicate that the total amount of GHG emissions from sludge treatment amounted to 18.54 Mt CO2-eq in 2017, with incineration registering the highest emissions (10,011.53 kg CO2-eq/t dry sludge (DS)), followed by landfills (717.51 kg CO2-eq/t DS) and land application (276.41 kg CO2-eq/t DS). The geographical dispersion of emissions characteristics reveal notable regional disparities, with the top 1% of cities responsible for 34.2% of the overall emissions. The concentration of emissions in the top 1 percent of cities underscores the necessity for tailored mitigation measures that consider localized sustainable development challenges. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrates that economic determinants and treatment scales exert substantial influence on emissions, underscoring the imperative of aligning Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with economic advancement. To curtail the carbon footprint associated with sludge treatment and enhance sustainability, the study evaluated the emission mitigation potential and expenses of diverse technologies, encompassing thermal conversion, anaerobic digestion, hydrothermal treatment, and wet oxidation. These technologies have the capacity to slash GHG emissions by 0.09–0.46 t CO2-eq/t DS in comparison to traditional approaches, while concurrently advancing resource recuperation and principles of circular economy. For instance, gasification could diminish GHG emissions by 0.33–0.46 t CO2-eq/t DS, whereas anaerobic digestion could yield reductions of 0.09–0.30 t CO2-eq/t DS. The implementation of these innovative technologies across 660 Chinese municipalities could potentially curtail total GHG emissions from sludge treatment by 15–40%. Nevertheless, further enhancements are imperative to refine their environmental and economic efficiency and guarantee enduring sustainability. By deploying these technologies and embracing optimization tactics, China’s sludge treatment sector can make a substantial contribution towards attaining national carbon neutrality objectives and advancing sustainable development.
Reconsidering the Term Dai 待 in Zhuangzi 莊子
Authors: Zheng Suixin
Published: July 2024

Developing from Laozi’s ideals of non-action and naturalness, the ultimate goal in Zhuangzi’s philosophy is a state of xiaoyao 逍遥 (free and easy). This is often also described with the Chinese term wudai 無待, variously understood to mean “not depend on anything”, “depend on the ten thousand things”, or “depend on Dao 道”. This confusing expression has sparked a long and considerable debate. However, upon revisiting the original text, it becomes evident that Zhuangzi’s key expression is not wudai but rather dai 待 (depend on). I argue that the crucial phrase bi qie wuhu dai zai 彼且惡乎待哉 (not depend on anything, or, what can you depend on?) cannot simply be glossed with wudai, as it often is, but instead hints at the way one can become free and easy. This statement entails two interconnected inquiries: what to depend on and how to depend on it. The answer to both relates to Heaven. It is what we must depend on and this “depending” on Heaven can be divided into internally depending on one’s own self-transformative nature and externally depending on one’s relationship with Heaven. How we properly depend on Heaven involves realizing an interdependent relationship with Heaven that is seemingly non-interdependent, something only made possible by our full participation in hua 化 (transformation).
Reconceiving Trinitarian Creatorship and Redeemership through a Dialogue between Robert Jenson and Karl Barth: Soteriological Panentheism
Authors: Shin Jongseock
Published: July 2024

In this article, I explore the significance of the protological and eschatological dimensions of the Trinity, critiquing and building upon the Trinitarian doctrines of Karl Barth and Robert Jenson. The traditional doctrine of the Trinity tends to separate the Triune God’s saving economy, which Barth attempts to reconcile via reclaiming their inseparability in his Church Dogmatics. However, Jenson critiques Barth for continuing to abstract the eternal life of God from God’s act in history and instead proposes an eschatological view of the immanent Trinity as the temporal fulfillment of God’s economic actions. By placing Barth and Jenson in mutual dialogue, I argue for a balanced integration of Barth’s and Jenson’s perspectives, asserting that both the primordial existence and the eschatological fulfillment of the Trinity are critical to understanding the Triune God as the Creator and Redeemer. At the end of the article, I propose a soteriological panentheism that aims to reconcile these dimensions. This scheme highlights the continuous, dynamic interaction between God’s eternal nature and temporal creation.
Reflection–Polarization Characteristics of Greenhouses Studied by Drone-Polarimetry Focusing on Polarized Light Pollution of Glass Surfaces
Authors: Takács Péter , Tibiássy Adalbert , Bernáth Balázs , Gotthard Viktor , Horváth Gábor
Published: July 2024

Drone-based imaging polarimetry is a valuable new tool for the remote sensing of the polarization characteristics of the Earth’s surface. After briefly reviewing two earlier drone-polarimetric studies, we present here the results of our drone-polarimetric campaigns, in which we measured the reflection–polarization patterns of greenhouses. From the measured patterns of the degree and angle of linear polarization of reflected light, we calculated the measure (plp) of polarized light pollution of glass surfaces. The knowledge of polarized light pollution is important for aquatic insect ecology, since polarotactic aquatic insects are the endangered victims of artificial horizontally polarized light sources. We found that the so-called Palm House of a botanical garden has only a low polarized light pollution, 3.6% ≤ plp ≤ 13.7%, while the greenhouses with tilted roofs are strongly polarized-light-polluting, with 24.8% ≤ plp ≤ 40.4%. Similarly, other tilted-roofed greenhouses contain very high polarized light pollution, plp ≤ 76.7%. Under overcast skies, the polarization patterns and plp values of greenhouses practically only depend on the direction of view relative to the glass surfaces, as the rotationally invariant diffuse cloud light is the only light source. However, under cloudless skies, the polarization patterns of glass surfaces significantly depend on the azimuth direction of view and its angle relative to the solar meridian because, in this case, sunlight is the dominant light source, rather than the sky. In the case of a given direction of view, those glass surfaces are the strongest polarized-light-polluting, from which sunlight and/or skylight is reflected at or near Brewster’s angle in a nearly vertical plane, i.e., with directions of polarization close to horizontal. Therefore, the plp value is usually greatest when the sun shines directly or from behind. The plp value of greenhouses is always the smallest in the green spectral range due to the green plants under the glass.
Active Remote Sensing Assessment of Biomass Productivity and Canopy Structure of Short-Rotation Coppice American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.)
Authors: Ukachukwu Omoyemeh Jennifer , Smart Lindsey , Jeziorska Justyna , Mitasova Helena , King John S.
Published: July 2024

The short-rotation coppice (SRC) culture of trees provides a sustainable form of renewable biomass energy, while simultaneously sequestering carbon and contributing to the regional carbon feedstock balance. To understand the role of SRC in carbon feedstock balances, field inventories with selective destructive tree sampling are commonly used to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) and canopy structure dynamics. However, these methods are resource intensive and spatially limited. To address these constraints, we examined the utility of publicly available airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and easily accessible imagery from Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) to estimate the AGB and canopy structure of an American sycamore SRC in the piedmont region of North Carolina, USA. We compared LiDAR-derived AGB estimates to field estimates from 2015, and UAS-derived AGB estimates to field estimates from 2022 across four planting densities (10,000, 5000, 2500, and 1250 trees per hectare (tph)). The results showed significant effects of planting density treatments on LIDAR- and UAS-derived canopy metrics and significant relationships between these canopy metrics and AGB. In the 10,000 tph, the field-estimated AGB in 2015 (7.00 ± 1.56 Mg ha−1) and LiDAR-derived AGB (7.19 ± 0.13 Mg ha−1) were comparable. On the other hand, the UAS-derived AGB was overestimated in the 10,000 tph planting density and underestimated in the 1250 tph compared to the 2022 field-estimated AGB. This study demonstrates that the remote sensing-derived estimates are within an acceptable level of error for biomass estimation when compared to precise field estimates, thereby showing the potential for increasing the use of accessible remote-sensing technology to estimate AGB of SRC plantations.
A Novel Approach to Detect Drones Using Deep Convolutional Neural Network Architecture
Authors: Rakshit Hrishi , Bagheri Zadeh Pooneh
Published: July 2024

Over the past decades, drones have become more attainable by the public due to their widespread availability at affordable prices. Nevertheless, this situation sparks serious concerns in both the cyber and physical security domains, as drones can be employed for malicious activities with public safety threats. However, detecting drones instantly and efficiently is a very difficult task due to their tiny size and swift flights. This paper presents a novel drone detection method using deep convolutional learning and deep transfer learning. The proposed algorithm employs a new feature extraction network, which is added to the modified YOU ONLY LOOK ONCE version2 (YOLOv2) network. The feature extraction model uses bypass connections to learn features from the training sets and solves the “vanishing gradient” problem caused by the increasing depth of the network. The structure of YOLOv2 is modified by replacing the rectified linear unit (relu) with a leaky-relu activation function and adding an extra convolutional layer with a stride of 2 to improve the small object detection accuracy. Using leaky-relu solves the “dying relu” problem. The additional convolution layer with a stride of 2 reduces the spatial dimensions of the feature maps and helps the network to focus on larger contextual information while still preserving the ability to detect small objects. The model is trained with a custom dataset that contains various types of drones, airplanes, birds, and helicopters under various weather conditions. The proposed model demonstrates a notable performance, achieving an accuracy of 77% on the test images with only 5 million learnable parameters in contrast to the Darknet53 + YOLOv3 model, which exhibits a 54% accuracy on the same test set despite employing 62 million learnable parameters.
Analyzing the Impact of Montreal’s Réseau Express Vélo (REV) on Surrounding Bike Lanes’ Ridership and the COVID-19 Cycling Recovery
Authors: Young Mischa , MacGregor Gavin , Tanguay Georges A.
Published: July 2024

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Montreal implemented pro-cycling measures and enhanced its cycling infrastructure, notably by the introduction of the Réseau Express Vélo (REV), an extensive network of separated high-capacity bike lanes inaugurated in 2020. This paper delves into the pandemic’s impact on Montreal’s cycling network, with specific focus on the Berri/Lajeunesse/Saint-Denis REV route, evaluating its influence on the recovery of adjacent bike lanes and its effectiveness in attracting new cyclists. Using data from sensors installed along Montreal’s bike lanes between 2018 and 2023, our analysis reveals an initial average 28% decline in cycling volumes at the onset of the pandemic. However, from 2021 onwards, disparities began to emerge. While sensors on adjacent parallel bike routes to REV recorded further declines in ridership, those elsewhere in the city showed signs of cycling recovery, suggesting a shift in the cycling patterns towards the REV. Distinguishing between cyclists displaced from other parallel bike lanes and those representing a pent-up demand, our study indicates that the displaced cyclists accounted for 64% of the REV’s ridership at the southernmost sensors and only 7% at the northernmost sensors in 2023. These findings have significant policy implications, as cyclists comprised within the pent-up demand category correspond to those having transitioned from not using bike lanes to utilizing safer cycling infrastructure and account for the net growth in the cycling mode share directly attributable to the REV. Both of these observations are pivotal in fostering a shift away from cars and steering Montreal towards achieving its cycling mode share goal of 15% by 2027.
Fabrication of Sustainable Sodium Alginate/Polyethyleneimine/Polyvinyl Alcohol Multilayer Composite Electrospun Nanofiber Membrane for Efficient Cu2+ Removal
Authors: Xie Boshi , Zhang Ziao , Lu Yujie , Cui Lijuan , Xu Chao , Shi Weijian , Wu Shuping
Published: July 2024

In pursuit of sustainable solutions for water pollution mitigation, we have successfully employed electrospinning technology to fabricate a multilayered sodium alginate (SA)/polyethyleneimine (PEI)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite fiber membrane, with a focus on enhancing its adsorption capacity for Cu2+ ions in wastewater. Our research underscores the potential of this novel membrane, characterized by its small diameter, high uniformity, and expansive surface area, in effectively filtering heavy metal ions. By optimizing critical electrospinning parameters such as a voltage of 19.5 KV, a collector distance of 8 cm, a specific mass ratio of SA:PEI: PVA (1:2:6), and an injection rate of 8 μL/min, we achieved a nanofiber membrane with an average diameter of 112.5 nm, exhibiting exceptional morphological characteristics and high efficiency. Notably, the membrane exhibited an adsorption capacity of over 85% for Cu2+ during initial testing, maintaining over 80% efficiency throughout four consecutive filtration cycles. This work not only advances the field of nanocomposite membranes for water purification but also contributes significantly to the broader goal of achieving environmental sustainability by mitigating the impact of heavy metal contamination in water bodies.
Has Technological Finance Improved Environmental Pollution Control Levels in Heavily Polluting Industries?
Authors: Lyu Jingye , Wang Xiaolu , Zhou Wenwen
Published: July 2024

Developing new productivity adapted to local conditions and actively promoting the green transformation of industries is the key to improving environmental pollution control levels. Based on data from 697 listed companies in heavily polluting industries nationwide from 2012 to 2022, this paper empirically examines the impact mechanisms, paths, and heterogeneity of technological finance, technological innovation, and financing constraints on environmental pollution control levels. The study shows that technological finance significantly improves the environmental pollution control levels of heavily polluting enterprises. However, there is some greenwashing behavior in the utilization of technological finance funds. Technological innovation and financing constraints play a partial mediating role in the process of improving environmental pollution control levels through technological finance. Compared with non-state-owned enterprises, state-owned enterprises are more sensitive to the enhancement of environmental pollution control through technological finance. To improve the environmental pollution control levels of heavily polluting enterprises, those located in strictly regulated “dual control areas” are less influenced by technological finance compared to those outside these areas. This paper also attempts to explore the factors affecting the sustainable green development of heavily polluting industries and provides policy recommendations for improving the environmental pollution control levels of heavily polluting enterprises.
Local Development Based on Non-Timber Forest Products: Evidence from a Mapping of Initiatives in the Brazilian Amazon since Rio 1992
Authors: Rosenfeld Tomas , Pokorny Benno , Marcovitch Jacques , Poschen Peter
Published: July 2024

Over recent decades, the sustainable use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has offered the promise of reconciling the dilemma between forest conservation and economic development, generating income for local populations. Accordingly, since the 1990s, manifold initiatives, often supported by international donors, have been investing in developing such NTFP value chains. Specifically in the Brazilian context, initiatives have proliferated as a response to the challenges of the largest remaining tropical forest ecosystem—the Amazon region and its inhabitants. Have they worked? What do we know about their impact? To provide for the first time an adequate basis for a more systematic analysis of the impact of NTFP initiatives in the Brazilian Amazon, this article presents a mapping of current and past initiatives supporting NTFP extractivism. The mapping drew on databases of funding organizations and interviews with key informants. The analysis revealed a large number of initiatives (nearly 200) strongly clustered in some areas, like around Belém, along major roads such as the BR 364, and along the Juruá rivers, concentrated on a few products with relatively high commercial value, mostly implemented by civil society organizations and targeting traditional peoples and communities. As interventions for NTFP development, the initiatives offered capacity building, financial support, and facilitate market access. With regard to the latter, the initiatives varied considerably. The vast majority promoted products, while a much smaller number engaged in company partnerships or government procurement. Despite the large number of initiatives, there is insufficient knowledge to gauge the impacts of different strategies of local resources and their users. A clear understanding of the effects of NTFP-based development initiatives and how impacts are generated is essential to seize the potential of the bioeconomy for achieving sustainable development for the Brazilian Amazon.
Ecology and Sustainable Conservation of the Nase, Chondrostoma nasus: A Literature Review
Authors: Ovidio Michaël , Nzau Matondo Billy
Published: July 2024

Cyprinid fish play a major role in riverine ecosystems because of their high abundance, variety of life-history patterns, and habitat requirements. The nase (Chondrostoma nasus) is an algivorous, rheophilic, lithophilic, and oxyphilic species and is very pollution-sensitive. Thus, it represents a good indicator for habitat quality in the lower rhithral and upper potamal zones of the European river system. Due to its high level of ecological requirements, the species is very sensitive to human disturbance, leading to habitat loss and river fragmentation, climatic disruption causing a modification of hydrological and thermal regimes, organic and inorganic chemical water pollution, as well as sediment deposition. Its populations are declining in most of its distribution areas. This paper aims to synthesise the scientific knowledge on the different aspects of the nase ecology thanks to consultation of the scientific literature by addressing the following themes: European repartition, morphology and identification, reproduction and life cycle, diet, movement dynamics of adults and juveniles, and the characteristics of spawning grounds and habitats of juveniles and adults. We also provide an overview of the impact of human activities and climate shifts on natural ecology and conservation and present restoration measures based on the results of some studies that have successfully improved their habitats and/or preserved their populations. A series of key research questions are identified that should stimulate new research on this species as well as conservation measures for sustainable conservation. This paper may be particularly of interest to researchers in aquatic and fisheries sciences, river managers, and environmental conservationists.
Enhancing Student Active Engagement in Class through Game-Based Learning: A Case of Civil Engineering Education
Authors: Zubair Muhammad Umer , Khan Muhammad Abbas , Hassan Muhammad Usman , Ahmed Khursheed , Aziz Taha
Published: July 2024

Students are rapidly losing interest in STEM education due to the minimal incorporation of media into learning and the complexity of teaching methods, which ultimately results in a lack of motivation. However, despite these challenges, incorporating active learning methods in STEM can ultimately reignite students’ interest in STEM education. This paper reports a case study presenting the effects of simulation games on enhancing the learning experiences of civil engineering students through an intervention method. It develops a framework for enhancing learning through game-based learning. Intervention included the following two groups: a control group exposed to conventional teaching methods and an experimental group introduced to the simulation game. Following the learning sessions, a survey was conducted to gauge students’ perceptions about the proposed framework. Results indicated a strong positive response from students toward the game-based learning approach. They expressed satisfaction with its effectiveness in improving their understanding. Independent t-tests found that the mean score (4.13) for entertainment via the game exceeded that of traditional teaching methods (3.72). Furthermore, 85% of students acknowledged the game’s utility in reinforcing civil engineering concepts, compared to 67% for traditional methods. Many students suggested expanding the game to cover a wider range of topics in future versions to enable a more comprehensive learning experience.