bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examined in Theory—Applicable in Practice: Potentials of Sustainable Industrial Heritage Conservation in a Contemporary Context—The Case of Belgrade
Authors: Nikolić Marko , Šćekić Jelena , Drobnjak Boško , Takač Ena
Published: March 2024

The industrial heritage of the city of Belgrade is the focus of this research, which highlights the possibilities of preserving industrial heritage from the perspective of a contemporary context and sustainable development. Guided by theoretical principles on the preservation of cultural and industrial heritage, their values, authenticity and spirit of place, as well as the idea of the necessity of integrating industrial heritage into the contemporary context, this paper aims to examine the possibilities for the preservation of industrial heritage following theoretically established principles, with the introduction of new uses and sustainable solutions. The analysis of the case studies of Belgrade’s industrial heritage presented in this paper results from research conducted by the teachers, associates and students of the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture. The research focuses on the possibilities of translating the principles of preserving cultural and industrial heritage from their theoretical definition to practical application. The students’ conceptual solutions for protection, revitalisation and presentation of the analysed case studies represent the research results. An important aspect of this paper is defining the criteria for valorising students’ conceptual solutions, which are aligned with the principles of preserving cultural heritage and establishing sustainable development. The valorisation of students’ conceptual solutions through a defined set of criteria indicates real possibilities for the simultaneous preservation of all the values of industrial heritage and its transformation into a social, ecological and economic resource of the contemporary city.
A Novel Machine Learning-Based Approach for Fault Detection and Location in Low-Voltage DC Microgrids
Authors: Salehimehr Sirus , Miraftabzadeh Seyed Mahdi , Brenna Morris
Published: March 2024

DC microgrids have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential to enhance energy efficiency, integrate renewable energy sources, and improve the resilience of power distribution systems. However, the reliable operation of DC microgrids relies on the early detection and location of faults to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. This paper aims to develop fast and reliable fault detection and location mechanisms for DC microgrids, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, minimizing environmental impact, and contributing to resource conservation and sustainability goals. The fault detection method is based on compressed sensing (CS) and Regression Tree (RT) techniques. Besides, an accurate fault location method using the feature matrix and long short-term memory (LSTM) model combination has been provided. To implement the proposed fault detection and location method, a DC microgrid equipped with photovoltaic (PV) panels, the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging station, and a hybrid energy storage system (ESS) are used. The simulation results represent the proposed methods’ superiority over the recent studies. The fault occurrence in the studied DC microgrid is detected in 1 ms, and the proposed fault location method locates the fault with an accuracy of more than 93%. The presented techniques enhance DC microgrid reliability while conserving renewable resources, vital to promoting a greener and more sustainable power grid.
Research on Green Development Decision Making of Logistics Enterprises Based on Three-Party Game
Authors: He Chan , Xu Xu
Published: March 2024

The concept of green logistics entails minimizing the ecological impact of logistical resources, enhancing the environmental quality within the logistics sector, and optimizing resource utilization to foster sustainable development in social economic production and consumption. Promoting green transportation is not only a positive reflection of the concepts of environmental protection and green development, but also an effective means for traditional logistics enterprises to reduce operating costs, win competitive advantages, and achieve transformation and upgrading. This paper takes logistics enterprises facing green transformation and development decisions as the research object, and puts forward an evolutionary game model between logistics companies, government, and community. The evolution path of logistics enterprises’ green transformation development strategy choice under different conditions is analyzed in detail. The results show that, under the conditions of the government’s incentive and supervision and the public’s choice of green consumption, logistics enterprises are more inclined to green transformation development. Different levels of public choice and different levels of government regulation also make different corporate strategy choices. Therefore, it is suggested that the government provide policy, technical channels, funds, and other support for logistics companies promoting green logistics, and actively publicize the concept of green consumption in the market.
Silicon Combined with Trichoderma harzianum and Organic Matter as an Environmental Friendly Strategy for Mitigating Salt Stress in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)
Authors: Abrantes Edson Moreira de , Pessoa Luiz Guilherme Medeiros , Silva Luiz Filipe dos Santos , Silva Emanuelle Maria da , Silva José Orlando Nunes da , Freire Maria Betânia Galvão dos Santos , Oliveira Alexandre Campelo de , Alencar Eurico Lustosa do Nascimento
Published: March 2024

Silicon is known to be an effective salt stress attenuator for crops, and evaluating its application effectiveness in combination with other salt stress attenuators is essential for crops and soils. This work aimed to assess whether applying organic matter (OM) and Trichoderma (T) potentiates silicon (Si) in mitigating soil salinization and promoting quinoa growth under salt stress. Quinoa plants were grown in pots under saline irrigation (3.12 dS m−1) and subjected to the following treatments: quinoa only; quinoa + Si; quinoa + Si + OM; quinoa + Si + T; and quinoa + Si + OM + T, at two levels of soil moisture—30 and 80% of the available water content (AWC). Sixty days after transplanting, soil and quinoa plants were collected from the pots. At 80% AWC, Si + OM and Si + OM + T promoted the highest fresh mass for quinoa—301.54 and 247.26 g, respectively. Si + OM + T significantly mitigated saline parameters (EC = 9.82 dS m−1; ESP = 32.27%). Si combined with OM and T was the most effective way to attenuate salt stress in quinoa and soil salinization and promote a more sustainable way to manage saline irrigation in semiarid regions.
Algorithm for Point Cloud Dust Filtering of LiDAR for Autonomous Vehicles in Mining Area
Authors: Jiang Xianyao , Xie Yi , Na Chongning , Yu Wenyang , Meng Yu
Published: March 2024

With the continuous development of the transformation of the “smart mine” in the mineral industry, the use of sensors in autonomous trucks has become very common. However, the driving of trucks causes the point cloud collected by through Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to contain dust points, leading to a significant decline in its detection performance, which makes it easy for vehicles to have failures at the perceptual level. In order to solve this problem, this study proposes a LiDAR point cloud denoising method for the quantitative analysis of laser reflection intensity and spatial structure. This method uses laser reflectivity as the benchmark template, constructs the initial confidence level template and initially screens out the sparse dust point cloud. The results are analyzed through the Euclidean distance of adjacent points, and the confidence level in the corresponding template is reduced for rescreening. The experimental results show that our method can significantly filter dust point cloud particles while retaining the rich environmental information of data. The computational load caused by filtering is far lower than that of other methods, and the overall operation efficiency of the system has no significant delay.
Exploring Extreme Voltage Events in Hydrogen Arcs within Electric Arc Furnaces
Authors: Al Nasser Mohamad , Alrasheedi Nashmi , Karimi-Sibaki Ebrahim , Vakhrushev Alexander , Ahmadein Mahmoud , Ataya Sabbah , Kharicha Abdellah
Published: March 2024

This study highlights the potential utilization of hydrogen gas in electric arc furnaces for achieving cleaner and more sustainable steel production. The application of hydrogen offers a promising path for reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and advancing the concept of “green steel”. This study employs a 2D axisymmetric induction-based model to simulate an electric arc under atmospheric pressure conditions. We conducted numerical simulations to compare compressible and incompressible models of an electric arc. The impact of compressibility on hydrogen arc characteristics such as arc velocity, temperature distribution, and voltage drop were investigated. Additionally, different applied current arcs were simulated using the compressible model. When compared to an incompressible arc, the compressible arc exhibits a higher voltage drop. This higher voltage drop is associated with lower temperatures and lower arc velocity. A rise in applied current results in an upward trend in the voltage drop and an increase in the arc radius. In addition, the increased applied current increases the probability of voltage fluctuations. The voltage fluctuations tend to become more extreme and exert more stress on the control circuit. This has an impact on emerging electric arc technologies, particularly those involving the use of hydrogen. These fluctuations affect arc stability, heat output, and the overall quality of processes. Thus, the precise prediction of voltage and the ability to stabilize the operation is critical for the successful implementation of new hydrogen technologies.
The Social Representation of Sustainable Mobility: An Exploratory Investigation on Social Media Networks
Authors: Metastasio Renata , Bocci Elena , Passafaro Paola , Carnovale Francesco , Zenone Valeria
Published: March 2024

This paper analyzes the social representation (SR) of sustainable mobility as it emerges from social media networks. The role of social media (SM) as contexts of creation, negotiation, and diffusion of a mobility culture worldwide is discussed, together with the results of an empirical investigation that explored the contents and structure of the discourse on “sustainable mobility” as it emerges from the posts published (in English) on two highly used social media (Facebook and TikTok) platforms during the years 2022 and 2023. First of all, the results confirm the relevance of social media as an indicator of ongoing trends in the evolution of mobility culture and the usefulness of S. Moscovici’s theory of social representations as a theoretical framework for analyzing such trends. In particular, several new trends in the SRs of sustainable mobility were identified. These include, for example, the decline in skeptical views and the rise of more optimistic ones, regarding the feasibility of changing people’s mobility styles worldwide. Such views appear to be fostered by the positive perception of new technological innovations (electric vehicles), as well as by their endorsement by both the business sector and governmental institutions. Practical implications and theoretical indications for future research are also outlined.
Port Access Fluidity Management during a Major Extension Project: A Simulation-Based Case Study
Authors: Ben Daya Bechir , Audy Jean-François
Published: March 2024

The increasing demand for freight services and the use of larger vessels to meet this demand has led to challenges related to storage space and logistics activities, highlighting the need for improvements in port infrastructure for better logistics management. At a crucial phase in its growth, the Port of Trois-Rivières in Canada is planning a major expansion, including the construction of a new terminal to enhance its hosting capacities and freight services. This expansion faces potential access congestion problems during the planned construction, exacerbated by the port’s urban setting. In response to the needs identified by the port authorities for this event, the study’s objective is to assess the implications of increased construction and freight truck flows on access gate fluidity and the impact of additional access infrastructure investment to mitigate potential congestion. These evaluations aim to define effective access management strategies throughout the construction period of the new terminal. To address these complexities, our approach is based on scenario analysis in variants co-constructed with the partner. These scenarios are evaluated using simulation models, configured according to parameters calibrated with a granularity that allows congestion detection. The results enabled an evaluation of the capability of existing and potential gates to manage access. Subsequently, recommendations were shaped in accordance with the expected objectives to manage access traffic effectively. These recommendations concern the optimization of construction activity planning, the layout and planning of access, and the importance of enhanced collaboration between municipal and port authorities for more controlled road traffic management. Recognizing the importance of synchromodality, road network centrality management, and the outsourcing of capacity through inter-port cooperation and with dry ports to manage congestion, these tools will be discussed in this work. The study proposes an approach that reconciles scientific rigor with the implementation constraints of the proposed solutions, allowing this study wider applicability in various port contexts facing challenges in this field of study.
Reduction of Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Urine Patches from Grazed Dairy Pastures in New Zealand: A Preliminary Assessment of ORUN® as an Alternative to the Use of Nitrification Inhibitor Dicyandiamide (DCD)
Authors: Otene Iduh Jonathan Joseph , Hedley Mike J. , Bishop Peter
Published: March 2024

Agriculture plays a significant role in economic development and livelihood and is a key contributor to food security and nutrition. However, global concerns regarding the sustainability of the agricultural sector (mainly environmental damage) is linked to agricultural activities such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ORUN® (a formulated agricultural chemical mixture) to reduce N2O emissions from urine patches and to improve pasture yield, pasture N uptake, and soil mineral N concentrations. The field trials were conducted during the spring of 2015 on dairy urine patches at Massey University, New Zealand. Treatments consisted of control nil urine, control nil urine + ProGibb®, urine only, urine + ProGibb®, urine + ORUN®, and urine + ORUN PLUS® replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. At 31 days after treatment (DAT), analysis of soil samples in 0–5 cm soil profiles showed that urine + ProGibb® significantly (p = 0.0041) increased the soil nitrate concentration (121.40 kgN/ha) compared with 48.15 kgN/ha from urine only. The urine + ProGib® treatment produced significantly lower herbage N recovery (35% of applied N) compared with the urine only. Throughout the trial period, the urine patches treated with ProGibb® and ORUN® produced significantly higher N2O fluxes compared with urine only and urine + ORUN PLUS®, as well as higher surface soil nitrate and mineral N concentrations.
A Dynamic Prediction Framework for Urban Public Space Vitality: From Hypothesis to Algorithm and Verification
Authors: Liu Yue , Guo Xiangmin
Published: March 2024

Predicting and assessing the vitality of public urban spaces is crucial for effective urban design, aiming to prevent issues such as “ghost streets” and minimize resource wastage. However, existing assessment methods often lack temporal dynamics or heavily rely on historical big data, limiting their ability to accurately predict outcomes for unbuilt projects. To address these challenges, this study integrates previous methodologies with observations of crowd characteristics in public spaces. It introduces the crowd-frequency hypothesis and develops an algorithm to establish a time-dimensional urban vitality dynamic prediction model. Through a case study of the Rundle Mall neighborhood in Adelaide, Australia, the effectiveness of the prediction model was validated using on-site observation sampling and comparative verification. The prediction model framework allows for the determination of urban vitality within specific time ranges by directly inputting basic information, providing valuable support to urban planners and government officials during the design and decision-making processes. It offers a cost-effective approach to achieve sustainable urban vitality construction. Furthermore, machine learning techniques, specifically the decision tree model, were applied to case data to develop a set of preliminary algorithm tools, which enable output of reference urban vitality levels (high-medium-low).
Performance Analysis of a Dual-Inverter-Fed Open-End Winding Induction Machine under Asymmetrical Control: Theoretical Approach and Experimental Validation
Authors: Zerdani Mohammed , Chafouk Houcine , Ardjoun Sid Ahmed El Mehdi
Published: March 2024

Currently, power trains based on an Open-End Winding Induction Machine fed by a Dual Inverter (DI-OEWIM) are attracting a great deal of interest in various modern industrial applications. However, applying symmetrical control to this system (DI-OEWIM), which is symmetrical in nature, will lead to malfunction. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to explore the influence of asymmetric control on the performance of this system. The principle of this study is to create an asymmetrical control by integrating a phase-shift angle in the Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) strategy. We then evaluate the impact of these angles on various performances, such as the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), power losses, Common Mode Voltage (CMV), Zero-Sequence Voltage (ZSV), rotation speed and torque ripple of this system. This study was carried out in the Matlab/Simulink environment and was validated experimentally using the dSPACE 1104 board. The results show that the different angles have significant effects on the overall performance of this system.
Research on LFD System of Humanoid Dual-Arm Robot
Authors: Cui Ze , Kou Lang , Chen Zenghao , Bao Peng , Qian Donghai , Xie Lang , Tang Yue
Published: March 2024

Although robots have been widely used in a variety of fields, the idea of enabling them to perform multiple tasks in the same way that humans do remains a difficulty. To solve this, we investigate the learning from demonstration (LFD) system with our independently designed symmetrical humanoid dual-arm robot. We present a novel action feature matching algorithm. This algorithm accurately transforms human demonstration data into task models that robots can directly execute, considerably improving LFD’s generalization capabilities. In our studies, we used motion capture cameras to capture human demonstration actions, which included combinations of simple actions (the action layer) and a succession of complicated operational tasks (the task layer). For the action layer data, we employed Gaussian mixture models (GMM) for processing and constructing an action primitive library. As for the task layer data, we created a “keyframe” segmentation method to transform this data into a series of action primitives and build another action primitive library. Guided by our algorithm, the robot successfully imitated complex human tasks. Results show its excellent task learning and execution, providing an effective solution for robots to learn from human demonstrations and significantly advancing robot technology.
Optimal Timing Strategies in the Evolutionary Dynamics of Competitive Supply Chains
Authors: Kim Yongjae
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the dynamics of endogenous order placement timing among competing retailers within a single period, driven by the evolution of demand-forecast information. Despite the critical role of accurate market trends and demand forecasts in determining firm success during selling seasons, the existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of how firms strategically adjust their order timing with imperfect and evolving information landscapes. By leveraging resources such as predictive analytics systems operated by big data and social media, firms tend to enhance their market demand precision as the selling season approaches, aligning with market practices. With this background, we aim to address the strategic behaviors of competing retailers in timing their orders, filling the aforementioned research gap. We construct a non-cooperative game-theoretical model to analyze the strategic behaviors of competing retailers in timing their orders. The model incorporates factors such as imperfect and evolving information landscapes, considering how firms leverage resources to enhance their market demand precision as the selling season approaches. Our analysis shows two primary equilibria, each shedding light on distinct strategic choices and their implications. First, the better-informed firm decides to execute early orders, capitalizing on the first mover’s advantage, particularly when initial information imprecision exceeds a specific threshold. Conversely, a second equilibrium emerges when the better-informed firm delays its orders, yielding the first mover’s advantage to the less-informed competitor. These equilibria highlight the correlation between order timing strategies and the trajectory of information evolution within the competitive landscape. Additionally, our study extends beyond equilibrium analysis to investigate these strategic choices on supply-chain performance.
Fostering the “Performativity” of Performance Information Use by Decision-Makers through Dynamic Performance Management: Evidence from Action Research in a Local Area
Authors: Vignieri Vincenzo , Grippi Noemi
Published: March 2024

A local area configures a socio-economic system in which several institutions interact. As stakeholders hold different values and perhaps conflicting interests, managing local area performance is a dynamic and complex issue. In these inter-institutional settings, performance management may help address such complexity. Traditional performance management approaches, mostly based on static and linear analysis, fail to capture the dynamic complexity of local-area performance, bounding decision-makers’ mindsets to an organizational view of performance. Overcoming such limitations requires methods oriented to grasp a better understanding of the social reality in which their institutions operate. This contribution aims to illustrate how the Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) approach may foster a “performative” use of performance information by decision-makers in inter-institutional settings. To this end, the article highlights the importance of designing conducive learning settings (i.e., action research enhanced by a system dynamics-based interactive learning environment) to support decision-makers make such a cognitive leap. Drawing from empirical evidence on destination governance studies, the article shows that enriching performance management with system dynamics modeling may help decision-makers to reflect on key issues impacting local area development, sparking a discussion on potential actions to balance economic, social, and competitive dimensions of performance. Findings reveal that DPM insight modeling holds explanatory and communicative potential in real forums by providing decision-makers with an understanding of the means-end relationships linking strategic resources to outcomes through value drivers. The use of such performance information can help local area stakeholders to (re)conceptualize the social reality in which their institutions operate. By acting as a “maieutic machine”, DPM fosters a shift from an organizational and static to an inter-organizational and dynamic view of local area performance. Implications of the study include the opportunity to provide training to strengthen the active use of performance information by decision-makers in inter-institutional settings.
Authentic Romanian Gastronomy—A Landmark of Bucharest’s City Center
Authors: Lequeux-Dincă Ana-Irina , Preda Mihaela , Vijulie Iuliana
Published: March 2024

Gastronomy represents one of the main defining national cultural elements and is essential for shaping territorial identities and for tourism development, attracting both domestic and international tourists. The landscape in the center of Bucharest has gradually changed under the influence of entrepreneurial initiatives within the hospitality industry, showing at present a rather cosmopolitan urban environment. Despite the significant number of international catering units, better adapted to global tastes, Romanian-themed restaurants represent a landmark of the capital city. In this context, our study focuses on the Romanian authentic local gastronomy offered by the themed traditional restaurants in the center of Bucharest as a stimulating factor for different types of consumers. Aiming to answer several research questions, this research has a complex multi-fold methodological approach, appealing to triangulation which gathered, as main analytic methods, mapping, semantic analyses, and text visualisation, and the interview method (originally and appropriately applied for this case study to experienced employees). The main results show a complex gastronomic landscape that gathers various types of restaurants but outlines those with a Romanian ethnic theme in the center of Bucharest. The study of Romanian restaurants’ menus reveals elements of authenticity (e.g., traditional dishes and their regional denominations, local rural ingredients, old recipes, and cuisine techniques) as factors of attractiveness for consumers and as competitive advantages in their market. Moreover, interviews with staff representatives outline restaurants’ atmosphere, originality, and price–quality ratio of their food as the main attractive elements for both autochtonous customers and tourists and which offer an advantage in the market. The present study may interest multiple stakeholders, focusing on the development and evolution of the hospitality industry in Romania.
A Needle in a Cosmic Haystack: A Review of FRB Search Techniques
Authors: Rajwade Kaustubh M. , van Leeuwen Joeri
Published: March 2024

Ephemeral Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) must be powered by some of the most energetic processes in the Universe. That makes them highly interesting in their own right, and as precise probes for estimating cosmological parameters. This field thus poses a unique challenge: FRBs must be detected promptly and immediately localised and studied based only on that single millisecond-duration flash. The problem is that the burst occurrence is highly unpredictable and that their distance strongly suppresses their brightness. Since the discovery of FRBs in single-dish archival data in 2007, detection software has evolved tremendously. Pipelines now detect bursts in real time within a matter of seconds, operate on interferometers, buffer high-time and frequency resolution data, and issue real-time alerts to other observatories for rapid multi-wavelength follow-up. In this paper, we review the components that comprise a FRB search software pipeline, we discuss the proven techniques that were adopted from pulsar searches, we highlight newer, more efficient techniques for detecting FRBs, and we conclude by discussing the proposed novel future methodologies that may power the search for FRBs in the era of big data astronomy.
Effects of Strain Differences, Humidity Changes, and Saliva Contamination on the Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by Ion Irradiation
Authors: Ahmad Wadi Afifah Fatimah Azzahra , Onomura Daichi , Funamori Hirokazu , Khatun Mst Mahmuda , Okada Shunpei , Iizasa Hisashi , Yoshiyama Hironori
Published: March 2024

One of the methods to inactivate viruses is to denature viral proteins using released ions. However, there have been no reports detailing the effects of changes in humidity or contamination with body fluids on the inactivation of viruses. This study investigated the effects of humidity changes and saliva contamination on the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 inactivation with ions using multiple viral strains. Virus solutions with different infectious titers were dropped onto a circular nitrocellulose membrane and irradiated with ions from 10 cm above the membrane. After the irradiation of ions for 60, 90, and 120 min, changes in viral infectious titers were measured. The effect of ions on virus inactivation under different humidity conditions was also examined using virus solutions containing 90% mixtures of saliva collected from 10 people. A decrease in viral infectivity was observed over time for all strains, but ion irradiation further accelerated the decrease in viral infectivity. Ion irradiation can inactivate all viral strains, but at 80% humidity, the effect did not appear until 90 min after irradiation. The presence of saliva protected the virus from drying and maintained infectiousness for a longer period compared with no saliva. In particular, the Omicron strain retained its infectivity titer longer than the other strains. Ion irradiation demonstrated a consistent reduction in the number of infectious viruses when compared to the control across varying levels of humidity and irradiation periods. This underscores the notable effectiveness of irradiation, even when the reduction effect is as modest as 50%, thereby emphasizing its crucial role in mitigating the rapid dissemination of SARS-CoV-2.
Novel Anti-Viral Properties of the Herbal Extract of Davallia mariesii against Influenza A Virus
Authors: Chen Yu-Li , Chao Pei-Yu , Hsieh Chung-Fan , Hsieh Pei-Wen , Horng Jim-Tong
Published: March 2024

Gu-Sui-Bu, the dried rhizome of Davallia mariesii, is a traditional Chinese herbal remedy with a significant history of treating osteoporosis and inflammatory conditions. However, its potential as an anti-influenza agent and its underlying mechanisms of action remain unexplored. To obtain a more potent extract from D. mariesii and gain insights into its mechanism of action against influenza A virus (IAV), we utilized a partitioning process involving organic solvents and water, resulting in the isolation of butanolic subfractions of the D. mariesii extract (DMBE). DMBE exhibited a broad anti-viral spectrum, effectively inhibiting IAV, with an EC50 of 24.32 ± 6.19 µg/mL and a selectivity index of 6.05. We subsequently conducted a series of in vitro assays to evaluate the antiviral effects of DMBE and to uncover its mechanisms of action. DMBE was found to inhibit IAV during the early stages of infection by hindering the attachment of the virus onto and its penetration into host cells. Importantly, DMBE was observed to hinder IAV-mediated cell–cell fusion. It also inhibited neuraminidase activity, plaque size, and the expression levels of phospho-AKT. In summary, this study provides evidence for the effectiveness of D. mariesii as a complementary and alternative herbal remedy against IAV. Specifically, our data highlight DMBE’s capabilities in inhibiting viral entry and the release of virions.
Limited Clinical Efficacy with Potential Adverse Events in a Pilot Study of Autologous Adoptive Cell Therapy in Canine Oral Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Xia Yuan-Yuan , Chi Kwan-Hwa , Liao Albert Taiching , Lee Jih-Jong
Published: March 2024

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has been studied in several human and canine cancers with some promising clinical outcomes but not in canine oral malignant melanoma (OMM). Our manuscript aimed to explore one kind of ACT, the ex vivo-expanded autologous immune cell infusion in canine OMM, as this tumor remains a treatment dilemma. The study recruited dogs with histopathological diagnoses of oral malignant melanoma, generated their peripheral blood mononuclear cells, expanded them into predominantly non-B non-T cells via stimulations of IL-15, IL-2, and IL-21, and then re-infused the cells into tumor-bearing dogs. Ten dogs were enrolled; three dogs did not report any adverse events; three had a mildly altered appetite; one had a mildly increased liver index, while the other three developed suspected anaphylaxis at different levels. The median progression-free interval was 49 days. Dogs with progressive disease during treatment had a shorter survival. This pilot study indicates limited efficacy with potential adverse events of this ACT. Most recruited patients were in a later stage and had macroscopic disease, which might affect the treatment efficacy. Further exploration of this cell therapy in an adjuvant setting, with adequate protocol modification and standardization, could still be considered.
Delving into the Impacts of Different Easily Degradable Carbon Sources on the Degradation Characteristics of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol and Microbial Community Properties
Authors: Wang Jianguang , Fang Haifeng , Li Shiyi , Yu Hailan
Published: March 2024

In chlorophenol wastewater treatment, adding easily degradable carbon sources, such as methanol, ethanol, sodium acetate, and sodium propionate, significantly improves the chlorophenol removal efficiency. This study systematically compares these conventional carbon sources in different sequencing batch reactors to understand their specific effects on both 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) degradation efficiency and microbial abundance. In a 35-day experiment, as a carbon source, ethanol exhibited a lower 2,4,6-TCP degradation concentration (77.56 mg/L) than those of methanol, sodium acetate, and sodium propionate, which achieved higher degradation concentrations: 123.89 mg/L, 170.96 mg/L, and 151.79 mg/L, respectively. As a carbon source, sodium acetate enhanced extracellular polymeric substance production (200.80 mg/g·VSS) by microorganisms, providing protection against the toxicity of chlorophenol and resulting in a higher 2,4,6-TCP removal concentration. Metagenomics identified crucial metabolic genes, including PcpA, chqB, Mal-r, pcaI, pcaF, and fadA. The abundance of genera containing the chqB gene correlated positively with the metabolic capacity for 2,4,6-TCP. Moreover, small molecular carbon sources such as methanol, sodium acetate, and sodium propionate promoted the enrichment of genera with functional genes.
Enhancing Transboundary Freshwater Security: From Online Learning to Global Knowledge Exchange Platform
Authors: Yasuda Yumiko , Demydenko Yelysaveta
Published: March 2024

The management of transboundary water resources presents a complex challenge involving multiple stakeholders and countries. Negotiating a single rule for managing these resources can take years due to various factors, including political, socioeconomic, cultural, and historical backgrounds. To assist transboundary water practitioners worldwide, the GWP and GEF IW:LEARN have developed a free-access educational platform, the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security. The MOOC attracted 3855 learners from 166 countries and included 14 interactive online sessions to facilitate discussions among practitioners. In response to learners’ desire for increased interaction and networking opportunities, the Transboundary Water Knowledge Exchange Hub was established. This global online community enables members to share knowledge and engage in direct peer-to-peer learning through an online knowledge management platform. The effort evolved from online course and interactive sessions into an online community, promoting knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning through an online knowledge management platform. Through examining this evolution and analysing key survey results, this paper analyses the role of MOOC and knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning for building capacity for improved transboundary water governance.
A Real-Time Prediction Approach to Deep Soil Moisture Combining GNSS-R Data and a Water Movement Model in Unsaturated Soil
Authors: Luo Xiaotian , Yin Cong , Sun Yueqiang , Bai Weihua , Li Wei , Song Hongqing
Published: March 2024

Deep soil moisture data have wide applications in fields such as engineering construction and agricultural production. Therefore, achieving the real-time monitoring of deep soil moisture is of significant importance. Current soil monitoring methods face challenges in conducting the large-scale, real-time monitoring of deep soil moisture. This paper innovatively proposes a real-time prediction approach to deep soil moisture combining GNSS-R data and a water movement model in unsaturated soil. This approach, built upon surface soil moisture data retrieved from GNSS-R signal inversion, integrates soil–water characteristics and soil moisture values at a depth of 1 m. By employing a deep soil moisture content prediction model, it provides predictions of soil moisture at depths from 0 to 1 m, thus realizing the large-scale, real-time dynamic monitoring of deep soil moisture. The proposed approach was validated in a study area in Goodwell, Texas County, Oklahoma, USA. Predicted values of soil moisture at a randomly selected location in the study area at depths of 0.1 m, 0.2 m, 0.5 m, and 1 m were compared with ground truth values for the period from 25 October to 19 November 2023. The results indicated that the relative error (δ) was controlled within the range of ±14%. The mean square error (MSE) ranged from 2.90 × 10−5 to 1.88 × 10−4, and the coefficient of determination (R2) ranged from 82.45% to 89.88%, indicating an overall high level of fitting between the predicted values and ground truth data. This validates the feasibility of the proposed approach, which has the potential to play a crucial role in agricultural production, geological disaster management, engineering construction, and heritage site preservation.
Assessment of Water Productivity and Economic Viability of Greenhouse-Grown Tomatoes under Soilless and Soil-Based Cultivations
Authors: Al-Khateeb Suliman Ali , Zeineldin Faisal Ibrahim , Elmulthum Nagat Ahmed , Al-Barrak Khalid Mohammed , Sattar Muhammad Naeem , Mohammad Tagelsir Ahmed , Mohmand Akbar S.
Published: March 2024

Water scarcity has necessitated the adoption of water-saving techniques in both protected and non-protected farming. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a water-saving soilless cultivation technique and compare it to conventional soil-based cultivation in protected farming. The soilless technique utilized local gravel and a mixture of peat moss, humin-substrate, and perlite in a 4:3:1.5 ratio. During the tomato growth cycle, three irrigation regimes were imposed using drip irrigation: 8 Lh−1 design discharge (D1) emitters, 6 Lh−1 design discharge (D0.75) emitters, and 4 Lh−1 design discharge (D0.5) emitters for both cultivation methods. Vegetative growth, fruit yield, and water consumption were measured and water productivity was determined. Additionally, an economic assessment was conducted by estimating and comparing economic coefficients for both cultivation methods. Estimated coefficients included revenues, net profit, benefit–cost ratio, breakeven levels of production and prices, revenues over variable cost, and revenues on investment. The tomato fruit yield under soil-based cultivation surpassed the yield under soilless cultivation. Water productivity under soilless cultivation was nearly double (24.3 kg m−3) that of soil-based cultivation (15.5 kg m−3). Soilless cultivation saved 50% of the irrigation water applied by the conventional soil-based method, conserving energy and protecting the soil from deterioration. Revenues and net profits, driven by higher yield and lower variable costs, favored soil-based cultivation. The economic assessment demonstrated that both cultivation methods were economically viable. However, the soil-based cultivation method was more profitable due to its higher fruit yield. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the soilless cultivation technique is a feasible option for water-saving cultivation. However, the soil-based cultivation method remains more profitable due to its superior fruit yield. The soilless cultivation technique offers significant water savings but needs further improvements to achieve comparable economic returns to traditional farming.
Stochastic Optimization of an Electric Bus Dynamic Wireless Charging System
Authors: Zhu Xingzheng , Fan Hua , Zhang Shiyao , Du Jiao
Published: March 2024

The Electric Bus Dynamic Wireless Charging (EB-DWC) system is a bus charging system that enables electric buses to receive power wirelessly from ground-based electromagnetic induction devices. In this system, how to optimally configure the charging infrastructures while considering the unpredictable nature of bus movement is a great challenge. This paper presents an optimization problem for an EB-DWC system in urban settings, addressing stochastic elements inherent in the vehicle speed, initial charging state, and dwell time at bus stops. We formulate a stochastic planning problem for the EB-DWC system by integrating these uncertainties and apply Monte Carlo sampling techniques to effectively solve this problem. The proposed method can improve the system’s robustness effectively.
The Coats of Arms of Metropolitan Andrei, Baron of Şaguna
Authors:   George Baritiu Institute of
History, Romanian Academy, Cluj-Napoca
Branch, Abrudan Mircea-Gheorghe
Published: March 2024

The anniversary of one hundred and fifty years since the passing of Saint Metropolitan Andrei Şaguna (28 June 1873) is the right moment to reflect on his portrait in history, his theological legacy, and his positive role in the historical evolution of the Romanians in Transylvania, Banat and Hungary in the second half of the 19th century. The study approaches a topic less discussed in Romanian, German or English historiography and theology, namely: the coats of arms of Andrei Şaguna, by the mercy of God “archbishop and metropolitan of the Orthodox Romanians of Transylvania and Hungary” and by the grace of Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, Baron of the Austrian Empire. Among all Transylvanian Romanian Orthodox hierarchs, Metropolitan Şaguna is the only one who was raised by the Austrian emperor to the noble rank of baron. The title was conferred on him by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1852, being assumed by the hierarch both in his signature and in the official title used in his correspondence with the civil, military and ecclesiastical authorities of the Habsburg Monarchy and the Romanian Principalities, as well as on the title pages of books printed in Sibiu. The royal titles and orders, the baronial coat of arms and the metropolitan emblem illustrate the historical effigies and aristocratic stature of the complex personality of Metropolitan Andrei Şaguna and represent the new legal status and public dignity that the Romanian nation and the Transylvanian Orthodox Church acquired during his pastorate.
Censorship-Governed Translations in Communist Romania
Authors:   Faculty of
Letters, Babes-Bolyai University, ClujNapoca, Irimiea Silvia Blanca , Petrescu Olivia Narcisa ,   Faculty of Letters, Babes-Bolyai University, ClujNapoca
Published: March 2024

The article seeks to provide a partial but genuine account of the translations from English and
American literatures into Romanian in the censorship-governed, communist period. It rests on
the historical, political and ideological pre-requisites that set the scene for translational censorship
in Romania and focuses on issues like: the number of published translations, editorial policies,
revision methods, translators and their status. Finally, it overviews the 21st century debates and
further investigative initiatives on censorship and translations.
MAKNA DENOTATIF DAN KONOTATIF EMPAT KUTIPAN MILIK SAGE PADA PERMAINAN VALORANT: KAJIAN SEMANTIK
Authors: Parji Rahmelia Prastamawati , Prihandini Asih
Published: March 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kata-kata pada kutipan salah satu karakter dalam permainan Valorant yaitu Sage yang memiliki makna denotatif dan konotatif. Makna kata denotatif adalah kata yang memiliki makna yang sebenarnya seperti yang tertulis dalam kamus. Sedangkan makna kata konotatif adalah kata yang memiliki makna menurut saran, atau apa yang dikaitkan dengan kata yang melampaui definisi formalnya. Konotasi adalah asosiasi pribadi yang dihasilkan oleh kata-kata. Denotasi ada hubungan objektif antara bentuk linguistik dan yang menjadi referensinya. Contoh pada salah satu kutipan yaitu “You were a boulder. I’m a mountain.” Jika dimaknai secara denotatif boulder adalah sebuah bongkahan batu besar dan mountain adalah gunung. Namun jika dimaknai secara konotatif dalam kutipan Sage, boulder dan mountain adalah kata-kata yang menggambarkan perbedaan ukuran (kekuatan).  Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif untuk mendapatkan pemahaman yang lebih mendalam tentang partisipan individu, termasuk pendapat, perspektif, dan sikap. Data penelitian ini diambil dari empat kutipan yang diucapkan Sage dalam permainan Valorant.. Keempat kutipan yang diucapkan oleh Sage memiliki makna konotatif dengan salah satu alasannya adalah untuk menggambarkan peran Sage sebagai seorang yang memiliki kelebihan dibanding karakter lain. Makna konotatif yang terdapat dalam kutipan Sage lebih dominan daripada makna denotatif.
Kata kunci: Denotatif dan Konotatif, Semantik, Kutipan, Permainan
STEREOTIP PEREMPUAN YANG DIALAMI OLEH TOKOH AMINA DALAM CERITA PENDEK AMINA KARYA SHIRLEY SAAD
Authors: Tsaniya Faza Najmi , Prihandini Asih
Published: March 2024

Stereotip merupakan cap atau pelabelan yang sering digunakan oleh masyarakat tertentu terhadap perempuan. Salah satu stereotip yang tergambar dalam cerita pendek Amina karya Shirley Saad adalah stereotip perempuan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan praktik dan dampak dari stereotip terhadap perempuan yang dialami oleh tokoh Amina dalam cerita pendek Amina. Stereotipe mengkonstruksi persepsi masyarakat tentang perempuan dan memperkuat stigma bahwa perempuan cenderung menjadi objek pelabelan. Bentuk-bentuk dari pelabelan negatif tersebut dikembangkan dari tatanan kehidupan sosial yang diinternalisasikan oleh perempuan itu sendiri. Pelabelan negatif bisa berdampak terhadap kehidupan perempuan. Jenis penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif untuk memperoleh informasi dan penggambaran stereotip yang dialami oleh tokoh Amina. Sumber data diambil dari cerita pendek yang berjudul Amina karya Shirley Saad dan menggunakan teori kritik sastra feminisme. Tahapan pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik baca, simak, dan catat untuk memperoleh informasi yang relevan. Sedangkan, tahap penelitian data menggunakan teknik analisis data. Hasil penelitian memperlihatkan praktik stereotip perempuan dengan pelabelan negatif sebagai perempuan itu mesin pencetak anak, selalu emosipnal, selalu patuh, kaum lemah, dan pelayan laki-laki. Stereotip memberikan dampak secara mental dan fisik antara lain depresi, tidak percaya diri. dan penderitaan.
Kata Kunci : Stereotip, Dampak, Perempuan