bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valorization of the Residual Fraction of Coal Tailings: A Mineral Circularity Strategy for the Clay Ceramic Industry in the Carboniferous Region of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil
Authors: Rebelo Wagner Benedet , Zaccaron Alexandre , Saviatto Emily , Olivo Eduarda Fraga , Acordi Juliana , Raupp-Pereira Fabiano , Ribeiro Manuel Joaquim
Published: May 2024

Mineral extraction of coal in the carboniferous region of southern Santa Catarina (Brazil) plays a significant role in the regional economy. However, this activity has severe environmental impacts, with approximately 65% of the extracted mineral being discarded as a rejected material (deposited in landfills). The identification of the technological potential of these materials, based on the geological aspects of the extraction site and the beneficiation operations applied to obtain coal, provides the opportunity to add value to different residual fractions that can be reused. Thus, waste valorization, the main objective of this work, has recently become a strategy for the application of these minerals in the production of clay ceramics using a systematic approach named CPQvA, which means “classification, potentiality, quantity/viability, and applicability”. The use of these materials as secondary mineral sources can avoid the deposition of these materials in industrial landfills and help to reduce the pressure on landfills, which receive an average of four million tons of material annually. In this study, the residual fraction, part of the tailing from coal beneficiation, known as coal fines, was evaluated for formulation valorization in clay ceramics. This residual fraction was classified as non-hazardous (class II-A, non-inert). X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis were performed to characterize the moisture content, particle-size distribution, and coal content to be used in the development of different formulations using the residual fraction of coal tailings (ranging from 0 to 40%) that are of technological interest to the sector. Processing parameters, such as firing at different temperatures (750, 800, 850, and 900 °C), were also correlated with these formulations. The results were compared with those of a reference ceramic formulation from the local productive arrangement of Morro da Fumaça (Arranjo Produtivo Local Cerâmica Vermelha de Morro da Fumaça). The various relationships between the materials were characterized in terms of their thermal shrinkage, water absorption, and mechanical resistance. Leaching and solubilization environmental tests revealed that both the industrial standard formulation and formulations with the application of the residual fraction were classified as non-hazardous materials. Thus, the method of using a mining residual fraction in the formulation of clay ceramics proved to be beneficial for the circular economy in the regional mineral sector through productive and environmental gains; the primary mineral resource and energy consumptions and the impacts related to waste generation were reduced. The results of this study can be applied to similar situations in other parts of the world.
Ill-Posedness of a Three-Component Novikov System in Besov Spaces
Authors: Yu Shengqi , Zhou Lin
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we consider the Cauchy problem for a three-component Novikov system on the line. We give a construction of the initial data (ρ0,u0,v0)∈Bp,∞σ−1(R)×Bp,∞σ(R)×Bp,∞σ(R) with σ>max3+1p,72,1≤p≤∞, such that the corresponding solution to the three-component Novikov system starting from (ρ0,u0,v0) is discontinuous at t=0 in the metric of Bp,∞σ−1(R)×Bp,∞σ(R)×Bp,∞σ(R), which implies the ill-posedness for this system in Bp,∞σ−1(R)×Bp,∞σ(R)×Bp,∞σ(R).
Phospholipid Membrane Interactions of Model Ac-WL-X-LL-OH Peptides Investigated by Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Alsaker Nicolai Etwin , Halskau Øyvind , Haug Bengt Erik , Reuter Nathalie , Nerdal Willy
Published: May 2024

The role of aromatic amino acids in peripheral protein membrane binding has been reported to involve cation–π interactions with choline lipids. In this study, we have investigated the interactions of the model pentapeptide Ac-WL-X-LL-OH (where X = L, Y, F, or W) with the phospholipid membrane using solid-state NMR. The effect of guest residue X on the peptide-lipid interactome was complementary to the seminal report on the interfacial hydrophobicity scale by Wimley and White. We found that the phospholipids retained a lamellar phase in the presence of each of the peptides with an aromatic X residue, whereas the Leu peptide perturbed the bilayer to an extent where an additional isotropic phase was observed. The solid-state NMR 13C and 31P data provide additional information on the influence of these short peptides on the membrane that has not been previously reported. The magnitude of membrane perturbation was in the order of guest residue X = L > Y~F > W, which is consistent with the relative amino acid interfacial affinity reported by Wimley and White. Further work is, however, required to uncover the behavior of the peptide and localization in the membrane domain due to ambiguity of the 13C NMR data. We have launched efforts in this regard for the objective of better understanding the role of aromatic amino acids in peripheral membrane protein binding.
Effects of Bioactive Dietary Components on Changes in Lipid and Liver Parameters in Women after Bariatric Surgery and Procedures
Authors: Balejko Edyta Barbara , Bogacka Anna , Lichota Jarosław , Pawlus Jan
Published: May 2024

Excess adipose tissue, as well as its distribution, correlates strongly with disorders of lipid and liver parameters and chronic inflammation. The pathophysiology of metabolic diseases caused by obesity is associated with the dysfunction of visceral adipose tissue. Effective and alternative interventions such as the Bioenteric Intragastric Balloon and bariatric surgeries such as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of modifying the recommended standard weight loss diet after bariatric surgery and procedures on reducing chronic inflammation in overweight patients. In the study, bioactive anti-inflammatory dietary components were used supportively. Changes in the concentrations of lipid parameters, liver parameters, antioxidant enzymes, cytokines, and chemokines were demonstrated. The enrichment of the diet, after bariatric surgery, with the addition of n-3 EFAs(Essential Fatty Acids), bioflavonoids, vitamins, and synbiotics resulted in higher weight losses in the patients in the study with a simultaneous reduction in parameters indicating liver dysfunction.
Helminth Prevalence in European Deer with a Focus on Abomasal Nematodes and the Influence of Livestock Pasture Contact: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Brown Tony L. , Morgan Eric R.
Published: May 2024

Deer are susceptible to infection with parasitic helminths, including species which are of increasing economic concern to the livestock industry due to anthelmintic drug resistance. This paper systematically collates helminth prevalence data from deer across Europe and explores patterns in relation to host and parasite species, as well as landscape factors. A livestock pasture contact index (LPCI) is developed to predict epidemiological overlap between deer and livestock, and hence to examine deer helminth fauna in the context of their surrounding environment. Fifty-eight studies comprising fallow (Dama dama), red (Cervus elaphus), roe (Capreolus capreolus) and sika (Cervus nippon) deer were identified. Deer populations in “likely” contact with livestock pasture had a higher mean prevalence of the abomasal nematodes Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia ostertagi, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus axei (p = 0.01), which are common in livestock and not primarily associated with deer. Roe deer populations had a higher prevalence of T. circumcincta (p = 0.02) and T. axei (p = 0.01) than fallow deer and a higher prevalence of H. contortus than both red (p = 0.01) and fallow deer (p = 0.02). Liver fluke and lungworm species were present sporadically at low prevalence, while the abomasal nematode Ashworthius sidemi occurred locally at high prevalence. Insights from this research suggest that deer helminth fauna is reflective of their surrounding environment, including the livestock species which inhabit areas of shared grazing. This is explored from an epidemiological perspective, and the prospect of helminth transmission between wild and domestic hosts is discussed, including drug-resistant strains, alongside the role of helminths as indicators relevant to the transmission of other pathogens at the wildlife–livestock interface.
Methyl-Containing Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Illuminati Davide , Fantinati Anna
Published: May 2024

This Special Issue, which focused on methyl-containing pharmaceuticals, collected different papers and reviews on this topic [...]
Persistence in the Methadone Maintenance Program and Its Relationship with the Medication Regimen Complexity Index in Opioid-Dependent Patients
Authors: Álvaro-Alonso Elena Alba , Gómez-Álvarez María del Carmen , Segovia-Tapiador Beatriz , Del-Pino-Illaconza María Isabel , Valencia Jorge , Ryan Pablo , Aguilar-Ros Antonio , Escobar-Rodríguez Ismael
Published: May 2024

It has been shown that the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) is a useful and reliable tool for calculating the complexity of the pharmacotherapeutic regimen (CPR). Furthermore, a high MRCI is associated with lower adherence. However, the MRCI of opioid-dependent patients (ODP) has not been studied. The aim of this study is to calculate the Methadone Maintenance Program (MMP) persistence and the MRCI score in a ODP cohort. Second, to analyze its relationship and association with other variables. To accomplish this research, an observational study including adults with a confirmed diagnosis of opiate-dependency according to the DSM-5 in a MMP center was carried out. To define MMP-persistence, a group was created by the researchers who defined five weighted items according to their agreed importance. Our first contribution was to create a new definition of MMP-persistence. This study also identified age, comorbidities, and received methadone maintenance doses as successful predictors for MMP-persistence. We have also shown that the MRCI does not seem to be a useful tool to determine MMP-persistence, probably because there are multiple factors that influence it in addition to the CPR. It is necessary to continue searching for more precise selection and stratification tools for ODP to improve their persistence.
Bee Venom-Loaded Niosomes as Innovative Platforms for Cancer Treatment: Development and Therapeutical Efficacy and Safety Evaluation
Authors: Pinto Maria Beatriz , Pires Patrícia C. , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Silva Ana Rita , Sousa Maria João , Vilas-Boas Miguel , Falcão Soraia I. , Veiga Francisco , Makvandi Pooyan , Paiva-Santos Ana Cláudia
Published: May 2024

Despite past efforts towards therapeutical innovation, cancer remains a highly incident and lethal disease, with current treatments lacking efficiency and leading to severe side effects. Hence, it is imperative to develop new, more efficient, and safer therapies. Bee venom has proven to have multiple and synergistic bioactivities, including antitumor effects. Nevertheless, some toxic effects have been associated with its administration. To tackle these issues, in this work, bee venom-loaded niosomes were developed, for cancer treatment. The vesicles had a small (150 nm) and homogeneous (polydispersity index of 0.162) particle size, and revealed good therapeutic efficacy in in vitro gastric, colorectal, breast, lung, and cervical cancer models (inhibitory concentrations between 12.37 ng/mL and 14.72 ng/mL). Additionally, they also revealed substantial anti-inflammatory activity (inhibitory concentration of 28.98 ng/mL), effects complementary to direct antitumor activity. Niosome safety was also assessed, both in vitro (skin, liver, and kidney cells) and ex vivo (hen’s egg chorioallantoic membrane), and results showed that compound encapsulation increased its safety. Hence, small, and homogeneous bee venom-loaded niosomes were successfully developed, with substantial anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, making them potentially promising primary or adjuvant cancer therapies. Future research should focus on evaluating the potential of the developed platform in in vivo models.
Biopolymeric Blends of Thermoplastic Starch and Polylactide as Sustainable Packaging Materials
Authors: Jozinović Antun , Kovač Mario , Ocelić Bulatović Vesna , Kučić Grgić Dajana , Miloloža Martina , Šubarić Drago , Ačkar Đurđica
Published: May 2024

The improper disposal of plastics is a growing concern due to increasing global environmental problems such as the rise of CO2 emissions, diminishing petroleum sources, and pollution, which necessitates the research and development of biodegradable materials as an alternative to conventional packaging materials. The purpose of this research was to analyse the properties of biodegradable polymer blends of thermoplastic potato starch (TPS) and polylactide, (PLA) without and with the addition of citric acid (CA) as a potential compatibilizer and plasticizer. The prepared blends were subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical characterization, which included: FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determination of thermal and mechanical properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), water vapour permeability (WVP), as well as biodegradation testing in soil. The obtained results indicate an improvement in adhesion between the TPS and PLA phases due to the addition of citric acid, better homogeneity of the structure, and greater compatibility of the polymer blends, leading to better thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of the studied biodegradable TPS/PLA polymer blends. After conducting the comprehensive research outlined in this paper, it has been determined that the addition of 5 wt.% of citric acid serves as an effective compatibilizer and plasticizer. This supplementation achieves an optimal equilibrium across thermal, mechanical, morphological, and barrier properties, while also promoting material sustainability through biodegradation. In conclusion, it can be stated that the use of thermoplastic starch in TPS/PLA blends accelerates the biodegradation of PLA as a slowly biodegradable polymer. While the addition of citric acid offers significant advantages for TPS/PLA blends, further research is needed to optimize the formulation and processing parameters to achieve the desired balance between mechanical strength, thermal and barrier properties and biodegradability.
From Historical Memory to Cultural Identity: The Construction of Archetypal Symbols for the Statues and Images of Mazu
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Shu Xiaping , Liu Hongwen
Published: May 2024

The archetypal symbols of Mazu’s statues and pictorial art are the mapping of a religious concept, a way of belief, and some programmed behaviours and rituals. They are also emotional imagery used to arouse the cultural awareness of international Chinese, inspire them to help and trust each other, to encourage and to comfort each other, to share weal and woe, and to always forge ahead. From the perspectives of historical memory, visual signs, and cultural identity, this paper explores the construction of archetypal symbols for the statues and images of Mazu. In addition, this paper generalizes the foundation and methods of this construction by analyzing the artistic forms and characteristics of the surviving Mazu images and statues and comparing the rules and regulations for making statues of other religions. Moreover, we consider the function of artistic signs that refer to and symbolize broader religious concepts and beliefs. The purpose of this work is to make the image of Mazu more visually present and strengthen cultural identity.
Western Classical Learning and the Protestant Missionaries: Revival in China and Korea in the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries
Authors: Li Lihua , Li Jingyi , Zhu Lifang
Published: May 2024

It has been observed that since the Early Qing Dynasty, the eastward spread of Western classics has been in decline; this article aims to looks at how Protestant missionaries helped to revive it in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. First, this study examines the circumstances that Protestant missionaries faced upon arriving in China and describes the challenges, opportunities, and issues they encountered when attempting to spread Western classics as part of their missionary effort. Second, this article reveals the strategies Protestant missionaries employed to revive the Western classics, with a focus on the utilization of the translated literature, press, and academic institutions. Third, this article explores the ways the spread of Western classics by the missionaries of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century outshone the achievements of their predecessors of the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Unlike the missions through secular knowledge in China, the spread of Protestantism in Korea took place in a more direct manner. This comparative study in the last section highlights the importance of each country’s endowment in terms of the method and effectiveness of missionary efforts.
Visiting the Prophet at His Grave: Discussions about the Religious Topography of Madina
Authors: Kellner Martin
Published: May 2024

Theological discussions about visits to the Prophet’s grave in Madina are the focus of this paper. The relevant question in this context relates to the idea of a postmortem life of the Prophet and its accessibility for believers after his death. The idea of a spiritual presence of the Prophet in this world is found in the description of religious visits to Madina, namely in the traditional Sunni books of Fiqh (describing the normative rules concerning the Prophet’s grave), as well as in some books of Tafsir. These ideas have been challenged by the Wahhabi movement, in which the idea of becoming connected to the Prophet’s presence is refused and the visit to Madina is seen to be focused on the mosque, not the grave of the Prophet. This reinterpretation is examined in this article on the basis of various textual references.
Ethnic Background of the Two Feeding Stories in Mark’s Gospel
Authors: García Arenas Paula Andrea
Published: May 2024

The analysis delves into the conflict inherent within the thematic discourse surrounding the two tables as portrayed in Mark’s Gospel, with particular emphasis on the section concerning the multiplication of loaves of bread (Mk 6–8). Noteworthy is the conflict arising from the juxtaposition of Jewish and pagan individuals at a shared table. This theological tension finds resonance in the narratives presented by Paul in Galatians and Romans, albeit Galatians 2:9 intimates a seemingly facile resolution, a departure from the intricate portrayal in Mark’s Gospel. Mark’s narrative accentuates two salient dimensions: firstly, the ethnic substrate of the conflict, and secondly, its contextual specificity within the historical milieu of Syria after the Jewish war. The ethnic genesis of this conflict, as delineated in the accounts of Flavius Josephus, furnishes a background essential for comprehending the dual incidents of bread multiplication: the initial instance catering exclusively to Jews and the subsequent occurrence inclusive of both Jews and other disparate ethnic groups “from afar” (Mk 8:3). The spatial symbolism in the section pertaining to the multiplication of loaves may symbolically represent the heterogeneous composition of the recipients, thereby exacerbating the challenges inherent in reconciling conflicts rooted in ethnic diversity.
Hope during Crises: A Thematic Analysis of a Podcast on Hope in Amsterdam during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Olsman Erik , Israël Rosaliene
Published: May 2024

While crises, like pandemics, have a negative impact on mental health, hope may affect it positively. However, hope during COVID-19 has hardly been explored. In this study, we explored the hope of interviewees in a podcast on hope in Amsterdam during the COVID-19 pandemic, which sought variations in the gender, spiritual backgrounds, and places of work of the interviewees. Underpinned by hermeneutic phenomenology, we thematically analyzed the six transcribed episodes. We found that the present was sketched as closed down, while hope related to (the potential of) spaces and the future opening up. Sources of hope were the vaccine, good weather, faith and trust, and the history of Amsterdam, which was characterized by resilience. Several participants appreciated their everyday life in a new way: COVID-19 made them slow down and aware of what really mattered, which was a source of hope. Frequently mentioned sources of hope were connections with others, and especially solidarity. Also, showing solidarity was identified as a way of offering hope to others. We conclude that both in our study and in several religions, the link between hope and solidarity is common, and that hope is a spiritual topic that is worth addressing in mental health care.
Durand of Saint-Pourçain’s Refutation of Concurrentism
Authors: Solère Jean-Luc
Published: May 2024

The Dominican theologian Durand of Saint-Pourçain (ca. 1275–1334), breaking from the wide consensus, made a two-pronged attack on concurrentism (i.e., the theory according to which God does more than conserving creatures in existence and co-causes all their actions). On the one hand, he shows that the concurrentist position leads to the unacceptable consequence that God is the direct cause of man’s evil actions. On the other hand, he attacks the metaphysical foundations of concurrentism, first in the version offered by Thomas Aquinas and Giles of Rome, and then in a more general way. Against Thomas and Giles, he challenges Neoplatonic assumptions about causality and being. More generally, he establishes that God’s action and a creature’s action can be neither identical nor different, and thus cannot both be direct causes of the same effect. Without claiming that Durand’s series of objections are definitely unanswerable, we may at least observe that they have generally been underestimated (which earned him the lowly role of the mere foil of the concurrentist view in the history of philosophy) and are able to do considerable damage to concurrentism.
Deterministic Global 3D Fractal Cloud Model for Synthetic Scene Generation
Authors: Schinder Aaron M. , Young Shannon R. , Steward Bryan J. , Dexter Michael , Kondrath Andrew , Hinton Stephen , Davila Ricardo
Published: May 2024

This paper describes the creation of a fast, deterministic, 3D fractal cloud renderer for the AFIT Sensor and Scene Emulation Tool (ASSET). The renderer generates 3D clouds by ray marching through a volume and sampling the level-set of a fractal function. The fractal function is distorted by a displacement map, which is generated using horizontal wind data from a Global Forecast System (GFS) weather file. The vertical windspeed and relative humidity are used to mask the creation of clouds to match realistic large-scale weather patterns over the Earth. Small-scale detail is provided by the fractal functions which are tuned to match natural cloud shapes. This model is intended to run quickly, and it can run in about 700 ms per cloud type. This model generates clouds that appear to match large-scale satellite imagery, and it reproduces natural small-scale shapes. This should enable future versions of ASSET to generate scenarios where the same scene is consistently viewed from both GEO and LEO satellites from multiple perspectives.
A Systematic Review of the Application of the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager to the Water Quality Monitoring of Inland and Coastal Waters
Authors: Shao Shidi , Wang Yu , Liu Ge , Song Kaishan
Published: May 2024

In recent decades, eutrophication in inland and coastal waters (ICWs) has increased due to anthropogenic activities and global warming, thus requiring timely monitoring. Compared with traditional sampling and laboratory analysis methods, satellite remote sensing technology can provide macro-scale, low-cost, and near real-time water quality monitoring services. The Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI), aboard the Communication Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) from the Republic of Korea, marked a significant milestone as the world’s inaugural geostationary ocean color observation satellite. Its operational tenure spanned from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2021. Over ten years, the GOCI has observed oceans, coastal waters, and inland waters within its 2500 km × 2500 km target area centered on the Korean Peninsula. The most attractive feature of the GOCI, compared with other commonly used water color sensors, was its high temporal resolution (1 h, eight times daily from 0 UTC to 7 UTC), providing an opportunity to monitor ICWs, where their water quality can undergo significant changes within a day. This study aims to comprehensively review GOCI features and applications in ICWs, analyzing progress in atmospheric correction algorithms and water quality monitoring. Analyzing 123 articles from the Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) through a bibliometric quantitative approach, we examined the GOCI’s strength and performance with different processing methods. These articles reveal that the GOCI played an essential role in monitoring the ecological health of ICWs in its observation coverage (2500 km × 2500 km) in East Asia. The GOCI has led the way to a new era of geostationary ocean satellites, providing new technical means for monitoring water quality in oceans, coastal zones, and inland lakes. We also discuss the challenges encountered by Geostationary Ocean Color Sensors in monitoring water quality and provide suggestions for future Geostationary Ocean Color Sensors to better monitor the ICWs.
A Study on the Maximum Reliability of Multi-UAV Cooperation Relay Systems
Authors: Ning Ning , Zhou Suiping , Bao Weimin , Li Xiaoping
Published: May 2024

This paper studies the maximum reliability of multi-hop relay UAVs, in which UAVs provide wireless services for remote users as a coded cooperative relay without an end-to-end direct communication link. In this paper, the analytical expressions of the total power loss and total bit error rate are derived as reliability measures. First, based on the environmental statistical parameters, a LOS probability model is proposed. Then, the problem of minimizing the bit error rate of static and mobile UAVs is studied. The goal is to minimize the total bit error rate by jointly optimizing the height, elevation, power and path loss and introducing the maximum allowable path loss constraints, transmission power allocation constraints, and UAV height and elevation constraints. At the same time, the total path loss is minimized to achieve maximum ground communication coverage. However, the formulated joint optimization problem is nonconvex and generally difficult to solve. Therefore, we decomposed the problem into two subproblems and proposed an effective joint optimization iteration algorithm. Finally, the simulation results are given, and the analysis shows that the optimal height of different reliability measures is slightly different; thus, using the mobility of UAVs can improve the reliability of communication performance.
A Comparative Study of Load Frequency Regulation for Multi-Area Interconnected Grids Using Integral Controller
Authors: Ba Wazir Awadh , Althobiti Ahmed , Alhussainy Abdullah A. , Alghamdi Sultan , Vellingiri Mahendiran , Palaniswamy Thangam , Rawa Muhyaddin
Published: May 2024

The present paper provides an optimal design for load frequency control (LFC) in the interconnected power system. To obtain an adequate LFC response alongside shortening implementation time and minimizing costs, an integral (I) controller is used. A deep analysis of the I controller-based LFC is presented. At first, a two-area interconnected power system is used, and to enhance the LFC response, the I controller and frequency bias parameters are optimized using three novel optimization algorithms, which are the incomprehensible but intelligible-in-time logic algorithm (ILA), the coati optimization algorithm (COA), and the brown-bear optimization algorithm (BOA). Also, five well-known techniques, namely, particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA), pattern search (PS), and nonlinear programming (NP), are used. A new objective function utilizing the integral of squared error (ISE), settling time, settling-max, and settling-min of the dynamic response is used to increase the efficacy of estimating the parameters. The presented results in this paper showed that the optimized I controller outperforms the classic I controller. After considering a load change in one area by 18.75%, the optimized I controller achieved the lowest ISE values. ISE values were: 0.00582, 0.00179, 0.00176, 0.00178, 0.00321, 0.00304, 0.00179, 0.00185, and 0.00181, for classic I, PSO-I, GA-I, SA-I, PS-I, NP-I, ILA-I, COA-I, and BOA-I. Then, the proposed method is applied to a nonlinear two-area system, demonstrating that the proposed strategies can deal with nonlinearity. As the purpose of the hybrid power system is to create a robust energy infrastructure that adheres to sustainability standards, the proposed algorithms are analyzed in a three-area multi-source power system comprising renewable energy sources (RESs) such as photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine (WT), a battery energy storage system (BESS), and an electric vehicle (EV).
An Engine-Level Safety Assessment Approach of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Based on a Multi-Fidelity Aerodynamic Model
Authors: Ding Shuiting , Ma Qinglin , Qiu Tian , Gan Chenyu , Wang Xinming
Published: May 2024

Safety is essential for sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). However, evaluating SAFs’ impacts on aero-engine safety is challenging because it involves multiple space scales and the strongly coupled relationships of aero-engine components. Aiming at addressing this problem, a model-based approach is proposed to establish the relationship between the fuel-level physical properties and engine-level safety parameters. Firstly, a unified modeling criterion is proposed to consider the interrelations of aero-engine components. Under this criterion, aero-engine secondary air system (SAS) components are included in SAF safety assessment, since they have non-neglectable influences on aero-engine safety. Secondly, this paper proposes a surrogate-based iteration strategy to embed the combustor’s high-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model into the aero-engine flow network model. Then, the proposed model-based safety assessment approach is applied to a Fischer–Tropsch hydro-processed synthesized paraffinic kerosine (F-T SPK) safety assessment case. The effects of fuel flow and blending ratio are considered. The results indicate the necessity to evaluate SAFs’ safety at the aero-engine level and consider the influences of SAS components. The proposed model-based approach may provide a preliminary screening before SAFs’ certification tests. This convenience may be beneficial for reducing the cost and accelerating SAFs’ application.
The Impact of Urban–Rural Integration on Food Security: Evidence from Provincial Panel Data in China
Authors: Chen Xiaofu , Yu Guoxin
Published: May 2024

Food security is pivotal for national sustainable development. This study utilizes panel data from 31 Chinese provinces spanning from 1990 to 2021 to construct distinct indicator systems for urban–rural integration and food security. The entropy method is employed to assess levels of urban–rural integration and food security, with their inter-relationship examined through a fixed-effects model. Additionally, this study conducts rigorous robustness and endogeneity tests, alongside comprehensive heterogeneity analyses across various dimensions and regions. The findings underscore the significant role of urban–rural integration in enhancing food security, particularly within spatial, social, and economic dimensions, albeit encountering challenges in ecological integration. Moreover, the impact of urban–rural integration on food security manifests differently across diverse food-producing regions, exhibiting notable advantages in primary production and distribution hubs while being negligible in balanced regions. These results accentuate the critical necessity for refining urban–rural integration strategies to bolster food security. Consequently, in formulating agricultural regional policies, careful consideration of resource allocation and the developmental stages of each region is imperative to ensure food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Flexible Techniques to Detect Typical Hidden Errors in Large Longitudinal Datasets
Authors: Bruni Renato , Daraio Cinzia , Di Leo Simone
Published: May 2024

The increasing availability of longitudinal data (repeated numerical observations of the same units at different times) requires the development of flexible techniques to automatically detect errors in such data. Besides standard types of errors, which can be treated with generic error correction techniques, large longitudinal datasets may present specific problems not easily traceable by the generic techniques. In particular, after applying those generic techniques, time series in the data may contain trends, natural fluctuations and possible surviving errors. To study the data evolution, one main issue is distinguishing those elusive errors from the rest, which should be kept as they are and not flattened or altered. This work responds to this need by identifying some types of elusive errors and by proposing a statistical-mathematical approach to capture their complexity that can be applied after the above generic techniques. The proposed approach is based on a system of indicators and works at the formal level by studying the differences between consecutive values of data series and the symmetries and asymmetries of these differences. It operates regardless of the specific meaning of the data and is thus applicable in a variety of contexts. We implement this approach in a relevant database of European Higher Education institutions (ETER) by analyzing two key variables: “Total academic staff” and “Total number of enrolled students”, which are two of the most important variables, often used in empirical analysis as a proxy for size, and are considered by policymakers at the European level. The results are very promising.
Special Issue: “Fluctuating Asymmetry as a Measure of Stress: Influence of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors”
Authors: Shadrina Elena , Pertoldi Cino
Published: May 2024

The main cause of stress, according to Selye [...]
An adaptive approach to the bee hive state identification using neural networks and audio analysis
Authors: O.O. Zhukov , V.I. Horbenko
Published: May 2024

Problem statement. Monitoring the queen bee is crucial for the health and produc-tivity of a bee colony. The queen plays a vital role in reproduction and maintaining the colony's population. Utilizing neural networks, such as CNNs along with sound analysis, can be a valuable tool for monitoring queen bees and assessing their behavior and health within the hive. Purpose. Finding the best way to preprocess audio data and review it is an important task that, if performed well, will help to track the bee hive population and its health state in general. Related work. With the development of deep learning, several studies were done on their application along with sound analysis in bee hive state identi-fication, such as swarming or bee queen detection. Materials and methods. A public la-beled dataset “To bee or not to bee” with bee hive sounds was used for training. It was split by source and then cut into pieces 4 seconds each. Then, CNN models were trained using different audio feature extraction methods, such as MFCCs and STFT. First, it was trained on a first audio set, and then trained models were utilized to analyze their per-formance on the evaluation set of the second audio set. Results and discussion. According to the training and evaluation results, MFCCs-based models have given constant good results, and when used on a limited audio dataset, pre-trained model showed better per-formance than the one trained from zero. Conclusions. The experiment showed that MFCCs is a better performant feature extraction method for a task of the bee hive sounds analysis and bee queen presence identification. Also, even though training a model on a full audio set results in better performance, pre-trained models can detect a bee queen absence in another hive even after an additional training on a limited audio dataset.
Development of an approach to the detection of Android software using deep learning methods
Authors: K. Ostrovska , I. Stovpchenko , Y. Ostrovsky
Published: May 2024

The purpose of the work is to develop an approach to detect malicious software for the Android operating system based on statistical analysis using deep learning methods. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were solved: 1. Study of the features of Android applications and development of a method of submitting the application for further security analysis. 2. Research of deep learning methods and selection of the most appropriate of them. 3. Development of an Android malware detection approach using deep learning techniques. The main idea of the approach is to represent the Android application in the form of an image for further analysis by a convolutional neural network, and in this image the pixels represent a sequence of API call pairs and the level of protection against it, which is derived from the permission required for the API call. An Android malware detection approach is developed based on the representation of Android applications, as well as a convolutional neural network that has been specially developed for image recognition. A sequence of pairs of API calls and security levels of Android applications is converted into an RGB image, which is then fed to the input of a convolutional neural network. Having trained on a sample of similar images, the neural network acts as a classifier of included Android applications into legitimate and malicious ones.
DECISION SUPPORT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING TASKS
Authors: K.G. Sukovenko
Published: May 2024

In the modern world, video surveillance systems are an integral part of security and monitoring measures in various sectors, from public places to industrial facilities. However, with their increasing prevalence, ethical issues arise concerning the use of video data and the impact of these systems on privacy and citizens' rights. In this article, we will delve into some of these issues in detail and propose recommendations for their resolution. It is important to recognize the consequences that video surveillance and monitoring can have on the quality and effectiveness of decisions made by people. This problem proves to be quite relevant in various fields, including manufacturing, engineering, and others. Video surveil-lance and monitoring have become an integral part of the modern world, particularly in the areas of security, transportation, urban planning, and ecology, with the aid of advanced video analysis and data processing technologies. Today's video surveillance systems provide a high level of information support for decision-making, which is why we will explore the key aspects of information technology that support decision-making in video surveillance and monitoring tasks, as well as the prospects and challenges of its application.
Tools for studying of facial identification and authentication
Authors: D. Ostapets , V. Dziuba , V. Rusetskyi
Published: May 2024

One of the most common and popular among biometric techniques is biometry of face. Currently, a large number of information systems have been created using these techniques. Thus, there is a problem of studying the methods of machine face recognition during the training of relevant specialists. The aim of the work is to develop a software tools for studying the mechanism of biometric face authentication. Face is static biometry methodic. For implementation in the developed tools the method of comparison on key points was chosen. The main stages of comparing faces are: finding a face in a photo, formation of key points, normalization, formation of segments, formation of relations, comparison of ratios. A high-level cross-platform programming language C++ with the use of additional libraries was chosen to develop the software of the tools. An open face database was used to work with the tools. The tools have a demonstration nature. During its use, you can explore and study all the components of the process of biometric identifi-cation and authentication of the user by face: demonstration of the process of finding of key points on the face, forming of distances between points, calculating of their ratios and their comparison; comparison of etalon and candidate photos during the procedure of identification and authentication and response. Examples of the main processing stages of the complex and the corresponding screen forms (windows) are given. The com-position of the tools and software are developed in the work, the main examples and stages of its work are given. It is shown that the tools can be used in the educational process, for example in laboratory or practical classes.
Respon Pemberian Pakan Azolla Microphylla Terhadap Kualitas Fisik Daging Itik
Authors: Ansyah Pardiansah Pardi , Mahmud Andi tenri Bau Astuti , Santi Santi
Published: May 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kualitas fisik daging itik (pH daging, daya ikat air, daya putus daging, keempukan, susut masak, warna L*, a* dan b*) dengan penambahan ransum Azolla microphylla. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan 4 perlakuan dan 3 ulangan sehingga menghasilkan 12 kombinasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan pemberian pakan Azolla microphylla pada sistem pemeliharaan intensif tidak berpengaruh nyata (P>0,05) terhadap parameter nilai pH, daya ikat air (DIA), daya putus daging (DPD), keempukan, susut masak dan warna L*, a*, b*. Kesimpulan penelitian ini pemberian pakan Azoolla microphylla sampai pada level 60% memberikan kualitas fisik daging yang optimal
PENGARUH DOSIS DAN INTERVAL PEMBERIAN TRICHODERMA TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN BAWANG MERAH (Allium Ascalonicum L)
Authors: Wulandari Aulia Putri , Satriani Satriani , Hikmawati Hikmawati
Published: May 2024

Bawang merah, atau Allium ascalonicum L., merupakan tanaman hias penting yang telah dibudidayakan secara ekstensif. Kumpulan rempah-rempah yang tidak dapat disubstitusi dan dijadikan sebagai sumber pangan dan obat tradisional dalam pengertian ini disebut sebagai komoditas hortikultura. Pada bulan Februari dan April 2022, penelitian ini dilakukan di Desa Darma, Kecamatan Polewali Mandar, Kabupaten Polewali Mandar, Sulawesi Barat. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui bagaimana aplikasi Trichoderma dan interval waktu mempengaruhi perkembangan dan hasil bawang merah. Pola faktorial dan campuran enam taraf—20 gram per tanaman, 30 gram per tanaman, 40 gram per tanaman, 5 hari, 10 hari, dan 15 hari—digunakan dalam metodologi Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) penelitian ini. Setiap unit penelitian memiliki delapan tab, sehingga total 216 tab, yang diulang sebanyak tiga kali sehingga menghasilkan total 27 unit penelitian. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa hanya satu teknik yang menawarkan keuntungan penting untuk metrik tinggi tanaman dalam pupuk T3 Trichoderma 40 gram yang ditanam selama akuisisi T3 Trichoderma sp. dan untuk jangka waktu yang lama.
Respon Pemberian Arang Sekam Padi Dan Pupuk SP36 Terhadap Pertumbuhan Dan Produksi Tanaman Wortel (Daucus carota L.)
Authors: Meli Melianti , Karim Harli A , Kandatong Hasanuddin
Published: May 2024

Pada tahun 2017, produktivitas wortel nasional sebesar 17,53 ton/ha, namun turun menjadi 16,99 ton/ha pada tahun 2017. Pada bulan Februari 2022 hingga Mei 2023, penelitian ini dilakukan di Desa Taupe, Kecamatan Mamasa, Kabupaten Mamasa, Provinsi Sulawesi Barat. Teknik yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) yang terdiri dari 2 (dua) faktor perlakuan, yaitu: Pemberian arang sekam padi dalam tiga taraf pada F1: kontrol, 5 kg/petak (tanpa arang sekam), dan 10 kg / petak. Aplikasi pupuk F2 SP36 ada tiga tingkatan yaitu 50, 75, dan 100 gram per petak. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa arang sekam padi dan pupuk SP36 tidak berinteraksi secara signifikan.Namun jika dibandingkan dengan kombinasi perlakuan lainnya, arang sekam padi 10 kr/petak dan pupuk SP36 100 gr/petak memberikan hasil yang lebih baik. Pemberian arang sekam padi 10 kg per petak memberikan dampak positif sekaligus pengaruh yang sangat nyata terhadap parameter panjang umbi, diameter, berat, dan berat umbi per petak. Selain itu, pemberian pupuk SP36 100 g per petak memberikan dampak positif dan sangat nyata terhadap parameter panjang umbi, diameter, berat, dan berat umbi per petak.
EFEKTIVITAS PENGGUNAAN EKSTRAK DAUN TRAMBESI SEBAGAI SANITASI ALAMI DENGAN METODE PENGELAPAN TERHADAP KUALITAS TELUR ITIK
Authors: Rahman Muammar Eka , Mahmud Andi Tenri Astuti Bau , Fausiah Andi
Published: May 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas penggunaan ekstrak daun trambesi (Samanea saman) dengan menggunakan metode pengelapan terhadap daya tetas, bobot tetas dan mortalitas itik lokal. Daya tetas telur itik dipengaruhi oleh kebersihan telur. Kebersihan kerabang telur harus diperhatikan karena telur merupakan bagian terluar telur yang berpotensi sebagai sumber bakteri patogen. Metode penelitian ini adalah menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan 4 perlakuan dan 3 ulangan masing-masing ulangan terdiri dari 30 butir telur itik lokal (Anas domesticus). Setiap perlakuan menggunakan 90 butir telur itik. Hasil analisis menunjukkan persentase daya tetas yang dihasilkan selama proses penelitian yaitu P0 (79,22%), P1 (87,00%), P2 (85,16%), P3 (76,81%), rata-rata bobot tetas yang dihasilkan yaitu P0 (43,56 gram), P1 (43,94 gram), P2 (43,64 gram), P3 (43,89 gram), persentase mortalitas yang dihasilkan yaitu P0 (20,77%), P1 (12,99%), P2 (14,83%) dan P3 (23,18%). Kesimpulan penelitian ini yaitu pemberian ekstrak daun trambesi (Samanea saman) berpengaruh nyata terhadap daya tetas dan mortalitas telur itik, sedangkan pemberian ekstrak daun trambesi tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap bobot tetas telur itik lokal (Anas domesticus).
PENGARUH PEMBERIAN PAKAN Azolla Microphylla TERHADAP MORFOMETRIK ITIK LOKAL PADA UMUR SATU BULAN
Authors: Nurfadilah Nurfadilah , Fausiah Andi , Iamirandy Adli
Published: May 2024

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui efektifitas pemberian Azolla Microphylla terhadap itik lokal. Metode penelitian ini adalah menggunakan sistem perkandangan intensif dengan rancangan yang digunakan yaitu Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) denngan menggunakan 3 perlakuan dan 3 ulangan, dimana masing-masing perlakuan menggunakan 5 ekor itik yang berusia 1 bulan. Sehingga jumlah itik yang digunakan yaitu 60 ekor. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah Diketahui bahwa dengan pemberian pakan Azolla microphylla tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap parameter konsumsi pakan dan FCR tetapi berpengaruh sangat nyata pada parameter PBB (pertambahan bobot badan) harian dan PBB (pertambahan bobot badan) mingguan. Dengan persentase penambahan Azolla microphylla sebanyak 20% diketahui sangat berpengaruh nyata terhadap PBB (pertambahan bobot badan) harian dan PBB (pertambahan bobot badan) mingguan.