bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Responses of Red Ripe Tomato Fruit to Copper Deficiency Stress
Authors: Romero Paco , Lafuente María Teresa
Published: May 2023

Fruit nutritional value, plant growth, and yield can be compromised by deficient copper (Cu) bioavailability, which often appears in arable lands. This condition causes low Cu content and modifications in the ripening-associated processes in tomato fruit. This research studies the transcriptomic changes that occur in red ripe tomato fruit grown under suboptimal Cu conditions to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying this stress. Comparative RNA-sequencing and functional analyses revealed that Cu deficiency during cultivation activates signals for metal ion transport, cellular redox homeostasis, pyridoxal phosphate binding, and amino acid metabolism while repressing the response to phosphate starvation in harvested fruit. Transcriptomic analyses highlighted a number of novel Cu stress-responsive genes of unknown function and indicated that Cu homeostasis regulation in tomato fruit may involve additional components than those described in model plants. It also studied the regulation of high-affinity Cu transporters and a number of well-known Cu stress-responsive genes during tomato fruit ripening depending on Cu availability, which allowed potential candidates to be targeted for biotechnological improvements in reproductive tissues. We provide the first study characterizing the molecular responses of fruit to Cu deficiency stress for any fruit crop.
Large Field Screening for Resistance to Broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.) in a Global Lentil Diversity Panel (GLDP) (Lens culinaris Medik.)
Authors: En-nahli Youness , Hejjaoui Kamal , Mentag Rachid , Es-safi Nour Eddine , Amri Moez
Published: May 2023

Broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.) is a serious problem causing important losses to lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) production and productivity in Mediterranean countries. Despite intensive breeding activities, no resistance sources against O. crenata have been identified so far. In this study, a Global Lentil Diversity Panel (GLDP) of 1315 genotypes including local populations, landraces, accessions, improved lines and released varieties were evaluated for their resistance to O. crenata under highly infested field conditions at ICARDA Marchouch research station, Morocco. The trial was conducted according to an augmented design with repeated susceptible checks. The best-performing genotypes were selected based on the correlations between Orobanche infestation parameters and agronomic performance. Results showed significant variation (p < 0.005) among the studied genotypes and between the tested genotypes and checks for BY, D2F, D2M, PH, EODW and NEO. Out of the 1315 tested genotypes, only (1%) showed high to moderate resistance levels to O. crenata. Most of these genotypes are improved lines originating from different breeding programs. the PCA analysis clustered all the tested genotypes into four different groups. Good resistance levels were recorded for the genotypes ILL7723, ILL 7982, ILL 6912, ILL 6415, ILL 9850, ILL 605, ILL 7915, ILL 1861 and ILL 9888 showing a parasitism index and grain yield ranging from 1.69 to 5.99 and 10.97 to 60.19 g m−2, respectively. Person’s correlation showed significant negative correlations between agronomic traits and infestation parameters. Both the path and spatial analysis showed that the D2F, NEO, D2OE, SEV and parasitism index (PI) were the strongest driver traits that influenced the seed yield (SY).
Alpine Viticulture and Climate Change: Environmental Resources and Limitations for Grapevine Ripening in Valtellina, Italy
Authors: Modina Davide , Cola Gabriele , Bianchi Davide , Bolognini Martino , Mancini Sonia , Foianini Ivano , Cappelletti Adriano , Failla Osvaldo , Brancadoro Lucio
Published: May 2023

The effects of the spatial and temporal variability of environmental factors on viticulture are particularly important in mountainous wine regions due to their complex geomorphology. A typical example is Valtellina, an Italian valley in the middle of the Alpine chain known for its wine production. The aim of this work was to assess the effects of the current climatic conditions on Alpine viticultural production by evaluating the relationship between sugar accumulation, acid degradation, and environmental factors. To achieve this objective, a 21-year time series of ripening curves from 15 vineyards (cv Nebbiolo) along the Valtellina wine-growing belt was collected. The ripening curves were then analysed in conjunction with meteorological data to assess the influence of geographical and climatic characteristics, as well as other limiting environmental factors, on grape ripening. Valtellina is currently characterised by a stable warm phase, with yearly precipitation slightly higher than in the past. In this context, the timing of ripening and the level of total acidity are correlated with altitude, temperature, and summer thermal excess. Precipitation shows good correlations with all the maturity indices, so higher precipitation leads to late ripening and higher total acidity. Considering the oenological goal of local wineries, the results suggest that the Alpine area of Valtellina is currently facing favourable environmental conditions, with early development and increased levels of sugar while maintaining good levels of acidity.
Induced Systemic Resistance in the Bacillus spp.—Capsicum chinense Jacq.—PepGMV Interaction, Elicited by Defense-Related Gene Expression
Authors: Samaniego-Gámez Blancka Yesenia , Valle-Gough Raúl Enrique , Garruña-Hernández René , Reyes-Ramírez Arturo , Latournerie-Moreno Luis , Tun-Suárez José María , Villanueva-Alonzo Hernán de Jesús , Nuñez-Ramírez Fidel , Diaz Lourdes Cervantes , Samaniego-Gámez Samuel Uriel , Minero-García Yereni , Hernandez-Zepeda Cecilia , Moreno-Valenzuela Oscar A.
Published: May 2023

Induced systemic resistance (ISR) is a mechanism involved in the plant defense response against pathogens. Certain members of the Bacillus genus are able to promote the ISR by maintaining a healthy photosynthetic apparatus, which prepares the plant for future stress situations. The goal of the present study was to analyze the effect of the inoculation of Bacillus on the expression of genes involved in plant responses to pathogens, as a part of the ISR, during the interaction of Capsicum chinense infected with PepGMV. The effects of the inoculation of the Bacillus strains in pepper plants infected with PepGMV were evaluated by observing the accumulation of viral DNA and the visible symptoms of pepper plants during a time-course experiment in greenhouse and in in vitro experiments. The relative expression of the defense genes CcNPR1, CcPR10, and CcCOI1 were also evaluated. The results showed that the plants inoculated with Bacillus subtilis K47, Bacillus cereus K46, and Bacillus sp. M9 had a reduction in the PepGMV viral titer, and the symptoms in these plants were less severe compared to the plants infected with PepGMV and non-inoculated with Bacillus. Additionally, an increase in the transcript levels of CcNPR1, CcPR10, and CcCOI1 was observed in plants inoculated with Bacillus strains. Our results suggest that the inoculation of Bacillus strains interferes with the viral replication, through the increase in the transcription of pathogenesis-related genes, which is reflected in a lowered plant symptomatology and an improved yield in the greenhouse, regardless of PepGMV infection status.
Membrane Fluidization Governs the Coordinated Heat-Inducible Expression of Nucleus- and Plastid Genome-Encoded Heat Shock Protein 70 Genes in the Marine Red Alga Neopyropia yezoensis
Authors: Mikami Koji , Khoa Ho Viet
Published: May 2023

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is an evolutionarily conserved protein chaperone in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. This family is involved in the maintenance of physiological homeostasis by ensuring the proper folding and refolding of proteins. The HSP70 family in terrestrial plants can be divided into cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-, mitochondrion (MT)-, and chloroplast (CP)-localized HSP70 subfamilies. In the marine red alga Neopyropia yezoensis, the heat-inducible expression of two cytoplasmic HSP70 genes has been characterized; however, little is known about the presence of other HSP70 subfamilies and their expression profiles under heat stress conditions. Here, we identified genes encoding one MT and two ER HSP70 proteins and confirmed their heat-inducible expression at 25 °C. In addition, we determined that membrane fluidization directs gene expression for the ER-, MT-, and CP-localized HSP70 proteins as with cytoplasmic HSP70s. The gene for the CP-localized HSP70 is carried by the chloroplast genome; thus, our results indicate that membrane fluidization is a trigger for the coordinated heat-driven induction of HSP70 genes harbored by the nuclear and plastid genomes in N. yezoensis. We propose this mechanism as a unique regulatory system common in the Bangiales, in which the CP-localized HSP70 is usually encoded in the chloroplast genome.
A High-Precision Plant Disease Detection Method Based on a Dynamic Pruning Gate Friendly to Low-Computing Platforms
Authors: Liu Yufei , Liu Jingxin , Cheng Wei , Chen Zizhi , Zhou Junyu , Cheng Haolan , Lv Chunli
Published: May 2023

Timely and accurate detection of plant diseases is a crucial research topic. A dynamic-pruning-based method for automatic detection of plant diseases in low-computing situations is proposed. The main contributions of this research work include the following: (1) the collection of datasets for four crops with a total of 12 diseases over a three-year history; (2) the proposition of a re-parameterization method to improve the boosting accuracy of convolutional neural networks; (3) the introduction of a dynamic pruning gate to dynamically control the network structure, enabling operation on hardware platforms with widely varying computational power; (4) the implementation of the theoretical model based on this paper and the development of the associated application. Experimental results demonstrate that the model can run on various computing platforms, including high-performance GPU platforms and low-power mobile terminal platforms, with an inference speed of 58 FPS, outperforming other mainstream models. In terms of model accuracy, subclasses with a low detection accuracy are enhanced through data augmentation and validated by ablation experiments. The model ultimately achieves an accuracy of 0.94.
Allium sphaeronixum (Amaryllidaceae), A New Species from Turkey
Authors: Koçyiğit Mine , Salmeri Cristina , Özhatay Neriman , Kaya Erdal , Brullo Salvatore
Published: May 2023

In this paper, Allium sphaeronixum, a new species of the sect. Codonoprasum from Turkey, is described and illustrated. The new species is endemic to Central Anatolia, limited to the area of Nevşehir, where it grows on sandy or rocky soil at an elevation of 1000–1300 m a.s.l. Its morphology, phenology, karyology, leaf anatomy, seed testa micromorphology, chorology, and conservation status are examined in detail. The taxonomic relationships with the closest allied species, A. staticiforme and A. myrianthum, are also highlighted and discussed.
Hormonal Balance, Photosynthesis, and Redox Reactions in the Leaves of Caragana korshinskii Kom. under Water Deficit
Authors: Yan Hui , Liu Xiaoli , Ding Hao , Dai Zhiguang , Niu Xiaoli , Zhao Long
Published: May 2023

To evaluate the physiological responses of Korshinsk peashrub (Caragana korshinskii Kom.) to water deficit, photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and the levels of superoxide anion (O2•−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes, and endogenous hormones in its leaves were investigated under different irrigation strategies during the entire growth period. The results showed that leaf growth-promoting hormones were maintained at a higher level during the stages of leaf expansion and vigorous growth, and zeatin riboside (ZR) and gibberellic acid (GA) gradually decreased with an increase in water deficit. At the leaf-shedding stage, the concentration of abscisic acid (ABA) dramatically increased, and the ratio of ABA to growth-promoting hormones increased to a high level, which indicated that the rate of leaf senescence and shedding was accelerated. At the stages of leaf expansion and vigorous growth, the actual efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (ΦPSii) was downregulated with an increment in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) under moderate water deficit. Excess excitation energy was dissipated, and the maximal efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) was maintained. However, with progressive water stress, the photo-protective mechanism was inadequate to avoid photo-damage; Fv/Fm was decreased and photosynthesis was subject to non-stomatal inhibition under severe water deficit. At the leaf-shedding stage, non-stomatal factors became the major factors in limiting photosynthesis under moderate and severe water deficits. In addition, the generation of O2•− and H2O2 in the leaves of Caragana was accelerated under moderate and severe water deficits, which caused an enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities to maintain the oxidation–reduction balance. However, when the protective enzymes were insufficient in eliminating excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), the activity of catalase (CAT) was reduced at the leaf-shedding stage. Taken all together, Caragana has strong drought resistance at the leaf expansion and vigorous growth stages, but weak drought resistance at the leaf-shedding stage.
Dental Materials Applied to 3D and 4D Printing Technologies: A Review
Authors: Cai HongXin , Xu Xiaotong , Lu Xinyue , Zhao Menghua , Jia Qi , Jiang Heng-Bo , Kwon Jae-Sung
Published: May 2023

As computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies have matured, three-dimensional (3D) printing materials suitable for dentistry have attracted considerable research interest, owing to their high efficiency and low cost for clinical treatment. Three-dimensional printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing, has developed rapidly over the last forty years, with gradual application in various fields from industry to dental sciences. Four-dimensional (4D) printing, defined as the fabrication of complex spontaneous structures that change over time in response to external stimuli in expected ways, includes the increasingly popular bioprinting. Existing 3D printing materials have varied characteristics and scopes of application; therefore, categorization is required. This review aims to classify, summarize, and discuss dental materials for 3D printing and 4D printing from a clinical perspective. Based on these, this review describes four major materials, i.e., polymers, metals, ceramics, and biomaterials. The manufacturing process of 3D printing and 4D printing materials, their characteristics, applicable printing technologies, and clinical application scope are described in detail. Furthermore, the development of composite materials for 3D printing is the main focus of future research, as combining multiple materials can improve the materials’ properties. Updates in material sciences play important roles in dentistry; hence, the emergence of newer materials are expected to promote further innovations in dentistry.
Globular Proteins and Where to Find Them within a Polymer Brush—A Case Study
Authors: Galata Aikaterini A. , Kröger Martin
Published: May 2023

Protein adsorption by polymerized surfaces is an interdisciplinary topic that has been approached in many ways, leading to a plethora of theoretical, numerical and experimental insight. There is a wide variety of models trying to accurately capture the essence of adsorption and its effect on the conformations of proteins and polymers. However, atomistic simulations are case-specific and computationally demanding. Here, we explore universal aspects of the dynamics of protein adsorption through a coarse-grained (CG) model, that allows us to explore the effects of various design parameters. To this end, we adopt the hydrophobic-polar (HP) model for proteins, place them uniformly at the upper bound of a CG polymer brush whose multibead-spring chains are tethered to a solid implicit wall. We find that the most crucial factor affecting the adsorption efficiency appears to be the polymer grafting density, while the size of the protein and its hydrophobicity ratio come also into play. We discuss the roles of ligands and attractive tethering surfaces to the primary adsorption as well as secondary and ternary adsorption in the presence of attractive (towards the hydrophilic part of the protein) beads along varying spots of the backbone of the polymer chains. The percentage and rate of adsorption, density profiles and the shapes of the proteins, alongside with the respective potential of mean force are recorded to compare the various scenarios during protein adsorption.
Development and Characterization of Biosorbent Film from Eggshell/Orange Waste Enriched with Banana Starch
Authors: Vonnie Joseph Merillyn , Rovina Kobun , ‘Aqilah Nasir Md Nur , Felicia Xia Wen Ling
Published: May 2023

The conversion of waste into a valuable product is regarded as a promising alternative to relieving the burden of solid waste management and could be beneficial to the environment and humans. This study is focused on utilizing eggshell and orange peel enriched with banana starch to fabricate biofilm via the casting technique. The developed film is further characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The physical properties of films, including thickness, density, color, porosity, moisture content, water solubility, water absorption, and water vapor permeability, were also characterized. The removal efficiency of the metal ions onto film at different contact times, pH, biosorbent dosages, and initial concentration of Cd(II) were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The film’s surface was found to have a porous and rough structure with no cracks, which can enhance the target analytes interactions. EDX and XRD analyses confirmed that eggshell particles were made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and the appearance of the main peak at 2θ = 29.65° and 2θ = 29.49° proves the presence of calcite in eggshells. The FTIR indicated that the films contain various functional groups, such as alkane (C-H), hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (C=O), carbonate (CO32−), and carboxylic acid (-COOH) that can act as biosorption materials. According to the findings, the developed film exhibits a notable enhancement in its water barrier properties, thereby leading to improved adsorption capacity. The batch experiments showed that the film obtained the maximum removal percentage at pH = 8 and 6 g of biosorbent dose. Notably, the developed film could reach sorption equilibrium within 120 min at the initial concentration of 80 mg/L and remove 99.95% of Cd(II) in the aqueous solutions. This outcome presents potential opportunities for the application of these films in the food industry as both biosorbents and packaging materials. Such utilization can significantly enhance the overall quality of food products.
Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Rice Husk Ash–Rubber–Fiber Concrete under Hygrothermal Environment
Authors: Wang Heng , Pang Jianyong , Xu Yihua
Published: May 2023

In order to study the mechanical properties of rice husk ash–rubber–fiber concrete (RRFC) under hygrothermal environment, the optimal group was selected by orthogonal test. The mass loss, relative dynamic elastic modulus analysis, strength analysis, degradation degree analysis after cyclic loading and internal microstructure analysis of the optimal group of RRFC samples after dry–wet cycles under different environments and temperatures were compared and analyzed. The results show that the large specific surface area of rice husk ash optimizes the particle size distribution of RRFC specimens, reacts to form C-S-H gel, enhances the compactness of concrete, and forms a dense structure as a whole. The presence of rubber particles and PVA fibers effectively improves the mechanical properties and fatigue resistance of RRFC. The comprehensive mechanical properties of RRFC with rubber particle size of 1–3 mm, PVA fiber content of 1.2 kg·m−3 and rice husk ash content of 15% are the best. The compressive strength of the specimens after dry–wet cycles in different environments generally increased first and then decreased, reaching a peak at the seventh dry–wet cycle, and the compressive strength of the specimens under chloride salt solution decreased more than that under clear water solution. Thes provided new concrete materials for the construction of highways and tunnels in coastal areas. Under the premise of ensuring the strength and durability of concrete, it is of great practical significance to explore new roads for energy conservation and emission reduction.
Synthesis, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Kinetic Study of Poly-N-Isopropylacrylamide with Varied Initiator Content
Authors: Gola Agnieszka , Knysak Tomasz , Mucha Igor , Musiał Witold
Published: May 2023

The thermal decomposition and kinetic parameters of four polymers, PN-1, PN-05, PN-01, and PN-005, were determined by thermogravimetry (TGA/DTG) under non-isothermal conditions. N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA)-based polymers were synthesized by the surfactant-free precipitation polymerization (SFPP) with different concentrations of the anionic initiator potassium persulphate (KPS). Thermogravimetric experiments were carried out in the temperature range of 25–700 °C at four heating rates, 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min−1, under a nitrogen atmosphere. Poly NIPA (PNIPA) showed three stages of mass loss during the degradation process. The thermal stability of the test material was determined. Activation energy values were estimated using Ozawa, Kissinger, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), and Friedman (FD) methods.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Two Different Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) Farming Strategies in the Sacca di Goro, Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy
Authors: Summa Daniela , Turolla Edoardo , Lanzoni Mattia , Tamisari Elena , Castaldelli Giuseppe , Tamburini Elena
Published: May 2023

The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas is one of the world’s most cultivated and prized molluscs. Although it is usually considered a luxury product, it meets all the requirements to be included in a sustainable diet, and its production and consumption have great potential for growth in the coming years. Oyster farming is a worldwide activity, with China and France as the main producers, but recently, the possibility of implementing the Italian production, mainly focused on clams and mussels, has been considered an interesting issue, especially due to the growing local and global demand. The present study has been carried out by collecting data from the Sacca di Goro, north-east Italy, the most important national mollusc farming area. Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to two different farming scenarios in order to improve the overall sustainability of the process. Using OpenLCA™ software (GreenDelta, Berlin, Germany) and the ReCiPe® midpoint (H) v.1.12 method, the environmental impacts of the traditional Italian farming technique, carried out entirely offshore in longlines, and the alternative option, in which the oyster seed pre-fattening phase was carried out in the lagoon, were calculated and compared. The results show that replacing the current pre-fattening phase with pre-fattening in a lagoon reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 12% and all other impact categories by approximately 9%. In addition, non-recyclable plastic materials and fuel consumption emerged as the main environmental hotspots.
Satellite-Based Estimation of Roughness Length over Vegetated Surfaces and Its Utilization in WRF Simulations
Authors: Liu Yiming , Shen Chong , Chen Xiaoyang , Hong Yingying , Fan Qi , Chan Pakwai , Wang Chunlin , Lan Jing
Published: May 2023

Based on morphological methods, MODIS satellite remote sensing data were used to establish a dataset of the local roughness length (Z0) of vegetation-covered surfaces in Guangdong Province. The local Z0 was used to update the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in order to quantitatively evaluate its impact on the thermodynamic environment of vegetation-covered surfaces. The specific results are as follows: evergreen broad-leaved forests showed the largest average Z0 values at 1.27 m (spring), 1.15 m (summer), 1.03 m (autumn), and 1.15 m (winter); the average Z0 values of mixed forests ranged from 0.90 to 1.20 m; and those for cropland-covered surfaces ranged from 0.17 to 0.20 m. The Z0 values of individual vegetation coverage types all exhibited relatively high values in spring and low values in autumn, and the default Z0 corresponding to specific vegetation-covered surfaces was significantly underestimated in the WRF model. Modifying the default Z0 of surfaces underlying evergreen broad-leaved forests, mixed forests, and croplands in the model induced only relatively small changes (<1%) in their 2 m temperature, relative humidity, skin surface temperature, and the planetary boundary layer height. However, the average daily wind speed of surfaces covered by evergreen broad-leaved forests, mixed forests, and croplands was reduced by 0.48 m/s, 0.43 m/s, and 0.26 m/s, respectively, accounting for changes of 12.0%, 11.1%, and 6.5%, respectively.
Ionospheric–Thermospheric Responses to Geomagnetic Storms from Multi-Instrument Space Weather Data
Authors: Shahzad Rasim , Shah Munawar , Tariq M. Arslan , Calabia Andres , Melgarejo-Morales Angela , Jamjareegulgarn Punyawi , Liu Libo
Published: May 2023

We analyze vertical total electron content (vTEC) variations from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) at different latitudes in different continents of the world during the geomagnetic storms of June 2015, August 2018, and November 2021. The resulting ionospheric perturbations at the low and mid-latitudes are investigated in terms of the prompt penetration electric field (PPEF), the equatorial electrojet (EEJ), and the magnetic H component from INTERMAGNET stations near the equator. East and Southeast Asia, Russia, and Oceania exhibited positive vTEC disturbances, while South American stations showed negative vTEC disturbances during all the storms. We also analyzed the vTEC from the Swarm satellites and found similar results to the retrieved vTEC data during the June 2015 and August 2018 storms. Moreover, we observed that ionospheric plasma tended to increase rapidly during the local afternoon in the main phase of the storms and has the opposite behavior at nighttime. The equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest expansion to higher latitudes is driven by PPEF during daytime at the main and recovery phases of the storms. The magnetic H component exhibits longitudinal behavior along with the EEJ enhancement near the magnetic equator.
Eddy Covariance CO2 Flux Gap Filling for Long Data Gaps: A Novel Framework Based on Machine Learning and Time Series Decomposition
Authors: Gao Dexiang , Yao Jingyu , Yu Shuting , Ma Yulong , Li Lei , Gao Zhongming
Published: May 2023

Continuous long-term eddy covariance (EC) measurements of CO2 fluxes (NEE) in a variety of terrestrial ecosystems are critical for investigating the impacts of climate change on ecosystem carbon cycling. However, due to a number of issues, approximately 30–60% of annual flux data obtained at EC flux sites around the world are reported as gaps. Given that the annual total NEE is mostly determined by variations in the NEE data with time scales longer than one day, we propose a novel framework to perform gap filling in NEE data based on machine learning (ML) and time series decomposition (TSD). The novel framework combines the advantages of ML models in predicting NEE with meteorological and environmental inputs and TSD methods in extracting the dominant varying trends in NEE time series. Using the NEE data from 25 AmeriFlux sites, the performance of the proposed framework is evaluated under four different artificial scenarios with gap lengths ranging in length from one hour to two months. The combined approach incorporating random forest and moving average (MA-RF) is observed to exhibit better performance than other approaches at filling NEE gaps in scenarios with different gap lengths. For the scenario with a gap length of seven days, the MA-RF improves the R2 by 34% and reduces the root mean square error (RMSE) by 55%, respectively, compared to a traditional RF-based model. The improved performance of MA-RF is most likely due to the reduction in data variability and complexity of the variations in the extracted low-frequency NEE data. Our results indicate that the proposed MA-RF framework can provide improved gap filling for NEE time series. Such improved continuous NEE data can enhance the accuracy of estimations regarding the ecosystem carbon budget.
The Effects Analysis of Contact Stiffness of Double-Row Tapered Roller Bearing under Composite Loads
Authors: Zhang Fanyu , Lv Hangyuan , Han Qingkai , Li Mingqi
Published: May 2023

Double-row tapered roller bearings have been widely used in various equipment recently due to their compact structure and ability to withstand large loads. The dynamic stiffness is composed of contact stiffness, oil film stiffness and support stiffness, and the contact stiffness has the most significant influence on the dynamic performance of the bearing. There are few studies on the contact stiffness of double-row tapered roller bearings. Firstly, the contact mechanics calculation model of double-row tapered roller bearing under composite loads has been established. On this basis, the influence of load distribution of double-row tapered roller bearing is analyzed, and the calculation model of contact stiffness of double-row tapered roller bearing is obtained according to the relationship between overall stiffness and local stiffness of bearing. Based on the established stiffness model, the influence of different working conditions on the contact stiffness of the bearing is simulated and analyzed, and the effects of radial load, axial load, bending moment load, speed, preload, and deflection angle on the contact stiffness of double row tapered roller bearings have been revealed. Finally, by comparing the results with Adams simulation results, the error is within 8%, which verifies the validity and accuracy of the proposed model and method. The research content of this paper provides theoretical support for the design of double-row tapered roller bearings and the identification of bearing performance parameters under complex loads.
Fiber-Optic Telecommunication Network Wells Monitoring by Phase-Sensitive Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer with Disturbance Recognition
Authors: Zhirnov Andrey A. , Chesnokov German Y. , Stepanov Konstantin V. , Gritsenko Tatyana V. , Khan Roman I. , Koshelev Kirill I. , Chernutsky Anton O. , Svelto Cesare , Pnev Alexey B. , Valba Olga V.
Published: May 2023

The paper presents the application of a phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (phi-OTDR) in the field of urban infrastructure monitoring. In particular, the branched structure of the urban network of telecommunication wells. The encountered tasks and difficulties are described. The possibilities of usage are substantiated, and the numerical values of the event quality classification algorithms applied to experimental data are calculated using machine learning methods. Among the considered methods, the best results were shown by convolutional neural networks, with a probability of correct classification as high as 98.55%.
Pankun: A New Generation of Broadband Ocean Bottom Seismograph
Authors: Liu Dan , Yang Ting , Wang Yizhi , Wu Yuechu , Huang Xinfeng
Published: May 2023

This paper presents a new broadband ocean bottom seismograph (OBS) developed by the SUSTech OBS lab for passive-source seafloor seismic observations. This instrument, called Pankun, has several key features that set it apart from traditional OBS instruments. In addition to the seismometer-separated scheme, these features include a unique shielding structure to minimize current-induced noise, a compact gimbal for accurate leveling, and low power consumption for extended operation on the seafloor. The design and testing of Pankun’s primary components are thoroughly described in this paper. The instrument has been successfully tested in the South China Sea, demonstrating its ability to record high-quality seismic data. The anti-current shielding structure of Pankun OBS has the potential to improve low-frequency signals, particularly on the horizontal components, in seafloor seismic data.
COVID-19 Detection from Cough Recordings Using Bag-of-Words Classifiers
Authors: Pavel Irina , Ciocoiu Iulian B.
Published: May 2023

Reliable detection of COVID-19 from cough recordings is evaluated using bag-of-words classifiers. The effect of using four distinct feature extraction procedures and four different encoding strategies is evaluated in terms of the Area Under Curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and F1-score. Additional studies include assessing the effect of both input and output fusion approaches and a comparative analysis against 2D solutions using Convolutional Neural Networks. Extensive experiments conducted on the COUGHVID and COVID-19 Sounds datasets indicate that sparse encoding yields the best performances, showing robustness against various combinations of feature type, encoding strategy, and codebook dimension parameters.
Field-Deployable Determinations of Peroxide Index and Total Phenolic Content in Olive Oil Using a Promising Portable Sensor System
Authors: Grossi Marco , Bendini Alessandra , Valli Enrico , Gallina Toschi Tullia
Published: May 2023

Useful information about the oxidative stability of a virgin olive oil in terms of oxidation products and antioxidant compounds can be obtained by analyzing the peroxide index (PI) and total phenolic content (TPC), respectively. These quality parameters are usually determined in a chemical laboratory using expensive equipment, toxic solvents, and well-trained personnel. This paper presents a novel portable sensor system for in the field and rapid determination of PI and TPC that is particularly suited in the case of small production environments that cannot afford an internal laboratory for quality control analysis. The system is small, can be powered by both USB ports and batteries, is easy to operate, and integrates a Bluetooth module for wireless data transmission. It estimates the PI and TPC in olive oil from the measurement of the optical attenuation of an emulsion between a reagent and the sample under test. The system has been tested on a set of 12 olive oil samples (eight for calibration and four for validation), and the results have shown how the considered parameters can be estimated with good accuracy. The maximum deviation from the results obtained with the reference analytical techniques is 4.7 meq O2/kg in the case of PI and 45.3 ppm in the case of TPC for the calibration set, while it is 14.8 meq O2/kg in the case of PI and 55 ppm in the case of TPC for the validation set.
Applying Enhanced Real-Time Monitoring and Counting Method for Effective Traffic Management in Tashkent
Authors: Kutlimuratov Alpamis , Khamzaev Jamshid , Kuchkorov Temur , Anwar Muhammad Shahid , Choi Ahyoung
Published: May 2023

This study describes an applied and enhanced real-time vehicle-counting system that is an integral part of intelligent transportation systems. The primary objective of this study was to develop an accurate and reliable real-time system for vehicle counting to mitigate traffic congestion in a designated area. The proposed system can identify and track objects inside the region of interest and count detected vehicles. To enhance the accuracy of the system, we used the You Only Look Once version 5 (YOLOv5) model for vehicle identification owing to its high performance and short computing time. Vehicle tracking and the number of vehicles acquired used the DeepSort algorithm with the Kalman filter and Mahalanobis distance as the main components of the algorithm and the proposed simulated loop technique, respectively. Empirical results were obtained using video images taken from a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera on Tashkent roads and show that the counting system can produce 98.1% accuracy in 0.2408 s.
Data Science Methods and Tools for Industry 4.0: A Systematic Literature Review and Taxonomy
Authors: Arruda Helder Moreira , Bavaresco Rodrigo Simon , Kunst Rafael , Bugs Elvis Fernandes , Pesenti Giovani Cheuiche , Barbosa Jorge Luis Victória
Published: May 2023

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also named Industry 4.0, is leveraging several modern computing fields. Industry 4.0 comprises automated tasks in manufacturing facilities, which generate massive quantities of data through sensors. These data contribute to the interpretation of industrial operations in favor of managerial and technical decision-making. Data science supports this interpretation due to extensive technological artifacts, particularly data processing methods and software tools. In this regard, the present article proposes a systematic literature review of these methods and tools employed in distinct industrial segments, considering an investigation of different time series levels and data quality. The systematic methodology initially approached the filtering of 10,456 articles from five academic databases, 103 being selected for the corpus. Thereby, the study answered three general, two focused, and two statistical research questions to shape the findings. As a result, this research found 16 industrial segments, 168 data science methods, and 95 software tools explored by studies from the literature. Furthermore, the research highlighted the employment of diverse neural network subvariations and missing details in the data composition. Finally, this article organized these results in a taxonomic approach to synthesize a state-of-the-art representation and visualization, favoring future research studies in the field.
IoT Traffic Analyzer Tool with Automated and Holistic Feature Extraction Capability
Authors: Subahi Alanoud , Almasre Miada
Published: May 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging technology that attracted considerable attention in the last decade to become one of the most researched topics in computer science studies. This research aims to develop a benchmark framework for a public multi-task IoT traffic analyzer tool that holistically extracts network traffic features from an IoT device in a smart home environment that researchers in various IoT industries can implement to collect information about IoT network behavior. A custom testbed with four IoT devices is created to collect real-time network traffic data based on seventeen comprehensive scenarios of these devices’ possible interactions. The output data is fed into the IoT traffic analyzer tool for both flow and packet levels analysis to extract all possible features. Such features are ultimately classified into five categories: IoT device type, IoT device behavior, Human interaction type, IoT behavior within the network, and Abnormal behavior. The tool is then evaluated by 20 users considering three variables: usefulness, accuracy of information being extracted, performance and usability. Users in three groups were highly satisfied with the interface and ease of use of the tool, with scores ranging from 90.5% to 93.8% and with an average score between 4.52 and 4.69 with a low standard deviation range, indicating that most of the data revolve around the mean
The Impact of Transformational School Leadership on School Staff and School Culture in Primary Schools—A Systematic Review of International Literature
Authors: Wilson Heenan Inez , De Paor Derbhile , Lafferty Niamh , Mannix McNamara Patricia
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this review is to examine transformational school leadership, responding to the question: ‘What is the research evidence in the international literature pertaining to the impact of transformational school leadership in primary schools on school staff and school culture?’. This review presents a synthesis of 15 studies performed between 2012 to 2022. The data are presented within a framework constructed from the dimensions and characteristics of transformational school leadership. They show transformational school leadership as a positive leadership style with a close interconnection between positive impact of transformational school leadership for school staff and for an enhanced school culture. An increased motivation in staff and the fostering of more positive school culture were found to be the leading impacts of transformational leadership on school staff and culture in this systematic literature review.
Adult Learner Perspectives on Skill- and Life-Based Outcomes Following Literacy Remediation
Authors: Cummine Jacqueline , Ostevik Amberley , Cheema Kulpreet , Cullum Angela
Published: May 2023

Using the situated expectancy value theory (SEVT), we explored self-perceived attainment perspectives of adults with low literacy on skill-based (i.e., reading, writing, listening, speaking) and life-based (i.e., management of day-to-day challenges, use of skills in daily living, confidence) improvements following a literacy-focused remediation program. Participants (N = 103; Canadian, urban adults) completed a remediation program for low literacy via one-on-one tutoring over a period of 1 year. Four to six months into the program, participants completed a survey that asked about their perspectives regarding improvements in skill- and life-based areas of functioning. A series of Chi-Square tests provided evidence for self-perceived improvements in skill-based functioning in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Perceived improvements were not noted in areas not targeted by the remediation, namely, math and computer literacy. Further, there was a significant, positive correlation between self-perceived improvement and (1) self-perceived ability to deal with daily challenges, (2) self-reported use of literacy skills in day-to-day activities, and (3) overall confidence. Together, these findings underscore the importance of including activity- and participation-based outcome measures when evaluating adult literacy remediation. In addition, this work demonstrates an application of SEVT to explore changes over time in continuing adult education.
AHP-Based Model for Energy-Sustainable Renovation of Building Envelopes: A Case Study
Authors: Golić Kosa , Kosić Tatjana , Kosorić Vesna
Published: May 2023

The EU’s low carbon transition relies on the building sector as one of its main pillars, given that around 85% of the 160 million buildings within the EU are thermally inefficient. The energy-sustainable renovation of building envelopes calls for a comprehensive approach from initial design phases to construction, while balancing a series of factors, e.g., function and aesthetics, energy savings and environmental concerns, as well as cost-effectiveness. This article develops a model for the energy-sustainable renovation of building envelopes based on a multi-criteria analysis method—the AHP method. The model facilitates problem solving and development of alternative designs. The AHP method is used for evaluating and narrowing down design variants considering the given building conditions and the adopted set of criteria. The developed model is also applied in a real case study—the envelope energy renovation of a typical residential building built after the 1950s in many suburbs of Belgrade, Serbia. The model developed in the paper may be used by professionals to facilitate and make more efficient the design process of the energy-sustainable renovation of buildings and can inspire further studies on this topic, which has grown in urgency amid the current global energy crisis.
Container Shipping Optimization under Different Carbon Emission Policies: A Case Study
Authors: Lan Xiangang , Zuo Xiaode , Tao Qin
Published: May 2023

Climate change is a major environmental issue facing humanity today, and the International Maritime Organization has accelerated the formulation of greenhouse gas emission policies. This study considers different carbon emission policies to construct an optimization model for container shipping, design an improved Whale Swarm Algorithm to solve related issues, and use the marginal carbon abatement cost method to analyze the deep-seated reasons for the optimization of liner shipping according to different carbon emission policies, thereby revealing the underlying reasons of emission-reduction decisions. The conclusions reveal that both kinds of carbon emission policies will reduce the profits of companies, the average speed of shipping, and carbon emissions. The carbon tax model has the greatest impact on the profits of shipping companies, and carbon cap-and-trade is easier to obtain support from enterprises. Sensitivity analysis shows that the implementation of carbon cap-and-trade or a carbon tax policy is closely and complexly related to the carbon trading price, carbon tax rate, fuel price, and ship size, and there is uncertainty.
Research on the Impact of Enterprise Digital Transformation on Internal Control
Authors: Wang Chenxi , Wang Deli , Deng Xincai , Wang Shun
Published: May 2023

Digital transformation is a crucial strategy for enterprises to achieve improvements in quality, efficiency, and dynamism. It represents the key direction for enterprise innovation and reform, and it is also of great significance for promoting high-quality economic development. While the previous research has shown that digital transformation can affect business efficiency, performance, and corporate governance, there is a lack of literature clearly linking digital transformation to internal control. To determine whether enterprise digital transformation impacts the constructions and implementation of internal control, we analyze data from Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies between 2012 and 2019. Our study found that the extent of digital transformation in enterprises has a positive impact on the establishment and effectiveness of internal control. Furthermore, we examine the role of market competition in the relationship between the digital transformation and internal control. We found that the impact of digital transformation on internal control is limited in enterprises with relatively mild market competition, while in more fiercely competitive markets, the positive impact of digital transformation on internal control is more pronounced.