bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species Substitution and Changes in the Structure, Volume, and Biomass of Forest in a Savanna
Authors: Oliveira Kennedy Nunes , Miguel Eder Pereira , Martins Matheus Santos , Rezende Alba Valéria , dos Santos Juscelina Arcanjo , Nappo Mauro Eloi , Matricardi Eraldo Aparecido Trondoli
Published: October 2024

Research related to Cerradão vegetation focuses more on the floristic-structural aspect, with rare studies on the quantification of volume and biomass stocks, and even fewer investigating the increments of these attributes. Using a systematic sampling method with subdivided strips and 400 m2 plots, the density found was 1135, 1165, and 1229 trees/ha in 2012, 2020, and 2023, respectively, in Lajeado State Park, Tocantins State, Brazil. Volume was estimated using the equation v=0.000085D2.122270H0.666217, and biomass was estimated using the equation AGB=0.0673ρD2H0.976. Vegetation dynamics were assessed using growth increment, recruitment, mortality, turnover rate, and time. The results indicated that dynamics have increased since the start of monitoring. Typical Cerrado species, in the strict sense, were replaced by those from forest environments. The total production in volume and biomass was 160.91 m3/ha and 118.10 Mg/ha, respectively, in 2023. The species of Emmotum nitens, Mezilaurus itauba, Ocotea canaliculata, and Sacoglottis guianensis showed the highest increment values in volume and biomass. For the community, the average values were 4.04 m3/ha/year and 3.54 Mg/ha/year. The community has not yet reached its carrying capacity and stores a significant amount of biomass. This is influenced by the transition of the study area from an exploited environment to a conservation unit (park) and by its location in a transitional area with the Amazon biome.
Association of SO2-Generating Pads before Packaging and during Cold Storage to Extend the Conservation of ‘Italia’ Table Grapes
Authors: Higuchi Maíra T. , Aguiar Aline C. de , Leles Nathalia R. , Marques Viviani V. , Gonçalves Leandro S. A. , Yamashita Fábio , Youssef Khamis , Roberto Sergio R.
Published: October 2024

The SO2-generating pads contain different concentrations of sodium metabisulfite, which absorbs water from the grapes’ transpiration, releasing SO2 gas, and there are slow-(SlowSO2) and dual (DualSO2)-releasing pads (fast release in the first 48 h and slow for up to 60 days). The ultra-fast SO2-generating pad (FieldSO2) releases the SO2 quickly for up to 6 h, and it was designed to be used soon after the harvest and until the grapes’ packaging. The goal was to study the effect of FieldSO2 associated with SlowSO2 and DualSO2 pads on gray mold incidence and physicochemical and appearance characteristics of ‘Italia’ table grapes. Grapes were harvested from a commercial vineyard in Parana, Brazil, in 2020 and 2021, and packaged in cardboard boxes, and the treatments were as follows: control (without SO2-generating pads); FieldSO2 + SlowSO2; and FieldSO2 + DualSO2. After 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days of cold storage (1 ± 1 °C), the grapes were assessed for gray mold incidence, mass loss, shattered berries, stem browning, and filamentous fungi on the surface. The use of FieldSO2 associated with SO2-generating pads is effective in controlling gray mold on ‘Italia’ table grapes, especially the treatment FieldSO2 + DualSO2, which provides the lowest incidence of the disease up to 90 days of cold storage, while the combination with SlowSO2 results in intermediate efficacy. Treatments combining these SO2-generating pads extend the postharvest shelf life of ‘Italia’ grapes, with few shattered berries, low mass loss and freshness of the rachis without impairing the bunch’s appearance.
The Optimal Drought Hardening Intensity and Salinity Level Combination for Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Cultivation under High-Yield, High-Quality and Water-Saving Multi-Objective Demands
Authors: Tian Longjia , Shao Guangcheng , Gao Yang , Lu Jia , Zhang Chenqi , Fu Tian , Hu Yihan
Published: October 2024

The extreme weather and the deteriorating water environment have exacerbated the crisis of freshwater resource insufficiency. Many studies have shown that salty water could replace freshwater to partly meet the water demand of plants. To study the effects of early-stage drought hardening and late-stage salt stress on tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.), we conducted a 2-year pot experiment. Based on the multi-objective demands of high yield, high quality, and water saving, yield indicators, quality indicators, and a water-saving indicator were selected as evaluation indicators. Three irrigation levels (W1: 85% field capacity (FC), W2: 70% FC, W3: 55% FC) and three salinity levels (S2: 2 g/L, S4: 4 g/L, S6: 6 g/L) were set as nine treatments. In addition, a control treatment (CK: W1, 0 g/L) was added. Each treatment was evaluated and scored by principal component analysis. The results for 2022 and 2023 found the highest scores for CK, W2S2, W3S2 and CK, W2S4, W2S2, respectively. Based on response surface methodology, we constructed composite models of multi-objective demands, whose results indicated that 66–72% FC and 2 g/L salinity were considered the appropriate water–salt combinations for practical production. This paper will be beneficial for maintaining high yield and high quality in tomato production using salty water irrigation.
The Tula Industrial Area Field Experiment: Quantitative Measurements of Formaldehyde, Sulfur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide Emissions Using Mobile Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy Instruments
Authors: Rivera-Cárdenas Claudia I. , Arellano Thiare
Published: October 2024

The Tula industrial area in Central Mexico comprises, among other industries, a refinery and a thermoelectric power plant. It is well known for its constant emissions of gases into the atmosphere and considered an important area where pollutants released into the atmosphere have an influence on local and regional air quality. During March and April 2017, a field campaign was conducted with the objective of quantifying formaldehyde (HCHO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions from this industrial area using mobile differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) instruments. Calculated average emissions of the Francisco Perez Rios Power Plant and the Miguel Hidalgo Refinery were 3.14 ± 2.13 tons per day of HCHO, 362.08 ± 300.14 tons per day of SO2, and 24.76 ± 12.82 tons per day of NO2. From the measurements conducted, the spatial distribution patterns of SO2, NO2, and HCHO were reconstructed, showing a dispersion pattern of SO2 and NO2 towards the southwest of the industrial complex, impacting agricultural and urban areas. Occasionally, and usually during the morning hours, SO2 and NO2 were dispersed towards the north or northeast of the industrial complex. In the case of HCHO, dispersion was observed towards the south and southeast of the industrial complex. The far-reaching implications of this study are that for the first time, formaldehyde emissions were quantified. In addition, a follow-up study was conducted regarding nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions from the Tula Industrial area.
Synthesis of a Novel Zwitterionic Hypercrosslinked Polymer for Highly Efficient Iodine Capture from Water
Authors: Yu Jingwen , Song Luna , Han Bingying , Hu Jiangliang , Li Zhong , Mi Jie
Published: October 2024

Cationic porous organic polymers have a unique advantage in removing radioactive iodine from the aqueous phase because iodine molecules exist mainly in the form of iodine-containing anions. However, halogen anions will inevitably be released into water during the ion-exchange process. Herein, we reported a novel and easy-to-construct zwitterionic hypercrosslinked polymer (7AIn-PiP)-containing cationic pyridinium-type group, uncharged pyridine-type group, pyrrole-type group, and even an electron-rich phenyl group, which in synergy effectively removed 94.2% (456 nm) of I2 from saturated I2 aqueous solution within 30 min, surpassing many reported iodine adsorbents. Moreover, an I2 adsorption efficiency of ~95% can still be achieved after three cyclic evaluations, indicating a good recycling performance. More importantly, a unique dual 1,3-dipole was obtained and characterized by 1H/13C NMR, HRMS, and FTIR, correlating with the structure of 7AIn-PiP. In addition, the analysis of adsorption kinetics and the characterization of I2@7AIn-PiP indicate that the multiple binding sites simultaneously contribute to the high affinity towards iodine species by both physisorption and chemisorption. Furthermore, an interesting phenomenon of inducing the formation of HIO2 in unsaturated I2 aqueous solution was discovered and explained. Overall, this work is of great significance for both material and radiation protection science.
Performance of Bamboo Bark Fiber Asphalt Mortar Modified with Surface-Grafted Nano-SiO2
Authors: Zhang Nan , Wang Xichen , Sun Pei , Zheng Nanxiang , Sun Aodi
Published: October 2024

In this study, the feasibility of using bamboo bark fibers as modifiers to enhance asphalt mortar performance was investigated. Bamboo bark fibers were modified with NaOH, KH570 silane coupling agent, and nano-SiO2, and their preparation methods were established. The modified fibers were assessed for their oil absorption, thermal stability, and hydrophobicity. The asphalt mortar was evaluated for three key indicators: rutting resistance, deformation resistance, and durability at high temperatures. The microscopic morphology and modification mechanisms of the fibers were also studied. The results showed that modification with NaOH increased fiber porosity and surface roughness, while KH570 and its hydrolysis products enabled nano-SiO2 grafting onto the fibers, improving their adsorption to asphalt. The NaOH-KH570-nano-SiO2 ternary-composite-modified bamboo bark fiber (NKSBF) demonstrated superior hydrophobicity, oil absorption, and thermal stability at the asphalt mixing temperature. Among the modified fibers, asphalt mortar containing 3% NKSBF showed the best performance based on three key indicators, increased the shear strength by 96.4% and the softening point by 7.1% compared to the base asphalt, and increased the ductility by 1% compared to lignin fiber asphalt mortar. The incorporation of 3% bamboo bark fibers improved the rutting resistance, deformation resistance, and durability of short-term-aged asphalt mortar, with NKSBF showing the most significant improvement.
Performance Assessment of a Novel Green Concrete Using Coffee Grounds Biochar Waste
Authors: Beskopylny Alexey N. , Stel’makh Sergey A. , Shcherban’ Evgenii M. , Ananova Oxana , Chernil’nik Andrei , El’shaeva Diana , Pogrebnyak Anastasia , Dubinkin Ivan , Madenci Emrah , Aksoylu Ceyhun , Özkılıç Yasin Onuralp
Published: October 2024

An actual scientific problem in current concrete science is poor knowledge of the problem of modifying concrete with plant waste. At the same time, plant waste benefits from other types of waste because it is a recycled raw material. A promising technological approach to modifying concrete with plant waste is the introduction of components based on the processing of coffee production waste into concrete. This study aims to investigate the use of biochar additives from spent coffee grounds (biochar spent coffee grounds—BSCG) in the technology of cement composites and to identify rational formulations. A biochar-modifying additive was produced from waste coffee grounds by heat treatment of these wastes and additional mechanical grinding after pyrolysis. The phase composition of the manufactured BSCG additive was determined, which is characterized by the presence of phases such as quartz, cristobalite, and amorphous carbon. The results showed that the use of BSCG increases the water demand for cement pastes and reduces the cone slump of concrete mixtures. Rational dosages of BSCG have been determined to improve the properties of cement pastes and concrete. As a result of the tests, it was determined that the ideal situation is for the BSCG ratio to be at a maximum of 8% in the concrete and not to exceed this rate. For cement pastes, the most effective BSCG content was 3% for concrete (3%–4%). The compressive and flexural strengths of the cement pastes were 6.06% and 6.32%, respectively. Concrete’s compressive strength increased by 5.85%, and water absorption decreased by 6.58%. The obtained results prove the feasibility of using BSCG in cement composite technology to reduce cement consumption and solve the environmental problem of recycling plant waste.
Prolonged Neurological and Musculoskeletal Symptoms Following Shingrix Vaccination
Authors: Hollar Sabrina , Khalid Amna , Brooks Benjamin D. , Wons Michael
Published: October 2024

Background and Clinical Significance: The recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) helps prevent shingles and its complications in adults 50 and older. While minor side effects are common, severe adverse reactions are thought to be rare, and long-term side effects are not well documented. Case Presentation: A 50-year-old woman with Crohn’s disease developed joint pain, effusion, and neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling shortly after receiving the first dose of the recombinant zoster vaccine. Symptoms waxed and waned but persisted for over a year despite anti-inflammatories and specialist referrals. Diagnostic imaging and labs were unrevealing. Conclusions: This case of prolonged somatic and neurological symptoms associated temporally with Recombinant zoster vaccine administration reinforces the critical need for thorough pharmacovigilance and investigation of possible long-term adverse vaccine reactions. Provider documentation and reporting of individual experiences can help improve the detection of rare vaccine-related risks, elucidate potential risk factors, and refine safety screening. Diligent monitoring and research into longitudinal vaccine outcomes remain paramount, especially following recent emergency authorizations.
Reconstructing a Fine Resolution Landscape of Annual Gross Primary Product (1895–2013) with Tree-Ring Indices
Authors: Li Hang , Speer James H. , Malubeni Collins C. , Wilson Emma
Published: October 2024

Low carbon management and policies should refer to local long-term inter-annual carbon uptake. However, most previous research has only focused on the quantity and spatial distribution of gross primary product (GPP) for the past 50 years because most satellite launches, the main GPP data source, were no earlier than 1980. We identified a close relationship between the tree-ring index (TRI) and vegetation carbon dioxide uptake (as measured by GPP) and then developed a nested TRI-GPP model to reconstruct spatially explicit GPP values since 1895 from seven tree-ring chronologies. The model performance in both phases was acceptable: We chose general regression neural network regression and random forest regression in Phase 1 (1895–1937) and Phase 2 (1938–1985). With the simulated and real GPP maps, we observed that the GPP for grassland and overall GPP were increasing. The GPP landscape patterns were stable, but in recent years, the GPP’s increasing rate surpassed any other period in the past 130 years. The main local climate driver was the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), and GPP had a significant positive correlation with PDSI in the growing season (June, July, and August). With the GPP maps derived from the nested TRI-GPP model, we can create fine-scale GPP maps to understand vegetation change and carbon uptake over the past century.
Exploring the Influence of BMI on Gait Metrics: A Comprehensive Analysis of Spatiotemporal Parameters and Stability Indicators
Authors: Koinis Lianne , Maharaj Monish , Natarajan Pragadesh , Fonseka R. Dineth , Fernando Vinuja , Mobbs Ralph J.
Published: October 2024

Background: Gait analysis is a vital tool for evaluating overall health and predicting outcomes such as mortality and cognitive decline. This study explores how normal and obese BMI categories impact gait dynamics, addressing gaps in understanding the effect of body composition on specific gait parameters. Research Question: The primary objective is to investigate differences in spatiotemporal gait parameters—specifically, gait speed, step length, cadence, and double support time—between normal and obese BMI groups to understand the effects of obesity on gait. Methods: This observational case-control study analyzed spatiotemporal gait metrics from 163 participants, using inertial measurement units (IMUs) to collect data on various gait parameters. Statistical analyses explored the relationship between BMI categories and these metrics. Results: No significant differences were found in gait speed, cadence, stride duration, or double support time between the normal and obese groups. However, significant differences were identified in age, hypertension prevalence, balance problems, and the incidence of falls, emphasizing the complex effects of obesity on factors influencing gait stability. Significance: This study contributes to our understanding of obesity’s impact on gait by highlighting the need to consider associated health and stability parameters. These findings prompt a re-evaluation of how BMI is integrated into clinical gait assessments and emphasize the necessity for personalized healthcare strategies. This research highlights the importance of future studies with larger, more diverse populations and a wider array of biomechanical measures to dissect the relationship between BMI, body composition, and gait dynamics.
Comparative Approach to Performance Estimation of Pulsed Wave Doppler Equipment Based on Kiviat Diagram
Authors: Fiori Giorgia , Scorza Andrea , Schmid Maurizio , Conforto Silvia , Sciuto Salvatore Andrea
Published: October 2024

Quality assessment of ultrasound medical systems is a demanding task due to the high number of parameters to quantify their performance: in the present study, a Kiviat diagram-based integrated approach was proposed to effectively combine the contribution of some experimental parameters and quantify the overall performance of pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) systems for clinical applications. Four test parameters were defined and assessed through custom-written measurement methods based on image analysis, implemented in the MATLAB environment, and applied to spectral images of a flow phantom, i.e., average maximum velocity sensitivity (AMVS), velocity measurements accuracy (VeMeA), lowest detectable signal (LDS), and the velocity profile discrepancy index (VPDI). The parameters above were scaled in a standard range to represent the four vertices of a Kiviat plot, whose area was considered the overall quality index of the ultrasound system in PWD mode. Five brand-new ultrasound diagnostic systems, equipped with linear array probes, were tested in two different working conditions using a commercial flow phantom as a reference. The promising results confirm the robustness of AMVS, VeMeA, and LDS parameters while suggesting further investigations on the VPDI.
A Lightweight Strip Steel Surface Defect Detection Network Based on Improved YOLOv8
Authors: Chu Yuqun , Yu Xiaoyan , Rong Xianwei
Published: October 2024

Strip steel surface defect detection has become a crucial step in ensuring the quality of strip steel production. To address the issues of low detection accuracy and long detection times in strip steel surface defect detection algorithms caused by varying defect sizes and blurred images during acquisition, this paper proposes a lightweight strip steel surface defect detection network, YOLO-SDS, based on an improved YOLOv8. Firstly, StarNet is utilized to replace the backbone network of YOLOv8, achieving lightweight optimization while maintaining accuracy. Secondly, a lightweight module DWR is introduced into the neck and combined with the C2f feature extraction module to enhance the model’s multi-scale feature extraction capability. Finally, an occlusion-aware attention mechanism SEAM is incorporated into the detection head, enabling the model to better capture and process features of occluded objects, thus improving performance in complex scenarios. Experimental results on the open-source NEU-DET dataset show that the improved model reduces parameters by 34.4% compared with the original YOLOv8 algorithm while increasing average detection accuracy by 1.5%. And it shows good generalization performance on the deepPCB dataset. Compared with other defect detection models, YOLO-SDS offers significant advantages in terms of parameter count and detection speed. Additionally, ablation experiments validate the effectiveness of each module.
Indeterministic Data Collection in UAV-Assisted Wide and Sparse Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Du Yu , Hao Jianjun , Chen Zijing , Guo Yijun
Published: October 2024

The widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) applications has driven the demand for obtaining sensor data. Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to collect sensor data is an effective means in scenarios with no ground communication facilities. In this paper, we innovatively consider an indeterministic data collection task in a UAV-assisted wide and sparse wireless sensor network, where the wireless sensor nodes (SNs) obtain effective data randomly, and the UAV has no pre-knowledge about which sensor has effective data. The UAV trajectories, SN serve scheduling and UAV-SN association are jointly optimized to maximize the amount of collected effective sensing data. We model the optimization problem and address the indeterministic effective indicator by introducing an effectiveness probability prediction model. The reformulated problem remains challenging to solve due to the number of constraints varying with the variable, i.e., the serve scheduling strategy. To tackle this issue, we propose a two-layer modified knapsack algorithm, within which a feasibility problem is resolved iteratively to find the optimal packing strategy. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed scheme has remarkable advantages in the sum of effective data blocks, reducing the completion time for collecting the same ratio of effective data by nearly 30%.
Editorial for the Special Edition—Contemporary Local Governance, Wellbeing, and Sustainability: Integrating Digital Innovations and Societal Trust for Future Resilience
Authors: Correia Pedro Miguel Alves Ribeiro
Published: October 2024

In the evolving landscape of local governance, the intersection of digital technology, citizen engagement, and sustainability presents unique opportunities and challenges [...]
Blood Donation during Times of Crises: The Mediating Role of Meaning in Life for Undergraduate Medical Students
Authors: Gheorghe Iuliana-Raluca , Popa-Velea Ovidiu , Gheorghe Consuela-Mădălina , Diaconescu Liliana Veronica
Published: October 2024

Blood donation is a prosocial act driven by mechanisms related to altruism. While altruism plays a significant role, the processes behind blood donation behavior are complex, with altruism being just one factor. This research aimed to investigate the influence of altruism and meaning in life on the willingness to donate blood among Romanian undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 319 Romanian undergraduate medical students. Structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for statistical analysis. Our findings reveal that altruism did not significantly impact the willingness to donate blood directly; however, this relationship was mediated by meaning in life. In practice, blood donation could be increased through a more substantial connection between altruism and a sense of meaning in life, especially during health crises. Utilizing social marketing campaign messages that actively encourage altruism and connect it to a sense of meaning in life may increase blood donor recruitment and retention among undergraduate medical students.
Coupling SWAT and Transformer Models for Enhanced Monthly Streamflow Prediction
Authors: Tao Jiahui , Gu Yicheng , Yin Xin , Chen Junlai , Ao Tianqi , Zhang Jianyun
Published: October 2024

The establishment of an accurate and reliable predictive model is essential for water resources planning and management. Standalone models, such as physics-based hydrological models or data-driven hydrological models, have their specific applications, strengths, and limitations. In this study, a hybrid model (namely SWAT-Transformer) was developed by coupling the physics-based Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with the data-driven Transformer to enhance monthly streamflow prediction accuracy. SWAT is first constructed and calibrated, and then its outputs are used as part of the inputs to Transformer. By correcting the prediction errors of SWAT using Transformer, the two models are effectively coupled. Monthly runoff data at Yan’an and Ganguyi stations on Yan River, a first-order tributary of the Yellow River Basin, were used to evaluate the proposed model’s performance. The results indicated that SWAT performed well in predicting high flows but poorly in low flows. In contrast, Transformer was able to capture low-flow period information more accurately and outperformed SWAT overall. SWAT-Transformer could correct the errors of SWAT predictions and overcome the limitations of a single model. By integrating SWAT’s detailed physical process portrayal with Transformer’s powerful time-series analysis, the coupled model significantly improved streamflow prediction accuracy. The proposed models offer more accurate and reliable predictions for optimal water resource management, which is crucial for sustainable economic and societal development.
Driver Behavior Mechanisms and Conflict Risk Patterns in Tunnel-Interchange Connecting Sections: A Comprehensive Investigation Based on the Behavioral Adaptation Theory
Authors: Gu Chenwei , Liu Xingliang , Mao Nan
Published: October 2024

Tunnel-interchange sections are characterized by complex driving tasks and frequent traffic conflicts, posing substantial challenges to overall safety and efficiency. Enhancing safety in these areas is crucial for the sustainability of traffic systems. This study applies behavior adaptation theory as an integrated framework to examine the impact of environmental stimuli on driving behavior and conflict risk in small-spaced sections. Through driving simulation, 19 observation indicators are collected, covering eye-tracking, heart rate, subjective workload, driving performance, and conflict risk. The analysis, using single-factor ranking (Shapley Additive Explanation), interaction effects (dependence plots), and multi-factor analysis (Structural Equation Modeling), demonstrates that driving workload and performance dominate the fully mediating effects between external factors and conflict risk. High-load environmental stimuli, such as narrow spacing (≤500 m) and overloaded signage information (>6 units), significantly elevate drivers’ stress responses and impair visual acuity, thereby increasing task difficulty and conflict risk. Critical factors like saccade size, heart rate variability, lane deviation, and headway distance emerge as vital indicators for monitoring and supporting driving decisions. These findings provide valuable insights for the operational management of small-spacing sections and enhance the understanding of driving safety in these areas from a human factor perspective.
The Path Driving China’s Energy Structure Transformation from the Perspective of Policy Tools
Authors: Li Jintao , Sun Hui , Cheng Long , Chu Lei
Published: October 2024

Combing through Chinese energy-related policy texts and exploring the development path of energy restructuring are significant steps towards a better understanding of the history of energy restructuring in the process of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. To explore the various paths driving the transformation of China’s energy structure, the energy policies promulgated at the national level from 2001 to 2020 in China were systematically compiled. Based on the policy tool perspective, a theoretical framework for influencing China’s energy structure transition was proposed in three dimensions: objectives, tools, and intensity. A total of 39 national energy policy texts were analyzed using a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method. The results show that (1) the consistency levels of individual preconditions were all below 0.9, which does not constitute a necessary condition for the transformation of China’s energy structure; (2) the sufficiency analysis identified three paths of China’s energy structure transformation, which can be described as models driven by “multiple objectives + information”, “single objective + information”, and “single objective”; (3) energy restructuring is a goal-oriented process; the clarity and certainty of the efficient and green objectives of energy policies have a facilitating effect on energy restructuring, and the support of information technology provides an important guarantee for energy restructuring; (4) compared with European and American countries, it was found that China’s energy policy tools were characterized by an emphasis on macro-planning, insufficient connectivity, and marked tendencies in practice.
Investigating Alternative Water Supply in Settlements: Cases from Turkana County in Kenya and Orangi in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Noman , Sohail Muhammad , Ekwam Johana
Published: October 2024

In urban areas, water is usually provided through piped systems from specific sources to consumers. Cities, towns, and peri-urban settlements typically benefit from piped systems, while rural areas rely on water supplies from surface sources like rivers and canals, as well as ground sources such as wells and tube wells. When traditional methods fail, alternative water supply systems emerge in both urban and rural areas. This paper addresses the question of whether alternative water supply arrangements are sustainable in terms of system reliability, consumer acceptance, cost-effectiveness, convenience, perceptions of service levels, and ease of access to service providers. This paper examines the status of alternative water supply arrangements in Turkana County, Kenya, and Orangi in Karachi, Pakistan, using qualitative methods. It highlights that underprivileged communities commonly turn to alternative water supply arrangements when conventional methods are unavailable or underperforming.
Dynamic Multi-Granularity Translation System: DAG-Structured Multi-Granularity Representation and Self-Attention
Authors: Lv Shenrong , Yang Bo , Wang Ruiyang , Lu Siyu , Tian Jiawei , Zheng Wenfeng , Chen Xiaobing , Yin Lirong
Published: October 2024

In neural machine translation (NMT), the sophistication of word embeddings plays a pivotal role in the model’s ability to render accurate and contextually relevant translations. However, conventional models with single granularity of word segmentation cannot fully embed complex languages like Chinese, where the granularity of segmentation significantly impacts understanding and translation fidelity. Addressing these challenges, our study introduces the Dynamic Multi-Granularity Translation System (DMGTS), an innovative approach that enhances the Transformer model by incorporating multi-granularity position encoding and multi-granularity self-attention mechanisms. Leveraging a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG), the DMGTS utilizes four levels of word segmentation for multi-granularity position encoding. Dynamic word embeddings are also introduced to enhance the lexical representation by incorporating multi-granularity features. Multi-granularity self-attention mechanisms are applied to replace the conventional self-attention layers. We evaluate the DMGTS on multiple datasets, where our system demonstrates marked improvements. Notably, it achieves significant enhancements in translation quality, evidenced by increases of 1.16 and 1.55 in Bilingual Evaluation Understudy (BLEU) scores over traditional static embedding methods. These results underscore the efficacy of the DMGTS in refining NMT performance.
Insights into the RNA Virome of the Corn Leafhopper Dalbulus maidis, a Major Emergent Threat of Maize in Latin America
Authors: Debat Humberto , Farrher Esteban Simon , Bejerman Nicolas
Published: October 2024

The maize leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) is a significant threat to maize crops in tropical and subtropical regions, causing extensive economic losses. While its ecological interactions and control strategies are well studied, its associated viral diversity remains largely unexplored. Here, we employ high-throughput sequencing data mining to comprehensively characterize the D. maidis RNA virome, revealing novel and diverse RNA viruses. We characterized six new viral members belonging to distinct families, with evolutionary cues of beny-like viruses (Benyviridae), bunya-like viruses (Bunyaviridae) iflaviruses (Iflaviridae), orthomyxo-like viruses (Orthomyxoviridae), and rhabdoviruses (Rhabdoviridae). Phylogenetic analysis of the iflaviruses places them within the genus Iflavirus in affinity with other leafhopper-associated iflaviruses. The five-segmented and highly divergent orthomyxo-like virus showed a relationship with other insect associated orthomyxo-like viruses. The rhabdo virus is related to a leafhopper-associated rhabdo-like virus. Furthermore, the beny-like virus belonged to a cluster of insect-associated beny-like viruses, while the bi-segmented bunya-like virus was related with other bi-segmented insect-associated bunya-like viruses. These results highlight the existence of a complex virome linked to D. maidis and paves the way for future studies investigating the ecological roles, evolutionary dynamics, and potential biocontrol applications of these viruses on the D. maidis—maize pathosystem.
Picornavirus Evolution: Genomes Encoding Multiple 2ANPGP Sequences—Biomedical and Biotechnological Utility
Authors: Luke Garry A. , Ross Lauren S. , Lo Yi-Ting , Wu Hsing-Chieh , Ryan Martin D.
Published: October 2024

Alignment of picornavirus proteinase/polymerase sequences reveals this family evolved into five ‘supergroups’. Interestingly, the nature of the 2A region of the picornavirus polyprotein is highly correlated with this phylogeny. Viruses within supergroup 4, the Paavivirinae, have complex 2A regions with many viruses encoding multiple 2ANPGP sequences. In vitro transcription/translation analyses of a synthetic polyprotein comprising green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to β-glucuronidase (GUS) via individual 2ANPGPs showed two main phenotypes: highly active 2ANPGP sequences—similar to foot-and-mouth disease virus 2ANPGP—and, surprisingly, a novel phenotype of some 2ANPGP sequences which apparently terminate translation at the C-terminus of 2ANPGP without detectable re-initiation of downstream sequences (GUS). Probing databases with the short sequences between 2ANPGPs did not reveal any potential ‘accessory’ functions. The novel, highly active, 2A-like sequences we identified substantially expand the toolbox for biomedical/biotechnological co-expression applications.
A Strain-Controlled Finite Strain Model for CRD Consolidation of Saturated Clays Considering Non-Linear Compression and Permeability Relationships
Authors: Wang Weiyu , Ke Lijun , Gu Yaotian
Published: October 2024

Consolidation is the combined phenomenon of the compression and groundwater seepage of clay. Accurate evaluation of the consolidation characteristic is essential for the design, construction, and long-term stability of geotechnical structures. In this study, a strain-controlled non-linear finite strain model for constant rate-of-deformation (CRD) consolidation was developed for quickly and reliably predicting the consolidation behavior of clay soils. The model can account for any form of non-linear compression and permeability relationships, thus considering variations in the coefficient of consolidation. Being strain-controlled, it overcomes the limitations of stress-controlled models which require complex numerical iteration. The validity and accuracy of this model were verified through rigorous comparisons with both numerical simulations and experimental data. For normally consolidated soils, a non-linear e-lgσ′compression model was used instead of a linear compression model. For overconsolidated soils, the Harris function compression model was determined to be recommended to overcome the discontinuities in total stress and pore pressure caused by the traditional piecewise e-lgσ′ model. It was also found that determining the steady state of consolidation for normally consolidated soils should use the non-linear method, while the linear method is suggested to be adopted for overconsolidated soils.
Geochemical Characteristics and Genesis of Brine Chemical Composition in Cambrian Carbonate-Dominated Succession in the Northeastern Region of Chongqing, Southwestern China
Authors: Zheng Zhi-lin , Xie Bin , Wu Chun-mei , Zhou Lei , Zhang Ke , Zhang Bin-chen , Yang Ping-heng
Published: October 2024

Deeply situated brine is abundant in rare metal minerals, possessing significant economic worth. To the authors’ knowledge, brine present within the Cambrian carbonate-dominated succession in the northeastern region of Chongqing, Southwestern China, has not been previously reported. In this investigation, brine samples were collected from an abandoned brine well, designated as Tianyi Well, for the purpose of analyzing the hydrochemical characteristics and geochemical evolution of the brine. Halide concentrations, associated ions, and their ionic ratios within the sampled brine were analyzed. The brine originating from the deep Cambrian aquifer was characterized by high salinity levels, with an average TDS value of 242 ± 11 g/L, and was dominated by a Na-Cl facies. The studied brine underwent a moderate degree of seawater evaporation, occurring between the saturation levels of gypsum and halite, accompanied by some halite dissolution. Compared to modern seawater evaporation, the depletion of Mg2+, HCO3−, and SO42− concentrations, along with the enrichment of Ca2+, Li+, K+, and Sr2+, is likely primarily attributed to water–rock interactions. These interactions include dolomitization, combination of halite dissolution, upwelling of lithium- and potassium-bearing groundwater, calcium sulfate precipitation, biological sulfate reduction (BSR), and the common ion effect within the brine system. This research offers valuable insights into the genesis of the brine within the Cambrian carbonate succession and provides theoretical backing for the development of brine resources in the future.
Investigating a Century of Rainfall: The Impact of Elevation on Precipitation Changes (Northern Tuscany, Italy)
Authors: Nigro Matteo , Barsanti Michele , Raco Brunella , Giannecchini Roberto
Published: October 2024

Precipitation is crucial for water resource renewal, but climate change alters their frequency and amounts, challenging societies for correct and effective water management. However, modifications of precipitation dynamics appear to be not uniformly distributed, both in space and time. Even in relatively small areas, precipitation shows the coexistence of positive and negative trends. Local topography seems to be a strong driver of precipitation changes. Understanding precipitation changes and their relationship with local topography is crucial for society’s resilience. Taking advantage of a dense and long-lasting (1920–2019) meteorological monitoring network, we analyzed the precipitation changes over the last century in a sensitive and strategic area in the Mediterranean hotspot. The study area corresponds to northern Tuscany (Italy), where its topography comprises mountain ridges and coastal and river plains. Forty-eight rain gauges were selected with continuous annual precipitation time series. These were analyzed for trends and differences in mean annual precipitation between the stable period of 1921–1970 and the last 30-year 1990–2019. The relationship between precipitation changes and local topography was also examined. The results show the following highlights: (i) A general decrease in precipitation was found through the century, even if variability is marked. (ii) The mountain ridges show the largest decrease in mean annual precipitation. (iii) The precipitation change entity over the last century was not homogenous and was dependent on topography and geographical setting. (iv) A decrease in annual precipitation of up to 400 mm was found for the mountainous sites.
Estimation of the Potential for Soil and Water Conservation Measures in a Typical Basin of the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Liu Beilei , Li Peng , Li Zhanbin , Ma Jianye , Zhang Zeyu , Wang Bo
Published: October 2024

Abstract: In the context of the large-scale management of the Loess Plateau and efforts to reduce water and sediment in the Yellow River, this study focuses on a typical watershed within the Loess Plateau. The potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin is estimated based on the assumption that vegetation cover should be relatively uniform under similar habitat conditions. The potential for terrace restoration is assessed through an analysis of topographic features and soil layer thickness, while the potential for silt dam construction is evaluated by considering various hydrological and geomorphological factors. Based on these assessments, the overall potential for soil erosion control in the watershed is synthesized, providing a comprehensive understanding of target areas for ecological restoration within the Kuye River Basin. The study demonstrates that the areas with the greatest potential for vegetation restoration in the Kuye River Basin are concentrated in the upper and middle reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. The total potential for terracing is 1013.85 km2, which is primarily distributed across the river terraces, farmlands, and gentle slopes on both sides of the riverbanks. Additionally, the potential for the construction of check dams is 14,390 units. The target areas for terracing measures in the Kuye River Basin are primarily situated in the middle and lower reaches of the basin, which are in closer proximity to the river. Conversely, the target areas for forest, grass, and check dams, as well as other small watershed integrated management measures, are predominantly located in the hill and gully areas on the eastern and southern sides of the basin. The implementation of the gradual ecological construction of the watershed, based on the aforementioned objectives, will facilitate the protection, improvement, and rational utilization of soil, water, and other natural resources within the watershed.
THE NETWORK SCHEDULE OF CARGO TRANSPORTATION ON THE MURMANSK – ST. PETERSBURG - MUMBAI – COLOMBO ROUTE AND A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SEA ROUTES AND THE NORTH–SOUTH MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT CORRIDOR
Authors:   Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI), Zhumalieva Salamat Zhumalievna , Timofeeva Diana Alekseevna ,   Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI), Malyshev Maxim Igor'evich ,   Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI)
Published: October 2024

The article discusses the Murmansk – St. Petersburg - Mumbai–Colombo route, the use of a network graph in the construction of routes and analysis of sea routes and the North-South multimodal transport corridor. New directions and their prospects are considered. For comparative analysis, criteria such as the Hurwitz criterion, the Laplace criterion and the Wald criterion based on time and distance indicators were used. The most optimal ways of transportation without taking into account cost indicators have been identified.
THE CONCEPT OF CREATING EFFICIENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS USING CLOUD-BASED INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES
Authors:   Moscow Automobile and Road Engineering, Trofimenko Yuri Vasilyevich , Runets Roman Sergeevich ,   Center for Road Innovations LLC, Ushkov Sergey Vladimirovich ,   Center for Road Innovations LLC
Published: October 2024

The article discusses the conceptual provisions of the formation of efficient transport systems using cloud-based intelligent technologies. The problematic issues hindering the development of ITS, which are typical for all subjects of the Russian Federation, are considered. A conceptual scheme of the functional architecture of the ITS of the region is presented, which provides for a level of network integration and an information security system. When forming a roadmap for the implementation of the concept of creating efficient transport systems using cloud-based intelligent technologies, a fundamentally important point is to substantiate the integral criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of ITS cities, regions as a whole and its quantitative assessment for different levels of ITS maturity.
PROSPECTS OF APPLICATION ONTOLOGICAL APPROACH IN THE CONTEXT OF FORMING A UNIFIED INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Authors:   Don State Technical University, Pilipets Oleg Olegovich
Published: October 2024

This article outlines the main structural peculiarities of creation and development of intellectual transportation system (further ITS), with the application of ontological approach in the development and subsequent operation. Besides, the main aspects of the methodology of ontological approach application in ITS functioning are presented. approach in ITS functioning. The main purpose of this article is to analyze in the context of integration and development of ITS in the context of uniform development of ITS within the framework of the transport complex of the Russian Federation. In this paper the decomposition analysis of structural elements of the road traffic is carried out. road traffic, in relation to the integration of ontological approach to ITS.
OPTIMIZATION OF LOGISTICS PROCESSES IN THE ORGANIZATION OF MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION
Authors:   South Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Perederiy Marina Viktorovna , Savkina Larisa Vladimirovna ,   South Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Yarkina Valeria Evgenievna ,   South Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI)
Published: October 2024

The article addresses the urgent task of improving the efficiency of the entire cargo supply chain by optimizing each of the stages of the logistics process. The authors pay attention to the stage of selecting the performers of each link of the transport and technological scheme for the delivery of goods by optimization using quantitative, qualitative and rail selection criteria. According to the authors, the creation of a database consisting of digital profiles of performers of different types of transport and other participants in the supply chain will accelerate the process of introducing Block chain technology into the domestic freight forwarding industry and will reduce the trans-port component in the cost of finished products, increasing its competitiveness.
DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING REGIONAL LOGISTICS ROUTES BASED ON A GRAVITY MODEL FOR MANAGING URBAN TRANSPORT HUBS
Authors:   State University of Management, Linnik Yuri Nikolaevich , Karelina Maria Yuryevna ,   State University of Management, Moscow Automobile and Road State Technical University (MADI), Linnik Vladimir Yurievich ,   State University of Management, Akulov Alexey Andreyevich ,   State University of Management,Moscow Automobile and Road State Technical University (MADI)
Published: October 2024

This article discusses the optimization of logistics routes, starting with the identification of key points of regional economic development. The proposed structure includes the principles of the theory of spatial interaction, in particular, the methodology for optimizing regional logistics networks based on the gravitational model. This approach uses economic zones as a contextual background to demonstrate the practical applicability and feasibility of the model. The integration of data on economic zones provides a real context that allows you to verify the results of the model and ensure the practical significance of the developed optimization strategies. Logistics, functioning as an independent sector of the economy, is also a key element of the regional economy. Thus, research on the optimization of logistics routes aimed at stimulating the future growth of the logistics industry has theoretical significance and practical applicability.