bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration into the Needs and Requirements of the Remote Driver When Teleoperating the 5G-Enabled Level 4 Automated Vehicle in the Real World—A Case Study of 5G Connected and Automated Logistics
Authors: Li Shuo , Zhang Yanghanzi , Edwards Simon , Blythe Philip T.
Published: January 2023

Connected and automated vehicles have the potential to deliver significant environmental, safety, economic and social benefits. The key advancement for automated vehicles with higher levels of automation (SAE Level 4 and over) is fail-operational. One possible solution for the failsafe mode of automated vehicles is a 5G-enabled teleoperation system controlled by remote drivers. However, knowledge is missing regarding understanding of the human–machine interaction in teleoperation from the perspective of remote drivers. To address this research gap, this study qualitatively investigated the acceptance, attitudes, needs and requirements of remote drivers when teleoperating a 5G-enabled Level 4 automated vehicle (5G L4 AV) in the real world. The results showed that remote drivers are positive towards the 5G L4 AV. They would like to constantly monitor the driving when they are not controlling the vehicle remotely. Improving their field of vision for driving and enhancing the perception of physical motion feedback are the two key supports required by remote drivers in 5G L4 AVs. The knowledge gained in this study provides new insights into facilitating the design and development of safe, effective and user-friendly teleoperation systems in vehicle automation.
Smart Wearables for the Detection of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Moshawrab Mohammad , Adda Mehdi , Bouzouane Abdenour , Ibrahim Hussein , Raad Ali
Published: January 2023

Background: The advancement of information and communication technologies and the growing power of artificial intelligence are successfully transforming a number of concepts that are important to our daily lives. Many sectors, including education, healthcare, industry, and others, are benefiting greatly from the use of such resources. The healthcare sector, for example, was an early adopter of smart wearables, which primarily serve as diagnostic tools. In this context, smart wearables have demonstrated their effectiveness in detecting and predicting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of death worldwide. Objective: In this study, a systematic literature review of smart wearable applications for cardiovascular disease detection and prediction is presented. After conducting the required search, the documents that met the criteria were analyzed to extract key criteria such as the publication year, vital signs recorded, diseases studied, hardware used, smart models used, datasets used, and performance metrics. Methods: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines by searching IEEE, PubMed, and Scopus for publications published between 2010 and 2022. Once records were located, they were reviewed to determine which ones should be included in the analysis. Finally, the analysis was completed, and the relevant data were included in the review along with the relevant articles. Results: As a result of the comprehensive search procedures, 87 papers were deemed relevant for further review. In addition, the results are discussed to evaluate the development and use of smart wearable devices for cardiovascular disease management, and the results demonstrate the high efficiency of such wearable devices. Conclusions: The results clearly show that interest in this topic has increased. Although the results show that smart wearables are quite accurate in detecting, predicting, and even treating cardiovascular disease, further research is needed to improve their use.
On-Device Intelligence for Malfunction Detection of Water Pump Equipment in Agricultural Premises: Feasibility and Experimentation
Authors: Loukatos Dimitrios , Kondoyanni Maria , Alexopoulos Gerasimos , Maraveas Chrysanthos , Arvanitis Konstantinos G.
Published: January 2023

The digital transformation of agriculture is a promising necessity for tackling the increasing nutritional needs on Earth and the degradation of natural resources. Toward this direction, the availability of innovative electronic components and of the accompanying software programs can be exploited to detect malfunctions in typical agricultural equipment, such as water pumps, thereby preventing potential failures and water and economic losses. In this context, this article highlights the steps for adding intelligence to sensors installed on pumps in order to intercept and deliver malfunction alerts, based on cheap in situ microcontrollers, sensors, and radios and easy-to-use software tools. This involves efficient data gathering, neural network model training, generation, optimization, and execution procedures, which are further facilitated by the deployment of an experimental platform for generating diverse disturbances of the water pump operation. The best-performing variant of the malfunction detection model can achieve an accuracy rate of about 93% based on the vibration data. The system being implemented follows the on-device intelligence approach that decentralizes processing and networking tasks, thereby aiming to simplify the installation process and reduce the overall costs. In addition to highlighting the necessary implementation variants and details, a characteristic set of evaluation results is also presented, as well as directions for future exploitation.
Multiple Heart-Cutting Two-Dimensional HPLC-UV Achiral–Chiral Analysis of Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Food Supplements under Environmentally Friendly Conditions
Authors: Varfaj Ina , Moretti Simone , Ianni Federica , Barola Carolina , Abualzulof Ghaid W. A. , Carotti Andrea , Cossignani Lina , Galarini Roberta , Sardella Roccaldo
Published: January 2023

A multiple heart-cutting (mLC-LC) two-dimensional HPLC-UV achiral–chiral method for the direct analysis of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in food supplements under environmentally friendly conditions was developed to cope with the very well-known limited chemoselectivity of chromatographic media for enantioselective analysis. Both achiral and chiral methods were developed in compliance with the main principles of green chromatography. The achiral analysis was performed isocratically with an optimized ion-pair reversed-phase (IP-RP) method based on a water/EtOH (95:5, v/v) mobile phase containing heptafluorobutyric acid (7 mM) as the IP agent. The achiral method was characterized by a very appreciable performance and was validated before the analysis of the real sample. High recovery values for all compounds (from 97% to 101%) were found in the interday evaluation. Additionally, low RSD% values in the long-term period were measured, in the range between 1.1% and 4.8%. Still, an LOQ value of 0.06 mg/mL was established for all compounds. The quantitative analysis of a commercial food supplement revealed that BCAAs were present in amounts very close to those declared by the producer. The enantioselective analysis was carried out through the application of the chiral ligand-exchange chromatography (CLEC) approach, using O-benzyl-(S)-serine ((S)-OBS, 0.5 mM) as the chiral selector and Cu(II) nitrate (0.25 mM) as the metal source in the eluent. Resolution and separation factor values up to 2.31 and 1.43, respectively, were obtained. The two chromatographic systems were connected through a six-port switching valve, and the developed two-dimensional mLC-LC method confirmed the absence of D-enantiomers of BCAAs in the food supplement, as reported in the manufacturer’s label.
Industrial Data Homogenization and Monitoring Scheme with Blockchain Oracles
Authors: Stefanescu Denis , Galán-García Patxi , Montalvillo Leticia , Unzilla Juanjo , Urbieta Aitor
Published: January 2023

Research efforts on Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) for industrial applications have constantly been increasing over the last years. The use of DLTs in the Industry 4.0 paradigm provides traceability, integrity, and immutability of the generated industrial data. However, Industry 4.0 ecosystems are typically composed of multiple smart factory clusters belonging to several companies, which are immersed in constant interaction with other business partners, clients, or suppliers. In such complex ecosystems, multiple DLTs are necessarily employed to maintain the integrity of the data throughout the whole process, from when the data is generated until it is processed at higher levels. Moreover, industrial data is commonly heterogeneous, which causes compatibility issues, along with security and efficiency issues in the homogenization process. Thus, the data needs to be pre-processed and homogenized in a secure manner before being exploited. Consequently, in this work, we address the issues mentioned above by providing an industrial raw data pre-processing and homogenization process according to a standard data model. We employ decentralized blockchain oracles to guarantee the integrity of the external data during the homogenization process. Hereafter, we design an interoperable plant blockchain for trustworthy storage and processing of the resulting homogenized data across several industrial plants. We also present a prototype implementation of the aforementioned scheme and discuss its effectiveness. Finally, we design a monitoring scheme to overview the usage the performance of the architecture processes and identify possible performance and security issues.
From Acts of Care to Practice-Based Resistance: Refugee-Sector Service Provision and Its Impact(s) on Integration
Authors: Käkelä Emmaleena , Baillot Helen , Kerlaff Leyla , Vera-Espinoza Marcia
Published: January 2023

The UK refugee sector encompasses welfare provision, systems advocacy, capacity development and research. However, to date there has been little attention on refugees’ experiences of the support provided by these services or on the views of the practitioners who deliver them. This paper draws from interviews and workshops with thirty refugee beneficiaries of an integration service in Scotland and twenty practitioners to shed light on how refugees and practitioners perceive and provide meaning to the work of the refugee sector. We identify refugee sector organisations as crucial nodes in refugees’ social networks and explore the multiple roles they play in the integration process. Firstly, we confirm that refugee organisations act as connectors, linking refugees with wider networks of support. Secondly, we demonstrate that the work of the refugee sector involves acts of care that are of intrinsic value to refugees, over and above the achievement of tangible integration outcomes. Finally, we demonstrate that this care also involves acts that seek to overcome and subvert statutory system barriers. We propose to understand these acts as forms of “practice-based resistance” necessitated by a hostile policy environment. The findings expand on understandings of the refugee sector, its role in integration and the multi-faceted nature of integration processes.
Modeling and Energy Management of a Microgrid Based on Predictive Control Strategies
Authors: Topa Gavilema Alex Omar , Gil Juan D. , Álvarez Hervás José Domingo , Torres Moreno José Luis , García Manuel Pérez
Published: January 2023

This work presents the modeling and energy management of a microgrid through models developed based on physical equations for its optimal control. The microgrid’s energy management system was built with one of the most popular control algorithms in microgrid energy management systems: model predictive control. This control strategy aims to satisfy the load demand of an office located in the CIESOL bioclimatic building, which was placed in the University of Almería, using a quadratic cost function. The simulation scenarios took into account real simulation parameters provided by the microgrid of the building. For case studies of one and five days, the optimization was aimed at minimizing the input energy flows of the microgrid and the difference between the energy generated and demanded by the load, subject to a series of physical constraints for both outputs and inputs. The results of this work show how, with the correct tuning of the control strategy, the energy demand of the building is covered through the optimal management of the available energy sources, reducing the energy consumption of the public grid, regarding a wrong tuning of the controller, by 1 kWh per day for the first scenario and 7 kWh for the last.
Design and Construction of a Prototype for Arsenic Retention in Mining-Contaminated Waters by Application of Nanoparticles-Based Technosols
Authors: Bolaños-Guerrón Darío , Galarza Iván , Llumiquinga Erika , Toulkeridis Theofilos , Cumbal Luis
Published: January 2023

A large number of heavy metals are usually contained in mine-derived liquids, which could cause contamination of surrounding water sources. Due to the detrimental effects on the environment and health, conventional treatments have been employed to capture heavy metals in mining-polluted streams. This study shows the results of the operation of a built prototype for the retention of arsenic contained in waters contaminated by mining activities using Technosols (mixtures of local soil with nanoparticles). Our team previously run laboratory tests using fixed-bed columns to find out the best dose of the Technosol (97% soil + 3% nanoparticles). Based on these results, the sizing and building of a scale model were conducted, which in turn was used to evaluate the performance of the treatment in a concrete channel packed with reactive barriers. Variations in water volume, barrier separation and gate opening were tested to analyze the behavior of the proposed system and to obtain the most optimal hydraulic retention time that allowed the prototype to reach an arsenic retention level of a minimum of 70%. Moreover, to analyze the procedure under conditions of high arsenic contamination, samples of mine tailings were enriched with the toxic metalloid. It was found that the content of Fe in the local soil allowed adsorption of the contaminant, which was subsequently compared with the increase in the uptake of As due to the Fe/FeS multicomponent nanoparticles (NPs), dosed in the Technosol in a proportion of 97% soil + 3% NPs. The best treatment achieved 70.5% of As removal in ten cycles with a volume of 44 L. Tests were run at a maximum input flow rate of 43.8 L·min−1, an output flow rate of 13.2 L·min−1, a speed of 6.0 m·min−1 and a hydraulic retention time of 3.4 min per cycle. Results of arsenic retention using this prototype suggest that this simple and inexpensive technological setup could be scaled up to a functional field application to effectively capture the toxic metalloid.
Novel Use of Social Media Big Data and Artificial Intelligence for Community Resilience Assessment (CRA) in University Towns
Authors: Abdul-Rahman Mohammed , Adegoriola Mayowa I. , McWilson Wilson Kodwo , Soyinka Oluwole , Adenle Yusuf A.
Published: January 2023

University towns face many challenges in the 21st century due to urbanization, increased student population, and higher educational institutions’ inability to house all their students on-campus. For university towns to be resilient and sustainable, the challenges facing them must be assessed and addressed. To carry out community resilience assessments, this study adopted a novel methodological framework to harness the power of artificial intelligence and social media big data (user-generated content on Twitter) to carry out remote studies in six university towns on six continents using Text Mining, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing. Cultural, social, physical, economic, and institutional and governance community challenges were identified and analyzed from the historical big data and validated using an online expert survey. This study gives a global overview of the challenges university towns experience due to studentification and shows that artificial intelligence can provide an easy, cheap, and more accurate way of conducting community resilience assessments in urban communities. The study also contributes to knowledge of research in the new normal by proving that longitudinal studies can be completed remotely.
The Influence of Principals’ e-Leadership on the Effectiveness of Schools’ Public Relations and Organizational Improvement
Authors: Wiyono Bambang Budi , Komariah Aan , Alghamdi Abdulelah A. , Sultoni  , Fahlevi Mochammad
Published: January 2023

Principal leadership is the main variable that determines a school’s progress. Schools develop optimally when they are led by a principal who has a good leadership capacity. Related to technology development, the leadership of principals today is also changing, and principals are required to have a good e-leadership capacity. This study aims to examine the effect of principals’ e-leadership on the effectiveness of schools’ public relations and school improvement. The sample of this research was taken randomly, comprising 200 principals in Indonesia. A questionnaire was used for data collection, filled out by all participants. In addition, descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. The study results showed that there is a direct influence of principals’ e-leadership on the effectiveness of schools’ public relations. A principal’s e-leadership affects their school’s improvement, both directly and indirectly, and the effectiveness of a school’s public relations has a direct effect on school improvement. Looking at the dimensions, several dominant factors provide support for the constructs of the three variables that were studied. The research findings are discussed in depth in terms of theory and the results of previous studies.
The Place of the Natural Environment in Activities for Social Responsibility in the Opinion of Students of Electrical Engineering
Authors: Mazur Barbara , Walczyna Anna , Cichorzewska Marzena
Published: January 2023

The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) permeates the curricula of various fields of study at many universities. The aim of the article is to present the assessment of the students at the Lublin University of Technology in the field of Electrical Engineering on the importance of individual dimensions of CSR, with particular emphasis on the environmental dimension. The method used in the study is a diagnostic survey conducted among students of full-time first- and second-cycle studies. The research was carried out using a questionnaire based on the four-dimensional model of CSR developed by Carroll and was extended to the environmental dimension. The tool consists of 60 statements divided into 12 groups. Each group contains five statements—one for each of the distinguished CSR components. The hierarchy of CSR dimensions in both surveyed groups is analogous (economic, legal, ethical, philanthropic, and environmental dimensions). The study groups differed, however, in their assessment of the importance of the legal and ethical dimensions. Bilateral comparisons of individual dimensions in the group of second-cycle students revealed fewer differences than in the group of first-cycle students, which proves that the links between different categories of the company’s stakeholders and obligations toward them are more clearly perceived by the group of second-cycle students. The conclusions from the research make it possible to recommend universities to include in their curricula content aimed at better preparing graduates to undertake CSR activities.
Rural Development and Restructuring in Central China’s Rural Areas: A Case Study of Eco-Urban Agglomeration around Poyang Lake, China
Authors: Yu Dajie , Yang Xianfang , Zheng Lin
Published: January 2023

This study aims to provide a scientific reference for rural reconstruction and revitalization in the areas covered by Eco-Urban Agglomeration Around Poyang Lake. Rural development and restructuring is a comprehensive process involving multiple elements and a long-time sequence. Accordingly, scientific knowledge concerning the evolution and characteristics of the spatial and temporal patterns of rural development and reconstruction is crucial for successively facilitating rural revitalization and ensuring the sustainable development of rural areas. In this study, a framework of rural development and restructuring was constructed for areas around Poyang Lake Eco-Urban Agglomeration based on the data regarding population, land, and industrial elements in the rural regional system, as well as the data of counties covered by Poyang Lake Eco-Urban Agglomeration. For this purpose, the entropy value and other research methods were used to analyze the level of rural development and the degree of rural reconstruction, as well as to identify the characteristics of rural reconstruction types. The study results revealed the following: (1) Rural Comprehensive Development Level has increased from 0.218 to 0.347, and the geographical development gap of the countryside has narrowed; however, the development level of each region and each factor continues to remain uneven. (2) The results demonstrated a wave-like advancement in the Rural Comprehensive Restructuring Degree, with a decreased Rural Population Restructuring Degree, an increased Rural Industry Restructuring Degree, and a decreased Rural Land Restructuring Degree. (3) Rural restructuring in the study area can be divided into six zones according to the level of rural development and the degree of rural restructuring, with Type I and Type III being the main types. Based on the above results, this research proposes optimizations for different rural development and reconstruction type zones.
A New Approach for Improving Microbial Fuel Cell Performance Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Abdollahfard Yaser , Sedighi Mehdi , Ghasemi Mostafa
Published: January 2023

Microbial fuel cells have recently received considerable attention as a potential source of renewable energy. Due to its complex and hybrid nature, it has significant nonlinear features and substantial hysteresis behavior, making it hard to optimize and control its power generation directly. This study modeled power density and COD removal using random forest regression and gradient boost regression trees. System inputs are three key parameters that affect performance and commercialization. There is a range of 0.1–0.5 mg/cm2 of Pt, a degree of sulfonation of sulfonated polyether-etherketone varying from 20% to 80%, and a cathode aeration rate of 10–150 mL/min. Based on the model’s accuracies, gradient boost regression was selected for power density prediction and random forest for COD removal prediction. Particle swarm optimization was used as the optimization algorithm after selecting the best models to maximize COD removal and power density. It was found that DS was the most critical parameter for COD removal, and Pt was the most critical parameter for power density. There is a different optimal input value for each model. In order to maximize power density, DS (%) must be 67.7087, Pt (mg/cm2) must be 0.3943, and Aeration (mL/min) must be 117.7192. To maximize COD removal, the DS (%) must be 75.8816, the Pt (mg/cm2) must be 0.3322, and the Aeration (mL/min) must be 75.1933.
Passenger Occupancy Estimation in Vehicles: A Review of Current Methods and Research Challenges
Authors: Kuchár Pavol , Pirník Rastislav , Janota Aleš , Malobický Branislav , Kubík Jozef , Šišmišová Dana
Published: January 2023

Passenger detection and occupancy estimation are vital tasks in many fields. The existing literature emphasises that the increasing demand for such systems will continue to grow. This paper reviews the existing literature specializing in the field of transportation safety and efficiency concerning occupancy estimation in vehicles and passenger detection at public transport stations. A comparison between different approaches to passenger estimation is presented. Discussion on the advantages and disadvantages is highlighted. Hence, this paper provides an analysis of 146 papers on the current state of the field. This review paper concludes that invasive methods provide high accuracy with relatively cheap implementation, while noninvasive systems do not violate passenger privacy but lack state-of-the-art accuracy. Future work will include a systematic literature review and a comparative analysis of systems considering the existing window tinting and solar windshields heavily blocking certain parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Moreover, future work will investigate the critical challenges of noninvasive passenger estimation in different types of vehicles: trucks, buses, or even motorcycles.
Green Energy Optimization in Dinajpur, Bangladesh: A Path to Net Neutrality
Authors: Sharmin Sultana , Yabar Helmut , Richards Delmaria
Published: January 2023

Bangladesh has endured a significant power crisis as its economy grows. Hence, it is crucial to investigate the 40% expansion of renewable energy to attain the 2041 renewable energy goal as delineated by the government of Bangladesh. The study explores the current agricultural waste situation in rural areas of the Dinajpur District to propose a feasible alternative and integrated waste management system to meet the energy policy targets for animal waste and crop residues. It analyzed the spatial distribution of feedstocks, identified the optimal sites for the locations of biogas plants based on socioeconomic and environmental criteria and geographic information, and evaluated biogas production to satisfy electricity demand using geographic information system (GIS) suitability analysis and hotspot analysis by proposing six different scenarios. The results show that 2.81 million tons of total agricultural residues are sufficient to produce 11.31 million m3 per year of biogas in the study area. Furthermore, it is found that 21 biogas-based power plants using cattle manure and rice straw are spatially and technically feasible to produce 6389.14 kW of electrical energy per year, which meets 5.73% of the demand of the district in 2019. From the 6 proposed scenarios, number 4 can produce the maximum electricity, 3047.41 kW/year. The findings support the target of achieving a clean, green, sustainable energy system in Bangladesh while improving agricultural residue management. Estimating substrate availability and location is one of the first steps in promoting biogas-based energy from cattle manure and rice straw, which demands comprehensive technical, economic, and social policy reforms. Moreover, bioenergy expansion in Dinajpur District via biogasification represents a commitment to long-term investments in rural areas of Bangladesh.
Assessment of Subsurface Drainage Strategies Using DRAINMOD Model for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review
Authors: Abduljaleel Yasir , Awad Ahmed , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Salem Ali , Negm Abdelazim , Gabr Mohamed Elsayed
Published: January 2023

Practicing agricultural drainage strategies is necessary to manage excess water in poorly drained irrigated agricultural lands to protect them from induced waterlogging and salinity problems. This paper provides an overview of subsurface drainage strategies and the modeling of their performance using the DRAINMOD model. Given that the DRAINMOD model considers a fixed value of the surface depression capacity (SDC) for the whole simulation period, which does not suit many agricultural practices, the paper then assesses the model’s performance under time-variable SDC. It was revealed that adopting a fixed value of SDC for the whole simulation period in the DRAINMOD model causes it to produce improper predictions of the water balance in farmlands characterized by time-variable SDC. Such a model drawback will also adversely impact its predictions of the nitrogen and phosphorus fate in farmlands, which represent major inputs when managing both the agricultural process and agricultural water quality. Researchers should pay attention when applying the DRAINMOD model to farmlands characterized by time-variable SDC. Moreover, it is recommended that the DRAINMOD input module be improved by considering changes in SDC during the simulation period to ensure better management of the agricultural process and agricultural water.
Charcoal and Sago Bark Ash Regulates Ammonium Adsorption and Desorption in an Acid Soil
Authors: Hamidi Nur Hidayah , Ahmed Osumanu Haruna , Omar Latifah , Ch’ng Huck Ywih , Johan Prisca Divra , Paramisparam Puvan , Musah Adiza Alhassan , Jalloh Mohamadu Boyie
Published: January 2023

Excessive N fertilizer use in agriculture results in the release of inorganic N contaminants into surface and groundwater bodies, and other negative environmental effects. The combined application of N fertilizers with charcoal and sago bark ash could help reduce these negative impacts. The objective of this sorption study was to examine the effects of the co-application of charcoal and sago bark ash with ammonium chloride in regulating the adsorption and release of NH4+ in an acid soil. This soil used in the laboratory study was Bekenu series (Typic Paleudults). The treatments evaluated were: (i) 300 g soil only, (ii) 300 g charcoal only, (iii) 300 g sago bark ash only, (iv) 300 g soil + 15.42 g charcoal, (v) 300 g soil + 7.71 g sago bark ash, and (vi) 300 g soil + 15.42 g charcoal + 7.71 g sago bark ash. Regardless of the concentration of the isonormal solution, sago bark ash (T3) showed the highest NH4+ adsorption at equilibrium (Qe) and NH4+ desorbed (Qde). The results for T3 for Qe and Qde were 3.88 mg L−1 and 3.80 mg g−1, respectively, for the 400 mg N L−1 isonormal solution followed by T2 with values of 3.46 mg L−1 and 3.30 mg g−1, respectively. For treatments T2 and T3 that resulted in higher Qe and Qde for NH4+, soil was not included. However, in practical terms, any of the treatments T4, T5 and T6 that included mixing the amendments with soil are better since the results of these treatments were not significantly different in terms of Qe and Qde for NH4+. This is despite the fact that T4, T5 and T6 resulted in lower Qe and Qde for NH4+ compared to T2 and T3. The results also showed a positive linear relationship between NH4+ adsorption and the addition of N. This indicates that NH4+ can be retained temporarily by the amendments. The insignificant R2 (ranging from 0.10 to 0.38) of the Langmuir regression equations suggest that the NH4+ adsorption data did not fit the Langmuir isotherms well. Future studies could explore fitting the NH4+ sorption data into other sorption models. The higher adsorption of NH4+ by the treatment with charcoal is related to its high number of adsorption sites or negative charges of these materials. Incorporating charcoal and sago bark ash as soil amendments in agriculture has the potential to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers. The reliance on commercial lime could also be reduced due to the alkaline characteristics of these materials. Therefore, the co-application of charcoal and sago bark ash could contribute to improve the utilization of N fertilizer by effectively controlling NH4+ availability for timely crop use, reducing losses, and preventing soil and water pollution.
Parametric Modeling and Heritage: A Design Process Sustainable for Restoration
Authors: Liberotti Riccardo , Gusella Vittorio
Published: January 2023

Parametric design, algorithmic modeling, generative design, and associative design are only some of the keywords of a work paradigm that is becoming more and more popular, designed to respond to the complexities of contemporary architecture. Most commonly, such an approach is used for new buildings, but when algorithmic design meets heritage building information modeling (HBIM), the process can take on an even greater centrality—flexibility and control go hand-in-hand, ensuring precious tools for the planning of restoration interventions and management projects. This contribution, oriented to expand the use of these strategies to heritage, deals with the theme of parametric modeling of masonry vaults, a structural–architectural feature that in many forms and combinations characterizes most historic buildings. In particular, the connection of BIM software with algorithmic modeling software can allow the ‘translation’ of complex geometric shapes into elements with full Level of Detail elements (LOD 500) while preserving, at the same time, the algorithmic editing functions. In this paper, it is illustrated as this approach permits the finetuning of the vaults’ details, from time to time, based on different survey strategies (e.g., direct measurements, experimental tests, laser scanners, etc.). In other words, using this new connection in real time, architects can design restoration interventions tied to shapes, geometries, and masonry peculiarities that would otherwise be impossible to manage. An updatable virtualization of the actual state of a heritage building thus becomes affordable for the wider public (LOD G). There is also a valuable benefit for the heritage stakeholders in terms of protection of the architectural value and conscious planning in the restoration practice, especially in the museum field.
Simulations of Wind Formation in Idealised Mountain–Valley Systems Using OpenFOAM
Authors: Arias Santiago , Rojas Jose I. , Athota Rathan B. , Montlaur Adeline
Published: January 2023

An OpenFOAM computational fluid dynamics model setup is proposed for simulating thermally driven winds in mountain–valley systems. As a first step, the choice of Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes k−ε turbulence model is validated on a 3D geometry by comparing its results vs. large-eddy simulations reported in the literature. Then, a numerical model of an idealised 2D mountain–valley system with mountain slope angle of 20° is developed to simulate thermally driven winds. A couple of top surface boundary conditions (BC) and various combinations of temperature initial conditions (IC) are tested. A transient solver for buoyant, turbulent flow of incompressible fluids is used. Contrary to classical approaches where buoyancy is set as a variable of the problem, here temperature linearly dependent with altitude is imposed as BC on the slope and successfully leads to thermally driven wind generation. The minimum fluid domain height needed to properly simulate the thermally driven winds and the effects of the different setups on the results are discussed. Slip wall BC on the top surface of the fluid domain and uniform temperature IC are found to be the most adequate choices. Finally, valleys with different widths are simulated to see how the mountain–valley geometry affects the flow behaviour, both for anabatic (daytime, up-slope) and katabatic (nighttime, down-slope) winds. The simulations correctly reproduce the acceleration and deceleration of the flow along the slope. Increasing the valley width does not significantly affect the magnitude of the thermally driven wind but does produce a displacement of the generated convective cell.
Review of Localization and Clustering in USV and AUV for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Sathish Kaveripakam , Venkata Ravikumar Chinthaginjala , Anbazhagan Rajesh , Pau Giovanni
Published: January 2023

Oceanographic data collection, disaster prevention, aided navigation, critical observation sub-missions, contaminant screening, and seaward scanning are just a few of the submissions that use underwater sensor hubs. Unmanned submerged vehicles (USVs) or autonomous acoustic underwater vehicles (AUVs) through sensors would similarly be able to explore unique underwater resources and gather data when utilized in conjunction with integrated screen operations. The most advanced technological method of oceanic observation is wireless information routing beneath the ocean or generally underwater. Water bottoms are typically observed using oceanographic sensors that collect data at certain ocean zones. Most research on UWSNs focuses on physical levels, even though the localization level, such as guiding processes, is a more recent zone. Analyzing the presenting metrics of the current direction conventions for UWSNs is crucial for considering additional enhancements in a procedure employing underwater wireless sensor networks for locating sensors (UWSNs). Due to their severely constrained propagation, radio frequency (RF) transmissions are inappropriate for underwater environments. This makes it difficult to maintain network connectivity and localization. This provided a plan for employing adequate reliability and improved communication and is used to locate the node exactly using a variety of methods. In order to minimize inaccuracies, specific techniques are utilized to calculate the distance to the destination. It has a variety of qualities, such as limited bandwidth, high latency, low energy, and a high error probability. Both nodes enable technical professionals stationed on land to communicate data from the chosen oceanic zones rapidly. This study investigates the significance, uses, network architecture, requirements, and difficulties of undersea sensors.
Gestational Exposure to Phthalates and Phthalate Replacements in Relation to Neurodevelopmental Delays in Early Childhood
Authors: Park Seonyoung , Zimmerman Emily , Huerta-Montañez Gredia , Rosario-Pabón Zaira , Vélez-Vega Carmen M. , Cordero José F. , Alshwabekah Akram , Meeker John D. , Watkins Deborah J.
Published: January 2023

Phthalates have been linked to changes in child neurodevelopment. However, sex-specificity has been reported inconsistently, and little is known about the impact of recent phthalate replacement chemicals. Our analysis included mother–child pairs (N = 274) from the PROTECT birth cohort in Puerto Rico. Phthalate metabolites were measured in multiple maternal urine collected during pregnancy. Neurodevelopment was measured at 6, 12, and 24 months of age using the Battelle Developmental Inventory-2nd edition (BDI), which provides scores for adaptive, personal-social, communication, motor, and cognitive domains. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations between phthalate metabolite concentrations and BDI scores, adjusting for maternal age, maternal education, child age, and specific gravity. Sex-specificity was assessed with sex X exposure interaction terms and stratified models. Results show that all five domains were significantly associated with mono-3-carboxypropyl phthalate (MCPP) at age 24 months, suggesting a holistic developmental delay related to this metabolite. Sex-specificity existed for all timepoints (p-interaction < 0.2), in general, showing stronger associations among boys. For example, metabolites of a recent phthalate replacement, di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP), were differentially associated with the adaptive domain (boys −7.53%/IQR, 95% CI: −14.58, −0.48 vs. girls −0.85%/IQR, 95% CI: −5.08, 3.37), and the cognitive domain (boys −6.05%/IQR, 95% CI: −10.88, −1.22 vs. girls −1.93%/IQR, 95%CI: −4.14, 0.28) at 6 months. To conclude, gestational exposure to phthalates and phthalate replacements was associated with neurodevelopmental delay across multiple domains, with differences by sex and child age.
Negligible Toxicokinetic Differences of Glyphosate by Different Vehicles in Rats
Authors: Kim Yu-Jin , Nitin Nitin , Kim Kyu-Bong
Published: January 2023

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide. Although glyphosate is not acutely toxic, the intake of glyphosate-based herbicides has caused many accidents. Some studies have suggested that surfactants might be the cause. The purpose of this study was to compare the toxicokinetic (TK) properties of glyphosate according to different vehicles in rats. Glyphosate (1%) was dissolved in distilled water (DW), polyoxyethylene tallow amine (POEA), and Tween 20. After a single oral treatment of glyphosate (50 mg/kg), blood was collected at time intervals, and glyphosate concentrations in the target organ (liver and kidney) were determined 24 h after final blood collection. All samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. The TK parameters of glyphosate were similar in the DW and Tween 20 groups. However, there were significant differences in Tmax and volume of distribution (Vd) between the DW and POEA group (p < 0.05). Glyphosate was absorbed about 10 times faster in POEA group rather than DW, and exhibited a higher distribution. However, other important TK parameters of T1/2, AUC, and Cmax were not statistically different among the different vehicle groups. Although glyphosate concentration in the liver was significantly higher in the POEA group than in the DW group, there was no significant difference in the kidney. These results indicate that the toxicokinetics of glyphosate are not significantly affected by POEA. It can be concluded that POEA toxicity itself can be attributed to the acute toxicity of glyphosate-containing products.
Health Risk in a Geographic Area of Thailand with Endemic Cadmium Contamination: Focus on Albuminuria
Authors: Satarug Soisungwan , Vesey David A. , Gobe Glenda C. , Yimthiang Supabhorn , Buha Đorđević Aleksandra
Published: January 2023

An increased level of cadmium (Cd) in food crops, especially rice is concerning because rice is a staple food for over half of the world’s population. In some regions, rice contributes to more than 50% of the total Cd intake. Low environmental exposure to Cd has been linked to an increase in albumin excretion to 30 mg/g creatinine, termed albuminuria, and a progressive reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, termed reduced eGFR. However, research into albuminuria in high exposure conditions is limited. Here, we applied benchmark dose (BMD) analysis to the relevant data recorded for the residents of a Cd contamination area and a low-exposure control area. We normalized the excretion rates of Cd (ECd) and albumin (Ealb) to creatinine clearance (Ccr) as ECd/Ccr and Ealb/Ccr to correct for differences among subjects in the number of surviving nephrons. For the first time, we defined the excretion levels of Cd associated with clinically relevant adverse kidney health outcomes. Ealb/Ccr varied directly with ECd/Ccr (β = 0.239, p < 0.001), and age (β = 0.203, p < 0.001), while normotension was associated with lower Ealb/Ccr (β = −0.106, p = 0.009). ECd/Ccr values between 16.5 and 35.5 ng/L of the filtrate were associated with a 10% prevalence of albuminuria, while the ECd/Ccr value of 59 ng/L of the filtrate was associated with a 10% prevalence of reduced eGFR. Thus, increased albumin excretion and eGFR reduction appeared to occur at low body burdens, and they should form toxicity endpoints suitable for the calculation of health risk due to the Cd contamination of food chains.
Recyclable Carbon Cloth-Supported ZnO@Ag3PO4 Core–Shell Structure for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dye
Authors: Yi Yuan , Guan Qifang , Wang Wenguang , Jian Siyuan , Li Hengchao , Wu Liangpeng , Zhang Haiyan , Jiang Chuanjia
Published: January 2023

The extensive use of organic dyes in industry has caused serious environmental problems, and photocatalysis is a potential solution to water pollution by organic dyes. The practical application of powdery photocatalysts is usually limited by the rapid recombination of charge carriers and difficulty in recycling. In this study, recyclable carbon cloth-supported ZnO@Ag3PO4 composite with a core–shell structure was successfully prepared by solvothermal treatment and subsequent impregnation–deposition. The as-prepared carbon cloth-supported ZnO@Ag3PO4 composite showed an improved photocatalytic activity and stability for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), a model organic dye, under visible light irradiation. The decomposition ratio of RhB reached 87.1% after exposure to visible light for 100 min, corresponding to a reaction rate constant that was 4.8 and 15.9 times that of carbon cloth-supported Ag3PO4 or ZnO alone. The enhanced performance of the composite can be attributed to the effectively inhibited recombination of photoinduced electron–hole pairs by the S-scheme heterojunction. The carbon fibers further promoted the transfer of charges. Moreover, the carbon cloth-supported ZnO@Ag3PO4 can be easily separated from the solution and repeatedly used, demonstrating a fair recyclability and potential in practical applications.
Nanobody-Based Blocking of Binding ELISA for the Detection of Anti-NS1 Zika-Virus-Specific Antibodies in Convalescent Patients
Authors: Delfin-Riela Triana , Rossotti Martín A. , Mattiuzzo Giada , Echaides César , González-Sapienza Gualberto
Published: January 2023

Zika virus has spread around the world with rapid pace in the last five years. Although symptoms are typically mild and unspecific, Zika’s major impact occurs during pregnancy, generating a congenital syndrome. Serology plays a key role in its diagnosis. However, its use is limited due to the uncertainty caused by the cross-reaction of antibodies elicited in response to other flavivirus infections when tested in direct immunoassays. Using a panel of previously generated anti-Zika non-structural protein 1 (NS1) nanobodies, a set was selected that only recognizes epitopes present in Zika and is immunogenic to humans. A proper arrangement of these nanobodies was made and conditions were optimized in order to develop a novel serology assay. This new ELISA relies on the inhibition of the binding of a set of selected nanobodies to Zika-immobilized NS1 when previously incubated with Zika convalescent sera. Using the developed blocking of binding assay, it was possible to discriminate between Zika-specific and cross-reactive antibodies in serum samples from infections with Zika and other flaviviruses.
The Impact of Geographical Variation in Plasmodium knowlesi Apical Membrane Protein 1 (PkAMA-1) on Invasion Dynamics of P. knowlesi
Authors: Ng Yee Ling , Lee Wenn-Chyau , Lau Yee-Ling , Fong Mun Yik
Published: January 2023

Plasmodium knowlesi has emerged as an important zoonotic parasite that causes persistent symptomatic malaria in humans. The signs and symptoms of malaria are attributed to the blood stages of the parasites, which start from the invasion of erythrocytes by the blood stage merozoites. The apical membrane protein 1 (AMA-1) plays an important role in the invasion. In this study, we constructed and expressed recombinant PkAMA-1 domain II (PkAMA-1-DII) representing the predominant haplotypes from Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo and raised specific antibodies against the recombinant proteins in rabbits. Despite the minor amino acid sequence variation, antibodies raised against haplotypes from Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo demonstrated different invasion inhibition (46.81% and 39.45%, respectively) to P. knowlesi A1-H.1, a reference strain derived from Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we demonstrated how a minor variation in a conserved parasite protein could cast a significant impact on parasite invasion biology, suggesting a complex host-switching of P. knowlesi from different locations. This may challenge the implementation of a standardized One Health approach against the transmission of knowlesi malaria.
Perusing Buchbinder–Lyakhovich Canonical Formalism for Higher-Order Theories of Gravity
Authors: Saha Dalia , Sanyal Abhik Kumar
Published: January 2023

Ostrogradsky’s, Dirac’s, and Horowitz’s techniques in terms of higher-order theories of gravity produce identical phase-space structures. The problem with these techniques is manifested in the case of Gauss–Bonnet–dilatonic coupled action in the presence of higher-order term, in which case, classical correspondence cannot be established. Here, we explore another technique developed by Buchbinder and their collaborators (BL) and show that it also suffers from the same disease. However, when expressing the action in terms of the three-space curvature, and removing ‘the total derivative terms’, if Horowitz’s formalism or even Dirac’s constraint analysis is pursued, all pathologies disappear. Here, we show that the same is true for BL formalism, which appears to be the simplest of all the techniques to handle.