bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Effect of Micro-Force Perturbations and Temperature Fluctuation on Interferometer for the Taiji Program
Authors: Wang Juan , Liu He-Shan , Yang Chao , Qi Ke-Qi , Luo Zi-Ren , Yang Ran
Published: December 2023

To increase the interferometric measurement resolution in the Taiji program, we present a noise suppression method in this paper. Taking the specific micro-force perturbation and temperature fluctuation in the Taiji-1 interferometer as an example, we set up and experimentally verified the corresponding transfer function to quantify the effect of both noise sources on the interferometric results. Consistent results were obtained between the numerical and experimental results for the transfer function. It is instructive to eliminate the micro-force perturbations and temperature fluctuations during on-orbit interferometric measurement for as long as the acquisition of the force or temperature distribution of related surfaces and the corresponding transfer functions. This indicates that the method can be used for noise sensing and more in the field of noise elimination and measurement resolution improvement for future Taiji program interferometers.
Enhancing the Performance of a Large Aperture Ultrasound System (LAUS): A Combined Approach of Simulation and Measurement for Transmitter–Receiver Optimization
Authors: Prabhakara Prathik , Lay Vera , Mielentz Frank , Niederleithinger Ernst , Behrens Matthias
Published: December 2023

The Large Aperture Ultrasound System (LAUS) developed at BAM is known for its ability to penetrate thick objects, especially concrete structures commonly used in nuclear waste storage and other applications in civil engineering. Although the current system effectively penetrates up to ~9 m, further optimization is imperative to enhance the safety and integrity of disposal structures for radioactive or toxic waste. This study focuses on enhancing the system’s efficiency by optimizing the transducer spacing, ensuring that resolution is not compromised. An array of twelve horizontal shear wave transducers was used to find a balance between penetration depth and resolution. Systematic adjustments of the spacing between transmitter and receiver units were undertaken based on target depth ranges of known reflectors at depth ranges from 5 m to 10 m. The trade-offs between resolution and artifact generation were meticulously assessed. This comprehensive study employs a dual approach using both simulations and measurements to investigate the performance of transducer units spaced at 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm. We found that for depths up to 5 m, a spacing of 10 cm for LAUS transducer units provided the best resolution as confirmed by both simulations and measurements. This optimal distance is particularly effective in achieving clear reflections and a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in imaging scenarios with materials such as thick concrete structures. However, when targeting depths greater than 10 m, we recommend increasing the distance between the transducers to 20 cm. This increased spacing improves the SNR in comparison to other spacings, as seen in the simulation of a 10 m deep backwall. Our results emphasize the critical role of transducer spacing in achieving the desired SNR and resolution, especially in the context of depth imaging requirements for LAUS applications. In addition to the transducer spacing, different distances between individual sets of measurement positions were tested. Overall, keeping the minimal possible distance between measurement position offsets provides the best imaging results at greater depths. The proposed optimizations for the LAUS in this study are primarily relevant to applications on massive nuclear structures for nuclear waste management. This research highlights the need for better LAUS efficiency in applications such as sealing structures, laying the foundation for future technological advances in this field.
A Compact Dual-Band Millimeter Wave Antenna for Smartwatch and IoT Applications with Link Budget Estimation
Authors: Bhadrvathi Ghouse Parveez Shariff , Mane Pallavi R. , Thankappan Sumangala Sangeetha , Kumar Puttur Vasanth , Pathan Sameena , Jhunjhunwala Vikash Kumar , Ali Tanweer
Published: December 2023

Advancement in smartwatch sensors and connectivity features demands low latency communication with a wide bandwidth. ISM bands below 6 GHz are reaching a threshold. The millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum is the solution for future smartwatch applications. Therefore, a compact dual-band antenna operating at 25.5 and 38 GHz is presented here. The characteristics mode theory (CMT) aids the antenna design process by exciting Mode 1 and 2 as well as Mode 1–3 at their respective bands. In addition, the antenna structure generates two traverse modes, TM10 and TM02, at the lower and higher frequency bands. The antenna measured a bandwidth (BW) of 1.5 (25–26.5 GHz) and 2.5 GHz (37–39.5 GHz) with a maximum gain of 7.4 and 7.3 dBi, respectively. The antenna performance within the watch case (stainless steel) showed a stable |S11| with a gain improvement of 9.9 and 10.9 dBi and a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.063 and 0.0206 W/kg, respectively, at the lower and higher bands. The link budget analysis for various rotation angles of the watch indicated that, for a link margin of 20 dB, the antenna can transmit/receive 1 Gbps of data. However, significant fading was noticed at certain angles due to the shadowing effect caused by the watch case itself. Nonetheless, the antenna has a workable bandwidth, a high gain, and a low SAR, making it suitable for smartwatch and IoT applications.
Potential Biopesticides from Seed Extracts: A Sustainable Way to Protect Cotton Crops from Bollworm Damage
Authors: Chamani Masoud , Askari Narjes , Pourabad Reza Farshbaf , Bouket Ali Chenari , Oszako Tomasz , Belbahri Lassaad
Published: December 2023

In the current study, the inhibitory effect of extracts from Gramineae (wheat, barley, and corn) and Leguminosae (sophora, bean, and pea) seeds was studied on the digestive alpha-amylase activity in cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner). The insect was bred on artificial food based on Vigna unguiculata in the greenhouse condition (26 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 10% (Relative Humidity), R.H., 16:8 (Light: Darkness), L: D). The extracts of wheat (95.2%), barley (84.6%), corn (73.8%), sophora (77%), Vigna unguiculata (52%), and pea (56.7%) significantly inhibited the alpha-amylase activity in H. armigera. Studying the impact of different fractions (obtained via deposition at various concentrations of ammonium sulfate salt) on the alpha-amylase enzyme activity demonstrated that in 0–30% fractions, wheat, barley, and sophora have the highest effect (95.26%, 94.65%, and 94.73%, respectively) compared to the other fractions. The inhibitory activities of 0–30% fractions of corn, bean, and pea were 83.3, 56.94, and 50.92%, respectively. In 30–50% fractions, the most effective ones were those of wheat and barley with the inhibitory activity of 79.7% and 82.9%, respectively. In addition, bean and pea fractions inhibited 25.2% and 27.5%, in that order. No significant inhibitory impact was detected in 50–70% or higher fractions. The investigation of the impact of pH values (i.e., 2, 4, 8, and 10) on the inhibition of the alpha-amylase enzyme activity introduced 8–10 as the optimum pH in H. armigera. Nanotechnology offers several ways to enhance plant-based pesticides, which are a solution for making plant extract usage more efficient. The exploration of plant-based pesticides, in conjunction with the incorporation of nanotechnology and other scientific fields, offers a wide range of prospects for further investigation.
Energy Analyses and Optimization Proposals for Hotels in Sicily: A Case Study
Authors: Guercio Andrea , Curto Domenico , Franzitta Vincenzo , Frascati Margherita , Milone Daniele , Martorana Pierluca , Mantegna Miriam
Published: December 2023

The recent post-pandemic period has economically affected many business sectors. One of these is the hotel industry. As a result of this economic crisis, it is necessary to act on the economic costs of running energy-intensive buildings such as a hotel. The thermal and electrical energy consumption of an accommodation facility weighs heavily on the economic balance. Governments around the globe have moved to help those activities in need. To improve the sustainability of the hospitality sector from an environmental and economic point of view, the introduction of energy retrofit solutions is mandatory. Following European sustainability laws, the impact and efficiency of the building were calculated using smart readiness indicators. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a 5-star hotel located in southern Italy characterized by high energy consumption. Precisely these consumptions are due to air conditioning, lighting, hot water, catering, and all other utilities. The entire building and the systems serving it were characterized by means of software that studies consumption with dynamic models, Trnsys. The same software made it possible to model the case study by replacing the existing air conditioning system with one supplied by renewable energies. Two energy retrofit hypotheses were chosen to obtain the best economic and environmental results. First, the choice was to install solar cooling powered by flat solar panels, and the second choice was solar cooling powered by evacuated tube collectors. This paper reports the technical and economic characteristics of both proposed solutions, quantifying the energy and economic savings to identify the best solution.
Identification of Hydrogen-Energy-Related Emerging Technologies Based on Text Mining
Authors: Lin Yunlei , Zhou Yuan
Published: December 2023

As a versatile energy carrier, hydrogen possesses tremendous potential to reduce greenhouse emissions and promote energy transition. Global interest in producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources and transporting, storing, and utilizing hydrogen is rising rapidly. However, the high costs of producing clean hydrogen and the uncertain application scenarios for hydrogen energy result in its relatively limited utilization worldwide. It is necessary to find new promising technological paths to drive the development of hydrogen energy. As part of technological innovation, emerging technologies have vital features such as prominent impact, novelty, relatively fast growth, etc. Identifying emerging hydrogen-energy-related technologies is important for discovering innovation opportunities during the energy transition. Existing research lacks analysis of the characteristics of emerging technologies. Thus, this paper proposes a method combining the latent Dirichlet allocation topic model and hydrogen-energy expert group decision-making. This is used to identify emerging hydrogen-related technology regarding two features of emerging technologies, novelty and prominent impact. After data processing, topic modeling, and analysis, the patent dataset was divided into twenty topics. Six emerging topics possess novelty and prominent impact among twenty topics. The results show that the current hotspots aim to promote the application of hydrogen energy by improving the performance of production catalysts, overcoming the wide power fluctuations and large-scale instability of renewable energy power generation, and developing advanced hydrogen safety technologies. This method efficiently identifies emerging technologies from patents and studies their development trends. It fills a gap in the research on emerging technologies in hydrogen-related energy. Research achievements could support the selection of technology pathways during the low-carbon energy transition.
Designing Isolation Valve System to Prevent Unexpected Water Quality Incident
Authors: Shin Geumchae , Kwon Soon Ho , Lee Seungyub
Published: December 2023

Designing an effective isolation valve system (IVS) is vital to enhance resilience against unforeseen failures in water systems. During isolation, the system’s hydraulics undergo changes, potentially causing alterations in flow direction and velocity, leading to the dislodgement of accumulated materials and triggering unexpected water quality incidents. This study presents a novel IVS design approach by integrating the consideration of flow direction change (FDC) as an additional constraint within conventional reliability-based models. Two optimization models, Optimization I and Optimization II, prioritize reliability, with the latter also factoring in valve installation cost as a multi-objective function. Performance evaluation metrics, such as the Hydraulic Geodesic Index (HGI), Modified Resilience Index (MRI), and robustness index, were employed for a comprehensive analysis. The results indicated more than 40 instances of FDC in the traditional design, challenging the conventional notion that a higher number of valves inherently reduces risk. The superiority of the proposed model persisted for the single reservoir network in Optimization II. However, for networks with multiple reservoirs, the traditional design outperformed the proposed model, particularly in terms of cost. Nevertheless, when comparing designs with similar reliability, the proposed model showcased a superior performance, despite its higher associated cost. Notably, the proposed approach exhibits potential cost-effectiveness, considering the potential economic losses attributable to water quality incidents. In summary, the implementation of this methodology can effectively manage both water quality and quantity, enabling the identification of vulnerable pipes within the network for sustainable management.
Aesthetic Preference of Timber Joints in Architectural Products
Authors: Kuys Blair , Mridha Mozammel
Published: December 2023

This study investigates how Australian consumers’ aesthetic preferences for timber joints in architectural products are influenced by their sociodemographic characteristics and the visual appearance of the joints. Visual appearance in architecture and product design is a vital factor in consumer response and success of a product; however, designed items are often created without aesthetic research rigour to better understand user acceptance. We see this as an opportunity for greater penetration of aesthetics for designed products and, in this instance, contemporary architecture. We provide extensive literature defining aesthetics and outline the theoretical framework for experimental computer-generated visual stimuli. An online survey was conducted with 114 participants, who rated five timber joints on seven visual appearance attributes. The findings reveal that Joint 1 (angular) and Joint 5 (curved) were the most preferred joints. Employment status was the only sociodemographic factor that significantly affected the aesthetic preference. The findings of the study were used to inform design decisions for building a pagoda in a cemetery in Melbourne. The study contributes to the literature on aesthetics and design by providing empirical evidence on consumer preferences for architectural products. The study also suggests an opportunity to bridge aesthetics with sustainability, as timber is a sustainable material that can be designed to resonate with consumers’ aesthetic sensibilities while adhering to environmental principles.
Sustainability Assessment Indicators in Land Transportation
Authors: Goulart José Hugo de Souza , Fidelis Reginaldo , De Andrade Junior Pedro Paulo , Horst Diogo José , Marco-Ferreira Antonio
Published: December 2023

Transportation is vital to life in society; it enables economic, social, and environmental development through connections between areas, cities, and countries, facilitating interactions and integrations. However, transportation is one of the sectors that most impacts sustainability, causing, among other things, emissions of gases, noise, and accidents. Through an integrative bibliographic framework, this study aims to assess the indicators used to evaluate the sustainability of land transportation in various contexts. To this end, relevant papers were selected with intuition to present their main characteristics, and through correlations between the variables analyzed, a framework was built indicating the current situation and future perspectives of the study. In terms of results, some common points were identified among papers, and some categories were pointed out as priorities for a future research agenda, such as the lack of standardization of indicators regarding metrics and nomenclature to emphasize sustainability. A lack of studies covering sustainability as a whole was found, which limits the results of sustainability assessments by only focusing on classic indicators and their deficiencies in relation to social inclusion, political–legal issues, and civil and human rights, as well as the standardization of indicators in other specific sectors.
Farmers’ Knowledge, Perceptions and Attitudes on Crop-Dairy Goat Integration Farming System in Elgeyo Marakwet County
Authors: Cheboi Juliana , Greathead Henry , Nkukwana Thobela , Keyster Marshall
Published: December 2023

Several interventions have been promoted in dry areas to improve food and nutrition insecurity. However, studies on the key drivers influencing adoption and uptake are limited. Therefore, research was undertaken to investigate farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and attitudes on an integrated crop–dairy goat farming system in Elgeyo Marakwet. A cross-sectional study entailing a household survey of 201 respondents, six key informant interviews and eight focus group discussions was undertaken. This study utilized a multi-stage sampling procedure to sample the farmers and calculated the sample size using Krejcie and Morgan tables. Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software version 22, while qualitative data were analysed using N-vivo software version 10 through the Framework Analysis method. The findings show that drought (84.6%), change in rainfall pattern (77.6%), farm size (57.2%), unavailability of quality seeds (52.2%), fodder acreage (58.7%), diseases (69.7%) and pest severity (68.7%) are the principal drivers for adoption of the integrated crop–dairy goat farming system. Dairy goats are associated with women in this community since they are regarded as small animals and have no monetary value, hence increasing the participation of women in the access, control and decision making of agricultural resources. To increase adoption, strategies focusing on improving water supply, quality seeds, agro-veterinary services and production are advocated.
Modeling Techno-Economic Wood Procurement from Renewable Forests for the Sustainable Energy Supply of a CHP Plant
Authors: Palander Teijo
Published: December 2023

The importance of the national security of supply has been emphasized in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in operating environments. Thanks to autonomy and resiliency in fuel procurement, organizations with decentralized energy plants may be able to quickly adapt to the changing needs of society. The main aim of this study was to increase the sustainability of these CHP plants’ wood procurement by modeling it and determining the company’s profitable wood procurement region while keeping the forests renewable. The environmental sustainability of wood procurement was assessed by considering the additional costs caused through the EEAP mechanism if the carbon sink of the forest worsened due to wood procurement in the area. The supply chains were compared so that the CHP plant managers could adopt the best energy wood value chains. The results showed that updating the procurement strategy would be necessary. The CHP plant managers should purchase energy wood from a larger procurement area than the current one and focus on roadside purchases of wood. The Techno-Economic Wood Payment Ability Model was a useful part of the DSS in guiding wood buyers toward sustainable wood procurement by increasing the share of renewable forests.
Research on the Evaluation of Rail Transit Transfer System Based on the Time Value
Authors: Zhang Xiaona , Wang Fu , Xu Weidi , Wang Yin , Luo Jingwen , Chen Xinyu , Ye Manqing
Published: December 2023

The transfer system has an extremely important influence on the operation management and economic benefits of the whole rail network. The paper selects evaluation indexes based on the analysis of transfer system time value influencing factors, excludes part of the indexes by using importance analysis and correlation analysis, and constructs the evaluation index system of rail transit transfer system using the STATA 16 software. Using a combination of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and CRITIC method, the evaluation indexes were comprehensively assigned. The time value evaluation model was established based on the matter-element extension evaluation model. Finally, Wuhan rail transit transfer stations Dazhi Road Station and Xunlimen Station are selected as examples for empirical analysis, and improvement measures are proposed. Unlike previous studies, this study introduces time value as a core indicator and uses a matter-element extension evaluation model for evaluation. Empirical analyses show that the proposed evaluation index system based on time value can better reflect the passenger experience as well as the efficiency of the transfer system. The selected matter-element extension evaluation model can better deal with the uncertainty between indicators and solve the multi-objective contradiction problem. The evaluation results of the model are consistent with the actual research results of the transfer station, and the evaluation model has better applicability.
Practical Exploration of Eco-Geological Survey Mapping in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: Framework, Standard and Preliminary Cost Estimation
Authors: Luo Gan , Tao Mingqi , Zhong Shuai , Xiao Chunlei
Published: December 2023

It is a common responsibility of all countries to protect the ecological environment and promote sustainable development. Eco-geology, which provides a basic guarantee for the rational utilization of natural resources, ecological protection and restoration, has gradually become a new hot spot of geological survey institutions in various countries. Eco-geological survey in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau plays an important role in regional ecological protection and global change research. Setting up workable budgets symbolizes the competence of geological survey organizations in fulfilling their responsibilities, and unreliable cost estimates can cause economic and political complications. The unclear scope definition and scarcity of project information available at early stages make it hard to generate reliable preliminary cost estimates. Hence, based on historical data and the practical experience of scientists who have been engaged in eco-geological survey in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau for a long time, this research aimed to develop a cost estimation model using statistical learning methods for geological survey organizations to forecast preliminary costs during the early stages of an eco-geological survey project to fulfill different cost control and managerial functions. This research makes full use of modern remote sensing technology and reasonably arranges the input of ground survey, drilling, geophysical exploration and other workloads, supplemented by the existing ecological monitoring station data. It comprehensively sorts out the work means and workload of field and office work needed to complete the map work, and it puts forward a consistent index system and preliminary cost calculation framework. On this basis, based on the principle of matching quantity and price, a reasonable budget standard or market price is selected to calculate the budget estimate of a single map sheet, and then, through the regional adjustment coefficient, the budget estimate of a map sheet covering the whole Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is extended and calculated. The budget estimate will provide effective support for the declaration of eco-geological survey projects in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and the calculation of the scale of project funds so as to ensure the smooth development of eco-geological surveying in the region.
Infiltration of Outdoor PM2.5 Pollution into Homes with Evaporative Coolers in Utah County
Authors: Sonntag Darrell B. , Jung Hanyong , Harline Royce P. , Peterson Tyler C. , Willis Selah E. , Christensen Taylor R. , Johnston James D.
Published: December 2023

Global use of energy-inefficient mechanical vapor-compression air conditioning (AC) is increasing dramatically for home cooling. Direct evaporative coolers (EC) offer substantial energy savings, and may provide a sustainable alternative to AC for homes in hot, dry climates. One drawback of ECs is the potential for infiltration of outdoor air pollution into homes. Prior studies on this topic are limited by small sample sizes and a lack of comparison homes. In this study, we used aerosol photometers to sample indoor and outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 16 homes with AC and 14 homes with EC in Utah County, Utah (USA) between July 2022 and August 2023. We observed a significantly larger infiltration factor (Fin) of outdoor PM2.5 in EC vs. AC homes (0.39 vs. 0.12, p = 0.026) during summer. Fin significantly increased during a wildfire smoke event that occurred during the study. During the wildfire event, EC homes offered little to no protection from outdoor PM2.5 (Fin = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85, 1.07), while AC homes offered significant protection (Fin = 0.23, 95% CI 0.15, 0.32). We recommend additional research focused on cooling pad design for the dual benefits of cooling efficiency and particle filtration.
Development of an Air Filter to Remove Fine Dust from Indoor Air Using a Traditional Korean Paper, ‘Hanji’
Authors: Baek Soyoung , Kim Suho , Yoon Younghan , Kim Kwang Soo , Bae Jiyeol
Published: December 2023

Fine and ultrafine particulate matter are consequences of air pollution in industrialized nations. The use of natural materials for filters produces fewer side effects for humans and the environment, and due to their structural characteristics, they have the potential to effectively filter out fine particles. In this study, we developed an indoor, fine-dust removal filter using Hanji, a traditional Korean paper made from natural materials derived from mulberry trees. We impregnated activated carbon (AC) into the Hanji filter and conducted air permeability and efficiency experiments to determine the improvement in indoor air quality. The Hanji filter showed a removal efficiency of 80.4% within the first minute and 99.1% efficiency by the 38th minute, maintaining an efficiency of >99% thereafter. The dust removal efficiency of the AC-embedded Hanji filter proved superior. The dust adhesion was ~20 g/m2. An AC-embedded Hanji filter has the potential to remove not only fine dust but also volatile substances. The use of natural filters is both effective and sustainable.
The Risk of Water Quality Deterioration with Urban Flood Control—A Case in Wuxi
Authors: Hu Pan , Feng Lan
Published: December 2023

There is a demand for flood control in densely populated river network areas. Therefore, small floodgates are used for long-term and rapid water flow regulation in such contexts. However, people often disregard these floodgates’ potential interference with the natural water environment. This study focused on an urban floodgate-controlled reach and monitored the monthly data of four main pollutant indicators (TN, TP, CODMn, and NH3-N) from 2016 to 2018 at six fixed sampling points (S1–S6). The difference analysis and cluster analysis results indicated that floodgate adjustments were the dominant driving factor of water quality changes in the reach, with pollutant concentration differences observed between the floodgate opening and closing periods. The results of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index evaluation showed that the water quality of the floodgate-controlled reach was categorized as “marginal” or “poor”. It is particularly important to note that the concentration of nitrogen compounds exceeded the allowable limits. The results of the Mann–Kendall trend and time series analyses revealed an overall upward trend in NH3-N concentration and a localized upward trend in TP concentration and presented periodic concentration fluctuations of four pollutants (TN, TP, CODMn, and NH3-N). This study highlights that flood control management using small floodgates can pose a risk of deteriorating water quality. Therefore, it is necessary to develop scientific water quality management methods.
Review: Modified Urea Fertilizers and Their Effects on Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE)
Authors: Swify Samar , Mažeika Romas , Baltrusaitis Jonas , Drapanauskaitė Donata , Barčauskaitė Karolina
Published: December 2023

Urea has served as the primary nitrogenous fertilizer globally since the early 1950s. It is widely recognized as the most concentrated nitrogen source, containing approximately 46% nitrogen. Presently, around 220 million t/year of urea compounds are manufactured globally to fit the requirements of the agricultural sector. However, a significant drawback of this is that approximately 30–35% of the urea used in soil can be lost to the environment because of its limited effectiveness. Enhancing the efficiency of urea utilization can be achieved by regulating the release of urea-nitrogen in the soil. Numerous researchers have reported that the use of slow or controlled fertilizers can regulate the release and accumulation of nitrogen in the soil. Moreover, the augmentation of soil nitrogen levels can be accomplished by using the slow or controlled release of urea fertilizers. The regulation of the release process can play a vital role in the peril of N loss. This can be effectively alleviated by delaying the release of nitrogen in ammonium form configuration for several days. This delay functions to diminish nitrogen losses, which are caused by the rapid hydrolysis of urea, and loss by leaching or volatilization. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively explore the use of conventional urea and various materials employed for modifying urea. It will explain the distinctions among modification processes and their respective mechanisms. This review will also discuss the pros and cons of applying slow- and controlled-release nitrogen, the impact of modified urea compounds on crop productivity, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).
Earth Observation-Based Rice Mapping Studies in Vietnamese Mekong Delta Compared to Global Context: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Chowdhury Anuva , Ghosh Surajit , Holmatov Bunyod
Published: December 2023

A bibliometric study on mapping the rice cropping systems in VMD is crucial for understanding the trend of EO-based rice mapping and how remote sensing technologies are essential to address the food security issue in the region. This article presents an overview of Earth observation (EO)-based rice mapping strategies since 1979, prioritizing the scope of data, approaches, and techniques derived from 3700 research articles worldwide and contrasting them with the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). Various quantitative analyses were conducted through bibliometric analysis using the VOS viewer and Scopus database. Optical images, particularly the Landsat (~16%) and MODIS (~12%) time series datasets, were the most commonly utilized globally. MODIS data (~31%) had the highest share in the VMD context, followed by Landsat data (~19%), while Sentinel series (~13% for global and ~16% for VMD) data became more popular in recent years. Research on rice mapping using UAVs has been gradually creeping into rice mapping research globally, but a gap is yet to be filled in the VMD. The most widely used approaches for rice mapping globally were Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and Principal Component Analysis. Spectral indices like EVI, NDVI, and RVI were commonly used for rice mapping and monitoring. The findings underscore the critical role of EO-based rice mapping studies in the VMD in addressing sustainability and food security challenges.
Binary Bipolar Soft Points and Topology on Binary Bipolar Soft Sets with Their Symmetric Properties
Authors: Saleh Hind Y. , Salih Areen A. , Asaad Baravan A. , Mohammed Ramadhan A.
Published: December 2023

The aim of this paper is to give an interesting connection between two mathematical approaches to vagueness: binary bipolar soft sets and binary bipolar soft topology. The binary bipolar soft points are defined using binary bipolar soft sets. The binary bipolar soft set will be the binary bipolar soft union of its binary bipolar soft points. Moreover, the notion of binary bipolar soft topological spaces over two universal sets and a parameter set is proposed. Some topological properties of binary bipolar soft sets, such as binary bipolar soft open, binary bipolar soft closed, binary bipolar soft closure, binary bipolar soft interior, and binary bipolar soft boundary, are introduced. Some important properties of these classes of binary bipolar soft sets are investigated. Furthermore, the symmetry relation is compared between binary bipolar soft topology and binary soft topology on a common universe set. Finally, some results and counterexamples are demonstrated to explain this work.
Transformative Approach for Heart Rate Prediction from Face Videos Using Local and Global Multi-Head Self-Attention
Authors: Premkumar Smera , Anitha J. , Danciulescu Daniela , Hemanth D. Jude
Published: December 2023

Heart rate estimation from face videos is an emerging technology that offers numerous potential applications in healthcare and human–computer interaction. However, most of the existing approaches often overlook the importance of long-range spatiotemporal dependencies, which is essential for robust measurement of heart rate prediction. Additionally, they involve extensive pre-processing steps to enhance the prediction accuracy, resulting in high computational complexity. In this paper, we propose an innovative solution called LGTransPPG. This end-to-end transformer-based framework eliminates the need for pre-processing steps while achieving improved efficiency and accuracy. LGTransPPG incorporates local and global aggregation techniques to capture fine-grained facial features and contextual information. By leveraging the power of transformers, our framework can effectively model long-range dependencies and temporal dynamics, enhancing the heart rate prediction process. The proposed approach is evaluated on three publicly available datasets, demonstrating its robustness and generalizability. Furthermore, we achieved a high Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) value of 0.88, indicating its superior efficiency and accuracy between the predicted and actual heart rate values.
Antimicrobial Properties of Polyester/Copper Nanocomposites by Melt-Spinning and Melt-Blowing Techniques
Authors: González-Sánchez Alain , Rosas-Macías Ricardo , Hernández-Bautista José E. , Valdez-Garza Janett A. , Rodríguez-Fuentes Nayeli , Soriano-Corral Florentino , Ledezma-Pérez Antonio S. , Ávila-Orta Carlos A. , Cruz-Delgado Víctor J.
Published: December 2023

In this study, textile fiber prototypes based on polyester and different Cu nanoparticles (CuNP) content were produced using melt-spinning to obtain bi-component multifilament fibers and melt-blowing to obtain non-woven fabrics. The prototypes were tested against pathogenic microorganisms such as S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. It was shown that bi-component fibers offer excellent protection against pathogens, with up to 99% growth inhibition with 0.5% w/w for S. aureus and E. coli; meanwhile, non-woven fabric only shows activity against E. coli from 0.1% w/w of CuNP. Using different analytical techniques, it was possible to identify that the CuNP were confined exclusively in the outer cover of the bi-component fibers which may be associated with increased antimicrobial activity compared to the fibers in the non-woven fabric. The use of polymeric nanocomposites based on polyester/copper offers an alternative of great interest due to the versatility of the raw material and the high efficiency of copper nanoparticles as an antimicrobial additive.
Developmental Programming: Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Bisphenol A on Senescence and Circadian Mediators in the Liver of Sheep
Authors: Motta Giuliana , Thangaraj Soundara Viveka , Padmanabhan Vasantha
Published: December 2023

Prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A (BPA) plays a critical role in the developmental programming of liver dysfunction that is characteristic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Circadian and aging processes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. We hypothesized that the prenatal BPA-induced fatty-liver phenotype of female sheep is associated with premature hepatic senescence and disruption in circadian clock genes. The expression of circadian rhythm and aging-associated genes, along with other markers of senescence such as telomere length, mitochondrial DNA copy number, and lipofuscin accumulation, were evaluated in the liver tissue of control and prenatal BPA groups. Prenatal BPA exposure significantly elevated the expression of aging-associated genes GLB1 and CISD2 and induced large magnitude differences in the expression of other aging genes—APOE, HGF, KLOTHO, and the clock genes PER2 and CLOCK—in the liver; the other senescence markers remained unaffected. Prenatal BPA-programmed aging-related transcriptional changes in the liver may contribute to pathological changes in liver function, elucidating the involvement of aging genes in the pathogenesis of liver steatosis.
An Approach to Flavor Chemical Thermal Degradation Analysis
Authors: Oldham Michael J. , Jeong Lena , Gillman I. Gene
Published: December 2023

Toxicological evaluations of flavor chemicals for use in inhalation products that utilize heat for aerosol generation are complicated because of the potential effect heat may have on the flavor chemical. The objective was to develop a thermal degradation technique to screen flavor chemicals as part of a toxicological testing program for their potential use in ENDS formulations. Based upon published data for acetaldehyde, acrolein, and glycidol from ENDS products (common thermal degradants of propylene glycol and glycerin), the pyrolizer temperature was adjusted until a similar ratio of acetaldehyde, acrolein, and glycidol was obtained from a 60/40 ratio (v/v) of glycerin/propylene glycol via GC/MS analysis. For each of 90 flavor chemicals, quantitative measurements of acetaldehyde, acrolein, and glycidol, in addition to semiquantitative non-targeted analysis tentatively identifying chemicals from thermal degradation, were obtained. Twenty flavor chemicals transferred at greater than 99% intact, another 26 transferred at greater than 95% intact, and another 15 flavor chemicals transferred at greater than 90% intact. Most flavor chemicals resulted in fewer than 10–12 tentatively identified thermal degradants. The practical approach to the thermal degradation of flavor chemicals provided useful information as part of the toxicological evaluation of flavor chemicals for potential use in ENDS formulations.
Early-Life Sublethal Thiacloprid Exposure to Honey Bee Larvae: Enduring Effects on Adult Bee Cognitive Abilities
Authors: Chen Xiasang , Li Airui , Yin Linghong , Ke Li , Dai Pingli , Liu Yong-Jun
Published: December 2023

Honey bees have significant ecological and economic value as important pollinators, but they are continuously exposed to various environmental stressors, including insecticides, which can impair their health and cause colony decline. (1) Background: Cognitive abilities are vital for the functional maintenance of honey bees; however, it remains unknown if chronic, low-dose exposure to thiacloprid during the larval stage impairs the cognitive abilities of emerged adult honey bees. (2) Methods: To explore this question, honey bee larvae were fed 0, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L thiacloprid during their developmental phase. Then, the cognitive (i.e., olfactory learning and memory) abilities of adult honey bees were quantified to assess the delayed impacts of early-stage thiacloprid exposure on adult honey bee cognition. Neural apoptosis and transcriptomic level were also evaluated to explore the neurological mechanisms underlying these effects. (3) Results: Our results revealed that chronic larval exposure to sublethal thiacloprid impaired the learning and memory abilities of adult honey bees by inducing neuronal apoptosis and transcriptomic alterations. (4) Conclusions: We highlighted a previously unknown impairment caused by thiacloprid in honey bees.
The Cytotoxic Effects of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) from Different Sources at the Air–Liquid Interface Exposure on A549 Cells
Authors: Yan Zhansheng , Ge Pengxiang , Lu Zhenyu , Liu Xiaoming , Cao Maoyu , Chen Wankang , Chen Mindong
Published: December 2023

The health of humans has been negatively impacted by PM2.5 exposure, but the chemical composition and toxicity of PM2.5 might vary depending on its source. To investigate the toxic effects of particulate matter from different sources on lung epithelial cells (A549), PM2.5 samples were collected from residential, industrial, and transportation areas in Nanjing, China. The chemical composition of PM2.5 was analyzed, and toxicological experiments were conducted. The A549 cells were exposed using an air–liquid interface (ALI) exposure system, and the cytotoxic indicators of the cells were detected. The research results indicated that acute exposure to different sources of particulate matter at the air–liquid interface caused damage to the cells, induced the production of ROS, caused apoptosis, inflammatory damage, and DNA damage, with a dose–effect relationship. The content of heavy metals and PAHs in PM2.5 from the traffic source was relatively high, and the toxic effect of the traffic–source samples on the cells was higher than that of the industrial– and residential–source samples. The cytotoxicity of particulate matter was mostly associated with water–soluble ions, carbon components, heavy metals, PAHs, and endotoxin, based on the analysis of the Pearson correlation. Oxidative stress played an important role in PM2.5–induced biological toxicity.
Exploring the Central Mechanisms of Botulinum Toxin in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review from Animal Models to Human Evidence
Authors: Cutrona Carolina , Marchet Francesco , Costanzo Matteo , De Bartolo Maria Ilenia , Leodori Giorgio , Ferrazzano Gina , Conte Antonella , Fabbrini Giovanni , Berardelli Alfredo , Belvisi Daniele
Published: December 2023

Botulinum toxin (BoNT) is an effective and safe therapy for the symptomatic treatment of several neurological disturbances. An important line of research has provided numerous pieces of evidence about the mechanisms of action of BoNT in the central nervous system, especially in the context of dystonia and spasticity. However, only a few studies focused on the possible central effects of BoNT in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We performed a systematic review to describe and discuss the evidence from studies focused on possible central effects of BoNT in PD animal models and PD patients. To this aim, a literature search in PubMed and SCOPUS was performed in May 2023. The records were screened according to title and abstract by two independent reviewers and relevant articles were selected for full-text review. Most of the papers highlighted by our review report that the intrastriatal administration of BoNT, through local anticholinergic action and the remodulation of striatal compensatory mechanisms secondary to dopaminergic denervation, induces an improvement in motor and non-motor symptoms in the absence of neuronal loss in animal models of PD. In human subjects, the data are scarce: a single neurophysiological study in tremulous PD patients found that the change in tremor severity after peripheral BoNT administration was associated with improved sensory–motor integration and intracortical inhibition measures. Further clinical, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging studies are necessary to clarify the possible central effects of BoNT in PD.
The Temporal Distribution of Cyclic Imines in Shellfish in the Bays of Fangar and Alfacs, Northwestern Mediterranean Region
Authors: Barreiro-Crespo Lourdes , Fernández-Tejedor Margarita , Diogène Jorge , Rambla-Alegre Maria
Published: December 2023

Spirolides (SPXs), gymnodimines (GYMs), and pinnatoxins (PnTXs) have been detected in shellfish from the northwestern Mediterranean coast of Spain. Several samples of bivalves were collected from Fangar Bay and Alfacs Bay in Catalonia over a period of over 7 years (from 2015 to 2021). Shellfish samples were analyzed for cyclic imines (CIs) on an LC1200 Agilent and 3200 QTrap triple–quadrupole mass spectrometer. In shellfish, SPX-1 was detected in two cases (of 26.5 µg/kg and 34 µg/kg), and GYM-A was only detected in trace levels in thirteen samples. Pinnatoxin G (PnTX-G) was detected in 44.6% of the samples, with its concentrations ranging from 2 µg/kg to 38.4 µg/kg. Statistical analyses revealed that seawater temperature influenced the presence or absence of these toxins. PnTX-G showed an extremely significant presence/temperature relationship in both bays in comparison to SPX-1 and GYM-A. The prevalence of these toxins in different bivalve mollusks was evaluated. A seasonal pattern was observed, in which the maximum concentrations were found in the winter months for SPX-1 and GYM-A but in the summer months for PnTX-G. The obtained results indicate that it is unlikely that CIs in the studied area pose a potential health risk through the consumption of a seafood diet. However, further toxicological information about CIs is necessary in order to perform a conclusive risk assessment.
Test and Treat Model for Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment among Household Contacts of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Selected Districts of Maharashtra: A Mixed-Methods Study on Care Cascade, Timeliness, and Early Implementation Challenges
Authors: Mahajan Palak , Soundappan Kathirvel , Singla Neeta , Mehta Kedar , Nuken Amenla , Thekkur Pruthu , Nair Divya , Rattan Sampan , Thakur Chaturanand , Sachdeva Kuldeep Singh , Kalottee Bharati
Published: December 2023

Tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) is an important intervention in preventing infection and reducing TB incidence among household contacts (HHCs). A mixed-methods study was conducted to assess the “Test and Treat” model of TPT care cascade among HHCs aged ≥5 years of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients (bacteriologically/clinically confirmed) being provided TPT care under Project Axshya Plus implemented in Maharashtra (India). A quantitative phase cohort study based on record review and qualitative interviews to understand the challenges and solutions in the TPT care cascade were used. Of the total 4181 index patients, 14,172 HHCs were screened, of whom 36 (0.3%) HHCs were diagnosed with tuberculosis. Among 14,133 eligible HHCs, 10,777 (76.3%) underwent an IGRA test. Of them, 2468 (22.9%) tested positive for IGRA and were suggested for chest X-ray. Of the eligible 2353 HHCs, 2159 (91.7%) were started on TPT, of whom 1958 (90.6%) completed the treatment. The median time between treatment initiation of index PTB patient and (a) HHC screening was 31 days; (b) TPT initiation was 64 days. The challenges in and suggested solutions for improving the TPT care cascade linked to subthemes were tuberculosis infection testing, chest X-ray, human resources, awareness and engagement, accessibility to healthcare facilities, TPT drugs, follow-up, and assessment. A systematic monitoring and time-based evaluation of TPT cascade care delivery followed by prompt corrective actions/interventions could be a crucial strategy for its effective implementation and for the prevention of tuberculosis.