bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Administration of Melatonin: Physiological and Clinical Considerations
Authors: Givler Donald , Givler Amy , Luther Patrick M. , Wenger Danielle M. , Ahmadzadeh Shahab , Shekoohi Sahar , Edinoff Amber N. , Dorius Bradley K. , Jean Baptiste Carlo , Cornett Elyse M. , Kaye Adam M. , Kaye Alan D.
Published: March 2023

Background: Exogenous melatonin is commonly used to treat insomnia, other sleep problems, and numerous medical illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, and mild cognitive impairment in adults and children. There is evolving information regarding issues with the use of chronic melatonin. Methods: The present investigation was a narrative review. Results: Melatonin usage has risen dramatically in recent years. Many countries only allow melatonin prescriptions. In the United States (U.S.), it is classified as a dietary supplement accessible over the counter and can be derived from animals, microorganisms, or, most commonly, made synthetically. No regulatory agency oversees its manufacturing or sale in the U.S. melatonin concentration of marketed preparations varies widely between product labels and manufacturers. Melatonin’s ability to induce sleep is detectable. However, it is modest for most people. Sleep length appears to be less important in sustained-release preparations. The optimal dosage is unknown, and routinely used amounts vary substantially. Melatonin’s short-term negative effects are minimal, resolve at medicine cessation, and do not usually prevent usage overall. Much research on long-term melatonin administration has found no difference between exogenous melatonin and placebo in terms of long-term negative effects. Conclusion: Melatonin at low to moderate dosages (approximately 5–6 mg daily or less) appears safe. Long-term usage appears to benefit certain patient populations, such as those with autism spectrum disorder. Studies investigating potential benefits in reducing cognitive decline and increased longevity are ongoing. However, it is widely agreed that the long-term effects of taking exogenous melatonin have been insufficiently studied and warrant additional investigation.
Triple Benefits of Cardanol as Chain Stopper, Flame Retardant and Reactive Diluent for Greener Alkyd Coating
Authors: Denis Maxinne , Totée Cédric , Le Borgne Damien , Sonnier Rodolphe , Caillol Sylvain , Negrell Claire
Published: March 2023

Cardanol, a waste from the food industry and widely produced (1 Mt/y), has been used as a chain stopper during the polycondensation of short oil alkyd resins in order to replace benzoic acid. Then, phosphorylated cardanol has been added in order to both reduce solvent content and bring flame-retardant (FR) properties to the alkyd resins. The renewable carbon content of the formulations has been increased up to 23%. The impact of the introduction of phosphorylated cardanol molecules on the drying time and flexibility has been studied as well as the thermal and flame-retardant properties by differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analysis and pyrolysis-combustion flow calorimeter. The most effective flame-retardant coating that was associated with excellent FR properties and excellent coating properties has been obtained with phosphate-cardanol added at 2%wt of P. Indeed, the film properties were closed to the classical alkyd resin, the solvent content was reduced by 50% and the pHRR decreased by 42% compared to the reference alkyd resin.
Prevalence and Characterization of Salmonella Isolated from Chickens in Anhui, China
Authors: Shen Xuehuai , Yin Lei , Zhang Anyun , Zhao Ruihong , Yin Dongdong , Wang Jieru , Dai Yin , Hou Hongyan , Pan Xiaocheng , Hu Xiaomiao , Zhang Danjun , Liu Yongjie
Published: March 2023

Salmonella is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens that can cause both acute and chronic illnesses in poultry flocks, and can also be transmitted to humans from infected poultry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and molecular characteristics of Salmonella isolated from diseased and clinically healthy chickens in Anhui, China. In total, 108 Salmonella isolates (5.66%) were successfully recovered from chicken samples (n = 1908), including pathological tissue (57/408, 13.97%) and cloacal swabs (51/1500, 3.40%), and S. Enteritidis (43.52%), S. Typhimurium (23.15%), and S. Pullorum (10.19%) were the three most prevalent isolates. Salmonella isolates showed high rates of resistance to penicillin (61.11%), tetracyclines (47.22% to tetracycline and 45.37% to doxycycline), and sulfonamides (48.89%), and all isolates were susceptible to imipenem and polymyxin B. In total, 43.52% isolates were multidrug-resistant and had complex antimicrobial resistance patterns. The majority of isolates harbored cat1 (77.78%), blaTEM (61.11%), and blaCMY-2 (63.89%) genes, and the antimicrobial resistance genes in the isolates were significantly positively correlated with their corresponding resistance phenotype. Salmonella isolates carry high rates of virulence genes, with some of these reaching 100% (invA, mgtC, and stn). Fifty-seven isolates (52.78%) were biofilm-producing. The 108 isolates were classified into 12 sequence types (STs), whereby ST11 (43.51%) was the most prevalent, followed by ST19 (20.37%) and ST92 (13.89%). In conclusion, Salmonella infection in chicken flocks is still serious in Anhui Province, and not only causes disease in chickens but might also pose a threat to public health security.
Drug Information Sources for Patients with Chronic Conditions in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alfadly Saeed , Anaam Mohammed , Alshammari Mohammed , Alsahali Saud , Ahmed Ejaz , Mubarak Abdulkareem Bin , Aldahouk Abdullah , Aljameeli Muhanna
Published: March 2023

Appropriate drug information is vital for the correct use of drugs in pharmaceutical practice. Providing patients with educational advice on prescribed medication and on proper medication administration has become an essential part of the pharmaceutical care process. The objectives of this study were to identify patients’ knowledge of prescribed medications, their desire for more information, and the sources of medication information in a population from Qassim, Saudi Arabia, using a cross-sectional descriptive study. Our target population consisted of adult patients with chronic illnesses receiving drugs at outpatient pharmacies. Nineteen pharmacies were selected based on convenience. After collecting their prescriptions, patients were asked to take part in the study by interviewers as they were leaving the pharmacies. The questionnaire used was pretested on 18 patients and then modified accordingly. questions investigated participants’ knowledge of drug information, their wish for more information, and their sources of drug information, other than clinicians. Descriptive analysis was used to describe patients’ physical details. The effect of sex, education, diagnosis, number of drugs, and age on knowledge of the purpose of drugs and the need for additional information were tested using Chi-square test. A total of 270 patients were interviewed, of whom 29.7% reported not knowing the purpose of at least one of their medications, and only reading a portion of the PILs. Of the patients sampled, 56.7% said they read the side effects section of the PIL, 43.3% reported reading the uses, while 27% read the contraindications. The drug -interactions section was the least read, with only 18.9% reporting reading it. A total of 57% of the patients reported that they needed more information about their medications. Highly educated patients reported using the PIL, social media, family and friends, TV, and newspapers as sources of drug information at significantly higher rates than patients with lower levels of education. Healthcare professionals should assess patient comprehension and the need for additional drug information, especially among patients with low levels of education. Additionally, healthcare professionals should consider other information sources used by their patients.
Potential Role of Spirogyra sp. and Chlorella sp. in Bioremediation of Mine Drainage: A Review
Authors: Almeida Ângelo , Cotas João , Pereira Leonel , Carvalho Paula
Published: March 2023

One of the biggest global challenges in the mining industry is managing the risks associated with contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) resulting from their activity. The oxidation of sulfides is the main cause of polluted mine drainage through the leaching of PTEs from mine waste and mine galleries to the water systems. Mine drainage can be highly acidic and often has a high concentration of PTEs, particularly arsenic, one of the environment’s most toxic elements. PTEs endanger the ecosystem’s equilibrium and raise worries about human and animal health. Some species of algae which can be naturally present in mine drainage waters, such as Spirogyra sp. And Chlorella sp., have a high capacity for absorbing PTEs from wastewater and may thrive in harsh environments. As a result, algal-based systems in bioremediation were studied and carefully analyzed, since their capacity to remove heavy metals and hazardous contaminants from polluted mine water have already been shown in previous studies. Biofuels derived from microalgal biomasses are a viable alternative to fossil fuels that can lead to a circular bioeconomy. This study reviews and analyses Chlorophyta-based bioremediation systems with application to mine waters focusing on Spirogyra sp. and Chlorella sp., since they are naturally present in mine drainage and can serve as a study model to better understand their application in bioremediation.
Additive Based on Synthetic Aluminosilicates for Dry Lime Construction Mixtures
Authors: Loganina Valentina Ivanovna , Zhegera Kristina Vladimirovna , Svetalkina Maria Anatolyevna
Published: March 2023

The possibility of increasing the durability of coatings based on lime dry construction mix by introducing an additive containing synthetic aluminosilicates is substantiated. The regularities of the structure formation of the lime composite in the presence of an additive containing synthetic aluminosilicates, which additionally consists of a formation of calcium–sodium hydrosilicates and minerals of the zeolite group, an increase in the amount of chemically bound lime by 8.74%, are revealed. X-ray diffraction analysis and thermodynamic calculations have established that the mineralogical composition of the crystalline phase of the additive based on synthetic aluminosilicates is represented by thenardite, gibbsite, and the minerals of the zeolite group. It is shown that the content of the amorphous phase is 77.5%. It was found that the additive based on synthetic aluminosilicates is characterized by high activity, which is more than 350 mg/g. It was also found that the introduction of an additive based on synthetic aluminosilicates into the formulation of a lime dry mixture accelerates the curing of coatings and increases the compressive strength after 28 days of air-dry hardening by 1.9 times.
New Genes Identified as Modulating Salt Tolerance in Maize Seedlings Using the Combination of Transcriptome Analysis and BSA
Authors: Zhu Yongxing , Ren Ying , Liu Ji’an , Liang Wenguang , Zhang Yuanyuan , Shen Fengyuan , Ling Jiang , Zhang Chunyi
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: Salt stress is an abiotic factor that limits maize yield and quality. A highly salt-tolerance inbred AS5 and a salt-sensitive inbred NX420 collected from Ningxia Province, China, were used to identify new genes for modulating salt resistance in maize. (2) Methods: To understand the different molecular bases of salt tolerance in AS5 and NX420, we performed BSA-seq using an F2 population for two extreme bulks derived from the cross between AS5 and NX420. Transcriptomic analysis was also conducted for AS5 and NX420 at the seedling stage after treatment with 150 mM of NaCl for 14 days. (3) Results: AS5 had a higher biomass and lower Na+ content than NX420 in the seedling stage after treatment with 150 mM NaCl for 14 days. One hundred and six candidate regions for salt tolerance were mapped on all of the chromosomes through BSA-seq using F2 in an extreme population. Based on the polymorphisms identified between both parents, we detected 77 genes. A large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the seedling stage under salt stress between these two inbred lines were detected using transcriptome sequencing. GO analysis indicated that 925 and 686 genes were significantly enriched in the integral component of the membrane of AS5 and NX420, respectively. Among these results, two and four DEGs were identified as overlapping in these two inbred lines using BSA-seq and transcriptomic analysis, respectively. Two genes (Zm00001d053925 and Zm00001d037181) were detected in both AS5 and NX420; the transcription level of Zm00001d053925 was induced to be significantly higher in AS5 than in NX420 (41.99 times versus 6.06 times after 150 mM of NaCl treatment for 48 h), while the expression of Zm00001d037181 showed no significant difference upon salt treatment in both lines. The functional annotation of the new candidate genes showed that it was an unknown function protein. (4) Conclusions: Zm00001d053925 is a new functional gene responding to salt stress in the seedling stage, which provides an important genetic resource for salt-tolerant maize breeding.
Research on Temperature-Switched Dopamine Electrochemical Sensor Based on Thermosensitive Polymers and MWCNTs
Authors: Wang Haixiu , Feng Zufei , Lin Fupeng , Zhao Yan , Hu Yangfan , Yang Qian , Zou Yiming , Zhao Yingjuan , Yang Rong
Published: March 2023

A temperature-controlled electrochemical sensor was constructed based on a composite membrane composed of temperature-sensitive polymer poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH). The sensor has good temperature sensitivity and reversibility in detecting Dopamine (DA). At low temperatures, the polymer is stretched to bury the electrically active sites of carbon nanocomposites. Dopamine cannot exchange electrons through the polymer, representing an “OFF” state. On the contrary, in a high-temperature environment, the polymer shrinks to expose electrically active sites and increases the background current. Dopamine can normally carry out redox reactions and generate response currents, indicating the “ON” state. In addition, the sensor has a wide detection range (from 0.5 μM to 150 μM) and low LOD (193 nM). This switch-type sensor provides new avenues for the application of thermosensitive polymers.
Energy-Consumption-Based Life Cycle Assessment of Additive-Manufactured Product with Different Types of Materials
Authors: Ulkir Osman
Published: March 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing technology is one of the preferred methods to ensure sustainability in fabrication. In addition to providing continuity in sustainability, fabrication, and diversity, it aims to improve people’s quality of life, develop the economy, and protect the environment and resources for future generations. In this study, the life cycle assessment (LCA) method was used to determine whether a product fabricated by the AM provides tangible benefits compared to traditional fabrication methodologies. LCA is an evaluation method that provides information on resource efficiency and waste generation, where the environmental impacts of a process can be calculated, measured, and reported throughout the entire life cycle, starting from the acquisition of raw materials, processing, fabrication, use, end of life, and disposal, according to ISO 14040/44 standards. This study examines the environmental impacts of the three most preferred filaments and resin materials in the AM for a 3D-printed product from the start, which consists of three stages. These stages are raw material extraction, manufacturing, and recycling. Filament material types are Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG), and Ultraviolet (UV) Resin. The fabrication process was carried out with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) techniques using a 3D printer. Environmental impacts for all identified steps were estimated over the life cycle using the energy consumption model. As a result of the LCA, it was seen that UV Resin was the most environmentally friendly material in the mid-point and end-point indicators. It has been determined that the ABS material also exhibits bad results on many indicators and is the least environmentally friendly. The results support those working with AM in comparing different materials’ environmental impacts and choosing an environmentally friendly material.
Study of the Thermal Radiation Hazard from a Combustible Gas Fireball Resulting from a High-Pressure Gas Pipeline Accident
Authors: Zhou Xing , Hao Yongmei , Yang Jian , Xing Zhixiang , Xue Han , Huang Yong
Published: March 2023

With the rapid development of high-pressure combustible gas pipelines, it brings convenience and also buries potential safety hazards. This paper presents an in-depth exploration of the thermal radiation hazards of fireball accidents caused by leakage and provides a reference for the prevention and control of this type of accident and on-site rescue. Based on the basic principle of fluid mechanics and the calculation model of the leakage rate, a three-dimensional pipeline model was constructed by FDS software to simulate the fireballs with different positions of low, middle and high. The simulation shows that the ground temperature field of the low and middle fireballs is quite different from that of the high fireball, and the temperature level is: low position > middle position > high position. On this basis, the observation elevation angle is introduced to improve the classical fireball thermal radiation model formula, the model calculation value is compared with the numerical simulation value and the optimal threshold is determined by combining the thermal radiation flux criterion. The results show that the numerical simulation is basically consistent with the calculation results of the improved model. The smaller the observation elevation angle, the closer the target receives the thermal radiation flux to the optimal threshold and the calculated hazard range is more reliable.
Tropical Red Fruit Blends: The Effect of Combination of Additives on Foaming, Drying and Thermodynamic Properties
Authors: Paiva Yaroslávia Ferreira , Figueirêdo Rossana Maria Feitosa de , Queiroz Alexandre José de Melo , Ferreira João Paulo de Lima , Santos Francislaine Suelia dos , Reis Carolaine Gomes dos , Amadeu Lumara Tatiely Santos , Lima Antônio Gilson Barbosa de , Gomes Josivanda Palmeira , Silva Wilton Pereira da , Maracajá Patricio Borges , Costa Caciana Cavalcanti
Published: March 2023

Blends combine advantageous characteristics of each species, resulting in products with different flavors and nutritional substances. Moreover, transforming them into powder provides numerous advantages. This work evaluated the properties of three blended foam formulations made from the pulps of tropical red fruits (acerola, guava and pitanga) to determine the foam layer drying kinetics and thermodynamic properties. The foam formulations were prepared by mixing the three pulps in equal proportions (1:1:1), all added with 6% albumin and 1% stabilizing agent. The foams were analyzed for density, volumetric expansion, stability and porosity in six mixing times. Subsequently, they were subjected to drying in an oven with forced air circulation at 4 temperatures, with a layer 0.5 cm thick. Seven mathematical models were fitted to the drying kinetics experimental data to determine the effective diffusivity and thermodynamic properties of the samples. The best mixing times were 5 min for the E2 sample and 30 min for the others. Formulation E2 presented the best results in the foam physical properties, and E3 presented the shortest drying times. All models tested were satisfactorily adjusted, but Page’s model was the most adequate to describe the process. Sample E3 showed the highest diffusivity and sample E2 the lowest activation energy. The drying temperature increase caused reductions in enthalpy and entropy, as well as an increase in Gibbs free energy, indicating an endergonic process. The combination of additives incorporated into the blend influences the drying process: formulation E2 shows greater efficiency in removing water, and formulation E1 presents the highest energy demand.
Study on the Deformation Mechanisms of the Surrounding Rock and Its Supporting Technology for Large Section Whole Coal Cavern Groups
Authors: Chen Linlin , Wang Zhiliu , Wang Wen , Zhang Junxiang
Published: March 2023

The control difficulty of whole coal cavern groups is greatly increased due to the characteristics of soft rock with low strength, large sections, and the mutual influence of crossed cavern groups. The large section gas storage cavern group is taken as the research background. In this paper, the equivalent circle method is used to solve the loose circle of a rectangular roadway, and numerical calculation is used to obtain the deformation and stress distribution laws of the surrounding rock under the excavation conditions of large section whole coal cavern groups (WCCG). The deformation and failure mechanisms of the surrounding rock are revealed under the linkage impact between large section whole coal cavern groups. The stratified reinforcement ring concept of “long cable-bolt-grouting” (LBG) was proposed for the stability control of surrounding rock in the WCCG. On the roof of whole coal cavern groups, the supporting configuration of a high-strength bolt with a high pre-tightening force and the high-strength anchor with a high pre-tightening force were determined. On the two sides and floor of the WCCG, the grouting scheme was determined. These two supporting configurations in both the roof and sidewalls were applied to the large section gas storage cavern group. The results show that the surrounding rock presents asymmetric deformation and failure characteristics due to the large excavation area and complex structure. Tensile failure and mixed tensile-shear failure mainly occur in the shallow part of the surrounding rock, while shear failure mainly occurs in the deep part of the surrounding rock. The roof displacement curves show a symmetric distribution and saddle distribution in the low- and high-negative pressure caverns, respectively. The maximum displacements are on the left and right sides of the cavern roof. The range of the loose rings is 3.34 m and 2.54 m, respectively, on the roof and the two ribs. The stratified reinforcement ring support technology of LBG can effectively reduce the failure depth of surrounding rock, and the surrounding rock is in a stable state. The study can provide a theoretical basis for the layout of large section cavern groups and the stability control of surrounding rock.
Data-Driven Urban Gas Pipeline Integrity Detection and Evaluation Technology System
Authors: Lv Haizhou , Xiang Lingjie , Wang Tao , Li Yuxing , Zhou Kai , Xu Xiaofeng , Wang Wuchang , Wu Yun
Published: March 2023

At present, PE pipelines are widely used in urban gas pipeline networks. As pipeline safety is of great importance to the gas supply, this paper focuses on the safety and reliability of PE pipes during service. First of all, this paper analyzes the aging factors of PE materials and the failure forms and mechanisms of PE pipes. Second, the performance testing methods of PE pipelines are summarized, including pipeline pressure tests, pipeline condition inspections, welded joint inspections, mechanical performance tests, and physical performance tests. In addition, life prediction methods for PE pipelines are introduced and analyzed. The methods and applicability of tensile experiments and DSC experiments based on thermal oxygen aging are both analyzed, and the corresponding experiments are also carried out. On the basis of the above research, the technical system of the integrity detection and evaluation of urban gas pipelines is finally established. The system includes the integrity detection method of urban gas pipelines and the applicability evaluation and determination of retest cycles, which can provide a reference for the safe operation of urban gas pipeline networks.
On the Threshold of Mystery: Tomáš Halík on Cultural Witness in an Age of Uncertainty and Change
Authors: McGrath Alister E.
Published: March 2023

Tomáš Halík (born 1 June 1948) has established himself as one of the most thoughtful commentators on public cultural witness in a time of change and uncertainty, especially in central Europe. As an academic at Charles University (founded 1348) and a Catholic priest in the “Academic Parish of Prague”, Halík played an important role during and following the collapse of Marxism in Czechoslovakia in the “Velvet Revolution” of November—December 1989, even being mentioned as a possible successor to Czech President Václav Havel, while at the same time offering reflections on religious engagement with a complex and changing secular culture. This article engages some leading themes of Halík’s approach to cultural witness, focusing especially on cultural quests for false certainties, the need for churches to create liminal spaces enabling seekers to grasp what lies at the heart of the Christian faith, the dangers of romanticizing a lost past of faith which encourages disengagement with the present, and the need to understand faith in terms of a constant movement of thought rather than a fixed system of ideas. The article considers how these ideas can find wider application in engaging the challenges of cultural witness, particularly in a European context, and what can be learned from them.
Eddies in the Arctic Ocean Revealed from MODIS Optical Imagery
Authors: Morozov Evgeny A. , Kozlov Igor E.
Published: March 2023

Here we investigate properties of ocean eddies in the key Arctic region of the northern Greenland Sea and the Fram Strait using visible and infrared Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua data acquired from April to September in 2007 and 2018–2020. We infer eddy properties using visual identification and automated processing of their signatures in sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a (chl-a) maps, and their gradients. Altogether, 450 (721) eddies were identified in SST (chl-a) data. Their radii span from 2 to 40 km (mean value 12 km). Most eddies are elliptical with a mean aspect ratio (eccentricity) of their axes equal 0.77 (0.64). Cyclones are smaller than anticyclones and prevail in both data sources. Cyclones tend to be more prevalent over shallow shelves, and anticyclones over deep water regions. Peak eddy activity is registered in June, while chl-a data also possess a second peak in April. In SST, the highest eddy probability is found along the East Greenland Current in the Nordbukta region at 76–78°N and along the West Spitsbergen Current at 78–80°N. In chl-a, most of them are observed in the central Fram Strait. The overall number of eddies with a positive chl-a anomaly, dominated by cyclones, is larger (62%) than that with a negative one (~38%). The number of eddies with positive and negative SST anomalies is nearly equal. Eddy translation velocities are 0.9–9.6 km/day (mean value 4.2 km/day). Despite frequent cloud and ice cover, MODIS data is a rich source of information on eddy generation hot-spots, their spatial properties, dynamics and associated SST and chl-a anomalies in the Arctic Ocean.
A Method to Construct an Environmental Vulnerability Model Based on Multi-Source Data to Evaluate the Hazard of Short-Term Precipitation-Induced Flooding
Authors: Zhu Hong , Yao Jiaqi , Meng Jian , Cui Chengling , Wang Mengyao , Yang Runlu
Published: March 2023

Flood hazards resulting from short-term severe precipitation have caused serious social and economic losses and have posed extraordinary threats to the safety of lives and property. Vulnerability, which reflects the degree of the adverse impact of flooding on a city, the sensitivity of the environment, and the extent to which rescues are possible during flooding, is one of the significant factors of the disaster risk assessment. Because of this, this paper proposes an Environmental Vulnerability Analysis Model (EVAM), based on comprehensively evaluating multi-source remote sensing data. The EVAM includes a two-stage, short-term flood vulnerability assessment. In the first stage, the flood’s areal extension and land-use classification are extracted, based on the U-NET++ network, using multi-source satellite remote sensing images. The results from the first stage are used in the second stage of vulnerability assessment. In the second stage, combining multi-source data with associated feature extraction results establishes the Exposure–Sensitivity–Adaptive capacity framework. The short-term flood vulnerability index is leveraged through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy method is calculated for an environmental vulnerability evaluation. This novel proposed framework for short-term flood vulnerability evaluation is demonstrated for the Henan Province. The experimental results show that the proportion of vulnerable cities in the Henan Province ranging from high to low is 22.22%, 22.22%, 38.89%, and 16.67%, respectively. The relevant conclusions can provide a scientific basis for regional flood control and risk management as well as corresponding data support for post-disaster reconstruction in disaster regions.
The Role of Selective Flavonoids on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: An Update
Authors: Chinnikrishnan Pooja , Aziz Ibrahim Ibrahim Abdel , Alzahrani Abdullah R. , Shahzad Naiyer , Sivaprakasam Prathibha , Pandurangan Ashok Kumar
Published: March 2023

Among the many types of breast cancer (BC), Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is the most alarming. It lacks receptors for the three main biomarkers: estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor, hence the name TNBC. This makes its treatment a challenge. Surgical procedures and chemotherapy, performed either alone or in combination, seem to be the primary therapeutic possibilities; however, they are accompanied by severe complications. Currently, the formulation of drugs using natural products has been playing an important role in the pharmaceutical industries, owing to the drugs’ increased efficacies and significantly lessened side effects. Hence, treating TNBC with chemotherapeutic drugs developed using natural products such as flavonoids in the near future is much warranted. Flavonoids are metabolic compounds largely present in all plants, vegetables, and fruits, such as blueberries, onions, (which are widely used to make red wine,) chocolates, etc. Flavonoids are known to have enormous health benefits, such as anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic properties. They are known to arrest the cell cycle of the tumor cells and induces apoptosis by modulating Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase activity. They show a considerable effect on cell proliferation and viability and angiogenesis. Various studies were performed at both the biochemical and molecular levels. The importance of flavonoids in cancer treatment and its methods of extraction and purification to date have been reported as individual publications. However, this review article explains the potentiality of flavonoids against TNBC in the preclinical levels and also emphasizes their molecular mechanism of action, along with a brief introduction to its methods of extraction, isolation, and purification in general, emphasizing the fact that its quantum of yield if enhanced and its possible synergistic effects with existing chemotherapeutics may pave the way for better anticancer agents of natural origin and significantly lessened side-effects.
Benchmarking Sustainable Mobility in Higher Education
Authors: Cappelletti Giulio Mario , Grilli Luca , Russo Carlo , Santoro Domenico
Published: March 2023

Sustainable mobility is an increasingly significant issue that both public and private organizations consider in order to reduce emissions by their members. In this paper, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach was used to evaluate sustainable mobility. Data coming from a study carried out at the University of Foggia were processed by Gabi LCA software to estimate the environmental performance of the community members according to the methodology of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) guidelines 3.0. Results of the LCA were organized in different classes, creating an eco-indicator of sustainable mobility that can be applied to both the institution and individual members (called the Sustainable Mobility Indicator, SMI). The SMI, computed to assess the environmental impact of the University of Foggia, was also used to evaluate the best mobility scenario, which can be considered a benchmark. The creation of the performance classes and benchmark analysis represents an easier way to communicate sustainability based on the recommendations for achieving the sustainable development goals from the 2030 Agenda adopted by all United Nations Member States. Indeed, any organization can carry out this approach to assess its environmental impact (in terms of mobility) and shape transport policies accordingly, leading to the adoption of sustainable solutions.
Predicting Sustainable Entrepreneurial Intentions among Romanian Students: A Mediated and Moderated Application of the Entrepreneurial Event Model
Authors: Nițu-Antonie Renata Dana , Feder Emőke-Szidónia , Nițu-Antonie Vladimir , György Róbert-Károly
Published: March 2023

This research aims to delimit the potential influencing factors of sustainable entrepreneurial intentions (SEI) based on the entrepreneurial event model. The proposed model was tested and validated on primary data in the instance of Romanian students. The structural equation model and PROCESS macro-based quantitative empirical findings confirmed multiple hypotheses and proved the direct predictor role of perceived sustainable entrepreneurial desire (PSED) and feasibility (PSEF) upon sustainable entrepreneurial intentions (SEI), as well as environmental values (EV) as influencing elements of both PSED and PSEF concerning sustainable entrepreneurship. Moreover, PSEF appeared as a mediating factor in the relationship between EV and SEI while entrepreneurial role models (ERM) as a moderator of this relationship. The results of the study reinforce the importance of the entrepreneurial event model in investigating the determinants of sustainable entrepreneurial intentions and provide new investigative insights for academic research. Moreover, the carried out empirical research highlights that government policies and activities carried out within higher education institutions must be called upon to promote at the community level the benefits of achieving Romania’s sustainable development goals, in order to advance environmental values and thus increase the sustainability awareness of extant and potential entrepreneurs, as well as to facilitate the exposure of young people to successful entrepreneurial models with stimulating effects on their sustainable entrepreneurial intentions.
Feasibility of Using Recycled Construction and Demolition Materials for Deep Soil Mixing
Authors: Barisoglu Ecem Nur , Meeusen Jannes , Snoeck Diederik , Verástegui-Flores Ramiro Daniel , Di Emidio Gemmina
Published: March 2023

Reusing construction and demolition wastes for geotechnical and geo-environmental purposes has already become a research hotspot. This study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of using recycled construction and demolition wastes in a partial substitution of cement to enhance the mechanical properties of soft soil. The strength and stiffness development of two types of recycled material (RM1 and RM2), incorporated with peat and clayey soil under 7, 14, and 28 days’ curing time, was investigated based on unconfined compressive strength and free–free resonance frequency test methods. The findings demonstrated that clayey soil showed an average of 2.5 times higher strength than peat with the addition of recycled materials, regardless of the type. However, after 14 days of curing, the strength remained constant for peat soil. Moreover, it is concluded that the studied granular recycled materials could be used to replace a part of the cement content to improve the strength and stiffness properties.
The Relationships between Participation Motivation and Continuous Participation Intention: Mediating Effect of Sports Commitment among University Futsal Club Participants
Authors: Choi Heung-Hee
Published: March 2023

Sports activities through university clubs are very important because university students need to have functional and emotional literacy through physical education classes. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to empirically verify the effect of participation motivation of university futsal club participants on sports commitment and continuous participation intention. To this end, 250 male college students who participated in a futsal club living in Seoul were used as a sample group, and a survey was conducted for about two weeks from 3 March to 18 March 2022. Of the 235 respondents, a final 221 were used for data analysis. The statistical processing of the data collected for this study was analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 program and the AMOS 26.0 program. The main results are as follows. First, participation motivation factors such as pleasure, technical development, and outward display significantly positively affected sports commitment. Second, sports commitment of university students significantly positively affected continuous participation intention. Third, among the participation motivation factors, technological development and condition factors directly and positively affected continuous participation intention, but pleasure and outward display factors did not directly affect continuous participation intention. The mediating effect of sports commitment was confirmed in the relationship between pleasure, technical development, and outward display, which are subfactors of participation motivation and continuous participation intention. As it was revealed that participation motivation and commitment to sports are important factors in the intention to continue to participate in sports, a physical education class program to increase such participation motivation and commitment is needed.
Environmental Sustainability of Bricks in an Emerging Economy: Current Environmental Hotspots and Mitigation Potentials for the Future
Authors: Islam Kamrul , Motoshita Masaharu , Murakami Shinsuke
Published: March 2023

Clay-fired bricks are widely used in emerging economies mainly because of the unavailability of higher-grade construction and building materials; however, they are associated with significant social and environmental damage. The environmental burdens associated with the fuels and materials required for brick production are huge, as they have both direct and indirect effects along supply chains. This study aimed to assess the environmental footprints of brick production along supply chains, focusing on relevant environmental issues in brick production: carbon dioxide emissions, water consumption, and land use. We demonstrate that fuelwood consumption constitutes a major share of the carbon and water footprints, whereas built-up land for brick drying dominates the major effect of land use. Our expansion of the ecological footprint method enables a comparison of the effects of three different environmental issues with the same land area dimension, which reveals the relative severity of carbon dioxide emissions that account for up to 20% of the national CO2 inventory. For the potential reduction in the environmental footprint of brick production, scenario analysis showed a substantial reduction by replacing clay-fired bricks with concrete bricks. The shift to alternative materials, together with mitigation measures for brick production, can effectively alleviate the environmental pressures of construction materials in future emerging economies.
Development of the Extremely Poor Students Selection Process for Receiving the Teacher Production Project Scholarship for Protected Schools in Thailand
Authors: Hemtasin Chulida , Payoungkiattikun Wisarut , Pimsak Anucha , Hongsa Narueta
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to develop a systematic process for selecting scholarship recipients to participate in the Krurakthin project at Kalasin University. To gather insights into the selection process, stakeholders from five distinct groups, including the director of the educational service area, the director of the destination school, community leaders, lecturers, and scholarship recipients, were interviewed. This study represents the preliminary stage of analysis and process development. The research instruments consisted of (1) an opinion interview form on the scholarship recipient selection process and (2) a form for evaluating the appropriateness of the selection procedure for scholarship recipients. The data were analyzed statistically by comparing the means and standard deviations. The research findings prompted the development of a procedure for selecting scholarship recipients. Regarding the appropriateness of the scholarship recipient selection process, it was found that the appropriateness of the advertisement process was scored at 4.55 ± 0.50 points, which was at the highest level. The appropriateness of the finding process was scored at 4.73 ± 0.45 points, which was at the highest level. The appropriateness of the screening process was scored at 4.58 ± 0.50 points, which was at the highest level. Additionally, the appropriateness of the selection process was 4.54 ± 0.64 points, which was at the highest level. Each process had a total appropriateness score of 4.61 + 0.32 points, which is considered to be at the highest level. These results led to the production of a manual for choosing scholarship candidates to enroll in the Krurakthin project at Kalasin University and to prepare for the field test of the selection process of 4th-year Krurakthin students.
Digital Tools for Water Resource Management as a Part of a Green Economy in Rural Areas
Authors: Józefowicz Iwona , Michniewicz-Ankiersztajn Hanna
Published: March 2023

In the face of constantly progressing climate and environmental changes that lead to hydrological droughts and, in consequence, to permanent water deficiency, the administration and management of water resources have become priority elements of local policy in rural areas. New water management methods are based on numerous digital tools and solutions. They allow, for instance, the optimising of water consumption, or the accelerating and increasing in the effectiveness of communication with local communities. This governance model fits into the green economy. This paper presents digital tools and ways of using them for water management in rural communities. We assumed that a higher degree of the socio-economic development in rural communities affects the use of high technology in the local governance. According to surveys, suburban communities featuring a higher level of urbanisation more often invest in ‘smart’ technologies, reflected by a more rational management of water resources.
User-Centered Software Design: User Interface Redesign for Blockly–Electron, Artificial Intelligence Educational Software for Primary and Secondary Schools
Authors: Cen Chenghong , Luo Guang , Li Lujia , Liang Yilin , Li Kang , Jiang Tan , Xiong Qiang
Published: March 2023

According to the 2021 and 2022 Horizon Report, AI is emerging in all areas of education, in various forms of educational aids with various applications, and is carving out a similarly ubiquitous presence across campuses and classrooms. This study explores a user-centered approach used in the design of the AI educational software by taking the redesign of the user interface of AI educational software Blockly–Electron as an example. Moreover, by analyzing the relationship between the four variables of software usability, the abstract usability is further certified so as to provide ideas for future improvements to the usability of AI educational software. User-centered design methods and attribution analysis are the main research methods used in this study. The user-centered approach was structured around four phases. Overall, seventy-three middle school students and five teachers participated in the study. The USE scale will be used to measure the usability of Blockly–Electron. Five design deliverables and an attribution model were created and discovered in the linear relationship between Ease of Learning, Ease of Use, Usefulness and Satisfaction, and Ease of use as a mediator variable, which is significantly different from the results of previous regression analysis for the USE scale. This study provides a structural user-centered design methodology with quantitative research. The deliverables and the attribution model can be used in the AI educational software design. Furthermore, this study found that usefulness and ease of learning significantly affect the ease of use, and ease of use significantly affects satisfaction. Based on this, the usability will be further concretized to facilitate the production of software with greater usability.
Evaluation of a 0.7 kW Suspension-Type Dehumidifier Module in a Closed Chamber and in a Small Greenhouse
Authors: Islam Md Nafiul , Iqbal Md Zafar , Ali Mohammod , Gulandaz Md Ashrafuzzaman , Kabir Md Shaha Nur , Jang Seung-Ho , Chung Sun-Ok
Published: March 2023

Controlling humidity inside greenhouses is crucial for optimum plant growth and controlling physiological disorders and diseases. The humidity response and uniformity depend extensively on the evaluation of the dehumidifier. The objective of this research was to evaluate a low-powered suspension-type dehumidifier module in terms of humidity changes and spatial and vertical variability in a closed chamber and in a small greenhouse. A wireless sensor network including 27 sensor nodes was used to collect the data during the humidity changes from 80% to 70% and 90% to 70%. The humidity response results showed that the times required for dehumidification from 80% to 70% and 90% to 70% were 13.75 and 21.51 min, respectively, for the closed-chamber operation. Similarly, for the small greenhouse, 18 and 35 min were required to reduce the humidity levels from 80% to 70% and 90% to 70%, respectively. The spatial and variability results indicated that the changes in humidity at the rear and bottom layers were slower than those in the other layers of both experimental areas. The findings of this study would aid in the development of dehumidification strategies and sustainable agriculture for monitoring and controlling humidity in greenhouses using low-powered dehumidifiers.
Copper Phytoextraction Using Phyllostachys pubescens
Authors: Ranieri Ezio , D’Onghia Gianfranco , Ranieri Francesca , Melian Herrera Jose Alberto , Lopopolo Luigi , Spagnolo Vincenzo Luigi , Ranieri Ada Cristina
Published: March 2023

The Phyllostachys pubescens macrophyte, known also as Moso Bamboo, was evaluated in laboratory conditions for its potential to renovate copper-polluted soil. Pot experiments were conducted to determine Phyllostachys pubescens’ growth, tolerance and phytoextraction potential capacity to restore copper-contaminated soil in Mediterranean conditions. Data collected evidenced that the Phyllostachys pubescens evolution rate was 0.47 cm/day on average, with a 1.644 mm/d irrigation flow. Moso Bamboo tolerance was tested over a twelve-week irrigation period, while adding copper-polluted water. Copper removal from soil was 51.4% and the quantity of copper per gram of root/rhizome was equal to 1.18 mg Cu/g, while the amount of copper per gram of stem/leaves was 0.50 mg Cu/g, after 12 weeks. The conducted laboratory experiments show that environmental restoration using the phytoextraction technique, and using Phyllostachys pubescens, should be considered for the restoration of copper-contaminated soils.