bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Year Behavioral Observations of Quasi-2-Day Wave Activity in High-Latitude Mohe (52.5°N, 122.3°E) and Middle-Latitude Wuhan (30.5°N, 114.6°E) Using Meteor Radars
Authors: Tang Liang , Gu Sheng-Yang , Sun Ruidi , Dou Xiankang
Published: January 2024

The behavior of multi-year quasi-2-day wave (Q2DW) activity in the high and middle latitudes in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere regions during 2013–2022 is revealed, for the first time, using two meteor radars along the 120°E longitude, which are located at Mohe (52.5°N, 122.3°E) and Wuhan (30.5°N, 114.6°E). We first describe the interannual monthly mean characteristics of the Mohe and Wuhan winds. We then determine the extraction of the Q2DWs via a least-squares method and calculate the occurrence dates, amplitudes, periods, and phases of the zonal and meridional Q2DWs. We find that the summer zonal wind speed of Mohe reached ~35 m/s at ~94 km in 2022, and the meridional wind speed reached ~−20 m/s at ~88 km in 2017. Similarly, the zonal and meridional wind speeds in Wuhan reached ~48 m/s and ~−30 m/s at ~94 km and ~90 km, respectively, in the summer of 2020. Statistical analysis shows that, in Mohe and Wuhan, the highest frequency of Q2DWs is observed between days 200 and 220. The Q2DW is mainly associated with the background mean wind and is consistent with a selective filtering mechanism. We believe that the correlation between wind shear and Q2DW amplitude is higher in summer because wind shear reaches its maximum when Q2DW starts to amplify. The wave period of the Mohe zonal Q2DW is longer than that of the Wuhan zonal Q2DW, while that of the meridional Q2DW is shorter. In addition, the zonal and meridional Q2DW amplitudes are weaker in Mohe than in Wuhan. The vertical wavelength of the Q2DW in Wuhan is shorter than that in Mohe. Solar activity F10.7 does not appear to be strongly correlated with Q2DW behavior in Mohe and Wuhan.
A Parameter-Free Pixel Correlation-Based Attention Module for Remote Sensing Object Detection
Authors: Guan Xin , Dong Yifan , Tan Weixian , Su Yun , Huang Pingping
Published: January 2024

Remote sensing image object detection is a challenging task in the field of computer vision due to the complex backgrounds and diverse arrangements of targets in remote sensing images, forming intricate scenes. To overcome this challenge, existing object detection models adopt rotated target detection methods. However, these methods often lead to a loss of semantic information during feature extraction, specifically regarding the insufficient consideration of element correlations. To solve this problem, this research introduces a novel attention module (EuPea) designed to effectively capture inter-elemental information in feature maps and generate more powerful feature maps for use in neural networks. In the EuPea attention mechanism, we integrate distance information and Pearson correlation coefficient information between elements in the feature map. Experimental results show that using either type of information individually can improve network performance, but their combination has a stronger effect, producing an attention-weighted feature map. This improvement effectively enhances the object detection performance of the model, enabling it to better comprehend information in remote sensing images. Concurrently, this also improves missed detections and false alarms in object detection. Experimental results obtained on the DOTA, NWPU VHR-10, and DIOR datasets indicate that, compared with baseline RCNN models, our approach achieves respective improvements of 1.0%, 2.4%, and 1.8% in mean average precision (mAP).
A Novel Non-Stationary Clutter Suppression Approach for Space-Based Early Warning Radar Using an Interpulse Multi-Frequency Mode
Authors: Qiao Ning , Zhang Shuangxi , Zhang Shuo , Du Qinglei , Wang Yongliang
Published: January 2024

The non-stationary clutter of space-based early warning radar (SBEWR) is more serious than that of airborne early warning radar. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to the Earth’s rotation and range ambiguity. The increase in clutter degrees of freedom (DOFs) and the significant widening of the clutter suppression notch are not conducive to moving target detection near main lobe clutter. This paper proposes an effective approach to suppress non-stationary clutter based on an interpulse multi-frequency mode for SBEWR. Using the orthogonality of the uniform stepping frequency signal, partial range ambiguity can be effectively suppressed, and the clutter DOFs will be reduced. Subsequently, joint pitch-azimuth-Doppler three-dimensional spacetime adaptive processing and slant range preprocessing are used to perform clutter suppression. This combination not only curtails the estimation error associated with the clutter covariance matrix but also enhances the overall detection capabilities of the system. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Mobile Crowdsensing in Ecological Momentary Assessment mHealth Studies: A Systematic Review and Analysis
Authors: Kraft Robin , Reichert Manfred , Pryss Rüdiger
Published: January 2024

As mobile devices have become a central part of our daily lives, they are also becoming increasingly important in research. In the medical context, for example, smartphones are used to collect ecologically valid and longitudinal data using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), which is mostly implemented through questionnaires delivered via smart notifications. This type of data collection is intended to capture a patient’s condition on a moment-to-moment and longer-term basis. To collect more objective and contextual data and to understand patients even better, researchers can not only use patients’ input via EMA, but also use sensors as part of the Mobile Crowdsensing (MCS) approach. In this paper, we examine how researchers have embraced the topic of MCS in the context of EMA through a systematic literature review. This PRISMA-guided review is based on the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost. It is shown through the results that both EMA research in general and the use of sensors in EMA research are steadily increasing. In addition, most of the studies reviewed used mobile apps to deliver EMA to participants, used a fixed-time prompting strategy, and used signal-contingent or interval-contingent self-assessment as sampling/assessment strategies. The most commonly used sensors in EMA studies are the accelerometer and GPS. In most studies, these sensors are used for simple data collection, but sensor data are also commonly used to verify study participant responses and, less commonly, to trigger EMA prompts. Security and privacy aspects are addressed in only a subset of mHealth EMA publications. Moreover, we found that EMA adherence was negatively correlated with the total number of prompts and was higher in studies using a microinteraction-based EMA (μEMA) approach as well as in studies utilizing sensors. Overall, we envision that the potential of the technological capabilities of smartphones and sensors could be better exploited in future, more automated approaches.
Modbus Extension Server Implementation for BIoT-Enabled Smart Switch Embedded System Device
Authors: Găitan Vasile Gheorghiță , Zagan Ionel
Published: January 2024

The industrial control and automation sector has invested in the development and standardization of new wireless (WirelessHART, ISA 100.11a, and WIA-PA) and wired (Profibus/Profinet, Modbus, and LonWORK) solutions aimed at automating processes to support standard monitoring and control functions from the perspective of addressing critical applications, as well as those integrated within the Building Internet of Things (BIoT) concept. Distributed data acquisition and control systems allow modern installations to monitor and control devices remotely. Various network protocols have been proposed to specify communication formats between a client/gateway and server devices, with Modbus being an example that has been widely implemented in the latest industrial electrical installations. The main contribution made in this paper concerns the completion of the Modbus Extension (ModbusE) specifications for the server station in the classical Modbus communication architecture, as well as their implementation and testing in an STM32F4 kit. A general-purpose control architecture is proposed for BIoT sector, comprising both intelligent touch switches and communication protocols of which the Modbus protocol is used extensively for the monitoring and control part, especially between clients, smart switches, and devices. The specific contributions concern the presentation of a scientific and practical implementation of improved specifications and their integration as software modules on ModbusE protocol server stations. A client station with a VirtualComm USB PC connection is also implemented in the lab to test the operation of the proposed server with specific Modbus applications.
Environmental-Driven Approach towards Level 5 Self-Driving
Authors: Hurair Mohammad , Ju Jaeil , Han Junghee
Published: January 2024

As technology advances in almost all areas of life, many companies and researchers are working to develop fully autonomous vehicles. Such level 5 autonomous driving, unlike levels 0 to 4, is a driverless vehicle stage and so the leap from level 4 to level 5 autonomous driving requires much more research and experimentation. For autonomous vehicles to safely drive in complex environments, autonomous cars should ensure end-to-end delay deadlines of sensor systems and car-controlling algorithms including machine learning modules, which are known to be very computationally intensive. To address this issue, we propose a new framework, i.e., an environment-driven approach for autonomous cars. Specifically, we identify environmental factors that we cannot control at all, and controllable internal factors such as sensing frequency, image resolution, prediction rate, car speed, and so on. Then, we design an admission control module that allows us to control internal factors such as image resolution and detection period to determine whether given parameters are acceptable or not for supporting end-to-end deadlines in the current environmental scenario while maintaining the accuracy of autonomous driving. The proposed framework has been verified with an RC car and a simulator.
Young People’s Construction of Identity in the Context of Southern Europe: Finding Leads for Citizenship Education
Authors: Freires Thiago , Thomas Dotta Leanete , Pereira Fátima
Published: January 2024

Identity building can be understood as a fluid process informed by sociocultural aspects and encompassing a strong dimension of othering. Relying on the notion of narrative identity, in this article, we explore the ways in which young people raise and discuss values (human dignity, freedom, solidarity, etc.). To do this, we draw on a set of data collected through deliberative discussions with 378 young people (11 to 20 years old) from four Southern European countries: Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus. These small group discussions confronted young people about their identification with their country and with Europe. Using thematic and descriptive analysis, we investigate the relationships established by young people with values spontaneously raised by them to build on identity formation. Our results reinforce identity as being constituted in varying forms across the European regions, with relation to values being plural. Yet, there is a strong reference to process values in the four participating countries, such as solidarity and equality, which seem to inform a narrative of an “inclusive Europe”, where community ties matter. Because some level of controversy about values is observed, however, we argue that it could constitute a valuable aspect to inform activities in the field of citizenship education.
Automating SQL Injection and Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability Remediation in Code
Authors: Sambhus Kedar , Liu Yi
Published: January 2024

Internet-based distributed systems dominate contemporary software applications. To enable these applications to operate securely, software developers must mitigate the threats posed by malicious actors. For instance, the developers must identify vulnerabilities in the software and eliminate them. However, to do so manually is a costly and time-consuming process. To reduce these costs, we designed and implemented Code Auto-Remediation for Enhanced Security (CARES), a web application that automatically identifies and remediates the two most common types of vulnerabilities in Java-based web applications: SQL injection (SQLi) and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). As is shown by a case study presented in this paper, CARES mitigates these vulnerabilities by refactoring the Java code using the Intercepting Filter design pattern. The flexible, microservice-based CARES design can be readily extended to support other injection vulnerabilities, remediation design patterns, and programming languages.
The Effect of Sodic Water Type on the Chemical Properties of Calcareous Soil in Semi-Arid Irrigated Land
Authors: Peker Ayşe E. , Öztürk Hasan S. , Mamedov Amrakh I.
Published: January 2024

Irrigation of calcareous soil with saline–sodic water can modify the composition of the soil solution and exchange complexes in agricultural land of arid and semi-arid regions with low water resources. The objective of this study was to monitor (medium-term) potential changes in a calcareous clay soil irrigated with two types of sodic waters without cropping. Irrigation water with two high sodium adsorption ratios (SAR = 20 and 40) and electrical conductivity (EC < 3 dS m−1) was prepared using NaCl and NaHCO3 salts. The sodic irrigation waters were applied (June–October) in three periods (1, 2, and 4; one period = five irrigations) to bare non-saline soil with drip irrigation during two growing seasons; no irrigation action was taken in the winter–spring rainy season (period 3). Sampling (0–30 cm) was made after each period to determine the changes in soil pH, EC, water-soluble Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Cl−, and HCO3−. Relative to the control, irrigation with both sodic waters increased soil pH, EC, and water-soluble Na+ and decreased or did not change water-soluble cations (Ca2+, Mg2+). The Cl− concentration increased rapidly with NaCl-type water application, but it was leached away quickly by winter–spring rains. The HCO3− concentration increased with NaHCO3-type water application, yet it leached out slowly in the rainy period. The movement of HCO3− ions in the upper soil profile (0–30 cm) was significantly slower compared to Cl− ions. Dissolution of slightly soluble soil CaCO3 by irrigation increased the solution concentration of Ca2+ and its mobility, yet the kinetics of processes depended on water type and irrigation period. The released Ca2+ interacted with other cations in the soil, causing further significant positive physicochemical changes in the soil solution and exchange capacity (comparable with control soil) at the end of the irrigation period. The CaCO3 content in the soil would be a long-term guarantee of the Ca2+ resource in soils, even if the amount of water-soluble Ca2+ may decrease for the short-term period during irrigation. The results should be considered for rational irrigation management (with various water qualities) in semi-arid and arid regions.
Study of the Sustainability of Ecological and Chemical Indicators of Soils in Organic Farming
Authors: Trukhachev Vladimir Ivanovich , Belopukhov Sergey Leonidovich , Grigoryeva Marina , Dmitrevskaya Inna Ivanovna
Published: January 2024

Organic farming is often seen as a sustainable alternative to intensive agricultural systems. The studies conducted in this direction analyze various factors, as well as their assemblies, and show contradictory results. In order to assess the impact of the organic method of soil cultivation on the stable composition of the most important mineral and organic substances in the production process, the organic agriculture procedure was implemented with an agrochemical analysis for 12 years. The content of mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and humus in the soil was determined. An elemental analysis of soil samples was conducted for a more in-depth analysis of its composition. It was established that the soils of the farm contained a sufficient amount of exchangeable potassium and humus. The content of these components remained stable during the study period. It was discovered that the soils of the farm have a low content of mobile phosphorus, which also remained stable during the study period. In the studied farm, the applied farming technologies contribute to the stable content of the main nutrient components of the soil. But to correct the content of mobile forms of phosphorus, additional agrotechnical measures are required.
An Imported Environmental Crisis: Plastic Mismanagement in Africa
Authors: Moyen Massa Gilbert , Archodoulaki Vasiliki-Maria
Published: January 2024

Plastic waste pollution is currently one of the main items on international agendas. It leads to more and more leakages and constitutes a dangerous threat to living beings and the ecosystem (toxic substances). Globally, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, while 22% of it is mismanaged. A large part of this waste ends up legally or illegally in Africa. This article uses the available data on plastic waste to shed light on the situation in Africa. Particular attention is paid to imports of plastics and the recycling sector, as well as ways to combat improper dumping and to prevent/reduce marine pollution (microplastics). The roles and responsibilities of actors and institutions in Africa will be discussed. It is urgent for the international community, in cooperation with the local plastic/textile industries, to establish an effective and well-structured collection system for plastic and textile waste. This will help maximize the collection rate and minimize landfills through recycling. It is also necessary to encourage both the plastic and textile industries to opt for product designs that use easily recyclable materials (eco-design), and this option is crucial.
Energy Consumption, Energy Distribution, and Clean Energy Use Together Affect Life Expectancy
Authors: Weitensfelder Lisbeth , Moshammer Hanns , Ataniyazova Oral
Published: January 2024

Background: Energy use per capita is a measure of the wealth of a population. A minimum of wealth or energy is certainly needed to achieve good living standards and a healthy life. Life expectancy at birth might be used as an indicator of overall health and well-being. We hypothesized that the effect of energy use on life expectancy does reach a limit, above which further energy use does not further increase life expectancy. Methods: We used global World Bank data for the years between 1972 and 2014 on national energy use and life expectancy and applied non-linear models searching for a threshold. We also controlled for distribution inequalities. Results: There is a clear upper threshold for the effects of energy use, but this threshold did not remain completely constant over the years. Conclusions: While a certain level of wealth and energy use is necessary for health and well-being, there is a certain threshold beyond which additional energy consumption has no beneficial effects. A more even distribution of wealth and energy within a population and the use of cleaner energy sources might, above a certain level, be more important than the average use of energy.
Teaching Statistics for Sustainability across Contexts: Exploring the Knowledge and Beliefs of Teachers
Authors: Franco Seguí Joan , Alsina Ángel , Vásquez Claudia
Published: January 2024

We explore the effect of the design of intentional teaching sequences from the concrete to the abstract in order to promote the teaching of statistics in connection with sustainability. To this end, the pre-validated questionnaires “MTSK-Stochastic Statistics” and “ESD in Statistics Activities” are administered to in-service primary education teachers. Both tools contain the same statistics teaching itinerary, based on the mathematics teaching itineraries approach, that includes five tasks: a real situation, a manipulative, a game, a technological resource, and a graphic resource. Each task includes an overview, objectives, content, required materials, development, and development questions; in addition, the second questionnaire includes connections to sustainability. The results show that tasks with real contexts, manipulative resources, and technological resources are the ones with the lowest scores. These initial findings lead us to conclude that teachers mobilize their knowledge to teach statistics as it relates to sustainability in different ways, depending on the type of task.
The Role of Virtual Reality Simulation in Manufacturing in Industry 4.0
Authors: Akpan Ikpe Justice , Offodile Onyebuchi Felix
Published: January 2024

From the first to the fourth industrial revolutions (4IR) or Industry 4.0 (i4.0), the manufacturing sector has always been at the forefront of innovation and digital technology adoption. However, 4IR or i4.0 comes with diverse and integrated technologies that tend to sweep off all the old orders. This study undertakes a science mapping of research on the role of virtual reality simulation (VRSIM) in manufacturing in the 4IR, which reveals several roles and benefits. The analysis of the conceptual structure of relevant literature highlights the contexts, applications, and relevance of VRSIM in the i4.0 era, including its potent role in predictive modeling and simulation, digital twin and predictive maintenance, additive manufacturing and 3D printing, and virtual manufacturing and immersive virtual digital factory simulation. VRSIM also offers a realistic virtual environment for mapping human–robot collaboration in different manufacturing environments, such as aircraft and automotive assembly lines, evaluating processes, training factory workers on safety, and assessing workers’ ergonomics in digital production and operations. VRSIM in manufacturing offers active research activities, with increasing literature publications and impacts attracting core sources in industrial engineering, manufacturing systems, production and operations, and information technology.
Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soils: Sources, Influencing Factors, and Remediation Strategies
Authors: Wan Yanan , Liu Jiang , Zhuang Zhong , Wang Qi , Li Huafen
Published: January 2024

Soil heavy metal pollution is a global environmental challenge, posing significant threats to eco-environment, agricultural development, and human health. In recent years, advanced and effective remediation strategies for heavy metal-contaminated soils have developed rapidly, and a systematical summarization of this progress is important. In this review paper, first, the anthropogenic sources of heavy metals in agricultural soils, including atmospheric deposition, animal manure, mineral fertilizers, and pesticides, are summarized. Second, the accumulation of heavy metals in crops as influenced by the plant characteristics and soil factors is analyzed. Then, the reducing strategies, including low-metal cultivar selection/breeding, physiological blocking, water management, and soil amendment are evaluated. Finally, the phytoremediation in terms of remediation efficiency and applicability is discussed. Therefore, this review provides helpful guidance for better selection and development of the control/remediation technologies for heavy metal-contaminated agricultural soils.
The Exploration of Joint Toxicity and Associated Mechanisms of Primary Microplastics and Methamphetamine in Zebrafish Larvae
Authors: Wang Hao , Xu Jindong , Yuan Yang , Wang Zhenglu , Zhang Wenjing , Li Jiana
Published: January 2024

The co-existence of microplastics (MPs) and methamphetamine (METH) in aquatic ecosystems has been widely reported; however, the joint toxicity and associated mechanisms remain unclear. Here, zebrafish larvae were exposed individually or jointly to polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs (20 mg/L) and METH (1 and 5 mg/L) for 10 days. The mortality, behavioral functions, and histopathology of fish from different groups were determined. PS MPs posed a stronger lethal risk to fish than PVC MPs, while the addition of METH at 5 mg/L significantly increased mortality. Obvious deposition of MPs was observed in the larvae’s intestinal tract in the exposure groups. Meanwhile, treatment with MPs induced intestinal deposits and intestinal hydrops in the fish, and this effect was enhanced with the addition of METH. Furthermore, MPs significantly suppressed the locomotor activation of zebrafish larvae, showing extended immobility duration and lower velocity. METH stimulated the outcome of PS but had no effect on the fish exposed to PVC. However, combined exposure to MPs and METH significantly increased the turn angle, which declined in individual MP exposure groups. RNA sequencing and gene quantitative analysis demonstrated that exposure to PS MPs and METH activated the MAPK signaling pathway and the C-type lectin signaling pathway of fish, while joint exposure to PVC MPs and METH stimulated steroid hormone synthesis pathways and the C-type lectin signaling pathway in zebrafish, contributing to cellular apoptosis and immune responses. This study contributes to the understanding of the joint toxicity of microplastics and pharmaceuticals to zebrafish, highlighting the significance of mitigating microplastic pollution to preserve the health of aquatic organisms and human beings.
Nanoparticles for Mitigation of Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms
Authors: Tseytlin Ilana N. , Antrim Anna K. , Gong Ping
Published: January 2024

With the rapid advancement of nanotechnology and its widespread applications, increasing amounts of manufactured and natural nanoparticles (NPs) have been tested for their potential utilization in treating harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs). NPs can be used as a photocatalyst, algaecide, adsorbent, flocculant, or coagulant. The primary mechanisms explored for NPs to mitigate HCBs include photocatalysis, metal ion-induced cytotoxicity, physical disruption of the cell membrane, light-shielding, flocculation/coagulation/sedimentation of cyanobacterial cells, and the removal of phosphorus (P) and cyanotoxins from bloom water by adsorption. As an emerging and promising chemical/physical approach for HCB mitigation, versatile NP-based technologies offer great advantages, such as being environmentally benign, cost-effective, highly efficient, recyclable, and adaptable. The challenges we face include cost reduction, scalability, and impacts on non-target species co-inhabiting in the same environment. Further efforts are required to scale up to real-world operations through developing more efficient, recoverable, reusable, and deployable NP-based lattices or materials that are adaptable to bloom events in different water bodies of different sizes, such as reservoirs, lakes, rivers, and marine environments.
Going Forward: Potential Impact of Protein-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage on Population Outcomes and Costs in the United States
Authors: Paret Kyle , Beyhaghi Hadi , Herring William L. , Mauskopf Josephine , Shane Lesley G. , Rousculp Matthew D.
Published: January 2024

Policymakers in the United States (US) recommend coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination with a monovalent 2023–2024 vaccine formulation based on the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant. We estimated the potential US population-level health and economic impacts of increased COVID-19 vaccine coverage that might be expected with the availability of a protein-based vaccine with simpler storage requirements in addition to messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines. A Markov model was developed to estimate 1-year COVID-19-related costs, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths with and without the availability of a protein-based vaccine option. The model population was stratified by age and risk status. Model inputs were sourced from published literature or derived from publicly available data. Our model estimated that a five-percentage-point increase in coverage due to the availability of a protein-based vaccine option would prevent over 500,000 cases, 66,000 hospitalizations, and 3000 COVID-19-related deaths. These clinical outcomes translated to 42,000 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained and an incremental cost–effectiveness ratio of USD 16,141/QALY from a third-party payer perspective. In sensitivity analyses, outcomes were most sensitive to COVID-19 incidence and severity across age groups. The availability of a protein-based vaccine option in the US could reduce hospitalizations and deaths and is predicted to be cost-effective.
A Mixture of T-Cell Epitope Peptides Derived from Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus F Protein Conferred Protection in DR1-TCR Tg Mice
Authors: Guo Hong , Song Yang , Li Hai , Hu Hongqiao , Shi Yuqing , Jiang Jie , Guo Jinyuan , Cao Lei , Mao Naiying , Zhang Yan
Published: January 2024

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) poses a significant disease burden on global health. To date, two vaccines that primarily induce humoral immunity to prevent HRSV infection have been approved, whereas vaccines that primarily induce T-cell immunity have not yet been well-represented. To address this gap, 25 predicted T-cell epitope peptides derived from the HRSV fusion protein with high human leukocyte antigen (HLA) binding potential were synthesized, and their ability to be recognized by PBMC from previously infected HRSV cases was assessed using an ELISpot assay. Finally, nine T-cell epitope peptides were selected, each of which was recognized by at least 20% of different donors’ PBMC as potential vaccine candidates to prevent HRSV infection. The protective efficacy of F-9PV, a combination of nine peptides along with CpG-ODN and aluminum phosphate (Al) adjuvants, was validated in both HLA-humanized mice (DR1-TCR transgenic mice, Tg mice) and wild-type (WT) mice. The results show that F-9PV significantly enhanced protection against viral challenge as evidenced by reductions in viral load and pathological lesions in mice lungs. In addition, F-9PV elicits robust Th1-biased response, thereby mitigating the potential safety risk of Th2-induced respiratory disease during HRSV infection. Compared to WT mice, the F-9PV mice exhibited superior protection and immunogenicity in Tg mice, underscoring the specificity for human HLA. Overall, our results demonstrate that T-cell epitope peptides provide protection against HRSV infection in animal models even in the absence of neutralizing antibodies, indicating the feasibility of developing an HRSV T-cell epitope peptide-based vaccine.
An Observational Study of Skeletal Malformations in Four Semi-Intensively Reared Carp Species
Authors: Varvara Caterina , Hala Edmond , Di Comite Mariasevera , Zupa Rosa , Passantino Letizia , Ventriglia Gianluca , Quaranta Angelo , Corriero Aldo , Pousis Chrysovalentinos
Published: January 2024

Cyprinids include some of the most widely farmed freshwater species. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of skeletal malformations in carp species reared in semi-intensive systems in Albania: common carp (Cyprinus carpio), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis). The common carp fingerlings had a mean total length of 28.9 ± 5.0 mm; the frequencies of individuals with at least one anomaly and at least one severe anomaly were 79.2% and 43.4%, respectively. The silver carp juveniles had a mean total length of 21.6 ± 2.1 mm; the frequencies of individuals with at least one anomaly and one severe anomaly were 93.1% and 57.5%, respectively. The grass carp fry had a mean total length of 33.5 ± 2.6 mm; all the analyzed specimens showed almost one anomaly and 86.4% showed at least one severe anomaly. The bighead carp juveniles had a mean total length of 34.4 ± 5.7 mm; the frequencies of individuals with at least one anomaly and at least one severe anomaly were 95.0% and 62.5%, respectively. The development of a more suitable feeding protocol for herbivorous species and the setting up of more efficient broodstock management protocols are suggested to reduce the high incidence of skeletal malformations.
Beyond Microplastics: Implementation of a Two-Stage Removal Process for Microplastics and Chemical Oxygen Demand in Industrial Wastewater Streams
Authors: Sturm Michael Toni , Myers Erika , Schober Dennis , Korzin Anika , Schuhen Katrin
Published: January 2024

Wastewater from plastic manufacturing or processing industries is often highly polluted with microplastics (MPs) and high levels of oxidizable organic matter, which results in a high chemical oxygen demand (COD). When industrial wastewater enters wastewater streams, the high microplastic load is a high burden for municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), as they are not sufficiently removed. To prevent MP from entering the WWTPs, an upstream prevention method is essential. This paper presents a pilot-scale plant study for the removal of MP and COD from industrial wastewater that was tested on-site at a plastic manufacturer in Germany. Eight test phases were performed over 3 months, with each test phase processing 1 m3 wastewater and four treatments. Per test phase, 12 samples were analyzed for 5 parameters: COD, total suspended solids (TSSs), particle count, pH, and turbidity. The results showed an average decrease in MP by 98.26 ± 2.15% measured by TSSs and 97.92 ± 2.31% measured by particle count. This prevents the emission of 1.1 kg MP/m3 water and an estimated 2.7 t MP/year. The COD was reduced efficiently by 94.3 ± 8.9%. Besides MP and COD, this treatment allows reuse of water and agglomerates, resulting in a reduction in the CO2 footprint.
Performance of Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes and Large Eddy Simulation Models in Simulating Flows in a Crossflow Ultraviolet Reactor: An Experimental Evaluation
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Law Adrian Wing-Keung
Published: January 2024

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been increasingly adopted as a design tool for the simulation of UV disinfection efficiency and the optimization of the configuration of a UV reactor. However, the performance of CFD with different turbulence closures may vary significantly. In the present study, an experimental evaluation was performed to assess the performance of CFD with five Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence closures and three Large Eddy Simulation (LES) sub-grid scale (SGS) models. A simplified crossflow reactor with a single lamp sleeve was fabricated for the experimental measurements and numerical simulations. Overall, the superior performance of LES compared to RANS models in flow predictions within a complex configuration is demonstrated.
Study on the Spatial Imbalance and Polarization of Marine Green Aquaculture Efficiency in China
Authors: Wang Wei , Mao Wei , Wu Renhong , Zhu Jianzhen , Yang Zhenbo
Published: January 2024

In-depth analyses of the spatial imbalance and polarization of marine green aquaculture efficiency have a profound impact on the realization of high-quality development of fisheries. Based on the data on mariculture in nine coastal provinces of China from 2006 to 2019, this research analyzed the spatial imbalance and polarization of green mariculture efficiency using quantitative measurements and explored their causes. The results showed that (1) the efficiency of marine green aquaculture in China is relatively effective, but there is still room for improvement. The spatial imbalance of the whole country and the three marine economic circles shows an increasing trend, and the efficiency of marine green aquaculture in China has two levels of differentiation characteristics. Compared with the coastal provinces with low and high levels of marine green aquaculture efficiency, the degree of spatial imbalance in the medium-level coastal provinces is greater. In the long run, the efficiency of China’s marine green aquaculture will slowly evolve to a high-level state, and it is particularly important to break the “self-locking trap” of the low-level state. (2) The differences in mariculture yield among coastal provinces are the main factor affecting the spatial imbalance of green mariculture efficiency in China. Promoting the development of low-carbon, resource-saving and high-added-value mariculture products and achieving a win–win situation of economic and ecological benefits is an important means to alleviate the spatial imbalance of China’s mariculture efficiency. (3) There is a certain polarization trend in the efficiency of marine green aquaculture in China, and the polarization degree shows an overall upward trend. Compared with the northern and eastern marine economic circles, the spatial polarization of green aquaculture efficiency in the southern marine economic circle is the lowest. During the observation year, the change in green aquaculture efficiency in coastal provinces did not converge into minority groups, and the main reason for spatial polarization was that there was a large gap in green aquaculture efficiency among coastal provinces. The research results can provide a reference for accelerating the green transformation of mariculture and promoting the high-quality development of fisheries.
Joint Optimal Use of Sluices of a Group of Cascade Hydropower Stations under High-Intensity Peak Shaving and Frequency Regulation
Authors: Mou Shiyu , Qu Tian , Li Jia , Wen Xin , Liu Yu
Published: January 2024

With the large-scale development and grid connection of renewable energy, hydropower faces more intense and frequent peak shaving and frequency regulation, giving rise to water level fluctuations and frequently forced sluice adjustments at hydropower stations. This paper proposes a model that combines “offline calculation” and “online search”. First, feasible sluice opening combinations for different water levels at each hydropower station are calculated offline, and a sluice operation strategy table is constructed. Subsequently, an optimal sluice operation strategy is searched online according to the real-time water level and various regulatory requirements. As an example, we select three hydropower stations in the middle reach of the Dadu River in China, namely, Pubugou, Shenxigou, and Zhentouba. The results show that the total number of adjustments of the sluices of the cascade hydropower stations was reduced from 1195 to 675, a reduction of 43.5%, and the leading hydropower station, Pubugou, met water level control requirements, whereas the fluctuations in the water level of the two downstream daily regulating hydropower stations, Shenxigou and Zhentouba, were reduced by 1.38 m and 0.55 m, respectively. The results indicate that the sluices of hydropower stations were optimally used under high-intensity peak shaving and frequency regulation.
HEARTS Study Protocol: Helping Enable Access and Remove Barriers To Support for Young Adults with Mental Health-Related Disabilities
Authors: Rao Sandy , Dimitropoulos Gina , Milaney Katrina , Eurich Dean T. , Patten Scott B.
Published: January 2024

Young adults are disproportionally affected by mental illnesses (MIs) and often encounter numerous obstacles to accessing healthcare. Untreated MIs have high chronicity and recurrence and are associated with worse health and life outcomes. The aim of the study described in this protocol is to characterize and better understand the barriers and facilitators to accessing mental healthcare for young adults with mental health-related disabilities (YMHDs), focusing on the impact of functional impairment, determinants of health, and unmet healthcare needs. The study protocol, guided by critical realism, uses a patient-oriented sequential mixed-methods design and involves patient research partners (PRPs) to ensure the voices and perspectives of those directly impacted are central to the research process. This study includes a quantitative analysis of secondary data from the Canadian Community Health Survey and a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with YMHDs. The data will be integrated by themes-by-statistics joint display. The study protocol follows the Tri-Agency Statement of Principles for data collection, storage, retention, sharing, and analysis, adheres to ethical guidelines to ensure participant confidentiality and informed consent, and has received institutional ethics approvals. This study will provide valuable insights into factors that act as barriers or facilitators to accessing care and inform the development of targeted interventions to improve access and support for YMHDs. This study has several strengths, including a participatory research approach that involves PRPs and other relevant stakeholders in the research process, a targeted focus on a specific age group, and the use of mixed-methods research and critical realism. This protocol describes a study that will inform policy, service delivery, and treatment options. This study has the potential to drive systemic change and significantly improve the lives and health of young people with mental health needs.
ASMNet: Action and Style-Conditioned Motion Generative Network for 3D Human Motion Generation
Authors: Li Zongying , Wang Yong , Du Xin , Wang Can , Koch Reinhard , Liu Mengyuan
Published: January 2024

Extensive research has explored human motion generation, but the generated sequences are influenced by different motion styles. For instance, the act of walking with joy and sorrow evokes distinct effects on a character’s motion. Due to the difficulties in motion capture with styles, the available data for style research are also limited. To address the problems, we propose ASMNet, an action and style-conditioned motion generative network. This network ensures that the generated human motion sequences not only comply with the provided action label but also exhibit distinctive stylistic features. To extract motion features from human motion sequences, we design a spatial temporal extractor. Moreover, we use the adaptive instance normalization layer to inject style into the target motion. Our results are comparable to state-of-the-art approaches and display a substantial advantage in both quantitative and qualitative evaluations. The code is available at
https://github.com/ZongYingLi/ASMNet.git
.
Exposure Ecology Drives a Unified Understanding of the Nexus of (Urban) Natural Ecosystem, Ecological Exposure, and Health
Authors: Yu Zhaowu , Yang Gaoyuan , Lin Tao , Zhao Bin , Xu Yaoyang , Yao Xihan , Ma Weiyuan , Vejre Henrik , Jiang Bin
Published: January 2024

The intersection of ecology and exposure science with health concerns has led to a gradual infiltration of these disciplines. Exposure to (urban) natural ecosystems, defined as ecological exposure, has proven to be substantially beneficial to health, providing more effective and preventive measures than dealing with downstream consequences of the disease. Besides, the eco-environment & health field have shifted its paradigm from focusing on negative environmental exposure to exploring the positive health benefits of ecological exposure. However, a unified framework that integrates the nexus of natural ecosystem, ecological exposure, and health is still lacking. To address these challenges, here, we propose a new framework (discipline), exposure ecology (EE), and reviewed relevant studies. We suggest that the domain and scope of EE include subject-reality, object-reality, subject-virtual, and object-virtual dimensions and that all previous studies can be covered within this coordinate frame. We analyze the trends and shortcomings of each domain and explain the pathways of ecological exposure to health, including reduction, restoration, promotion capacity, and potential harm. Furthermore, we discuss the theoretical basis for the formation of the theoretical framework of EE, as well as the EE-derived hypotheses, implications, and connections to other related fields. In short, the EE-driven holistic critical review enhances our understanding of this frontier topic substantially, and it can serve as a unified framework for understanding the nexus of natural ecosystems, ecological exposure, and health and realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Quantifying Cloud-Free Observations from Landsat Missions: Implications for Water Environment Analysis
Authors: Feng Lian , Wang Xinchi
Published: January 2024

Since the launch of the Landsat missions, they have been widely employed for monitoring water environments. However, the designed revisiting period of Landsat satellites is 16 days, leading to large uncertainties when tracking long-term changes in water environmental parameters characterized by high spatiotemporal dynamics. Given this challenge, comprehensive assessments of the global distribution of cloud-free observations (NCOs) obtained from Landsat missions and their applications in water environments and hydrology are currently unavailable. In this study, we utilized >4.8 million images acquired from Landsat-5, Landsat-7, and Landsat-8 to quantify and analyze the spatiotemporal variations of NCOs on a global scale. Our findings indicate that while NCOs demonstrate substantial spatial and temporal heterogeneities, Landsat-8 provides nearly twice as many mean annual NCOs (21.8 ± 14.7 year
−1
) compared to Landsat-7 (10.8 ± 4.8 year
−1
) and Landsat-5 (8.3 ± 5.6 year
−1
). Moreover, we examined how the overlap area of adjacent orbits contributes to improving NCOs, noting that nearly all Landsat observation areas above 45°N are covered by overlapping paths in the east–west direction. Additionally, we conducted an analysis of the potential uncertainties arising from Landsat NCOs in obtaining long-term trends of various water parameters, including total suspended sediment (TSS) concentration, water level, water surface temperature (WST), and ice cover phenology. The results revealed that the uncertainty in water quality parameters (i.e., TSS) from Landsat is much higher than that in hydrological parameters (i.e., water level and WST). The quantification of NCOs and assessment of their impact on water parameter estimations contribute to enhancing our understanding of the limitations and opportunities associated with utilizing Landsat data in water environmental and hydrological studies.
The Moon’s Early Magmatic Activities: From the Perspective of Lunar Alkali-Suite and Mg-Suite Samples
Authors: Du Wei , Yang Jing
Published: January 2024

This review places emphasis on ancient lunar nonmare igneous samples alkali-suite and Mg-suite. The material on mineralogy and petrology of the Mg-suite presented here draws from “Lunar samples” by Papike et al. and “Origin of the lunar highlands Mg-suite: An integrated petrology, geochemistry, chronology, and remote sensing perspective” by Shearer et al. Readers can refer to these comprehensive studies for more information. The in-depth studies on Chang'e-5 (CE-5) lunar basaltic samples put new constraints on the thermal state of lunar interior, although the discussions on their formation mechanism heavily rely on the lunar magma ocean (LMO) models. Yet, chemical composition and structure of the lunar mantle are modified by migration of lunar materials during or after LMO fractionation. Alkali-suite rocks and Mg-suites are two important ancient lunar sample suites that represent early lunar magmatic activities. Studies on these samples are crucial to inverse modeling the pattern and scale of material migration inside the Moon during the “post-LMO” period. However, some Mg-suite samples and granitic samples are found outside the Procellarum KREEP (K, REE [rare earth element], and P) Terrane, bringing difficulties to explain their chemical characteristics and formation mechanisms. More work is needed to constrain the primitive melt formed deeply inside the Moon based on the updated LMO models, and to quantify the scale and effect of lunar mantle overturn. In addition, analysis on more lunar samples and lunar exploration missions with emphasis on ancient samples will also help to constrain their formation mechanisms, to refine the LMO differentiation models, and to depict the constitution of the lunar interior.