bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual-Wavelength Lasing with Orthogonal Circular Polarizations Generated in a Single Layer of a Polymer–Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Superstructure
Authors: Yang Donghao , Chemingui Marouen , Wang Yu , Zhang Xinzheng , Drevensek-Olenik Irena , Hassan Faheem , Wu Qiang , Li Yigang , Saadaoui Lotfi , Xu Jingjun
Published: February 2023

We investigate the laser emission from a polymer–cholesteric liquid crystal superstructure with coexisting opposite chiralities fabricated by refilling a right-handed polymeric scaffold with a left-handed cholesteric liquid crystalline material. The superstructure exhibits two photonic band gaps corresponding to the right- and left-circularly polarized light. By adding a suitable dye, dual-wavelength lasing with orthogonal circular polarizations is realized in this single-layer structure. The wavelength of the left-circularly polarized laser emission is thermally tunable, while the wavelength of the right-circularly polarized emission is relatively stable. Due to its relative simplicity and tunability characteristics, our design might have broad application prospects in various fields of photonics and display technology.
Design and Performance Analysis of Level Control Strategies in a Nonlinear Spherical Tank
Authors: Urrea Claudio , Garcia-Garcia Yainet
Published: February 2023

This work seeks to contribute to the study of techniques for level control considering a nonlinear plant model. To achieve this goal, different approaches are applied to classical control techniques and their results are analyzed. Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Nonlinear Auto-Regressive Moving Average (NARMA-L2) controllers are designed for the level control of a spherical tank. Subsequently, several tests and scenarios similar to those present in industrial processes are established, while the transient response of the controllers, their performance indices for monitoring the reference value, the rejection of disturbances, the presence of parameter uncertainties and the effects of noise are analyzed. The results show good reference tracking, with a settling time of approximately 5 s for 5 cm and a rise time of less than 4 s. No evidence for steady-state error or overshoot was found and controllers behave positively in the diverse scenarios assessed. The FLC and ANN controllers showed the greatest limitations, while ANFIS, MPC and NARMA-L2 exhibited competitive results considering their transient response and the performance indices calculated.
A Study on the Corrosion Behaviour of Laser Textured Pure Aluminium in Saltwater
Authors: Ahuir-Torres Juan Ignacio , Kotadia Hiren Ramniklal , Öpoz Tahsin Tecelli , Sharp Martin Charles
Published: February 2023

Commercially pure aluminium is employed in several industrial applications. On some applications, the surface of this material needs to be functionalised. Laser surface texturing is a powerful tool to functionalise aluminium and aluminium alloy surfaces. However, the corrosion resistance of the laser textured aluminium alloy can be modified, and this has rarely been investigated in the literature. Consequently, the corrosion resistance of the laser textured commercially pure aluminium in saltwater was evaluated using several electrochemical techniques: asymmetric electrochemical noise, potentiodynamic polarisation curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Although the non-laser surface textured samples possessed higher kinetic corrosion resistance in the first hours of immersion, the corrosion mechanism (process group of the corrosion) was found to be more unstable than the laser textured specimens. The oxidised layer of the textured samples was also nobler than the native passive film.
The MWI and Distributive Justice
Authors: Papineau David , Rowe Thomas
Published: February 2023

Everettians generally argue that their view recommends just the same rational choices as orthodoxy. In this note, however, we will show that Everettians should advocate non-standard choices in one specific kind of situation, namely situations where different people have unequal claims to an indivisible good.
Resilience and Return in Isaiah—Using Resilience Theory in Hebrew Scripture Theology
Authors: Klein Anja
Published: February 2023

The article analyses the theology of homecoming in the book of Isaiah and makes a case for using resilience theory as a hermeneutical frame for the task of Hebrew Scripture theology. Defined as “positive adaptation despite adversity”, resilience builds on the crisis setting of wide parts of the Hebrew Scriptures and demonstrates that the formation of theology represents a resilience discourse. In the case of the Isaianic prophecies of return, three concepts of return are distinguished (return, gathering and homecoming, a second Exodus) that respond to the adversities of exile and diaspora. Thus, the prophecies offer a literary home that the different religious communities through time can inhabit.
Empathy from the Margins: Observing Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews) Events in a Reform Jewish Congregation
Authors: Ben-Lulu Elazar
Published: February 2023

The socialization of the Ethiopian Jewish community, known as Beta Israel in Israeli society, is marked by performing cultural customs and rituals to establish its unique tradition and collective ethnic narrative. The Sigd is a holiday that is celebrated on the 29th of the Hebrew month of Heshvan, when the community marks its devotion to Zion by renewing the covenant between the Jewish people, God, and the Torah. This narrative of return to the homeland is also expressed and framed in a tragic context by observing a Memorial Day for the members of the Ethiopian Jewish community who perished during their journey to Israel from Sudan. These two commemorative dates support the narrative of Beta Israel and advance its public recognition. This ethnographic study examines why and how these practices were mentioned and performed in an Israeli Reform Jewish congregation, a community that does not include Ethiopians members, and has a religious and cultural character that is different from the traditions of Beta Israel. Both the Reform community and the Ethiopian community deal with stereotypes and institutional and public inequality in Israel. I argue that their solidarity is constructed and based on social perceptions and experiences of social alienation and immigration traumas. This political motivation to mark the narrative of the ‘other’, particularly as an excluded religious group that fights against the Orthodox Jewish monopoly in Israel, marks the Reform community as an egalitarian agent that gives voice to the marginalized. The fact that most Reform congregants are ‘sabras’ (native) Israelis sheds light on how their perception as a majority, and not only as a minority, produces a critical statement about Zionist immigration and acclimatization.
Airborne Drones for Water Quality Mapping in Inland, Transitional and Coastal Waters—MapEO Water Data Processing and Validation
Authors: De Keukelaere Liesbeth , Moelans Robrecht , Knaeps Els , Sterckx Sindy , Reusen Ils , De Munck Dominique , Simis Stefan G.H. , Constantinescu Adriana Maria , Scrieciu Albert , Katsouras Georgios , Mertens Wim , Hunter Peter D. , Spyrakos Evangelos , Tyler Andrew
Published: February 2023

Using airborne drones to monitor water quality in inland, transitional or coastal surface waters is an emerging research field. Airborne drones can fly under clouds at preferred times, capturing data at cm resolution, filling a significant gap between existing in situ, airborne and satellite remote sensing capabilities. Suitable drones and lightweight cameras are readily available on the market, whereas deriving water quality products from the captured image is not straightforward; vignetting effects, georeferencing, the dynamic nature and high light absorption efficiency of water, sun glint and sky glint effects require careful data processing. This paper presents the data processing workflow behind MapEO water, an end-to-end cloud-based solution that deals with the complexities of observing water surfaces and retrieves water-leaving reflectance and water quality products like turbidity and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration. MapEO water supports common camera types and performs a geometric and radiometric correction and subsequent conversion to reflectance and water quality products. This study shows validation results of water-leaving reflectance, turbidity and Chl-a maps derived using DJI Phantom 4 pro and MicaSense cameras for several lakes across Europe. Coefficients of determination values of 0.71 and 0.93 are obtained for turbidity and Chl-a, respectively. We conclude that airborne drone data has major potential to be embedded in operational monitoring programmes and can form useful links between satellite and in situ observations.
Long-Term Performance Evaluation of BeiDou PPP-B2b Products and Its Application in Time Service
Authors: He Qianqian , Chen Liang , Liu Lei , Zhao Daiyan , Gong Xiaopeng , Lou Yidong , Guan Qi
Published: February 2023

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) is an official service of the BeiDou Global Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) through the PPP-B2b signal. In this paper, we mainly focus on the long-term performance evaluation of BDS-3 PPP-B2b products and their application in time service. Since the PPP-B2b product is only available in and around China area, the arcs of PPP-B2b products are about several hours. We propose to evaluate the time datum stability by using all available satellites. Then, 557 day PPP-B2b products are collected for this experiment. The results show that there are large jumps in the GPS satellite clock time datum series. However, the BDS-3 satellite clock datum stability is almost at the same level with current Space State Representation (SSR) corrections from the International Global navigation satellite system Service (IGS). The difference between PPP-B2b GPS and BDS-3 satellite clock time datum will be absorbed into the Inter System Bias (ISB) parameter. Thus, it should be specially noted that the ISB parameter cannot be estimated as constant values if users use PPP-B2b products. In addition, the accuracy of the BDS-3 satellite clock is significantly better than that of the GPS for both the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and standard deviation (STD). The average Signal in Space Range Errors (SISREs) is 0.22 ns and 0.13 ns for GPS and BDS-3, respectively. The one-way timing experiment shows BDS-3 timing stability is 2.9 × 10−14@104 s. In addition, 10 baselines from 13 km to 4494 km are formed for time synchronization evaluation by using PPP-B2b products. The average RMSEs of time synchronization is from 0.46 ns to 1.58 ns and from 0.66 ns to 1.19 ns for GPS and BDS-3, respectively. As for STD, the average values are from 0.27 ns to 0.74 ns and from 0.27 ns to 0.47 ns for GPS and BDS-3, respectively. Overall, the results show that the time datum stability, accuracy, and service performance of BDS-3 PPP-B2b products has been stable over the past two years.
Numerical Investigation of Recommended Operating Parameters Considering Movement of Polymetallic Nodule Particles during Hydraulic Lifting of Deep-Sea Mining Pipeline
Authors: Zhang Yanyang , Dai Yu , Zhu Xiang
Published: February 2023

Previously conducted studies have established that pipeline hydraulic transport systems are currently the most promising deep-sea mining systems, and the pipeline transport performance of polymetallic nodules is one of the technical priorities. In this paper, a coupled CFD–DEM approach is adopted to numerically calculate the solid–liquid two-phase flow of seawater with polymetallic nodules. Small-scale experiments were conducted to validate the coupled model. Particle dynamics analysis was carried out under different inlet flow rates, feed concentrations and nodule fragmentation levels. The simulation results show that different operating parameters have significant effects on the pipeline transportation process. With low inlet flow rate, high feed concentration, and high percentage of large particles, the particle distribution and motion characteristics show a trend that is not conducive to safe transport. A set of recommended operating parameters for hydraulic transport of polymetallic nodule pipelines was summarized.
A Worrying Future for River Flows in the Brazilian Cerrado Provoked by Land Use and Climate Changes
Authors: Salmona Yuri Botelho , Matricardi Eraldo Aparecido Trondoli , Skole David Lewis , Silva João Flávio Andrade , Coelho Filho Osmar de Araújo , Pedlowski Marcos Antonio , Sampaio James Matos , Castrillón Leidi Cahola Ramírez , Brandão Reuber Albuquerque , Silva Andréa Leme da , Souza Saulo Aires de
Published: February 2023

In this study, we assessed the impacts of land use and climate changes on the river flows of 81 watersheds within the Cerrado biome, Brazil, based on a comprehensive analysis of field and secondary data acquired between 1985 and 2018. Complementarily, we projected a future deforestation and climate scenario up to 2050 and predicted their impacts on surface water in the study area. We observed that direct impacts by large-scale deforestation oriented to the production of irrigated agricultural commodities have more significantly impacted river flows than climate changes. We estimated an average decrease of 8.7% and 6.7% in the streamflow due to deforestation and climate changes, respectively. Most of the observed changes (56.7%) were due to land use and land cover changes and occurred in recent decades. Climate and land use and land cover changes combined were responsible for a total surface water reduction of −19,718 m³/s within the Cerrado watersheds. By assuming the current deforestation rates, we predicted a total water reduction of 23,653 m³/s by 2050, equivalent to a decrease of 33.9% of the river flows in the study region. It will cause severe streamflow discontinuity in many rivers and strongly affect agricultural, electric power production, biodiversity, and water supply, especially during dry seasons in that region.
Multi Perspectives Steganography Algorithm for Color Images on Multiple-Formats
Authors: Rahman Shahid , Uddin Jamal , Hussain Hameed , Jan Salman , Khan Inayat , Shabir Muhammad , Musa Shahrulniza
Published: February 2023

The Internet and Big Data expansion have motivated the requirement for more generous stockpiling to hold and share information. Against the current era of information, guaranteeing protection and security to individuals sending data to each other is of utmost importance. The only file type that is instantly and widely used is the image. Therefore, to secure transmission, it is necessary to develop a mechanism to safeguard user data transmission. Considering this thought, it is necessary to analyze the best file type of image for essential criteria of image steganography, such as Payload, Robustness, Imperceptibility, etc., to challenge the weakness of the current algorithms. The widely used image formats are PNG, TIFF, JPEG, BMP, and GIF, which is the cause of existing methods. However, in this case, the critical softness is the credibility of the steganography, which plays a vital role in these format images to ensure the end users communicate. In this paper, a single algorithm provides several advantages for various types of images used as cover objects. However, after the critical and comparative analysis of different perspectives and some assessment metrics, the experimental results prove the importance, significance, and promising limits for these image formats by accomplishing a 4.4450% normal higher score for PSNR correlation than the next best existing methodology. Besides, in PSNR with a variable measure of code implanted in similar pictures of similar aspects, the proposed approach accomplished a 6.33% better score. Encrypting similar code sizes in pictures of various dimensions brought about a 4.23% better score. Embedding the same message size into the same dimension of different images resulted in a 3.222% better score.
The Mechanism of Plugging Open-Pit Mine Cannon Holes and the Modification of Plugging Materials
Authors: Ding Xiaohua , Ao Zhongchen , Li Xiaoshuang , Xiao Shuangshuang , Wu Mao , Xing Bokang , Ge Ruhao , Zhang Donghua
Published: February 2023

Step blasting is an important part of open-pit mining, which is accompanied by hazards such as large blasting blocks, flying stone splashing, blasting noises, and blasting dust during the blasting process. In order to reduce the harm caused by blasting, this paper uses impact dynamics and rock dynamics to explain the deformation damage and motion law caused by detonation of the material blocked by the gun hole. By simulating the motion of the blocked material in the gun hole, the motion and failure characteristics of the blocked material in the gun hole are revealed. In this paper, geological polymer is introduced into the field of open-pit mine blasting, and 700 g rock powder, 200 g slag, 40 g NaOH solution (30%), and 140 g water glass with a modulus of 3.2 and 80 g of water are selected to prepare geological polymer-modified plugging materials to change rock powder blockage from bulk to solid, and improve the plugging performance. Finally, a field test was carried out in the open-pit mine explosion area, and a comparative test was carried out through the high-speed photography system; it is demonstrated that the modified blocking material could improve the blockage ability of the gun hole, reduce the large block rate of the upper part of the step, reduce the amount of dust, reduce the amount of flying stone, and improve the production efficiency and safety.
Empirical Study of Green Practices Fostering Customers’ Willingness to Consume via Customer Behaviors: The Case of Green Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam
Authors: Mai Khuong Ngoc , Nhan Do Hanh , Nguyen Phuong Thi Minh
Published: February 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the population to change their consumption behavior and habits to a green living style to protect the environment. The aim of this study was to explore the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model to identify the effect of green practices on willingness to consume through customers’ emotional attachment, attitudes, and satisfaction towards eco-friendly restaurants. We used a quantitative method with a self-administrated questionnaire and convenience sampling at eco-friendly restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Using a partial least square (PLS) structural equation model (SEM), we analyzed 1095 samples. The results of this study reveal that green practices significantly and positively affect customers’ emotional attachment, satisfaction, and attitudes, but eco-friendliness did not have an effect on customers’ emotional attachment. Moreover, the customers’ satisfaction, attitudes, and emotional attachment were shown to significantly and positively affect their willingness to consume, as well as to pay 5 percent more for green products. Additionally, a mediating effect of emotional attachment, satisfaction, and attitudes was proven. The government needs to prioritize policies and programs to support these restaurants in order to apply sustainable business models and to build a green marketing strategy involving restaurants to protect environmental sustainability.
Response of the Thick and Thin Debris-Covered Glaciers between 1971 and 2019 in Ladakh Himalaya, India—A Case Study from Pensilungpa and Durung-Drung Glaciers
Authors: Mehta Manish , Kumar Vinit , Kunmar Pankaj , Sain Kalachand
Published: February 2023

This paper aims to broadly understand the response of glaciers to thick and thin debris cover from one of the less explored regions (Zanskar) of the Himalaya. The present study is based on ground-based measurements (from 2015 to 2019), satellite data (since 1971), and available topographic maps (at a 1:50,000 scale). The study includes snout retreat, changes in equilibrium line altitude (ELA), surface elevation, and modeled mass balance of thick and thin debris-covered Pensilungpa (Suru River basin) and Durung-Drung (Doda River basin) glaciers in the western Indian Himalaya, Ladakh, for the past five decades. The Durung-Drung Glacier (DDG) receded ~−624 ± 547 m with an average rate of −12 ± 11 m a−1 between 1971 and 2019. The frontal part of the DDG is broad (~2 km wide), which shows wide discrepancies in its retreat. Compared to DDG, the small and narrow snout of the Pensilungpa Glacier (PG) retreated −270.5 ± 27.5 m (1971 to 2019), with an average rate of −5.6 ± 0.57 m a−1. Similarly, the four years (2015–2019) of field observations suggest that the retreat rate of PG and DDG is −6.7 ± 3 and −18 ± 15 m a−1, and the rate of modeled glacier mass loss is −0.29 ± 0.3 and −0.3 ± 0.3 m w.e. a−1, respectively. Furthermore, the ELA of the DDG and PG between 1971 and 2019 increased by ~59 ± 38 and ~23 ± 19 m, respectively. The change in the longitudinal profile of the glaciers along the centerline between 2000 and 2017 shows the DDG and PG lost ~17 and 15 m surface ice thickness. The change in debris cover plays a critical role in the glacier surface lowering, shrinkage, retreat, and mass balance. Hence, we quantitatively evaluated the influence of the debris cover on summer ablation and terminus recession on two different characteristic glaciers (DDG and PG) with its potential effect on the mass balance process (area-volume loss).
Analyzing the Moderating Role of Industrialization on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in Indonesia: What Are the Contributions of Financial Development, Energy Consumption, and Economic Growth?
Authors: Elfaki Khalid Eltayeb , Heriqbaldi Unggul
Published: February 2023

The issue of global warming has become increasingly documented as a major problem facing the world. The present study adopted the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to check the validity of the EKC hypothesis under the moderating role of industrialization on CO2 emissions, and to assess the relationship between CO2 emissions, energy consumption, industrialization, economic growth, and financial development in Indonesia in the long and short term, in three separate models employing data spanning the period 1983–2018. The results of the bounds approach prove the presence of a cointegration relationship between CO2 emissions, economic growth, economic growth square, energy consumption, industrialization, and financial development. In Model 1, the empirical outcomes demonstrate that a rise in economic growth leads to higher CO2 emissions. On the contrary, a rise in economic growth squared impedes CO2 emissions in the long run. This result proves the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. Moreover, Model 2 reveals that economic growth and energy consumption foster higher CO2 emissions. Higher financial development decreases the associated CO2. Model 3 shows that industrialization as a moderator factor shows a reverse consequence of economic growth and economic growth squared on CO2. Economic growth shows a significant negative impact on CO2, while economic growth squared is linked positively with CO2 emissions, which does not validate the EKC hypothesis under the moderating role of industrialization. This study recommends that industries’ transition from reliance on excessive non-renewable energy sources to knowledge-based industrialization will reduce CO2 emissions and improve environmental quality.
Exploring Citizens’ Behavior to Promote Environmental Sustainability: The Role of Information Overload and Urban Sustainable Policies
Authors: Briganti Paola , Metallo Concetta , Pagliuca Maria Margherita , Varriale Luisa
Published: February 2023

This study aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding citizens’ intentions to engage in environmentally sustainable behavior, thus making cities more sustainable. This article investigates environmentally sustainable behavior by adopting the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Using Partial Least Square Path Modeling (PLS-PM), an analysis of survey data from 224 respondents in Italy revealed the salient role of attitudes, subjective norms, intentions, and urban sustainable policies in urban sustainable behavior. Our findings have important implications for theory and practice in this new area of inquiry.
Thermodynamic Analysis and Optimization of the Micro-CCHP System with a Biomass Heat Source
Authors: Harahap Tua Halomoan , Candra Oriza , Sabawi Younis A. , Kareem Ai Kamil , Mohsen Karrar Shareef , Alawadi Ahmed Hussien , Morovati Reza , Mohamed Ehab Mahamoud , Khan Imran , Madsen Dag Øivind
Published: February 2023

In this article, new multiple-production systems based on the micro-combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) cycle with biomass heat sources are presented. In this proposed system, absorption refrigeration cycle subsystems and a water softener system have been used to increase the efficiency of the basic cycle and reduce waste. Comprehensive thermodynamic modeling was carried out on the proposed system. The validation of subsystems and the optimization of the system via the genetic algorithm method was carried out using Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software. The results show that among the components of the system, the dehumidifier has the highest exergy destruction. The effect of the parameters of evaporator temperature 1, ammonia concentration, absorber temperature, heater temperature difference, generator 1 pressure and heat source temperature on the performance of the system was determined. Based on the parametric study, as the temperature of evaporator 1 increases, the energy efficiency of the system increases. The maximum values of the energy efficiency and exergy of the whole system in the range of heat source temperatures between 740 and 750 K are equal to 74.2% and 47.7%. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the system in the basic mode are equal to 70.68% and 44.32%, respectively, and in the optimization mode with the MOOD mode, they are 87.91 and 49.3, respectively.
Environmental Assessment of Residential Space Heating and Cooling Technologies in Europe: A Review of 11 European Member States
Authors: Fraboni Riccardo , Grazieschi Gianluca , Pezzutto Simon , Mitterrutzner Benjamin , Wilczynski Eric
Published: February 2023

Greenhouse gas emissions have reached critical levels and climate change is threatening the globe. Thus, the space heating and cooling sector is striving to decarbonize assets through higher efficiency and renewable energy adoption for 2030 and 2050. This article reviewed data about the environmental impact and the primary energy consumption of 27 space heating and cooling technologies for the residential sector as if they were adopted in 11 different European member states: Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Sweden. Direct emissions from the machineries and upstream indirect emissions from the energy carriers were considered. The analysis indicates that the adoption of renewable energy-powered technologies should be prioritized due to the significantly lower emissions related to these technologies. Notably, the emissions of electricity-powered technologies, if not driven by the direct self-consumption of renewable energy systems, highly depend on the region of adoption: in specific cases, such as in Poland, Cyprus, and Estonia, they can even exceed the emissions of coal-powered technologies. These countries should speed up the adoption of decarbonization policies regarding the residential sector to close the gap with the other EU member states and provide their contribution to the EU climate change goals.
Smart ‘Tourist Cities’ Revisited: Culture-Led Urban Sustainability and the Global Real Estate Market
Authors: Vardopoulos Ioannis , Papoui-Evangelou Maria , Nosova Bogdana , Salvati Luca
Published: February 2023

Smart tourism destinations have received increasing attention during the last few years. Digital technologies have reshaped the smart city paradigm in terms of both resilience and sustainability, capitalizing cities’ cultural and historical components while providing unique potential for growth in the real estate industry. Real estate, in particular, is considered a main asset to the tourist experience, whether it is in the form of hospitality accommodation facilities, urban landscapes, or cultural heritage hotspots. In addition, the effect of cultural sites and overall destination attractiveness on real estate dynamics (land/housing prices and building activity) is well established. Thus, uncovering how enhanced technological throughputs and synergies, culture-led urban sustainability initiatives and the real estate dimension are directly (or indirectly) associated could support cities to better delineate policies for their promotion as international, sustainable, and resilient tourist destinations. With this perspective, the present study focused on four particular cities’ successful smart initiatives, namely Amsterdam, Barcelona, Seoul, and Stockholm, in an attempt to identify how developers and local authorities will need to transform in order to offer better services to residents and visitors. This work reveals that smart projects alone cannot secure the transition of existing (European) cities into smart and sustainable tourism destinations. In addition, this study also contributes to public policy by demonstrating how challenging it is to be smart without the support and involvement of the local community, highlighting the significance of public awareness. The empirical findings suggest that local authorities are of critical importance when shaping a well-structured and practically effective strategy for the integration of sustainable and technologically advanced smart features. Results are promising, and final reflections provide insights for tourism destinations policymakers, city authorities, and real estate professionals.
Sustainability of Success in Sports Teams: Who Will Be the Captain?
Authors: Gökduman Çiğdem , Kartal Mehmet , Temel Cenk , Toros Turhan , Esen Tolga
Published: February 2023

This research was carried out in order to reveal the “Team Captaincy Process” by deeply analyzing each phase of the team captain process. For this purpose, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 (3 female, 14 male) elite athletes and trainers determined using a purposive sampling method during a two-year study. As a result of the qualitative interviews conducted with the participants, there is a “Team Captaincy Process” defined under five themes: “Tasks of the Team Captain”, “Personality Traits of the Team Captain”, “Determination of the Team Captain”, “The Team Captaincy Process”, and “Termination of the Team Captaincy”. For this process, it has been determined that each of its phases is inseparably related to the other. Consequently, it is considered that the “Team Captaincy Process” can be used as a guiding tool by decision-makers for determining the ideal team captain who will meet the expectations of the whole team.
Solving a System of Caputo Fractional-Order Volterra Integro-Differential Equations with Variable Coefficients Based on the Finite Difference Approximation via the Block-by-Block Method
Authors: Ahmed Shazad Shawki , Hamasalih Shokhan Ahmed
Published: February 2023

This paper focuses on computational technique to solve linear systems of Volterra integro-fractional differential equations (LSVIFDEs) in the Caputo sense for all fractional order linsin0,1 using two and three order block-by-block approach with explicit finite difference approximation. With this method, we aim to use an appropriate process to transform our problem into an analogous piecewise iterative linear algebraic system. Moreover, algorithms for treating LSVIFDEs using the above process have been developed, in order to express these solutions. In addition, numerical examples for our scheme are presented based on various kernels, including symmetry kernel and other sorts of separate kernels, are used to illustrate the validity, effectiveness and applicability of the suggested approach. Consequently, comparisons are performed with exact results using this technique, to communicate these approaches most general programs are written in Python V 3.8.8 software 2021.
PSO-Based Ensemble Meta-Learning Approach for Cloud Virtual Machine Resource Usage Prediction
Authors: Leka Habte Lejebo , Fengli Zhang , Kenea Ayantu Tesfaye , Hundera Negalign Wake , Tohye Tewodros Gizaw , Tegene Abebe Tamrat
Published: February 2023

To meet the increasing demand for its services, a cloud system should make optimum use of its available resources. Additionally, the high and low oscillations in cloud workload are another significant symmetrical issue that necessitates consideration. A suggested particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based ensemble meta-learning workload forecasting approach uses base models and the PSO-optimized weights of their network inputs. The proposed model employs a blended ensemble learning strategy to merge three recurrent neural networks (RNNs), followed by a dense neural network layer. The CPU utilization of GWA-T-12 and PlanetLab traces is used to assess the method’s efficacy. In terms of RMSE, the approach is compared to the LSTM, GRU, and BiLSTM sub-models.
Occupational Exposure and Health Impact Assessment of Diisocyanates in Finland
Authors: Huuskonen Pasi , Porras Simo P. , Scholten Bernice , Portengen Lützen , Uuksulainen Sanni , Ylinen Katriina , Santonen Tiina
Published: February 2023

Diisocyanates are a group of chemicals widely used in different industrial applications. The critical health effects related to diisocyanate exposure are isocyanate sensitisation, occupational asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Industrial air measurements and human biomonitoring (HBM) samples were gathered in specific occupational sectors to examine MDI, TDI, HDI and IPDI and the respective metabolites from Finnish screening studies. HBM data can give a more accurate picture of diisocyanate exposure, especially if workers have been exposed dermally or used respiratory protection. The HBM data were used for conducting a health impact assessment (HIA) in specific Finnish occupational sectors. For this purpose, exposure reconstruction was performed on the basis of HBM measurements of TDI and MDI exposures using a PBPK model, and a correlation equation was made for HDI exposure. Subsequently, the exposure estimates were compared to a previously published dose–response curve for excess BHR risk. The results showed that the mean and median diisocyanate exposure levels and HBM concentrations were low for all diisocyanates. In HIA, the excess risk of BHR from MDI exposure over a working life period was highest in the construction and motor and vehicle industries and repair sectors, resulting in estimated excess risks of BHR of 2.0% and 2.6%, and 113 and 244 extra BHR cases in Finland, respectively. Occupational exposure to diisocyanates must be monitored because a clear threshold for DI sensitisation cannot be established.
Spleen Toxicity of Organophosphorus Flame Retardant TDCPP in Mice and the Related Mechanisms
Authors: Cao Lanqin , Wei Lai , Du Qiaoyun , Su Ying , Ye Shuzi , Liu Kaihua
Published: February 2023

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) is an organophosphorus flame retardant that has been utilized in recent years as a primary replacement for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a wide variety of fire-sensitive applications. However, the impact of TDCPP on the immune system has not been fully determined. As the largest secondary immune organ in the body, the spleen is considered to be an important study endpoint for determining immune defects in the body. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of TDCPP toxicity on the spleen and its possible molecular mechanisms. In this study, for 28 consecutive days, TDCPP was administered intragastrically (i.g), and we assessed the general condition of mice by evaluating their 24 h water and food intake. Pathological changes in spleen tissues were also evaluated at the end of the 28-day exposure. To measure the TDCPP-induced inflammatory response in the spleen and its consequences, the expression of the critical players in the NF-κB pathway and mitochondrial apoptosis were detected. Lastly, RNA-seq was performed to identify the crucial signaling pathways of TDCPP-induced splenic injury. The results showed that TDCPP intragastric exposure triggered an inflammatory response in the spleen, likely through activating the NF-κB/IFN-γ/TNF-α/IL-1β pathway. TDCPP also led to mitochondrial-related apoptosis in the spleen. Further RNA-seq analysis suggested that the TDCPP-mediated immunosuppressive effect is associated with the inhibition of chemokines and the expression of their receptor genes in the cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction pathway, including four genes of the CC subfamily, four genes of the CXC subfamily, and one gene of the C subfamily. Taken together, the present study identifies the sub-chronic splenic toxicity of TDCPP and provides insights on the potential mechanisms of TDCPP-induced splenic injury and immune suppression.
Carbon Nanostructures—Silica Aerogel Composites for Adsorption of Organic Pollutants
Authors: Lamy-Mendes Alyne , Lopes David , Girão Ana V. , Silva Rui F. , Malfait Wim J. , Durães Luísa
Published: February 2023

Silica aerogels are a class of materials that can be tailored in terms of their final properties and surface chemistry. They can be synthesized with specific features to be used as adsorbents, resulting in improved performance for wastewater pollutants’ removal. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of amino functionalization and the addition of carbon nanostructures to silica aerogels made from methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) on their removal capacities for various contaminants in aqueous solutions. The MTMS-based aerogels successfully removed various organic compounds and drugs, achieving adsorption capacities of 170 mg⋅g−1 for toluene and 200 mg⋅g−1 for xylene. For initial concentrations up to 50 mg⋅L−1, removals greater than 71% were obtained for amoxicillin, and superior to 96% for naproxen. The addition of a co-precursor containing amine groups and/or carbon nanomaterials was proven to be a valuable tool in the development of new adsorbents by altering the aerogels’ properties and enhancing their adsorption capacities. Therefore, this work demonstrates the potential of these materials as an alternative to industrial sorbents due to their high and fast removal efficiency, less than 60 min for the organic compounds, towards different types of pollutants.
Acute and Chronic Effects of Crude Oil Water-Accommodated Fractions on the Early Life Stages of Marine Medaka (Oryzias melastigma, McClelland, 1839)
Authors: Jin Fei , Wang Ying , Yu Fuwei , Liu Xing , Zhang Mingxing , Li Zhaochuan , Yao Ziwei , Cong Yi , Wang Juying
Published: February 2023

Oil spill is a major marine environmental pollution issue. Research regarding the long-term effects of oil spills on the early life stage of marine fish is still limited. In this study, the potential adverse impact of crude oil from one oil spill accident which occurred in the Bohai Sea on the early life stages of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma, McClelland, 1839) was evaluated. A 96-h acute test (larvae) and a 21-d chronic test (embryo–larvae) of water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) from crude oil were conducted, respectively. The results of the acute test showed that only the highest concentration of WAFs (100.00%) significantly affected the mortality of larvae (p < 0.01) and that the 96 h-LC50 was 68.92% (4.11 mg·L-1 expressed as total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs)). Larval heart demonstrated histopathological alterations in all WAF-exposed groups. The chronic test results showed that, except for larval mortality, the total hatching success (%)/hatching time of embryos in WAF treatments was not significantly different from those of the control group (p > 0.05), and no malformation was found in surviving larvae after 21 d of exposure. Nevertheless, the exposed embryos and larvae in the highest concentration of WAFs (60.00%) demonstrated significantly reduced heart rate (p < 0.05) and increased mortality (p < 0.01), respectively. Overall, our results indicated that both acute and chronic WAF exposures had adverse impacts on the survival of marine medaka. In the early life stages, the heart of the marine medaka was the most sensitive organ which showed both structural alteration and cardiac dysfunction.
Conserved Structure Associated with Different 3′CITEs Is Important for Translation of Umbraviruses
Authors: Bera Sayanta , Ilyas Muhammad , Mikkelsen Anna A. , Simon Anne E.
Published: February 2023

The cap-independent translation of plus-strand RNA plant viruses frequently depends on 3′ structures to attract translation initiation factors that bind ribosomal subunits or bind directly to ribosomes. Umbraviruses are excellent models for studying 3′ cap-independent translation enhancers (3′CITEs), as umbraviruses can have different 3′CITEs in the central region of their lengthy 3′UTRs, and most also have a particular 3′CITE (the T-shaped structure or 3′TSS) near their 3′ ends. We discovered a novel hairpin just upstream of the centrally located (known or putative) 3′CITEs in all 14 umbraviruses. These CITE-associated structures (CASs) have conserved sequences in their apical loops and at the stem base and adjacent positions. In 11 umbraviruses, CASs are preceded by two small hairpins joined by a putative kissing loop interaction (KL). Converting the conserved 6-nt apical loop to a GNRA tetraloop in opium poppy mosaic virus (OPMV) and pea enation mosaic virus 2 (PEMV2) enhanced translation of genomic (g)RNA, but not subgenomic (sg)RNA reporter constructs, and significantly repressed virus accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana. Other alterations throughout OPMV CAS also repressed virus accumulation and only enhanced sgRNA reporter translation, while mutations in the lower stem repressed gRNA reporter translation. Similar mutations in the PEMV2 CAS also repressed accumulation but did not significantly affect gRNA or sgRNA reporter translation, with the exception of deletion of the entire hairpin, which only reduced translation of the gRNA reporter. OPMV CAS mutations had little effect on the downstream BTE 3′CITE or upstream KL element, while PEMV2 CAS mutations significantly altered KL structures. These results introduce an additional element associated with different 3′CITEs that differentially affect the structure and translation of different umbraviruses.
SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Mediated Entry and Its Regulation by Host Innate Immunity
Authors: Yu Shi , Hu Huina , Ai Qiangyun , Bai Rong , Ma Kaixiong , Zhou Minmin , Wang Shaobo
Published: February 2023

The constantly evolving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOC) fuel the worldwide coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The spike protein is essential for the SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and thus has been extensively targeted by therapeutic antibodies. However, mutations along the spike in SARS-CoV-2 VOC and Omicron subvariants have caused more rapid spread and strong antigenic drifts, rendering most of the current antibodies ineffective. Hence, understanding and targeting the molecular mechanism of spike activation is of great interest in curbing the spread and development of new therapeutic approaches. In this review, we summarize the conserved features of spike-mediated viral entry in various SARS-CoV-2 VOC and highlight the converging proteolytic processes involved in priming and activating the spike. We also summarize the roles of innate immune factors in preventing spike-driven membrane fusion and provide outlines for the identification of novel therapeutics against coronavirus infections.
Antiviral Peptides in Antimicrobial Surface Coatings—From Current Techniques to Potential Applications
Authors: Jabeen Mahe , Biswas Payel , Islam Md Touhidul , Paul Rajesh
Published: February 2023

The transmission of pathogens through contact with contaminated surfaces is an important route for the spread of infections. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 highlights the necessity to attenuate surface-mediated transmission. Currently, the disinfection and sanitization of surfaces are commonly performed in this regard. However, there are some disadvantages associated with these practices, including the development of antibiotic resistance, viral mutation, etc.; hence, a better strategy is necessary. In recent years, peptides have been studied to be utilized as a potential alternative. They are part of the host immune defense and have many potential in vivo applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, immunomodulation, etc. Additionally, the ability of peptides to interact with different molecules and membrane surfaces of microorganisms has made it possible to exploit them in ex vivo applications such as antimicrobial (antibacterial and antiviral) coatings. Although antibacterial peptide coatings have been studied extensively and proven to be effective, antiviral coatings are a more recent development. Therefore, this study aims to highlight antiviral coating strategies and the current practices and application of antiviral coating materials in personal protective equipment, healthcare devices, and textiles and surfaces in public settings. Here, we have presented a review on potential techniques to incorporate peptides in current surface coating strategies that will serve as a guide for developing cost-effective, sustainable and coherent antiviral surface coatings. We further our discussion to highlight some challenges of using peptides as a surface coating material and to examine future perspectives.
Human Genome Polymorphisms and Computational Intelligence Approach Revealed a Complex Genomic Signature for COVID-19 Severity in Brazilian Patients
Authors: Pastor André Filipe , Docena Cássia , Rezende Antônio Mauro , Oliveira Flávio Rosendo da Silva , Sena Marília de Albuquerque , Morais Clarice Neuenschwander Lins de , Bresani-Salvi Cristiane Campello , Vasconcelos Luydson Richardson Silva , Valença Kennya Danielle Campelo , Mariz Carolline de Araújo , Brito Carlos , Fonseca Cláudio Duarte , Braga Cynthia , Reis Christian Robson de Souza , Marques Ernesto Torres de Azevedo , Acioli-Santos Bartolomeu
Published: February 2023

We present a genome polymorphisms/machine learning approach for severe COVID-19 prognosis. Ninety-six Brazilian severe COVID-19 patients and controls were genotyped for 296 innate immunity loci. Our model used a feature selection algorithm, namely recursive feature elimination coupled with a support vector machine, to find the optimal loci classification subset, followed by a support vector machine with the linear kernel (SVM-LK) to classify patients into the severe COVID-19 group. The best features that were selected by the SVM-RFE method included 12 SNPs in 12 genes: PD-L1, PD-L2, IL10RA, JAK2, STAT1, IFIT1, IFIH1, DC-SIGNR, IFNB1, IRAK4, IRF1, and IL10. During the COVID-19 prognosis step by SVM-LK, the metrics were: 85% accuracy, 80% sensitivity, and 90% specificity. In comparison, univariate analysis under the 12 selected SNPs showed some highlights for individual variant alleles that represented risk (PD-L1 and IFIT1) or protection (JAK2 and IFIH1). Variant genotypes carrying risk effects were represented by PD-L2 and IFIT1 genes. The proposed complex classification method can be used to identify individuals who are at a high risk of developing severe COVID-19 outcomes even in uninfected conditions, which is a disruptive concept in COVID-19 prognosis. Our results suggest that the genetic context is an important factor in the development of severe COVID-19.