bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Huanglongbing Pandemic: Current Challenges and Emerging Management Strategies
Authors: Ghosh Dilip , Kokane Sunil , Savita Brajesh Kumar , Kumar Pranav , Sharma Ashwani Kumar , Ozcan Ali , Kokane Amol , Santra Swadeshmukul
Published: December 2022

Huanglongbing (HLB, aka citrus greening), one of the most devastating diseases of citrus, has wreaked havoc on the global citrus industry in recent decades. The culprit behind such a gloomy scenario is the phloem-limited bacteria “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (CLas), which are transmitted via psyllid. To date, there are no effective long-termcommercialized control measures for HLB, making it increasingly difficult to prevent the disease spread. To combat HLB effectively, introduction of multipronged management strategies towards controlling CLas population within the phloem system is deemed necessary. This article presents a comprehensive review of up-to-date scientific information about HLB, including currently available management practices and unprecedented challenges associated with the disease control. Additionally, a triangular disease management approach has been introduced targeting pathogen, host, and vector. Pathogen-targeting approaches include (i) inhibition of important proteins of CLas, (ii) use of the most efficient antimicrobial or immunity-inducing compounds to suppress the growth of CLas, and (iii) use of tools to suppress or kill the CLas. Approaches for targeting the host include (i) improvement of the host immune system, (ii) effective use of transgenic variety to build the host’s resistance against CLas, and (iii) induction of systemic acquired resistance. Strategies for targeting the vector include (i) chemical and biological control and (ii) eradication of HLB-affected trees. Finally, a hypothetical model for integrated disease management has been discussed to mitigate the HLB pandemic.
Optimization of Regeneration and Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation Protocols for Bi and Multilocular Varieties of Brassica rapa
Authors: Khan Uzair Muhammad , Shaheen Nabeel , Farooq Ayesha , Maqbool Rizwana , Khan Sultan Habibullah , Azhar Muhammad Tehseen , Rana Iqrar Ahmad , Seo Hyojin
Published: December 2022

The regeneration of the high-yielding multilocular types has not been attempted, although successful regeneration and transformation in brassica have been done. Here, we report efficient regeneration and transformation protocols for two B. rapa genotypes; UAF11 and Toria. The B. rapa cv UAF11 is a multilocular, non-shattering, and high-yielding genotype, while Toria is the bilocular type. For UAF11 8 shoots and for Toria 7 shoots, explants were observed on MS supplemented with 3 mg/L BAP + 0.4 mg/L NAA + 0.01 mg/L GA3 + 5 mg/L AgNO3 + 0.75 mg/L Potassium Iodide (KI), MS salt supplemented with 1 mg/L IBA and 0.37 mg/L KI produced an equal number of roots (3) in UAF11 and Toria. For the establishment of transformation protocols, Agrobacterium-mediated floral dip transformation was attempted using different induction media, infection time, and flower stages. The induction medium III yielded a maximum of 7.2% transformants on half-opened flowers and 5.2% transformants on fully opened flowers in UAF11 and Toria, respectively, with 15 min of inoculation. This study would provide the basis for the improvement of tissue culture and transformation protocols in multilocular and bilocular Brassica genotypes.
Preparation and Mechanism of Bio-Based Sodium Alginate Fibers with Flame Retardant and Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Xu Jiamin , Jiang Zhenlin , Hou Fang , Zhu Keyu , Xu Chenxue , Wang Chaosheng , Wang Huaping
Published: December 2022

Flame retardant and antibacterial sodium alginate (SA) fiber were fabricated using the bio-based flame retardant of phytic acid and DL-arginine successively, and then the morphological structures, combustion behavior, thermal stability, and mechanical as well as antibacterial properties of SA fiber were investigated carefully. It is found that when the additional amount of PADL (reaction products of phytic acid and DL-arginine) in SA composite fiber is 20 wt%, its limiting oxygen index (LOI) is 40.0 ± 0.3%, and UL−94 is V−0 grade. The combustion behavior of composite fiber shows that PADL can effectively reduce combustion heat and promote carbon formation. Its peak of HRR (pkHRR) is 5.9% of pure SA fiber, and the residual carbon increases from 23.0 ± 0.1% to 44.2 ± 0.2%. At the same time, the density of the residual carbon increases gradually. PADL can promote SA to form expanded carbon with increasing density, and isolate the heat and volatilization of combustible gases. The guanidine group of DL-arginine can interact with the cell membrane to kill bacteria, and the antibacterial property of SA composite fiber is increased by 30%. This study provides a very ecological, safe, environmentally friendly and simple method to prepare flame retardant and antibacterial SA composite fiber with bio-based materials.
Physio-Chemical and Biological Characterization of Novel HPC (Hydroxypropylcellulose):HAP (Hydroxyapatite):PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) Electrospun Nanofibers as Implantable Material for Bone Regenerative Application
Authors: Stella S. Mary , Sridhar T. M. , Ramprasath R. , Gimbun Jolius , Vijayalakshmi U.
Published: December 2022

The research on extracellular matrix (ECM) is new and developing area that covers cell proliferation and differentiation and ensures improved cell viability for different biomedical applications. Extracellular matrix not only maintains biological functions but also exhibits properties such as tuned or natural material degradation within a given time period, active cell binding and cellular uptake for tissue engineering applications. The principal objective of this study is classified into two categories. The first phase is optimization of various electrospinning parameters with different concentrations of HAP-HPC/PLA(hydroxyapatite-hydroxypropylcellulose/poly lactic acid). The second phase is in vitro biological evaluation of the optimized mat using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay for bone regeneration applications. Conductivity and dielectric constant were optimized for the production of thin fiber and bead free nanofibrous mat. With this optimization, the mechanical strength of all compositions was found to be enhanced, of which the ratio of 70:30 hit a maximum of 9.53 MPa (megapascal). Cytotoxicity analysis was completed for all the compositions on MG63 cell lines for various durations and showed maximum cell viability on 70:30 composition for more than 48 hrs. Hence, this investigation concludes that the optimized nanofibrous mat can be deployed as an ideal material for bone regenerative applications. In vivo study confirms the HAP-HPC-PLA sample shows more cells and bone formation at 8 weeks than 4 weeks.
Hierarchically Structured Hybrid Membranes for Continuous Wastewater Treatment via the Integration of Adsorption and Membrane Ultrafiltration Mechanisms
Authors: Scaffaro Roberto , Gammino Michele , Maio Andrea
Published: December 2022

Growing environmental concerns are stimulating researchers to develop more and more efficient materials for environmental remediation. Among them, polymer-based hierarchical structures, attained by properly combining certain starting components and processing techniques, represent an emerging trend in materials science and technology. In this work, graphene oxide (GO) and/or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were integrated at different loading levels into poly (vinyl fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-co-HFP) and then electrospun to construct mats capable of treating water that is contaminated by methylene blue (MB). The materials, fully characterized from a morphological, physicochemical, and mechanical point of view, were proved to serve as membranes for vacuum-assisted dead-end membrane processes, relying on the synergy of two mechanisms, namely, pore sieving and adsorption. In particular, the nanocomposites containing 2 wt % of GO and CNTs gave the best performance, showing high flux (800 L × m−2 h−1) and excellent rejection (99%) and flux recovery ratios (93.3%), along with antifouling properties (irreversible and reversible fouling below 6% and 25%, respectively), and reusability. These outstanding outcomes were ascribed to the particular microstructure employed, which endowed polymeric membranes with high roughness, wettability, and mechanical robustness, these capabilities being imparted by the peculiar self-assembled network of GO and CNTs.
Dynamic Response and Molecular Chain Modifications Associated with Degradation during Mixing of Silica-Reinforced Natural Rubber Compounds
Authors: Kraibut Ammarin , Saiwari Sitisaiyidah , Kaewsakul Wisut , Noordermeer Jacques W. M. , Sahakaro Kannika , Dierkes Wilma K.
Published: December 2022

Mixing silica-reinforced rubber for tire tread compounds involves high shear forces and temperatures to obtain a sufficient degree of silanization. Natural Rubber (NR) is sensitive to mastication and chemical reactions, and thus, silica–NR mixing encounters both mechanical and thermal degradation. The present work investigates the degradation phenomena during the mixing of silica-reinforced NR compounds in-depth. The Mooney stress relaxation rates, the dynamic properties with frequency sweep, a novel characterization of branch formation on NR using Δδ values acc. Booij and van Gurp-Palmen plots, together, indicate two major competitive reactions taking place: chain scission or degradation and preliminary cross-linking or branch formation. For masticated pure NR and gum compounds, the viscous responses increase, and the changes in all parameters indicate the dominance of chain scission with increasing dump temperature. It causes molecular weight decrease, broader molecular weight distribution, and branched structures. Different behavior is observed for silica-filled NR compounds in which both physical and chemical cross-links are promoted by silanization and coupling reactions. At high dump temperatures above 150 °C, the results indicate a significant increase in branching due to preliminary cross-linking. These molecular chain modifications that cause network heterogeneity deteriorate the mechanical properties of resulting vulcanizates.
Preparation and Evaluation of Amorphous Solid Dispersions for Enhancing Luteolin’s Solubility in Simulated Saliva
Authors: Koromili Maria , Kapourani Afroditi , Barmpalexis Panagiotis
Published: December 2022

Luteolin (LUT), a bioactive flavonoid, possesses various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, cardio-protective, and anti-cancer activity. Among them, LUT’s administration for the treatment of periodontal disease is very promising. However, its low water solubility magnifies the challenge of formulating LUT into an effective dosage form. In this vein, the aim of the present study examines the preparation of amorphous solid dispersions (ASD) for the solubility improvement of LUT in saliva. At first, the physicochemical properties of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) were studied before the selection of the most suitable ASD matrix/carrier. For this reason, six commonly used polymeric ASD matrix/carriers (namely, povidone, PVP; copovidone, coPVP; hydroxypropyl cellulose, HPC-SL; hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate, HPMC-AS; Eudragit® RS, Eud-RS; and Soluplus®, SOL) were screened via the film casting method, as to whether they could suspend the drug’s recrystallization. The most promising matrix/carriers were then evaluated, based on their ability to inhibit LUT’s precipitation after its solubilization, via the solvent shift method. Based on both screening methods, it was determined that PVP was the most promising matrix/carrier for the preparation of LUT’s ASDs. Hence, in a further step, after the successful testing of components’ miscibility, LUT-PVP ASDs were prepared via the solvent evaporation method. These systems (examined via powder X-ray diffractometry, pXRD) showed full API amorphization immediately after preparation and excellent physical stability (since they were stable after 3 months of storage). The study of LUT-PVP ASD’s ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared) spectra demonstrated strong H-bonds between the molecules of the drug and the matrix/carrier, while molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were able to shed light on these drug–matrix/carrier interactions, at a molecular level. Finally, in vitro dissolution studies in simulated saliva proved that the prepared ASDs were able to significantly enhance LUT’s dissolution profile. Hence, according to findings of the present work, the preparation of LUT-ASDs utilizing PVP as the polymeric matrix/carrier is regarded as a highly promising technique for the improvement of API’s solubility in the oral cavity.
Views on Radiation Shielding Efficiency of Polymeric Composites/Nanocomposites and Multi-Layered Materials: Current State and Advancements
Authors: Shahzad Kashif , Kausar Ayesha , Manzoor Saima , Rakha Sobia A. , Uzair Ambreen , Sajid Muhammad , Arif Afsheen , Khan Abdul Faheem , Diallo Abdoulaye , Ahmad Ishaq
Published: December 2022

This article highlights advancements in polymeric composite/nanocomposites processes and applications for improved radiation shielding and high-rate attenuation for the spacecraft. Energetic particles, mostly electrons and protons, can annihilate or cause space craft hardware failures. The standard practice in space electronics is the utilization of aluminum as radiation safeguard and structural enclosure. In space, the materials must be lightweight and capable of withstanding extreme temperature/mechanical loads under harsh environments, so the research has focused on advanced multi-functional materials. In this regard, low-Z materials have been found effective in shielding particle radiation, but their structural properties were not sufficient for the desired space applications. As a solution, polymeric composites or nanocomposites have been produced having enhanced material properties and enough radiation shielding (gamma, cosmic, X-rays, protons, neutrons, etc.) properties along with reduced weight. Advantageously, the polymeric composites or nanocomposites can be layered to form multi-layered shields. Hence, polymer composites/nanocomposites offer promising alternatives to developing materials for efficiently attenuating photon or particle radiation. The latest technology developments for micro/nano reinforced polymer composites/nanocomposites have also been surveyed here for the radiation shielding of space crafts and aerospace structures. Moreover, the motive behind this state-of-the-art overview is to put forward recommendations for high performance design/applications of reinforced nanocomposites towards future radiation shielding technology in the spacecraft.
Religious Authority, Popular Preaching and the Dialectic of Structure-Agency in an Islamic Revivalist Movement: The Case of Maulana Tariq Jamil and the Tablighi Jama’at
Authors: Timol Riyaz
Published: December 2022

This article provides the first academic analysis of the popular Pakistani Islamic scholar and Urdu-speaking preacher Maulana Tariq Jamil. Drawing on years of ethnographic study of the Tablighi Jama’at, the revivalist movement to which Jamil belongs, as well as content analysis of dozens of his recorded lectures, the article presents a detailed biography of the Maulana in five stages. These comprise: (a) his upbringing and early life (1953–1972); (b) his conversion to the Tablighi Jama’at and studies at the Raiwind international headquarters (1972–1980); (c) his meteoric rise to fame and ascendancy up the movement’s leadership ranks (1980–1997); (d) his development into a national celebrity (1997–2016); and (e) major causes of controversy and criticism (2014–present). Tracing his narrative register within the historical archetypes of the quṣṣāṣ (storytellers) and wuʿʿāẓ (popular preachers), the paper identifies core tenets of the Maulana’s revivalist discourse, key milestones in his life—such as the high-profile conversion to the Tablighi Jama’at of Pakistani popstar Junaid Jamshed—and subtle changes in his approach over the years. The article deploys the classical sociological framework of structure-agency to explore how Maulana Tariq Jamil’s increasing exercise of agency in preaching Islam has unsettled structural expectations within traditionalist ʿulamāʾ (religious scholar) circles as well as the Tablighi leadership. It situates his emergence within a broader trend of Islamic media-based personalities who embrace contemporary technological tools to reach new audiences and respond to the challenges of postcolonial modernity.
UAV Low-Altitude Remote Sensing Inspection System Using a Small Target Detection Network for Helmet Wear Detection
Authors: Liang Han , Seo Suyoung
Published: December 2022

Automated construction site supervision systems are critical for reducing accident risks. We propose a helmet detection system with low-altitude remote sensing by UAVs in this paper to automate the detection of helmet-wearing workers to overcome the limitations of most detection efforts that rely on ground surveillance cameras and improve the efficiency of safety supervision. The proposed system has the following key aspects. (1) We proposed an approach for speedy automatic helmet detection at construction sites regularly leveraging the flexibility and mobility of UAVs. (2) A single-stage high-precision attention-weighted fusion network is proposed, allowing the detection AP of small-sized targets to be enhanced to 88.7%, considerably improving the network’s detection performance for small-sized targets. (3) Our proposed method can accurately categorize helmets based on whether they are worn or not and the type of helmet color, with an mAP of 92.87% and maximum detection accuracy in each category.
Low-Cost IMU and Odometer Tightly Augmented PPP-B2b-Based Inter-Satellite Differenced PPP in Urban Environments
Authors: Min Yu , Gao Zhouzheng , Lv Jie , Lan Ruohua , Xu Qiaozhuang , Yang Cheng
Published: December 2022

Since 23 June 2020, BDS-3 has been entirely operated and obtained the ability of global PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) services. Afterward, real-time Precise Point Positioning (PPP) service is available in China’s surrounding areas via BDS-3 PPP-B2b signal. However, such a real-time PPP service cannot maintain the high accuracy and continuity of positioning solutions in challenging environments, such as urban environments. For that, we carried out a model by integrating between-satellite single-differenced (BSSD) PPP, a low-cost Inertial Navigation System (INS), and an odometer via an extended Kalman filter. The performance of this integration model was assessed with vehicle-borne data. Results demonstrated that (1) the position RMS (Root Mean Square) of BSSD PPP are 64.33 cm, 53.47 cm, and 154.11 cm. Compared with BSSD PPP, about 31.2%, 23.3%, and 27.3% position improvements can be achieved by using INS. Further enhancements of position RMS benefiting from the odometer are 1.34%, 1.41%, and 1.73% in the three directions. (2) Anyway, the accuracy of BSSD PPP/INS/Odometer tightly coupled integration is slightly higher than that of undifferenced PPP/INS/Odometer integration, with average improvement percentages of 7.71%, 3.09%, and 0.27%. Meanwhile, the performance of BSSD PPP/INS/Odometer integration during the periods with satellite outages is better than the undifferenced PPP-based solutions. (3) The improvements in attitudes from an odometer are more significant on heading angle than the other two attitudes, with percentages of 25.00%. (4) During frequent GNSS outage periods, the reduction in average maximum position drifts provided by INS are 18.01%, 8.95%, and 20.74%. After integrating with an odometer, the drifts can be furtherly decreased by 25.11%, 15.96%, and 20.69%. For attitude, about 41.67% reduction in average maximum drifts of heading angles is obtained.
Lived Experiences of Mothering and Teaching during the Pandemic: A Narrative Inquiry on College Faculty Mothers in the Philippines
Authors: Espartinez Alma
Published: December 2022

How do academic mothers navigate their embodied selves in a disembodied academic life? More particularly, how do mothers in Philippine Higher Education balance the demands of mothering and teaching during the pandemic? This qualitative study used a narrative inquiry approach involving in-depth interviews with academic mothers from various faculties and ranks at some Philippine Higher Education Institutions. This approach explored the complex and often contradictory discourses surrounding the tension between the polarizing models of the ideal caring mother and ideal academic, trying to excel in both roles during the pandemic. The research began with an overview by way of a literature review of the pre-pandemic mother academics. It then reflected on eight mother college professors who balanced their careers with childcare, some with adult care, as this pandemic amplified deeply ingrained traditional social norms that perpetuate social inequities. Finally, it concluded that the two domains—academy and family—remained inhospitable to professing mothers in the Philippines. This study proposed that care work should be valorized, work–family narratives normalized and mainstreamed, and public and educational policies that support mothering and teaching rethought.
Features of Social Behavior and the Awareness of Moscow Residents about COVID-19 at the Beginning of the Pandemic
Authors: Reshetnikov Andrey , Prisyazhnaya Nadezhda , Steger Florian , Pavlov Sergey , Vyatkina Nadezhda
Published: December 2022

The coronavirus pandemic has raised serious questions about the need to properly inform residents of large cities about the rules of hygiene, behavior in self-isolation, and maintaining health. This study aimed to identify in more detail the sources of information and to assess the levels of awareness and knowledge of the inhabitants of a typical metropolis about coronavirus infection to further search for ways to improve health information during pandemics. This research has a questionnaire survey design. Data from 478 adult Muscovites were collected on 20–25 March 2020 by the Institute of Social Sciences of Sechenov University. The aim of this study was to study the level of awareness in preventing the spread of infection and peculiarities in the perceptions of residents of the city of Moscow toward the large-scale social changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic as well as their impact on the way of life, social relations, lifestyle, and ideas about the future of the population. This article presents the results of a medical and sociological survey of residents of Moscow implemented at the beginning of the spread of coronavirus infection in the country, which showed the awareness of residents of Moscow regarding the problem of the spread of coronavirus and the prevention of infection as well as a high level of anxiety and the pessimistic expectations of respondents regarding the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for the state, society, and people. At the same time, the fears of the survey participants involved both immediate risks of the disease and a wide range of socioeconomic problems from near and distant perspectives.
Generations and Branded Content from and through the Internet and Social Media: Modern Communication Strategic Techniques and Practices for Brand Sustainability—The Greek Case Study of LACTA Chocolate
Authors: Nicolaou Constantinos
Published: December 2022

A brand can get close to its audience by engaging and delivering integrated healthy and sustainable communication experiences from and through the Internet and social media. A de novo approach of branded content consumption in relation to generations and generational cohorts is highlighted through a literature review in the present article. The latest three adult generational cohorts (18 years old and older) (i.e., Generation X, Generation Y and Generation Z) are outlined under the lenses of digital technological socio-cultural culture, the media environment, and the audiovisual industry. In this framework, an audiovisual-supported case study of the Greek chocolate “LACTA” which is a characteristic and typical paradigm of re-approaching the brand, (a) through branded content from and through the Internet and social media; as well as (b) through generations is presented. The ultimate research purpose of this article is to spotlight the role of communication in sustainable development to reach a better and more sustainable future through multi-generational marketing. Therefore, historical elements through a rich bibliographic literature as a source of further study regarding the Internet, social media, and the last three generational cohorts with adults are provided. Moreover, since not all generational cohorts are alike, it also grants useful insights for the prospective role of public relations and advertising as well as modern marketing communication through the aforementioned brand case study for healthy, robust and sustainable communication.
Mineral Requirements for China’s Energy Transition to 2060—Focus on Electricity and Transportation
Authors: Che Beibei , Shao Chaofeng , Lu Zhirui , Qian Binghong , Chen Sihan
Published: December 2022

Through energy transition, China can help curb the global climate challenge and achieve carbon neutrality. However, the development of energy transition is potentially constrained by minerals. Previous studies on energy minerals have been limited to power generation technologies (e.g., wind and solar) and have mostly focused on rare metals. In this study, 18 minerals were selected for investigation based on the energy transition scenario in China. A dynamic stock model was used to calculate the installed capacity and phase-out of infrastructure. Through scenario analysis, changes in the demand for minerals from China’s energy transition and the risks of these minerals were assessed. Uncertainties in mineral intensity and lifetime assumptions were also addressed through statistical estimation and sensitivity analysis. The results indicate that wind power and photovoltaics will dominate the power generation sector in the future. Further, some minerals (Co, Cr, Cu, In, Li, Ni, Te) will face risk (especially Co and In), which may limit the development of electric vehicles and photovoltaics. Extending lifetime and reducing material intensity can reduce material demands but cannot fully mitigate material supply risks. Therefore, resource security strategies should be developed in advance to secure the supply of mineral resources in the energy transition process.
Investigating the Routes toward Environmental Sustainability: Fresh Insights from Korea
Authors: He Yugang
Published: December 2022

The environmental issues that have arisen as a result of brisk economic expansion have evolved into a barrier to the process of social development. Based on this background, this article investigates the consequences of economic development, energy consumption, and urbanization on greenhouse gas emissions (a proxy for environmental sustainability) in Korea. Using the data from 1990 to 2019 and employing the autoregressive distributed lag method for empirical investigations, the results demonstrate that economic expansion, urbanization, and non-renewable energy consumption all constitute a danger to environmental sustainability because they positively influence greenhouse gas emissions. Oppositely, the results demonstrate that renewable energy consumption enhances environmental sustainability because it negatively impacts greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, a fresh discovery is that these results are consistent over time. In addition, the results of the causality test show that two-way causal links between economic growth, non-renewable energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions have been found in both the short and long runs, whereas unidirectional causal links between urbanization, renewable energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions have also been discovered. The most significant contribution that the results of this study may make is that they can provide several policy proposals for environmental sustainability in Korea and expand the literature that already exists on this issue in Korea.
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Project as a Testing Ground for Economically Feasible Planned Cities: Case Study
Authors: Yusuf Nadia , Abdulmohsen Dareen
Published: December 2022

The objective of this case study was to examine how the planned city of NEOM in Saudi Arabia can contribute to the country’s economy and sustainability goals. The case study was intended to assess the challenges of planned city projects through the lens of the potential benefits to the host country’s economy. Using data from the project’s official website and relevant publications, it became possible to assess the risk management in urban megaprojects and to explore the issue of sustainable urbanization in the context of NEOM. In order to analyze the data, content analysis and thematic analysis techniques were used which allowed for the identification of patterns and trends in the data and to draw conclusions about the potential contributions of NEOM to Saudi Arabia’s economy and sustainability goals. The findings suggest that NEOM, which aims to be a net-zero carbon city, has attracted significant partners and investors interested in testing renewable energy technologies and infrastructure. The viability of NEOM as a testing ground for sustainable planned cities and their impact on the host country will depend on the ability to effectively balance the potential economic benefits with the risks and costs associated with the project. This study’s results indicate that NEOM represents an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to rebrand its image and participate in the creation of a green future, but its success will depend on fulfilling the investment requirements and managing the project-related challenges.
Consumption Pattern Benefits of the Cultural Activities in South Korea
Authors: Lee Hakjun , Heo Shik
Published: December 2022

This study examines the relationship between the cultural consumption pattern and an individual’s subjective well-being. We divide the consumption pattern of cultural activities by frequency, diversity, and inclusion and estimate the monetary value of the participation in culture and arts activities through the marginal rate of substitution. To reduce omitted variable bias, various factors are controlled for, such as basic demographics and satisfaction with personal relationship, class awareness, subjective income level, charitable donations and voluntary activities. The results show that the consumption of cultural activities can improve the individual’s subjective well-being, thus suggesting the use of cultural vouchers. Specifically, we find that the coefficients on frequency are positive and statistically significant, indicating that the cultural activities in Korea have a positive relationship with an individuals’ subjective well-being. Our research provides insight to the government organizations involved in the promotion of leisure policies.
Ground Reaction of Lightly Overconsolidated Subsoil in Reinforced Piled Embankment under Cyclic Loads
Authors: Zhuang Yan , Song Xiangwei , Wang Kangyu
Published: December 2022

Subsoil support is generally ignored in the design of reinforced piled embankments, resulting in a very conservative design for settlement control. This design philosophy may lead to an unnecessary increase in construction costs, especially for embankments constructed over subsoil of medium and high compressibility (i.e., compression index of subsoil larger than 0.2). This paper presents the ground reaction of lightly overconsolidated subsoil in a reinforced piled embankment subjected to cyclic loads for the purpose of investigating the general behavior of lightly overconsolidated subsoil, and it promotes the sustainable development of piled embankment technology. The ground reaction of subsoil under both static and cyclic loads was comprehensively analyzed in terms of settlement and incremental vertical stress, which exhibited approximately the same profile. However, the settlement of lightly overconsolidated subsoil under a cyclic load was 23% larger than that under a static load. A parametric study was then performed under cyclic loads, and the results showed that the vertical stress carried by the subsoil was the most sensitive to the pile spacing amongst all the parameters considered in this paper. The analysis demonstrated an approximately 88% increase in stress when spacing was enlarged from 2.0 to 3.0 m. Finally, a modified analytical method for the ground reaction of lightly overconsolidated subsoil under cyclic loads was presented, and it showed reasonable agreement with the numerical simulation, particularly for relatively low geogrid stiffnesses, low embankment height (<6.5 m), and small pile spacing (e.g., 2–3 m center to center).
Polyphenol Characterization and Antioxidant Capacity of Multi-Species Swards Grown in Ireland—Environmental Sustainability and Nutraceutical Potential
Authors: Rapisarda Samuel , Abu-Ghannam Nissreen
Published: December 2022

Ruminant production systems are major contributors to greenhouse gases emissions, with animal feeding practices being the main cause for methane and nitrous oxide’s release. Although feeding animals forages has been proven to be more sustainable, traditional ryegrass monocultures still require a lot of input (e.g., fertilisers and pesticides). Multi-species swards, consisting of different swards, such as grasses, forage legumes and herbs, need less management and fertiliser, produce more dry matter, and also add a variety of phytochemicals into the animal diet. In particular, polyphenols have been associated with a positive impact on animal health and productivity. However, data on the phenolic composition of multi-species sward components is still scarce, and little is known about the change in concentration over the grazing season. The present study investigated the antioxidant activity of six forage species (perennial ryegrass, timothy, white clover, red clover, chicory and plantain) over the Irish grazing season, using FRAP, DPPH•• and ORAC assays. The forages were screened for individual phenolic compounds using Liquid-Chromatography-Triple-Quadruple-Mass-Spectrometry. Plantain exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, being almost one and a half times higher than timothy and double that of chicory. Chlorogenic acid was the most abundant polyphenol in perennial ryegrass, timothy and plantain. Overall, formononetin and biochanin A levels were higher in red clover, white clover and in chicory, in comparison to other forages (p < 0.05). Variations in antioxidant capacity and polyphenol composition were more significant between species (p < 0.01) than between season within species (p > 0.05). This study suggests that multi-species swards, regardless of the grazing month, offer a potential sustainable alternative to monoculture swards with significant antioxidant activity and nutraceutical compounds.
Sustainability Assessment of Food-Waste-Reduction Measures by Converting Surplus Food into Processed Food Products for Human Consumption
Authors: Lehn Friederike , Schmidt Thomas
Published: December 2022

Food waste is a major challenge for society as it causes economic, environmental and social problems. Many food-waste-reduction measures aim to prevent food waste at the source or by redistributing surplus food via donation. However, it would also be useful to evaluate surplus-food redistribution, where surplus food can be made available for human consumption by valorization (recycling). This paper evaluates food-waste-reduction measures, where surplus food is converted into processed food products for human consumption, which are then sold in a German retail store. The objective is to assess whether this kind of recycling of surplus food is effective in reducing food waste and how sustainable it is considering the economic, environmental and social impacts. The results of this pilot study show a total reduction of 19 kg of food waste within 17 weeks. Furthermore, all products were economically profitable, with a per product net revenue of sold upcycled products between EUR 0.42 and 0.70. The results of the environmental assessment varied from savings of 1.55 kg of CO2 equivalents/kg of product to the addition of 1.88 kg of CO2 equivalents/kg of product in product carbon footprint and the addition of between 0.42 and 0.70 mPt/kg of product in product environmental footprint. The social indicators could only be qualitatively described. The results, therefore, can only recommend this recycling option as an effective and efficient food-waste-reduction measure under optimal conditions. More research is needed to describe different recycling situations and to therefore improve the sustainability of the food supply chain.
A Compact Filtering Coupler with Unwanted Harmonic Rejection Using LC Composite Lines for Communication Systems Applications
Authors: Roshani Saeed , Yahya Salah I. , Mezaal Yaqeen Sabah , Chaudhary Muhammad Akmal , Al-Hilali Aqeel A. , Ghadi Yazeed Yasin , Karimi Mohsen , Roshani Sobhan
Published: December 2022

In this paper, new LC lumped components and composite lines are used to create a filtering branch line coupler (FBLC) with a small size and wide suppression band. New composite lines are proposed using applied LC lumped components, which are used as the coupler main branches. The proposed FBLC suppresses second to sixth harmonics with high attention level and provides a wide stopband from 1.6 GHz to 5 GHz with more than 20 dB of attention. The presented coupler is analyzed, designed, simulated, and implemented. The measured results show that the proposed FBLC correctly operates at 800 MHz with less than 0.25 dB of insertion loss. In addition, more than 29 dB of return loss and isolation is measured at operating frequency, which shows the correct performance of the proposed design. The size of the proposed FBLC is equal to 23.7 mm × 25.5 mm (0.086λ × 0.093λ), which shows an 87% size reduction. The proposed FBLC with the designed frequency can be used in the communication systems for narrow-band Internet of things (NB-IoT) and traffic control radar applications.
Timely Resolution of SARS-CoV-2-Related Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
Authors: Reiff Daniel D. , Cron Randy Q.
Published: December 2022

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe, postinfectious manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the pediatric population. The disease is manifested by hyperinflammation and can result in cardiac dysfunction, coronary changes, and end-organ damage. Adequate timely treatment can prevent poor outcomes in the short term, but long-term data is lacking. Methods: A large single center MIS-C cohort was followed longitudinally after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) ± glucocorticoids to determine the natural history of the disease and to describe improvement in laboratory markers and cardiac outcomes. Patient were stratified by disease severity and compared. Results: 137 patients were identified with demographics similar to previously described cohorts. Regardless of disease severity, when adequately treated, initial lab abnormalities rapidly improved by the 6–8 month follow-up period, with some resolved in as little as 1–2 weeks. Similarly, cardiac abnormalities improved quickly after treatment; all abnormalities resolved in this cohort by 1–2 months post-hospitalization. Conclusions: Although MIS-C is a serious sequela of COVID-19, when identified quickly and treated aggressively, laboratory abnormalities, coronary dilatation, and systolic dysfunction rapidly improve with minimal long-term morbidity or mortality.
Topoisomerase II as a Novel Antiviral Target against Panarenaviral Diseases
Authors: Afowowe Tosin Oladipo , Sakurai Yasuteru , Urata Shuzo , Zadeh Vahid Rajabali , Yasuda Jiro
Published: December 2022

Although many arenaviruses cause severe diseases with high fatality rates each year, treatment options are limited to off-label use of ribavirin, and a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccine is not available. To identify novel therapeutic candidates against arenaviral diseases, an RNA polymerase I-driven minigenome (MG) expression system for Lassa virus (LASV) was developed and optimized for high-throughput screening (HTS). Using this system, we screened 2595 FDA-approved compounds for inhibitors of LASV genome replication and identified multiple compounds including pixantrone maleate, a topoisomerase II inhibitor, as hits. Other tested topoisomerase II inhibitors also suppressed LASV MG activity. These topoisomerase II inhibitors also inhibited Junin virus (JUNV) MG activity and effectively limited infection by the JUNV Candid #1 strain, and siRNA knockdown of both topoisomerases (IIα and IIβ) restricted JUNV replication. These results suggest that topoisomerases II regulate arenavirus replication and can serve as molecular targets for panarenaviral replication inhibitors.
The Effect of Treatment-Associated Mutations on HIV Replication and Transmission Cycles
Authors: Johnson Madison M. , Jones Carson Everest , Clark Daniel N.
Published: December 2022

HIV/AIDS mortality has been decreasing over the last decade. While promising, this decrease correlated directly with increased use of antiretroviral drugs. As a natural consequence of its high mutation rate, treatments provide selection pressure that promotes the natural selection of escape mutants. Individuals may acquire drug-naive strains, or those that have already mutated due to treatment. Even within a host, mutation affects HIV tropism, where initial infection begins with R5-tropic virus, but the clinical transition to AIDS correlates with mutations that lead to an X4-tropic switch. Furthermore, the high mutation rate of HIV has spelled failure for all attempts at an effective vaccine. Pre-exposure drugs are currently the most effective drug-based preventatives, but their effectiveness is also threatened by viral mutation. From attachment and entry to assembly and release, the steps in the replication cycle are also discussed to describe the drug mechanisms and mutations that arise due to those drugs. Revealing the patterns of HIV-1 mutations, their effects, and the coordinated attempt to understand and control them will lead to effective use of current preventative measures and treatment options, as well as the development of new ones.
Numerical Investigation of the Hydraulic Impacts Induced by a Bioreactor Installed in a Contaminated Waterway
Authors: Alrowais Raid , Jatwary Ashraf , Abdel daiem Mahmoud M. , Ghazy Ahmed , Alwushayh Bandar , Akrami Mohammad , Bashir Muhammad Tariq , Alanazi Fayez , Alhaz Uddin Md. , Elkamhawy Elsayed
Published: December 2022

Because of climate change, the erection of dams through transboundary rivers, and the shortage of water resources, countries worldwide are facing several challenges. Unconventional water resources such as recycling wastewater are urgently needed to overcome the demand–supply gap. The bioreactor is considered an effective means of removing contaminants and enhancing the self-purification on open waterways. This study numerically investigates the hydraulic impacts of an installed bioreactor in an open channel. Three-dimensional numerical models were developed based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate different arrangements of the gravel bioreactor installed in the open channel. The relative heading up increased as Froude’s number increased, regardless of the number of bio-filter segments. The heading up values decreased significantly when dividing the bio-filter into several segments with the same total length. The relative heading up decreased linearly as the distance between the bio-filter segments increased for a constant bio-filter length. On the other hand, the relative heading up increased linearly as the length of the bio-filter segments increased for a constant inter-distance of the bio-filter segments. For simultaneous changes in both the length of the bio-filter segments and their inter-distance, the relative heading up increased nonlinearly with the product of both the length and inter-distance. This study confirmed that the greater the inclination angles of the bio-filter’s face, the greater the heading up. When considering the base case with the inclination angle of 45°, the increasing ratios of the relative heading up were 14.5%, 16.1%, and 19.7%, corresponding to the angles 60°, 75°, and 90°, respectively.
Uncertainty Analysis for Image-Based Streamflow Measurement: The Influence of Ground Control Points
Authors: Liu Wen-Cheng , Huang Wei-Che , Young Chih-Chieh
Published: December 2022

Large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) provides a cost-effective, rapid, and secure monitoring tool for streamflow measurements. However, surveys of ground control points (GCPs) might affect the camera parameters through the solution of collinearity equations and then impose uncertainty on the measurement results. In this paper, we explore and present an uncertainty analysis for image-based streamflow measurements with the main focus on the ground control points. The study area was Yufeng Creek, which is upstream of the Shimen Reservoir in Northern Taiwan. A monitoring system with dual cameras was set up on the platform of a gauge station to measure the surface velocity. To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of image-based LSPIV, a comparison with the conventional measurement using a flow meter was conducted. Furthermore, the degree of uncertainty in LSPIV streamflow measurements influenced by the ground control points was quantified using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Different operations (with survey times from one to nine) and standard errors (30 mm, 10 mm, and 3 mm) during GCP measurements were considered. Overall, the impacts in the case of single GCP measurement are apparent, i.e., a shifted and wider confidence interval. This uncertainty can be alleviated if the coordinates of the control points are measured and averaged with three repetitions. In terms of the standard errors, the degrees of uncertainty (i.e., normalized confidence intervals) in the streamflow measurement were 20.7%, 12.8%, and 10.7%. Given a smaller SE in GCPs, less uncertain estimations of the river surface velocity and streamflow from LSPIV could be obtained.
Impact of Geometrical Features on Solute Transport Behavior through Rough-Walled Rock Fractures
Authors: Chuang Xihong , Li Sanqi , Hu Yingtao , Zhou Xin
Published: December 2022

The solute transport in the fractured rock is dominated by a single fracture. The geometric characteristics of single rough-walled fractures considerably influence their solute transport behavior. According to the self-affinity of the rough fractures, the fractal model of single fractures is established based on the fractional Brownian motion and the successive random accumulation method. The Navier–Stokes equation and solute transport convective-dispersion equation are employed to analyze the effect of fractal dimension and standard deviation of aperture on the solute transport characteristics. The results show that the concentration front and streamline distribution are inhomogeneous, and the residence time distribution (RTD) curves have obvious tailing. For the larger fractal dimension and the standard deviation of aperture, the fracture surface becomes rougher, aperture distribution becomes more scattered, and the average flow velocity becomes slower. As a result, the average time of solute transport is a power function of the fractal dimension, while the time variance and the time skewness present a negative linear correlation with the fractal dimension. For the standard deviation of aperture, the average time exhibits a linearly decreasing trend, the time variance is increased by a power function, and the skewness is increased logarithmically.