bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineering the Surface of Ti3C2 MXene Nanosheets for High Stability and Multimodal Anticancer Therapy
Authors: Korupalli Chiranjeevi , You Kai-Long , Getachew Girum , Rasal Akash S. , Dirersa Worku Batu , Zakki Fahmi Mochamad , Chang Jia-Yaw
Published: January 2022

The surface of Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets (TC NSs) was first modified with the antioxidants sodium ascorbate (SA) and dopamine (DA) (DSTC NS) to improve their stability in oxidative and hydration environments and thereby improve their bioapplications. This novel approach not only improved MXene stability by arresting oxidation but also increased the available functional groups for further functionalization with various biomolecules. The DSTC NSs were then sequentially conjugated with enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) and photosensitizer Ce6 to render the obtained CGDSTC NSs with glucose starvation and photodynamic therapeutic properties and thus attain high efficiency in killing cancer cells through the cooperative effect. The as-synthesized CGDSTC NSs demonstrated tremendous photothermal effect with conversion efficiency of 45.1% and photodynamic (ROS generation) properties upon irradiation with 808 and 671 nm lasers. Furthermore, it was observed that the enzymatic activity of CGDSTC NSs increased upon laser irradiation due to enhanced solution temperature. During in vitro studies, the CGDSTC NSs exhibited cytocompatability to HePG2 and HeLa cells under nonstimulus conditions. However, they elicited more than 90% cell-killing efficiency in the presence of glucose and laser irradiation via the cooperative effect between starvation therapy and phototherapy. These results indicate that CGDSTC NSs could be used as potential therapeutic agents to eradicate cancers with no or few adverse effects. This surface modification approach is also simple and facile to adopt in MXene-based research.
General Characteristics, Biomedical and Dental Application, and Usage of Chitosan in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Narrative Review
Authors: Derwich Marcin , Lassmann Lukasz , Machut Katarzyna , Zoltowska Agata , Pawlowska Elzbieta
Published: January 2022

The aim of this narrative review was to present research investigating chitosan, including its general characteristics, properties, and medical and dental applications, and finally to present the current state of knowledge regarding the efficacy of chitosan in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) based on the literature. The PICO approach was used for the literature search strategy. The PubMed database was analyzed with the following keywords: (“chitosan”[MeSH Terms] OR “chitosan”[All Fields] OR “chitosans”[All Fields] OR “chitosan s”[All Fields] OR “chitosane”[All Fields]) AND (“temporomandibular joint”[MeSH Terms] OR (“tem-poromandibular”[All Fields] AND “joint”[All Fields]) OR “temporomandibular joint”[All Fields] OR (“temporomandibular”[All Fields] AND “joints”[All Fields]) OR “temporo-mandibular joints”[All Fields]). After screening 8 results, 5 studies were included in this review. Chitosan presents many biological properties and therefore it can be widely used in several branches of medicine and dentistry. Chitosan promotes wound healing, helps to control bleeding, and is used in wound dressings, such as sutures and artificial skin. Apart from its antibacterial property, chitosan has many other properties, such as antifungal, mucoadhesive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and antitumoral properties. Further clinical studies assessing the efficacy of chitosan in the treatment of TMD are required. According to only one clinical study, chitosan was effective in the treatment of TMD; however, better clinical results were obtained with platelet-rich plasma.
Conventional and Recent Trends of Scaffolds Fabrication: A Superior Mode for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Adel Islam M. , ElMeligy Mohamed F. , Elkasabgy Nermeen A.
Published: January 2022

Tissue regeneration is an auto-healing mechanism, initiating immediately following tissue damage to restore normal tissue structure and function. This falls in line with survival instinct being the most dominant instinct for any living organism. Nevertheless, the process is slow and not feasible in all tissues, which led to the emergence of tissue engineering (TE). TE aims at replacing damaged tissues with new ones. To do so, either new tissue is being cultured in vitro and then implanted, or stimulants are implanted into the target site to enhance endogenous tissue formation. Whichever approach is used, a matrix is used to support tissue growth, known as ‘scaffold’. In this review, an overall look at scaffolds fabrication is discussed, starting with design considerations and different biomaterials used. Following, highlights of conventional and advanced fabrication techniques are attentively presented. The future of scaffolds in TE is ever promising, with the likes of nanotechnology being investigated for scaffold integration. The constant evolvement of organoids and biofluidics with the eventual inclusion of organ-on-a-chip in TE has shown a promising prospect of what the technology might lead to. Perhaps the closest technology to market is 4D scaffolds following the successful implementation of 4D printing in other fields.
Liposomal-Based Formulations: A Path from Basic Research to Temozolomide Delivery Inside Glioblastoma Tissue
Authors: Amarandi Roxana-Maria , Ibanescu Alina , Carasevici Eugen , Marin Luminita , Dragoi Brindusa
Published: January 2022

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain cancer with a very difficult therapeutic approach and ultimately frustrating results. Currently, therapeutic success is mainly limited by the high degree of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, the blood brain barrier (BBB), as well as increased drug resistance. Temozolomide (TMZ), a monofunctional alkylating agent, is the first line chemotherapeutic drug for GBM treatment. Yet, the therapeutic efficacy of TMZ suffers from its inability to cross the BBB and very short half-life (~2 h), which requires high doses of this drug for a proper therapeutic effect. Encapsulation in a (nano)carrier is a promising strategy to effectively improve the therapeutic effect of TMZ against GBM. Although research on liposomes as carriers for therapeutic agents is still at an early stage, their integration in GBM treatment has a great potential to advance understanding and treating this disease. In this review, we provide a critical discussion on the preparation methods and physico-chemical properties of liposomes, with a particular emphasis on TMZ-liposomal formulations targeting GBM developed within the last decade. Furthermore, an overview on liposome-based formulations applied to translational oncology and clinical trials formulations in GBM treatment is provided. We emphasize that despite many years of intense research, more careful investigations are still needed to solve the main issues related to the manufacture of reproducible liposomal TMZ formulations for guaranteed translation to the market.
Mechanistically Coupled PK (MCPK) Model to Describe Enzyme Induction and Occupancy Dependent DDI of Dabrafenib Metabolism
Authors: Albrecht Marco , Kogan Yuri , Kulms Dagmar , Sauter Thomas
Published: January 2022

Dabrafenib inhibits the cell proliferation of metastatic melanoma with the oncogenic BRAF(V600)-mutation. However, dabrafenib monotherapy is associated with pERK reactivation, drug resistance, and consequential relapse. A clinical drug-dose determination study shows increased pERK levels upon daily administration of more than 300 mg dabrafenib. To clarify whether such elevated drug concentrations could be reached by long-term drug accumulation, we mechanistically coupled the pharmacokinetics (MCPK) of dabrafenib and its metabolites. The MCPK model is qualitatively based on in vitro and quantitatively on clinical data to describe occupancy-dependent CYP3A4 enzyme induction, accumulation, and drug–drug interaction mechanisms. The prediction suggests an eight-fold increase in the steady-state concentration of potent desmethyl-dabrafenib and its inactive precursor carboxy-dabrafenib within four weeks upon 150 mg b.d. dabrafenib. While it is generally assumed that a higher dose is not critical, we found experimentally that a high physiological dabrafenib concentration fails to induce cell death in embedded 451LU melanoma spheroids.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio Improvement for Multiple-Pinhole Imaging Using Supervised Encoder–Decoder Convolutional Neural Network Architecture
Authors: Danan Eliezer , Shabairou Nadav , Danan Yossef , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: January 2022

Digital image devices have been widely applied in many fields, such as individual recognition and remote sensing. The captured image is a degraded image from the latent observation, where the degradation processing is affected by some factors, such as lighting and noise corruption. Specifically, noise is generated in the processing of transmission and compression from the unknown latent observation. Thus, it is essential to use image denoising techniques to remove noise and recover the latent observation from the given degraded image. In this research, a supervised encoder–decoder convolution neural network was used to fix image distortion stemming from the limited accuracy of inverse filter methods (Wiener filter, Lucy–Richardson deconvolution, etc.). Particularly, we will correct image degradation that mainly stems from duplications arising from multiple-pinhole array imaging.
Wild Edible Plants: A Challenge for Future Diet and Health
Authors: Motti Riccardo
Published: January 2022

Wild edible plants (WEPs) can be defined as native species that grow and reproduce naturally in their natural habitat without being cultivated [...]
Highly Transparent Aromatic Polyamides from Unsymmetrical Diamine with Trifluoromethyl Groups
Authors: Kim Seong Jong , Kang Inah , Byun Taejoon , So Jongho , Kim Sang Youl
Published: January 2022

Soluble and transparent wholly aromatic polyamides (PAs) were synthesized from an unsymmetrical diamine monomer having trifluoromethyl (CF3) groups, 4-(4′-aminophenoxy)-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)aniline. The monomer was polymerized with several dicarboxylic acid monomers via the Yamazaki–Higashi polycondensation method. All of the synthesized polyamides have an amorphous morphology, and they are soluble in many polar organic solvents at room temperature. Flexible and transparent films of the polyamides were prepared by solution casting and these polymer films show good optical transparencies with cut-off wavelengths of 337–367 nm and transparencies of 88%–90% at 550 nm. In addition, all the polymers were thermally stable over 400 °C and exhibited glass transition temperatures (Tg) higher than 300 °C. Unsymmetrically inserted trifluoromethyl groups on polyamides improves the solubility as well as the transparency of the polymers while maintaining good thermal properties. They also showed low refractive indices around 1.5333~1.5833 at 633 nm owing to the existence of low polarizable trifluoromethyl groups.
Biodegradable Hydrogel Beads Combined with Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement for Bone Repair: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization
Authors: Fu Po-Sung , Wang Jen-Chyan , Lai Pei-Ling , Liu Shih-Ming , Chen Ya-Shun , Chen Wen-Cheng , Hung Chun-Cheng
Published: January 2022

This study evaluated the in vitro characterizations of biodegradable hydrogel beads with calcium phosphate bone cement (CPC). Commercial fast-setting CPC and hydrogel beads were compared with 25%-volume hydrogel in CPC (C/0.25) in vivo. The histological behaviors and absorption rates of CPC only, hydrogel beads, and hydrogel/CPC composite were measured and compared at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The results indicated that the C/0.25 composite can be molded and does not disintegrate when immersed in the solution, but this delays the phase transition of the CPC into the product in the early reaction process. The osteoprogenitor D1 cell affinity of the C/0.25 composite was equally competitive with that of the CPC-only. Adding hydrogel beads to CPC did not inhibit cell proliferation as well as differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells. In vivo histological evaluations did not indicate any significant difference in the CPC-only, hydrogel-only, and C/0.25 composite after 4 weeks of implantation; however, significantly less residue was observed in the C/0.25 composite relative to the CPC-only after 8 weeks. After 12 weeks of hydrogel beads implantation, the hydrogel degraded substantially, creating vacancies that were subsequently occupied by a large amount of soft tissue. New bone was formed in large quantities in the C/0.25; therefore, the C/0.25 composite is a promising option for a wide range of dental, craniofacial, and orthopedic applications.
Experimental Characterization and Analysis of the In-Plane Elastic Properties and Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of a 3D-Printed Continuous Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composite
Authors: Santos Jonnathan D. , Fernández Alex , Ripoll Lluís , Blanco Norbert
Published: January 2022

The use of continuous fiber as reinforcement in polymer additive manufacturing technologies enhances the mechanical performance of the manufactured parts. This is the case of the Carbon-Fiber reinforced PolyAmide (CF/PA) used by the MarkForged MarkTwo® 3D printer. However, the information available on the mechanical properties of this material is limited and with large variability. In this work, the in-plane mechanical properties and the interlaminar fracture toughness in modes I and II of Markforged’s CF/PA are experimentally investigated. Two different standard specimens and end-tabs are considered for the in-plane properties. Monolithic CF/PA specimens without any additional reinforcement are used for the interlaminar fracture toughness characterization. Two different mode I specimen configurations are compared, and two different test types are considered for mode II. The results show that prismatic specimens with paper end-tabs are more appropriate for the characterization of the in-plane material properties. The use of thick specimens for mode I fracture toughness tests complicates the characterization and can lead to erroneous results. Contrary to what has been reported in the literature for the same material, fracture toughness in mode I is lower than for mode II, which agrees with the normal tendency of traditional composite materials.
Applications of Inorganic Nanoparticles in Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Dash Kshirod , Deka Pinky , Bangar Sneh , Chaudhary Vandana , Trif Monica , Rusu Alexandru
Published: January 2022

Nanoparticles (NPs) have acquired significance in technological breakthroughs due to their unique properties, such as size, shape, chemical composition, physiochemical stability, crystal structure, and larger surface area. There is a huge demand for packaging materials that can keep food fresher for extended periods of time. The incorporation of nanoscale fillers in the polymer matrix would assists in the alleviation of packaging material challenges while also improving functional qualities. Increased barrier properties, thermal properties like melting point and glass transition temperatures, and changed functionalities like surface wettability and hydrophobicity are all features of these polymers containing nanocomposites. Inorganic nanoparticles also have the potential to reduce the growth of bacteria within the packaging. By incorporating nano-sized components into biopolymer-based packaging materials, waste material generated during the packaging process may be reduced. The different inorganic nanoparticles such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, copper oxide, silver, and gold are the most preferred inorganic nanoparticles used in food packaging. Food systems can benefit from using these packaging materials and improve physicochemical and functional properties. The compatibility of inorganic nanoparticles and their various forms with different polymers make them excellent components for package fortification. This review article describes the various aspects of developing and applying inorganic nanoparticles in food packaging. This study provides diverse uses of metals and metal oxides nanoparticles in food packaging films for the development of improved packaging films that can extend the shelf life of food products. These packaging solutions containing nanoparticles would effectively preserve, protect, and maintain the quality of the food material.
Methylene Blue Dye as Photosensitizer for Scavenger-Less Water Photo Splitting: New Insight in Green Hydrogen Technology
Authors: Barakat Nasser A. M. , Tolba Gehan M. K. , Khalil Khalil Abdelrazek
Published: January 2022

In this study, hydrogen generation was performed by utilizing methylene blue dye as visible-light photosensitizer while the used catalyst is working as a transfer bridge for the electrons to H+/H2 reaction. Silica NPs-incorporated TiO2 nanofibers, which have a more significant band gap and longer electrons lifetime compared to pristine TiO2, were used as a catalyst. The nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning of amorphous SiO2 NPs/titanium isopropoxide/poly (vinyl acetate)/N, N-dimethylformamide colloid. Physicochemical characterizations confirmed the preparation of well morphology SiO2–TiO2 nanofibers with a bandgap energy of 3.265 eV. Under visible light radiation, hydrogen and oxygen were obtained in good stoichiometric rates (9.5 and 4.7 mL/min/gcat, respectively) without any considerable change in the dye concentration, which proves the successful exploitation of the dye as a photosensitizer. Under UV irradiation, SiO2 NPs incorporation distinctly enhanced the dye photodegradation, as around 91 and 94% removal efficiency were obtained from TiO2 nanofibers containing 4 and 6 wt% of the used dopant, respectively, within 60 min.
Preparation, Structure and Properties of Urethane-Containing Elastomers Based on Epoxy Terminal Oligomers
Authors: Slobodinyuk Alexey , Strelnikov Vladimir , Senichev Valeriy Yu , Slobodinyuk Daria
Published: January 2022

The effect of polyester oligoethylene adipate molecular weight, diisocyanate structure, and chain extender on the properties of epoxyurethane-based oligomer elastomers was studied in this research. Oligoethylene adipates were obtained via polycondensation of adipic acid and ethylene glycol. Epoxyurethane oligomers were synthesized according to a two-step route with an oligodiisocyanate as an intermediate product. The elastomers with hard urethane hydroxyl blocks were synthesized from oligodiisocyanates. The deformation and strength properties of the elastomers were studied.
Free Beauty and Functional Perspective in Medieval Aesthetics
Authors: Pradier Adrián
Published: January 2022

The concept of functional beauty is characterized by including an aesthetic appreciation of objects that evaluates their efficiency in terms of satisfaction of attributions. As opposed to the concept of free beauty, which includes an appreciation of perceptual qualities for their own sake, the knowledge of functions is a necessary condition for the aesthetic experience itself. The aim of this paper is to reintegrate the medieval tension between these two conceptions, which has been surprisingly neglected in contemporary aesthetic reflection. We start from the hypothesis that the modern opposition between functional beauty and free beauty is rooted in the medieval controversies concerning the role assigned to sensitive beauty. If this is true, it would open a path of interlocution for contemporary aesthetic and theological thought that, based on Patristics, runs through the whole of the Middle Ages. We focus on three tensions which constitute three turning points: (1) the categorical distinction between beauty and appropriateness through St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430) and St. Isidore of Seville (c. 560–636), who raise the question in the tradition of Latin Patristics; (2) the opposition between aesthetic judgment based on function satisfaction or one based on the free and mere appearance of the object, as can be seen in the foundational thought of St. Basil the Great (330–379), whose influence is not only extraordinary in Greek Patristics, but also in the Latin world; finally, the controversy about practical value of aesthetic attitude, through texts by Hugh of St. Victor (1096–1141), St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) and Suger of St. Denis (1081–1151). The conclusions reveal the irreducible aesthetic value of functional beauty in medieval period and the extraordinary difficulties in accommodating a free and autonomous notion of beauty, as well as the practical benefits of its everyday treatment. In fact, the consideration of a free beauty as a good in itself persists in medieval thought, which is important not only for History of Philosophy, but also for the contemporary concern shared by Philosophy of Religion and Aesthetics about the role of sensitive beauty in the life of human being.
Assessing Railway Landscape by AHP Process with GIS: A Study of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway
Authors: Sang Kun , Fontana Giovanni Luigi , Piovan Silvia Elena
Published: January 2022

Landscape quality is a crucial factor for the heritage attractiveness of tourism, allowing tourists to experience both natural and cultural aspects along railway journeys. Moreover, railway landscape is a comprehensive system that defines the landscape observed and perceived by passengers and is characterized by the diversity and continuity of the train’s movement. Yunnan-Vietnam railway (YVR) heritage is the research object of this research, whose area encompasses various landscape types and heritage sites, providing great landscape enjoyment. Currently, the assessment methods specifically for railway landscape have been discussed less than for other landscape types, especially for a series of large linear sites like the YVR. To evaluate the value of railway heritage landscape along the railway, this paper proposes a methodology combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Delphi method, and GIS as an integrated spatial assessment. Creatively, this paper seeks to: (1) discuss the relationship between railway and landscape; (2) build a comprehensive evaluation system for the railway heritage landscape, covering the topics of history, tourism, ecology, heritage, social-culture, and visual quality; (3) quantify the landscape value of the YVR areas. Thus, the results of this research can be useful to future urban planning, development, and policymaking.
Experimental Study of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Nowcasting with Multisource Data Based on a Video Prediction Method
Authors: Guo Shuchang , Wang Jinyan , Gan Ruhui , Yang Zhida , Yang Yi
Published: January 2022

The evolution of lightning generation and extinction is a nonlinear and complex process, and the nowcasting results based on extrapolation and numerical models largely differ from the real situation. In this study, a multiple-input and multiple-output lightning nowcasting model, namely Convolutional Long- and Short-Term Memory Lightning Forecast Net (CLSTM-LFN), is constructed to improve the lightning nowcasting results from 0 to 3 h based on video prediction methods in deep learning. The input variables to CLSTM-LFN include historical lightning occurrence frequency and physical variables significantly related to lightning occurrence from numerical model products, which are merged with each other to provide effective information for lightning nowcasting in time and space. The results of batch forecasting tests show that CLSTM-LFN can achieve effective forecasts of 0 to 3 h lightning occurrence areas, and the nowcasting results are better than those of the traditional lightning parameterization scheme and only inputting a single data source. After analyzing the importance of input variables, the results show that the role of numerical model products increases significantly with increasing forecast time, and the relative importance of convective available potential energy is significantly larger than that of other physical variables.
Performance Evaluation of a MW-Size Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Plant Considering the Impact of Tilt Angle
Authors: Sharma Gori Shankar , Mahela Om Prakash , Hussien Mohamed G. , Khan Baseem , Padmanaban Sanjeevikumar , Shafik Muhammed B. , Elbarbary Zakaria M. Salem
Published: January 2022

This paper presents a study for the estimation of generation from a large-scale, grid-interfaced solar PV plant using the PVsyst software. This study aims to investigate the effect of tilt angle on the performance of the grid-integrated solar PV plant. Two types of tilt angle test plants, i.e., a fixed tilt angle of 30° (1 MW) and two seasonal tilt angles, in summer 13° and in winter 30° (2.5 MW), have been selected at the same location in Bikaner, India. The performance of the proposed test solar power plants, rated at 1 MW (fixed tilt angle) and 2.5 MW (two seasonal tilt angles), is established by comparing the results obtained using the PVsyst software with the practical data of annual solar insolation. It is established that the radiation incident on PV modules will increase by 2.41% if two seasonal tilt angles are considered. Hence, the annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) has increased by 0.26%. Furthermore, it is established that the proposed method’s performance is superior compared to the statistical methods reported in the literature.
A Robotic Arm Based Design Method for Modular Building in Cold Region
Authors: Sun Zexin , Mei Hongyuan , Pan Wente , Zhang Zhengwei , Shan Jie
Published: January 2022

The robotic arm has emerged as an essential tool for the rapid construction of high-quality buildings due to its ability to repeat instructions, achieve precise positioning and fine operations. The robotic arm can also effectively replace workers to complete building construction under low temperature and short daylight conditions. Thus, it can be forward-looking to construct modular buildings in cold region, but how to realize the construction of modular buildings through human-machine coordination and remote operation is a significant issue. This article discusses the feasibility of robotic arm assembly design methods in the field of architecture by simulating the complete design and construction process of modular buildings. According to parameterized module design, a three-dimensional computer model is transformed into an electronic file that directs the action of the robotic arm to complete assembly via a custom processing program. This article details a theoretical and practical exploration of the construction of modular manipulators and has certain guiding significance for the intelligent design and construction of future buildings.
Does Public-Loan Management Matter for Sustainable Finance and Operation Risk?
Authors: Rhee Won Woo , Ha Hong-Youl
Published: January 2022

Previous research indicates that small-loan financing is a highly complex process, particularly when public sources provide financial support. This study applies propensity score matching to improve the effectiveness of closer inspection systems. Specifically, it compares before and after implementing propensity score matching (PSM) in terms of closer inspection and operational risk. It also examines similarities and differences among individuals’ demographics regarding the default rate of small business loans. Data pertaining to 589,648 Sunshine Loan debtors are utilized to address the research questions. Results indicate that the default rate with closer inspection is 5.5% lower than without closer inspection. Furthermore, the default rate with operational risk is dramatically lower (15.4%) than that without operational risk. The PSM approach presented here thus illuminates opportunities and challenges in three strategic areas: (1) management of public funds, (2) effectiveness of both closer inspection and operational risk, and (3) risk management for individual borrower types.
Analysis of Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Recreational Attraction for POS in Urban Communities: A Case Study of Shanghai
Authors: Yu Bingqin , Sun Wenshu , Wu Jiayuan
Published: January 2022

In order to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics and space use intensity of residents’ recreational behaviors in the public open space (POS) of communities, the Ruijin, Xincheng, and Fangsong communities, located in the city center, a suburb, and the outskirts of Shanghai, respectively, were studied. The visitor volume data were obtained through the Tencent Travel data. Points of interest of the POS were obtained by the Cat’s Eye app, and the use intensity data were analyzed by kernel density estimation. The use intensity and attraction of POS were verified by stagnation points. The classification of the stagnation points hierarchy showed that the leisure time and distribution of POS visited by residents. There were significantly different in community public spaces, which verifies the rationality of the recreational attraction of the POS. In addition, geodetectors were used to analyze the external factors affecting the characteristics and use intensity of POS. The results show that the percentage of POS area, pedestrian accessibility, population density, percentage of commercial land use, and per-capita occupancy area were important factors, influencing the use intensity of POS, which can provide suggestions for the planning and design of POS in urban communities.
Design of Social Responsibility Incentive Contracts for Stakeholders of Megaprojects under Information Asymmetry
Authors: Xue Feng , Chen Guangyu , Huang Shanming , Xie Huan
Published: January 2022

Social responsibility is essential to the sustainable development of megaprojects. A transparent and symmetrical information-sharing mechanism is an important guarantee for promoting megaproject stakeholders to fulfill their social responsibilities and improve project efficiency. Aiming at the problems of megaproject subcontractors concealing social responsibility information, which leads to unsmooth information channels and low project efficiency, this paper compares and analyzes the single-stage revenue-sharing model under symmetric and asymmetric information from the perspective of incentive contract design. Then, a two-stage incentive contract with multiple indicators under asymmetric information is designed using principal-agent theory. The research results show that the social responsibility effort level of the general contractor and the total project revenue is positively correlated with the input–output ratio, and is negatively correlated with the degree of information opacity of the subcontractor’s social responsibility. Incentive contracts with multiple indicators in stages can effectively encourage subcontractors to disclose social responsibility information, and reduce information asymmetry, therefore enhancing social responsibility and improving overall project efficiency. This research transforms the research on the social responsibility of megaprojects from qualitative to quantitative. The research results provide theoretical methods and decision-making basis for megaproject general contractors to encourage subcontractors to improve social responsibility.
Can Ecological Farming Systems Positively Affect Household Income from Agriculture? A Case Study of the Suburban Area of Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Phamova Marie , Banout Jan , Verner Vladimir , Ivanova Tatiana , Mazancova Jana
Published: January 2022

From 1995, Vietnam started building safety standards for agricultural products divided into three labels, “safe”, “VietGAP”, and “organic” to deal with environmental problems and health issues resulting from the intensification of farming methods and increasing awareness of food safety. This research examines the reasons for government support of agricultural production according to those standards instead of conventional methods. To this end, we characterised the current farming systems, identified factors affecting the generation of cash income from agriculture, and investigated the influence of the farming system on farm income in the suburban area of Hanoi. Data collection involved a survey based on a structured questionnaire, key informants’ interviews, and focus group discussions conducted in 2015 with a sample size of 312 respondents. Three forms of farming systems: conventional, safe, and organic were identified. Literature suggested that ecological farming systems that are safe and organic are supported by stakeholders in Vietnam to maintain agricultural sustainability. A multiple linear regression model was applied to identify factors that affect cash incomes from agricultural activities. This research found a direct correlation between the ecological factor of farming systems and respondents’ cash income from agricultural activities. Additionally, the amount of family labour and respondents’ higher-level education and farm experiences appeared to positively influence the cash incomes from agriculture. On the other hand, farm size and membership in a farmers’ association were identified as the major factors that negatively affect agricultural cash income in the study area.
Technical and Economic Analysis of an HVDC Transmission System for Renewable Energy Connection in Afghanistan
Authors: Ludin Gul Ahmad , Nakadomari Akito , Yona Atsushi , Mikkili Suresh , Rangarajan Shriram Srinivasarangan , Collins Edward Randolph , Senjyu Tomonobu
Published: January 2022

Aged and insufficient domestic power plants and insecure, unreliable and expensive power imports pose significant challenges for the power sector of Afghanistan. On the other hand, due to the absence of a suitable transmission grid, the internal renewable energy resources are not adequately developed, despite their abundant resource potential throughout the country. This paper proposes a voltage source converter (VSC)-based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission link to connect the Herat province in the west, which has huge solar and wind energy potential, to Kabul, the capital of the country and the main load center. A techno-economic analysis of this HVDC against high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) technology was performed to determine the suitability and effectiveness of the proposed transmission system. The active, reactive and corona losses were calculated as the technical parameters and the discounted cash flow (DCF) method was deployed to economically compare both technologies. The outcomes of the paper disclose that the implementation of this transmission project is techno-economically feasible, and can result in the energy security and economic stability of the country.
A Case Study on the Danube Limes in Serbia: Valorisation and Cartographic Analyses of Selected Tourism Products
Authors: Jovanović Jasmina M. , Stojanović Marko , Janković Tanja , Drobnjak Siniša , Djordjević Dejan , Banković Radoje , Radovanović Milan , Živković Ljiljana , Gajić Tamara , Demirović Bajrami Dunja , Tretiakova Tatiana N. , Syromiatnikova Julia A.
Published: January 2022

Cultural assets in the area of the Danube Limes in Serbia are an integral part of the world heritage “Roman Empire Borders”. The research presented in this paper includes the tourist and cartographic visualization of 19 Roman sites in the Danube Limes region of Golubac–Radujevac, to determine the real possibilities of tourism development in this area. The historical and cultural heritage of this area is among the most attractive tourist destinations in Serbia, Djerdap National Park and Djerdap Geopark. Despite its diverse cultural and historical values and the specific and unique natural environment, this area is not sufficiently used for tourism. The research included the evaluation of localities, which may serve as the basis to establish which activities should be undertaken in order to plan, use, preserve, and protect such important cultural assets, under the principles of sustainable tourism development. Information based on spatially referenced data in the research process requires cartographic support, in order to understand the geospatial relations of the site significance. Cartographic visualization enabled efficiently systematized data organization, spatial identification, presentation, and the use of complex information from the mapped area in the data analysis in this paper.
The Impact of Commercial Credit on Firm Innovation: Evidence from Chinese A-Share Listed Companies
Authors: Liu Tinghua , Wang Jingru , Rathnayake Dilesha , Louembé Pierre
Published: January 2022

This paper analyses the data on Chinese A-share listed companies from 1996 to 2019, using fixed-effect regression and the double-difference method to systematically examine the impact of commercial credit on enterprise technological innovation. The study found that the acquisition and provision of commercial credit has promoted the number of enterprise technological innovations and significantly improved their quality. In particular, the innovation of highly constrained companies is promoted by financing. Our findings help to solve the obstacles enterprises face in breaking through financing constraints and improving the efficiency and quality of their innovative efforts. The financing system has a significant influence on promoting the sustainable development of innovative enterprises.
Towards a “City in Nature”: Evaluating the Cultural Ecosystem Services Approach Using Online Public Participation GIS to Support Urban Green Space Management
Authors: Koh Yi Fan , Loc Ho Huu , Park Edward
Published: January 2022

The concept of cultural ecosystem services has been increasingly influential in both environmental research and policy decision making, such as for urban green spaces. However, its popular definitions tend to conflate “services” with “benefits”, making it challenging for planners to employ them directly to manage urban green spaces. Thus, attempts have been made to redefine cultural ecosystem services as the function of cultural activities in environmental spaces which result in people’s enjoyment of cultural ecosystem benefits. The operability of such a redefinition needs to be evaluated, which this study seeks to achieve with Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore presenting itself as a prime case study research area. Transdisciplinary mixed methods of a public participation geographic information system, which leverages on spatial data from public park users, and social media text mining analysis via Google reviews were used. A wealth of cultural ecosystem services and benefits were reported in the park, especially the recreational and aesthetic services and experiential benefits. Policy and methodological implications for future research and urban park developments were considered. Overall, this paper would recommend the employment of the redefined cultural ecosystem services approach to generate relational, data-driven and actionable insights to better support future urban green space management.
Assessment of PV Module Temperature Models for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
Authors: Martín-Chivelet Nuria , Polo Jesús , Sanz-Saiz Carlos , Núñez Benítez Lucy Tamara , Alonso-Abella Miguel , Cuenca José
Published: January 2022

This paper assesses two steady-state photovoltaic (PV) module temperature models when applied to building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) rainscreens and curtain walls. The models are the Ross and the Faiman models, both extensively used for PV modules mounted on open-rack support structures in PV plants. The experimental setups arrange the BIPV modules vertically and with different backside boundary conditions to cover the mounting configurations under study. Data monitoring over more than a year was the experimental basis to assess each model by comparing simulated and measured temperatures with the help of four different metrics: mean absolute error, root mean square error, mean bias error, and coefficient of determination. The performance ratio of each system without the temperature effect was calculated by comparing the experimental energy output with the energy output determined with the measured temperatures. This parameter allowed the estimation of the PV energy with the predicted temperatures to assess the suitability of each temperature model for energy-prediction purposes. The assessment showed that the Ross model is the most suitable for predicting the annual PV energy in rainscreen and curtain-wall applications. Highlighted is the importance of fitting the model coefficients with a representative set of in situ monitored data. The data set should preferably include the inner (backside) temperature, i.e., the air chamber temperature in ventilated façades or the indoor temperature in curtain walls and windows.
Optimizing the Location of Park-and-Ride Facilities in Suburban and Urban Areas Considering the Characteristics of Coverage Requirements
Authors: Liu Huasheng , Li Yu , Li Jin , Hou Bowen , Zhao Shuzhi
Published: January 2022

Within the scope of sustainability, the development of park-and-ride (P&R) facilities can reduce the exhaust emissions of motor vehicles and help build an environmentally friendly society. The location of P&R facilities is the primary consideration in planning, and it plays a decisive role in their transportation, environmental and economic benefits. Given the difficulty of obtaining full data information of traffic network attributes and travel demand characteristics, in this study the P&R facilities in the outer suburbs and cities as were taken as the research object, with a simplified transportation network, improving the principle of nearby selection and 0–1 demand coverage in existing research. By analyzing the P&R facility coverage and demand intensity characteristics, a P&R facility location model considering the coverage demand characteristics was constructed, and a solution algorithm is proposed. The validity of the established model was verified by comparing the existing location model and conducting sensitivity analysis.
Child Pedestrian Safety: Study of Street-Crossing Behaviour of Primary School Children with Adult Supervision
Authors: Riaz Malik Sarmad , Cuenen Ariane , Polders Evelien , Akram Muhammad Bilal , Houda Moustafa , Janssens Davy , Azab Marc
Published: January 2022

Road traffic accidents are the primary cause of injuries and fatalities among children. The current study focuses on children’s (un)safe crossing behaviour in a real traffic situation accompanied by an adult at a crosswalk in front of their school. The study aims to investigate if there are differences in crossing behaviour related to road infrastructure (i.e., one-way and two-way street, elevated and non-elevated street crossing), the gender of the child, and the effect of the accompanying adult’s behaviour on the child’s crossing behaviour. Primary school children from two urban schools in Flanders (Belgium) were observed for three days while crossing the street in front of their school in the morning and afternoon. A total of 241 child–adult pairs were observed. Descriptive analysis, Pearson chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression models were used to find differences between groups. More than half of the crossings exhibited two or more unsafe behaviours. Not stopping at the curb before crossing was the most unsafe behaviour, exhibited by 47.7% of children; not looking for oncoming traffic before and during the crossing was the second most unsafe behaviour, exhibited by 39.4% of the children. The only difference between boys’ and girls’ crossing behaviour was in stopping at the curb with girls 1.901 times more likely to stop before crossing as compared to boys. Adults holding hands of the child resulted in safer behaviours by children. The children not holding hands displayed significantly riskier behaviour in running or hopping while crossing the street and being distracted. The study reinforces the need to improve the transportation system through infrastructural interventions (elevated crosswalks), as well as educating and training children and the parents on safe crossing behaviour in traffic.
Rickettsiosis in Southeast Asia: Summary for International Travellers during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ngamprasertchai Thundon , Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Piyaphanee Watcharapong
Published: January 2022

Rickettsiosis is an important cause of febrile illness among travellers visiting Southeast Asia (SEA). The true incidence of rickettsiosis is underestimated; however, murine typhus and scrub typhus are widely distributed across SEA. Among travellers visiting SEA, scrub typhus was mostly reported from Thailand, whereas murine typhus was frequently found in Indonesia. Although most cases are self-limited or present with mild symptoms, a few cases with severe clinical manifestations have been reported. Doxycycline remains the key treatment of rickettsiosis. Some travellers, such as backpackers, trekkers, or cave explorers, are at a higher risk for rickettsiosis than others. Therefore, in resource-limited conditions, empirical treatment should be considered in these travellers. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has contributed to difficulty in the diagnosis of rickettsiosis because of the clinical similarities between these diseases. In addition, physical distancing mandated by COVID-19 management guidelines limits accurate physical examination, resulting in misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of rickettsiosis. This review summarises the characteristics of murine typhus and scrub typhus, describes travel-associated rickettsiosis, and discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rickettsiosis.
Dark Matter Searches Using NaI(Tl) at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Amaré Julio , Cebrián Susana , Cintas David , Coarasa Iván , Cuesta Clara , García Eduardo , Martínez María , Morales Ángel , Morales Julio , Oliván Miguel , Ortigoza Ysrael , de Solórzano Alfonso , Pardo Tamara , Pobes Carlos , Puimedón Jorge , Salinas Ana , Sarsa María , Villar José , Villar Patricia
Published: January 2022

Sodium Iodide Thallium doped (NaI(Tl)) scintillation detectors have been applied to the direct searches for dark matter since the 1980s and have produced one of the most challenging results in the field—the observation by the DAMA/LIBRA collaboration of an annual modulation in the detection rate for more than twenty cycles. This result is very difficult to reconcile with negative results derived from other experiments using a large variety of target materials and detection techniques. However, it has been neither confirmed nor refuted in a model independent way up to the present. Such a model independent test of the DAMA/LIBRA result is the goal of the ANAIS-112 experiment, presently in the data taking phase at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory in Spain. ANAIS-112 design and operation leans on the expertise acquired at the University of Zaragoza in direct searches for Dark Matter particles using different targets and techniques and in particular using NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors for about thirty years, which are reviewed in the first section of this manuscript. In addition to presenting the status and more recent results of the ANAIS-112 experiment, open research lines, continuing this effort, will be presented.