bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal Safety Assessment of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in the US: A Real-World Adverse Events Analysis from the FAERS Database
Authors: Osei Samuel Prince , Akomaning Edwin , Florut Teodora Francesca , Sodhi Mohit , Lacy Brian E. , Aldhaleei Wafa A. , Bhagavathula Akshaya Srikanth
Published: December 2024

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are commonly used to treat obesity and diabetes but are linked to a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs). Real-world data on GLP-1 RA-related GI AEs and outcomes are limited. This study assessed GI AEs and adverse outcomes using the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Methods: This retrospective pharmacovigilance study used the US FDA FAERS database (2007–2023). We searched GLP-1 RA medications, AEs, and adverse outcomes. Demographic, treatment indication, and AE data were collected. Descriptive analysis involved frequencies and percentages, while reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio, Bayesian confidence propagation neural network, and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze GLP-1 RA-related GI AEs and outcomes. Results: From 2007 to 2023, a total of 187,757 AEs were reported with GLP-1 RAs, and 16,568 were GLP-1 RA-associated GI AEs in the US. Semaglutide was linked to higher odds of nausea (IC025: 0.151, βCoeff: 0.314), vomiting (IC025: 0.334, βCoeff: 0.495), and delayed gastric emptying (IC025: 0.342, βCoeff: 0.453). Exenatide was associated with pancreatitis (IC025: 0.601, βCoeff: 0.851) and death (ROR: 4.50, IC025: 1.101). Overall, semaglutide had a broader range of notable adverse effects; by comparison, dulaglutide and liraglutide use was associated with fewer significant GI AEs. Conclusions: Analysis of the FAERS data reveals that GLP-1 RAs, particularly semaglutide and exenatide, are significantly associated with specific GI AEs, such as nausea, vomiting, delayed gastric emptying, and pancreatitis. Clinicians should be aware of these potential risks to ensure optimal monitoring and patient safety. This study demonstrated the utility of pharmacovigilance data in identifying safety signals, which can inform future pharmacoepidemiological investigations to confirm causal relationships. Clinicians should be aware of these potential risks to ensure optimal monitoring and patient safety.
Tongue Ultrasonography in the Screening of Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome—Promising Potential for Overloaded Sleep Centers
Authors: Smiesko Milan , Jenigarova Ester , Stanko Peter , Kasa Zsolt , Cavarga Ivan , Lassan Stefan
Published: December 2024

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a frequently underdiagnosed sleep disorder marked by recurrent episodes of apnea and/or hypopnea during sleep, primarily resulting from the partial or complete collapse of the upper airway. OSAS significantly affects patients’ health and quality of life. Additionally, it is a recognized risk factor for inducing microsleep episodes during daily activities, particularly in occupations such as professional driving, where sustained attention is critical. The aim of our study was to identify an effective screening test for use in outpatient settings, capable of distinguishing patients with a severe form of OSAS. Patients who test positive with this screening tool would subsequently be prioritized for polysomnographic evaluation in a sleep laboratory. A total of 64 patients who underwent polysomnography (PSG) or polygraphy (PG) examination at our clinic were subsequently examined by USG of the tongue with measurements of tongue base thickness (TBT) and the distance between lingual arteries (DLA) during wakefulness and in a relaxed tongue position. The measurements of TBT and DLA were subsequently correlated with the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) obtained from PSG or PG. In our cohort of patients diagnosed with severe OSAS, a TBT threshold of ≥65 mm served as an effective cutoff value. A TBT value of ≥65 mm reached an AUC value of 78.1%, sensitivity of 74.4%, specificity of 61.9%, positive predictive value of 80%, negative predictive value of 54.2% and overall accuracy of 70.3%. A DLA value of ≥30 mm in our sample of patients with severe OSAS showed an AUC of 76.5%, sensitivity of 69.8%, specificity of 71.1%, positive predictive value of 83.3%, negative predictive value of 53.6%, and overall accuracy of 70.3%. Tongue USG markers, particularly TBT and DLA measurements during wakefulness and in a relaxed tongue position, show potential as effective screening tools for identifying severe OSAS in European populations. These markers demonstrate improved accuracy over traditional screening questionnaires by reducing the likelihood of false-negative results. Patients with a positive screening should preferably be referred for polysomnography. In this way, patients with a serious illness could receive adequate therapy sooner.
Morphing Quadrotors: Enhancing Versatility and Adaptability in Drone Applications—A Review
Authors: Xing Siyuan , Zhang Xuhui , Tian Jiandong , Xie Chunlei , Chen Zhihong , Sun Jianwei
Published: December 2024

The advancement of drone technology has underscored the critical need for adaptability and enhanced functionality in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Morphing quadrotors, capable of dynamically altering their structure during flight, offer a promising solution to extend and optimize the operational capabilities of conventional drones. This paper presents a comprehensive review of current advancements in morphing quadrotor research, focusing on morphing concept, actuation mechanisms and flight control strategies. We examine various active morphing approaches, including the integration of smart materials and advanced actuators that facilitate real-time structural adjustments to meet diverse mission requirements. Key design considerations—such as structural integrity, weight distribution, and control algorithms—are meticulously analyzed to assess their impact on the performance and reliability of morphing quadrotors. Despite their significant potential, morphing quadrotors face challenges related to increased design complexity, higher energy consumption, and the integration of sophisticated control systems. The discussion on challenges and opportunities highlights the necessity for ongoing advancements in morphing quadrotor technologies, particularly in addressing adaptive control problems associated with highly nonlinear and dynamic morphing aircraft systems, and in the potential integration with smart materials. By synthesizing the latest research and outlining prospective directions, this paper aims to serve as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners dedicated to advancing the field of morphing quadrotor technologies.
Effects of Foreign Direct Investment and Trade Openness on Tax Earnings: A Study of Selected Sub-Saharan African Economies
Authors: Omodero Cordelia Onyinyechi , Yado Joy Limaro
Published: December 2024

Every economy’s prosperity is determined by the quantity of tax income it receives. Over the years, studies have demonstrated that inflows from foreign investments and openness to international trade are important contributors to a country’s tax income. Based on this assumption, this study seeks to examine the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and open trade on tax income in a number of sub-Saharan African nations. The World Bank Development Indicators data on tax revenue, FDI, exports, imports, and exchange rates from 1990 to 2022 are used in the study. We also use the pooled mean group/panel autoregressive distributed lag approach to examine the data gathered for this inquiry. The results reveal that, in the long term, FDI has a significant negative impact on tax income; nevertheless, in the short run, Ghana’s tax revenue collection suffers while other nations profit from FDI. The results reveal that Nigeria’s exporting is detrimental to tax revenue collection, but South Africa’s export of goods and services is beneficial. However, imports and currency rates benefit Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa in the near term. Thus, the research suggests improving tax rules and administration to prevent the movement of resources by foreign investors out of the host countries in order to avoid the imposition of huge tax burdens on their firms. Countries with low exports, such as Nigeria, are urged to enhance local manufacturing to meet international export standards in order to alleviate the continual negative balance of payments, which is primarily fixed by the adequate export of products and services.
Exploring Experience: Teacher Narratives and Narratives of Teaching
Authors: Ambler Trudy , Sinnayah Puspha , Lim Joanna
Published: December 2024

In this Special Issue (SI), we have published recent scholarship addressing (a) narrative ways of knowing, (b) the diversity of methods used for researching experience and (c) issues related to the use of narrative to explore the experiences of individuals within an educational context [...]
Academies in England and Independent Schools in Finland: A Distributed Leadership Perspective
Authors: Tian Meng , Rautiainen Matti
Published: December 2024

Many education systems adopt neoliberal privatisation and marketisation approaches to diversify education provision and improve quality. England is a leading example, transforming local authority-maintained schools into academies. In contrast, Finland resists neoliberalism and maintains a small number of independent schools. This paper examines how resources and leadership are distributed in academies and independent schools to explain the different educational paths taken by England and Finland. This study uses a scoping review approach to explore and contrast academies and independent schools. The comparison covers aspects such as history, education administration, local governance, accountability, curriculum and performance, teacher professional development and home–school–community relationships. The findings reveal that academies in England often concentrate leadership roles and resources among a privileged few, including large Multi-Academy Trusts, technocratic trustees and curriculum experts. This concentration tends to marginalise local communities and parents, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In Finland, independent schools serve a supplementary role within the education system, catering to specific cultural, linguistic and religious groups while adhering to the national core curriculum and regulations. While existing studies critique the academisation movement in England and commend the high-performing public school system in Finland, a direct comparison between academies in England and independent schools in Finland has been lacking. This systematic review offers original insights into these two types of schools and clarifies why neoliberal approaches often exacerbate rather than mitigate disparities in education access and equity.
Multiperspectivity in the EU Project ECCOPS ‘Education for Citizenship Competence to Participation and Sustainability’
Authors: Bombardelli Olga
Published: December 2024

I describe in this paper selected aspects of the Erasmusplus Project Education for Citizenship Competence to Participation and Sustainability, performed by three European countries, in order to empower students for civic engagement through citizenship education. The partners from Italy, Spain and Romania worked from 2021 to 2023 to develop strategies and materials to enhance the qualification of teachers in civic and citizenship education to support participation of young people across Europe. The project provides new solutions to the problems identified, in order to improve civic education, to avoid the risks of indoctrination and to offer effective teaching materials, available in open access. The main products are the Toolkit with flexible teaching/educational proposals for the students and the Guidelines for the teachers, the Matrix of competences for the teachers, and the Competence Cards for the students with indicators to (self)assess the improvements. The working materials were used in the ECCOPS Learning/Teaching/Training Activities for teachers and for students, monitored through videos observed by critical friends. I discuss in this paper especially the work carried out to foster multiperspectivity, starting from the Competence Card ‘Multiperspectivity’, with the aim of preventing radicalism and fanaticism, considering different points of view on controversial topics and developing knowledge, skills and values to enable students to have a greater understanding of what makes up an effective civic participation. The most relevant project results are expected to have an impact at both institutional and practical levels in civic and citizenship education.
Robust Bi-Orthogonal Projection Learning: An Enhanced Dimensionality Reduction Method and Its Application in Unsupervised Learning
Authors: Qin Xianhao , Li Chunsheng , Liang Yingyi , Zheng Huilin , Dong Luxi , Liu Yarong , Xie Xiaolan
Published: December 2024

This paper introduces a robust bi-orthogonal projection (RBOP) learning method for dimensionality reduction (DR). The proposed RBOP enhances the flexibility, robustness, and sparsity of the embedding framework, extending beyond traditional DR methods such as principal component analysis (PCA), neighborhood preserving embedding (NPE), and locality preserving projection (LPP). Unlike conventional approaches that rely on a single type of projection, RBOP innovates by employing two types of projections: the “true” projection and the “counterfeit” projection. These projections are crafted to be orthogonal, offering enhanced flexibility for the “true” projection and facilitating more precise data transformation in the process of subspace learning. By utilizing sparse reconstruction, the acquired true projection has the capability to map the data into a low-dimensional subspace while efficiently maintaining sparsity. Observing that the two projections share many similar data structures, the method aims to maintain the similarity structure of the data through distinct reconstruction processes. Additionally, the incorporation of a sparse component allows the method to address noise-corrupted data, compensating for noise during the DR process. Within this framework, a number of new unsupervised DR techniques have been developed, such as RBOP_PCA, RBOP_NPE, and RBO_LPP. Experimental results from both natural and synthetic datasets indicate that these proposed methods surpass existing, well-established DR techniques.
Localization Optimization Algorithm Based on Phase Noise Compensation
Authors: Liu Yanming , Cao Yingkai , Zarakovitis Charilaos C. , Xiao Disheng , Ying Kai , Chen Xianfu
Published: December 2024

Phase noise is a consequence of the instability inherent in the operation of oscillators, making it impossible to entirely eliminate. For low-cost internet of things (IoT) devices, this type of noise can be particularly pronounced, posing a challenge in providing high-quality localization services. To tackle this issue, this paper introduces an improved localization algorithm that includes phase noise compensation. The proposed algorithm enhances the direction of arrival (DoA) estimation for each base station by employing the EM–MUSIC method, subsequently forming a non-convex optimization problem based on the mean square error (MSE) of the estimated DoA results. Finally, a closed-form solution is derived through rational assumptions and approximations. Results show that this algorithm effectively minimizes localization errors and achieves accuracy levels within the sub-meter range.
An Optimal Secure Key Distribution Scheme for Internet of Things Devices in Multi-Session Network Communications
Authors: Alshammari Farhan , Ong Lawrence , Tan Jin Yeong
Published: December 2024

Communication network security has become increasingly vital in an era of rapidly developing technology, and protecting against unauthorized access is essential. This paper introduces a server-aided approach for secure key distribution to users participating in multiple sessions. This paper presents a system model in which each user is assigned a unique private key, enabling them to derive session keys from codewords broadcast by the server. These session keys are essential for facilitating the secure transmission of session messages within their respective sessions. The system model ensures that an eavesdropper cannot derive any session keys, despite having access to broadcast codewords, due to their lack of private keys. Our results show that our coding scheme is optimal by proving the necessary conditions for secure key distribution, indicating that secure key distribution is achievable if and only if the length of a user’s private key is at least equal to the total size of session messages across all the sessions in which they participate. This paper further illustrates the proposed secure key distribution and session message transmission mechanism through examples, emphasizing the necessity of user-specific private keys tailored to the sessions in which users are involved.
A Novel Sensor Deployment Strategy Based on Probabilistic Perception for Industrial Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Liu Xiaokai , Xu Fangmin , Ning Lina , Lv Yuhan , Zhao Chenglin
Published: December 2024

The rapid development of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology has highlighted the critical role of wireless sensor networks in enabling intelligent production and equipment monitoring. Effective sensor deployment is essential for ensuring communication quality and transmission speed in IIoT environments. This paper presents a novel sensor deployment strategy that integrates four key metrics: deployment cost, energy consumption, network connectivity, and sensing probability. To address the challenges of multi-dimensional optimization, the proposed method normalizes these metrics and assigns appropriate weights based on their relative importance. A major innovation of this approach is the inclusion of larger-scale environmental obstacles, which enhances its adaptability to diverse industrial settings and specific deployment scenarios. Through a comprehensive set of simulation experiments across different scenarios, the proposed particle swarm/genetic hybrid algorithm demonstrates superior performance compared to existing methods, even surpassing 10% in performance. Specifically, it excels in optimizing the newly introduced network performance metric and significantly improves search convergence time, making it a highly efficient and effective solution for sensor network optimization in IIoT applications.
Lightweight Detection Counting Method for Pill Boxes Based on Improved YOLOv8n
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Niu Xinbin , Wu Zedong , Guo Zhongyuan
Published: December 2024

Vending machines have evolved into a critical element of the intelligent healthcare service system. To enhance the precision of pill box detection counting and cater to the lightweight requirements of its internal embedded controller for deep learning frameworks, an enhanced lightweight YOLOv8n model is introduced. A dataset comprising 4080 images is initially compiled for model training and assessment purposes. The refined YOLOv8n-ShuffleNetV2 model is crafted, featuring the integration of ShuffleNetv2 as the new backbone network, the incorporation of the VoVGSCSP module to bolster feature extraction capabilities, and the utilization of the Wise-IoU v3 loss function for bounding box regression enhancement. Moreover, a model pruning strategy based on structured pruning (SFP) and layer-wise adaptive magnitude pruning (LAMP) is implemented. Comparative experimental findings demonstrate that the enhanced and pruned model has elevated the mean Average Precision (mAP) rate from 94.5% to 95.1%. Furthermore, the model size has been reduced from 11.1 MB to 6.0 MB, and the inference time has been notably decreased from 1.97 s to 0.34 s. The model’s accuracy and efficacy are validated through experiments conducted on the Raspberry Pi 4B platform. The outcomes of the experiments underscore how the refined model significantly amplifies the deployment efficiency of the deep learning model on resource-limited devices, thus greatly supporting the advancement of intelligent medicine management and medical vending machine applications.
Handling of Ion-Selective Field-Effect Transistors (ISFETs) on Automatic Measurements in Agricultural Applications Under Real-Field Conditions
Authors: Riedel Vadim , Hinck Stefan , Peiter Edgar , Ruckelshausen Arno
Published: December 2024

The use of ion-selective field-effect transistors (ISFETs) facilitates real-time nutrient analysis in agricultural applications, including soil analysis and hydroponics. The rapid digital availability of analysis results allows for the implementation of ion-specific fertilisation control. The success, accuracy, and robustness of measurements using ISFET technology strongly depend on the handling of the process. This article presents a detailed overview of the sub-process steps required for the implementation of a stable automated application-specific ISFET-based measurement. This article provides experience-based recommendations for handling the conditioning, full calibration, and single-point calibration of the ISFET sensors. The hypotheses were empirically tested under authentic conditions and subsequently integrated into an overall process optimisation strategy. A comprehensive investigation has been conducted with the objective of gaining a deeper understanding of the ISFET baseline drift and implementing corrective measures. The results show that the baseline drift can be quantified and taken into account in the evaluation of the ISFET measurements. The efficacy of these measures was validated using standard laboratory analyses.
Households Vulnerable to Energy Poverty in the Visegrad Group Countries: An Analysis of Socio-Economic Factors Using a Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Grzybowska Urszula , Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska Agnieszka , Vaznonienė Gintarė , Dudek Hanna
Published: December 2024

Research on household energy poverty is crucial for addressing basic human needs, highlighting the importance of conducting studies across different countries. This study examines energy poverty in the Visegrad Group countries using 2022 data from the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions survey, with the ‘inability to keep the home warm’ indicator as a measure. The study aims to identify socio-economic factors influencing energy poverty and examine how their impacts differ across the examined countries. Logistic regression, combined with machine learning techniques, was applied for this purpose. Furthermore, the study evaluates the classification results of logistic regression and three machine learning methods—CatBoost, Balanced Random Forests, and Extreme Gradient Boosting—on imbalanced data. It was found that, among the three machine learning methods used, Balanced Random Forests performed the weakest. Logistic regression, effective for our imbalanced data, complements the results and provides deeper insights into the socio-economic factors influencing energy poverty. The study found that Slovakia had the highest percentage of households vulnerable to energy poverty, while Czechia had the lowest. Income, household type, and the presence of disabled individuals were found to be important across all countries. However, other factors varied in their influence from one country to another, highlighting the need for country-specific analyses. Monitoring households’ exposure to energy poverty is a challenge for future social policy and the use of different methods provides an in-depth view of this complex issue.
Experimental Study and Optimization Analysis of Operating Conditions on Photo-Thermochemical Cycle of Water Splitting for Hydrogen Production Based on CeO2 Catalyst
Authors: Zhang Zhiyin , Hu Huimin , Yang Jie , He Zhengguang , Yan Kai , Liu Tianyu , Wen Chang
Published: December 2024

The photo-thermochemical cycle (PTC) for water splitting offers a sustainable method for hydrogen production by efficiently utilizing solar energy. This study explored the use of CeO2 as a catalyst in the PTC system to enhance hydrogen yield. A nanostructured CeO2 catalyst was synthesized via the sol-gel method, achieving an H2 yield of 8.35 μmol g−1 h−1. Stability tests over five cycles showed consistent yields between 7.22 and 8.35 μmol g−1 h−1. Analysis revealed that oxygen vacancies (VOs) increased after the photoreaction and depleted during the thermal reaction, which aligns with the expected PTC mechanism for hydrogen production. Single-factor experiments highlighted that photoreaction duration mainly influenced VOs generation, while thermal duration and temperature impacted VOs consumption and intermediate reaction rates. A response surface methodology (RSM) model predicted optimal conditions for maximum H2 yield (8.85 μmol g−1 h−1) with a photoreaction duration of 46.6 min, thermal duration of 45.4 min, and thermal temperature of 547.2 °C.
Local Structure Optimization Design of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform Based on Response Surface Analysis
Authors: Ren Yajun , Huang Mingxuan , Hao Jungang , Wang Jiazhi , Li Shuai , Zhu Ling , Zhao Haisheng , Shi Wei
Published: December 2024

The floating platform is a critical component of the floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT), and its internal structure design plays a key role in ensuring the safe operation of the FOWT. In this study, the local model of the floating platform was firstly parameterized, and a response surface model was obtained by conducting an orthogonal test. The response surface model was then optimized using a gradient descent algorithm. Finally, the internal structure arrangement was validated through a safety calibration. The optimization results indicate that the maximum stress of the optimized model is reduced by 22.12% compared to the original model, while maintaining the same mass, centroid, and other mass-related parameters. The optimization significantly improves the safety of the structure and provides valuable references for the design and construction of a FOWT platform.
Algae Biofuels Hold Promise in China: Supercritical CO2 Extraction Technology
Authors: Kuang Xiaoying , Cai Heshan , Mai Liling , Xi Yuxin , Zhan Zhaoxi , Han Shuwen , Gholizadeh Ali
Published: December 2024

In this study, a systematic review of algae biofuels, including their development and production process, is presented. Compared with traditional techniques, supercritical CO2 extraction, known for its high efficiency and environmental sustainability, has been widely applied in extracting plant compounds, oils, and fats, demonstrating its role as a promising alternative in biofuel conversion. The principle and features of supercritical CO2 extraction technology are introduced, and its applications in biofuel production in China are reviewed. The results indicate its broad applicability and substantial scientific value in biofuel production, underscored by its unique extraction mechanisms and operational flexibility and obstacles to its large-scale implementation. Against a future where supercritical CO2 extraction will play a pivotal role in industrial biofuel production due to the technology’s advancement and policy support in China, this review offers comprehensive insights and references to guide future research into and practices of supercritical CO2 extraction and biofuel development.
Rethinking the Green Strategies and Environmental Performance of Ports for the Global Energy Transition
Authors: Bielenia Małgorzata , Marušić Eli , Dumanska Ilona
Published: December 2024

The relationship between ports and energy markets is undergoing a transition in their functions as suppliers, consumers, and energy processors. Environmental factors increasingly force the maritime sector to reduce its carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency. Governing the maritime sector’s environmental performance requires leveling decarbonization through integration with energy supply chains and rethinking green strategies and environmental sustainability. This paper highlights that a port’s energy management system can be an example of supply–demand equalizing sustainable alternative energy sources. Such systems engage more profoundly within the energy value chain by assessing green and environmental indicators in port operations, strategies, and investments. This manuscript investigates the challenges in ports’ operations, strategies, and investments, considering their energy transition and decarbonization. Therefore, this research conducted a qualitative study on ports’ energy efficiency and greening using an in-depth interview method in three seaports in the Adriatic, Baltic, and Black Sea basins. The paper proposes a framework for analyzing green variables in the ports’ operations, strategies, and investments to improve their environmental performance. The framework examines a set of green variables, researching their cause-and-effect relationship, enabling testing and evaluation of the determined relationships, and identifying asynchrony in the balanced development of green investments and energy efficiency.
Efficiency of Mobile Laser Scanning for Digital Marteloscopes for Conifer Forests in the Mediterranean Region
Authors: Giannetti Francesca , Passarino Livia , Aleandri Gianfrancesco , Borghi Costanza , Vangi Elia , Anzilotti Solaria , Raddi Sabrina , Chirici Gherardo , Travaglini Davide , Maltoni Alberto , Mariotti Barbara , Bravo-Oviedo Andrés , Giambastiani Yamuna , Rossi Patrizia , D’Amico Giovanni
Published: December 2024

This study evaluates the performance of the ZEB Horizon RT portable mobile laser scanner (MLS) in simulating silvicultural thinning operations across three different Tuscan forests dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.), and Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.). The aim is to compare the efficiency and accuracy of the MLS with traditional dendrometric methods. The study established three marteloscopes, each covering a 50 m × 50 m plot area (0.25 ha). Traditional dendrometric methods involved a team georeferencing trees using a total station and measuring the diameter at breast height (DBH) and selected tree heights (H) to calculate the growing stock volume (GSV). The MLS survey was carried out by a two-person team, who processed the point cloud data with LiDAR 360 software to automatically identify the tree positions, DBH, and H. The methods were compared based on the time, cost, and simulated felling volume. The MLS method was more time-efficient, saving nearly one and a half hours per marteloscope, equivalent to EUR 170. This advantage was most significant in denser stands, especially the Italian cypress forest. Both methods were comparable in terms of accuracy for Douglas-fir and Stone pine stands, with no significant differences in felling number or volume, although greater differences were noted for the Italian cypress forest.
Bending Performance of Plantation Teakwood and Its Mechanism Based on Radial and Tangential Directions
Authors: Yao Linghua , Ji Lina , Wang Zhangheng , Liu Junnan
Published: December 2024

Curvilinear components made from solid wood bending not only enhance the use value of wood but also add a unique aesthetic to solid wood products, in line with the concept of green and sustainable development. In this study, we focused on the influence of the direction of the wood growth rings on the bending performance of teakwood and its bending mechanism, and radial and tangential bending experiments were conducted on teakwood using the synergistic softening method of a triethanolamine compounding solution and steaming. The results showed that the radial bending coefficient of the teakwood after softening treatment was 1/9.26, 41.39% higher than that for chordwise bending, 1/15.8. Through a macroscopic analysis, the stress distribution of the teakwood during radial bending was found to be uniform, while during tangential bending, the stress was mainly borne by many longitudinal growth rings, which are prone to the bending “destabilization” phenomenon. From SEM and AFM observations, it was found that the earlywood zone and latewood zone on the outermost tensile surface of the tangential bending are longitudinal; the stress redistribution problem still exists in the bending process; and ray parenchyma are the most vulnerable part, gradually extending to the earlywood zone and causing more serious bending tearing. It can be seen that the bending performance of teakwood is not only affected by the softening process but also obviously constrained by the direction of the growth rings, which is of great significance for the optimization of hardwood bending processing technology and product design.
Understory Vegetation Preservation Offsets the Decline in Soil Organic Carbon Stock Caused by Aboveground Litter Removal in a Subtropical Chinese Fir Plantation
Authors: Xu Bingshi , Wang Fangchao , Liang Kuan , Liu Ren , Hu Xiaofei , Wang Huimin , Chen Fusheng , Yu Mingquan
Published: December 2024

Forest soils play a key role in the global carbon (C) pool and in mitigating climate change. The mechanisms by which understory and litter management affect soil organic C (SOC) concentrations are unclear in subtropical forests. We collected soils along a 60 cm profile in a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation treated by only aboveground litter removal and understory vegetation preservation (Only-ALR), both aboveground litter and understory vegetation removal (ALR+UVR), and both aboveground litter and understory vegetation preservation (control) for 7 consecutive years. Five SOC fractions, physico-chemical properties, the biomass of microbial communities and the activities of C-acquiring enzymes were measured, and their correlations were analyzed for each of four soil layers (0–10, 10–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm). Compared with control, Only-ALR decreased labile C pool I (LP-C I), labile C pool II (LP-C II) and dissolved organic C (DOC) in topsoil (0–20 cm) but had no effect on soil C fractions in subsoil (20–60 cm). A higher fungi and bacteria biomass in LP-C II and microbial biomass C (MBC) stock was observed in Only-ALR compared to ALR+UVR treatment. Soil pH and Gram-positive bacteria generally had impact on the variation of soil C fractions in topsoil and subsoil, respectively. Understory vegetation preservation offsets the declines of SOC and recalcitrant C but not the decreases in labile C caused by aboveground litter removal. Understory vegetation helps sustain SOC stock mainly via decreased C input and elevated soil pH which would change microbial biomass and activities when litter is removed. Our findings highlight the potential influence of long-term understory manipulation practices on C pool within a soil profile in subtropical plantation forests.
Gender Differences in Stress Reduction: How the Five Senses Forest Therapy Enhances Well-Being in University Students
Authors: Yang Yujun , Xu Mengwei , Lin Chiamin , Sun Qimeng , Li Jianjun , Peng Liang , Chang Weiyin
Published: December 2024

Forest therapy is known to promote physical and mental well-being, but its specific impact on physiological and psychological recovery in university students, particularly across genders, remains underexplored. This study examined the effects of a five-hour forest therapy session involving sensory-based activities on 48 students (30 males and 18 females). The key outcomes measured included pulse rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and mood states. Significant reductions in pulse rate and anxiety were observed, with females showing greater physiological and emotional recovery. These findings suggest that forest therapy may serve as an effective intervention for stress relief, particularly for females, and highlight the potential of sensory-based therapies in promoting student well-being.
Assessment of Forest Fire Severity for a Management Conceptual Model: Case Study in Vilcabamba, Ecuador
Authors: González Fernando , Morante-Carballo Fernando , González Aníbal , Bravo-Montero Lady , Benavidez-Silva César , Tedim Fantina
Published: December 2024

Wildfires are affecting natural ecosystems worldwide, causing economic and human losses and exacerbated by climate change. Models of fire severity and fire susceptibility are crucial tools for fire monitoring. This case study analyses a fire event on 3 September 2019 in Vilcabamba parish, Loja province, Ecuador. This article aims to assess the severity and susceptibility of a fire through spectral indices and multi-criteria methods for establishing a fire action plan proposal. The methodology comprises the following: (i) the acquisition of Sentinel-2A products for the calculation of spectral indices; (ii) a fire severity model using differentiated indices (dNBR and dNDVI) and a fire susceptibility model using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method; (iii) model validation using Logistic Regression (LR) and Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) algorithms; (iv) the proposal of an action plan for fire management. The Normalised Burn Ratio (NBR) index revealed that 10.98% of the fire perimeter has burned areas with moderate-high severity in post-fire scenes (2019) and decreased to 0.01% for post-fire scenes in 2021. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) identified 67.28% of the fire perimeter with null photosynthetic activity in the post-fire scene (2019) and 5.88% in the post-fire scene (2021). The Normalised Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) applied in the pre-fire scene identified that 52.62% has low and dry vegetation (northeast), and 8.27% has high vegetation cover (southwest). The dNDVI identified 10.11% of unburned areas and 7.91% using the dNBR. The fire susceptibility model identified 11.44% of the fire perimeter with null fire susceptibility. These results evidence the vegetation recovery after two years of the fire event. The models demonstrated excellent performance for fire severity models and were a good fit for the AHP model. We used the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and area under the curve (AUC); dNBR and dNDVI have an RMSE of 0.006, and the AHP model has an RMSE of 0.032. The AUC = 1.0 for fire severity models and AUC = 0.6 for fire susceptibility. This study represents a holistic approach by combining Google Earth Engine (GEE), Geographic Information System (GIS), and remote sensing tools for proposing a fire action plan that supports decision making. This study provides escape routes that considered the most significant fire triggers, the AHP, and fire severity approaches for monitoring wildfires in Andean regions.
Discolouration and Chemical Changes of Beech Wood After CO2 Laser Engraving
Authors: Kúdela Jozef , Kubovský Ivan , Andrejko Michal
Published: December 2024

This study evaluated the influence of infrared laser radiation produced by a CO2 laser, performing under different engraving parameters, on the colour changes and chemical composition of a beech wood surface. The results showed that the lightness clearly decreased with increasing laser power and density. At the highest laser power and the highest raster density, the ΔL* value was 51.3. The values of coordinates a* and b* moderately increased up to a raster density of 5 mm−1; then, with a subsequent raster density increase, the values of these coordinates decreased again. However, the coordinate values were positive in all cases. Even the lowest laser power and raster density resulted in conspicuous discolouration or even a completely new colour compared to the original (ΔE = 10) of the beech wood surface. Further increases in the laser power and raster density resulted in progressively pronounced colour differences and a darker brown colour of the surface. The ATR-FTIR chemical analysis of the beech wood surface revealed that discolouration was mainly caused by heat-induced processes associated with the degradation of carbonyl groups (C=O) in lignin and hemicelluloses. The splitting of C=O bonds induced changes in the content of chromophores responsible for the natural wood colour and for the engraving-related discolouration. The study demonstrates that the amount of energy supplied onto the wood surface by a laser beam using diverse combinations of radiation parameters can be represented by a single variable: the total irradiation dose. The functional relation detected between this variable and the colour differences may serve as a basis for using a controlled laser beam for targeted wood surface discolouration to improve the quality of patterns transferred onto a wood surface. Knowledge of this relation will enable the targeted setting of the laser parameters during engraving so that the laser beam can be used as a tool for transferring high-quality patterns onto wood surfaces.
Fungal Phytopathogens: Their Role in the Spread and Management of Invasive Alien Plants
Authors: Patejuk Katarzyna , Najberek Kamil , Pacek Paulina , Bocianowski Jan , Pusz Wojciech
Published: December 2024

Biological invasions pose a major environmental challenge, often facilitating the unregulated dissemination of pathogens and parasites associated with their hosts. These pathogens can severely impact native and cultivated species, with far-reaching ecological and economic consequences. Despite their importance, the mycobiota associated with invasive plant species remains relatively understudied, posing a complex challenge for researchers. The aim of this manuscript is to underscore the most significant threats posed by the uncontrolled transmission of fungal pathogens from invasive alien plants to native environments and agricultural systems, and to identify the factors influencing this phenomenon. We emphasize the role of pathogen spillback and spillover mechanisms in the domestication of invasive alien plants. The influence of environmental, host, and pathogen-related factors on the survival of fungal pathogens were also investigated. Finally, we explore the technical and legal feasibility of using plant pathogens as “green agents” to control invasive alien plants.
The Enhancing Effect of Biochar Derived from Biogas Residues on the Anaerobic Digestion Process of Pig Manure Water
Authors: Pei Zhanjiang , Wei Xiao , Jin Shiguang , Shi Fengmei , Liu Jie , Wang Su , Li Pengfei , Luo Yifei , Wang Yongkang , Wang Tengfei , Ma Zenghui , Li Yinxue , Yu Yanling
Published: December 2024

Biochar-based additives can enhance the ability to produce methane during anaerobic digestion (AD), and biogas residues (BRs) are solid waste that can cause environmental pollution. Therefore, in this work, BRs were used as raw material to prepare biochar, and Fe3+ was used to modify biochar for use in the AD process, generating pig manure water (PMW). The results showed that biogas residue biochar (BRB) showed good pore size and had a “honeycomb structure” on its surface. The commercially available iron–carbon composite material (Fe-C) showed the greatest cumulative methane production (CMP), the greatest removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD), and the greatest degradation rate of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), with the order of Fe-C > Fe3+-modified biogas residue biochar (FBRB) > BRB > control group. Fe3+ and Fe0 showed similar effects, where both could enhance the methanogenesis performance of anaerobic digestion by promoting direct interspecific electron transfer, and Fe0 was slightly more effective than Fe3+. Bacteroidotas and Firmicutes were the predominant phyla, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 was the predominant genus. The addition of biochar and Fe3+ promoted the transformation of microorganisms from the conventional metabolic mode into an efficient metabolic mode. Extracellular electron transfer played a crucial role in this.
The Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus (FK506) Facing the 21st Century: Past Findings, Present Applications and Future Trends
Authors: Barreiro Carlos , Ibañez Ana , Garrido-Chamorro Sonia , Barredo José Luis
Published: December 2024

The confluence of a large variety of factors, achievements and developments has resulted in the current long-term success in graft transplants. Some of these events are reviewed, paying special attention to immunosuppressant drugs, which are one of the most relevant milestones in the prevention of organ transplant rejection. The discovery, industrial exploitation, mechanisms of action and side effects of several drugs exhibiting immunosuppressive effects (e.g., corticosteroids, nitrogen mustards, mycophenolic acid, rapamycin) are deeply detailed. Furthermore, new trends in immunosuppressant research, improvement and reformulation are also reviewed. Nevertheless, the core of the manuscript is the immunosuppressant tacrolimus, also called FK506, which has been sought after due to the commercial success of cyclosporine and other immunosuppressant compounds, but also because of the side effects of those previous compounds. Thus, in the mid-1980s tacrolimus was described as a more potent immunosuppressive molecule, with less undesirable effects. Currently, tacrolimus is a well-stablished API that is used as a clinical treatment to avoid graft rejection, but also shows interesting properties in terms of decreasing the impact of some autoimmune diseases and acting as an enhancer of nerve regeneration treatments. Thus, in the 40th anniversary of its discovery, this paper describes the current state of the art of this drug and how it is adapting to new social needs and clinical trends.
Study on the Explosion Mechanism of Low-Concentration Gas and Coal Dust
Authors: Liu Li , Mao Xinyi , Jing Yongheng , Tang Yao , Sun Le
Published: December 2024

In coal mines, the mixture of coal dust and gas is more ignitable than gas alone, posing a high explosion risk to workers. Using the explosion tube, this study examines the explosion propagation characteristics and flame temperature of low-concentration gas and coal dust mixtures with various particle sizes. The CPD model and Chemkin-Pro 19.2 simulate the reaction kinetics of these explosions. Findings show that when the gas concentration is below its explosive limit, coal dust addition lowers the gas’s explosive threshold, potentially causing an explosion. Coal particle size significantly affects explosion propagation dynamics, with smaller particles producing faster flame velocities and higher temperatures. Due to their larger surface area, smaller particles absorb heat faster and undergo thermal decomposition, releasing combustible gases that intensify the explosion flame. The predicted yield of light gases from both coal types exceeds 40 wt% daf, raising combustible gas concentrations in the system. When accumulated reaction heat elevates the gas concentration to its explosive limit, an explosion occurs. These results are crucial for preventing gas and coal dust explosion accidents in coal mines.
Testing of the Taxonomic Diagnosis of Zebrus pallaoroi Kovačić, Šanda & Vukić, 2021 (Actinopteri: Gobiiformes: Gobiidae), on a Large Sample from the Western Mediterranean
Authors: Kovačić Marcelo , Bérenger Lucas , Renoult Julien P.
Published: December 2024

A large sample of 65 individuals of the recently described goby Zebrus pallaoroi was collected in France. The species identity of these individuals was confirmed based on morphology. In addition, the species identity was validated through genetic analysis for one of the two specimens collected from the new depth records for the species. The diagnostic characters of Z. pallaoroi, originally based on a limited number of type specimens, were tested on this larger sample and critically analyzed. The diagnostic characters of Z. pallaoroi were revised, and recommendations were made for improving the study of diagnostic characters in gobiid species description, particularly when based on small sample sizes. The record of Z. pallaoroi in the western Mediterranean significantly expands its known geographic range, increases the maximum recorded depth of the species, and reveals syntopic co-occurrence with its phylogenetically closest relatives.