bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cumulative Energy Demand and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Potato and Tomato Production in Southeast Brazil
Authors: Pereira Breno de Jesus , La Scala Newton , Cecílio Filho Arthur Bernardes
Published: January 2025

Knowing the energy balance in agricultural systems is essential for a holistic understanding of sustainability, productivity and economic return. The aim of this study was to estimate the cumulative energy demand (CED), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon footprint in industrial potato and tomato production systems in the Southeast region of Brazil, identifying mitigation strategies in different scenarios. The Life Cycle Analysis methodology was used, and two functional units were defined: one hectare of cultivation and one kilogram of vegetable produced. The CEDs for tomato and potato production were 59,553.56 MJ ha–1 (or 0.54 MJ kg–1) and 57,992.02 MJ ha–1 (or 1.45 MJ kg–1), respectively. The GHG emissions were 5425.13 kg CO2 eq ha–1 for potato production and 5270.9 kg CO2 eq ha–1 for tomato production, resulting in carbon footprints of 0.135 and 0.042 kg CO2 eq kg–1, respectively. Fertilizers, diesel and pesticides were the main contributors to CED and GHG emissions. Thus, in order to achieve greater sustainability in the production of these vegetables and mitigate the impacts on the environment generated by the high demand for energy and GHG emissions, it is necessary to replace synthetic fertilizers with organic sources, chemical pesticides with biological pesticides, diesel with biodiesel or the use of electric vehicles and tractors, resulting in reductions of up to 39 and 52% in the GHG emissions for potatoes and tomatoes, respectively.
Detection of Crop Damage in Maize Using Red–Green–Blue Imagery and LiDAR Data Acquired Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Dobosz Barbara , Gozdowski Dariusz , Koronczok Jerzy , Žukovskis Jan , Wójcik-Gront Elżbieta
Published: January 2025

Crop damage caused by wild animals, particularly wild boars (Sus scrofa), significantly impacts agricultural yields, especially in maize fields. This study evaluates two methods for assessing maize crop damage using UAV-acquired data: (1) a deep learning-based approach employing the Deepness plugin in QGIS, utilizing high-resolution RGB imagery; and (2) a method based on digital surface models (DSMs) derived from LiDAR data. Manual visual assessment, supported by ground-truthing, served as the reference for validating these methods. This study was conducted in 2023 in a maize field in Central Poland, where UAV flights captured high-resolution RGB imagery and LiDAR data. Results indicated that the DSM-based method achieved higher accuracy (94.7%) and sensitivity (69.9%) compared to the deep learning method (accuracy: 92.9%, sensitivity: 35.3%), which exhibited higher precision (92.2%) and specificity (99.7%). The DSM-based method provided a closer estimation of the total damaged area (9.45% of the field) compared to the reference (10.50%), while the deep learning method underestimated damage (4.01%). Discrepancies arose from differences in how partially damaged areas were classified; the deep learning approach excluded these zones, focusing on fully damaged areas. The findings suggest that while DSM-based methods are well-suited for quantifying extensive damage, deep learning techniques detect only completely damaged crop areas. Combining these methods could enhance the accuracy and efficiency of crop damage assessments. Future studies should explore integrated approaches across diverse crop types and damage patterns to optimize wild animal damage evaluation.
Characteristics of Soil Profile Greenhouse Gas Concentrations and Fluxes of Alpine Grassland as Affected by Livestock Grazing
Authors: Yin Mingyuan , Gao Xiaopeng , Li Yanyan , Wu Yufeng , Kuang Wennong , Zeng Fanjiang
Published: January 2025

Previous research has investigated the effects of different grazing intensities on soil surface greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, whereas the dynamics of GHG production and consumption within the soil profile and their responses to different grazing intensities remain unclear. In this study, a field experiment was conducted in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the influences of three grazing intensities (none, light, heavy) on both soil surface and subsurface (0–60 cm) GHG fluxes estimated using chamber-based and concentration gradient-based methods, respectively. Results showed that soil at lower depths (30–60 cm) had higher carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations but lower methane (CH4) concentrations. In contrast, soil profile nitrous oxide (N2O) concentration did not vary with depth, possibly resulting from the relatively low soil moisture in the semiarid grassland, which increased air diffusivity across the soil profile. Grassland soil acted as a source of N2O and CO2 production but as a sink for CH4 uptake, which mainly attributed to the topsoil (0–5 cm for N2O, and 0–15 cm for CO2 and CH4). The estimated soil surface GHG flux rates based on the concentration gradient method did not align well with those directly measured using the chamber method. Furthermore, the cumulative N2O flux over the study period was significantly higher for the concentration gradient method than the chamber method, whereas a contrary result was observed for CO2 emission and CH4 uptake. This study confirms that the grassland soil serves as an important source of CO2 and N2O emissions and a weak sink for CH4 consumption, playing a crucial role in the annual carbon budget of livestock-grazed grassland ecosystems.
Evaluation of Rapeseed Leave Segmentation Accuracy Using Binocular Stereo Vision 3D Point Clouds
Authors: Zhang Lili , Shi Shuangyue , Zain Muhammad , Sun Binqian , Han Dongwei , Sun Chengming
Published: January 2025

Point cloud segmentation is necessary for obtaining highly precise morphological traits in plant phenotyping. Although a huge development has occurred in point cloud segmentation, the segmentation of point clouds from complex plant leaves still remains challenging. Rapeseed leaves are critical in cultivation and breeding, yet traditional two-dimensional imaging is susceptible to reduced segmentation accuracy due to occlusions between plants. The current study proposes the use of binocular stereo-vision technology to obtain three-dimensional (3D) point clouds of rapeseed leaves at the seedling and bolting stages. The point clouds were colorized based on elevation values in order to better process the 3D point cloud data and extract rapeseed phenotypic parameters. Denoising methods were selected based on the source and classification of point cloud noise. However, for ground point clouds, we combined plane fitting with pass-through filtering for denoising, while statistical filtering was used for denoising outliers generated during scanning. We found that, during the seedling stage of rapeseed, a region-growing segmentation method was helpful in finding suitable parameter thresholds for leaf segmentation, and the Locally Convex Connected Patches (LCCP) clustering method was used for leaf segmentation at the bolting stage. Furthermore, the study results show that combining plane fitting with pass-through filtering effectively removes the ground point cloud noise, while statistical filtering successfully denoises outlier noise points generated during scanning. Finally, using the region-growing algorithm during the seedling stage with a normal angle threshold set at 5.0/180.0* M_PI and a curvature threshold set at 1.5 helps to avoid the under-segmentation and over-segmentation issues, achieving complete segmentation of rapeseed seedling leaves, while the LCCP clustering method fully segments rapeseed leaves at the bolting stage. The proposed method provides insights to improve the accuracy of subsequent point cloud phenotypic parameter extraction, such as rapeseed leaf area, and is beneficial for the 3D reconstruction of rapeseed.
The Regulatory Effect of Se-Cd Interaction on Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) Under Cadmium Stress
Authors: Sun Yanyun , Zhao Yueling , Zhou Hongyu , Li Faxing , Wang Yuanyuan , Du Xiao
Published: January 2025

This study utilized annual Fuding Dabaicha cuttings as the experimental subject, employing a nutrient solution cultivation technique to establish three distinct treatments: (1) CK: reference processing; (2) Cd: 20 mg/L CdSO4 nutrient solution culture; (3) Cd + Se: 20 mg/L CdSO4 + 1.5 mg/L Na2SeO3 nutrient solution culture. We measured and analyzed the electrolyte permeability, proline content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, antioxidant-related indicators, photosynthesis-related indicators, Cd content in various organs, and transmission electron microscopy images depicting the distribution of Cd and Se elements within different organs of tea plants under these treatments after 30 days of processing, studying the regulatory role of selenium on the resistance mechanism of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) under cadmium stress. The findings are as follows: (1) Cd stress notably elevated the electrical conductivity, MDA content, and proline content of tea plants, whereas the Cd + Se1 treatment significantly reduced the MDA and proline content under Cd stress; (2) the Cd stress treatment significantly increased the content of peroxides in the tea tree leaves and significantly decreased the activities of four antioxidant enzymes, SOD, POD, CAT, and Apx; the Cd + Se treatment significantly reduced the peroxide content in tea trees under cadmium stress and significantly increased the activities of SOD, POD, CAT, and Apx; (3) the Cd stress treatment significantly increased the values of certain chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and had no significant impact on the distribution of light energy, whereas the Cd + Se treatment significantly elevated the values of some chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and induced an uneven distribution of light energy; (4) the order of accumulation of Cd in different organs of the tea plants was as follows: root > stem > leaf, and the Cd + Se treatment significantly reduced the Cd content in various organs under Cd stress. In root cells, Cd and Se were predominantly located in the cell wall, plasma membrane, and vacuole membrane; in stem cells, they were primarily found in the cell wall and cytoplasm adjacent to the cell wall; in leaf cells, they were mainly distributed in the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and vacuole. In conclusion, Cd treatment induced stress in tea plants, which resulted in a certain stimulatory effect on photosynthesis, but caused some damage to the photosynthetic apparatus in chloroplasts. The results of the Cd + Se treatment suggest that the interaction between Se and Cd can mitigate the toxicity experienced by tea plants under Cd stress.
Responses of Soil Profile Hydrology, Structure and Microbial Respiration to Organic Amendments Under Different Tillage Systems on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Zhao Lili , Li Lusheng , Chen Xiangjie , Li Yanbin , Ge Jiankun , Wang Xiaowen
Published: January 2025

The combined effects of tillage and organic amendments on microbial respiration and its contribution to soil hydraulic conductivity are still uncertain in the 0–40 cm layer of a loess soil. We conducted a two-year field experiment to explore the effects of organic amendments, tillage and their interaction on soil microbial respiration, aggregate stability, pore parameters, and hydraulic conductivity on the Loess Plateau. Three tillage methods (conventional tillage (CT), deep tillage (DT) and no tillage (NT)) plus five fertilizer treatments (mineral fertilizer (control) alone and along with 20 t ha−1 wheat straw (MWS), wheat husk (MWH), farmyard soil (MFS) and bioorganic fertilizer (MBF)) were set up as experimental treatments. The findings demonstrated that the organic amendments significantly increased the soil microbial respiration and saturated hydraulic conductivity compared to the control in the 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm layers. Soil microbial respiration had indirect effects on hydraulic conductivity by improving the water aggregate stability and macroporosity. Additionally, the interaction effects of tillage and organic amendments on the pore and hydrological parameters were significant in the 20–40 cm layer. NT-MBF resulted in the greatest saturated hydraulic conductivity, which was directly correlated with the soil’s strong pore organization. Given the issue of subsurface soil compaction in our study area, it is recommended that local farmers adopt NT-MBF to enhance the soil’s microbial, structural and hydrological properties.
Biochar Application and Mowing Independently and Interactively Influence Soil Enzyme Activity and Carbon Sequestration in Karst and Red Soils in Southern China
Authors: Luo Wenjia , Petticord Daniel F. , Zhu Shiwen , Zhu Shaowu , Wu Yuanlong , Yi Xun , Wang Xinyue , Guo Yili , Song Xuxin
Published: January 2025

Soil organic carbon (SOC), a critical component of the global carbon cycle, represents the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir, and is thus a major component of influencing climate regulation and ecosystem health. Grasslands store substantial carbon in their soils, but this carbon reservoir is easily degraded by both grazing and mowing, particularly in vulnerable karst landscapes. This study investigates the potential of biochar, a carbon-rich soil amendment, as a management tool to maintain SOC or mitigate the degradation of SOC during mowing in karst grasslands in Southern China, using both red acidic and calcareous soils as experimental variables. T SOC fractions, soil enzyme activities, and soil pH were measured to determine the effect of mowing and biochar application on carbon stability and microbial activity. Consistent with expectations, mowing increases belowground biomass and promotes carbon loss through increased microbial activity, particularly in calcareous soils where mowing also decreases soil pH, increasing acidity and reducing the stability of Ca–carbon complexes. Biochar, however, counteracted these effects, increasing both particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), especially in red soils where the addition of biochar greatly increased soil pH (from 5.4 to 6.33) (an effect not observed in the already-alkaline karst soils). Enzyme activities related to carbon degradation, such as β-D-Glucosidase and peroxidase, increased in biochar-amended soils (β-D-Glucosidase increased from 12.77 to 24.53 nmol/g/h and peroxidase increased from 1.1 to 2.36 mg/g/2h), each of which contribute to the degradation of carbon containing organic matter so that it may be ultimately stored in more recalcitrant forms. Mowing led to reduced polyphenol oxidase activity, but the presence of biochar mitigated these losses, protecting SOC pools (increased from 0.03 to 0.79 mg/g/2h). This study highlights biochar as an effective tool for enhancing SOC stability in karst grasslands, particularly in acidic soils, and suggests that integrating biochar into mowing regimes may optimize carbon sequestration while reducing fire risk. These findings offer valuable theoretical guidance for developing sustainable land management in sensitive ecosystems.
Copy Number Variations in Short Tandem Repeats Modulate Growth Traits in Penaeid Shrimp Through Neighboring Gene Regulation
Authors: Zhou Hao , Qiang Guangfeng , Xia Yan , Tan Jian , Fu Qiang , Luo Kun , Meng Xianhong , Chen Baolong , Chen Meijia , Sui Juan , Dai Ping , Li Xupeng , Liu Mianyu , Xing Qun , Kong Jie , Luan Sheng
Published: January 2025

Penaeid shrimp, with its genomes enriched in short tandem repeats (STRs), presents an ideal model for studying the distribution and biological functions of STRs. In this study, we systematically identified and compared STRs across multiple species, confirming a significantly higher prevalence of STRs (26–32%) in penaeid shrimp, which is markedly higher than that observed in other species, such as mammals (1.3–2.1%) and plants (0.21–0.73%). Further analysis utilizing a cohort of 326 Pacific white shrimp revealed a total of 672,507 high-quality STRs evenly distributed across the genome, with a notably lower frequency of SNPs within these STR regions. Focusing on growth traits as a case study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and correlation analyses to identify the regulatory relationship of STRs on complex traits. We discovered 84 STRs that showed a significant association with body weight. Interestingly, eleven of these STRs, with 81% being composed of an A/T base, showed a significant linear correlation with body weight, revealing the key role of A/T-related STRs in shrimp weight regulation. For instance, a significant association and a negative correlation were found between the copy number of the STR [(A)n] at NW_020872788.1:580574 and body weight. The cytokinesis protein 7-like (LOC113800912) gene, which contains this STR in its splice region, exhibits differential expression associated with body weight variation. These findings introduce a model for STR copy number regulation in non-human species, illuminating the influence of STRs on growth traits. It offers a valuable framework for investigating complex traits and the biological functions of STRs in agricultural animals.
Prepartum Dietary Supplementation of Potassium Humate Improves Postpartum Lactation Performance, Metabolic Profile of Multiparous Cows, and Immune Response of Their Calves
Authors: Uyarlar Cangir , Rahman Abdur , Gultepe Eyup Eren , Cetingul İbrahim Sadi , Akhtar Muhammad Uzair , Bayram Ismail
Published: January 2025

This research was carried out to determine the effects of potassium humate on the lactation performance and metabolic parameters of dairy cows during the transition period. Potassium humate was added to the concentrate feed at the following levels: (a) control (0%), (b) 0.5%, (c) 1%, (d) 1.5%, and (e) 2% humas, during the dry period from −60 to 0 days until calving. The results indicated that the total milk yield after 305 days was higher in the 0.5% group than in the 2% humic acid group. The average daily milk yield from lactation was also greater in the 0.5% group than in the 2% humic acid group. In terms of metabolic health and blood biochemistry, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, NEFAs, and BHBA were different among the treatment groups. No effects were detected on the blood physiology parameters of the calves. The IgG concentration in the colostrum and serum of calves on day 1 and 2 were higher in the 0.5% and 1% humic acid groups, respectively, than in the other groups. Overall, adding humic acid, especially at the dose of 0.5%, to the concentrate feed of dairy cows during the dry period resulted in an increased postpartum milk yield for the cows and increased serum IgG in both the cows and calves, with decreased NEFAs on the calving day and decreased postpartum BHBA for cows.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Primary Canine Mast Cell Tumors and Related Regional Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Corrêa Rassele Alice , Oliveira Almeida Isabella , Garschagen Gava Maylla , Bronhara Pimentel Pedro Antônio , Giuliano Antonio , Ruiz Sueiro Felipe Augusto , Rodrigues de Oliveira Ayisa , Barboza de Nardi Andrigo , dos Santos Horta Rodrigo
Published: January 2025

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important regulator of angiogenesis and has been identified as an autocrine growth factor for neoplastic cells of several tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate VEGF expression in canine mast cell tumors and their respective lymph node metastases. For this purpose, 28 patients with mast cell tumors and confirmed regional lymph node metastasis were selected. The samples were submitted for analysis with immunohistochemistry. VEGF was expressed in 14/28 patients (50%) and 35.7% of primary MCTs (10/28), and only 14.3% expressed VEGF in both the primary tumor and its respective metastasis (4/28), with fair agreement (Κ = 0.250). There was a weak correlation between VEGF and tumor size (p = 0.016, rs = 0.045). In this cohort, survival time was correlated with Kiupel grade, mitotic index, tumor necrosis, tumor location, and systemic treatment. VEGF immunolabeling had no influence on survival; however, patients with positive expression may benefit from specific therapy.
Microbiological Analysis Conducted on Raw Milk Collected During Official Sampling in Liguria (North-West Italy) over a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023)
Authors: Chiarlone Sara Antonia , Gori Andrea , Ravetta Serena , Armani Andrea , Guardone Lisa , Pedonese Francesca , Bavetta Salvatore , Fiannacca Caterina , Pussini Nicola , Maurella Cristiana , Razzuoli Elisabetta
Published: January 2025

Milk has been consumed by humans for thousands of years for its nutritional properties. In recent years, raw milk demand has increased, valued for its authenticity and connection to local traditions. In Italy, the sale of raw milk is allowed exclusively through direct sale from the producing farm to the final consumer, either at the producing farm itself or through vending machines. However, the consumption of raw milk is not without risks. Among these, microbiological ones are relevant. These can lead to severe symptoms, particularly in vulnerable populations. For this reason, although consumers are advised to boil raw milk before consumption, producing farms in Italy are required to meet the microbiological criteria outlined in the Provision of 25 January 2007. In this retrospective study, the results of the analyses performed on 355 raw milk samples collected in Liguria between 2014 and 2023 for the detection of Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli O157 were analysed to better characterise the associated risk for consumers. The samples were collected during official controls by the local veterinary health services at vending machines of seven producing farms. Overall, six samples tested positive for C. jejuni, while only one sample tested positive for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, Serovar Veneziana. Listeria monocytogenes, S. aureus, and E. coli O157 were never responsible for non-compliances. Interestingly, three of the six samples positive for C. jejuni derived from the same producer. In farms where positive samples were detected, certain structural and/or operational non-compliances were identified. It can be concluded that, although the scenario in question does not present any cause for concern, it is nevertheless essential to implement a series of preventive measures in order to guarantee the safety of raw milk. These measures include the implementation of biosecurity practices, the maintenance of strict hygiene protocols during milking, and the adherence to the cold chain distribution protocol until the final stage of distribution.
A VersaTile Approach to Reprogram the Specificity of the R2-Type Tailocin Towards Different Serotypes of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Dams Dorien , Pas Célia , Latka Agnieszka , Drulis-Kawa Zuzanna , Fieseler Lars , Briers Yves
Published: January 2025

Background: Phage tail-like bacteriocins, or tailocins, provide a competitive advantage to producer cells by killing closely related bacteria. Morphologically similar to headless phages, their narrow target specificity is determined by receptor-binding proteins (RBPs). While RBP engineering has been used to alter the target range of a selected R2 tailocin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the process is labor-intensive, limiting broader application. Methods: We introduce a VersaTile-driven R2 tailocin engineering and screening platform to scale up RBP grafting. Results: This platform achieved three key milestones: (I) engineering R2 tailocins specific to Escherichia coli serogroups O26, O103, O104, O111, O145, O146, and O157; (II) reprogramming R2 tailocins to target, for the first time, the capsule and a new species, specifically the capsular serotype K1 of E. coli and K11 and K63 of Klebsiella pneumoniae; (III) creating the first bivalent tailocin with a branched RBP and cross-species activity, effective against both E. coli K1 and K. pneumoniae K11. Over 90% of engineered tailocins were effective, with clear pathways for further optimization identified. Conclusions: This work lays the groundwork for a scalable platform for the development of engineered tailocins, marking an important step towards making R2 tailocins a practical therapeutic tool for targeted bacterial infections.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting and Principal Component Analysis Strategies Lead to Anti-Tuberculosis Natural Product Discovery from Actinomycetes
Authors: Han Jianying , Liu Xueting , Zhang Lixin , Quinn Ronald J. , Liu Miaomiao
Published: January 2025

Background: The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) underscores the urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents. Methods: This study integrates cultivation optimization, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting, and principal component analysis (PCA) to explore microbial secondary metabolites as potential anti-TB agents. Results: Using the combined approach, 11 bioactive compounds were isolated and identified, all exhibiting anti-Mycobacterium bovis BCG activity. Notable findings include borrelidin, a potent threonyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor with broad biological activities, and L-O-Lac-L-Val-D-O-Hiv-D-Val, a peptide isolated for the first time from a plant endophyte, demonstrating broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Additionally, elaiophylin and polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PTMs) displayed significant bactericidal effects, with elaiophylin achieving complete BCG inhibition at 72 h and PTMs marking their first reported anti-TB activity. The study also identified bafilomycins as potent scaffolds for anti-TB drug development, showcasing rapid bactericidal activity at low MIC values. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the value of microbial metabolites as a reservoir of bioactive compounds and provide new avenues for developing next-generation anti-TB therapies.
The Representation of Architectural Space for Caspar David Friedrich: The Case Study of Eldena Abbey
Authors: Esposito Antonio
Published: January 2025

The spatiality of Caspar David Friedrich’s paintings has always been a topic of investigation within the field of Romantic art history. This research has been conducted with the objective of gaining insight into the ideas and reasoning of the Greifswald painter. The influence of new insights into Caspar David Friedrich’s spatiality construction has led the scholarship to trigger different ways of interpreting his paintings and artworks. The aim of the proposed study is to analyse the architectural spatiality as defined by Friedrich in his paintings that have Eldena Abbey as their main architectural reference, using a methodology that uses 3D digital modelling as its main tool, in order to understand if the painter used any spatial compositional patterns in these paintings. Another objective of this study is to verify the potential of 3D modelling as an analytical tool for the architectural spatiality of Caspar David Friedrich’s paintings. An analysis of the spatiality of the church designed by Frederich has been carried out through the reconstruction of the central nave of the religious space, as an example of the compositional patterns that will eventually be detected in his representation of Eldena Abbey. In this research, 3D modelling is a fundamental analytical tool used for reconstructing the spatiality of the church as represented by Friedrich in three artworks that have Eldena as their main reference for the architectural motif. This research uses the projection of the apparent contour to reconstruct the position and size of the depicted architectural elements within different reconstruction scenarios. The possibility of using a compositional benchmark as the ratio between the width of the column and the following intercolumnar distance allows using the identification of compositional patterns within the analysed artworks in order to understand how Friedrich conceived architectural space within them.
Differential Susceptibility to Particulate Matter-Induced Cardiac Remodeling and Senescence: A Comparative Study in Young and Aged Mice
Authors: Waked Dunia , Guedes Gabriel Henrique Rodella , Macedo Raissa , Saldiva Paulo Hilário Nascimento , Veras Mariana Matera , Takano Ana Paula Cremasco
Published: January 2025

Background: Epidemiological and toxicological studies have shown that inhalation of particulate matter (PM), a major component of air pollution, is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Cellular senescence and other aging mechanisms are also key factors in the development and progression of CVD. This study aims to investigate age-related susceptibility to cardiac remodeling and senescence due to PM exposure. Methods: Young and old male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to filtered or polluted air for six months using an ambient particle concentrator. Cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and markers of cellular senescence (p53, p21, p-H2AX, and lipofuscin) in the myocardium were evaluated in the experimental groups. Results: PM exposure induces signs of cardiac remodeling, including cardiomyocyte enlargement and increased fibrosis, in young mice, along with elevated p53 expression. However, no significant alterations in cardiac structure or senescence markers were observed between aged mice exposed or not to PM. Conclusions: Our study indicates that younger individuals may be more vulnerable to the cardiovascular effects of chronic PM than older individuals exposed later. Further studies are needed to explore detailed mechanisms of this age-dependent response.
Sphere Theorems for σk-Einstein Manifolds
Authors: Zhong Jingyang , Mu Xinran
Published: January 2025

A problem that geometers have always been concerned with is when a closed manifold is isometric to a round sphere. A classical result shows that a closed locally conformally flat Einstein manifold is always isometric to a quotient of a round sphere. In this note, we provide the definitions of σk-curvatures and σk-Einstein manifolds, and we show that a closed σk-Einstein manifold under certain pinching conditions of a Weyl curvature and Einstein curvature is isometric to a quotient of a round sphere.
Roles Played by Critical Potentials in the Study of Poisson–Nernst–Planck Models with Steric Effects Under Relaxed Neutral Boundary Conditions
Authors: Liu Xiangshuo , Song Jie , Zhang Lijun , Zhang Mingji
Published: January 2025

We examine the qualitative properties of ionic flows through membrane channels via Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) type models with steric effects under relaxed electroneutrality boundary conditions, and more realistic setups in the study of ion channel problems. Of particular interest are the vital roles played by some critical potentials identified for both individual fluxes and current–voltage relations. These critical potentials split the whole electric potential interval into different subintervals, over which distinct dynamics of ionic flows are observed. The discussion provides an efficient way to control the boundary conditions to observe distinct dynamics of ionic flows through membrane channels. This is important for future analytical studies and critical for future numerical and even experimental studies of ion channel problems.
Quantum Private Comparison Protocol with Cluster States
Authors: Hou Min , Wu Yue
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we introduce a quantum private comparison (QPC) protocol designed for two players to securely and privately assess the equality of their private information. The protocol utilizes four-particle cluster states prepared by a semi-honest third party (TP), who strictly adheres to the protocol without deviation or collusion with any participant. The TP facilitates the private comparison by enabling users to encode their information through bit-flip or phase-shift operators applied to the received quantum sequences. Once the information is encoded, the sequences are returned to the TP, who can derive the comparison results without accessing any details of the private information. This design ensures correctness, privacy, and fairness throughout the process. The QPC protocol is robust against both external threats and participant attacks due to the incorporation of the decoy-state method and quantum key distribution techniques. Additionally, the protocol employs unitary operations and Bell-basis measurements, enhancing its technical feasibility for practical implementation. Notably, the proposed protocol achieves a qubit efficiency of up to 50%. This efficiency, combined with its strong security features, establishes the QPC protocol as a promising solution for private information comparisons within the realm of quantum cryptography.
A Quintic Spline-Based Computational Method for Solving Singularly Perturbed Periodic Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Arumugam Puvaneswari , Thynesh Valanarasu , Muthusamy Chandru , Ramos Higinio
Published: January 2025

This work aims to provide approximate solutions for singularly perturbed problems with periodic boundary conditions using quintic B-splines and collocation. The well-known Shishkin mesh strategy is applied for mesh construction. Convergence analysis demonstrates that the method achieves parameter-uniform convergence with fourth-order accuracy in the maximum norm. Numerical examples are presented to validate the theoretical estimates. Additionally, the standard hybrid finite difference scheme, a cubic spline scheme, and the proposed method are compared to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present approach.
Development of a Combined 2D-MGD TLC/HPTLC Method for the Separation of Terpinen-4-ol and α-Terpineol from Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Essential Oil
Authors: Vázquez Aimé , Tabanca Nurhayat
Published: January 2025

Tea tree oil (TTO), acquired from Melaleuca alternifolia (Maiden & Betche) Cheel, Myrtaceae, is a widely utilized essential oil (EO) due to its bioactive properties. The identification and quantification of TTO ingredients is generally performed by GC-MS, which provides the most accurate results. However, in some instances, the cost and time of analysis may pose a challenge. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) offer a simpler, faster, cost-effective alternative capable of simultaneously analyzing and quantifying multiple samples. In addition, for more complex oils, two-dimensional (2D) or multigradient development (MGD) TLC provide better separation. Nevertheless, further development is sometimes necessary for the isolation of comigrating components. This study showcases a combined 2D-MGD TLC/HPTLC method for the successful separation of TTO components of interest. While human error, limited separation, and the partial evaporation of volatile components may still present a challenge during the process, considerable recovery of mono- and sesquiterpenes was achieved. This protocol also resulted in the successful isolation of target oxygenated monoterpenes (OMs) producing highly pure terpinen-4-ol (100%) and α-terpineol (≥94%), confirmed by GC-MS. The accurate enantiomeric distribution of these major OMs was verified by GC-FID through the use of a chiral cyclodextrin-based stationary phase. The observed positive enantiomer range (area percent) as well as (+)/(−) ratio for each terpinen-4-ol and α-terpineol were within acceptable ISO criteria.
Quantifying Older Adults’ Spatial Perceptions of Outdoor Activity Areas for Embedded Retirement Facilities
Authors: Fu Guannan , Gai Yinan , Xiang Liqun , Lin Lin
Published: January 2025

Outdoor activity areas for embedded retirement facilities (ERFs) are essential for providing older adults with access to outdoor environments within communities. However, there is limited evidence on how these areas influence older adults’ spatial perceptions. This study investigated the impact of ERFs’ spatial characteristics on older adults’ physiological and psychological perceptions. Three kinds of outdoor activity areas in a coastal city in eastern China were investigated, and older adults’ physiological data were collected through real environments from wearable sensors. Their subjective perception data were collected through subjective satisfaction questionnaires. By combining them, the authors identified correlations between older adults’ spatial perceptions and the characteristics of outdoor activity areas, quantifying the impact of various spatial features on their satisfaction. The results showed that areas with high subjective satisfaction were linked to strong emotional arousal and increased visual comfort. Spaces with favourable sky view factors and spatial openness significantly enhanced spatial perception satisfaction. Key design elements can shape older adults’ spatial perceptions. This study highlights the positive relationship between outdoor activity areas for ERFs and older adults’ spatial experiences, offering insights for age-friendly renovations and site selection to create supportive environments for ageing populations.
Turning Agricultural Biomass Ash into a Valuable Resource in the Construction Industry—Exploring the Potential of Industrial Symbiosis
Authors: Bedov Olivera , Andabaka Ana , Draganić Suzana
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a circular business model (CBM) designed to promote the valorization of agricultural biomass ash for producing an alternative binder in construction, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions and landfill waste. The circular economy framework emphasizes regeneration and restoration to minimize resource and energy use, waste generation, pollution, and other environmental impacts. Aligned with these principles of sustainability, the construction industry, energy sector and food processing industry can establish a shared interest through industrial symbiosis. In the proposed CBM, waste from one industry becomes an input for another. The model leverages industrial symbiosis by using sunflower husk ash (SHA) as an alternative hydroxide activator for alkali-activated materials. A case study of companies in the Republic of Serbia that produce SHA as waste forms the basis for this model, featuring promising results of experimental testing of three alkali-activated mortars produced by activating ground-granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) with different SHA contents (15, 25 and 35 wt% GGBFS), instead of commercially available hydroxide activators. The potential of SHA as an alternative activator was assessed by testing flow diameter and compressive strength at 7 and 28 days of curing. The highest 28-day compressive strength was attained for the addition of 25% SHA (28.44 MPa). The promising results provided a valid basis for CBM development. The proposed CBM is stream-based, resulting from merging and upgrading two existing industrial symbioses. This study highlights the benefits of the CBM while addressing the challenges and barriers to its implementation, offering insights into the possible integration of agricultural biomass ash into sustainable construction practices.
Continuity Amid Commercial Buildings in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul
Authors: Lee Jae-Young
Published: January 2025

This study tracks changes in commercial buildings in Yeonnam-dong that have undergone commercial transformation, examining these shifts within the context of urban organization and their relationships with economic and socio-cultural flows. It also analyzes the architectural elements that reflect the placeness characteristics of an area. On-site surveys were conducted to assess the continuity and discontinuity in the characteristics of 62 renovated and 40 newly constructed buildings. Additionally, shifts in social perceptions regarding physical changes were explored through an analysis of commercial districts and interviews with visitors, store owners, and architects. Yeonnam-dong has a distinct physical environment, as well as economic, social, and cultural characteristics that distinguish it from mainstream areas, such as large apartment complexes and typical commercial zones. The area, with its winding alleyways from the pre-modern period and low-rise housing—marginalized from large-scale development—evoked nostalgia and created a distinctive sense of authenticity or placeness, which was further enhanced by the presence of exotic restaurants, cafés, ateliers, and creative activities of early gentrifiers. However, rapid commercialization has led to the displacement of these early gentrifiers, an influx of new investments and construction, and shifts in commercial flows. Consequently, the area’s authenticity has become diluted, and visitors’ perceptions of it have changed. Despite this, architectural elements observed in renovated buildings are preserved and incorporated into newly constructed ones. Features such as semi-basements, exterior straight stairs, and brick façades continue to reflect the locality. Detached and multi-household homes from the 1960s to the 1990s have evolved into a new hybrid commercial–residential form designed for commercial purposes. This is a response to small plot sizes in Korean residential areas and reflects the current economic and cultural demands of commercial gentrification. The urban and architectural characteristics of this area are not only a unique physical environment but also hold socio-cultural significance as ordinary heritage. Therefore, this study proposes institutional measures to preserve urban and architectural continuity while controlling the ongoing commercialization.
Satisfaction with Nighttime Outdoor Activity Environment Among Elderly Residents in Old Gated Communities
Authors: Wen Fang , Peng Liang , Zhang Bo , Zhang Yan , Zhang Yuyang
Published: January 2025

China, like many other countries around the world, faces a rapidly aging population. “Aging in place” is the most popular choice for older people in China, with more than 90% of urban older people living in the same residential areas they did in middle age. Nighttime outdoor activity (NOA) is popular among the elderly and has a positive impact on both their physical and mental health. However, the conditions of nighttime activity places in old gated communities often do not meet the activity needs of the elderly, and there are problems such as low lighting and poor accessibility. This study focuses on typical old gated communities in a large city and analyzes data on three dimensions of independent variables: the lighting of activity places, the built environment of old gated communities, and the attributes of the elderly residents themselves. Taking “satisfaction with the environment for NOAs”, “the biggest environmental problem with NOAs”, and “locations that need improved lighting” as dependent variables, we used machine learning to calculate the contributions of various influencing factors on the dependent variables. It was found that the most important factors that influence satisfaction with the NOA environments are lighting levels, with the built environment or elderly residents’ attributes being less important. The most important factor that influences older people’s judgment of “locations that need improved lighting” is the perception of safety related to lighting in NOAs, followed by the perception of uniform lighting and green areas in their gated community. This study provides a reference for the renovation of age-friendly community environments as well as the overall enhancement of the nighttime activity environments in old gated communities.
Professional Barriers in Energy Efficiency Retrofits—A Solution Based on Information Flow Modeling
Authors: Liao Xilong , Wang Chun , Li Baiyi , Li Baizhan , Du Chenqiu
Published: January 2025

The challenge of high energy consumption and carbon emissions within China’s construction industry has become increasingly urgent, as over 40% of buildings are still non-energy efficient. The multifaceted nature of systems involved in building retrofits results in a complex project, with barriers in both retrofit design and construction becoming increasingly evident. This research comprehensively assesses the common barriers in building retrofits and investigates the potential for integrating energy-efficient retrofits with information flow modeling from an interdisciplinary perspective. In order to pinpoint the main barriers hindering building retrofits, this study employs the bibliometric software VOSviewer. The analysis uncovers that the primary obstacles to energy-saving renovations are categorized into technical, economic, environmental, and other barriers. These barriers are characterized by a high degree of specialization, the inadequate integration of information, and limited collaboration among stakeholders. Subsequently, a qualitative literature review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology, which screened 40 key sources. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) The design of energy-saving renovation processes is impeded by the limited professional perspectives within the construction industry, which restricts the practical applicability; (2) Decision making for energy-saving renovations encounters notable professional barriers and suffers from inadequate information integration; (3) There is a lack of clarity regarding information needs during the implementation phase, and no effective platform exists for information coordination; (4) Risk analyses in complex energy-saving renovations largely depend on expert interviews, lacking robust scientific tools. These findings highlight that knowledge gaps and information asymmetry are the central challenges. To tackle these issues, this paper suggests the implementation of an information flow model that integrates the IDEF0 and DSM for building energy-saving retrofit projects. The IDEF0 model can clearly describe the interaction relationship of all expert information through functional decomposition, while the DSM can show the dependency relationship and information flow path among specialties through the matrix structure. This model is anticipated to enhance professional information integration and collaboration. It is proposed that improved information integration and collaboration under this framework will significantly promote the advancement of professional generative AI.
Numerical Study of the Effect of Out-of-Plane Distance in the Lateral Direction at the Mid-Span of a Steel Beam on the Sectional Moment Capacity
Authors: Sayed Ahmed Mohamed , Ali Nageh M. , Aljarbou Mishal H. , Alzlfawi Abdullah , Aldhobaib Salman , Alanazi Hani , Altuwayjiri Abdulmalik H.
Published: January 2025

Steel I-beams may be subject to deviation from their normal path towards the lateral direction due to obstacles along their axis line. This deviation in the lateral direction, i.e., the out-of-plane distance, affects the behavior of the steel beams and may reduce their ultimate capacity. To obtain this effect, finite element modeling (FEM) was used to model these beams with and without an out-of-plane distance at the mid-span beam length with several different variables. These variables were the out-of-plane distance, cross-section dimensions, beam length, and steel yield stress. The reliability of using FEM simulation was confirmed by comparing the experimental test results of 25 available steel beams in previous studies. The results indicate the high accuracy of the simulation of this beam in terms of ultimate capacity, structural behavior, and deformation patterns. After verifying the results, 116 broad-flange I-beam (BFIB) steel beams with different out-of-plane distances were modeled. The results showed that using an out-of-plane distance equal to the flange width of the BFIB-300 cross-section caused a 60% decrease in the ultimate capacity. The reduction ratios in the ultimate moment capacity in out-of-plane steel beams were directly proportional to the out-of-plane distance, cross-sectional dimensions, and steel yield stress, while the beam length had no effect. Failure in beams containing an out-of-plane distance occurs as a result of a global buckling in the upper flange, which contains tensile stresses at the outer edge and compressive stresses at the inner edge, with stress concentration occurring at the point of contact of the out-of-plane part with the main beam. The prediction results of the design codes were compared with the results of experimental tests and the FEM analysis of the beams with and without out-of-plane distances. For all the beams with out-of-plane distances, all the design codes were unable to predict this ultimate capacity.