bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound and Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Hexagonally Ordered Ce-Promoted Mesoporous Silica as Ni Supports for Ethanol Steam Reforming
Authors: Tovar-Rodriguez Jorge , Fratini Emiliano , Baglioni Piero , Ferrari Carlo , de los Reyes-Heredia José Antonio , Ramírez-Hernández Yonatan , Galindo-Esquivel Ignacio René
Published: March 2023

Solvothermal synthesis of mesoporous materials based on amphiphilic molecules as structure-directing agents can be enhanced using non-conventional technologies for stirring and thermal activation. Here, we disclose a green synthesis approach for the preparation of cerium-modified hexagonally ordered silica sieves. Ultrasound micromixing enabled us to obtain well-dispersed Ce in the self-assembled silica network and yielded ordered materials with high cerium content (Ce/Si molar ratio = 0.08). Microwave dielectric heating, applied by an innovative open-end coaxial antenna, was used to reduce the overall hydrothermal synthesis time and to improve the surface area and textural properties. These mesoporous materials were used as a Ni catalyst support (10 wt.% metal loading) for the ethanol steam reforming reaction. The new catalysts featured complete ethanol conversion, high H2 selectivity (65%) and better stability, compared to the same catalyst prepared with magnetic stirring and conventional heating. The Ce-promoted silica sieves offered a suitable support for the controlled growth of nanocarbon that does not result in catalyst deactivation or poisoning after 6 h on stream.
Association between Meal Frequency and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rural Adults: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Baheti Bota , Liu Xiaotian , Wang Mu , Zhang Caiyun , Dong Xiaokang , Kang Ning , Li Linlin , Li Xing , Yu Songcheng , Hou Jian , Mao Zhenxing , Wang Chongjian
Published: March 2023

Diet frequency may potentially influence metabolic health. However, general population-based evidence on the association between meal frequency and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains limited and inconclusive. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between meal frequency and T2DM in resource limited area. A total of 29,405 qualified participants were enrolled from the Henan rural cohort study. Data on meal frequency were collected through a validated face-to-face questionnaire survey. Logistic regression models were utilized to explore the association between meal frequency and T2DM. Compared with 21 times per week meal frequency group, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were 0.75 (0.58, 0.95) and 0.70 (0.54, 0.90) for 16–20 times/week group and 14–15 times/week group, respectively. For the analysis of the three meals, significant associations were only found between dinner frequency and T2DM. Compared with seven times per week dinner group, the ORs (95%CIs) were 0.66 (0.42, 0.99) and 0.51 (0.29, 0.82) for the group with three to six times/week and zero to two times/week. Reduced meal frequency, especially dinner frequency, was associated with lower prevalence of T2DM, which suggests that an appropriate reduction in meal frequency per week may have a role in decreasing the risk of T2DM.
Effects of Acute Red Spinach Extract Ingestion on Repeated Sprint Performance in Division I NCAA Female Soccer Athletes
Authors: Raymond Mary V. , Yount Taylor M. , Rogers Rebecca R. , Ballmann Christopher G.
Published: March 2023

Red spinach extract is high in inorganic nitrate/nitrite (NO3/NO2) which has been shown to enhance vascular function, cognition, and physical performance. To date, there have been no investigations as to whether red spinach extract serves as an effective strategy to improve repeated exercise performance, which is applicable to many sports and activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acute red spinach extract ingestion on repeated sprint ability in female athletes. Eleven Division I NCAA female athletes (ages 18–24) were recruited. In a double-blinded, randomized, counterbalanced design, participants completed two separate visits each with a different treatment: placebo (placebo; tomato juice) or red spinach extract (~400 mg nitrate). For each trial, participants consumed their respective treatment two hours before exercise. Following a warm-up, participants completed 3 × 15 s Wingate Anaerobic Tests (WAnTs) separated by 2 min of recovery. A capillary blood sample was obtained pre-exercise to measure NO2 concentrations. Performance outcomes, heart rate (heart rate), and rate of perceived exertion were measured following each WAnT. Blood lactate (La-) was obtained prior to exercise (PRE) and after the completion of the repeated sprints (POST). Each visit was separated by a minimal recovery period of 72 h. Mean power (p = 0.204), peak power (p = 0.067), heart rate (p = 0.151), and rate of perceived exertion (p = 0.379) were not significantly different between treatments. POST La- concentration was significantly higher with red spinach extract when compared to the placebo (p = 0.030). Furthermore, the fatigue index (p = 0.018) was significantly lower with red spinach extract. The results do not support the use of red spinach extract for the enhancement of power output during repeated anaerobic exercise. However, it may result in improved La-/H+ removal from the muscle, thereby combating physical fatigue.
Improving Properties of Podophyllic Aldehyde-Derived Cyclolignans: Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Lignohydroquinones, Dual-Selective Hybrids against Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Hernández Ángela-Patricia , Díez Paula , García Pablo A. , Pérez-Andrés Martín , Veselinova Anzhela , Jambrina Pablo G. , San Feliciano Arturo , Díez David , Fuentes Manuel , Castro Mᵃ Ángeles
Published: March 2023

New lignohydroquinone conjugates (L-HQs) were designed and synthesized using the hybridization strategy, and evaluated as cytotoxics against several cancer cell lines. The L-HQs were obtained from the natural product podophyllotoxin and some semisynthetic terpenylnaphthohydroquinones, prepared from natural terpenoids. Both entities of the conjugates were connected through different aliphatic or aromatic linkers. Among the evaluated hybrids, the L-HQ with the aromatic spacer clearly displayed the in vitro dual cytotoxic effect derived from each starting component, retaining the selectivity and showing a high cytotoxicity at short (24 h) and long (72 h) incubation times (4.12 and 0.0450 µM, respectively) against colorectal cancer cells. In addition, the cell cycle blockade observed by flow cytometry studies, molecular dynamics, and tubulin interaction studies demonstrated the interest of this kind of hybrids, which docked adequately into the colchicine binding site of tubulin despite their large size. These results prove the validity of the hybridization strategy and encourage further research on non-lactonic cyclolignans.
T Cell-Association of Carboxy-Terminal Dendrimers with Different Bound Numbers of Phenylalanine and Their Application to Drug Delivery
Authors: Shiba Hiroya , Hirose Tomoka , Fu Yunshen , Michigami Masataka , Fujii Ikuo , Nakase Ikuhiko , Matsumoto Akikazu , Kojima Chie
Published: March 2023

T cells play important roles in various immune reactions, and their activation is necessary for cancer immunotherapy. Previously, we showed that polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers modified with 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (CHex) and phenylalanine (Phe) underwent effective uptake by various immune cells, including T cells and their subsets. In this study, we synthesized various carboxy-terminal dendrimers modified with different bound numbers of Phe and investigated the association of these dendrimers with T cells to evaluate the influence of terminal Phe density. Carboxy-terminal dendrimers conjugating Phe at more than half of the termini exhibited a higher association with T cells and other immune cells. The carboxy-terminal Phe-modified dendrimers at 75% Phe density tended to exhibit the highest association with T cells and other immune cells, which was related to their association with liposomes. A model drug, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), was encapsulated into carboxy-terminal Phe-modified dendrimers, which were then used for drug delivery into T cells. Our results suggest the carboxy-terminal Phe-modified dendrimers are useful for delivery into T cells.
Feasibility of Child-Resistant and Senior-Friendly Press-Through Packages: Potential of Different Materials
Authors: Sadamoto Kiyomi , Ura Hiroyuki , Murata Mikio , Hayashi Masaho , Kubota Kiyoshi
Published: March 2023

Press-through packaging (PTP) is the most common type of drug packaging in Japan, and a production procedure for PTP has been established at an acceptable cost. However, unknown problems and new needs with regard to safety among users of various age-groups still need to be examined. Considering accident reports involving children and older adults, the safety and quality of PTP and new forms of PTP, such as child-resistant and senior-friendly (CRSF) packaging, should be evaluated. We conducted an ergonomic study on children and older adults to compare types of commonly used PTP and new varieties of PTP. Opening tests were attempted by children and older adults using a common type of PTP (Type A) and child-resistant (CR) PTP (Types B1 and B2) made from soft aluminum foil. The same opening test was conducted on older patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results showed that CR PTP was difficult for children to open: only 1 out of 18 children could open Type B1. On the other hand, all eight of the older adults could open Type B1, and eight patients with RA could easily open Types B1 and B2. These findings suggest that the quality of CRSF PTP can be improved with the use of new materials.
Natural Lipid Extracts as an Artificial Membrane for Drug Permeability Assay: In Vitro and In Silico Characterization
Authors: Vincze Anna , Dékány Gergely , Bicsak Richárd , Formanek András , Moreau Yves , Koplányi Gábor , Takács Gergely , Katona Gábor , Balogh-Weiser Diána , Arany Ádám , Balogh György T.
Published: March 2023

In vitro non-cellular permeability models such as the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) are widely applied tools for early-phase drug candidate screening. In addition to the commonly used porcine brain polar lipid extract for modeling the blood–brain barrier’s permeability, the total and polar fractions of bovine heart and liver lipid extracts were investigated in the PAMPA model by measuring the permeability of 32 diverse drugs. The zeta potential of the lipid extracts and the net charge of their glycerophospholipid components were also determined. Physicochemical parameters of the 32 compounds were calculated using three independent forms of software (Marvin Sketch, RDKit, and ACD/Percepta). The relationship between the lipid-specific permeabilities and the physicochemical descriptors of the compounds was investigated using linear correlation, Spearman correlation, and PCA analysis. While the results showed only subtle differences between total and polar lipids, permeability through liver lipids highly differed from that of the heart or brain lipid-based models. Correlations between the in silico descriptors (e.g., number of amide bonds, heteroatoms, and aromatic heterocycles, accessible surface area, and H-bond acceptor–donor balance) of drug molecules and permeability values were also found, which provides support for understanding tissue-specific permeability.
Measurement Precision and Thermal and Absorption Properties of Nanostructures in Aqueous Solutions by Transient and Steady-State Thermal-Lens Spectrometry
Authors: Khabibullin Vladislav R. , Usoltseva Liliya O. , Galkina Polina A. , Galimova Viktoriya R. , Volkov Dmitry S. , Mikheev Ivan V. , Proskurnin Mikhail A.
Published: March 2023

A simultaneous steady-state and transient photothermal-lens modality was used for both the thermal and optical parameters of aqueous dispersed systems (carbon and silica nanoparticles, metal iodides, surfactants, heme proteins, albumin, and their complexes). Heat-transfer parameters (thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity), the temperature gradient of the refractive index, light absorption, and concentration parameters were assessed. To simultaneously measure thermal and optical parameters, the time scale of thermal lensing (characteristic time, tc) should correspond to an excitation beam size of 60–300 µm, and the relative time intervals 0.5÷5tc and (5÷20)tc should be selected for transient and steady-state measurements, respectively. Dual-beam thermal-lens spectrometers in a mode-mismatched optical schematic at various excitation wavelengths were built. The spectrometers implement back-synchronized detection, providing different measurement conditions for the heating and cooling parts of the thermal-lens cycle. By varying the measurement parameters depending on the dispersed system, the conditions providing the suitable precision (replicability, repeatability, and reproducibility) of thermal-lens measurements were found; setups with a broad excitation beam (waist size, 150 and 300 μm) provide longer times to attain a thermal equilibrium and, thus, the better precision of measurements of thermal diffusivity.
Thermal and Electrical Characterization of Polyester Resins Suitable for Electric Motor Insulation
Authors: Calabrese Elisa , Raimondo Marialuigia , Catauro Michelina , Vertuccio Luigi , Lamberti Patrizia , Raimo Raffaele , Tucci Vincenzo , Guadagno Liberata
Published: March 2023

This paper undertakes the thermal and electrical characterization of three commercial unsaturated polyester imide resins (UPIR) to identify which among them could better perform the insulation function of electric motors (high-power induction motors fed by pulse-wide modulation (PWM) inverters). The process foreseen for the motor insulation using these resins is Vacuum Pressure Impregnation (VPI). The resin formulations were specially selected because they are one-component systems; hence, before the VPI process, they do not require mixing steps with external hardeners to activate the curing process. Furthermore, they are characterized by low viscosity and a thermal class higher than 180 °C and are Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)-free. Thermal investigations using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) techniques prove their excellent thermal resistance up to 320 °C. Moreover, impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range of 100 Hz–1 MHz was analyzed to compare the electromagnetic performance of the considered formulations. They manifest an electrical conductivity starting from 10−10 S/m, a relative permittivity around 3, and a loss tangent value lower than 0.02, which appears almost stable in the analyzed frequency range. These values confirm their usefulness as impregnating resins in secondary insulation material applications.
Controlled Polymerization
Authors: Ivchenko Pavel V.
Published: March 2023

An amazing variety of polymerization mechanisms enables the creation of polymers with given microstructures and comonomer sequences [...]
A Micro-In-Macro Gastroretentive System for the Delivery of Narrow-Absorption Window Drugs
Authors: Govender Mershen , Rants’o Thankhoe A. , Choonara Yahya E.
Published: March 2023

A micro-in-macro gastroretentive and gastrofloatable drug delivery system (MGDDS), loaded with the model-drug ciprofloxacin, was developed in this study to address the limitations commonly experienced in narrow-absorption window (NAW) drug delivery. The MGDDS, which consists of microparticles loaded in a gastrofloatable macroparticle (gastrosphere) was designed to modify the release of ciprofloxacin, allowing for an increased drug absorption via the gastrointestinal tract. The prepared inner microparticles (1–4 µm) were formed by crosslinking chitosan (CHT) and Eudragit® RL 30D (EUD), with the outer gastrospheres prepared from alginate (ALG), pectin (PEC), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA). An experimental design was utilized to optimize the prepared microparticles prior to Fourier Transition Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and in vitro drug release studies. Additionally, the in vivo analysis of the MGDDS, employing a Large White Pig model and molecular modeling of the ciprofloxacin-polymer interactions, were performed. The FTIR results determined that the crosslinking of the respective polymers in the microparticle and gastrosphere was achieved, with the SEM analysis detailing the size of the microparticles formed and the porous nature of the MGDDS, which is essential for drug release. The in vivo drug release analysis results further displayed a more controlled ciprofloxacin release profile over 24 h and a greater bioavailability for the MGDDS when compared to the marketed immediate-release ciprofloxacin product. Overall, the developed system successfully delivered ciprofloxacin in a control-release manner and enhanced its absorption, thereby displaying the potential of the system to be used in the delivery of other NAW drugs.
A Model for the Flow Distribution in Dual Cell Density Monoliths
Authors: Reinao Consuelo , Cornejo Iván
Published: March 2023

Monoliths are promising as catalytic structured supports due to their many operational advantages. Compared to pellets, monoliths offer low backpressure and good heat distribution, even at high flow rates. There is interest in the industry for improving temperature control in highly exothermic systems, such as the catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 for e-fuels synthesis. In this context, novel substrate shapes, such as non-homogeneous cell density monoliths, show good potential; however, to date, they have only been sparsely described. This work focuses on a dual cell density substrate and uses a computational model of a straight-channel monolith with two concentric regions to analyze its flow distribution. The central (core) and peripheral (ring) regions of the substrate differ in cell density in order to obtain a non-homogeneous cross-section. The model is validated against classical data in the literature and theoretical equations. Then, the flow fraction passing through each region of the substrate is registered. Several flow rates, core sizes and combinations of apparent permeabilities are tested. According to the results, the flow distribution depends only on the monolith geometrical features and not on the flow rate. A model for this phenomenon is proposed. The model accurately predicted the flow fraction passing through each region of the monolith for all the cases analyzed.
Practical Online Characterization of the Properties of Hydrocracking Bottom Oil via Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Long Jian , Xu Tiantian , Fan Chen
Published: March 2023

Providing real-time information on the chemical properties of hydrocracking bottom oil (HBO) as the feedstock for ethylene cracker while minimizing processing time, is important to improve the real-time optimization of ethylene production. In this study, a novel approach for estimating the properties of HBO samples was developed on the basis of near-infrared (NIR) spectra. The main noise and extreme samples in the spectral data were removed by combining discrete wavelet transform with principal component analysis and Hotelling’s T2 test. Kernel partial least squares (KPLS) regression was utilized to account for the nonlinearities between NIR data and the chemical properties of HBO. Compared with the principal component regression, partial least squares regression, and artificial neural network, the KPLS model had a better performance of obtaining acceptable values of root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and mean absolute relative error (MARE). All RMSEP and MARE values of density, Bureau of Mines correlation index, paraffins, isoparaffins, and naphthenes were less than 1.0 and 3.0, respectively. The accuracy of the industrial NIR online measurement system during consecutive running periods in predicting the chemical properties of HBO was satisfactory. The yield of high value-added products increased by 0.26 percentage points and coil outlet temperature decreased by 0.25 °C, which promoted economic benefits of the ethylene cracking process and boosted industrial reform from automation to digitization and intelligence.
Everett’s Interpretation and Convivial Solipsism
Authors: Zwirn Hervé
Published: March 2023

I show how the quantum paradoxes occurring when we adopt a standard realist framework (or a framework in which the collapse implies a physical change of the state of the system) vanish if we abandon the idea that a measurement is related (directly or indirectly) to a physical change of state. In Convivial Solipsism, similarly to Everett’s interpretation, there is no collapse of the wave function. However, contrary to Everett’s interpretation, there is only one world. This also allows us to get rid of any non-locality and to provide a solution to the Wigner’s friend problem and its more recent versions.
The Role of Large Mammals as Vitamin C Sources for MIS 3 Hominins
Authors: Guil-Guerrero José Luis
Published: March 2023

The acquisition of large prey by hominins living during the Marine Isotope Stage 3, including Neanderthals and Anatomically Modern Humans, had nutritional and bioenergetic implications: these contain high fat amounts, provide a high energy return, and the strategies and skills required to acquire small prey were different from those required to acquire the former. Vitamin C availability at several MIS 3 periods could have had a strong seasonal variability and would have been decisive for hominin groups’ survival. During the cold periods of the MIS 3, Paleolithic hominins had variable available amounts of vitamin C-containing plants only in the short summers, and for the remainder of the year, viscera would have been their best source of vitamin C. Meanwhile, the dependence on small mammals could have caused an erratic distribution of viscera to be consumed by such hominins, thus leading to chronic scurvy, and compromising their survival. Then, the hunting of large mammals would have helped to meet the daily vitamin C needs, besides an efficient energy supply. Therefore, the decline of large prey during the MIS 3 could have been critical for hominins survival, and thus the efficient exploitation of alternative vitamin C-rich food resources such as birds and aquatic animals could have favored the evolutionary success of hominin populations.
Philosophical Theology for a New Age
Authors: Neville Robert Cummings
Published: March 2023

Having distinguished the primary philosophers of religion, those whose philosophies of “Everything” entail something about religion, from those who study only or mainly religion, this article discusses the necessary comparative base for the future of the field. It distinguishes the approach that begins with the subject matter from the approach that sticks with a home tradition to which comparison adds new material, arguing for the former. The religions of West Asia, South Asia, and East Asia are discussed, noting the naturalistic form of the last. The fundamental comparative category for philosophy of religion is the Ultimate, of which I give my own version. This version also requires categories defining determinate things, their togetherness of various sorts, and their essential and conditional components. To be plausible, this theory needs to be associated positively and negatively with the main religious traditions and with our relation to nature and society. Religious lives need to be scaled from the primitive and literalistic all the way to the philosophical. Philosophy of religion or philosophical theology of all sorts is fallible and needs to prepare for the next step.
Inclusive Heritage: Implications for the Church of England
Authors: Choy Renie Chow
Published: March 2023

The Church of England’s historic buildings represent the single largest group of heritage sites in the UK, playing a key public-facing role in the church’s ‘cultural witness’. However, they are complex historic environments implicated in the recent focus on ‘contested heritage’ and imperial legacies. The wider heritage sector’s answer to the adversarial nature of this debate has been to turn contested histories into dialogical opportunities; participatory and collaborative approaches to interpretation and curation have become an important feature of much recent secular heritage work. Yet, the CofE has not yet articulated or embraced the value of similar initiatives for its own collections, with guidance at the institutional level aimed primarily at conservation and protection. This paper initiates a discussion about how engagement with sensitive memories enhances the importance of CofE’s cultural heritage. It offers a preliminary report of a research project led by the author titled ‘Inclusive Interpretations of Christian Heritage’, carried out between 2021 and 2022 at iconic churches in central London. After discussing the theoretical context, project rationale, and method, the paper discusses the connections which Christians from ethnic minority or immigrant backgrounds have to ecclesiastical spaces usually associated with national history. The perspectives of previously unrepresented groups can supplement expert assessments concerning a site’s significance, revealing important areas in which the CofE’s cultural assets hold meaning beyond national or aesthetic importance. The paper argues that widening community engagement represents a crucial task for accentuating the social and civic importance of the CofE’s cultural heritage.
Cultural Exchange in the East Asian Seas in Light of the Acceptance of Mazu Beliefs by Japanese Sea Gods
Authors: Li Zhuang , Liu Kehua
Published: March 2023

This paper examines the local beliefs of the sea gods in Japan, represented by the Sumiyoshi Sanjin 住吉三神, and their acceptance of the foreign culture of Mazu 媽祖. While there are many differences between the two in terms of their backgrounds, functions, and identities, the evolution of Japanese sea god beliefs has been characterized by a gradual acceptance of Mazu culture, culminating in the co-culturing of the two in shrines. This paper adopts an empirical research design to compare the local beliefs of the sea gods in Japan with the culture of Mazu and to analyze the reasons for their acceptance of Mazu culture from the perspective of the other. This article argues that the Japanese sea gods accepted Mazu for two reasons: the tangibility of Mazu’s beliefs and the superb spirituality of Mazu’s beliefs. Superb spirituality means effective protection, both in terms of safety at sea and swiftness in rescuing shipwrecks, and in terms of the smooth running of the fishing industry.
Posthumous Release for Lay Women in Tang China: Two Cases from the Longmen Grottoes
Authors: Zhu Pinyan
Published: March 2023

Famous for its cliff-carved Buddhist cave-shrines, Longmen was also a burial ground that attracted a few women from the seventh and the eighth centuries. This paper examines the burial caves of two lay women, Lady Lou (d. 661) and Lady Zhang (c. 658–c. 718), in relation to the newly excavated archaeological material and epigraphic evidence. Lady Lou compared her cave burial to the Indian ascetic practice in the forest of Śītavana but did not enact the compassionate offering of flesh. Lady Zhang was later removed from her burial cave by her sons so that she could be interred in a joint tomb with her husband. Through these two cases, I investigate the motivations behind the adoption of cave burials in medieval China. Canonical Buddhist scriptures taught these women that their social gender presented an obstacle to the final release. Dedicatory inscriptions at women’s burials and two tales of miraculous events at Longmen further suggest that family ties, an important constituent of women’s social gender, were believed to persist posthumously. Married women were expected to maintain their spousal and parental relations in the afterlife, and unmarried girls were imagined as turning into seductive spirits because of their lack of spousal union in their lifetime. I argue that cave burials at Longmen were not a compromise of the Indian ascetic practice but rather presented these lay women with a socially acceptable way to break free from their familial attachments after death.
Weather Conditions and Telematics Panel Data in Monthly Motor Insurance Claim Frequency Models
Authors: Reig Torra Jan , Guillen Montserrat , Pérez-Marín Ana M. , Rey Gámez Lorena , Aguer Giselle
Published: March 2023

Risk analysis in motor insurance aims to identify factors that increase the frequency of accidents. Telematics data is used to measure behavioural information of drivers. Contextual variables include temperature, rain, wind and traffic conditions that are external to the driver, but may also influence the probability of having an accident, as well as vehicle and personal characteristics. This paper uses a monthly panel data structure and the Poisson model to predict the expected frequency of claims over time. Some meteorological information is included. Two types of claims are considered separately: only those related to at-fault third-party liability accidents, and all types of claims including assistance on the road. A sample of drivers in Spain in 2018–2019 is analysed with information on claiming frequency per month. Drivers were observed for seven months. Our analysis is novel because monthly summaries of telematics information are combined with weather data in a panel structure, revealing that external factors affect the expected claims frequencies. Reckless speeding behaviours and intense urban circulation increase the risk of an accident, which also increases with windy conditions.
The Impact of Blockchain on the Quality of Accounting Information: An Iraqi Case Study
Authors: Alkafaji Bashaer Khudhair Abbas , Dashtbayaz Mahmoud Lari , Salehi Mahdi
Published: March 2023

This paper aims to investigate the impact of blockchain on the quality of the information in listed and non-listed companies in Iraq; the temporal scope of this study is 2022. The statistical population of this research is divided into two parts: one part is related to the level of familiarity with blockchain technology of accountants, independent auditors, managers, etc., and the other part is related to the effect of blockchain technology on the quality of accounting information. The sample size is determined based on Cochran’s formula, among which 1528 respondents were selected as a sample size. The results of the hypothesis testing showed that in both listed and non-listed companies, familiarity with blockchain technology had increased the quality of information. In this way, blockchain technology has positively and significantly impacted the quality of accounting information. This means that the impact of IT (Blockchain) on the quality of accounting information is the same for Iraqi listed and non-listed companies. Since the current research has been investigated in an emerging market such as Iraq, it can bring helpful information to readers in this field.
Deep ResU-Net Convolutional Neural Networks Segmentation for Smallholder Paddy Rice Mapping Using Sentinel 1 SAR and Sentinel 2 Optical Imagery
Authors: Onojeghuo Alex Okiemute , Miao Yuxin , Blackburn George Alan
Published: March 2023

Rice is a globally significant staple food crop. Therefore, it is crucial to have adequate tools for monitoring changes in the extent of rice paddy cultivation. Such a system would require a sustainable and operational workflow that employs open-source medium to high spatial and temporal resolution satellite imagery and efficient classification techniques. This study used similar phenological data from Sentinel-2 (S2) optical and Sentinel-1 (S1) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery to identify paddy rice distribution with deep learning (DL) techniques. Using Google Earth Engine (GEE) and U-Net Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) segmentation, a workflow that accurately delineates smallholder paddy rice fields using multi-temporal S1 SAR and S2 optical imagery was investigated. The study′s accuracy assessment results showed that the optimal dataset for paddy rice mapping was a fusion of S2 multispectral bands (visible and near infra-red (VNIR), red edge (RE) and short-wave infrared (SWIR)), and S1-SAR dual polarization bands (VH and VV) captured within the crop growing season (i.e., vegetative, reproductive, and ripening). Compared to the random forest (RF) classification, the DL model (i.e., ResU-Net) had an overall accuracy of 94% (three percent higher than the RF prediction). The ResU-Net paddy rice prediction had an F1-Score of 0.92 compared to 0.84 for the RF classification generated using 500 trees in the model. Using the optimal U-Net classified paddy rice maps for the dates analyzed (i.e., 2016–2020), a change detection analysis over two epochs (2016 to 2018 and 2018 to 2020) provided a better understanding of the spatial–temporal dynamics of paddy rice agriculture in the study area. The results indicated that 377,895 and 8551 hectares of paddy rice fields were converted to other land-use over the first (2016–2018) and second (2018–2020) epochs. These statistics provided valuable insight into the paddy rice field distribution changes across the selected districts analyzed. The proposed DL framework has the potential to be upscaled and transferred to other regions. The results indicated that the approach could accurately identify paddy rice fields locally, improve decision making, and support food security in the region.
Comparison of GEDI LiDAR Data Capability for Forest Canopy Height Estimation over Broadleaf and Needleleaf Forests
Authors: Rajab Pourrahmati Manizheh , Baghdadi Nicolas , Fayad Ibrahim
Published: March 2023

The GEDI LiDAR system was specifically designed to detect vegetation structure and has proven to be a suitable tool for estimating forest biophysical parameters, especially canopy height, at a global scale. This study compares the GEDI relative height metric (RH100) over different forest types, especially deciduous broadleaf and evergreen coniferous located in Thuringia, Germany, to understand how the forest structural differences affect the GEDI height estimation. A canopy height model that was produced using digital terrain and surface models (DTM and DSM) derived from airborne laser scanning data is used as the reference data. Based on the result, GEDI canopy height over needleleaf forest is slightly more accurate (RMSE = 6.61 m) than that over broadleaf (RMSE = 8.30 m) and mixed (RMSE = 7.94 m) forest. Evaluation of the GEDI acquisition parameters shows that differences in beam type, sensitivity, and acquisition time do not significantly affect the accuracy of canopy heights, especially over needleleaf forests. Considering foliage condition impacts on canopy height estimation, the contrasting result is observed in the broadleaf and needleleaf forests. The GEDI dataset acquired during the winter when deciduous species shed their leaves (the so-called leaf-off dataset), outperforms the leaf-on dataset in the broadleaf forest but shows less accurate results for the needleleaf forest. Considering the effect of the plant area index (PAI) on the accuracy of the GEDI canopy height, the GEDI dataset is divided into two sets with low and high PAI values with a threshold of median PAI = 2. The results show that the low PAI dataset (median PAI < 2) corresponds to the non-growing season (autumn and winter) in the broadleaf forest. The slightly better performance of GEDI using the non-growing dataset (RMSE = 7.40 m) compared to the growing dataset (RMSE = 8.44 m) in the deciduous broadleaf forest and vice versa, the slightly better result using the growing dataset (RMSE = 6.38 m) compared to the non-growing dataset (RMSE = 7.24 m) in the evergreen needleleaf forest is in line with the results using the leaf-off/leaf-on season dataset. Although a slight improvement in canopy height estimation was observed using either the leaf-off or non-growing season dataset for broadleaf forest, and either the leaf-on or growing season dataset for needleleaf forest, the approach of filtering GEDI data based on such seasonal acquisition time is recommended when retrieving canopy height over pure stands of broadleaf or needleleaf species, and the sufficient dataset is available.
The Construction of Ecological Security Pattern under Rapid Urbanization in the Loess Plateau: A Case Study of Taiyuan City
Authors: Qiao Qiong , Zhen Zhilei , Liu Liming , Luo Pingping
Published: March 2023

Taiyuan City in the eastern Loess Plateau has experienced severe ecological problems caused by urban expansion. For cities undergoing rapid urbanization, building an ecological security pattern (ESP) is an effective means to improve urban resilience. Here, geographic information systems (GIS) were used to analyze, manipulate, and visualize urban ecological multi-source information and remote sensing (RS) for the history of land use/land-cover (LULC) changes and the structure of the urban ecological system. Four important ecosystem service functions were estimated: soil conservation, habitat quality, water yield, and carbon storage. The minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model was combined with the circuit theory method to determine the ecological corridors, pinch points, and barrier points. Our results showed that: (1) from 1980 to 2020, Taiyuan’s built-up area showed increased construction land and enhanced landscape fragmentation. The decline in cultivated land was mainly attributed to construction land. During the period from 2000 to 2010, a greater amount of land was changed in Taiyuan than in other periods; (2) The ecosystem service evaluation based on the LULC in 2020 revealed that the central urban area was lower than the other areas; (3) 38 ecological source sites were identified, accounting for 16% of the total study area. An area of 106 km2 was allocated to construct 79 ecological corridors. We identified 31 ecological pinch points and 6 ecological barrier points; (4) an ESP optimization governance model of “two rings, four zones, and nine corridors” was proposed. Our study provides theoretical guidance for sustainable development and ecological design in Taiyuan City and other regions.
Phytochemical Characterization and Antifungal Efficacy of Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora L.) Extract against Phytopathogenic Fungi
Authors: Sobhy Sherien , Al-Askar Abdulaziz A. , Bakhiet Elsayed K. , Elsharkawy Mohsen M. , Arishi Amr A. , Behiry Said I. , Abdelkhalek Ahmed
Published: March 2023

Cinnamomum camphora methanolic extract was tested for antifungal activity against three common, isolated, widespread phytopathogens: Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani, and Fusarium oxysporum, which were molecularly identified and assigned accession numbers ON795987, ON795988, and ON795989, respectively. At 4000 µg/mL, the highest concentration of C. camphora methanolic extract inhibits the fungal mycelia weight of F. oxysporum, A. alternata, and F. solani by 60, 49, and 24%, respectively. The presence of several bioactive metabolites in the C. camphora extract could explain its antifungal activity. The presence of numerous phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the extract was revealed by HPLC analysis, including catechin and gallic acid, which had the highest concentrations of 6.21 and 6.98 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, osmoprotectants, total amino acids, and glycine betaine were abundant. Furthermore, total antioxidant activities, as measured by PMA and DPPH, were significant. The most abundant compound in the extract, according to GC-MS analysis, was mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester of 1,2-benzene dicarboxylic acid. Based on its in vitro efficacy in inhibiting mycelial growth weight, the tested extract could be recommended as a safe fungicide instead of a chemical treatment.
The Bioclimatic Change of the Agricultural and Natural Areas of the Adriatic Coastal Countries
Authors: Charalampopoulos Ioannis , Droulia Fotoula , Evans Jeffrey
Published: March 2023

In this study, the present bioclimatic conditions and the estimated changes of the bioclimate over natural and agricultural areas of the Adriatic territory (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, and Slovenia) are analysed and presented. For this purpose, a survey on De Martonne’s bioclimate categories’ spatial distribution over the entire examined area and individual countries is conducted for the reference period (1981–2010) and for three more future time periods (2011–2040; 2041–2070; 2071–2100) under two emissions scenarios (ssp370/RCP7 and ssp585/RCP8.5). The very high spatial resolution (~300 m) results demonstrate that the potential future alterations of the Adriatic territory’s bioclimate indicate the probable acceleration of the trend towards warmer and dryer conditions by 2100 under the RCP8.5 scenario, with the Italian region’s agricultural areas mainly being influenced. Moreover, as the studied scenarios project, the bioclimatic impact will affect natural and agricultural areas. For the agricultural areas, the semi-dry class (the most xerothermic in the study area) will expand from 4.9% (reference period) to 17.7% according to the RCP8.5 scenario for the period 2071–2100. When over the natural areas, the related variation of the same class is from 0.9% to 5.6%. In general, the western part of the Adriatic coastline is more vulnerable to climate results than the eastern one.
Antecedents of Intention to Use E-Auction: An Empirical Study
Authors: Masa’deh Ra’ed , A. AlMajali Dmaithan , AlSokkar Abdullah A. M. , Alshinwan Mohammad , Shehadeh Maha
Published: March 2023

Many public health organizations worldwide have used E-auctions to monitor, curtail, and improve the transmission of new coronavirus illnesses. However, user population size and acceptance of these technologies significantly impact their effectiveness. The current study’s goal was to determine what factors influence customers’ intent to use COVID-19 E-auctions by employing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to the Jordanian setting. This study empirically assessed 310 Jordanian respondents using a quantitative approach known as Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The research findings supported the majority of the proposed hypotheses, showing that behavioral intentions to use electronic bidding are highly influenced by perceived usability, perceived usefulness, trust in the government, social influence, and awareness. This research paper eventually contributes to the field of technology acceptance by developing a context-driven approach to the key pandemic components and features that influence different practices of technology acceptance.
The Effect of Plant Diversity and Soil Properties on Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity in a Novel Ecosystem
Authors: Bierza Wojciech , Woźniak Gabriela , Kompała-Bąba Agnieszka , Magurno Franco , Malicka Monika , Chmura Damian , Błońska Agnieszka , Jagodziński Andrzej M. , Piotrowska-Seget Zofia
Published: March 2023

Plant–microbial relations have not yet been fully disclosed in natural or seminatural ecosystems, nor in novel ecosystems developing spontaneously on post-coal mine heaps. The aim of this study was to determine which factor, biotic (plant taxonomic diversity vs. plant functional diversity) or abiotic (physicochemical substrate parameters), affects the biomass of soil microbial communities the most, as well as soil in situ respiration in novel ecosystems. The study was carried out on unreclaimed plots selected according to four different combinations of taxonomic and functional plant diversity. Additionally, plots on a reclaimed heap served as a comparison between the two management types. The biomass of several soil microbial groups was analysed using phospholipid fatty acids profiles. We detected that soil microbial biomass was more impacted by abiotic parameters (explaining 23% of variance) than plant diversity (explaining 12% of variance). Particularly, we observed that substrate pH was the most important factor shaping microbial community biomass, as shown in the RDA analysis. The highest microbial biomass was found in plots with low taxonomic and functional diversity. This finding can be explained by the fact that these plots represented a more advanced phase of vegetation development in the early stages of plant succession.
An Exploratory Study of the Perception of Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading within the Power Distribution Network in the UAE
Authors: Almarzooqi Ahmed Hassan , Osman Ahmed H. , Shabaan Mostafa , Nassar Mohammed
Published: March 2023

The introduction of Smart Grid resulted in the development of various applications that are built upon the concept of bi-directional flow of electricity and data. One of the Smart Grids pillars is the Distributed Generation (DG) technologies, where customers turn to be prosumers with power generation capability. Another pillar is the Demand Side Management (DSM), which helps control the energy consumption by changing the power usage slots among other peers. DG and DSM have facilitated the sharing of excess power by customers to the grid, and then to their peers through the grid as a trading agent. Although the concept of integrating Peer-to-Peer energy trading with DSM has been explored by scholars and relatively established trading frameworks, there are very limited research performed in respect to the UAE market in terms of its acceptance and readiness towards this energy trading market. This research aims to explore the perception of Peer-to-Peer electricity trading within the Power Distribution Network in the United Arab Emirates. The study will review the Smart Grid network in the UAE and will obtain insights on people’s perception of the transition from classical electricity network to Smart Grid. It will also look into peoples’ perception regarding the transition from being electricity consumers to being electricity producers that trade among peers through semi-structured interviews. This will enhance the understanding of the energy trading market between self-generated power producers connected to a network grid, where the consumer will be utilizing the excess power available in the form of electricity trading, by importing and exporting power, without adding any additional power to the grid. The outcome of the study will provide an insight on the UAE electricity market by designing an electricity trading model that is built upon the following vital factors: power quality, supply reliability, type of integration, peers, and trading time. Furthermore, the study will provide a foundation base to the utilities, as well as individuals, when dealing with the changes in the electricity market structure.
Enhancing Sustainability in Project Management: The Role of Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Management in Virtual Team Environments
Authors: Blak Bernat Gisele , Qualharini Eduardo Linhares , Castro Marcela Souto
Published: March 2023

This research investigated the crucial correlation between stakeholder engagement and knowledge management, and their role in enhancing sustainability in project management, with a specific focus on the virtual environment. With the shift towards virtual solutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the rise of remote work, it has become increasingly important to understand how these constructs interact in this new context. Through a web-based survey questionnaire and Structural Equation Modeling analysis, we found that both stakeholder engagement and knowledge management have a significant positive effect on sustainability practices in project management. Even more interestingly, these relationships remain consistent regardless of whether the project is conducted in a virtual or traditional environment. These findings have important implications for organizations across industries, as they can use these insights to improve sustainability practices in project management by focusing on the integration of stakeholder engagement and knowledge management in the virtual or presential environment. This study is the first of its kind to quantitatively investigate this connection, making it a valuable contribution to the field.