bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Oxidative Stress in Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Teraoka Masato , Hato Naohito , Inufusa Haruhiko , You Fukka
Published: April 2024

Hearing is essential for communication, and its loss can cause a serious disruption to one’s social life. Hearing loss is also recognized as a major risk factor for dementia; therefore, addressing hearing loss is a pressing global issue. Sensorineural hearing loss, the predominant type of hearing loss, is mainly due to damage to the inner ear along with a variety of pathologies including ischemia, noise, trauma, aging, and ototoxic drugs. In addition to genetic factors, oxidative stress has been identified as a common mechanism underlying several cochlear pathologies. The cochlea, which plays a major role in auditory function, requires high-energy metabolism and is, therefore, highly susceptible to oxidative stress, particularly in the mitochondria. Based on these pathological findings, the potential of antioxidants for the treatment of hearing loss has been demonstrated in several animal studies. However, results from human studies are insufficient, and future clinical trials are required. This review discusses the relationship between sensorineural hearing loss and reactive oxidative species (ROS), with particular emphasis on age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss, and ischemia–reperfusion injury. Based on these mechanisms, the current status and future perspectives of ROS-targeted therapy for sensorineural hearing loss are described.
Effects of Slow Freezing and Vitrification of Human Semen on Post-Thaw Semen Quality and miRNA Expression
Authors: Podgrajsek Rebeka , Bolha Luka , Pungert Tjasa , Pizem Joze , Jazbec Katerina , Malicev Elvira , Stimpfel Martin
Published: April 2024

Semen cryopreservation has played an important role in medically assisted reproduction for decades. In addition to preserving male fertility, it is sometimes used for overcoming logistical issues. Despite its proven clinical usability and safety, there is a lack of knowledge of how it affects spermatozoa at the molecular level, especially in terms of non-coding RNAs. Therefore, we conducted this study, where we compared slow freezing and vitrification of good- and poor-quality human semen samples by analyzing conventional sperm quality parameters, performing functional tests and analyzing the expression of miRNAs. The results revealed that cryopreservation of normozoospermic samples does not alter the maturity of spermatozoa (protamine staining, hyaluronan binding), although cryopreservation can increase sperm DNA fragmentation and lower motility. On a molecular level, we revealed that in both types of cryopreservation, miRNAs from spermatozoa are significantly overexpressed compared to those in the native semen of normozoospermic patients, but in oligozoospermic samples, this effect is observed only after vitrification. Moreover, we show that expression of selected miRNAs is mostly overexpressed in native oligozoospermic samples compared to normozoospermic samples. Conversely, when vitrified normozoospermic and oligozoospermic samples were compared, we determined that only miR-99b-5p was significantly overexpressed in oligozoospermic sperm samples, and when comparing slow freezing, only miR-15b-5p and miR-34b-3p were significantly under-expressed in oligozoospermic sperm samples. Therefore, our results imply that cryopreservation of normozoospermic sperm samples can modulate miRNA expression profiles in spermatozoa to become comparable to those in oligozoospermic samples.
Judgments of Learning Reactively Improve Memory by Enhancing Learning Engagement and Inducing Elaborative Processing: Evidence from an EEG Study
Authors: Li Baike , Pastötter Bernhard , Zhong Yongen , Su Ningxin , Huang Ting , Zhao Wenbo , Hu Xiao , Luo Liang , Yang Chunliang
Published: April 2024

Making judgments of learning (JOLs) can reactively alter memory itself, a phenomenon termed the reactivity effect. The current study recorded electroencephalography (EEG) signals during the encoding phase of a word list learning task to explore the neurocognitive features associated with JOL reactivity. The behavioral results show that making JOLs reactively enhances recognition performance. The EEG results reveal that, compared with not making JOLs, making JOLs increases P200 and LPC amplitudes and decreases alpha and beta power. Additionally, the signals of event-related potentials (ERPs) and event-related desynchronizations (ERDs) partially mediate the reactivity effect. These findings support the enhanced learning engagement theory and the elaborative processing explanation to account for the JOL reactivity effect.
Assessing the Acceptance of a Mid-Air Gesture Syntax for Smart Space Interaction: An Empirical Study
Authors: Bernardos Ana M. , Wang Xian , Bergesio Luca , Besada Juan A. , Casar José R.
Published: April 2024

Mid-gesture interfaces have become popular for specific scenarios, such as interactions with augmented reality via head-mounted displays, specific controls over smartphones, or gaming platforms. This article explores the use of a location-aware mid-air gesture-based command triplet syntax to interact with a smart space. The syntax, inspired by human language, is built as a vocative case with an imperative structure. In a sentence like “Light, please switch on!”, the object being activated is invoked via making a gesture that mimics its initial letter/acronym (vocative, coincident with the sentence’s elliptical subject). A geometrical or directional gesture then identifies the action (imperative verb) and may include an object feature or a second object with which to network (complement), which also represented by the initial or acronym letter. Technically, an interpreter relying on a trainable multidevice gesture recognition layer makes the pair/triplet syntax decoding possible. The recognition layer works on acceleration and position input signals from graspable (smartphone) and free-hand devices (smartwatch and external depth cameras), as well as a specific compiler. On a specific deployment at a Living Lab facility, the syntax has been instantiated via the use of a lexicon derived from English (with respect to the initial letters and acronyms). A within-subject analysis with twelve users has enabled the analysis of the syntax acceptance (in terms of usability, gesture agreement for actions over objects, and social acceptance) and technology preference of the gesture syntax within its three device implementations (graspable, wearable, and device-free ones). Participants express consensus regarding the simplicity of learning the syntax and its potential effectiveness in managing smart resources. Socially, participants favoured the Watch for outdoor activities and the Phone for home and work settings, underscoring the importance of social context in technology design. The Phone emerged as the preferred option for gesture recognition due to its efficiency and familiarity. The system, which can be adapted to different sensing technologies, addresses the scalability concerns (as it can be easily extended for new objects and actions) and allows for personalised interaction.
Impact of Cationic Stoichiometry on Physical, Optical and Electrical Properties of SrTiO3 Thin Films Grown on (001)-Oriented Si Substrates
Authors: Baryshnikova Marina , Boelen Andries , Ceccon Luca , Herreman Vincent , McMitchell Sean R. C. , Haffner Christian , Merckling Clement
Published: April 2024

In this study, we investigate the changes in the crystalline structure of MBE-deposited SrTiO3 layers on Si with different deviations from Sr/Ti stoichiometry as deposited but also after annealing at high temperatures (>600 °C). We show that as-grown 15 nm thick non-stochiometric SrTiO3 layers present surprisingly lower FWHM values of the (002) omega diffraction peak compared to fully stoichiometric layers of similar thickness. This can misleadingly point to superior crystalline quality of such non-stochiometric layers. However, thermal post-deposition anneals of these layers at temperatures up to 850 °C in oxygen show strong detrimental effects on the crystalline structure, surface and interface with the Si (001) substrate. On the contrary, the post-deposition anneals applied to the stoichiometric samples strongly improve the physical, optical and electrical properties of the epitaxial SrTiO3 thin films.
A collection of seminorms linking the A-numerical radius and the operator A-seminorm
Authors: Aljawi Salma , Feki Kais , Taki Zakaria
Published: April 2024

We investigate a novel operator seminorm, QA,mλ,f, for an A-bounded operator Q, where A is a positive operator on a complex Hilbert space (K,⟨·,·⟩). This seminorm is defined using a continuous increasing and bijective function f:R+⟶R+ and an interpolational path mλ of the symmetric mean m. Specifically, QA,mλ,f=supf−1fQy,yAmλfQyA:y∈K,yA=1, where f−1 represents the reciprocal function of f, and ⟨·,·⟩A and ·A denote the semi-inner product and seminorm, respectively, induced by A on K. We explore various bounds and relationships associated with this new concept, establishing connections with existing literature.
Monocentric, Retrospective Study on Infectious Complications within One Year after Solid-Organ Transplantation at a Belgian University Hospital
Authors: Van Den Daele Céline , Martiny Delphine , Etienne Isabelle , Kemlin Delphine , Roussoulières Ana , Sokolow Youri , Germanova Desislava , Gustot Thierry , Nobile Leda , Hites Maya
Published: April 2024

The epidemiology, diagnostic methods and management of infectious complications after solid-organ transplantation (SOT) are evolving. The aim of our study is to describe current infectious complications in the year following SOT and risk factors for their development and outcome. We conducted a retrospective study in adult SOT recipients in a Belgian university hospital between 2018 and 2019. We gathered demographic characteristics, comorbidities leading to transplantation, clinical, microbiological, surgery-specific and therapeutic data concerning infectious episodes, and survival status up to one year post-transplantation. Two-hundred-and-thirty-one SOT recipients were included (90 kidneys, 79 livers, 35 lungs, 19 hearts and 8 multiple organs). We observed 381 infections in 143 (62%) patients, due to bacteria (235 (62%)), viruses (67 (18%)), and fungi (32 (8%)). Patients presented a median of two (1–5) infections, and the first infection occurred during the first six months. Nineteen (8%) patients died, eleven (58%) due to infectious causes. Protective factors identified against developing infection were obesity [OR [IC]: 0.41 [0.19–0.89]; p = 0.025] and liver transplantation [OR [IC]: 0.21 [0.07–0.66]; p = 0.007]. Risk factors identified for developing an infection were lung transplantation [OR [IC]: 6.80 [1.17–39.36]; p = 0.032], CMV mismatch [OR [IC]: 3.53 [1.45–8.64]; p = 0.006] and neutropenia [OR [IC]: 2.87 [1.27–6.47]; p = 0.011]. Risk factors identified for death were inadequate cytomegalovirus prophylaxis, infection severity and absence of pneumococcal vaccination. Post-transplant infections were common. Addressing modifiable risk factors is crucial, such as pneumococcal vaccination.
The Antioxidant Action of Astragali radix: Its Active Components and Molecular Basis
Authors: Yao Juan , Peng Ting , Shao Changxin , Liu Yuanyuan , Lin Huanhuan , Liu Yongqi
Published: April 2024

Astragali radix is a traditional medicinal herb with a long history and wide application. It is frequently used in prescriptions with other medicinal materials to replenish Qi. According to the classics of traditional Chinese medicine, Astragali radix is attributed with properties such as Qi replenishing and surface solidifying, sore healing and muscle generating, and inducing diuresis to reduce edema. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that some extracts and active ingredients in Astragali radix function as antioxidants. The polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids in Astragali radix offer beneficial effects in preventing and controlling diseases caused by oxidative stress. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive research on the effective components and molecular mechanisms through which Astragali radix exerts antioxidant activity. In this paper, we review the active components with antioxidant effects in Astragali radix; summarize the content, bioavailability, and antioxidant mechanisms; and offer a reference for the clinical application of Astragalus and the future development of novel antioxidants.
Effects of Green and Gold Kiwifruit Varieties on Antioxidant Neuroprotective Potential in Pigs as a Model for Human Adults
Authors: Kanon Alexander P. , Giezenaar Caroline , Roy Nicole C. , Jayawardana Isuri A. , Lomiwes Dominic , Montoya Carlos A. , McNabb Warren C. , Henare Sharon J.
Published: April 2024

Kiwifruit (KF) has shown neuroprotective potential in cell-based and rodent models by augmenting the capacity of endogenous antioxidant systems. This study aimed to determine whether KF consumption modulates the antioxidant capacity of plasma and brain tissue in growing pigs. Eighteen male pigs were divided equally into three groups: (1) bread, (2) bread + Actinidia deliciosa cv. ‘Hayward’ (green-fleshed), and (3) bread + A. chinensis cv. ‘Hort16A’ (yellow-fleshed). Following consumption of the diets for eight days, plasma and brain tissue (brain stem, corpus striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex) were collected and measured for biomarkers of antioxidant capacity, enzyme activity, and protein expression assessments. Green KF significantly increased ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) in plasma and all brain regions compared with the bread-only diet. Gold KF increased plasma ascorbate concentration and trended towards reducing acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain compared with the bread-only diet. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between FRAP in the brain stem, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus with the total polyphenol concentration of dietary interventions. These findings provide exploratory evidence for the benefits of KF constituents in augmenting the brain’s antioxidant capacity that may support neurological homeostasis during oxidative stress.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Sports Food Consumption Patterns, Experiences, and Perceptions amongst Non-Athletes in Australia
Authors: Chapple Celeste I. , Burnett Alissa J. , Woods Julie L. , Russell Catherine G.
Published: April 2024

Sports foods are designed for athletes, yet their availability, type, and sales have increased over the past decade, likely driven by non-athlete use. This could lead to detrimental health outcomes via over/misuse or unwanted side effects. The aim of this study was to describe sports food consumption patterns and associated drivers, consumption reasons, perception of risks, and side effects experienced amongst non-athletes in Australia. In 2022, n = 307 non-athlete Australian adults (18–65 years) completed an online cross-sectional survey including closed-ended (consumption patterns, factors, and exercise participation) and open-ended questions (reasons for consumption, risk perception, and side effects experienced). Descriptive statistics (frequency and percent) described the sample. Ordinal logistic regression was used for univariate associations and a multivariate model was used to determine relationships between sports food consumption proxy and significant univariate associations. The themes were analysed via inductive thematic analysis using NVivo 14. Females consumed sports foods most frequently, 65% of participants consumed three or more sports foods, and participants with higher sports food consumption/frequency were less likely to perceive risks or experience side effects. The main reason for consumption was protein intake, digestion/stomach issues were the main perceived risks, and the main side effect was bloating. Despite understanding the risks and side effects, non-athlete consumers continue to use numerous sports foods, which appear to be influenced by sociodemographic factors and packaging labels. Tighter regulation of packaging-label information would ensure safer and more informed consumption.
Titanium-45 (45Ti) Radiochemistry and Applications in Molecular Imaging
Authors: Saini Shefali , Lapi Suzanne E.
Published: April 2024

Molecular imaging is an important part of modern medicine which enables the non-invasive identification and characterization of diseases. With the advancement of radiochemistry and scanner technology, nuclear medicine is providing insight into efficient treatment options for individual patients. Titanium-45 (45Ti) is a lesser-explored radionuclide that is garnering increasing interest for the development of positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals. This review discusses aspects of this radionuclide including production, purification, radiochemistry development, and molecular imaging studies.
Apigenin Alleviates Autistic-like Stereotyped Repetitive Behaviors and Mitigates Brain Oxidative Stress in Mice
Authors: Jayaprakash Petrilla , Isaev Dmytro , Yang Keun-Hang Susan , Beiram Rami , Oz Murat , Sadek Bassem
Published: April 2024

Studying the involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), specifically α7-nAChRs, in neuropsychiatric brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has gained a growing interest. The flavonoid apigenin (APG) has been confirmed in its pharmacological action as a positive allosteric modulator of α7-nAChRs. However, there is no research describing the pharmacological potential of APG in ASD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the subchronic systemic treatment of APG (10–30 mg/kg) on ASD-like repetitive and compulsive-like behaviors and oxidative stress status in the hippocampus and cerebellum in BTBR mice, utilizing the reference drug aripiprazole (ARP, 1 mg/kg, i.p.). BTBR mice pretreated with APG (20 mg/kg) or ARP (1 mg/g, i.p.) displayed significant improvements in the marble-burying test (MBT), cotton-shredding test (CST), and self-grooming test (SGT) (all p < 0.05). However, a lower dose of APG (10 mg/kg, i.p.) failed to modulate behaviors in the MBT or SGT, but significantly attenuated the increased shredding behaviors in the CST of tested mice. Moreover, APG (10–30 mg/kg, i.p.) and ARP (1 mg/kg) moderated the disturbed levels of oxidative stress by mitigating the levels of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hippocampus and cerebellum of treated BTBR mice. In patch clamp studies in hippocampal slices, the potency of choline (a selective agonist of α7-nAChRs) in activating fast inward currents was significantly potentiated following incubation with APG. Moreover, APG markedly potentiated the choline-induced enhancement of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents. The observed results propose the potential therapeutic use of APG in the management of ASD. However, further preclinical investigations in additional models and different rodent species are still needed to confirm the potential relevance of the therapeutic use of APG in ASD.
Nonchemical Aquatic Weed Control Methods: Exploring the Efficacy of UV-C Radiation as a Novel Weed Control Tool
Authors: Udugamasuriyage Dian , Kahandawa Gayan , Tennakoon Kushan U.
Published: April 2024

Aquatic weeds, including invasive species, are a worldwide problem. The presence of aquatic weeds poses several critical issues, such as hindering the continuous flow of water in irrigation channels and preventing the proper distribution of adequate water quantities. Therefore, effective control measures are vital for agriculture and numerous downstream industries. Numerous methods for controlling aquatic weeds have emerged over time, with herbicide application being a widely used established method of weed management, although it imposes significant environmental risks. Therefore, it is important to explore nonchemical alternative methods to control existing and emerging aquatic weeds, potentially posing fewer environmental hazards compared with conventional chemical methods. In this review, we focus on nonchemical methods, encompassing mechanical, physical, biological, and other alternative approaches. We primarily evaluated the different nonchemical control methods discussed in this review based on two main criteria: (1) efficiency in alleviating aquatic weed problems in location-specified scenarios and (2) impacts on the environment, as well as potential health and safety risks. We compared the nonchemical treatments with the UV-C-radiation-mediated aquatic weed control method, which is considered a potential novel technique. Since there is limited published literature available on the application of UV-C radiation used exclusively for aquatic weed control, our review is based on previous reports of UV-C radiation used to successfully control terrestrial weeds and algal populations. In order to compare the mechanisms involved with nonchemical weed control methods, we reviewed respective pathways leading to plant cell death, plant growth inhibition, and diminishing reemergence to justify the potential use of UV-C treatment in aquatic habitats as a viable novel source for aquatic weed control.
Polycotyly: How Little Do We Know?
Authors: Fu Yong-Bi
Published: April 2024

Polycotyly, an interesting characteristic of seed-bearing dicotyledonous plants with more than two cotyledons, represents one of the least explored plant characters for utilization, even though cotyledon number was used to classify flowering plants in 1682. Gymnosperm and angiosperm species are generally known to have one or two cotyledons, but scattered reports exist on irregular cotyledon numbers in many plant species, and little is known about the extent of polycotyly in plant taxa. Here, we attempt to update the documentation of reports on polycotyly in plant species and highlight some lines of research for a better understanding of polycotyly. This effort revealed 342 angiosperm species of 237 genera in 80 (out of 416) families and 160 gymnosperm species of 26 genera in 6 (out of 12) families with reported or cited polycotyly. The most advanced research included the molecular-based inference of the phylogeny of flowering plants, showing a significant departure from the cotyledon-based classification of angiosperm plants, and the application of genetic cotyledon mutants as tools to clone and characterize the genes regulating cotyledon development. However, there were no reports on breeding lines with a 100% frequency of polycotyly. Research is needed to discover plant species with polycotyly and to explore the nature, development, genetics, evolution, and potential use of polycotyly.
Characterization and Quantitative Assessment of Shale Fracture Characteristics and Fracability Based on a Three-Dimensional Digital Core
Authors: Qu Le , Zhang Penghui , Liu Jianping , Zhang Weigang , Lei Yu , Zheng Xiaolei , Nian Zhenzhen , Ning Kexiang , Xu Jinze
Published: April 2024

At present, assessment techniques for the fracability of shale reservoirs, which rely on the formation of an effective fracture network, are scarce. Hence, in order to assess the fracability, it is critical to establish a quantitative correlation between the pattern of fracture distribution after fracture and fracability. The present investigation utilizes three-dimensional digital core technology and triaxial compression experiments to simulate the fracturing process in typical domestic shale reservoir cores. In addition to utilizing the maximum ball algorithm to extract fracture images, a number of other techniques are employed to compute the spatial quantitative parameters of the fractures, including least squares fitting, image tracking algorithms, and three-dimensional image topology algorithms. The introduction of the notion of three-dimensional fracture complexity serves to delineate the degree of successful fracture network formation subsequent to fracturing. A quantitative fracability characterization model is developed by integrating the constraints of fracture network formation potential and fragmentation potential. The results of this study show that the quantitative characterization of the characteristic parameters of cracks can be achieved by establishing a method for extracting crack information as well as parameters after core compression and completing the construction of a three-dimensional complexity characterization model. Meanwhile, the three-dimensional post-compression fracture image validation shows that the core fracturability index can better reflect the actual fracturing situation, which is in line with the microseismic monitoring results, and significantly improves the accuracy of fracturability characterization, which is an important guideline for the fracturing design of shale gas reservoirs.
Beyond the Greco-Roman or Jewish Monocle: Reading Philippians and Paul ‘Kaleidoscopically’
Authors: Lamb Gregory E.
Published: April 2024

Typically, scholars view/read the enigmatic apostle Paul monolithically—that is, through either a Greco-Roman or Jewish socio-cultural lens. The traditional Lutheran (Greco-Roman/Western) lens was criticized in the mid-/late-twentieth century by scholars highlighting Paul’s Jewishness—resulting in the so-called “New Perspective on Paul” and “Paul within Judaism” movements. This paradigmatic post-Shoah shift of Pauline interpretation begs the questions, “Should we abandon Greco-Roman readings of Paul?” and “Should we continue to read Philippians and Paul through a singular (Jewish) lens?” Building upon the work of Markus Bockmuehl, Abraham Malherbe et al., I argue for an “eclectic and pragmatic” approach. I explain how “monocular” (Greco-Roman or Jewish) and even “binocular” (Greco-Roman and Jewish) approaches flatten Paul’s complex thought world and Sitz im Leben as an in-Christ church-planting missionary. The purpose of this study is to read Philippians and Paul “kaleidoscopically”—considering the distinct Romanitas, juxtaposed and colliding cultures, worldviews, and religions that Paul likely encountered in the cosmopolitan colonia of first-century Philippi. This article transcends the Greco-Roman/Jewish debate surrounding Paul—highlighting the literary and archaeological evidence of competing pagan, Jewish, and Pauline Christ cults in first-century Philippi—and thus encouraging scholars to read Philippians and Paul through a “kaleidoscopic” rather than a monolithic lens.
Characterizing the California Current System through Sea Surface Temperature and Salinity
Authors: García-Reyes Marisol , Koval Gammon , Vazquez-Cuervo Jorge
Published: April 2024

Characterizing temperature and salinity (T-S) conditions is a standard framework in oceanography to identify and describe deep water masses and their dynamics. At the surface, this practice is hindered by multiple air–sea–land processes impacting T-S properties at shorter time scales than can easily be monitored. Now, however, the unsurpassed spatial and temporal coverage and resolution achieved with satellite sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity (SSS) allow us to use these variables to investigate the variability of surface processes at climate-relevant scales. In this work, we use SSS and SST data, aggregated into domains using a cluster algorithm over a T-S diagram, to describe the surface characteristics of the California Current System (CCS), validating them with in situ data from uncrewed Saildrone vessels. Despite biases and uncertainties in SSS and SST values in highly dynamic coastal areas, this T-S framework has proven useful in describing CCS regional surface properties and their variability in the past and in real time, at novel scales. This analysis also shows the capacity of remote sensing data for investigating variability in land–air–sea interactions not previously possible due to limited in situ data.
Three-Dimensional Signal Source Localization with Angle-Only Measurements in Passive Sensor Networks
Authors: Wang Linhai , Zhou Shenghua , Gong Min , Zhao Pengfei , Yang Jian , Sui Xin
Published: April 2024

Some passive sensors can provide only relative angles of a signal source. To obtain the signal source location, multiple passive sensors can be constructed into a passive sensor network through communication links. This paper investigates the source localization problem with angle-only measurements in three-dimensional space. First, we present an intersection localization method, which estimates the target position by minimizing the sum of distances between lines formed by angle-only measurements. It has the same target position estimate as the widely used least-squares (LS) method, but with a lower computational cost. Furthermore, considering the differences in measurement accuracy of sensors, the weighted least-squares (WLS) algorithm can achieve better localization performance than the LS method. Unfortunately, since the coefficient matrix and the noise vector are correlated, the WLS method is biased. The bias-compensation WLS (BCWLS) method is also presented in this paper to reduce the bias by estimating the correlation between the coefficient matrix and the pseudolinear noise vector. To evaluate the performance of the presented algorithms, numerical simulations are conducted, indicating that the superiority of the intersection localization method in computational cost and the superiority of the BCWLS method in localization accuracy.
Scented Solutions: Examining the Efficacy of Scent Interventions in Mitigating Driving Fatigue
Authors: Jiang Xinyue , Muthusamy Kanesan , Chen Jian , Fang Xueliang
Published: April 2024

Fatigued driving threatens the safety of people’s lives and property. Scent countermeasures offer minimal disruption and high efficacy, making them a promising approach. The aim of this study was to explore the application of scent countermeasures in alleviating fatigued driving. This study explored changes in EEG frequency bands (alpha, beta, theta, and gamma) and the activity of EEG metrics (R(α/β), Rθ/(α+β) and R(α+θ)/(α+β)) in the temporal lobe during driving tasks, selected fatigued driving identifiers, and aided validation by investigating subjective fatigue with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). The EEG indicators all increased, with a significant increase in R(α/β). R(α/β) was combined with the KSS to explore the effects of three scents, peppermint, grapefruit, and lavender, on driving fatigue. The subjective questionnaire results indicated that all three scents significantly improved driving fatigue, with significantly lower levels of driving fatigue compared to the control group. The analysis of EEG signals revealed a significant decrease in R(α/β) after the implementation of scent countermeasures. Moreover, R(α/β) was found to be lower in all three odor intervention groups compared to the control group. All three scents were found to significantly alleviate driving fatigue. The grapefruit scent had a better timely effect in relieving driving fatigue and the lavender scent had a longer effectiveness. This study provides further exploration for the application of odor interventions to alleviate driving fatigue. This study provides a practical reference for drivers to use odors to avoid fatigue in order to improve road safety.
Adaptive Extended State Observer for the Dual Active Bridge Converters
Authors: Duong Tan-Quoc , Trinh Hoai-An , Ahn Kyoung-Kwan , Choi Sung-Jin
Published: April 2024

The DC–DC dual active bridge (DAB) converter has become one of the essential units for bidirectional energy distribution and connecting various renewable energy sources. When it comes to regulating the converter’s output voltage, integrating an extended state observer (ESO) offers the advantage of eliminating the need for a current sensor, thereby reducing system costs. The ESO with a high observer bandwidth tends to acquire a faster system convergence and greater tracking accuracy. However, its disturbance suppression performance will become poor compared to the ESO with a low observer bandwidth. Based on this, the adaptive ESO (AESO) is proposed in this study to make a compromise between tracking performance and disturbance suppression. When the system is subjected to a high voltage error, the observer bandwidth will increase to improve the tracking performance and decrease to enhance the disturbance suppression. In order to demonstrate that the proposed method is effective, it is compared to the ESO with a fixed observer bandwidth and the improved model-based phase-shift control (MPSC). These comparisons are made through simulation and experimental results in various operation scenarios.
Differences in CEO Communication Strategies between High- and Low-Performing Firms in the Global Auto Parts Industry
Authors: Hong Yunseok , Cho Keuntae
Published: April 2024

This study focuses on how global automotive suppliers manage innovation by analyzing keywords in CEO messages. Given that CEOs significantly shape innovation strategy, the intricate dynamics of open innovation and the role of CEO characteristics in its adoption warrant further investigation. Accordingly, the research unfolds in three stages: (1) extracting keywords related to innovation highlighted in CEO communications, (2) contrasting the deployment of these keywords between high-performing and low-performing companies, and (3) deciphering the nuances of innovation management by interpreting the underlying meaning and structure of these keywords. This comparative analysis between top and bottom performers underscores stark contrasts in keyword emphasis. Through eigenvector centrality, mapping open innovation’s success factors pinpointed provision of resources and governance as pivotal in top-performing firms. Notably, the preferred keywords among leading firms reflect their current challenges and innovative management direction. Thus, to embody agile and visionary leadership in open innovation, CEOs should strategically incorporate and highlight keywords aligned with critical factors of open innovation in their communications. These insights offer valuable benchmarks for less successful firms aiming to refine their approaches to innovation management, vision, and strategy.
Pro-Environmental Transformation of Cultural Institutions through Sustainable Infrastructural Projects: A Case Study of Poznan
Authors: Rozmiarek Mateusz , Malchrowicz-Mośko Ewa , Grajek Mateusz , Castañeda-Babarro Arkaitz , León-Guereño Patxi , Prabucki Bartosz
Published: April 2024

The aim of the article is to elucidate pro-environmental solutions and activities, consonant with the tenets of sustainability and enduring developmental paradigms, implemented within the infrastructural purview of the cultural institutions situated in Poznan—a municipality located in western Poland. A diagnostic scrutiny was executed encompassing the entirety of municipal cultural entities, constituting a cumulative assemblage of 15 establishments, all of which were extended invitations to participate in this investigation. Interrogations were directed towards ascertaining their strategic, environmentally conscientious determinations vis à vis the construction, renovation, or modernization of edifices during the temporal expanse of 2021 and 2022. Ultimately, responses germane to the posed inquiries were proffered by 7 institutions, as the remaining entities refrained from financial investments during the stipulated timeframe. The discerned outcomes illuminate the manifold pro-environmental measures and endeavors embraced by these institutions within the domain of infrastructural initiatives. These initiatives pertain to ecological considerations, safeguarding the natural milieu, and fortifying sustainability, encompassing facets such as energy and water conservation, the abatement of water and air contaminants, recycling endeavors, the utilization of renewable materials, the afforestation of vicinities, and the mitigation of the ostensibly designated “heat island effect”, among sundry others. These initiatives are not only significant for the current ecological situation worldwide, but they also appear to be crucial for the better future of the next generations.
Evaluating the Accuracy of Contour Ridgeline Positioning for Soil Conservation in the Northeast Black Soil Region of China
Authors: Li Hao , Zhao Wenjing , Wang Jing , Geng Xiaozhe , Song Chunyu
Published: April 2024

The Northeast black soil region is China’s vital commercial grain base. However, severe soil erosion on slope farmland poses a significant threat to this region’s sustainable agricultural productivity. The transition from traditional downslope ridging to contour ridging (briefly referred to as “contour ridging”) is one of the primary sustainable measures for preventing soil erosion on slope farmland. By integrating high-precision Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and design standards, ArcMap can plan the orientation and position of contour ridgelines and estimate the reduction in soil erosion on slope farmland after implementing contour ridging. Therefore, the degree of discrepancy between the designed and implemented positions of the contour ridgelines directly affects the effectiveness of contour ridging and the precision in evaluating its impacts and benefits. This study aims to assess the position accuracy of contour ridgelines designed by ArcMap 10.5 (here after ArcMap) using high-precision DEMs obtained from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). For this purpose, three fields where contour ridging had already been implemented were selected in the Sanjiang Plain of Heilongjiang Province, China. CORS RTK was used to measure the XYZ coordinates of verification points along implemented ridges precisely. Those measured coordinates were compared with the designed ridgeline positions to analyze the positional discrepancies between the designed and implemented ridgelines. The results indicated the following: (1) The average slope gradient along contour ridgelines measured in the field (0.5~0.6°) was relatively close to that along the ridgelines designed using ArcMap (0.6°), and the elevation changes along most of the contour ridgelines showed a pattern of being higher in the middle and lower on both sides. (2) The positional offset between most of the measured and designed ridgelines was less than the width of a single ridge (1.3 m), and the median offset was one-third of the width of a single ridge. (3) The positional offset caused by the movement of ridging machinery could be larger than the offset resulting from the baseline setup, and verification points with larger positional offsets were often located at the edges of the plots as well as turns of the ridgelines. Therefore, during the designing ridgelines process, the turns should be made as smooth as possible. During ridging, reducing the speed at these turns to minimize errors and maintain the accuracy of the ridgeline was recommended. The findings of this study can provide a scientific basis to improve contour ridging design and effect prediction in slope farmland to control soil erosion and enhance agricultural sustainability.
Impacts of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the Development of Chinese Steel Enterprises and Government Management Decisions: A Tripartite Evolutionary Game Analysis
Authors: Tian Borui , Zheng Mingyue , Liu Wenjie , Gu Yueqing , Xing Yi , Pan Chongchao
Published: April 2024

Upon the implementation of the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), substantial challenges are anticipated to impact the international trade of Chinese steel products. To safeguard the competitiveness of Chinese steel products on the global stage, this paper establishes a tripartite evolutionary game model, involving large steel enterprises, small- and medium-sized steel enterprises, and the government. The model integrates collaborative emission reduction and free-riding benefits among enterprises, along with the government’s dynamic subsidies and penalties. First, we calculate the replicator dynamic equations and conduct stability analysis to obtain the evolutionary trends and system equilibrium points in different phases of the CBAM. Then, we validate the evolutionary theoretical analysis of the model through example simulation analysis. Finally, we explore the impact of different parameters on the agents through a sensitivity analysis of parameters. The findings indicate that (1) large enterprises demonstrate greater sensitivity to CBAM, making their production structures more susceptible to changes in CBAM policies; (2) small- and medium-sized enterprises are more prone to free-riding behavior influence; (3) government intervention should be kept within appropriate boundaries, as excessive intervention may lead to strategic oscillation, with passive management being chosen by the government during the strengthening phase of CBAM; (4) elevating the price in the Chinese carbon market would slow down the structural changes in the production of Chinese steel enterprises, serving as an effective measure to counteract the impacts of CBAM. This paper provides theoretical support for how steel enterprises and the government can respond to CBAM, aiding stakeholders in selecting optimal strategies during different implementation stages and mitigating the impacts of the CBAM to the maximum extent possible.
The Link between Sustainable Innovation and Industrial Performance: The Case of the United States
Authors: Adubofour Isaac , Tabiri Samuel , Quayson Bright Parker , Appiagyei Jeffrey , Boateng Isaac Duah
Published: April 2024

Notwithstanding the impact of sustainable innovation on environmental management, its bearing on industrial performance remains hypothetical. Our study seeks to empirically investigate the link between sustainable innovation and industry performance in the United States by employing the generalized method of moments on a nine-year panel spanning from 2014 to 2022. The sample consists of 94 U.S industries, which covers about 7300 companies. The results show that sustainable innovation is not significantly related to industrial performance in the United States. However, it has a moderating effect on industrial output. The Arellano–Bond test, AR (2), confirms the robustness of our findings given the endogeneity assumption and model specifications, and the Hansen test confirms the validity of the instruments. This study expands our knowledge of the link between sustainable innovation and industry performance. A study of this kind is relevant in current times as the United States seeks to attain Sustainable Development Goal 9 by 2030. Further, it provides theoretical guidance on successful environmental management practices to enhance social welfare and maximize output.
Land Use Sustainability: Assessment of the Dynamic Response of Typical Bedrock-Buried-Hill Earth Fissure Sites in the Su-Xi-Chang Area
Authors: Cao Ge , Deng Yahong , Mu Huandong , Chang Jiang , Xuan You , Niu Dexin
Published: April 2024

Disaster prevention and the mitigation of earth fissures is a key issue in the sustainable development of urban land. Structures directly avoiding earth fissures are not conducive to the rational planning and efficient utilization of urban construction. The Su-Xi-Chang area, which consists of the cities of Suzhou, Wuxi, and Changzhou, surrounded by Taihu Lake, has developed bedrock buried-hill earth fissures that are rare in the rest of the country. Existing research results have identified the genesis mechanisms, distribution patterns, and developmental characteristics of this type of fissure. Not only does the slow-variable activity of earth fissures cause direct damage to surface and underground structures, but in addition, when an earthquake occurs, the presence of earth fissures may cause the seismic response of the site to be altered or even strengthened, leading to unknown damage or the possible destruction of structures near the fissures. However, no studies have been conducted to assess the dynamic effects of bedrock-buried-hill earth fissure sites. Therefore, in this research, based on six typical bedrock-buried-hill-type earth fissures in the Su-Xi-Chang area, and in order to accurately reveal the dynamic amplification effect law of the earth fissure sites, systematic spectral analyses and comparisons of the microtremor signals were carried out by using the linear analysis method (Direct Fourier Transform Analysis) and the nonlinear analysis method (Hilbert–Huang Transform). The results show that bedrock-buried-hill-type earth fissures have a significant amplification effect on the dynamic response of the site; the amplification effect of bedrock-buried-hill fissure sites follows the same attenuation pattern, and the furthest range of the dynamic response on the site is about 25 m, beyond which the original seismic fortification level can be maintained; the extreme value of the amplification factor of the two sides of this type of site, as derived from the Fourier and HHT methods, is about double, and the nearest earth fissure region should be considered to have a raised seismic fortification intensity of more than double the original. The Hilbert–Huang transform method has good applicability for processing microtremor data, and nonlinear signal analysis methods can be considered comprehensive for future microtremor signal processing.
Promoting Sustainable Coal Mining: Investigating Multifractal Characteristics of Induced Charge Signals in Coal Damage and Failure Process
Authors: Lyu Jinguo , Li Shixu , Pan Yishan , Tang Zhi
Published: April 2024

Monitoring and preventing coal–rock dynamic disasters are essential for ensuring sustainable and safe mining. Induced charge monitoring, as a geophysical method, enables sustainable monitoring of coal–rock deformation and failure. The induced charge signal contains crucial information regarding damage evolution, making it imperative and important to explore its temporal characteristics for effective monitoring and early warnings of dynamic disasters in deep mining. This paper conducted induced charge monitoring tests at different loading rates, investigating the multifractal characteristics of induced charge signals during the early and late stages of loading. It proposed the maximum generalized dimension D(q)max, multifractal spectrum width Δα, and height difference Δf as multifractal parameters for induced charge signals. Additionally, quantitative characterization of coal damage was performed, studying the variation patterns of signal multifractal characteristic parameters with coal damage evolution. This study revealed the induced charge signal of the coal body multifractal characteristics in the whole loading process. In the late loading stage, the double logarithmic curve demonstrated some nonlinearity compared to the previous period, indicating the higher non-uniformity of the induced charge time series. D(q)max and Δα in the late loading stage were higher than those in the early stage and increased with loading rates. As coal damage progressed, there were significant jumps of D(q)max in both the early and late stages of damage, with larger jumps indicating richer fracture events in the coal. The width Δα showed an overall trend of increase–decrease–increase with coal damage evolution, while the height difference Δf fluctuated around zero in the early stage of damage development but increased significantly during severe damage and destruction. By studying the multifractal characteristics of induced charge signals, this study provides insights for the early identification of coal–rock dynamic disasters.