bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Biogenic Scorodite Formation Using Waste Iron Sludge: A Sustainable Approach for Arsenic Immobilization
Authors: Kimura Kazuma , Okibe Naoko
Published: January 2025

Arsenic (As) contamination in water poses significant environmental and health risks, particularly in mining regions. Scorodite (FeAsO4·2H2O) is a highly stable compound for As immobilization, traditionally synthesized under high As concentrations and extreme conditions, such as elevated temperatures and pressures. This study explores a sustainable alternative by utilizing Fe-sludge, a waste by-product from acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment, as a novel Fe source for biogenic scorodite formation mediated by the thermo-acidophilic archaeon Acidianus brierleyi. Through a systematic evaluation of Fe-sludge incorporation, the study investigates its impact on microbial activity, As immobilization efficiency, and scorodite crystallization mechanisms. Liquid and solid analyses demonstrate that Fe-sludge enhances the reaction rate and crystallinity of scorodite while bypassing the induction period required in Fe2+-only systems. Cross-sectional SEM imaging and EXAFS analysis reveal dynamic transformations on the Fe-sludge surface, supporting faster As adsorption and scorodite nucleation through Fe-S intermediates. Despite potential challenges to microbial activity at higher Fe-sludge concentrations, optimized conditions successfully balance cell viability and Fe utilization. This approach offers an eco-friendly, cost-effective pathway for As immobilization by repurposing AMD sludge, contributing to sustainable resource management and reducing environmental impact.
Reconcentrating the Ionic Liquid EMIM-HSO4 Using Direct Contact Membrane Distillation
Authors: Wong Mark J. , Sagar Viral , Lynam Joan G.
Published: January 2025

Adequate water supplies are crucial for missions to the Moon, since water is essential for astronauts’ health. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been investigated for processing metal oxides, the main components of lunar regolith, to separate oxygen and metals. The IL must be diluted in the process. Recycling this diluted IL post-processing is important to reduce the materials required in resupply missions. In addition, water will be needed in lunar greenhouses for growing food and aiding in sustaining a habitable environment. Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) is a new technology for water purification that was examined in this study for its feasibility to concentrate IL. Hydrophobic membranes composed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinylidene (PVDF) were found to hold promise in separating solutes from water to concentrate a diluted IL solution and to recover water. A bench-scale DCMD system was employed to test this method at temperatures of 50 °C, 65 °C, and 80 °C. Hence, the benefits and limitations of DCMD with PTFE and PVDF membranes were explored for the aqueous IL 1-ethyl-3 methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate for DCMD performed at different temperatures.
Deep Learning Approaches for the Prediction of Protein Functional Sites
Authors: Pitarch Borja , Pazos Florencio
Published: January 2025

Knowing which residues of a protein are important for its function is of paramount importance for understanding the molecular basis of this function and devising ways of modifying it for medical or biotechnological applications. Due to the difficulty in detecting these residues experimentally, prediction methods are essential to cope with the sequence deluge that is filling databases with uncharacterized protein sequences. Deep learning approaches are especially well suited for this task due to the large amounts of protein sequences for training them, the trivial codification of this sequence data to feed into these systems, and the intrinsic sequential nature of the data that makes them suitable for language models. As a consequence, deep learning-based approaches are being applied to the prediction of different types of functional sites and regions in proteins. This review aims to give an overview of the current landscape of methodologies so that interested users can have an idea of which kind of approaches are available for their proteins of interest. We also try to give an idea of how these systems work, as well as explain their limitations and high dependence on the training set so that users are aware of the quality of expected results.
Transition Metal-Mediated Preparation of Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon for Advanced Zinc-Ion Hybrid Capacitors
Authors: Li Mingcheng , Liu Zheng , Wu Dan , Wu Huihao , Xiao Kuikui
Published: January 2025

Carbon is predominantly used in zinc-ion hybrid capacitors (ZIHCs) as an electrode material. Nitrogen doping and strategic design can enhance its electrochemical properties. Melamine formaldehyde resin, serving as a hard carbon precursor, synthesizes nitrogen-doped porous carbon after annealing. Incorporating transition metal catalysts like Ni, Co, and Fe alters the morphology, pore structure, graphitization degree, and nitrogen doping types/proportions. Electrochemical tests reveal a superior capacitance of 159.5 F g−1 at a scan rate of 1 mV s−1 and rate performance in Fe-catalyzed N-doped porous carbon (Fe-NDPC). Advanced analysis shows Fe-NDPC’s high graphitic nitrogen content and graphitization degree, boosting its electric double-layer capacitance (EDLC) and pseudocapacitance. Its abundant micro- and mesopores increase the surface area fourfold compared to non-catalyzed samples, favoring EDLC and fast electrolyte transport. This study guides catalyst application in carbon materials for supercapacitors, illuminating how catalysts influence nitrogen-doped porous carbon structure and performance.
Development of Ketoprofen Impurity A (1-(3-Benzoylphenyl)ethanone) as a Certified Reference Material for Pharmaceutical Quality Control
Authors: Shulga Nikolay A. , Gegechkori Vladimir I. , Gorpinchenko Natalya V. , Smirnov Valery V. , Dementyev Sergey P. , Ramenskaya Galina V.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Reference materials are essential for ensuring the accuracy and traceability of measurements in the quality control of medicinal products. This study explores new principles for the preparation of impure materials of active pharmaceutical substances, focusing on 1-(3-benzoylphenyl)ethanone ketoprofen impurity A (European Pharmacopoeia) as the reference material. Methods: The reference material was synthesised from commercially available acetanilide and benzoyl chloride. The obtained product was purified using preparative chromatography and characterised by infrared spectroscopy (IR), 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectrometry. The structure was verified using primary research methods to confirm its identity as the target product. Results: The characterisation confirmed the structure and purity of 1-(3-benzoylphenyl)ethanone, achieving a purity of 99.86%, meeting regulatory documentation requirements. The synthesised product was demonstrated to be identical to the target compound and suitable for use as a reference material. Conclusions: The developed method provides a robust approach for the preparation and characterisation of 1-(3-benzoylphenyl)ethanone, enabling its use as a certified reference material in the quality control of medicinal products. This approach ensures compliance with regulatory standards and enhances the reliability of pharmaceutical quality assurance practices.
Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related Concussions
Authors: Hecimovich Mark , Moriarty Terence , King Doug , Majewski-Schrage Tricia , Hermsen Kate
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) may help quantify changes in brain haemodynamics during sport-related concussions (SRCs). This study compared post-match prefrontal cortex (PFC) brain haemodynamics measured by fNIRS during the King–-Devick test (K-DT) with players suspected of having sustained an SRC. It was hypothesized that changes in the K-DT would correspond with brain haemodynamic processes. Methods: Twenty-two male and female collegiate rugby players (six males and twenty-two females; age range: 18–22) completed a baseline K-DT+fNIRS assessment. Over the course of two to three matches, all participants were invited to complete at least one post-match K-DT+fNIRS assessment. If a player was suspected of having sustained an SRC, they were re-assessed with the K-DT+fNIRS. If a participant who was not suspected of having sustained an SRC performed worse on the K-DT post-match, they were included in the participant category of ‘concussion’ for the analysis. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed. Test–retest reliability was calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). A Pearson correlation coefficient (r) assessed the linear relationship between the changes in the K-DT and the measurements of the left and right PFC. Results: Differences were identified in the K-DT for the players with a suspected concussive injury post-match (χ2(1) =5.0; p = 0.0253; z = −2.0; p = 0.0431; d = 0.16). There were also significant differences between the baseline and post-match results for all concussed players in the right PFC (t(8) = 250; p = 0.0371; d = 0.92) and for the concussed females in the right PFC (t(6) = 2.78; p = 0.0319; d = 0.52). There were no correlations between the K-DT and PFC values in the suspected concussed group. Conclusions: The SRC group had decreased cognitive performance and a notable change in PFC activation, while the non-concussed group showed an increase in the activation in the PFC and no change in cognitive performance scores. This represents a possible acute adjustment in brain haemodynamics and provides insight into how SRCs can negatively impact cognitive performance.
Effect of Hydrolysate Derived from Subcritical Seawater Treatment of Buckwheat Waste on the Growth of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Yuan Yongheng , Li Faqinwei , Shimizu Naoto
Published: January 2025

This study explores the effects of a subcritical seawater treatment (SST) on buckwheat waste (BW), and the use of the hydrolysate as a liquid fertilizer to improve the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Three temperature treatments (110 °C, 170 °C, 230 °C) were used for the SST, and the ionic composition in the seawater achieved the depolymerization and degradation of BW. The X-ray diffraction of the residual solids showed that the structure of BW was destroyed. Compared with seawater, the hydrolysate contained higher amounts of elements beneficial to plant growth, such as N, P, K, and organic compounds such as phenolics and sugars, as a result of the degradation of BW caused by the SST. The hydrolysate was tested as a liquid fertilizer (treatments H110°C, H170°C, H230°C) to irrigate lettuce. The content of proteins, phenolics, and chlorophyll, as well as the weight of the lettuce in the H110°C and H170°C treatments, were significantly higher than those in the seawater and the H230°C irrigation treatments (p < 0.05). The hydrolysate from the SST of BW, being rich in various organic and inorganic nutrients, can act as a liquid fertilizer that promotes the growth of lettuce, whereas hydrolysate from higher SST temperatures might inhibit the growth of lettuce, because of the excessive total nitrogen and organic acid.
Heartwood/Sapwood Characteristics of Populus euphratica Oliv. Trunks and Their Relationship with Soil Physicochemical Properties in the Lower Tarim River, Northwest China
Authors: Chen Tongyu , Aishan Tayierjiang , Wang Na , Halik Ümüt , Yao Shiyu
Published: January 2025

The characteristics of heartwood and sapwood not only reflect tree growth and site quality but also provide insights into habitat changes. This study examines the natural Populus euphratica Oliv. forest in the Arghan section of the lower Tarim River, comparing the heartwood and sapwood characteristics of P. euphratica at different distances from the river, as well as at varying trunk heights and diameters at breast height (DBH). The objective was to examine the correlation between these characteristics and the physicochemical properties of the soil to better understand the ecological response strategies of P. euphratica in arid environments. Results indicated that heartwood radius, sapwood width, sapwood area, and heartwood moisture content decreased with increasing trunk height, following the pattern: 0.3 m > 0.8 m > 1.3 m. In contrast, heartwood density increased as trunk height increased. Most of the heartwood and sapwood indicators increased with larger tree diameters. In the case of P. euphratica with a DBH of less than 45 cm, the difference in moisture content between heartwood and sapwood was not significant (p > 0.05) at heights of 0.3 m and 0.8 m. However, at a height of 1.3 m, the difference was significant (p < 0.05). Soil analysis revealed that factors such as total nitrogen, available potassium, and water content significantly influenced the physical characteristics of P. euphratica heartwood and sapwood across different sites. Redundancy analysis (RDA) further demonstrated that total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and soil moisture were significantly correlated with the physical properties of P. euphratica heartwood and sapwood, further validating the critical role of soil nutrients in shaping the wood characteristics of P. euphratica. These findings highlighted the specific adaptations of P. euphratica in the lower Tarim River to the arid desert environment, reflected in the observed relationships between soil conditions and the physical characteristics of heartwood and sapwood.
A Multi-Phase Analytical Model for Effective Electrical Conductivity of Polymer Matrix Composites Containing Micro-SiC Whiskers and Nano-Carbon Black Hybrids
Authors: Umer Usama , Abidi Mustufa Haider , Almutairi Zeyad , Aboudaif Mohamed K.
Published: January 2025

Multifunctional polymer composites containing micro/nano hybrid reinforcements have attracted intensive attention in the field of materials science and engineering. This paper develops a multi-phase analytical model for investigating the effective electrical conductivity of micro-silicon carbide (SiC) whisker/nano-carbon black (CB) polymer composites. First, CB nanoparticles are dispersed within the non-conducting epoxy to achieve a conductive CB-filled nanocomposite and its electrical conductivity is predicted. Some critical microstructures such as volume percentage and size of nanoparticles, and interphase characteristics surrounding the CB are micromechanically captured. Next, the electrical conductivity of randomly oriented SiC-containing composites in which the nanocomposite and whisker are considered as the matrix and reinforcement phases, respectively, is estimated. Influences of whisker aspect ratio and volume fraction on the effective electrical conductivity of the SiC/CB-containing polymer composites are explored. Some comparison studies are performed to validate the accuracy of the model. It is observed before the percolation threshold that the addition of nanoparticles with a uniform dispersion can improve the electrical conductivity of the polymer composites containing SiC/CB hybrids. Moreover, the results show that the electrical conductivity is more enhanced by the decrease in nanoparticle size. Interestingly, the composite percolation threshold is significantly reduced when SiC whiskers with a higher aspect ratio are added. This work will be favorable for the design of electro-conductive polymer composites with high performances.
Development of a Novel Retrofit Framework Considering Industry 4.0 Concepts: A Case Study of a Modular Production System
Authors: Mendonca Rafael S. , da Silva Mariélio , Ayres Florindo A. C. , Bessa Iury V. , Medeiros Renan L. P. , Lucena Vicente F.
Published: January 2025

Retrofitting legacy systems provides significant advantages by addressing compatibility issues with new devices and technologies, meeting current process requirements, and increasing security and regulatory compliance. The process starts by collecting requirements and evaluating the legacy system’s attributes and limitations, followed by integrating modern technologies to improve efficiency, streamline processes, and enhancing performance and interoperability while leveraging existing facilities to reduce costs. A systematic approach ensures that updates align with modern technological standards, with performance evaluations conducted via qualitative and quantitative methods and system maturity assessed according to the Reference Architecture Model for Industries 4.0 (RAMI 4.0 model’s) criteria for intelligent factories. By incorporating digital twin (DT) capabilities, which replicate the physical state of systems and provide real-time data updates, the retrofit strategy aligns the physical system with Industry 4.0 contexts, facilitating continuous improvement and seamless integration with modern processes. The goal is to advance the legacy system technologically to ensure seamless integration with contemporary processes, validated through RAMI criteria analysis for smart factories. As part of this process, digital twin architecture was built. This architecture was the basis for building and operating digital twins in the process. The methodology was used to enhance and transform legacy systems, creating the foundation for creating a fully digital twin. Using this method, these systems can be updated to meet the requirements of Industry 4.0. This ensures that they can work with new systems and share data in real time, which improves general operations.
Power Quality Disturbance Identification Method Based on Improved CEEMDAN-HT-ELM Model
Authors: Liu Ke , Han Jun , Chen Song , Ruan Liang , Liu Yutong , Wang Yang
Published: January 2025

The issue of power quality disturbances in modern power systems has become increasingly complex and severe, with multiple disturbances occurring simultaneously, leading to a decrease in the recognition accuracy of traditional algorithms. This paper proposes a composite power quality disturbance identification method based on the integration of improved Complementary Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (CEEMDAN), Hilbert Transform (HT), and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM). Addressing the limitations of traditional signal processing techniques in handling nonlinear and non-stationary signals, this study first preprocesses the collected initial power quality signals using the improved CEEMDAN method to reduce modal aliasing and spurious components, thereby enabling a more precise decomposition of noisy signals into multiple Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs). Subsequently, the HT is utilized to conduct a thorough analysis of the reconstructed signals, extracting their time-amplitude information and instantaneous frequency characteristics. This feature information provides a rich data foundation for subsequent classification and identification. On this basis, an improved ELM is introduced as the classifier, leveraging its powerful nonlinear mapping capabilities and fast learning speed to perform pattern recognition on the extracted features, achieving accurate identification of composite power quality disturbances. To validate the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed method, a simulation experiment is designed. Upon examination, the approach introduced in this study retains a fault diagnosis accuracy exceeding 95%, even amidst significant noise disturbances. In contrast to conventional techniques, such as Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), this method achieves an accuracy enhancement of up to 5%. Following optimization via the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, the model’s accuracy is boosted by 3.6%, showcasing its favorable adaptability.
A Study on the Film Superposition Method for the Multi-Row Film Cooling of the Turbine Outer Ring
Authors: Gao Ziqiang , Qiu Tian , Liu Peng , Ding Shuiting , Li Zongchao , Cheng Ronghui , Yuan Qiyu
Published: January 2025

The film superposition prediction model is a crucial tool in the preliminary design of the turbine outer ring, enabling the rapid estimation of adiabatic wall temperatures and significantly reducing computational costs. This study established the relationship between the mainstream temperature correction coefficient and the air bleed ratio based on energy conservation principles in the boundary layer during film injection. A superposition model grounded in mainstream temperature corrections was developed. The proposed model utilizes cooling efficiency characteristics based on the equivalent blowing ratio to accurately predict the cooling efficiency of multi-row hole layouts with varying hole spacings. Experiments on the adiabatic film cooling efficiency were conducted with four different hole configurations at various blowing ratios. The limitations of the traditional Sellers superposition method in predicting cooling efficiency distributions are discussed by comparing them with experimental data. The comparison reveals that the Sellers method accumulates prediction errors as the number of hole rows increases, leading to an overestimation of the cooling efficiency. Introducing a mainstream temperature correction factor effectively addressed this issue. The prediction accuracy of the improved model was higher at M=0.3, with relative deviations remaining within 10% across different test plates. As the blowing ratio increased, the prediction deviation gradually increased when the number of hole rows was less than 10. At a blowing ratio of 1.0, the deviation exceeded 20%. However, as the number of hole rows increased, the deviation remained within 10% under various blowing ratios. Compared to existing advanced models in the literature, the improved model demonstrated higher prediction accuracy under most conditions. For Case 1 in this study, the model predicted an average surface cooling efficiency deviation of 3.4% at a blowing ratio of 0.5. Similarly, for Case 14 in the literature, the deviation was 3.4% at a blowing ratio of 0.6. In contrast, the prediction deviations in the literature models were 16.1% and 8%, respectively. Furthermore, the introduction of the equivalent blowing ratio reduced the data requirements for calculating the single-hole-row cooling efficiency when performing cooling efficiency superposition predictions.
Research on the Variation Laws of In Situ Combustion in Heavy Oil Reservoirs with Different Oil Saturations
Authors: Zhao Fajun , Zhu Shun , Zhang Changjiang , Yang Zian , Sun Mingze , Zhang Hong
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the behavior of heavy oil reservoirs under varying oil saturation conditions through laboratory-scale in situ combustion (ISC) physical simulation experiments. The research focuses on the propagation stability of the combustion front and key parameters influencing the in situ combustion process, with a systematic examination of crude oil composition changes and upgrading mechanisms during ISC. By employing gas chromatography (GC) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) analyses, this study evaluates the transformation of saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, resins, and asphaltenes in the produced oil before and after ISC. The results demonstrate that oil saturation plays a critical role in determining combustion efficiency, cracking dynamics, and upgrading performance. At high oil saturation (65%), combustion reactions are vigorous, yielding enhanced cracking efficiency, a significant increase in light hydrocarbon content, and effective conversion of heavy components, achieving optimal upgrading outcomes. Conversely, at low oil saturation (30%), cracking efficiency is reduced, light hydrocarbons are lost, and heavy components, including asphaltenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, accumulate, resulting in less effective upgrading. Nonetheless, ignition and stable combustion are achievable even at low oil saturation levels. This study offers strategies to optimize ISC operations tailored to different oil saturation conditions, providing valuable insights for improving combustion efficiency and enhancing the quality of produced oil in heavy oil reservoirs.
Mindset, Schism and the Contemporary Transformation of the Anglican Communion
Authors: Sandy Geoffrey A
Published: January 2025

The phenomenon of mindset provides a lens to understand more clearly the reasons for, the timing of and the resulting transformation of the Anglican Communion (AC) of its schism. It has been transformed by the interaction between those of a strong conservative mindset and those of a strong progressive mindset. The former are now in schism with those who remain in the AC. The schism is usually explained in terms of opposing doctrinal beliefs and values, which is valid as far as it goes. More fundamental is mindset because it explains why people hold these beliefs and values, which determine how they interact in society. The schism of the AC is chosen as a context or case study to which the scientific research behind mindset is applied. However, it is something that is general and fundamental, which operates in society for both the religious and secular domains.
Religious and Pedagogical Education in Theology Faculties in Türkiye in Their 100th Year: A Comparative Analysis with Similar Programs in the World
Authors: Koç Ahmet
Published: January 2025

This study compares religious education and pedagogy programs in theology faculties in Türkiye in their 100th year with similar programs in different countries. Although Türkiye historically has a deep-rooted heritage, it has experienced continued modernization for nearly two centuries. Various approaches were adopted in religious education during this process, and education policies were shaped accordingly. This situation shows that Türkiye’s religious education and pedagogical programs have continuously transformed in line with historical and social dynamics and are still open to development. When religious education and pedagogical programs in different countries were examined, it was determined that, although the programs have their purposes, such as acquiring religious knowledge, developing critical thinking, and training teachers, they show great diversity in their forms of application and content. When compared to examples around the world, it is evident that religious teachers in Türkiye start their profession with less pedagogical training than their colleagues both in Türkiye and abroad. In this regard, the first issue to be discussed is the review and updating of the curriculum. Another issue is structuring the course content to meet today’s needs and solve social problems. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that contemporary educational approaches are integrated into all undergraduate courses and that a holistic approach is applied.
Retrieving Aerosol Optical Depth over Land from Landsat-8 Satellite Images with the Aid of Cloud Shadows
Authors: Zhu Jingmiao , Qiao Congcong , Duan Minzheng
Published: January 2025

Clouds and their shadows can be clearly identified from high-spatial-resolution satellite images, such as those provided by Landsat-8/9 with a spatial resolution of approximately 30 m and Sentinel-2 with a spatial resolution of around 20 m. Consequently, the difference between satellite measurements over cloud-shadowed and nearby illuminated pixels can be used to derive the aerosol optical depth (AOD), even in the absence of detailed surface optical properties. Based on this assumption, an algorithm for AOD retrieval over land is developed and tested using Landsat-8/9 images containing scattered clouds over Xuzhou, China, and Dalanzadgad, Mongolia. The retrieved AODs are compared against MODIS and ground-based sun photometer measurements. The findings reveal that, in cloudy regions, over 90% of the discrepancies between the AODs retrieved using the cloud-shadow method and ground-based measurements fall within 0.05 ± 0.20 AOD. This cloud-shadow algorithm represents a valuable complement to existing satellite aerosol retrieval methods, particularly in sparsely cloud-covered areas.
Reinforcement Learning-Based Resource Allocation Scheme of NR-V2X Sidelink for Joint Communication and Sensing
Authors: Li Zihan , Wang Ping , Shen Yamin , Li Song
Published: January 2025

Joint communication and sensing (JCS) is becoming an important trend in 6G, owing to its efficient utilization of spectrums and hardware resources. Utilizing echoes of the same signal can achieve the object location sensing function, in addition to the V2X communication function. There is application potential for JCS systems in the fields of ADAS and unmanned autos. Currently, the NR-V2X sidelink has been standardized by 3GPP to support low-latency high-reliability direct communication. In order to combine the benefits of both direct communication and JCS, it is promising to extend existing NR-V2X sidelink communication toward sidelink JCS. However, conflicting performance requirements arise between radar sensing accuracy and communication reliability with the limited sidelink spectrum. In order to overcome the challenges in the distributed resource allocation of sidelink JCS with a full-duplex, this paper has proposed a novel consecutive-collision mitigation semi-persistent scheduling (CCM-SPS) scheme, including the collision detection and Q-learning training stages to suppress collision probabilities. Theoretical performance analyses on Cramér–Rao Lower Bounds (CRLBs) have been made for the sensing of sidelink JCS. Key performance metrics such as CRLB, PRR and UD have been evaluated. Simulation results show the superior performance of CCM-SPS compared to similar solutions, with promising application prospects.
Adsorption of Sinapine from Rapeseed Protein Production Effluent to Cation Exchange Resins
Authors: Kdah Fatima Zahra , Aymes Arnaud , Beau Luna , Ropars Armelle , Frippiat Jean-Pol , Kapel Romain
Published: January 2025

Sinapine adsorption was studied on four weak cation exchanges at pHs ranging from 2 to 8. The best adsorption rate was observed with C106 resin at pH 4 (95.25%). The adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model while the isotherm data better fitted the Langmuir model. The ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° values (−25.834 kJ·mol−1, −24.428 kJ·mol−1, and 0.004 kJ·mol−1·K−1) revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Acidified ethanol showed a better desorption rate (75.41%), while virtually no (3.32%) or low (31.14%) sinapine desorption was observed with 50% ethanol and 0.1 M HCl solution, respectively. This indicated that sinapine adsorption took place throughout both ionic and hydrophobic interactions. Very close sinapine adsorption performances were observed with an effluent of the patented rapeseed protein isolate process. Two-step desorption using 50% ethanol, then acidified ethanol, yielded a highly purified neutral sinapine-derivative phenol fraction (75.23%) in the first elution fraction and sinapine (98.85%) in the second one.
Why Do ESG Rating Differences Affect Audit Fees?—Dual Intermediary Path Analysis Based on Operating Risk and Analyst Earnings Forecast Error
Authors: Gou Lufeng , Li Xiaoxiao
Published: January 2025

As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues become increasingly important, ESG ratings have become a significant factor influencing audit fees for businesses. However, ESG ratings are typically assessed by multiple agencies or rating firms and, due to differences in evaluation criteria, methodologies, and data sources, the ratings provided by different institutions may vary considerably. Therefore, research on the impact of discrepancies in ESG ratings on audit fees is of great significance. This paper examines this phenomenon by analyzing a sample of Chinese listed companies from 2015 to 2022, yielding 3056 observational values through various methodologies. The study employs two-way fixed effects methods. The findings indicate that discrepancies in ESG ratings significantly elevate enterprises’ audit expenses, with operating risk and analyst earnings forecast errors serving as intermediary factors. Additionally, media attention intensifies these effects by increasing corporate disclosure, intensifying regulatory pressure, and heightening reputational risks for the company, and the positive impact of ESG rating discrepancies on audit fees is more significant when the “Big 4” accounting firms are involved in the audit. The research offers insights for enterprises, auditors, and regulatory bodies, contributing to the enhanced implementation of the ESG concept and fostering sustainable enterprise development.
Evaluating Middle-Distance Passenger Transportation: A Comparison of the Time Efficiency, Sustainability, and Break-Even Distances Between High-Speed-Rail and Air Travel in Sweden
Authors: Fale Martin , Kramberger Tomaž , Rupnik Bojan , Lixin Shen , Vizinger Tea
Published: January 2025

Debate regarding the use of airplanes or high-speed trains in middle-distance passenger transportation has evolved into a strong field of research. With the aim to mitigate the environmental footprint of air travel, the European Union’s initiatives are focused on redirecting passengers from airplanes to high-speed trains. This shift is hampered by significant variations in train accessibility across Europe. Using Sweden as an example, we tested the break-even distance and evaluated the findings from both a time-efficiency perspective and a sustainability perspective. Airplanes hold the upper hand on high-speed trains in middle-distance passenger transportation from the time perspective. This perspective provides us with a clear answer, but if we consider the sustainability perspective, it may affect the results. The results indicate that the presented proof of concept makes sense and can be easily adapted to any decision-making process regarding the choice of the preferable transportation mode, although the procedure is extremely time consuming. For policymakers, this proof of concept can represent a priceless tool because the resulting figures carry valuable information about (under)developed and (less-)integrated transportation modes in commuting and transportation systems.
The Role of Small Rural Grocery Stores in Northern Bavaria: Findings of a Quantitative Customer Survey
Authors: Akbaba Pinar , Rauh Jürgen , Rauch Sebastian
Published: January 2025

Grocery shopping is an integral part of everyday life in every household. Due to the increasing decline in the number of grocery stores, it is difficult to find grocery shops close to home, especially in rural areas. For certain population groups, such as older people and/or people with limited mobility, people living alone and single parents, as well as households without a car, it is difficult to get groceries within walking distance. In addition, the gaps in local supply also mean a decline in the quality of life of the affected population. This study addresses the question of what role small rural grocery stores play in the shopping behavior of residents of rural areas and how they rate them. Using a quantitative consumer survey (n = 238), the shopping behavior and relationship to five sites in the Main-Spessart region of Bavaria, Germany were analyzed. The surveyed customers visit the rural stores several times a week (57.1%), especially for necessities (62.2%) and weekly shopping (13.1%). The product range (including fresh products), proximity to the place of residence, as well as the social function are most valued. Four different customer types were identified: the Uninvolved (35.6%), the Supporters (15.5%), the Motivated (25.8%) and the Socials (23.2%). The study shows that small rural grocery stores can contribute significantly to the food supply in poorly supplied areas. The degree of use varies depending on the individual life circumstances and needs. Using the location as a place for social exchange is a very relevant factor (60.5%). The targeted use of the store as a social meeting place is highly dependent on the additional infrastructure provided (e.g., a café corner). These results can help decision-makers to gain a better understanding of the users and consequently to better assess potentials of small rural grocery stores.
Integrating Social Media-Driven Service Innovation and Sustainable Leadership: Advancing Sustainable Practices in Tourism and Hospitality
Authors: Zada Muhammad , Erkol Bayram Gül , Contreras-Barraza Nicolás , Kaptangil Kerem , Aylan Serkan
Published: January 2025

This study examines the impact of the digital era, particularly the increasing prevalence of social media, on sustainable tourism and hospitality development, and examines how the tourism and hospitality industry leverages social media to foster sustainability within the sector. However, researchers and policymakers have paid little attention to this aspect. Research on social media usage and sustainable tourism development still needs to be revised and made novel. Drawing on organizational learning theory and the resource-based view, this study examines the associations between social media usage and service innovations, aiming to develop sustainable tourism. Our research findings reveal a promising and positive relationship between social media usage and service innovations, which contributes to the sustainable development of tourism. Sustainable leadership also moderates this relationship. This research significantly contributes to the existing knowledge in the field, with implications for academia, researchers, and government entities focused on digitalization and sustainable development, supporting innovation, and preparing for future challenges.
A Portfolio of Building Solutions Supporting Positive Energy District Transition: Assessing the Impact of Green Building Certifications
Authors: Ferrante Tiziana , Clerici Maestosi Paola , Villani Teresa , Romagnoli Federica
Published: January 2025

Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) represent an innovative approach to thinking and designing cities sustainably, in compliance with the European Union energy strategy. This strategy integrates sectors such as urban planning, energy, and construction to synergistically address energy and environmental challenges. Studies on sustainability assessment systems applied in PEDs evidenced that they focus mostly on energy aspects, while few include a comprehensive life cycle assessment of equivalent CO2 emissions, considering the building component and the impacts of the materials used. Additionally, most assessments are conducted on the urban and district scale, such as Neighborhood Sustainability Assessments (NSA), which begin to correlate PEDs with the dynamics of selecting sustainable materials for green-certified projects, analyzed throughout the entire life cycle, relying on the adoption of Green Building Rating Systems (GBRS) at the building scale. To explore the impact of environmentally friendly (i.e., ‘green’) GBRS certifications in the selection of building materials and products according to sustainability criteria, and to encourage their use in projects explicitly referring to PEDs, this study analyzes the technical solutions implemented in two significant residential building renovation projects in Italy from a PED perspective. It proposes a classification system based on the required targets of energy efficiency, energy production, and energy flexibility. The results include the definition of an expandable portfolio of technical solutions, an analytical comparison between the materials used in the energy renovation projects of the case studies examined, and the sustainability criteria provided by voluntary ’green’ certification tools (GBRS). The collected evidence offers an operational framework that confirms the positive impact of GBRS certifications and the related selection of materials on sustainable urban development, contributing to the scientific debate on PEDs. Furthermore, the use of voluntary ’green’ certifications at the building scale can be encouraged in the context of the transition towards PEDs, aiming to identify specific criteria and indicators for the selection of building materials to be integrated into future PED certifications. This aims to contribute to creating energy self-sufficient urban areas, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and innovation, in line with global emission reduction and climate change mitigation goals.
Seasonal Dynamics of Planktonic Algae in the Danjiangkou Reservoir: Nutrient Fluctuations and Ecological Implications
Authors: Wu Mengyao , Yan Hailong , Fu Songhan , Han Xiaxian , Jia Mengzhao , Dou Miaomiao , Liu Han , Fohrer Nicola , Messyasz Beata , Li Yuying
Published: January 2025

Freshwater reservoirs serve as vital water sources for numerous residential areas. However, the excessive presence of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, stimulates rapid algal proliferation, leading to the occurrence of algal blooms. To prevent this phenomenon, it is imperative to conduct regular ecological surveys aimed at assessing water quality and monitoring the dynamic composition of aquatic biological communities within the reservoir’s ecosystem. In this study, seasonal changes in water quality parameters and the spatial and temporal distribution of planktonic algae at 14 sampling sites in the Danjiangkou reservoir were analyzed. A total of 136 taxonomic units of planktonic algae were identified, belonging to 8 phyla, 41 families, and 88 genera, with the dominant algae belonging to the phyla Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, and Cyanophyta. The order of abundance of the algae was summer > autumn > spring > winter and Hanku > Intake > Danku > Outflow. WT, pH, DO, CODMn, and Chl a were the primary drivers influencing the changes in the planktonic algal community within the reservoir. Two dominant algae, Chlamydomonas debaryana and Scenedesmus quadricauda, were isolated and cultured indoors to simulate the growth behaviors of algae in the Danjiangkou reservoir. The results show that the growth of C. debaryana was severely limited by the temperature, light, and nutrient concentration, whereas the growth of S. quadricauda was slightly affected under different temperature and light conditions and could occur at low concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. With excess nutrient levels, excessive proliferation of S. quadricauda could potentially cause algal blooms. This study examined the growth characteristics of the dominant algae in the Danjiangkou reservoir under laboratory conditions and delved into their interdependencies with environmental factors, aiming to furnish a theoretical and experimental foundation for investigating algal community dynamics and preventing algal blooms within the freshwater reservoir.
Smart Sport Watch Usage: The Dominant Role of Technology Readiness over Exercise Motivation and Sensation Seeking
Authors: Tenenbaum Gershon , Ben-Zion Tomer , Amichai-Hamburger Yair , Galily Yair , Lev Assaf
Published: January 2025

The study examines the link between technology readiness/acceptance, motivation for exercising, and sensation seeking and using or avoiding Smart Sport Watches (SSW). A sample of 315 adolescents, Mage = 29.6 (SD = 11.01) and healthy male (n = 95, 30.2%) and female (n = 179, 56.85%), completed all the measures of these variables’ dimensions via the internet. Multiple followed by univariate analyses of variance (MANOVA, ANOVA) were performed for each of the study’s psychological dimensions and single variables. The two categorical factors (e.g., BS factors) were the use of SSW (yes/no) and walk/run (yes/no). Results revealed that adolescents using SSW rated themselves significantly (p < 0.05) and substantially higher than their non-SSW users on positive readiness for technology (d = 0.47), and specifically on optimism (d = 0.34) and innovation (d = 0.51). Moreover, users of SSW reported significantly (p < 0.05) and substantially lower negative readiness for technology than their non-SSW users’ counterparts (d = −0.49), and specifically on discomfort (d = −0.38) and distrust (d = −50), but neither on the overall motivation for exercise dimensions nor on sensation-seeking. Moreover, adolescents who walk/run reported being more internally motivated (d = 0.38), integrated (d = 0.61), and identified (d = 0.34) than their sedentary counterparts. Discussion centers on the important role of readiness/acceptance in using technological devices and the need to use technology-specific motivation and personality measures to further explore this phenomenon.
Study on the Destabilisation Pattern and Volumetric Water Content Evolution Characteristics of Underground Mining Rock Formations Under Heavy Rainfall Conditions
Authors: Lan Xiang , Wang Yunmin , Wang Xiaojun , Geng Jiabo
Published: January 2025

In order to study the stability of rock layers and the change in volumetric water content at different stages of mining under an environment of heavy rainfall, a self-developed large-scale open-pit-to-underground-mining similar physical model was used, and the intensity of continuous rainfall was set at 40 mm/h. The results of this study show that fissures accelerated the instability of rock strata, and when spreading to different rock strata, they were prone to form subsidence cracks and produce collapse zones. The volumetric water content is closely related to the stability of the rock formation. An ‘arch-shaped collapse zone’ was formed in an interval of (0.9~1.8 m), and a convex spreading zone of volumetric water content was formed in an interval of (1.2~1.6 m). The infiltration line shows different diffusion patterns in different mining stages. In the early stage of mining, the volumetric water content infiltration line is roughly parallel to the slope; in the middle stage of mining, the infiltration line diffuses parallel to the two ends of the interface with the slope and diffuses convexly in the middle; in the late stage of mining, the infiltration line shows a pattern of rapid diffusion in the lower area, rapid diffusion in the middle area, and slow diffusion in the middle area. Therefore, in the process of the mining stage, it is necessary to focus on mining area fissure changes and monitor the point water content for sudden changes and other indicators. This study has certain guiding significance for safe production.
Impact of mustelid predation and ambient temperature on breeding success and population dynamics of Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca in Swedish Lapland, 1965–2019
Authors: Nyholm N Erik I
Published: January 2025

The breeding success of a nest-box breeding population of Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca in subalpine birch forest in Swedish Lapland was studied over 55 years, with emphasis on the impact of small mustelids and ambient temperature during egg laying, incubation, and brood care. The proportion of nests predated was used as an index for mustelid abundance. Breeding failures were either total, due to breeding interruptions, or partial due to partial hatching failure or nestling death. Overall, mustelid abundance explained the rate of breeding interruptions at any breeding phase, but not when seasons with exceptional (>10%) predation rates were excluded. Variation in the rate of partial failure was unrelated to mustelid abundance. Climatic conditions affected clutch size, rate of breeding interruption, and partial loss of clutches or broods, with particularly pronounced effects during the incubation period. The mustelid abundance and weather conditions also influenced rates of nest-box occupation in subsequent breeding seasons, and the next-box population dynamics covaried with surrounding populations.
Reflexões sobre desafios nacionais à implantação do mercado de carbono
Authors: Bessa Luiz Fernando Macedo , Pires Luiz Henrique Paiva , Silva Sinval Cezário da , Sant’Anna Anderson José de Oliveira
Published: January 2025

A proposta deste artigo consiste em promover reflexões acerca da implementação do Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo, estabelecido no Protocolo de Quioto como um dos principais instrumentos de natureza econômica para atingir as metas nacionais e globais de redução das emissões de poluentes causadores do aquecimento global. Além disso, busca-se analisar os conflitos socioambientais decorrentes desse mecanismo, considerando a perspectiva crítica do campo de estudos das políticas públicas.