bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanocrystalline Cellulose as a Versatile Engineering Material for Extrusion-Based Bioprinting
Authors: Read Sophia A. , Go Chee Shuen , Ferreira Miguel J. S. , Ligorio Cosimo , Kimber Susan J. , Dumanli Ahu G. , Domingos Marco A. N.
Published: October 2023

Naturally derived polysaccharide-based hydrogels, such as alginate, are frequently used in the design of bioinks for 3D bioprinting. Traditionally, the formulation of such bioinks requires the use of pre-reticulated materials with low viscosities, which favour cell viability but can negatively influence the resolution and shape fidelity of the printed constructs. In this work, we propose the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a rheological modifier to improve the printability of alginate-based bioinks whilst ensuring a high viability of encapsulated cells. Through rheological analysis, we demonstrate that the addition of CNCs (1% and 2% (w/v)) to alginate hydrogels (1% (w/v)) improves shear-thinning behaviour and mechanical stability, resulting in the high-fidelity printing of constructs with superior resolution. Importantly, LIVE/DEAD results confirm that the presence of CNCs does not seem to affect the health of immortalised chondrocytes (TC28a2) that remain viable over a period of seven days post-encapsulation. Taken together, our results indicate a favourable effect of the CNCs on the rheological and biocompatibility properties of alginate hydrogels, opening up new perspectives for the application of CNCs in the formulation of bioinks for extrusion-based bioprinting.
Drug Therapy Safety in Palliative Care—Pharmaceutical Analysis of Medication Processes in Palliative Care
Authors: Krumm Lisa , Bausewein Claudia , Rémi Constanze
Published: October 2023

Pharmacotherapy plays a crucial role in symptom management in palliative care and is associated with risks potentially leading to drug-related problems (DRP). Pharmacists can identify DRPs and advise prescribers on optimizing drug therapy. The aim of this study was to identify DRP in a palliative care unit (PCU) and evaluate corresponding pharmaceutical interventions. A non-randomized before-and-after study in a PCU starts with a control phase, an interphase, and an intervention phase. Primary endpoint: DRP, including pharmaceutical interventions and their acceptance. The medication of all inpatients was recorded at set time points, assessed for potential and manifest DRP, and categorized. In the control phase, the ward pharmacist did not interfere with the clinical team. In the intervention phase, the pharmacist could intervene when a DRP was identified and give recommendations. During the 12-month period, 284 patients were included (control phase n = 138; intervention phase n = 146) and 1079 DRPs were identified (control phase n = 634; intervention phase n = 445). The number of DRPs/patient was significantly reduced by the pharmacist’s interventions between the control and intervention phases (4 vs. 3 DRPs, p = 0.001). Overall acceptance of pharmaceutical interventions by prescribers was very high (227/256; 88%). DRPs are hardly preventable. With a clinical pharmacist as a member of the palliative care team, it is possible to reduce the number of DRPs and identify potential problems earlier.
Analysis of Error Sources in the Lissajous Scanning Trajectory Based on Two-Dimensional MEMS Mirrors
Authors: Zhang Xiulei , Wang Conghao , Han Yongxuan , Wang Junjie , Hu Yanhui , Wang Jie , Fu Qiang , Wang Aimin , Feng Lishuang , Hu Xiaoguang
Published: October 2023

Deviations or distortions in the trajectoy of MEMS-based Lissajous scanning imaging platforms might be detrimental to imaging quality. These deviations often arise from differences in MEMS mirror frequency response characteristics and asymmetry in parameters within the measurement and control circuit. This study concentrated on the measurement and control circuit unit as it identified and analyzed four error sources: the MEMS mirror frequency response error, the AD acquisition synchronization error, the drive source error, and the cross-coupling error between the MEMS mirror axes. This study constructed a Lissajous trajectory test platform based on oscilloscopes and a position sensitive detector. Consequently, its experimental results guided the error processing methods to access the feasibility of the compensation methods by combining measured trajectories. Overall, regarding MEMS-based Lissajous scanning platforms for biomedical imaging, this study could provide quantitative numerical references for error analysis, image reconstruction, and aberration correction.
Spectral Characterization of Two-Photon Interference between Independent Sources
Authors: Duan Lifeng , Xu Aojie , Zhang Yun
Published: October 2023

We present a spectral characterization of two-photon nonclassical interference on a beam splitter (BS) between a weak coherent state source and another source, which emits a phase-randomized weak coherent state, a single-photon state, or a thermal state. Besides spectral characteristics, the average photon number ratio in a given time interval is also considered in our model. The two-photon coincidence probability of two outputs of the BS is numerically calculated with spectral bandwidth ratio and average photon number ratio. Furthermore, the noise of the detection system is taken into account. This also indicates that two-photon interference is able to significantly improve by subtracting two-photon contributions from the input state. All these parameters have a close relation to a real experiment performance and the results may pave new avenues for quantum information technology when two-photon interference between independent sources is necessary.
Performing Ecclesiastes: Text as Script
Authors: Mathews Jeanette
Published: October 2023

All biblical scholars are committed to the interpretation of ancient written texts, but Biblical Performance Criticism (BPC) reminds interpreters that performance helps us better understand Scripture. A distinct difference between Narrative Criticism and Performance Criticism is the broader application of Performance Criticism to poetic and prose texts that are not grounded in narrative. The ambiguity of prose and poetry that does not readily identify speakers is open to a range of performative interpretations. Furthermore, audiences are necessary for performance and contribute to meaning-making. The embodied experience of performers and audience alike contribute to the interpretation of biblical texts. This article reflects on a performance of Ecclesiastes translated as a script of a television talk show, claiming that embodying and performing Scripture is itself a method for interpretation. Through the performance of Scripture, we are reminded that interpretation is shared and dynamic within the community of faith.
Analysis of the External and Internal Load in Professional Basketball Players
Authors: Gamonales José M. , Hernández-Beltrán Víctor , Escudero-Tena Adrián , Ibáñez Sergio J.
Published: October 2023

The quantification of the external load and internal load of professional players is of vital importance since it provides a great deal of information on the state of the physical condition of athletes during competition and training. The aim of the present study was to quantify the external load and internal load of the players of a first level team of the Spanish basketball league for two weeks corresponding to the pre-season 2022/2023. Seventeen load variables were analyzed and organized into kinematics external load, neuromuscular external load, and internal load. All variables were normalized to the same time unit (minute). For this purpose, all training sessions were monitored using inertial devices. The results show significant differences in the external load and internal load variables depending on the task performed and the specific position. Each type of task provokes different responses in the players, with Full Game situations producing the highest values in the kinematic external load variables (p < 0.05). The selection of each type of task must be adjusted to the physical and technical–tactical objective to be developed. Despite the general work carried out in the pre-season, the centers are the players who bear the greatest internal load in this period. For this reason, it is necessary to individualize the training processes from the pre-season.
Characteristics of Pressure Stimulated Current and Damage Evolution of Granite under Progressive Uniaxial Loading
Authors: Li Dexing , Wang Enyuan , Yue Jianhua , Li Manman , Li Li , Wang Dongming , Liang Wei
Published: October 2023

The application of load on rock materials stimulates a weak current known as Pressure Stimulated Current (PSC). This study focuses on investigating the damage evolution of granite rocks through the analysis of PSC responses. Uniaxial loading experiments were conducted on granite samples, and the accompanying PSC was measured in real-time. The relationship between PSC characteristics and mechanical behaviors of granite was examined to explore precursory information related to granite failure. The damage evolution of granite was assessed using a damage variable defined as the cumulative charge (time integral of PSC). The results clearly demonstrate a close correlation between the variation of PSC and the mechanical behaviors of rock. Specifically, during the compaction and elastic deformation stages, PSC exhibits a slow and linear increase. However, once deformation enters the plastic stage, PSC demonstrates an accelerated upward trend. Additionally, it was observed that a stress drop coincides with an abnormal increase in PSC, which is followed by a rapid decay. The fluctuation observed after the abnormal increase in PSC during the accelerated growth phase can serve as a precursor of rock failure. Furthermore, the cumulative charge quantity effectively correlates with the damage process of granite samples. The stress–strain curve obtained from a theoretical constitutive model, established based on the damage variable represented by normalized cumulative charge, aligns reasonably well with the experimental results, affirming that the defined damage variable accurately reflects the damage evolution process of rocks. It is hypothesized that PSCs are carried by electrons within the rocks, which are stimulated by electron diffusion during deformation and experience a sharp increase upon rock fracturing. The research findings hold theoretical significance for predicting rockburst incidents using the PSC method.
Computational Model of Water Distribution Network Life Cycle Deterioration
Authors: Evangelista Leandro Alves , Meirelles Gustavo , Brentan Bruno
Published: October 2023

Water distribution networks (WDNs) have a long life cycle, and understanding how infrastructure deteriorates over time can contribute to its efficient management. In this paper, a computational model is developed to simulate the deterioration of a WDN over its life cycle and analyze how its operation is affected, both hydraulically and economically. For this, four parameters are considered, changing over a 20-year life cycle: (1) an increase in water consumption due to population growth, modeled using statistical growth rates; (2) the deterioration of pipes, which increases according to a constant growth rate of internal roughness; (3) a change in leakage in the network, calculated based on population size, network length, and operating pressure; and (4) the deterioration of pumps, estimated according to their mechanical aging. The results point to maintenance services being essential for the efficient operation of WDNs, with leaks having the greatest impact on operating costs.
Evaluation of the Methane (CH4) Generation Rate Constant (k Value) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Mogadishu City, Somalia
Authors: Araye Abdulkadir A. , Yusoff Mohd Suffian , Awang Nik Azimatolakma , Abd Manan Teh Sabariah Binti
Published: October 2023

Landfills are the third largest source of the greenhouse gas methane, contributing to 25% of global warming. Therefore, the characterization of national municipal solid waste (MSW) and estimation of methane generation rate are very important for the solid waste management (SWM) toward sustainable development goal no. 13, climate action. This study presents (a) an assessment of daily MSW generation, (b) the characterization of MSW, and (c) an evaluation of the methane generation rate constant (k value) in Mogadishu, Somalia. The MSW samples were collected from three (3) sampling zones (Zones 1, 2, and 3; 204 households) and weighted (kg). Next, the waste generation per person per day was estimated. The MSW characterization includes sorting (based on plastic/polythene, food wastes, wood, metals, yard waste, paper/cardboard, textile, glass/ceramic and miscellaneous components, %), the determination of bulk density (kg/L), and measuring moisture content (%). The k values were evaluated from the percentages of different components in MSW based on first-order decay models. Mogadishu city generated 1671.03 kg MSW per week (maximum on Friday: 348.72 kg, and minimum on Monday: 152.04 kg). The total mean MSW generation rate observed in this study was 0.2 kg/person/day. The solid waste generation found was in the decreasing order of food waste > plastic/polythene > yard waste > miscellaneous > papers/carboard > wood > glass/ceramic > textiles > metals by weight. The average bulk density was found to be 0.269 kg/L. The average moisture content was ranged from 61.6 to 73%. The total k values were categorized as fast (Zone 1: 0.216053 yr−1, Zone 2: 0.228739 yr−1, and Zone 3: 0.244595 yr−1) and moderate (Zone 3: 0.244595 yr−1) degradation. This research serves as Somalian MSW baseline data and projected the methane generation rate from the MSW production in the country. The MSW sorting may reduce the impact of global warming and is highly recommended for better SWM in the future.
Assessing Customer Satisfaction to Support Future Improvement Strategies of Healthcare Systems: Evidences from Russia and Romania
Authors: Bulatnikov Vladimir , Constantin Cristinel Petrișor
Published: October 2023

The analyses of current healthcare systems in Russia and Romania made by different scholars in the specialty literature highlight a below-medium health quality index worldwide, which is especially low when compared to leading EU countries. The prevailing need to address health features with quantitative customer research has prompted this paper to focus on the challenges of the healthcare systems in two countries from the customer’s perspective. The main goal of the research is to capture the main problems of the analyzed healthcare systems which require certain improvements, changes, and innovations, and to find proper strategies for their future development from a marketing approach. The attitudes of 410 people from Russia and Romania have been collected using an electronic survey, based on a questionnaire that contained some items concerning the marketing mix in the public and private clinics from the two analyzed countries. These items have been evaluated by respondents from both the importance and satisfaction perspectives, and the Importance–Satisfaction (IS) matrix was used to discover marketing strategies that are the best fit for each component of the marketing mix in the healthcare clinics. The outcomes of this study highlight the need to focus efforts mainly on improving the quality of the services in both countries, with some peculiarities for the public and private sectors. It was also revealed that both countries need massive improvements in their public clinic sectors.
Evaluation of Urban Resilience of China’s Three Major Urban Agglomerations Using Complex Adaptive System Theory
Authors: He Changyuan , Zhang Qiang , Wang Gang , Singh Vijay P. , Li Tiantian , Cui Shuai
Published: October 2023

By 2050, a majority of the global population will reside in urban agglomerations. Intensifying natural hazards are posing serious challenges to populations within the urban agglomerations. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate the resilience of urban agglomerations to natural hazards. However, the urban resilience of China’s three major urban agglomerations, Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH), the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), and Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GHMB), is not properly determined. To enhance the evaluation of comprehensive resilience in complex urban agglomerations and improve adaptability in the face of uncertain risks, this paper adopts the theory of complex adaptive systems to reveal the driving factors behind resilience. We developed a model for measuring disaster severity, exposure, bearing capacity, recoverability, and learnability. Furthermore, spatial autocorrelation analysis was employed to explore the distribution patterns of resilience and devise strategies for enhancement. The results indicate that the average urban resilience value of the three major urban agglomerations was 0.5061. The average urban resilience values for BTH, YRD, and GHMB are 0.5331, 0.5116, and 0.4612. We found BTH having the highest resilience level, followed by YRD and GHMB. Within BTH, the resilience level was the highest in the northern part of BTH, but the overall resilience of the southern cities should be improved by enhancing Shijiazhuang’s central role. We also found higher resilience level in northwest YRD than in southeast YRD due to lower population density and lower disaster exposure in northwest YRD. However, we found obscure spatial patterns of urban resilience within GHMB, i.e., higher urban resilience in east and west GHMB and lower urban resilience level in central GHMB. This study presents different urban resilience levels over three urban agglomerations, providing background information for urban planning and urban mitigation to natural disasters in a warming climate.
Sustainable Social Systems: Innovative Service Implications in the Restaurant Business in the Post-COVID Era with Digital Transformation Strategies
Authors: Fainshtein Elizaveta , Chkoniya Valentina , Serova Elena , Vorobyev Pavel
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in and modifications of the role of information and communication technologies in the digitalization of service provision. This paper aims to identify and summarize these changes in business operations, in the context of strategic management in the restaurant industry, triggered by COVID-19. Based on in-depth interviews with 16 key experts in the restaurant industry (CEOs of chain restaurants), this paper clarifies and concretizes the rapidly transforming problem of identifying the main changes in the restaurant market during the pandemic. These depend on a restaurant’s adaptation level to the challenges that arose, using three dimensions (consumer demand, corporate strategy optimization, and the use of the company’s innovative potential). The analysis shows that chain restaurants, which have sufficient resources to solve the problem of staff turnover, develop technological solutions, and build a brand and customer loyalty, were more resistant to problems arising from the spread of the coronavirus infection than other companies in the catering industry. The presence of serious problems associated with consumer demand and the optimization of the format of the offered dishes and service had a significant impact on the relationship between the impact of the spread of the coronavirus infection and the inability to adapt to the new reality of doing business. The findings reveal that companies need to expand their digital capabilities and adapt their management strategy to the post-pandemic conditions to adapt to the post-COVID-19 period. This paper serves as a framework for understanding the role of digital transformation in sustainable business development.
Research on Distributed Energy Storage Planning-Scheduling Strategy of Regional Power Grid Considering Demand Response
Authors: Rao Yunjie , Cui Xue , Zou Xuyue , Ying Liming , Tong Pingzheng , Li Junlin
Published: October 2023

Distributed energy storage and demand response technology are considered important means to promote new energy consumption, which has the advantages of peak regulation, balance, and flexibility. Firstly, this paper introduces the carbon trading market and the new energy abandonment penalty mechanism. Taking the energy storage cost, distribution network operation cost, network loss cost, carbon transaction cost, and new energy abandonment cost as the objective functions, the distributed energy storage optimization allocation model is established. Considering the scheduling problems of various units in the system, the operation strategy of distributed energy storage and demand response linkage is proposed. The improved bat algorithm is used to solve the problem. The example analysis shows that under the combined action of energy storage and demand response, the annual total cost of the distribution network is effectively reduced, the consumption rate of new energy is improved, and the voltage quality and network loss of the power grid are improved to ensure the reliability and stability of the distribution network.
Quality Assessment of Biogas-Producing Macroalgae from Azov Sea and Šventoji River
Authors: Zagorskis Alvydas , Gotovskienė Akvilė , Monin Vladimir
Published: October 2023

The decline of fossil fuels, the increase in greenhouse gases, and the global demand for energy are driving the search for alternative energy sources. Anaerobic digestion is a promising technology because it can convert organic biomass into biogas. As the climate warms, there is an increase in the biomass of plant origin in water bodies, and ecosystems are unable to clean themselves. The novelty of the work is that it determines the energetic values of macroalgae growing in the Sea of Azov and freshwater bodies using theoretical and experimental methods. This work aims to show that macroalgae and aquatic plants can be an excellent raw material for biogas production. By mixing them with co-substrates such as cattle manure, higher biogas and methane yields can be obtained. When Cladophora glomerata and Enteromorpha intestinalis macroalgae are mixed with cattle manure, the biogas yield is up to 458.8 mL/gVS and 397.9 mL/gVS, respectively. Methane concentration remained high and reached 62.4–64.1%. The obtained research results show the high energy value of biogas and the energy potential of biomass. Macroalgae increased the energy potential of biogas to 22.9 MJ/m3, and the energy potential of biomass reached 2.40 MJ/Kg. Due to its high energy value, biogas produced from the considered substrates can be an excellent alternative to fossil fuels. Integrating aquatic macroalgae into anaerobic digestion is a promising approach for a waste-free marine and freshwater system.
Correction: Li et al. Corporate Social Responsibility Information Disclosure and Financial Performance: Is Green Technology Innovation a Missing Link? Sustainability 2023, 15, 11926
Authors: Li Liang , Wang Yanghong , Sun Huaping , Shen Huihui , Lin Yuen
Published: October 2023

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper [...]
Does the Digital Economy Promote Industrial Collaboration and Agglomeration? Evidence from 286 Cities in China
Authors: Huang Senhua , Ye Wenzhong , Han Feng
Published: October 2023

Relying on high penetration and strong diffusion capabilities, the digital economy is becoming a new driving force for industrial integration and development. It is of great significance to promote the coordinated development of manufacturing and producer services. This paper took panel data on 286 prefecture-level cities and above in China from 2011 to 2019 as its research object, and used the two-way fixed effect model, threshold effect model, and the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) as its econometric testing methods. This analysis explored the impact of the digital economy on the synergetic agglomeration between manufacturing and productive service industries in China. The results of the research showed that the synergetic agglomeration of industries is significantly promoted by the digital economy. This conclusion was still valid after an endogeneity test was carried out. The digital economy’s role was found to mainly involve promoting knowledge spillovers and expanding the market size. An in-depth analysis of the digital economy has enabled the collaborative agglomeration of manufacturing and producer services in large, medium-sized, and small cities. The digital economy had the greatest effect on small cities, followed by medium-sized cities and large cities. The synergetic aggregation between the manufacturing and high-end producer services industries is significantly promoted by the digital economy. However, it was not found to have had a significant effect on the synergetic agglomeration between the manufacturing and low-end producer services industries. The impact of the digital economy on industrial collaborative agglomeration is nonlinear. Only when the level of the digital economy exceeds the threshold can the promoting effect of the digital economy on industrial collaborative agglomeration be manifested. In summary, the development of the digital economy was found to have promoted industrial collaboration and agglomeration in the study areas and their neighboring regions in the study period. The research results of this article are of great significance for achieving the goal of the “two-wheel drive” of the manufacturing and producer services industries, as well as high-quality economic development in China.
Modelling the Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Performance of Maximizing Asphalt Recycling on Road Pavement Surfaces in Europe
Authors: Buttitta Gabriella , Giancontieri Gaspare , Parry Tony , Lo Presti Davide
Published: October 2023

The road pavement industry, worldwide, has often shown reluctance in quickly implementing innovative practices; however, in the case of raw material consumption, a cultural change is necessary and, in this sense, sustainability assessment could play a major role. Along these lines, this research study aims to provide evidence to all the involved stakeholders (material producers, pavement contractors, and road authorities) of how life cycle-based techniques can be crucial in evaluating whether the adoption of asphalt mixtures with high contents of reclaimed asphalt (RA) for wearing courses is actually a sustainable practice for major European roads. An evaluation framework composed of a life cycle assessment, to calculate the carbon footprint of both pavement materials and pavement activities, and a life cycle cost assessment, performed to determine the overall economic burden of the related road pavement surface courses and maintenance strategies over a sixty-year analysis period, is presented and applied to selected case studies. These were developed together with three major European national road authorities and include scenarios involving the construction of road surfaces with asphalt mixtures containing up to 90% RA. Results have shown that whenever high-content RA mixes do not under-perform against conventional mixtures, up to 50% CO2eq savings can be registered and up to 60% economic cost reductions can be reported. The durability of road pavement layers remains a key parameter for any road pavement sustainability assessment exercises; therefore, in order to adapt the obtained results to other contexts, researchers should always consider conducting a sensitivity analysis of the reference service life and/or road authorities should somehow request road pavement durability as a pre-requisite within procurement practices.
Impact of Digital Service Trade Barriers and Cross-Border Digital Service Inputs on Economic Growth
Authors: Hao Shuang , Chen Zhi , Wang Chien-Chih , Hung Che-Yu
Published: October 2023

In this digital era, digital service trade has brought significant benefits to the global economy. However, this trade also poses considerable challenges to international trade regulations. This study aims to analyze the impact of cross-border digital service trade on the economic growth of importing countries while determining how digital trade barriers moderate this effect. We established a theoretical model that meticulously delineates various restrictive regulatory measures that can hinder digital service inputs. We further developed a comprehensive and detailed trade barrier index based on these measures. A three-dimensional fixed effects panel regression model was used to analyze data from six types of digital services in 48 economies from 2005 to 2021. The findings indicated that cross-border digital service inputs enhance importing countries’ economic growth, highlighting the substantial economic value of these inputs. However, trade barriers in digital services were also found to diminish this positive effect. Specifically, an increase in the digital service trade barriers in importing countries constricts the range and quality of selectable digital services, which might adversely impact national economic growth. The inhibitory effect is stronger for countries with a “Limited Model” for personal data transfers and processing.
The Experiential Wine Tourist’s Model: The Case of Gran Canaria Wine Cellar Establishments
Authors: Díaz-Meneses Gonzalo , Amador-Marrero Maica
Published: October 2023

This study aims to investigate how sensory experience shapes the perceived quality of wine cellars and how their surroundings foment loyalty to the destination. Although the predominant approach to wine experiences brings into focus the ‘drinking response’ in the cellar itself, this paper takes a holistic view and gives credit to the whole environment in which the cellar is situated, exploring the links between ecotourism and traditional sun, sea and sand destinations. We surveyed 222 tourists by following a non-probabilistic and convenience sampling procedure at fifteen cellars in Gran Canaria. To estimate the ‘enotourist’ experiential model, we performed a path analysis after confirming the reliability of the scales. Of the findings, the most significant is that destination loyalty relies on perceived quality and social interactions with the wine cellar’s staff. Similarly, satisfaction with the cellar also stems from the visitor’s experience of the surroundings. Finally, and crucially, experience is shaped primarily by the sense of touch, and to a lesser degree, by taste, smell and hearing. We highlight the implications for managers and suggest managerial strategies to enhance destination loyalty, increase satisfaction with the cellar and enrich the multidimensional ‘enotourism’ experience.
Synthesis and Characterizations of Fe-Doped NiO Nanoparticles and Their Potential Photocatalytic Dye Degradation Activities
Authors: Minisha S. , Johnson J. , Mohammad Wabaidur Saikh , Gupta Jeetendra Kumar , Aftab Sikandar , Siddiqui Masoom Raza , Lai Wen-Cheng
Published: October 2023

Recently, the preparation of smart multifunctional hybrid nanoparticles has captured significant interest in versatile areas, including medicine, environment, and food, due to their enhanced physicochemical properties. The present study focuses on the synthesis of Fe-doped NiO nanoparticles by the coprecipitation method using the sources of nickel (II) acetate tetrahydrate and iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate. The prepared Fe-doped NiO nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photon spectroscopic analysis. The XRD results clearly confirm the face-centered cubic structure and polycrystalline nature of the synthesized Fe-NiO nanoparticles. The Tauc plot analysis revealed that the bandgap energy of the Fe-doped NiO nanoparticles decreased with the increasing concentration of the Fe dopant from 2% to 8%. The XPS analysis of the samples exhibited the existence of elements, including Fe, Ni, and O, with the absence of any surplus compounds. The FE-SEM and TEM analyses proved the formation of nanostructured Fe-NiO with few spherical and mostly unevenly shaped particles. Further, the photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared Fe-doped NiO nanoparticles were identified by using the cationic dye rhodamine B (Rh-B). The photocatalytic results proved the 8% of Fe doped with NiO nanoparticles achieved 99% of Rh-B degradation within 40 min of visible-light irradiation. Hence, the results of the present study exemplified the Fe-doped NiO nanoparticles have acted as a noticeable photocatalyst to degrade the Rh-B dye.
Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Their Driving Forces of Ecological Service Value in Transitional Geospace: A Case Study in the Upper Reaches of the Minjiang River, China
Authors: Wei Fengran , Xiang Mingshun , Deng Lanlan , Wang Yao , Li Wenheng , Yang Suhua , Wu Zhenni
Published: October 2023

Ecosystem service value (ESV) is a key indicator for evaluating ecosystem services. Thus, a unique quantitative assessment instrument that comprehensively and objectively evaluates ESV is of great significance for protecting regional ecosystems and achieving sustainable development. Based on data for meteorology, hydrology, soil use, and land use, this paper comprehensively employs the InVEST model, spatial autocorrelation, and geographic detectors to study the spatiotemporal characteristics and driving forces of spatial variations in ESV in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River. The results indicate the following: (1) The ecosystem service capacity of the study area has continuously improved, with the ecosystem service value (ESV) increasing by USD 4.078 billion over 20 years. Soil conservation has made the most significant contribution to the growth of ESV, accounting for over 85%. (2) The distribution of ESV exhibits a “lower in the northwest, higher in the southeast” trend. The Moran’s I value for each year exceeds 0.7, indicating characteristics of High–High and Low–Low aggregation. (3) Slope plays a dominant role in causing the spatial differentiation of ESV, contributing 30.9%. Slope is followed by HAI at 19.7% and the urbanization rate at 16.8%. Rainfall has the least impact at 4%. (4) The results from the multi-factorial interactions reveal that all factors experience synergistic enhancement effects when interacting. The spatiotemporal differentiation of ESV is the result of multiple factors acting in conjunction, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts in ecological restoration and comprehensive environmental management in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River. The methodology of this research could be applied to assess the impact of natural changes and human activities on ESV. The findings offer theoretical support for regional resource and environmental management, as well as ecological compensation decision making.
The Use of Biologically Converted Agricultural Byproducts in Chicken Nutrition
Authors: Ababor Sebsib , Tamiru Metekia , Alkhtib Ashraf , Wamatu Jane , Kuyu Chala G. , Teka Tilahun A. , Terefe Lemlem Arega , Burton Emily
Published: October 2023

This article aims to uncover the current knowledge on using bioconverted agricultural byproducts in the chicken diet and the impact of these byproducts on performance, product quality, and health status. Agricultural and agro-industrial activities generate thousands of tons of byproducts. Converting these agricultural byproducts into valuable entities would be an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and viable part of byproduct management. Upon recycling to make new products, the process contributes to socio-economic value and maintaining environmental health and paves the way for realizing energy security and a circular economy. The current paper identifies that solid-state fermentation has attracted more research attention than other fermentation counterparts because it requires minimal moisture, good oxygen availability, cheap media, low wastewater generation, low cost, a low processing scheme, low energy demand, and high productivity. This paper illustrates the role of proteolytic and lignin-degrading enzymes present in bacteria and fungi in the bioconversion process of complex polymers into smaller molecules of amino acids and simple sugar with a profound improvement in the palatability and bioavailability of agricultural products. In addition, the paper gives more detailed insights into using bioconverted agricultural products in chickens to improve performance, product quality, gut microbiota and morphology, and chicken welfare. In conclusion, the bioconversion of agricultural byproducts is an encouraging endeavor that should be supported by governments, research centers, universities, and non-governmental entities to improve the productivity of animal source foods by ensuring environmental sustainability and expanding food security efforts for national development.
Photoprotective Cosmetic Emulsions Based on Brazilian Smectite Clays
Authors: Duarte Rafaella Resende de Almeida , Galdino Taynah Pereira , Rodrigues Alisson Mendes , Fook Marcus Vinicius Lia , Neves Gelmires de Araújo , Silva Suédina Maria de Lima
Published: October 2023

Photoprotective cosmetic emulsions have gained significant attention in the cosmetic industry due to their ability to protect against harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV). In this work, photoprotective cosmetic emulsions were prepared by adding 5% natural (Branca and Verde Inferior) and commercial (Brasgel and Cloisite) Brazilian clays to different photoprotective emulsions with and without UVA and UVB chemical filters (EB, EB1 and EB2). All clays were benefited (crushed, milled and sieved) and characterized (X ray fluorescence and X ray diffraction). Additionally, a thermal treatment (120 °C by 24 h) was accomplished in the natural clays, aimed at decontamination. The emulsions were characterized for their organoleptic properties, centrifugation test, viscous behavior, pH values and in vitro sun protection factor (SPF). The cosmetic emulsions prepared without any addition of UV chemical filters presented the lowest in vitro and UVB absorption values because the clays used (Cloisite and Branca) did not have the potential to absorb UV radiation. Although some of the cosmetic emulsions prepared from EB1 and EB2 photoprotective emulsions presented phase separation, all of them presented in vitro SPF values according to the Brazilian standard (above 6), indicating that they have the potential to be used in the cosmetic industry.
Object Detection of UAV Images from Orthographic Perspective Based on Improved YOLOv5s
Authors: Lu Feng , Li Kewei , Nie Yunfeng , Tao Yejia , Yu Yihao , Huang Linbo , Wang Xing
Published: October 2023

Object detection methods of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) images are greatly improved with the development of UAV technology. In comparison, the existing object detection methods of UAV images lack outstanding performance in the face of challenges such as small targets, dense scenes, sparse distribution, occlusion, and complex background, especially prominent in the task of vehicle detection. This paper proposed an improved YOLOv5s method to perform vehicle detection of UAV images. The CA (Coordinate Attention) is first applied to the neck of YOLOv5s to generate direction-aware and position-sensitive feature maps, respectively, to improve the detection accuracy of sparsely distributed vehicle targets in complex backgrounds. Then, an improved PAFPN (Path Aggregation Feature Pyramid Network) at the neck of YOLOv5s is proposed for more efficient detection of small and dense vehicle targets. Finally, the CIoU (Complete Intersection Over Union) loss function was used to calculate the bounding box regression to obtain a more comprehensive overlap measure to accommodate different shapes of vehicle targets. We conducted extensive experiments on the self-built UAV-OP (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle from Orthographic Perspective) dataset. The experimental results show that our method achieves the best detection accuracy with a small quantity of calculation increase compared with YOLOv5s. The mAP50 improved by 3%, and the mAP50:95 improved by 1.7% with a 0.3 GFlops increase.
New Lifetime Distribution with Applications to Single Acceptance Sampling Plan and Scenarios of Increasing Hazard Rates
Authors: Chinedu Eberechukwu Q. , Chukwudum Queensley C. , Alsadat Najwan , Obulezi Okechukwu J. , Almetwally Ehab M. , Tolba Ahlam H.
Published: October 2023

This article is an extension of the Chris-Jerry distribution (C-JD) in that a two-parameter Chris-Jerry distribution (TPCJD) is suggested and its characteristics are studied. Based on the determined domain of attraction and other major statistical properties, the proposed TPCJD seems to fit into the Gumbel domain. Additionally, it has been confirmed that the stress strength is reliable. The tail study suggests that the TPCJD’s substantial tail makes it suited for a range of applications. The study took into account the single acceptance sampling approach using both simulation and real-life situations. The parameters of the TPCJD were estimated by some classical and Bayesian approaches. The mean squared errors (MSE), linear-exponential, and generalized entropy loss functions were deployed to obtain the Bayesian estimators aided by the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation. An analysis of lifetime data on two events justified the use of the proposed distribution after comparing the results with some standard lifetime models.
Magnetic Field-Induced Resistivity Upturn and Non-Topological Origin in the Quasi-One-Dimensional Semimetals
Authors: Huang Yalei , Ye Rongli , Shen Weihao , Yao Xinyu , Cao Guixin
Published: October 2023

As a layered topological nodal line semimetals hosting a quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) crystalline structure, TaNiTe5 has attracted intensive attention. In this research, we analyze the low temperature (low-T) transport properties in single crystals of TaNiTe5. The high anisotropic transport behaviors confirm the anisotropic electronic structure in quasi-1D TaNiTe5. The resistivity shows a magnetic field-induced resistivity upturn followed by a plateau at low temperatures when current is parallel to the c axis and magnetic field is parallel to the b axis. An extremely large magnetoresistance of 1000% has been observed at 2 K and 13 T. Such a magnetic field-induced phenomenon can be generally explained using the topological theory, but we find that the behaviors are well accounted with the classical Kohler’s rule. The analysis of the Hall resistivity points to carrier compensation in TaNiTe5, fully justifying Kohler’s rule. Our findings imply that analogous magnetic field-induced low-T properties in nodal line semimetals TaNiTe5 can be understood in the framework of classical magnetoresistance theories that do not require to invoke the topological surface states.
Bayesian Analysis Using Joint Progressive Type-II Censoring Scheme
Authors: Ghazal Mohamed G. M. , Hasaballah Mustafa M. , EL-Sagheer Rashad M. , Balogun Oluwafemi Samson , Bakr Mahmoud E.
Published: October 2023

The joint censoring technique becomes crucial when the study’s aim is to assess the comparative advantages of products concerning their service times. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in progressive censoring as a means to reduce both cost and experiment duration. This article delves into the realm of statistical inference for the three-parameter Burr-XII distribution using a joint progressive Type II censoring approach applied to two separate samples. We explore both maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods for estimating model parameters. Furthermore, we derive approximate confidence intervals based on the observed information matrix and employ four bootstrap methods to obtain confidence intervals. Bayesian estimators are presented for both symmetric and asymmetric loss functions. Since closed-form solutions for Bayesian estimators are unattainable, we resort to the Markov chain Monte Carlo method to compute these estimators and the corresponding credible intervals. To assess the performance of our estimators, we conduct extensive simulation experiments. Finally, to provide a practical illustration, we analyze a real dataset.
Birefringence after Tellurium Nanosheets and Copper Intercalation
Authors: Zhu Hongliang , Fan Li , Wang Yuxuan , Wang Kaili , Liu Hao , Zhang Jiawei , Yan Shancheng
Published: October 2023

Symmetry-deficient two-dimensional (2D) layered materials induce a highly anisotropic optical response due to the anisotropy in their crystal structure, facilitating their application in polarized nanodevices. Intercalation is a new way to tune the optoelectronic properties of materials by inserting guest atoms into layered host materials, and 2D layered structures stacked with van der Waals gaps are a prerequisite for this phase of the technique. In this paper, 2D tellurium nanosheets were synthesized with a hydrothermal method, and copper atoms were inserted with a wet chemical method. The widening of the crystal plane spacing proves the introduction of copper atoms, and polarization−related second-harmonic-generation (SHG) studies reveal the intrinsic anisotropic modes of the two samples, and birefringent properties are found with polarizing light microscopy. We further investigated the electrical properties of the samples, and the embedding of the copper atoms caused the samples to exhibit higher currents, but their devices lost the gate control effect.
Heuristic Weight Initialization for Diagnosing Heart Diseases Using Feature Ranking
Authors: Lolaev Musulmon , Naik Shraddha M. , Paul Anand , Chehri Abdellah
Published: October 2023

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has had a broad impact on life to solve various tasks. Building AI models and integrating them with modern technologies is a central challenge for researchers. These technologies include wearables and implants in living beings, and their use is known as human augmentation, using technology to enhance human abilities. Combining human augmentation with artificial intelligence (AI), especially after the recent successes of the latter, is the most significant advancement in their applicability. In the first section, we briefly introduce these modern applications in health care and examples of their use cases. Then, we present a computationally efficient AI-driven method to diagnose heart failure events by leveraging actual heart failure data. The classifier model is designed without conventional models such as gradient descent. Instead, a heuristic is used to discover the optimal parameters of a linear model. An analysis of the proposed model shows that it achieves an accuracy of 84% and an F1 score of 0.72 with only one feature. With five features for diagnosis, the accuracy achieved is 83%, and the F1 score is 0.74. Moreover, the model is flexible, allowing experts to determine which variables are more important than others when implementing diagnostic systems.