bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Airborne Short-Baseline Millimeter Wave InSAR System Analysis and Experimental Results
Authors: Wang Luhao , Liu Yabo , Chen Qingxin , Zhou Xiaojie , Zhu Shuang , Chen Shilong
Published: March 2024

For the challenges of high-precision mapping in complex terrain, a novel airborne Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) system is designed. This system, named ASMIS (Airborne Short-Baseline Millimeter-Wave InSAR System), adopts the coplanar antenna and a pod-type structure. This design makes the system lightweight and highly integrated. It can be compatible with small general aviation flight platforms. The baseline is millimeters in size, which greatly simplifies the unwrapping process. The coplanar antennas have two advantages: they maximize the baseline utilization and minimize the Doppler decorrelation and the motion error inconsistency. Acquisition campaigns of the system have been carried out in Boao, Bayannur, and Chengde, China. In the Chengde experimental area, we designed an antiparallel flight experiment to account for the topographic relief. High-precision Digital Orthophoto Maps (DOMs) and Digital Surface Models (DSMs) at a scale of 1:5000 were obtained. The coordinate Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the checkpoints within the obtained DSM is less than 0.82 m in altitude and 3 m horizontally. The RMSE of the Sparse Ground Control Points (GCPs) within the obtained DSM is less than 0.3 m in altitude. Experimental results from different areas, including plains, mountains, and coastlines, demonstrate the system’s performance.
Decoupling and Parameter Extraction Methods for Conical Micro-Motion Object Based on FMCW Lidar
Authors: Yang Zhen , Yang Yufan , Liu Manguo , Wei Yuan , Zhang Yong , Zhang Jianlong , Liu Xue , Dai Xin
Published: March 2024

Micro-Doppler time–frequency analysis has been regarded as an important parameter extraction method for conical micro-motion objects. However, the micro-Doppler effect caused by micro-motion can modulate the frequency of lidar echo, leading to coupling between structure and micro-motion parameters. Therefore, it is difficult to extract parameters for micro-motion cones. We propose a new method for parameter extraction by combining the range profile of a micro-motion cone and the micro-Doppler time–frequency spectrum. This method can effectively decouple and accurately extract the structure and the micro-motion parameters of cones. Compared with traditional time–frequency analysis methods, the accuracy of parameter extraction is higher, and the information is richer. Firstly, the range profile of the micro-motion cone was obtained by using an FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) lidar based on simulation. Secondly, quantitative analysis was conducted on the edge features of the range profile and the micro-Doppler time–frequency spectrum. Finally, the parameters of the micro-motion cone were extracted based on the proposed decoupling parameter extraction method. The results show that our method can effectively extract the cone height, the base radius, the precession angle, the spin frequency, and the gravity center height within the range of a lidar LOS (line of sight) angle from 20° to 65°. The average absolute percentage error can reach below 10%. The method proposed in this paper not only enriches the detection information regarding micro-motion cones, but also improves the accuracy of parameter extraction and establishes a foundation for classification and recognition. It provides a new technical approach for laser micro-Doppler detection in accurate recognition.
The Effect of Pixel Design and Operation Conditions on Linear Output Range of 4T CMOS Image Sensors
Authors: Zhang Wenxuan , Xu Xing , Cheng Zhengxi
Published: March 2024

We analyze several factors that affect the linear output range of CMOS image sensors, including charge transfer time, reset transistor supply voltage, the capacitance of integration capacitor, the n-well doping of the pinned photodiode (PPD) and the output buffer. The test chips are fabricated with 0.18 μm CMOS image sensor (CIS) process and comprise six channels. Channels B1 and B2 are 10 μm pixels and channels B3–B6 are 20 μm pixels, with corresponding pixel arrays of 1 × 2560 and 1 × 1280 respectively. The floating diffusion (FD) capacitance varies from 10 fF to 23.3 fF, and two different designs were employed for the n-well doping in PPD. The experimental results indicate that optimizing the FD capacitance and PPD design can enhance the linear output range by 37% and 32%, respectively. For larger pixel sizes, extending the transfer gate (TG) sampling time leads to an increase of over 60% in the linear output range. Furthermore, optimizing the design of the output buffer can alleviate restrictions on the linear output range. The lower reset voltage for noise reduction does not exhibit a significant impact on the linear output range. Furthermore, these methods can enhance the linear output range without significantly amplifying the readout noise. These findings indicate that the linear output range of pixels is not only influenced by pixel design but also by operational conditions. Finally, we conducted a detailed analysis of the impact of PPD n-well doping concentration and TG sampling time on the linear output range. This provides designers with a clear understanding of how nonlinearity is introduced into pixels, offering valuable insight in the design of highly linear pixels.
Time-Efficient SNR Optimization of WMS-Based Gas Sensor Using a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Musiałek Filip , Szabra Dariusz , Wojtas Jacek
Published: March 2024

This paper presents the description of the wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) experiment, the parameters of which were established by use of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm. As a result, a significant improvement in the signal power to noise power ratio (SNR) was achieved, ranging from 1.6 to 6.5 times, depending on the harmonic. Typically, optimizing the operation conditions of WMS-based gas sensors is based on long-term simulations, complex mathematical model analysis, and iterative experimental trials. An innovative approach based on a biological-inspired genetic algorithm (GA) and custom-made electronics for laser control is proposed. The experimental setup was equipped with a 31.23 m Heriott multipass cell, software lock-in, and algorithms to control the modulation process of the quantum cascade laser (QCL) operating in the long-wavelength-infrared (LWIR) spectral range. The research results show that the applied evolutionary approach can efficiently and precisely explore a wide range of WMS parameter combinations, enabling researchers to dramatically reduce the time needed to identify optimal settings. It took only 300 s to test approximately 1.39 × 1032 combinations of parameters for key system components. Moreover, because the system is able to check all possible component settings, it is possible to unquestionably determine the operating conditions of WMS-based gas sensors for which the limit of detection (LOD) is the most favorable.
SonicGuard Sensor—A Multichannel Acoustic Sensor for Long-Term Monitoring of Abdominal Sounds Examined through a Qualification Study
Authors: Mansour Zahra , Uslar Verena , Weyhe Dirk , Hollosi Danilo , Strodthoff Nils
Published: March 2024

Auscultation is a fundamental diagnostic technique that provides valuable diagnostic information about different parts of the body. With the increasing prevalence of digital stethoscopes and telehealth applications, there is a growing trend towards digitizing the capture of bodily sounds, thereby enabling subsequent analysis using machine learning algorithms. This study introduces the SonicGuard sensor, which is a multichannel acoustic sensor designed for long-term recordings of bodily sounds. We conducted a series of qualification tests, with a specific focus on bowel sounds ranging from controlled experimental environments to phantom measurements and real patient recordings. These tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed sensor setup. The results show that the SonicGuard sensor is comparable to commercially available digital stethoscopes, which are considered the gold standard in the field. This development opens up possibilities for collecting and analyzing bodily sound datasets using machine learning techniques in the future.
LiMOX—A Point Cloud Lidar Model Toolbox Based on NVIDIA OptiX Ray Tracing Engine
Authors: Rott Relindis , Ritter David J. , Ladstätter Stefan , Nikolić Oliver , Hennecke Marcus E.
Published: March 2024

Virtual testing and validation are building blocks in the development of autonomous systems, in particular autonomous driving. Perception sensor models gained more attention to cover the entire tool chain of the sense–plan–act cycle, in a realistic test setup. In the literature or state-of-the-art software tools various kinds of lidar sensor models are available. We present a point cloud lidar sensor model, based on ray tracing, developed for a modular software architecture, which can be used stand-alone. The model is highly parametrizable and designed as a toolbox to simulate different kinds of lidar sensors. It is linked to an infrared material database to incorporate physical sensor effects introduced by the ray–surface interaction. The maximum detectable range depends on the material reflectivity, which can be covered with this approach. The angular dependence and maximum range for different Lambertian target materials are studied. Point clouds from a scene in an urban street environment are compared for different sensor parameters.
Development of a Small-Footprint 50 MHz Linear Array: Fabrication and Micro-Ultrasound Imaging Demonstration
Authors: Roa Carlos-Felipe , Chérin Emmanuel , Singh Nidhi , Yin Jianhua , Boyes Aaron , Foster F. Stuart , Demore Christine E. M.
Published: March 2024

Compact high-frequency arrays are of interest for clinical and preclinical applications in which a small-footprint or endoscopic device is needed to reach the target anatomy. However, the fabrication of compact arrays entails the connection of several dozens of small elements to the imaging system through a combination of flexible printed circuit boards at the array end and micro-coaxial cabling to the imaging system. The methods currently used, such as wire bonding, conductive adhesives, or a dry connection to a flexible circuit, considerably increase the array footprint. Here, we propose an interconnection method that uses vacuum-deposited metals, laser patterning, and electroplating to achieve a right-angle, compact, reliable connection between array elements and flexible-circuit traces. The array elements are thickened at the edges using patterned copper traces, which increases their cross-sectional area and facilitates the connection. We fabricated a 2.3 mm by 1.7 mm, 64-element linear array with elements at a 36 μm pitch connected to a 4 cm long flexible circuit, where the interconnect adds only 100 μm to each side of the array. Pulse-echo measurements yielded an average center frequency of 55 MHz and a −6 dB bandwidth of 41%. We measured an imaging resolution of 35 μm in the axial direction and 114 μm in the lateral direction and demonstrated the ex vivo imaging of porcine esophageal tissue and the in vivo imaging of avian embryonic vasculature.
Exploring the Link between Masculine Perceptions, Violence, Social Media Influence, and Weapon Carrying and Use: A Qualitative Inquiry into Arab Adolescent Boys and Young Men in Israel
Authors: Badarna Ibrahim , Gesser-Edelsburg Anat
Published: March 2024

Within the Arab community of Israel, the influence of masculine perceptions, violence, the carrying of weapons, and their subsequent use are growing concerns that significantly impact public safety. The omnipresence of social media further complicates this narrative, potentially reshaping traditional notions and behaviors associated with masculinity. This study endeavors to delve deep into the relationships between masculinity, violence, and weapon carrying and use and the role that social media plays in shaping these dynamics among Arab adolescent boys and young men in Israel. By employing a qualitative constructivist lens, the research integrated content analysis, digital ethnography, and rhetorical semiotic analysis. The participants included 40 Israeli Arab Muslim and Christian adolescent boys and young men. A recurrent theme was the belief in “Maktub”, signifying preordained events, pointing to a profound cultural relationship with fatalistic views on violence. Participants’ backgrounds in relation to violence influenced their stance on weapon carrying. There was a prevalent mistrust towards law enforcement. Social media’s role was pronounced, with genre preferences acting as indicators of violent inclinations. Culturally sensitive interventions are imperative, and it is essential to construct an early childhood educational program that includes positive male role models while collaborating with epistemic authorities.
Roles of Bryophytes in Forest Sustainability—Positive or Negative?
Authors: Glime Janice M.
Published: March 2024

Bryophytes were traditionally ignored in most studies of forest ecosystem processes, or they were included with litter or soil. In the last few decades we have begun to understand their many roles that permit them to be ecosystem engineers. This review serves to pull together many scattered sources into a single source on the many contributions bryophytes can perform as ecosystem engineers and to support what several authors have already stressed: that bryophytes should not be treated as a single functional group. It puts bryophytes in perspective in terms of richness and biomass, then explores their roles as ecosystem engineers; that is, their roles in altering diversity, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestering, water retention, erosion depression, temperature modification, fire protection, fire and logging recovery, interactions with mycorrhizal fungi, effects on seed germination, and seedling survival. Interactions with other species are mentioned, but those regarding animals are largely omitted in favor of more detailed description of their relationships with trees throughout the world. Bryophytes provide both positive and negative interactions with forest trees, depending on the tree species, the ecosystem, and the bryophyte species. It is clear that different bryophytes have many different functional roles in sustaining the forest and making it suitable for germination, seedling success, and maintaining the mature forest. This review indicates those important roles and how they apply differently according to both tree and bryophyte species, and that different management practices are needed, depending on both bryophyte species and tree species, to sustain different forest types.
Differences in Carbon Intensity of Energy Consumption and Influential Factors between Yangtze River Economic Belt and Yellow River Basin
Authors: Wang Qian , Chen Shiwei , Qu Tiantian
Published: March 2024

The Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yellow River Basin are significant economic and ecological zones in China, contributing over 70% of the nation’s total carbon emissions, crucial for achieving “peak carbon” and “carbon neutrality” targets. This study examines data spanning 2000 to 2020 from 19 provinces, employing time-series analysis and the Theil index to compare carbon intensity variations in energy consumption between the regions. Findings reveal mean Theil index values of 0.0482 and 0.1699 for the Yangtze and Yellow River Basins, respectively. While the Yangtze River basin displays modest carbon intensity differences with remaining intra-basin disparities, the Yellow River Basin exhibits substantial discrepancies, attributed to both inter-basin and intra-basin factors. Our geodetector underscores the significance of government regulation, population size, and economic development in influencing carbon intensity within the Yangtze River Economic Belt, with impact coefficients exceeding 0.75 while carbon intensity in the Yellow River Basin is influenced by population size, energy consumption, and government regulation, with impact coefficients surpassing 0.8. Additionally, interactions among these factors significantly affect disparities in carbon intensity, suggesting a synergistic effect. We propose leveraging key factors from both basins to orchestrate emissions reduction efforts.
Regional Innovation and Sustainable Development Interplay: Analyzing the Spatial Externalities of Domestic Demand in the New Development Paradigm
Authors: Shi Yufang , Jiang Yufeng , Xie Can , Li Cong
Published: March 2024

Building a great modern socialist country in all respects requires enhancing innovation capacity and establishing a new development pattern, especially in the context of sustainable development. This paper begins by analyzing the theoretical relationship between innovation and the spatial externality of domestic demand, constructing a theoretical model, and then empirically testing this model using provincial panel data from 2012 to 2020 through the Spatial Durbin model. The study underscores the importance of innovation in promoting sustainable economic growth, highlighting how it expands domestic demand through both supply and demand sides and positively affects the domestic demand in surrounding areas through spatial spillover effects. The empirical results reveal that innovation significantly boosts the level of domestic demand in the region and its environs, with the spatial spillover effect of domestic demand constituting 66.92% of the total effect. This underscores the relevance of spatial externality in sustainable economic planning. Innovation mainly stimulates domestic demand through consumption, aligning with sustainable consumption patterns, while exerting a moderate inhibitory effect on investment demand. The spatial externality of investment demand appears less significant. Overall, innovation drives the spatial externality of China’s domestic demand and significantly contributes to establishing a new development pattern of “dual circulation”, primarily focusing on the domestic cycle, within a framework of sustainable development. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that align innovation strategies with sustainable development goals.
Exploring the Intelligent Emergency Management Mode of Rural Natural Disasters in the Era of Digital Technology
Authors: Yang Jimei , Hou Hanping , Hu Hanqing
Published: March 2024

In recent years, rural areas of China have experienced frequent occurrences of various natural disasters. These calamities pose significant threats to the safety, property, and mental well-being of rural residents while also presenting substantial obstacles to the sustainable development of the rural economy. Currently, emergency management in China faces several challenges such as inadequate emergency institutions, insufficient security policies, weak disaster infrastructure, and difficulties in information sharing. In light of this situation, we propose an intelligent command mode based on modern digital technology that capitalizes on its advantages and integrates early warning systems with decision-making processes and rescue operations to establish a comprehensive emergency event processing system. This innovative approach opens up new avenues for exploring and researching effective modes of rural emergency management. The article elaborates on how the construction of a smart rural emergency management mode facilitates the digital integration of disaster elements while enhancing the efficiency of emergency response efforts and promoting sustainable development. The research methodology employed includes literature review methods along with field research techniques and analysis methods. Finally, this discussion evaluates both the benefits and challenges associated with implementing this mode within rural emergency management practices.
Research on Optimal Cooling Landscape Combination and Configuration Based on Local Climate Zones—Fuzhou, China
Authors: Cai Yuanbin , Gao Chen , Pan Wenbin , Chen Yanhong , Wu Zijing
Published: March 2024

The deterioration of the urban thermal environment has seriously affected the quality of life of urban residents, and studying the optimal cooling landscape combination and configuration based on local climate zones (LCZs) is crucial for mitigating the thermal environment. In this study, the LCZ system was combined to analyze the spatial and temporal changes to the thermal environment in the central area of Fuzhou, and the 159 blocks in the core area were selected to derive the optimal LCZ combination and configuration. The conclusions are as follows: (1) From 2013 to 2021, the building layout of the study area became more open and the building height gradually increased. The high-temperature areas were mainly clustered in the core area; (2) The LSTs for low-rise buildings (LCZ 3 (41.67 °C), LCZ 7 (40.10 °C), LCZ 8 (42.61 °C), and LCZ 10 (41.85 °C)) were higher than the LSTs for high-rise buildings (LCZ 1 (38.58 °C) and LCZ 4 (38.50 °C)); (3) The thermal contribution index for low building types was higher for dense buildings (LCZ 3 (0.4331), LCZ 8 (0.3149), and LCZ 10 (0.2325)) than for open buildings (LCZ 6 (0.0247) and LCZ 9 (0.0317)); (4) Blocks with an average LST of 36 °C had the most cost-effective cooling, and the combination and configuration of LCZs within such blocks were optimal. Our results can be used to better guide urban planners in managing LCZ combinations and configurations within blocks (the smallest planning unit) at an earlier phase of thermal environment design, and for appropriately adapting existing block layouts, providing a new perspective on urban thermal environment research with important implications for climate-friendly city and neighborhood planning.
Application of Natural-Resource-Based View to Nature-Based Tourism Destinations
Authors: Wang Xi , Kim Jewoo , Kim Jaewook , Koh Yoon
Published: March 2024

The present study investigates the impact of natural environments on tourism destinations in a holistic approach. Specifically, the impact of accessibility to beaches and environmental quality aspects (temperature, visibility, air quality, and water quality) on tourism businesses can be accessed based on a natural-resource-based view. Dynamic panel estimation is employed to analyze the financial performance of U.S. coastal hotels between 2008 and 2017. By employing the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) analysis, this aims to estimate coefficients consistently and impartially, thereby addressing endogeneity issues. According to findings of the present study, as hotels are close to beaches, they earn higher revenues and higher revenue per-available-room. Also, all four environmental factors are significant on coastal hotels’ financial performance. These findings underscore the importance of beach and environmental factors as location-specific tourism resources that provide a competitive advantage and demonstrate the application of natural-resource-based view to tourism destinations.
Trifluoroacetic Acid: Toxicity, Sources, Sinks and Future Prospects
Authors: Garavagno Maria de los Angeles , Holland Rayne , Khan Md Anwar Hossain , Orr-Ewing Andrew J. , Shallcross Dudley E.
Published: March 2024

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a known and persistent pollutant in the environment. Although several direct anthropogenic sources exist, production from the atmospheric degradation of fluorocarbons such as some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) has been a known source for some time. The current transition from HFCs to HFOs (hydrofluoroolefins) is beneficial from a global warming viewpoint because HFOs are much shorter-lived and pose a much smaller threat in terms of warming, but the fraction of HFOs converted into TFA is higher than seen for the corresponding HFCs and the region in which TFA is produced is close to the source. Therefore, it is timely to review the role of TFA in the Earth’s environment. This review considers its toxicity, sources and removal processes, measurement in a variety of environments, and future prospects. New global model integrations are used to quantify the impacts of uncertainties on TFA levels using the Henry’s Law constant for TFA and the range of gas-phase kinetic parameters chosen for the reaction of OH radicals with a representative HFO (HFO-1234yf). Model runs suggest that TFA surface concentrations vary by up to 10% based on Henry’s Law data but could be up to 25% smaller than previously modelled values suggest depending on the kinetic analysis adopted. Therefore, future estimates of TFA surface concentrations based on HFO removal require updating and the kinetic analysis of TFA production warrants further investigation. The toxicity of TFA appears to be low, but further studies of a much wider range of animal and plant types are required.
Framework for Implementing Industry 4.0 Projects
Authors: Raddi-Mira Leticya Hilario , Pecora Junior Jose Eduardo , Deschamps Fernando
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a structured framework for implementing Industry 4.0 projects. The framework is developed through an extensive review of the existing literature, wherein potential challenges and success factors related to adopting disruptive technologies in such projects are systematically analyzed and categorized. Additionally, the authors introduce a semi-structured questionnaire tailored for interviews with key decision-makers in companies strategically pursuing digital transformation. This questionnaire is designed to elicit valuable insights based on the experiences and perspectives of these decision-makers. The resulting framework is synthesized from the interviews and literature review. It delineates the essential steps necessary for the effective implementation of Industry 4.0 projects, focusing on establishing strategic priorities as the foundational stage of the entire process.
Quality of Life as a Limiting Factor in the Development of the Region along the Great Bačka Canal (Serbia)
Authors: Lalić Milan , Bubalo Živković Milka , Đerčan Bojan , Tekić Dragana
Published: March 2024

This paper presents the results of a study of the regional–demographic characteristics and the quality of life of the population of Central Bačka, carried out in five municipalities along the Great Bačka Canal (June–August 2022). It included 870 respondents (0.5% of the total adult population). This is a region that has considerable potential for satisfaction with quality of life; however, the studied area has undergone socioeconomic stagnation, so it was necessary to analyze the effect that the activities of all the existing natural and anthropogenic elements could have on mitigating the negative trends of development in an area where the staple of the economy is agricultural production and which was one of the most-developed areas in Serbia. The aim of this study was to identify the factors that impact the perceptions of the population regarding quality of life in the settlements of Central Bačka to define measures that could improve their quality of life. The hypothesis was that, based on the identified factors, the population is not satisfied with their quality of life, which could have a significant impact on demographic trends; there are statistically significant differences in the attitudes of the respondents surrounding basic standard-of-living elements, depending on their sociodemographic characteristics. The instrument used in the study consisted of two parts. The first part of the questionnaire was designed to compile the sociodemographic features of the participants, and the second part was used to study the indicators that determine quality of life. The non-parametric techniques used in this study were the Mann–Whitney U test and the Kruskal–Wallis test. The results indicated a medium or low degree of satisfaction with most of the indicators, confirming the proposed hypothesis regarding differences in the subjective perception of well-being compared to the sociodemographic characteristics of the studied population.
Smart Cities and Global Value Chain Upgrading: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhao Jing , Wang Wei , Zhao Shuhui
Published: March 2024

China has been on a new journey pursuing high-quality development, an important element of which is global value chain (GVC) upgrading. The smart city pilot policy, which aims at reshaping the urban development model in China, is carried out and regarded conducive to achieving high-quality development. Nevertheless, regarding whether and how smart cities could promote GVC upgrading, research is scant. We adopted the approach of time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) and used a dataset that encompassed 174 prefecture-level cities between 2005 and 2017 to investigate the impact of China’s smart city pilot policy on the GVC upgrading of cities. The findings indicate that, firstly, GVC upgrading is significantly enhanced by building smart cities in China. Secondly, this favorable influence on GVC upgrading is mainly through channels of informatization, innovation, and industrial structure adjustment. Thirdly, the influence is more pronounced in eastern cities and cities with better conditions in terms of human capital, fiscal capacity, and information infrastructure. This research provides evidence and policy implications for China to move forward with the smart city establishment in a bid to upgrade GVCs and achieve high-quality growth.
Mutations at Two Key Sites in PP2A Safeguard Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons from Microcystin-LR Toxicity
Authors: Zhan Chunhua , Gong Jianke
Published: March 2024

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a secondary metabolite produced by cyanobacteria, globally renowned for its potent hepatotoxicity. However, an increasing body of research suggests that it also exhibits pronounced neurotoxicity. PP2A is a fundamental intracellular phosphatase that plays a pivotal role in cell development and survival. Although extensive research has focused on the binding of MC-LR to the C subunit of PP2A, few studies have explored the key amino acid sites that can prevent the binding of MC-LR to PP2A-C. Due to the advantages of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), such as ease of genetic editing and a short lifespan, we exposed nematodes to MC-LR in a manner that simulated natural exposure conditions based on MC-LR concentrations in natural water bodies (immersion exposure). Our findings demonstrate that MC-LR exerts comprehensive toxicity on nematodes, including reducing lifespan, impairing reproductive capabilities, and diminishing sensory functions. Notably, and for the first time, we observed that MC-LR neurotoxic effects can persist up to the F3 generation, highlighting the significant threat that MC-LR poses to biological populations in natural environments. Furthermore, we identified two amino acid sites (L252 and C278) in PP2A-C through mutations that prevented MC-LR binding without affecting PP2A activity. This discovery was robustly validated through behavioral studies and neuronal calcium imaging using nematodes. In conclusion, we identified two crucial amino acid sites that could prevent MC-LR from binding to PP2A-C, which holds great significance for the future development of MC-LR detoxification drugs.
Porcine Deltacoronavirus Occurrence in the United States Breeding Herds since Its Emergence in 2014
Authors: Kikuti Mariana , Picasso-Risso Catalina , Corzo Cesar A.
Published: March 2024

PDCoV, an enveloped RNA virus, causes atrophic enteritis in neonatal piglets, leading to diarrhea, malabsorption, dehydration, and death. The study aims to fill the gap in the current epidemiological information about PDCoV in the U.S. pig population after its emergence in 2014. Data from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP) between January 2015 and December 2023 were analyzed, representing approximately 60% of the U.S. breeding herd. Participating herds report weekly PDCoV health status. In total, 244 PDCoV outbreaks occurred in 186 sites from 22 production systems across 16 states. Case counts peaked during winter, and incidence ranged from 0.44% in 2017 to 4.28% in 2023. For sites that experienced more than one PDCoV outbreak during the study period, the interval between outbreaks was a median of 2.11 years. The South and Midwest regions reported the majority of cases. In 2017, a shift in the spatial distribution of cases from the Midwest to the South was observed. The findings underscore the importance of continued monitoring and strengthened control measures to mitigate the impact of PDCoV in U.S. breeding herds.
The Accumulation of Phenyllactic Acid Impairs Host Glutamine Metabolism and Inhibits African Swine Fever Virus Replication: A Novel Target for the Development of Anti-ASFV Drugs
Authors: Dai Junfei , Ma Xusheng , Wubshet Ashenafi Kiros , Li Qian , Shang Xiaofen , Luo Zhikuan , Liu Jianan , Li Zhiyu , Li Mingxia , Song Yujie , Guo Lijun , Zhang Jie , Zheng Haixue
Published: March 2024

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and hemorrhagic disease caused by infection with the African swine fever virus (ASFV), resulting in a mortality rate of up to 100%. Currently, there are no effective treatments and commercially available vaccines for ASF. Therefore, it is crucial to identify biochemicals derived from host cells that can impede ASFV replication, with the aim of preventing and controlling ASF. The ASFV is an acellular organism that promotes self-replication by hijacking the metabolic machinery and biochemical resources of host cells. ASFV specifically alters the utilization of glucose and glutamine, which are the primary metabolic sources in mammalian cells. This study aimed to investigate the impact of glucose and glutamine metabolic dynamics on the rate of ASFV replication. Our findings demonstrate that ASFV infection favors using glutamine as a metabolic fuel to facilitate self-replication. ASFV replication can be substantially inhibited by blocking glutamine metabolism. The metabolomics analysis of the host cell after late-stage ASFV infection revealed a significant disruption of normal glutamine metabolic pathways due to the abundant expression of PLA (phenyllactic acid). Pretreatment with PLA also inhibited ASFV proliferation and glutamine consumption following infection. The metabolomic analysis also showed that PLA pretreatment greatly slowed down the metabolism of amino acids and nucleotides that depend on glutamine. The depletion of these building blocks directly hindered the replication of ASFV by decreasing the biosynthetic precursors produced during the replication of ASFV’s progeny virus. These findings provide valuable insight into the possibility of pursuing the development of antiviral drugs against ASFV that selectively target metabolic pathways.
Soil Moisture Forecast Using Transfer Learning: An Application in the High Tropical Andes
Authors: Escobar-González Diego , Villacís Marcos , Páez-Bimos Sebastián , Jácome Gabriel , González-Vergara Juan , Encalada Claudia , Vanacker Veerle
Published: March 2024

Soil moisture is a critical variable in the hydrological cycle and the climate system, significantly impacting water resources, ecosystem functioning, and the occurrence of extreme events. However, soil moisture data are often scarce, and soil water dynamics are not fully understood in mountainous regions such as the tropical Andes of Ecuador. This study aims to model and predict soil moisture dynamics using in situ-collected hydrometeorological data for training and data-driven machine-learning techniques. Our results highlight the fundamental role of vegetation in controlling soil moisture dynamics and significant differences in soil water balance related to vegetation types and topography. A baseline model was developed to predict soil moisture dynamics using neural network techniques. Subsequently, by employing transfer-learning techniques, this model was effectively applied to different soil horizons and profiles, demonstrating its generalization capacity and adaptability. The use of neural network schemes and knowledge transfer techniques allowed us to develop predictive models for soil moisture trained on in situ-collected hydrometeorological data. The transfer-learning technique, which leveraged the knowledge from a pre-trained model to a model with a similar domain, yielded results with errors on the order of 1×10−6<ϵ<1×10−3. For the training data, the forecast of the base network demonstrated excellent results, with the lowest magnitude error metric RMSE equal to 4.77×10−6, and NSE and KGE both equal to 0.97. These models show promising potential to accurately predict short-term soil moisture dynamics with potential applications for natural hazard monitoring in mountainous regions.
Characteristics of Urban Flood Resilience Evolution and Analysis of Influencing Factors: A Case Study of Yingtan City, China
Authors: Yuan Donghai , Wang Hui , Wang Chen , Yan Chenling , Xu Lili , Zhang Chunyang , Wang Jiazhuo , Kou Yingying
Published: March 2024

Intense climate change and rapid urbanization have increased the risk of urban flooding, seriously affecting urban economic and social stability. Enhancing urban flood resilience (UFR) has required a new solution to cope with urban flood disasters. In this study, taking Yingtan city as an example, a system of indicators for evaluating UFR was constructed, with 17 representative indicators, comprising three subsystems: socio-economic, ecological, and infrastructural. A hybrid model combining Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), Entropy Weight Method (EWM), and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was applied, to develop an index-based measurement to compare and evaluate UFR, and Gray Relational Analysis (GRA) was used to discover the main factors affecting UFR. In addition, the natural discontinuous method was innovatively used to divide the UFR grade interval into levels, and the grade change was evaluated based on the TOPSIS method. The results showed that (1) From 2010 to 2022, the UFR in Yingtan City increased by 80.69%, and the factors affecting UFR were highly correlated with urban infrastructure development; however, the ecological resilience in the subsystem showed a fluctuating downward trend because of the influence of the surface area of lakes and rivers; (2) The grades of UFR for Yingtan City increased from Level III (2010 and 2016) to Level IV (2022), with local financial expenditures and the age structure of the population being the main factors currently limiting the development of UFR. The study provides a theoretical basis for the construction of an indicator system for assessing the UFR of Yingtan and proposes practical improvement directions for UFR.
Etiology and pathogenesis of mental disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis: anxiety, psychotic, and personality disorders, chemical addictions, pathological affect
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education ", Zimina P.A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University", Gubskaya K.V. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Ivanovo State Medical Academy" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Sinitsyna L.V. ,   RBHI City Clinical Hospital No. 3, Ivanovo, Malygin Ya.V. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Lomonosov Moscow State University"; Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Russian University of Medicine", Akhpashev A.A. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Lomonosov Moscow State University"
Published: March 2024

Multiple sclerosis, being a disabling disease, is associated with an increased risk of comorbid mental disorders among adult patients. This literature review is intended to reflect the general picture of MS comorbidity and the spectrum of anxiet y and psychotic disorders: prevalence, features of clinical manifestations, and risk factors of the occurrence of such syntropy. The volume of literature data on the given topic is limited by cross-sectional studies and individual clinical cases, while longitudinal studies that can predict the likelihood of occurrence, course, and outcome of the disease are limited.
Geoeducação e geotrilha na pista Cláudio Coutinho nos monumentos naturais da montanha do Pão de Açúcar e Morro da Urca, Brasil
Authors: Nascimento Gleide Alencar do
Published: March 2024

A cidade do Rio de Janeiro é famosa pelos seus monumentos naturais, tais como a Montanha do Pão de Açúcar e o Morro da Urca.  O cenário foi ainda mais contemplado pela Pista Cláudio Coutinho, que permite explorar a rica associação entre geotrilhas, geoeducação e geoturismo. Os granitos e gnaisses característicos do local são resultado do evento de colisão continental que formou o Gondwana, o que torna a área um geossítio. A história da região e a geociências relatada durante a geotrilha tem por objetivo estimular a conscientização sobre o geopatrimônio da área e despertas o interesse pelas geociências. Duas geotrilhas foram realizadas, uma com turma de 5º ano da Escola Municipal Minas Gerais localizada no bairro da Urca e outra com público em geral. Através da análise dos trabalhos feitos pelas crianças ao final da atividade, os assuntos que mais despertaram interesse foram a mineralogia, seguida pelas rochas e os processos de erosão que as afetam e por último a teoria da tectônica de placas. Para o público em geral não houve uma avaliação de conteúdo, mas pelo relativo número de pessoas e perguntas presentes se verifica o interesse para o aprendizado em geociências. É notório pela atividade realizada que através dos recursos geológicos e geomorfológicos abundantes e cenicamente atraentes promovem uma base sólida para promover popularização das geociências.
Da imagem erótica e/ou pornográfica no soneto amor fiel, de Gregório de Matos
Authors: Teixeira Victória Kaylânne Leonel , Freire Maria Rita Fernandes , Santos Filipe Coelho dos , Sousa Bernardo Pereira de , Braz Rafael Francisco
Published: March 2024

Na perspectiva do barroco, ocorre à prevalência de uma estrutura interna que é formada pelo dualismo, a partir dessa noção são perceptíveis às unidades de estilo, em especial, ao erotismo nas obras de Gregório de Matos e, especial, na lírica que teve como influência Gôngora e Quevedo. Além disso, observa-se nas suas composições nas quais há mesclas com a religiosidade, misticismo que gera, também, um naturalismo sensual. Nesse sentido, é importante nos atentarmos a discussão entre a diferenciação que acontece entre o erótico e/ou pornográfico, além de estabelecer a relevância do vocabulário obsceno presente nas obras em que traz uma significação e subversão de muitos conceitos. Ao se manter sobre esse recorte de temáticas, não podemos modificar o fato de separar a realidade da fabulação e considerar a importância do vocabulário obsceno no sentido da realidade. Portanto, neste artigo, é propor uma investigação sobre o soneto Amor Fiel, de Gregório de Matos, com o intuito de analisar a temática de sexualidade, integrando as concepções de erótico e/ou pornográfico e as representações de léxicos obscenos. Para atingir ao objetivo deste artigo, tomamos como metodologia de cunho qualitativo e de caráter bibliográfico-descritivo (PAIVA, 2019). Para este estudo, lançamos mão dos pressupostos teóricos postos por Castello (2004), Coutinho (2007), Candido (2009), Pontes (2021) e Bosi (2022) Moraes (1985), Bachelard (1989) e Paz (1994), que se referem aos estudos sobre o barroco brasileiro, amor e sexualidade. A análise nos mostra que o soneto Amor Fiel é marcado de postulados sobre o erótico e as peculiaridades em sua composição formal, assim, o estudo realizado intensifica a discussão sobre o erótico e/ou pornográfico e a estética sobre a suposição de um amor que é idealizado, assim, demostra o conjunto de condições antitéticas entre a atração/escolha, fidelidade/traição, corpo/alma.
ANALISIS PENGARUH LINGKUNGAN KERJA DAN MOTIVASI KERJA TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN (Studi pada PT. Multi Instrumentasi Mandiri)
Authors: Astriono Ani , Widowati Maduretno
Published: March 2024

This study aims to analyze the effect of the work environment on employee performance, analyze the effect of work motivation on employee performance, analyze the simultaneous effect of work environment and work motivation on employee performance. This research is a quantitative descriptive study that serves to explain the description of the object of research through primary data obtained from the distribution of questionnaires, then the data from the questionnaires were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis with the help of SPSS software. The results of this study indicate that the work environment variable has a significant effect on employee performance, this shows a value of 0.000 <0.05, the work motivation variable has a significant influence on employee performance, this is also evidenced by a value of 0.000 <0.05. Work environment variables and work motivation together have a significant effect on employee performance, this is evidenced by the results of 0.000 <0.05.\Keywords: Work Environment, Work Motivation and Employee Performance
Pengaruh Promosi dan Harga terhadap Loyalitas Konsumen dengan Kepuasan Konsumen sebagai Variabel Intervening (Studi Pada Konsumen Sepeda Motor Honda di Temanggung)
Authors: Surahman Surahman , Indriyatni Lies , Wahyuningsih Susanti
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of promotion and price on consumer satisfaction as an intervening variable, and the effect of promotion, price, and customer satisfaction on consumer loyalty. The research method used in this research is path analysis. The research population is Honda motorcycle consumers. The sample of this study was 120 people with a non-probability sampling technique with a purposive sampling approach, namely the researcher chose a purposive sample subjectively. The method of collecting data is by using a questionnaire distributed through the gppgle form. The type of data used is primary data. The results of this study indicate that promotion has an effect on consumer satisfaction and price has an effect on consumer satisfaction. Promotions and prices affect consumer loyalty, consumer satisfaction affects consumer loyalty. Promotion and price affect consumer loyalty with consumer satisfaction as an intervening variable.Keywords: Promotion, price, consumer satisfaction, and consumer loyalty
The Interplay of Profitability and Social Responsibility in Achieving Institutional Excellence: An Exploratory Study in Government and Private Hospitals in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Dirbas Waleed Ahmed , Al Haddad Heba Mohammed
Published: March 2024

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the healthcare sector has been evolving rapidly, presenting a dynamic landscape where the pursuit of financial viability intersects with the imperative of social responsibility. This study investigates the intricate relationship between profitability and social responsibility and their collective impact on achieving institutional excellence in government and private hospitals. Employing an exploratory approach, a comprehensive analysis of qualitative and quantitative data was conducted to discern the patterns and trends shaping the healthcare landscape in the context of the Saudi Arabian society.
The study reveals that while financial viability remains a crucial aspect for the sustenance and growth of hospitals, social responsibility has emerged as a key determinant in building trust and establishing long-term credibility within the community.
Celebrating A New Milestone for Environmental Research and Technology
Authors: Demir Ahmet , Bilgili Mehmet Sinan
Published: March 2024

Leading the launch of a new journal as Editors-in-Chief has been a captivating journey filled with triumphs and challenges. In the beginning of 2017, we commenced our efforts on the inaugural issue of the Environmental Research and Technology. Since our inception in 2018, our journal has been dedicated to fostering cutting-edge research in environmental science and technology, striving to address the critical challenges facing our planet. Today, as we stand on the threshold of another year of scholarly exploration and dissemination, it is an opportune moment to reflect on our accomplishments, express our appreciation, and outline our vision for the future. As we commence the new volume of Environmental Research and Technology Journal in the year 2024, it is with great pleasure and a sense of profound gratitude that we address you.