bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride by hollow nanofiber Ag@ZnGa2O4/ZnO with synergistic effects of LSPR and S-scheme interface engineering
Authors: Chen Zhiyuan , Chen Wenhui , Han Peipei , Yang Jizhou , Wan Zhi , Hu Peng , Teng Feng , Fan Haibo
Published: October 2024

Compared with traditional photocatalytic materials, hollow nanofibers can show greatly improved photocatalytic efficiency due to their large specific surface area and more surface-active sites.
One-pot and large-scale production of uniform ytterbium-doped perovskite nanocrystals with controllable optical properties
Authors: Chu Jing , Zhang Linxuan , Lv Quanjie , Han Yijun , Sun Kang , Tao Ke
Published: October 2024

Monodispersed Yb3+:CsPbCl3 nanocrystals with tunable optical properties were synthesized via a scalable one-pot method. The mechanism of size evolution based on digestive ripening was proposed.
Ground fault protection algorithm of active distribution network based on energy extremum direction
Authors: Jun Li , Min He , Shoudao Huang , Xuan Wu , lv Fan , Yong Liu Zhi
Published: October 2024

After large‐scale distributed power sources are connected to the distribution network, the fault current undergoes noticeable changes, affecting the accuracy of traditional single‐phase grounding fault algorithms. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to address the impact of distributed power integration on the grounding algorithms of distribution networks. The main contribution is: by establishing an electrical system structure and model for distribution network grounding faults that include distributed generation (DG), theoretically deriving and calculating the transient zero‐sequence current frequency changes at the moment of fault, analysing the directional characteristics of zero‐sequence currents under DG connection conditions, designing a local grounding fault judgment algorithm based on energy extremum direction, and providing a fault judgment and isolation process for grounding fault monitoring devices. The results show: through simulation and experimentation, the algorithm was tested, and the method can reliably judge grounding faults under various transition resistances, different numbers and capacities of connected distributed power sources, and different grounding switch‐on angles. The applicability of the algorithm covers both methods of neutral grounding through an arc suppression coil and ungrounded neutrals, adapting to scenarios with or without DG connections.
Super‐resolution reconstruction algorithm for medical images by fusion of wavelet transform and multi‐scale adaptive feature selection
Authors: Wang QiaoSu , Ma Qiaomei
Published: October 2024

Conventional computed tomography (CT) images often suffer from blurred edges and unclear details. Image super‐resolution methods can significantly enhance CT image quality, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. To better extract detailed features and enhance the cascading effects of different feature levels, we propose a novel medical image super‐resolution algorithm that integrates discrete wavelet transform and multi‐scale adaptive feature selection. Our approach uses both the low‐resolution image and its high‐frequency component from the frequency domain as network inputs, with the high‐frequency component providing learning supervision, which enhances detail fidelity in reconstruction. Additionally, we introduce a multi‐scale adaptive feature selection module to learn from different layers of CT images and their inter‐layer correlations. Finally, the pixel information is efficiently integrated by a coordinate attention mechanism incorporating the concept of squeeze excitation. Experimental results show that our method outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods, achieving superior reconstruction at scale factors of 2, 4, and 8, especially at scale factor 8, where it surpasses others by 1.12 in PSNR, 0.0145 in SSIM, and 0.0038 in LPIPS. Visually, our method also delivers more accurate details and better perceptual quality.
The Pristine survey
Authors: Martin Nicolas F. , Starkenburg Else , Yuan Zhen , Fouesneau Morgan , Ardern-Arentsen Anke , De Angeli Francesca , Gran Felipe , Montelius Martin , Rusterucci Samuel , Andrae René , Bellazzini Michele , Montegriffo Paolo , Esselink Anna F. , Zhang Hanyuan , Venn Kim A. , Viswanathan Akshara , Aguado David S. , Battaglia Giuseppina , Bayer Manuel , Bonifacio Piercarlo , Caffau Elisabetta , Côté Patrick , Carlberg Raymond , Fabbro Sébastien , Fernández-Alvar Emma , González Hernández Jonay I. , González Rivera de La Vernhe Isaure , Hill Vanessa , Ibata Rodrigo A. , Jablonka Pascale , Kordopatis Georges , Lardo Carmela , McConnachie Alan W. , Navarrete Camila , Navarro Julio , Recio-Blanco Alejandra , Janssen Rubén Sánchez , Sestito Federico , Thomas Guillaume F. , Vitali Sara , Youakim Kristopher
Published: October 2024

We used the spectro-photometric information of ∼219 million stars from Gaia’s Data Release 3 (DR3) to calculate synthetic, narrowband, metallicity-sensitive CaHK magnitudes that mimic the observations of the Pristine survey, a survey of photometric metallicities of Milky Way stars that has been mapping more than 6500 deg2 of the northern sky with the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope since 2015. These synthetic magnitudes were used for an absolute recalibration of the deeper Pristine photometry and, combined with broadband Gaia information, synthetic and Pristine CaHK magnitudes were used to estimate photometric metallicities over the whole sky. The resulting metallicity catalogue is accurate down to [Fe/H]∼−3.5 and is particularly suited for the exploration of the metalpoor Milky Way ([Fe/H] < −1.0). We make available here the catalogue of synthetic CaHKsyn magnitudes for all stars with BP/RP information in Gaia DR3, as well as an associated catalogue of more than ∼30 million photometric metallicities for high signal-to-noise FGK stars. This paper further provides the first public data release of the Pristine catalogue in the form of higher quality recalibrated Pristine CaHK magnitudes and photometric metallicities for all stars in common with the BP/RP spectro-photometric information in Gaia DR3. We demonstrate that, when available, the much deeper Pristine data greatly enhance the quality of the derived metallicities, in particular at the faint end of the catalogue (GBP ≳ 16). Combined, both photometric metallicity catalogues include more than two million metal-poor star candidates ([Fe/H]phot < −1.0) as well as more than 200 000 and ∼8000 very and extremely metal-poor candidates ([Fe/H]phot < −2.0 and < −3.0, respectively). Finally, we show that these metallicity catalogues can be used efficiently, among other applications, for Galactic archaeology, to hunt for the most metal-poor stars, and to study how the structure of the Milky Way varies with metallicity, from the flat distribution of disk stars to the spheroid-shaped metal-poor halo.
Revised spin for the black hole in GRS 1716-249 given a new distance determination
Authors: Zhao S. J. , Tao L. , Yin Q. Q. , Zhang S. N. , Ma R. C. , Li P. P. , Zhao Q. C. , Ge M. Y. , Zhang L. , Qu J. L. , Zhang S. , Ma X. , Huang Y. , Peng J. Q. , Xiao Y. X.
Published: October 2024

GRS 1716–249 is a stellar-mass black hole in a low-mass X-ray binary that underwent a giant outburst in 2016–17. In this paper, we use simultaneous observations from the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (Insight-HXMT) and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) to determine its basic parameters. The observations were performed during the softest part of the outburst and the spectra show clear thermal disk emission and reflection features. We fit the X-ray energy spectra using the joint fitting method of the continuum and reflection components with the kerrbb2 + relxill model. Since there is a possibility that the distance to this source was previously underestimated, we used the latest distance parameter of 6.9 kpc in our study, in contrast to previous works, where the distance was set at 2.4 kpc. Through a spectral fitting of the black hole mass at 6.4 M⊙, we observe a strong dependence of the derived spin on the distance: a* = 0.972−0.005+0.004 at an assumed distance of 2.4 kpc and a∗ = 0.464−0.007+0.016 at an assumed distance of 6.9 kpc, at a confidence level of 90%. When considering the uncertainties in the distance and black hole mass, there will be a wider range of spin with a*< 0.78. The fitting results with the new distance indicate that GRS 1716–249 harbors a moderate spin black hole with an inclined (i ∼ 40 − 50°) accretion disk around it. Additionally, we have also found that solely using the method of reflection component fitting, while ignoring the constraints on the spin from the accretion disk component will result in an extremely high spin.
HYPERION. Shedding light on the first luminous quasars: A correlation between UV disc winds and X-ray continuum
Authors: Tortosa A. , Zappacosta L. , Piconcelli E. , Bischetti M. , Done C. , Miniutti G. , Saccheo I. , Vietri G. , Bongiorno A. , Brusa M. , Carniani S. , Chilingarian I. V. , Civano F. , Cristiani S. , D’Odorico V. , Elvis M. , Fan X. , Feruglio C. , Fiore F. , Gallerani S. , Giallongo E. , Gilli R. , Grazian A. , Guainazzi M. , Haardt F. , Luminari A. , Maiolino R. , Menci N. , Nicastro F. , Petrucci P. O. , Puccetti S. , Salvestrini F. , Schneider R. , Testa V. , Tombesi F. , Tripodi R. , Valiante R. , Vallini L. , Vanzella E. , Vasylenko A. , Vignali C. , Vito F. , Volonteri M. , La Franca F.
Published: October 2024

One of the main open questions in the field of luminous (Lbol > 1047 erg s−1) quasars (QSOs) at z ≳ 6 is the rapid formation (< 1 Gyr) of their supermassive black holes (SMBHs). For this work we analysed the relation between the X-ray properties and other properties describing the physics and growth of both the accretion disc and the SMBH in QSOs at the Epoch of Reionization (EoR). The sample consists of 21 z > 6 QSOs, which includes 16 sources from the rapidly grown QSOs from the HYPERION sample and five other luminous QSOs with available high-quality archival X-ray data. We discovered a strong and statistically significant (> 3σ) relation between the X-ray continuum photon index (Γ) and the C IV disc wind velocity (vC․IV) in z > 6 luminous QSOs, whereby the higher the vC․IV, the steeper the Γ. This relation suggests a link between the disc–corona configuration and the kinematics of disc winds. Furthermore, we find evidence at > 2 − 3σ level that Γ and vC․IV are correlated to the growth rate history of the SMBH. Although additional data are needed to confirm it, this result may suggest that, in luminous z > 6 QSOs, the SMBH predominantly grows via fast accretion rather than via initial high seed BH mass.
Accretion tori around rotating neutron stars
Authors: Matuszková Monika , Török Gabriel , Klimovičová Kateřina , Horák Jiří , Straub Odele , Šrámková Eva , Lančová Debora , Urbanec Martin , Urbancová Gabriela , Karas Vladimír
Published: October 2024

The four characteristic oscillation frequencies of accretion flows (in addition to the Keplerian orbital frequency) are often discussed in the context of the time variability of black hole and neutron star (NS) low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). These four frequencies are the frequencies of the axisymmetric radial and vertical epicyclic oscillations, and the frequencies of non-axisymmetric oscillations corresponding to the periastron (radial) and Lense-Thirring (vertical) precessions. In this context, we investigated the effect of the quadrupole moment of a slowly rotating NS and provide complete formulae for calculating these oscillation and precession frequencies, as well as convenient approximations. Simple formulae corresponding to the geodesic limit of a slender torus (and test-particle motion) and the limit of a marginally overflowing torus (a torus exhibiting a critical cusp) are presented, and more general approximate formulae are included to allow calculations for arbitrarily thick tori. We provide the Wolfram Mathematica code used for our calculations together with the C++ and PYTHON codes for calculating the frequencies. Our formulae can be used for various calculations regarding the astrophysical signatures of the NS super-dense matter equation of state. For instance, we demonstrate that even for a given fixed number of free parameters, a model that accounts for fluid flow precession matches the frequencies of twin-peak quasiperiodic oscillations observed in NS LMXBs better than a model that uses geodesic precession.
A census of the Sun’s ancestors and their contributions to the Solar System chemical composition
Authors: Fiore F. , Matteucci F. , Spitoni E. , Molero M. , Salucci P. , Romano D. , Vasini A.
Published: October 2024

In this work, we compute the rates and numbers of different types of stars and phenomena (supernovae, novae, white dwarfs, merging neutron stars, black holes) that contributed to the chemical composition of the Solar System. During the Big Bang, only light elements formed, while all the heavy ones, from carbon to uranium and beyond, have since been created inside stars. Stars die and release the newly formed elements into the interstellar gas. This process is called ‘chemical evolution’. In particular, we analyse the death rates of stars of all masses, whether they die quiescently or explosively. These rates and total star numbers are computed in the context of a revised version of the two-infall model for the chemical evolution of the Milky Way, which reproduces the observed abundance patterns of several chemical species, the global solar metallicity, and the current gas, stellar, and total surface mass densities relatively well. We also compute the total number of stars ever born and still alive as well as the number of stars born up to the formation of the Solar System with mass and metallicity like those of the Sun. This latter number accounts for all the possible existing Solar systems that can host life in the solar vicinity. We conclude that, among all the stars (from 0.8 to 100 M⊙) that were born and died from the Big Bang up until the Solar System formation epoch and that contributed to its chemical composition, 93.00% were stars that died as single white dwarfs (without interacting significantly with a companion star) and originated in the mass range of 0.8–8 M⊙, while 5.24% were neutron stars and 0.73% were black holes, both originating from core-collapse supernovae (M > 8 M⊙); 0.64% were Type Ia supernovae and 0.40% were nova systems, both originating from the same mass range as the white dwarfs. The number of stars similar to the Sun born from the Big Bang up until the formation of the Solar System, with metallicity in the range 12+log(Fe/H)= 7.50 ± 0.04 dex, is ~31•107, and in particular our Sun is the ~2.61• 107-th star of this kind.
Physical properties of trans-Neptunian object (143707) 2003 UY117 derived from stellar occultation and photometric observations
Authors: Kretlow M. , Ortiz J. L. , Desmars J. , Morales N. , Rommel F. L. , Santos-Sanz P. , Vara-Lubiano M. , Fernández-Valenzuela E. , Alvarez-Candal A. , Duffard R. , Braga-Ribas F. , Sicardy B. , Castro-Tirado A. , Fernández-García E. J. , Sánchez M. , Sota A. , Assafin M. , Benedetti-Rossi G. , Boufleur R. , Camargo J. I. B. , Cikota S. , Gomes-Junior A. , Gómez-Limón J. M. , Kilic Y. , Lecacheux J. , Leiva R. , Marques-Oliveira J. , Morales R. , Morgado B. , Rizos J. L. , Roques F. , Souami D. , Vieira-Martins R. , Alarcon M. R. , Boninsegna R. , Çakır O. , Casarramona F. , Castellani J. J. , de la Cueva I. , Fişek S. , Guijarro A. , Haymes T. , Jehin E. , Kidd S. , Licandro J. , Maestre J. L. , Murgas F. , Pallé E. , Popescu M. , Pratt A. , Serra-Ricart M. , Talbot J. C.
Published: October 2024

Context. Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) are considered to be among the most primitive objects in our Solar System. Knowledge of their primary physical properties is essential for understanding their origin and the evolution of the outer Solar System. In this context, stellar occultations are a powerful and sensitive technique for studying these distant and faint objects.

Aims. We aim to obtain the size, shape, absolute magnitude, and geometric albedo for TNO (143707) 2003 UY117.

Methods. We predicted a stellar occultation by this TNO for 2020 October 23 UT and ran a specific campaign to investigate this event. We derived the projected profile shape and size from the occultation observations by means of an elliptical fit to the occultation chords. We also performed photometric observations of (143707) 2003 UY117 to obtain the absolute magnitude and the rotational period from the observed rotational light curve. Finally, we combined these results to derive the three-dimensional shape, volume-equivalent diameter, and geometric albedo for this TNO.

Results. From the stellar occultation, we obtained a projected ellipse with axes of (282 ± 18) × (184 ± 32) km. The area-equivalent diameter for this ellipse is Deq,A = 228 ± 21 km. From our photometric R band observations, we derived an absolute magnitude of HV = 5.97 ± 0.07 mag using V − R = 0.46 ± 0.07 mag, which was derived from a V band subset of these data. The rotational light curve has a peak-to-valley amplitude of ∆m = 0.36 ± 0.13 mag. We find the most likely rotation period to be P = 12.376 ± 0.0033 hours. By combining the occultation with the rotational light curve results and assuming a triaxial ellipsoid, we derived axes of a × b × c = (332 ± 24) km × (216 ± 24) km × (180−24+28) km for this ellipsoid, and therefore a volume-equivalent diameter of Deq,V = 235 ± 25 km. Finally, the values for the absolute magnitude and for the area-equivalent diameter yield a geometric albedo of pV = 0.139 ± 0.027.
Blue large-amplitude pulsators formed from the merger of low-mass white dwarfs
Authors: Kołaczek-Szymański Piotr A. , Pigulski Andrzej , Łojko Piotr
Published: October 2024

Context. Blue large-amplitude pulsators (BLAPs) are a recently discovered group of hot stars pulsating in radial modes. Their origin needs to be explained, and several scenarios for their formation have already been proposed.

Aims. We investigate whether BLAPs can originate as the product of a merger of two low-mass white dwarfs (WDs) and estimate how many BLAPs can be formed in this evolutionary channel.

Methods. We used the Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA) code to model the merger of three different double extremely low-mass (DELM) WDs and the subsequent evolution of the merger product. We also performed a population synthesis of Galactic DELM WDs using the COSMIC code.

Results. We find that BLAPs can be formed from DELM WDs provided that the total mass of the system ranges between 0.32 and 0.7 M⊙. BLAPs born in this scenario either do not have any thermonuclear fusion at all or show off-centre He burning. The final product evolves to hot subdwarfs and eventually finishes its evolution either as a cooling He WD or a hybrid He/CO WD. The merger products become BLAPs only a few thousand years after coalescence, and it takes them 20–70 thousand years to pass the BLAP region. We found the instability of the fundamental radial mode to be in fair agreement with observations, but we also observed instability of the radial first overtone. The calculated evolutionary rates of period change can be both positive and negative. From the population synthesis, we found that up to a few hundred BLAPs born in this scenario can exist at present in the Galaxy.

Conclusions. Given the estimated number of BLAPs formed in the studied DELM WD merger scenario, there is a good chance to observe BLAPs that originated through this scenario. Since strong magnetic fields can be generated during mergers, this scenario could lead to the formation of magnetic BLAPs. This fits well with the discovery of two likely magnetic BLAPs whose pulsations can be explained in terms of the oblique rotator model.
Multiwavelength Galactic center gamma-ray observations explained by a unified cosmic-ray dynamics model
Authors: Scherer Andrés , Cuadra Jorge
Published: October 2024

Context. High-energy (HE) and very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray observations from the Galactic center (GC) detected extended emission correlated with the morphology of the central molecular zone (CMZ). Emission in both bands is expected to be produced by hadronic interaction between cosmic rays (CRs) and ambient gas.

Aims. We examine if our three previously proposed scenarios for the CR sources and dynamics, which are consistent with the VHE gamma-ray data (1–100 TeV), also match the HE gamma-ray observations (10–300 GeV). Additionally, we analyze the effect of the isotropic Galactic CR “sea” inside the CMZ.

Methods. We generated synthetic gamma-ray maps considering a simplified isotropic diffusion, but more realistic dynamics with two diffusion zones (in and out of the CMZ) and polar advection, for mono-energetic particles of 3 TeV. Additionally, we considered two gas distributions for the CMZ (with and without an inner cavity), and CR populations injected from the clusters of young massive stars (the Arches Cluster, the Quintuplet Cluster, and the nuclear star cluster), plus the supernova Sgr A East.

Results. Only the combination of more realistic CR dynamics, the CMZ with an inner cavity, CR injection from all proposed sources, and a CR sea similar to that observed in the Solar System reproduced the current HE and VHE gamma-ray detection from the CMZ and was consistent with the observed gamma-rays from Sagittarius A*.

Conclusions. The HE and VHE gamma-rays observations of the GC can be reproduced by a unified model for the CRs.
Greenium and Its Determinants at Various Phases of Life Cycle of European Green Bond Market
Authors: Grishunin Sergei , Burova Ekaterina , Suloeva Svetlana , Pishchalkin Denis , Isroilov Bokhodir , Doliev Samandar
Published: October 2024

The paper explores the evolution of greenium in European corporate primary green bond markets from 2013 to 2023. It introduces a new perspective by studying the phases of the life cycle of this market. The sample included 22,259 bond issues from 23 European countries, with 1,040 being green bonds. During this period the green bond yield discount was around 15 bps for banks and 40 bps for non-financial companies. Our findings revealed significant dependence on the size of the greenium on the phases of the lifecycle of the market. The most significant shift was observed after 2022 when the yield discount for green bonds changed by the premium to conventional bond yields of 36 bps. For non-financial corporates the previous 70 bps discount has been replaced by a premium of up to 27 bps compared to conventional bonds. Issuers in “clean” industries saw their yields increase by 43 basis points compared to conventional bonds. The result reflected energy crisis in Europe which is accompanies by tighter monetary policy, and reduction of corporate profits. The findings are crucial for researchers, central banks, and authorities responsible for financial stability and sustainable development.
Econometric Modeling of Environmental Pollution Factors and Their Impact on Life Expectancy in Uzbekistan
Authors: Khazratkulova Lola , Akhmedov Armigon R. , Alimukhamedova Nodira
Published: October 2024

The article examines the impact of environmental pollution factors on life expectancy in Uzbekistan. The study is based on econometric modeling methods, including panel data on the country’s regions for the period of 2010-2023. The area of protected natural areas, the volume of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere, the provision of doctors and hospital beds, and access to drinking water were utilized as factors influencing life expectancy. Despite the identification of some relationships, the modeling results showed limited explanatory power of the selected models, which is associated with the low quality and incompleteness of statistical data. The study revealed significant regional differentiation and polarization in environmental indicators, which requires measures to improve the quality of data and take into account additional factors.
Investigating the Relationship Between Tourism, Economic Growth, and CO2 Emissions in Uzbekistan
Authors: Erejepova Jiyengu’l , Sherjonov Sherjon , Egamov Sevinchbek , Matkarimov Feruz , Murodov Sherzodbek
Published: October 2024

In this study, the relationship between the economic growth of Uzbekistan, CO2 emissions and international tourism from 2000 to 2023 was investigated by using the ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) limit testing approach. The findings suggest that there is a strong long-run equilibrium relationship between these variables. In particular, a 1% increase in GDP per capita is associated with a 1.43% increase in international tourist arrivals, which highlights the positive impact of economic growth on tourism demand. Furthermore, a 1% increase in CO2 emissions corresponds to a 3.93% increase in tourist arrivals, which shows the complex interplay between environmental impact and tourism development. This may be due to the role of urbanization and industrialization, which cause emissions, in improving tourism infrastructure and services. These results highlight the importance of developing integrated strategies aimed at sustainable tourism development that take into account both economic and environmental aspects.
Model of Analysis of Ecological-Economic Processes
Authors: Muhamediyeva Dilnoz , Mamatov Narzillo , Jumayev Bobur , Samijonov Abdurashid
Published: October 2024

This article presents a model for assessing the impact of environmental factors on economic performance and optimizing industrial production taking into account environmental costs. The modeling showed the influence of production and environmental parameters on the sustainable development of the economy and revealed the dynamic dependence of the volume of industrial production on time. The model can be used to analyze and predict the effectiveness of environmental measures, as well as to make smart decisions in the field of sustainable development and environmental protection. The developed program shows how the volumes of industrial production and pollutants emitted into the atmosphere change in various areas. Model parameters include initial values of industrial production, volumes of labor resources, capital utilization rates, cleanup costs, depreciation, disposal of funds, minimum values of production and environmental funds, and coefficients of the impact of pollution on the economy. The simulation calculates production volumes, pollution treatment, environmental damage, and environmental income, and then updates industrial production volumes considering depreciation, accumulation, and diffusion. The results demonstrate the dynamics of changes in the production of industrial products and make it possible to determine the volumes of industrial production and pollutants emitted into the atmosphere by region. Graphical results presentations illustrate temporal changes in industrial production and air pollutant emissions by region, facilitating the understanding and management of environmental and economic interactions.
Pollution Monitoring: A Solution to Improve the Quality of Wastewater Treatment from Household Emissions
Authors: Nurov Siroj , Sultanov Bakhodir F. , Ochilov Ilyos K. , Abazov Rafis F.
Published: October 2024

In the context of the growing environmental pressure on water resources caused by anthropogenic factors, the task of increasing the efficiency of wastewater treatment systems becomes urgent. The purpose of this work is to study and determine the optimal wavelength of the photoemitter for measuring the concentration of activated sludge by the optical method in biological wastewater treatment. The process of interaction of the emitted light with the measured medium is theoretically analyzed, the optical properties of the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared regions of the spectrum are considered. Based on these analyzes, an experimental study is carried out to find the optimal wavelength of the emitted light. To that end, under laboratory conditions, on the spectrophotometer model EMC-32PCS-UV, spectral measurements were performed on the absorption of emitted light by activated sludge microorganisms in the spectral range from 190 to 1100 nm wavelengths. Samples of activated sludge from the treatment plant in the city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan with different concentration values were utilized. When studying the absorption spectra of activated sludge microorganisms, it was experimentally established that the maximum absorption of light occurs in the infrared region of radiation, specifically at a wavelength of 940 nm. To select the optimal value of the radiation wavelength, the main criteria and requirements were theoretically determined. Based on these criteria, considering the scattering and absorption of light, the optical properties of the photodiodes used, it was concluded that the optimal value of the radiation wavelength is 940 nm. Using the results of the absorption spectra, the radiation wavelength was chosen. Graphical representations of the results of spectral studies with activated sludge microorganisms are given.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability of Adaptive Intelligent Battery Management Technologies for EVs and ESSs
Authors: Hwang Myeong-Eun
Published: October 2024

As an essential component of electric vehicles (EVs), battery surely requires not only the highest level of longevity and zero-death safety but also energy efficiency and sustainability. We propose energy-efficient and sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) battery management technologies that can extend lifetime, reliability, and safety of battery applications and are applicable to all types of rechargeable secondary batteries such as solid- and liquid-type cells. EV battery typically consists of over thousands of cells. The proposed battery architecture provides the ability to adaptively reconfigure battery cell array network in real time as needed. New AI battery technologies evenly drain charge across all battery cells and provide extra battery cells that replace faulty cells in a timely manner, extending the battery lifetime by 7.5%, 9.1%, respectively, and 19.4% when used together while ensuring a required level of voltage and power under dynamic thermal control. The proposed technologies further support three eco-friendly modes with high energy-efficiency and fire-safety. The proposed technologies can also be applied to reliable, remote, yet self-sustainable energy sources such as energy storage systems even with heterogeneous battery cells which are of key importance for decentralization of megalopolises and regionalization.
Analysis of Green Buildings on Children’s Playgrounds and the Composition of Their Equipment
Authors: Shavkidinova Dilnavoz , Suyunova Feruza , Makhsudova Oysara
Published: October 2024

In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend towards the development of kid-friendly environmentally friendly outdoor play and learning spaces. As sustainability and eco-friendly protection become increasingly important global issues, there is a growing need for environmentally friendly protection for children’s outdoor play areas and learning spaces. The playground equipment built by the Chinese company Betta Play and the Belgian company Europlay was compared, analysed and investigated in terms of learnability factors, used materials, safety, and environmental factors. The playground equipment was examined in great detail using information from the websites of both companies. The materials (metals, plastics, wood kinds, natural durability) and types of equipment (swings, seesaws, playhouses, slides) were studied. The results show that both companies’ product design, used materials, and educational details are very suitable for eco-friendliness. However, Europlay used more wooden materials and Betta Play used more plastic materials to produce playground equipment. In order to reduce the damage to nature and promote sustainable development, other companies should introduce the construction of children’s eco-friendly playground equipment, using more natural products, such as Europlay.
Ecological Comfort of Green Spaces for Urban Parking
Authors: Salieva Noilya , Xudoyberdiev Aberkul , Karimov Feruzjon
Published: October 2024

The article presents an overview of numerical solutions of computational fluid dynamics in the field of urban planning. The study is devoted to new solutions to maintain a comfortable microclimate in urban spaces in hot climates. Such territories require comprehensive urban planning and scientifically based environmental assessment. Numerical modelling in the Ansys Fluent software package is considered using the example of the influence of turbulence models on airflow parameters near a building site with and without green spaces. The article analyses the temperature and aeration conditions of the adjacent car park in three options: open (without landscaping); fenced with bushes; fenced with bushes with a canopy made of lightweight construction, without internal partitions, on the territory of an existing residential development, consisting of a group of 16-storey buildings in the new modern multi-storey micro district Karasuv in Samarkand (Republic of Uzbekistan). The performed CFD analysis provided an opportunity to determine the most effective localization of green spaces due to the consideration of their different combinations. The use of the CFD method when solving a problem makes it possible to optimize the period of pre-design analysis. The resulting numerical model of a house parking lot can be used to assess the impact of wind conditions and temperature regulation using a system of green spaces that provide stable and balanced heat input to the environment.
Directions of Ecotourism Organization in Uzbekistan
Authors: Kenjaeva Kamila , Baxitjanova Eleonora , Khojanova Gulmira
Published: October 2024

This article examines the directions of ecotourism development in the Republic of Uzbekistan, which has a significant natural and cultural potential. The current state of ecotourism infrastructure is analysed and key problems that hinder its effective functioning are identified. As a result of the study, the existing ecotourism sites are systematized by areas of activity, and recommendations are proposed for improving the management and development of ecotourism in the country. Particular attention is paid to the issues of rational use of natural resources, enhancing the quality of services and attracting investment on the basis of public-private partnership. The findings of the study emphasize the importance of an integrated approach to the organization of ecotourism, which contributes not only to the preservation of natural heritage, but also to the sustainable economic development of the regions.
Potential of Ecotourism in Uzbekistan: Regional Aspect
Authors: Umarova Feruza , Xaydarova Gavhar , Raimjanova Mahbuba
Published: October 2024

The article examines the problems and prospects for the development of ecotourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as its role in ensuring sustainable socio-economic growth and environmental protection. The study analyzes the potential of various regions of the country for the development of ecotourism taking into account the unique natural conditions, cultural and historical heritage and strategic geographical location. Particular attention is paid to practical measures and recommendations for the development of ecotourism, including issues of attracting investment, improving tourism infrastructure and training qualified personnel. The work emphasizes the importance of ecotourism as a means of reducing anthropogenic impact on nature and increasing the tourist attractiveness of the country. It is concluded that the successful development of ecotourism in Uzbekistan requires an integrated approach aimed at the rational use of natural resources and sustainable development of regions.
Organizational Preparedness for Navigating Disruption Towards Sustainability: Strategies’ Analysis
Authors: Pandey Diksha , Singh Garima , Joshi Lokesh , Polyakova Oksana , Sungatullina Dilyana , Ashurov Akbar
Published: October 2024

The study explores how design thinking principles can be leveraged to enhance an organization’s preparedness for disruptive innovation. To address this challenge, the authors sought to empathize with their clients, recognizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation. A framework guided by five fundamental principles – Scrutiny, Bravery, Resilience, Prosperous and Perseverance – was developed that integrates user-centred design methodologies to evaluate an organization’s strengths and weaknesses in the face of disruption. We analysed and interpreted the intricacies of emerging market disruptions, providing organizations with the GroKalp Assessment Tool, an automated tool for self-evaluation and strategic adjustment leading towards a sustainable future. These principles were further broken down into fifteen distinct parameters, each thoughtfully designed to offer organizations a detailed and insightful method for evaluating their responses to the relentless waves of transformative innovation. By utilizing the GroKalp Assessment Tool, organizations can position themselves in one of three categories: Innovators, Adapters, or Resistance Fighters. Design thinking tools are vital in this process, as they encourage creative problem-solving, innovation, and adaptation in an era of rapid technological change.
Characterization and Potential Relevance of Randomized Controlled Trial Patient Populations in Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yu Jonathan S. , Tripathi Vidushi , Magahis Patrick , Ast Michael , Sculco Peter , Premkumar Ajay
Published: October 2024

Randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies in revision total joint arthroplasty (rTJA) are essential to investigate the effectiveness of interventions. However, there has been limited research investigating how patient cohorts comprising rTJA RCT samples resemble the U.S. patient population undergoing rTJA in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review was to compare the patient characteristics of rTJA RCT cohorts with the characteristics of national patient database cohorts. RCT studies for rTJA were aggregated. Patient demographics in this group were compared against Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) patient cohorts. Forty-six RCTs met inclusion criteria. There were 3,780 total patients across 46 RCTs. The average age of patients in the rTJA RCT cohort was 66.4 ± 9.4 while in the NIS cohort was 67.3 ± 11.1 (d = 0.08, effect size = small). The average body mass index (BMI) of the rTJA RCT cohort was 31.1 ± 5.7 while the NSQIP cohort was 31.7 ± 8.3 (d = 0.08, effect size = small). For rTJA, effect sizes for age, BMI, sex, ethnicity, smoking, and diabetes were all small or very small.

Overall, the rTJA RCT patient cohort does not differ significantly compared with the general patient population undergoing rTJA. Differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the rTJA RCT cohort and database cohorts were minimal to small, indicating that these differences are unlikely to impact clinical outcomes.
Psychophysiological markers of athlete burnout: a call to
arms
Authors: Moore Lee , Isoard-Gautheur Sandrine , Gustafsson Henrik
Published: October 2024

Burnout is a growing problem in high-performance sport and has negative
consequences for athletes (e.g., mental ill-health). It is therefore important
to effectively monitor athlete burnout to aid intervention efforts. While
self-report measures are available (e.g., athlete burnout questionnaire), the
limitations associated with these measures (e.g., social desirability bias)
means that objective physiological markers may also be useful. Thus, this
article critically discusses potential biomarkers of athlete burnout, drawing on
research inside and outside of sport to offer an overview of the current
state-of-the-art in this research area. First, it outlines what athlete burnout
is, its deleterious consequences, and discusses existing psychological
assessments. The article then critically discusses literature on
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (e.g., salivary cortisol) and autonomic
nervous system (e.g., heart rate variability) indices of burnout, highlighting
some promising biomarkers for future research (e.g., salivary cortisol at
bedtime, vagally-mediated heart rate variability at rest). Finally, the article
concludes by highlighting key considerations and offering recommendations for
future research (e.g., use of more homogenous methods in assessing burnout and
physiological parameters). As a result, the intention of this article is to
spark more higher quality research on the psychophysiology of athlete burnout,
thereby helping tackle this prominent issue in high-performance sport.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults: a multilayered approach to a serious disorder of inattention to the future
Authors: Palmini André
Published: October 2024

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects people of all ages, yet its presentation varies as the person matures and social demands increase from childhood into adulthood. Interestingly, when analyzing the disorder in adults, it is not immediately clear what the ‘attention deficit’ in the ADHD denomination exactly means. Adults with ADHD have a broad range of difficulties, far beyond an attentional deficit, that impact negatively their social functioning and often lead to failures in all walks of life. Therefore, in this review, I attempt to reconcile the notion of attention deficit with the protean manifestations of ADHD in adults through a proposal that ADHD symptoms have as a common denominator an inattention to the future. I build this construct through a multilayered approach, progressing from the epidemiological and clinical considerations for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnosis, to a deeper understanding of the disorder, discussing how these patients fail to anchor the present into the future (i.e., to be attentive to future consequences), thus failing to approximate future goals from present action. Integrating cognitive observations with imaging abnormalities, it is possible to propose that ADHD in adults is perhaps the most prevalent frontal lobe disorder in humans, ultimately impacting upon psychosocial management and treatment strategies.
Absolute beta power in exercisers and nonexercisers in preparation for the oddball task
Authors: Machado Marcos , Fonseca Renato , Zanchetta Giovanna , Amoroso Carlos , Vasconcelos Alexandre , Costa Élida , Nicoliche Eduardo , Gongora Mariana , Orsini Marco , Vicente Renan , Teixeira Silmar , Budde Henning , Cagy Mauricio , Velasques Bruna , Ribeiro Pedro
Published: October 2024

Background High levels of physical conditioning are associated with improvements in cognitive performance. In this sense, electroencephalographic (ECG) correlates are used to investigate the enhancing role of physical exercise on executive functions. Oscillations in the β frequency range are proposed to be evident during sensorimotor activity.

Objective To investigate the ECG changes influenced by aerobic and resistance exercises performed in an attention task by analyzing the differences in absolute β power in the prefrontal and frontal regions before, during, and after the oddball paradigm in practitioners and nonpractitioners of physical exercise.

Methods There were 15 physical activity practitioners (aged 27 ± 4.71) and 15 nonpractitioners (age 28 ± 1.50) recruited. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was implemented to observe the main effect and the interaction between groups and moments (rest 1, pre-stimulus, and rest 2).

Results An interaction between group and moment factors was observed for Fp1 (p < 0.001); Fp2 (p = 0.001); F7 (p < 0.001); F8 (p < 0.001); F3 (p < 0.001); Fz (p < 0.001); and F4 (p < 0.001). Electrophysiological findings clarified exercisers' specificity and neural efficiency in each prefrontal and frontal subarea.

Conclusion Our findings lend support to the current understanding of the cognitive processes underlying physical exercise and provide new evidence on the relationship between exercise and cortical activity.
Alternative finance in the international business context: a review and future research
Authors: Allen Franklin , Qian Meijun
Published: October 2024

Firms increasingly rely on alternative finance (AF) in addition to banks and equity markets, and its usage across countries differs significantly. We conceptualize AF as financing that operates within social, business, and virtual networks that generate informational, collateral, and incentive advantages compared to finance relying on traditional financial intermediaries. Examples of AF include family loans, microfinance, trade credit, community credit cooperatives, person-to-person (P2P), and crowdfunding. While AF is not a new phenomenon, technological development continues to facilitate its increasing prominence. We review the evolution of AF theories, summarize key empirical findings, and describe how AF intersects with international business (IB) research. Specifically, we review how AF feeds into the analysis of comparative financial systems, financial development, comparative corporate governance, and national culture. We conclude that AF has shaped comparative research in IB in important ways, but cross-border research in IB has hardly considered the role of AF. Globalization and technological development and adoption in the financial industry generate rich fields where AF and IB intersect; these have yet to be understood. We describe how IB research, specifically addressing the cross-border dimension, could benefit from integrating insights from AF research, and propose approaches to integrate theories on AF, IB, and internationalization.
Influence of company secretary characteristics on information disclosure violations: evidence from China
Authors: Xiuli Zhu , Semba Hu Dan , Fang Fang
Published: October 2024

This study analyzed data from 1999 to 2015 on Chinese listed companies to examine the impact of the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China (2006) on company secretary characteristics and information violations. A cross-sectional estimation was used to explore the impact of the Company Law (2006) on the status and expertise of Chinese company secretaries and information disclosure violations. Propensity score matching addressed the endogeneity problem caused by sample selection bias. The results showed that the Company Law (2006) significantly enhanced the status and expertise of company secretaries, mitigating information disclosure violations among those with higher status or professional ability. However, the interaction of higher status and professional ability adversely increased information disclosure violations. Improvements in the status and expertise of company secretaries also led to increased internal replacements and reduced external punishment for errant company secretaries. These findings have implications for enhancing the quality of information disclosure and controlling future violations. They are valuable to regulators, boards of directors, and investors.