bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Dynamic Characteristics of Single Cavitation Bubble Motion near the Wall Based on the Keller–Miksis Model
Authors: Han Wei , Gu Zhenye , Li Rennian , Mi Jiandong , Bai Lu , Deng Wanquan
Published: April 2024

The dynamic model of cavitation bubbles serves as the foundation for the study of all cavitation phenomena. Solving the cavitation bubble dynamics equation can better elucidate the physical principles of bubble dynamics, assisting with the design of hydraulic machinery and fluid control. This paper employs a fourth-order explicit Runge–Kutta numerical method to solve the translational Keller–Miksis model for cavitation bubbles. It analyzes the collapse time, velocity, as well as the motion and force characteristics of bubbles under different wall distances γ values. The results indicate that as the distance between the cavitation bubble and the wall decreases, the cavitation bubble collapse time increases, the displacement of the center of mass and the amplitude of translational velocity of the cavitation bubble increase, and the minimum radius of the cavitation bubble gradually decreases linearly. During the stage when the cavitation bubble collapses to its minimum radius, the Bjerknes force and resistance experienced by the bubble also increase as the distance to the wall decreases. Especially in the cases where γ = 1.3 and 1.5, during the rebound stage of the bubble, the Bjerknes force and resistance increase, causing the bubble to move away from the wall. Meanwhile, this study proposes a radiation pressure coefficient to characterize the radial vibration behavior of cavitation bubbles when analyzing the radiation sound pressure. It is found that the wall distance has a relatively minor effect on the radiation pressure coefficient, providing an important basis for future research on the effects of different scale bubbles and multiple bubbles. The overall idea of this paper is to numerically solve the bubble dynamics equation, explore the characteristics of bubble dynamics, and elucidate the specific manifestations of physical quantities that affect bubble motion. This provides theoretical references for further engineering applications and flow analysis.
Assessing Phytoremediation Potential: Dominant Plants in Soils Impacted by Polymetal(loid)lic Mining
Authors: Wang Boxin , Hou Juan , Wu Xueyong , Niu Xuekui , Zhou Fengping
Published: April 2024

Phytoremediation, an ecological approach aimed at addressing polymetal(loid)lic-contaminated mining soils, has encountered adaptability challenges. Dominant plant species, well-suited to the local conditions, have emerged as promising candidates for this purpose. This study focused on assessing the phytoremediation potential of ten plant species that thrived in heavy metal(loid)-contaminated mining soils. This investigation covered nine heavy metal(loid)s (As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn) in both plants and rhizosphere soils. The results revealed a significant impact of mining activities, with heavy metal(loid) concentrations surpassing the Yunnan Province’s background levels by 1.06 to 362 times, highlighting a significant concern for remediation. The average levels of the heavy metal(loid)s followed the order of As (3.98 × 103 mg kg−1) > Cu (2.83 × 103 mg kg−1) > Zn (815 mg kg−1) > Sn (176 mg kg−1) > Pb (169 mg kg−1) > Cr (68.1 mg kg−1) > Ni (36.2 mg kg−1) > Cd (0.120 mg kg−1) > Hg (0.0390 mg kg−1). The bioconcentration factors (BCFs), bioaccumulation factors (BAFs), and translocation factors (TFs) varied among the native plants, indicating diverse adaptation strategies. Low BCFs and BAFs (ranging from 0.0183 to 0.418 and 0.0114 to 0.556, respectively) suggested a low bioavailability of heavy metal(loid)s. Among the species, both J. effusus and P. capitata showed remarkable abilities for As accumulation, while A. adenophora demonstrated a notable accumulation ability for various heavy metal(loid)s, especially Cd, with relatively high BCFs (1.88) and BAFs (3.11), and the TF at 1.66 further underscored the crucial role of translocation in preventing root toxicity. These findings emphasized the potential of these plant species in mine ecological restoration and phytoremediation, guiding targeted environmental rehabilitation strategies.
Dead Men Talking: Ibn ‘Arabī’s Interactions with Messengers and Saints
Authors: Lala Ismail
Published: April 2024

The mystical thinker Muhyi al-Din ibn ‘Arabī (d. 638/1240) had many audiences with the dead. This article explores who Ibn ‘Arabī interacted with, and how. Usually as dreams and visions, the meetings Ibn ‘Arabī had with messengers were generally at key milestones in his life, or to confer particular distinctions upon him. A special subset of these visions was of Prophet Muḥammad specifically, and these were to derive a legal ruling from him, or because he was under the special care of the Prophet. Conversely, the audiences he had with departed saints were largely to do with more quotidian issues, either regarding his relationship with spiritual masters, or to correct a misapprehension about someone. Finally, but more seldom, he had physical interactions with corporealised spirits from beyond. As these betrayed a higher rank than mere visions, they were reminiscent of his audiences with messengers in that they confirmed his exalted spiritual rank.
Passion for Peace and Justice in the Prophetic Mysticism of Merton and Heschel
Authors: Serran-Pagan y Fuentes Cristobal
Published: April 2024

Thomas Merton’s interfaith dialogue with the Jewish rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel sets a resonating example of how these two religious figures from the twentieth century can learn from each other and respect their theological differences while still finding common ground in their social critiques, as fully revealed in their more mature prophetic writings from the 1960s. The purpose of this article is to show how both Merton and Heschel found, in their sacred humanism, a final integration between their mystical quest for God and their passion as modern prophets to denounce the social injustices of their time. Merton and Heschel have become exemplar cases of creative interfaith dialogue and witnesses for justice. In so doing, I hope to demonstrate how their interfaith friendship brought them closer together when facing the Second Vatican Council’s efforts to write a major document like Nostra Aetate, or “in Our Time”.
Continuity and Change according to Hindu and Buddhist Religious Philosophies
Authors: Lawrence David Peter
Published: April 2024

I am happy to present to the scholarly audience this Special Issue of Religions on the theme of “Continuity and Change according to Hindu and Buddhist Religious Philosophies” [...]
Spiritual Influences on Jewish Modern Orthodox Adolescents
Authors: Weinstein Sharon Elsant , Goldberg Scott J.
Published: April 2024

Modern Orthodoxy is a sect of Judaism which aims to combine a high level of commitment to Jewish observance with immersion in modern society. Alumni of Modern Orthodox parochial high schools have varying degrees of commitment towards religion. This study was designed to better understand the factors that lead adolescents towards internalizing traditional Orthodox beliefs. Previous studies on religion in general are lacking in quality and depth, using superficial factors such as church attendance to attest to religious commitment. Studies on Modern Orthodox Jewish teens are limited in quantity, with very few studies published on this population. This study focused on 1341 students from 18 Modern Orthodox high schools in the United States using the JewBALE 2.0 to collect the data. The design evaluated the relationship between spirituality and self-esteem, spiritual struggle, religious homogeny between parents and adolescents, and gender. Factors such as mental health, positive Judaic studies experience, and relationships with Judaic studies teachers were examined as potential mediators. The data indicated that students with high levels of spirituality would also have high levels of self-esteem and religious homogeny with their parents, as well as high levels of agreement with the Orthodox communal norms. Positive relationships with teachers and experiences in Jewish studies classes mediated the otherwise negative relationship between spirituality and disagreement with communal norms. Females were more likely to have high levels of spirituality than males. This study is important for those who want to better understand the factors involved in helping students enrolled in Jewish Modern Orthodox high schools achieve high levels of spirituality.
A Post-Processing Multipath/NLoS Bias Estimation Method Based on DBSCAN
Authors: Guo Yihan , Zocca Simone , Dabove Paolo , Dovis Fabio
Published: April 2024

Positioning based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) in urban environments always suffers from multipath and Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) effects. In such conditions, the GNSS pseudorange measurements can be affected by biases disrupting the GNSS-based applications. Many efforts have been devoted to detecting and mitigating the effects of multipath/NLoS, but the identification and classification of such events are still challenging. This research proposes a method for the post-processing estimation of pseudorange biases resulting from multipath/NLoS effects. Providing estimated pseudorange biases due to multipath/NLoS effects serves two main purposes. Firstly, machine learning-based techniques can leverage accurately estimated pseudorange biases as training data to detect and mitigate multipath/NLoS effects. Secondly, these accurately estimated pseudorange biases can serve as a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of the methods proposed to detect multipath/NLoS effects. The estimation is achieved by extracting the multipath/NLoS biases from pseudoranges using a clustering algorithm named Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). The performance is demonstrated using two real-world data collections in multipath/NLoS scenarios for both static and dynamic conditions. Since there is no ground truth for the pseudorange biases due to the multipath/NLoS scenarios, the proposed method is validated based on the positioning performance. Positioning solutions are computed by subtracting the estimated biases from the raw pseudoranges and comparing them to the ground truth.
Temperature Peak-Drift Correction Method for NaI(Tl) Detectors Using the Background Peak
Authors: Wen Songlin , Zhou Rong
Published: April 2024

The overall gain of a scintillation detector is temperature-dependent, leading to a drift in the measured gamma energy spectrum with changes in temperature. To mitigate this effect, a temperature drift correction is essential prior to conducting gamma spectrum analysis. In this study, the detector gain ratio is determined by comparing the positions of the same background peak across different spectra. Subsequently, the original spectrum is adjusted accordingly to obtain a gamma spectrum free from temperature drift. Experimental results demonstrate that after implementing this correction, the relative deviation of the 57Co characteristic peak positions in the gamma spectrum measured by the NaI(Tl) detector is reduced from 18.64% to 0.91%. Furthermore, by performing energy calibration beforehand, the characteristic peak position can be utilized for secondary correction, further minimizing temperature drift. Our findings indicate that the relative deviation of the 22Na characteristic peak positions was reduced, respectively, to 0.51% and 0.46% through secondary correction. This approach, which utilizes the background peak for correction, avoids the need for additional radioactivity or circuitry and effectively mitigates peak drift. Overall, this method holds significant implications for enhancing the accuracy of gamma spectrum analysis.
Impact of Isolated Exercise-Induced Small Airway Dysfunction on Exercise Performance in Professional Male Cyclists
Authors: Pigakis Konstantinos , Stavrou Vasileios , Kontopodi Aggeliki , Pantazopoulos Ioannis , Daniil Zoe , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos
Published: April 2024

Background: Professional cycling puts significant demands on the respiratory system. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a common problem in professional athletes. Small airways may be affected in isolation or in combination with a reduction in forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1). This study aimed to investigate isolated exercise-induced small airway dysfunction (SAD) in professional cyclists and assess the impact of this phenomenon on exercise capacity in this population. Materials and Methods: This research was conducted on professional cyclists with no history of asthma or atopy. Anthropometric characteristics were recorded, the training age was determined, and spirometry and specific markers, such as fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and immunoglobulin E (IgE), were measured for all participants. All of the cyclists underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) followed by spirometry. Results: Compared with the controls, 1-FEV3/FVC (the fraction of the FVC that was not expired during the first 3 s of the FVC) was greater in athletes with EIB, but also in those with isolated exercise-induced SAD. The exercise capacity was lower in cyclists with isolated exercise-induced SAD than in the controls, but was similar to that in cyclists with EIB. This phenomenon appeared to be associated with a worse ventilatory reserve (VE/MVV%). Conclusions: According to our data, it appears that professional cyclists may experience no beneficial impacts on their respiratory system. Strenuous endurance exercise can induce airway injury, which is followed by a restorative process. The repeated cycle of injury and repair can trigger the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, the disruption of the airway epithelial barrier, and plasma exudation, which gradually give rise to airway hyper-responsiveness, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, intrabronchial inflammation, peribronchial fibrosis, and respiratory symptoms. The small airways may be affected in isolation or in combination with a reduction in FEV1. Cyclists with isolated exercise-induced SAD had lower exercise capacity than those in the control group.
Addressing Post-Disaster Challenges and Fostering Social Mobility through Origami Infrastructure and Construction Trade Education
Authors: Calle Müller Claudia , ElZomor Mohamed
Published: April 2024

Natural disasters devastate property and infrastructure systems, impeding sustainable development. Low-income communities, due to economic, physical, and social disparities, face heightened exposure and vulnerability. These communities endure severe and long-lasting infrastructure damage, experiencing a fourfold increase in deaths per disaster and delayed recovery efforts. Consequently, they resort to constructing informal housing and infrastructure, worsening post-disaster challenges and vulnerabilities. This study aims to address post-disaster challenges in low-income communities by proposing two novel approaches that remain understudied despite their significant potential: (1) a short-term solution of origami temporary emergency housing for swift shelter post-disaster, enabling a return to routine activities while homes and infrastructure systems are being repaired or rebuilt; and (2) a long-term solution, including effective pedagogy, such as teaching methods and instructional tools, to educate and train low-income individuals to aid in sustainable post-disaster reconstruction while providing the added benefit of social mobility. To validate the feasibility of origami TEH and the need and effectiveness of the pedagogy, a survey among architecture, engineering, and construction experts in Puerto Rico, a region prone to natural disasters, was conducted. The results, analyzed using statistical measures including descriptive statistics and ordered probit regression analysis, emphasize the urgent need for sustainable TEH that can be quickly assembled and education for low-income individuals in construction trades. Implementing these solutions will significantly impact communities by addressing post-disaster challenges and promoting social mobility and job equity.
Challenges of the Green Transformation of Transport in Poland
Authors: Brzeziński Łukasz , Kolinski Adam
Published: April 2024

The transition to more eco-friendly forms of transport is one of the main challenges for the Polish economy in the coming decades. Poland, as a member of the European Union, must adapt to the requirements regarding, in particular, reducing carbon dioxide emissions related to new vehicles. The implementation of these changes will require significant financial outlays and structural reconstruction of transport (both public and private), as well as remodeling of the functioning and habits of society. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the challenges of the green transformation of transport in Poland. The following research methods were used: desk research, focus interview–expert research, and an original approach to the use of SWOT analysis. Based on the conducted analyses, Poland’s strategic position in the context of the “transport greening” process was determined. The strategy is in line with the concept of “reorganization”, calling for a thorough restructuring of the development strategy. This entails coordinated efforts, such as conducting in-depth evaluations of current strategies, securing increased funding, providing support for research, and implementing public education initiatives. In essence, the study emphasizes the necessity for significant endeavors to effectively manage the green transition of transportation in Poland.
The Catalytic Effect of Pt on Lignin Pyrolysis: A Reactive Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Zhan Weiming , Li Kejiang , Khanna Rita , Konyukhov Yuri , Liang Zeng , Bu Yushan , Sun Zhen , Jiang Chunhe , Zhang Jianliang
Published: April 2024

Lignin is the second-largest renewable resource in nature, second only to cellulose. Lignin is one of the most significant components of biomass, and it determines the behaviour of biomass in many thermochemical processes. However, limited studies have focused on the influence of metal catalysts on lignin pyrolysis. This study aims to develop a sustainable lignin catalytic pyrolysis technology to improve biomass energy-conversion efficiency, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and promote the development of clean energy. In this study, the impact of Pt catalyst on the pyrolysis process of hardwood lignin was simulated by using reactive force field (ReaxFF) molecular dynamics. Through the comparison of the system without catalysts, the catalyst exhibited evident attraction to lignin macromolecules, prompting their decomposition at lower temperatures. Additionally, the catalyst has the strongest adsorption capacity for H radical. The activation energy of the reaction was calculated by kinetic analysis. It was found that the addition of catalysts significantly reduced the activation energy of the reaction. By revealing the effect of Pt catalyst on the lignin pyrolysis process, it provides a theoretical basis for biomass pyrolysis and the utilization of metal catalysts in industry.
Effect of Lithium Slag Application on Saline–Alkali Soil Amelioration and Vegetable Growth
Authors: Zhang Yun , Yao Min , Zhai Yiting , Li Gang Kevin
Published: April 2024

Increased attention has been attracted to saline–alkali soil amelioration due to the growing serious salinization of soils in the world. Lithium slag (LS) is an acid by-product of lithium production with potential properties to ameliorate alkalinity in saline–alkali soils. In this study, LS was reused as a saline–alkali soil amendment and potted plant experiments in a greenhouse were performed to evaluate the effect of LS application on the soil amelioration and the growth of vegetables (roquette and radish) in the saline–alkali soil during the 5-week growth period. LS was added at the amount of 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 5.0%, 8.0% and 10.0% (w/w) levels. Results showed that saline–alkali soil pH dropped obviously with the increase in LS application. Accordingly, the germination, survival and growth of roquette and radish were significantly improved by LS addition, especially at the optimum amount of 0.5% and 1.0% (w/w) in the saline–alkali soil. In contrast to the untreated saline–alkali soil, LS addition at 0.5% and 1.0% (w/w) levels increased the roquette’s height by 49.7% and 36.1% and increased the radish’s height by 54.6% and 53.7%, respectively. However, the soil electrical conductivity (EC) and soluble salt content increased with the addition of LS, and the salt stress induced by excessive LS (over 5.0% level) could inhibit the growth of plants. This study proposes a new way for the effective application of LS in the amelioration of saline–alkali soil in order to realize environment and resource sustainability.
Evaluation Methods and Application of Adaptability of Ecological Product Development and Utilization—Taking Jizhou District, Tianjin City, as an Example
Authors: Zhang Enxiang , Gao Xinting , Lei Shuo , Qiao Qin , Zheng Yuping , Liu Lixiang , Han Yongwei
Published: April 2024

Ecological products refer to the natural elements crucial for sustaining life support systems, ecological regulation functions, and environmental comfort. These products encompass clean air, water, pollution-free soil, lush forests, and maintaining favorable climates. In this study, we assessed the spatial distribution of ecosystem service functions in the Jizhou District of Tianjin using the suitability evaluation method, InVEST model calculations, and ArcGIS spatial visualization analysis. This study operates within the framework of “ecological industry selection”, involving suitability evaluations for ecological product development, and formulates industrial development planning and control strategies. To construct the evaluation index system for exploiting and utilizing ecological products in the Jizhou District, three key aspects were considered: ecosystem services, land use, and limiting factors. Leveraging the district’s resource endowments, this study conducted a quantitative analysis of the spatial distribution pattern of ecological product exploitation potential. The findings revealed a regional aggregation characteristic in the development potential of ecological products. The appropriate direction for developing eco-agriculture, eco-industry, eco-health, and eco-compensation products in the Jizhou district is influenced by the spatial distribution of ecosystem service functions. Building upon the analysis, specific types of ecological products suitable for development in the Jizhou District were further identified. By evaluating the suitability of ecological product development and utilization and verifying the results through industrial model division, the mechanism for comprehending the value of ecological products was realized. This study contributes to the realization of the “two mountains” ideology, wherein the transformation of green water and green mountains into assets of economic value is emphasized, thus fostering sustainable development practices.
The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Distribution of Traffic Accident Hotspots in New York City
Authors: Zhang Hengyi , Ci Yusheng , Huang Yikang , Wu Lina
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the lives of city residents and has reshaped working patterns, with a concomitant impact on traffic accidents. We correlated data from multiple sources to explore the impact of residents’ mobility and residents’ travel behavior on the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of urban traffic accident hotspots and its internal mechanism under the impact of the pandemic and subsequent policy measures. The results showed that the pandemic and policy measures inhibited the mobility of residents, had a significant impact on working patterns, and changed the composition structure of the purpose of residents’ travel behavior, which substantially impacted the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of urban traffic accident hotspots. The quantity of traffic accidents decreased significantly, and the spatial distribution characteristics of urban traffic accident hotspots changed substantially, with accident hotspots changing from the single-center spatial distribution before the pandemic to the multi-center spatial distribution during the pandemic; urban accident-prone areas changed from being mainly distributed in the central business district before the pandemic to being more widely distributed in public service areas during the pandemic. The results of this study may be helpful to better understand the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of urban traffic accident hotspots and their intrinsic mechanism.
The Helicity of Magnetic Fields Associated with Relativistic Electron Vortex Beams
Authors: Alsaawi Norah , Lembessis Vasileios E.
Published: April 2024

For radially extended Bessel modes, the helicity density distributions of magnetic fields associated with relativistic electron vortex beams are investigated for first time in the literature. The form of the distribution is defined by the electron beam’s cylindrically symmetric density flux, which varies with the winding number ℓ and the electron spin. Different helicity distributions are obtained for different signs of the winding number ±ℓ, confirming the chiral nature of the magnetic fields associated with the electron vortex beam. The total current helicity for the spin-down state is smaller than that of the spin-up state. The different fields and helicities associated with opposite winding numbers and/or spin values will play an important role in the investigation of the interaction of relativistic electron vortices with matter and especially chiral matter. A comparison of the calculated quantities with the corresponding ones in the case of non-relativistic spin-polarized electron beams is performed.
Lipid Dysregulation Induced by Gasoline and Diesel Exhaust Exposure and the Interaction with Age
Authors: Gao Yutong , Zhang Xinzhuo , Li Xinting , Zhang Jinsheng , Lv Zongyan , Guo Dongping , Mao Hongjun , Wang Ting
Published: April 2024

Limited knowledge exists regarding gasoline and diesel exhaust effects on lipid metabolism. This study collected gasoline and diesel exhaust under actual driving conditions and conducted inhalation exposure on male young and middle-aged C57BL/6J mice for 4 h/day for 5 days to simulate commuting exposure intensity. Additionally, PM2.5 from actual roadways, representing gasoline and diesel vehicles, was generated for exposure to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and normal liver cells (LO2) for 24, 48, and 72 h to further investigate exhaust particle toxicity. Results showed that diesel exhaust reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in young mice, indicating disrupted lipid metabolism. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels increased by 53.7% and 21.7%, respectively, suggesting potential liver injury. Diesel exhaust exposure decreased superoxide dismutase and increased glutathione peroxidase levels. Cell viability decreased, and reactive oxygen species levels increased in HUVECs and LO2 following exposure to exhaust particles, with dose- and time-dependent effects. Diesel exhaust particles exhibited more severe inhibition of cell proliferation and oxidative damage compared to gasoline exhaust particles. These findings provide novel evidence of the risk of disrupted lipid metabolism due to gasoline and diesel exhaust, emphasizing the toxicity of diesel exhaust.
Plasma Circulating Cell-Free DNA Facilitated the Detection of an Alveolar Echinococcosis Patient Initially Misdiagnosed as Cystic Echinococcosis: A Case Report
Authors: Zhao Yanping , Shi Yiyang , Shen Shu , Zhang Yan , Wei Gengfu , Jin Xin
Published: April 2024

Echinococcosis, especially alveolar echinococcosis (AE), is becoming an emerging/re-emerging disease with a growing number of cases reported globally. The diagnosis of echinococcosis is based mainly on imaging, which may be challenging when the image presentation is atypical. We reported one patient with suspected cystic echinococcosis (CE) by imaging. The cell-free DNA (cfDNA) obtained from sequencing the patient’s plasma before the operation showed that this patient probably had AE with 45 reads mapped to the Echinococcus multilocularis reference genome (Read-Pairs Per Million = 0.24). The patients underwent surgery, and the pathological result showed that the patient had AE. The conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of her lesion sample extraction also indicated that the infection was caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. The follow-up ultrasound after three months indicated no recurrence. We demonstrated that the differentiation of CE and AE by imaging may not be that easy, with further elaboration on the differentiation between AE and CE in different aspects. We demonstrated that it is possible to use patients’ plasma cfDNA mapped to Echinococcus references before the operation to obtain the objective clue of the lesion to facilitate diagnosis.
The Changes in Multiscale Solar Wind Fluctuations on the Path from the Sun to Earth
Authors: Volodin Igor D. , Riazantseva Maria O. , Rakhmanova Liudmila S. , Khokhlachev Alexander A. , Yermolaev Yuri I.
Published: April 2024

This paper is devoted to the analysis of fluctuations in the solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field parameters observed by Solar Orbiter and WIND spacecraft at different scales ranging from ~103 to 107 km. We consider two long data intervals where the distances between the spacecraft are 0.1 and 0.5 AU, respectively, and they are located close to the Sun–Earth line. Transformation of the fluctuation’s properties on the way from the Sun to Earth is analyzed for different types of solar wind associated with quasi-stationary and transient solar phenomena. The time series of bulk speed are shown to undergo a slight modification, even for large spacecraft separation, while the time series of the interplanetary magnetic field magnitude and components as well as proton density may be transformed even at a relatively short distance. Though the large-scale solar wind structures propagate the distance up to 0.5 AU without significant change, local structures at smaller scales may be modified. The statistical properties of the fluctuations such as relative standard deviation or probability distribution function and its moments remain nearly unchanged at different distances between the two spacecraft and are likely to depend mostly on the type of the solar wind.
The Clinical Management of Leukocytospermia in Male Infertility: A Narrative Review
Authors: Hussain Usman , Venishetty Nikit , Alkassis Marwan , Raheem Omer
Published: April 2024

A major global health concern, male infertility affects 8–12% of couples globally. Leukocytospermia is a complicated illness that is distinguished from other reasons causing male infertility by having high white blood cell counts in semen. The complex mechanisms behind leukocytospermia’s effects on sperm function and fertility are examined in this review. Leukocytospermia induces oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that impair DNA integrity, mitochondrial function, cytoplasmic extrusion, and sperm quality overall. Leukocytospermia is exacerbated by non-infectious factors, such as substance abuse and varicocele, even though genital tract infections are a common cause. The usefulness and dependability of diagnostic techniques range from immunochemistry to direct counting. Although there is still disagreement on the most effective course of action, clinical-care techniques, such as antioxidant supplementation and antibiotic therapy, attempt to address underlying causes and reduce ROS-induced damage. Prospectively, the combination of artificial intelligence with the latest developments in artificial reproductive technologies presents opportunities for more precise diagnosis and customized treatments.
Robust Calibration Technique for Precise Transformation of Low-Resolution 2D LiDAR Points to Camera Image Pixels in Intelligent Autonomous Driving Systems
Authors: Rajesh Ravichandran , Manivannan Pudureddiyur Venkataraman
Published: April 2024

In the context of autonomous driving, the fusion of LiDAR and camera sensors is essential for robust obstacle detection and distance estimation. However, accurately estimating the transformation matrix between cost-effective low-resolution LiDAR and cameras presents challenges due to the generation of uncertain points by low-resolution LiDAR. In the present work, a new calibration technique is developed to accurately transform low-resolution 2D LiDAR points into camera pixels by utilizing both static and dynamic calibration patterns. Initially, the key corresponding points are identified at the intersection of 2D LiDAR points and calibration patterns. Subsequently, interpolation is applied to generate additional corresponding points for estimating the homography matrix. The homography matrix is then optimized using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm to minimize the rotation error, followed by a Procrustes analysis to minimize the translation error. The accuracy of the developed calibration technique is validated through various experiments (varying distances and orientations). The experimental findings demonstrate that the developed calibration technique significantly reduces the mean reprojection error by 0.45 pixels, rotation error by 65.08%, and distance error by 71.93% compared to the standard homography technique. Thus, the developed calibration technique promises the accurate transformation of low-resolution LiDAR points into camera pixels, thereby contributing to improved obstacle perception in intelligent autonomous driving systems.
Assessing the Lifecycle Environmental Resilience of Urban Green Infrastructures Coping with Acute Disturbances and Chronic Stresses
Authors: Xue Fei , Luan Bo , Fan Yue , Xie Shiqi , Yang Xiaomin , Luo Jianing , Zheng Ruxuan
Published: April 2024

Urban green infrastructure (UGI), a key component of nature-based solutions (NbSs), plays a vital role in enhancing urban resilience. Nonetheless, the absence of a thorough resilience evaluation for UGI has hindered the efficacy of its design and implementation. This article proposes an innovative urban environmental resilience index (ERI) framework designed to evaluate the lifecycle performance of UGI. First, a coupled environmental resilience evaluation system is proposed that encompasses indicators for the adaptation to acute disturbances and the mitigation of chronic pressures. Second, the inventive formulas for calculating the environmental resilience index are presented, which establish the weighting of indicators through Delphi-analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis, and the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), GaBi, and i-Tree models are employed for the quantitative assessment. Third, four representative UGI scenarios in urban built-up areas have been selected for comparative analysis and in-depth discussion by calculating the resilience index. This research presents UGI solutions as adaptive measures for “Black Swan” events and “Gray Rhino” phenomena, offering significant case studies and methodological frameworks which will inform future endeavours in green and sustainable urban development.
Electronic medical record system for school dental hygienists: a preventive focus
Authors: Burnashova T. I. , Skripkina G. I.
Published: April 2024

Relevance. Clinical documentation remains a cornerstone of medical practice. Over the last decade, there has been a notable evolution in the standards for medical documentation and the speed of processing due to advancements in healthcare information technology, including electronic medical record systems. Despite the Ministry of Health of Russia endorsing specific documentation procedures for healthcare organizations, pediatric preventive care dental services have not yet been provided with an appropriate electronic documentation format.

Materials and methods. The development of the electronic medical record system for dental hygienists employed Qt Creator software (http://www.qt.io/), using the C++ programming language framework (http://www.isocpp.org/). The system's efficacy was evaluated through testing across the Omsk region over the period 2020-2021.

Results. The project resulted in the successful creation of an electronic medical record system designed for dental hygienists.

Conclusion. The new electronic medical record system is set to greatly improve the effectiveness of primary preventive care for dental specialists.
Bilateral comparison between METAS and Ukrmetrteststandart of mass standards in the range from 1 kg to 10 kg
Authors: Tsiporenko Sergii , Marti Kilian
Published: April 2024

A bilateral comparison of the calibration capabilities for mass standards in the range from 1 kg to 10 kg was conducted between the Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) and the State Enterprise «All-Ukrainian State Research and Production Centre for Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Protection of Consumers’ Rights» (Ukrmetrteststandart). Four stainless steel weights of the nominal masses of 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg, and 10 kg provided by Ukrmetrteststandart were used as transfer standards. Both institutes determined the true mass of each weight. In addition, METAS also determined the volumes of the weights. The analysis shows that the results are in good agreement. The institutes have successfully demonstrated their measurement capabilities for determining the true mass of weights from 1 kg to 10 kg. With the achieved measurement uncertainties, Ukrmetrteststandart is capable of calibrating weights in the range from 1 kg to 10 kg of accuracy class E1 according to OIML R-111.
Bone Marrow Lymphocytes: can they be an alternative for bone marrow lymphoblasts as early predictors of relapse and remission in all at the post-induction chemotherapy phase?
Authors: Warnakulsuriya Nethmi Viranya , Wanigasinghe Dilini Nimeshi , Herath Priyanka , Kottahachchi Darshana
Published: April 2024

Background: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a hematological malignancy that arises due to unusual proliferation of lymphoid precursor cells in bone marrow. Induction chemotherapy is vital for achieving complete remission in ALL, but accurately predicting relapse risk and identifying patients likely to sustain remission remains challenging. Conventionally, bone marrow lymphoblasts have been used as the gold standard for assessing treatment response and predicting relapse in ALL. However, emerging evidence suggests that bone marrow lymphocytes may serve as alternative predictive biomarkers. Aim: This study aims to review the utility of bone marrow lymphocytes as early predictors of relapse and remission in ALL during the post-induction chemotherapy phase. It will explore the advantages and limitations of assessing lymphocytes compared to lymphoblasts and discuss the potential mechanisms underlying their prognostic significance. Patients and Methods: Total of 105 newly diagnosed ALL patients; 75 with B ALL and 30 with T ALL was selected to the study. Laboratory investigations included Complete Blood Count (CBC) with the manual differential count analysis and obtaining bone marrow parameters from myelogram reports. The patients were followed until the end of the induction phase and, the laboratory parameters were taken. Correlation bivariate analysis, Paired sample t-Test was performed to establish the associations between peripheral blood parameters with the bone marrow parameters. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to establish cutoff values for peripheral blood parameters and the bone marrow lymphocytes with aiming to investigate bone marrow response. All the analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013.12 SPSS version 26. Results: In B ALL at Day 8, Lymphocytes% in Bone Marrow (L%_BM) showed a significant strong negative correlation (r =-0.357, p<0.05) with NLR. ROC curve analysis showed cut off values for Lymphocytes; NLR =<0.400 indicates the presence of L%_BM >10% in B ALL. When considering T ALL D8, the ALC>=1756/mm3 suggests the presence of >10% L%_BM in D8. Conclusion: Our research demonstrated strong correlations to predict the Lymphoblasts% in Bone Marrow (BL%_BM) & L%_BM by using peripheral blood parameters which is straight forward and easily obtainable. Moreover, we were successfully able to set up cut off peripheral blood parameter values to monitor the response of the Lymphocytes of the bone marrow. Before implementing the results, further studies could be carried out by increasing the sample size for both B & T ALL with the accurate monitoring of the patients.
Salt hyperaccumulation in Amaranthaceae: understanding the physiology behind salinity adaptation in nature
Authors: Devi Sarita , Arya Sunder Singh , Ramprakash  , Madaan Sukham , Pooja Pooja , Lakra Nita
Published: April 2024

Salt hyperaccumulating plants have drawn significant attention for their potential use in phytoremediation due to their ability to absorb ions from the soil and store them in their aboveground tissues, particularly in their succulent leaves. Several species, including S. fruticosa, S. nudiflora, S. baryosma, C. ambrosoides, C. murale, C. album, A. nummularia, A. amnicola, A. lentiformis, A. aspera, A. tomentosa, and H. recurvum, belong to this category of hyperaccumulators. Elevated levels of salt stress have a detrimental impact on the growth and development of plants. This is attributed to the heightened accumulation of ions, resulting in both ionic and osmotic stress. Specifically, the ratios of Na+/K+, Na+/Ca2++Mg2+, and Cl-/SO42- tend to skew towards higher values under increased salinity conditions from normal to 16 dS m-1. Furthermore, the total ionic content per plant showed a noticeable increase, escalating from 152.43 to 306.8 units. Notably, ash content and total dissolved solids also exhibited augmentation with rising levels of salinity (from control to 16 dS m-1). EC and pH varied with the different species in comparison to the values before plantation. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) varied from 23.16 to 24.87 with the species. These halophytes are to be a source of genes for developing salinity-resistant crops that can be oppressed during conventional and molecular plant breeding programs. Considering their unique traits, these halophytes hold promise as a source of genes for developing salt-resistant crops, and they can be integrated into conventional and molecular plant breeding programs to combat salinity-related challenges.
The impact of the effective exchange rate volatility on the trade balance of Vietnam
Authors: Nga Nguyen Thi Van , Minh Nguyen Khac , Toan Tran Dinh
Published: April 2024

This paper examines the effect of exchange rate volatility and other factors on trade balance of Vietnam in the period from the first quarter in 2000 to the fourth quarter in 2016. The data of exports, imports, Gross Domestic Product of Vietnam and Gross Domestic Product of partners from International Monetary Fund is used in this research. The results show that a stable long-term equilibrium relationship exists between exports. Exchange rate volatility could increase the export value but Gross Domestic Product of partners had significant negative effect on the export. The Gross Domestic Product of Vietnam increase the import value but the effect of the exchange rate volatility on the import value is found not significant. Finally, the flexible control of State Bank on exchange rate volatility will enhance Trade Balance of Vietnam.
Obtenção do Biodiesel utilizando óleo de soja e catalisadores Mo/SBA-15: influência do suporte e do método de preparação
Authors: Rodrigues Jocielys Jovelino , Araújo Alfredina dos Santos , Fernandes Filho Antônio , Gomes Filipe Tawã , Jovelino Josevânia Rodrigues , Santos Carlos Sérgio Araújo dos , Medeiros Lorena Lucena de
Published: April 2024

Neste trabalho, catalisadores suportados na peneira molecular SBA-15 foram preparados contendo Co e Mo, os quais foram avaliados na obtenção do biodiesel utilizando óleo de soja (reator batelada de politetrafluoretileno encamisado por uma peça de aço inox com agitação (600 rpm) à 200 ºC com 4 horas de reação). A deposição do cobalto sobre o suporte SBA-15 foi realizada por impregnação úmida e a deposição do molibdênio sobre o suporte SBA-15 foi realizada por meio de dispersão física. Os materiais obtidos foram calcinados e caracterizados por DRX, EDX e adsorção física de N2. Após as sínteses, o biodiesel foi submetido à caracterização de viscosidade cinemática, densidade e cromatografia gasosa. A formação da estrutura mesoporosa foi verificada por DRX e Adsorção física de N2. Os resultados mostraram que tanto a impregnação do cobalto quanto do molibdênio não alterou a estrutura da peneira molecular SBA-15, porém houve reduções nas áreas específicas. O catalisador à base de molibdênio suportado na SBA-15 é mais ativo na obtenção do biodiesel do que o catalisador à base de cobalto.
Simulation of the Key Ecosystem Services Changes in China’s Loess Plateau under Various Shared Socioeconomic Pathways Scenarios
Authors: Wang Xiaozhen , Peng Shouzhang , Wu Jianzhao , Zheng Kai , Wang Shuai , Shangguan Zhouping , Deng Lei
Published: April 2024

Understanding future ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for optimizing ecosystems and devising sustainable development strategies. This study used China’s Loess Plateau as a case study to investigate key ESs from 2020 to 2100. It accomplished this by coupling the Patch-Generating Land Use Simulation and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs models under 3 shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP119, SSP245, and SSP585 scenarios). The results showed the following: (a) The generated land use exhibits strong performance, with an overall accuracy of 0.92. Among projected future land-use and land-cover changes, forests are expected to increase by 31.3% and 29.1% on the Loess Plateau under the SSP119 and SSP245 scenarios, respectively. (b) Between 2020 and 2100, soil conservation (SC) is projected to increase by 127.1% and 8.34%, carbon storage (CS) is projected to increase by 39.8% and 8.1%, while water yield (WY) is expected to decrease by 0.5% and 39.4% under the SSP119 and SSP245 scenarios, respectively. (c) The SSP245 scenario demonstrates the most substantial growth synergy area across the entire Loess Plateau. In this scenario, synergy areas related to SC&CS, CS&WY, and SC&WY are projected to increase by 39.1% and 20.6% while decreasing by 21.1%. These findings identified the most suitable scenario for enhancing ESs and optimizing trade-off relationships throughout the Loess Plateau. The research framework presented here can be applied to other vulnerable ecological regions worldwide.
Validation of the Name Ilex chimantaensis (Aquifoliaceae)
Authors: Kottaimuthu R. , Mahesh Y. , Swain Harekrushna
Published: April 2024

“Ilex chimantaensis T. R. Dudley” (Aquifoliaceae), a replacement name for I. sulcata Edwin, was not validly published because the author failed to supply a full and direct reference to the replaced synonym. Because the name is needed for an endemic Venezuelan species, it is validated here as I. chimantaensis T. R. Dudley ex Kottaim. by citation of the full reference.