bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of the Microemulsion Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography Method for the Analysis of Disperse Dyes Extracted from Polyester Fibers
Authors: Sałdan Anna , Król Małgorzata , Śmigiel-Kamińska Daria , Woźniakiewicz Michał , Kościelniak Paweł
Published: October 2022

The study aimed to develop a method for the separation of dispersed dyes extracted from polyester fibers. Nine commercially available disperse dyes, which were used to dye three polyester fabrics, were tested. Extraction of dyes from 1 cm long threads was carried out in chlorobenzene at 100 °C for 6 h. The separation was performed using microemulsion electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEEKC) with photodiode array detection. Microemulsion based on a borate buffer with an organic phase of n-octane and butanol and a mixture of surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulphate and sodium cholate, were used. The addition of isopropanol and cyclodextrins to microemulsion resulted in a notable improvement in resolution and selectivity. The content of additives was optimized by using the Doehlert experimental design. Values of the coefficient of variance obtained in the validation process, illustrating the repeatability and intermediate precision of the migration times fit in the range of 0.11–1.24% and 0.58–3.21%, respectively. The developed method was also successfully applied to the differentiation of 28 real samples—polyester threads collected from clothing. The obtained results confirmed that proposed method may be used in the discriminant analysis of polyesters dying by disperse dyes and is promisingly employable in forensic practice.
Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China
Authors: Song Kaoping , Tao Jianwen , Lyu Xiuqin , Xu Yang , Liu Shaopeng , Wang Zhengbo , Liu Huifeng , Zhang Yuxuan , Fu Hongtao , Meng En , Liu Mingxi , Guo Hu
Published: October 2022

Polymer flooding is drawing lots of attention because of the technical maturity in some reservoirs. The first commercial polymer flooding in China was performed in the Daqing oilfield and is one of the largest applications in the world. Some laboratory tests from Daqing researchers in China showed that the viscoelasticity of high molecular weight polymers plays a significant role in increasing displacement efficiency. Hence, encouraged by the conventional field applications and new findings on the viscoelasticity effect of polymers on residual oil saturation (ROS), some high-concentration high-molecular-weight (HCHMW) polymer-flooding field tests have been conducted. Although some field tests were well-documented, subsequent progress was seldom reported. It was recently reported that HCHMW has a limited application in Daqing, which does not agree with observations from laboratory core flooding and early field tests. However, the cause of this discrepancy is unclear. Thus, a systematic summary of polymer-flooding mechanisms and field tests in China is necessary. This paper explained why HCHMW is not widely used when considering new understandings of polymer-flooding mechanisms. Different opinions on the viscoelasticity effect of polymers on ROS reduction were critically reviewed. Other mechanisms of polymer flooding, such as wettability change and gravity stability effect, were discussed with regard to widely reported laboratory tests, which were explained in terms of the viscoelasticity effects of polymers on ROS. Recent findings from Chinese field tests were also summarized. Salt-resistance polymers (SRPs) with good economic performance using produced water to prepare polymer solutions were very economically and environmentally promising. Notable progress in SRP flooding and new amphiphilic polymer field tests in China were summarized, and lessons learned were given. Formation blockage, represented by high injection pressure and produced productivity ability, was reported in several oil fields due to misunderstanding of polymers’ injectivity. Although the influence of viscoelastic polymers on reservoir conditions is unknown, the injection of very viscous polymers to displace medium-to-high viscosity oils is not recommended. This is especially important for old wells that could cause damage. This paper clarified misleading notions on polymer-flooding implementations based on theory and practices in China.
Tools to Alleviate the Drug Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Rabaan Ali A. , Mutair Abbas Al , Albayat Hawra , Alotaibi Jawaher , Sulaiman Tarek , Aljeldah Mohammed , Shammari Basim R. Al , Alfaraj Amal H. , Al Fares Mona A. , Alwarthan Sara , Binjomah Abdulwahab Z. , Alzahrani Mohammed S. , Alhani Hatem M. , Almogbel Mohammed S. , Abuzaid Abdulmonem A. , Alqurainees Ghaya , Al Ibrahim Fatimah , Alhaddad Ali H. , Alfaresi Mubarak , Al-baghli Nadira , Alhumaid Saad
Published: October 2022

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), an acid-fast bacillus that causes Tuberculosis (TB), is a pathogen that caused 1.5 million deaths in 2020. As per WHO estimates, another 4.1 million people are suffering from latent TB, either asymptomatic or not diagnosed, and the frequency of drug resistance is increasing due to intrinsically linked factors from both host and bacterium. For instance, poor access to TB diagnosis and reduced treatment in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more TB deaths and an 18% reduction in newly diagnosed cases of TB. Additionally, the detection of Mtb isolates exhibiting resistance to multiple drugs (MDR, XDR, and TDR) has complicated the scenario in the pathogen’s favour. Moreover, the conventional methods to detect drug resistance may miss mutations, making it challenging to decide on the treatment regimen. However, owing to collaborative initiatives, the last two decades have witnessed several advancements in both the detection methods and drug discovery against drug-resistant isolates. The majority of them belong to nucleic acid detection techniques. In this review, we highlight and summarize the molecular mechanism underlying drug resistance in Mtb, the recent advancements in resistance detection methods, and the newer drugs used against drug-resistant TB.
Using the Hierarchies of Evidence Applied to Lifestyle Medicine (HEALM) Approach to Assess the Strength of Evidence on Associations between Dietary Patterns and All-Cause Mortality
Authors: Wingrove Kate , Lawrence Mark A. , Machado Priscila , Stephens Lena D. , McNaughton Sarah A.
Published: October 2022

Dietary guidelines should be underpinned by high-quality evidence. Quality assessment methods that reflect traditional evidence hierarchies prioritise evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The Hierarchies of Evidence Applied to Lifestyle Medicine (HEALM) approach is an alternative quality assessment method for research questions that for practical and/or ethical reasons, cannot be answered using RCTs. The aim of this study was to investigate how the HEALM approach could be used to assess the strength of evidence on associations between dietary patterns and all-cause mortality (a research question that is difficult to answer using RCTs). Two data sources were used: an existing systematic review of dietary patterns and all-cause mortality that synthesised evidence from observational studies; and an overview of reviews that was conducted to summarise relevant evidence from mechanistic and intervention studies. A set of four criteria were developed and used in the application of HEALM. Using different datasets in combination, the strength of evidence was rated as ‘Grade B: moderate/suggestive’ or ‘Grade C: insufficient/inconclusive’. HEALM is a novel approach for integrating and assessing the strength of evidence from mechanistic, intervention, and observational studies. Further research is needed to address the practical challenges that were identified in the application of HEALM.
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Leaf-Fermentation Supernatant Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and Suppresses Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats
Authors: He Yao , Tao Yue , Qiu Liang , Xu Wenfeng , Huang Xiaoli , Wei Hua , Tao Xueying
Published: October 2022

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) leaf is a typical homologous ingredient of medicine and food with lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects. In the present study, lotus leaves were fermented by two probiotics, Enterococcus faecium WEFA23 and Enterococcus hirae WEHI01, and the anti-adipogenic effect of Enterococcus fermented lotus leaf supernatant (FLLS) was evaluated in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with the aim of exploring whether its anti-obesity ability will be enhanced after fermentation with Enterococcus and to dig out the potential corresponding mechanism. The FLLS fermented by E. hirae WEHI01 (FLLS-WEHI01) was selected and further investigated for its ability to inhibit obesity in vivo in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats (male, 110 ± 5 g, 4 weeks old) due to its superior inhibitory effect on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation (inhibition rate of up to 56.17%) in 3T3-L1 cells (p = 0.008 for WEHI01-L, p < 0.001 for WEHI01-H). We found that the oral administration of both the low and high doses of FLLS-WEHI01 could achieve some effects, namely decreasing body weight (p < 0.001), epididymal fat mass, adipocyte cell size, LDL-C levels (p = 0.89, 0.02, respectively), liver TC levels (p < 0.001, p = 0.01, respectively), and TG levels (p = 0.2137, p = 0.0464, respectively), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.1585, p = 0.0009), and improved insulin resistance (p = 0.33, 0.01, respectively) in rats of the model group. Moreover, the administration of both high and low doses of FLLS-WEHI01 decreased the transcription levels of adipogenic transcription factors and corresponding genes such as Pparγ (p < 0.001), Cebpα (p < 0.001), Acc (p < 0.001), and Fas (p < 0.001) by at least three times. These results indicate that FLLS-WEHI01 can potentially be developed as an healthy, anti-obesity foodstuff.
Effect of Taraxaci Herba on Bone Loss in an OVX-Induced Model through the Regulation of Osteoclast Differentiation
Authors: Heo Jun , Kim Minsun , Kim Jae-Hyun , Shin Hwajeong , Lim Seo-Eun , Jung Hyuk-Sang , Sohn Youngjoo , Ku Jaseung
Published: October 2022

Bone is a dynamic tissue that maintains homeostasis with a balance of osteoclasts for bone resorption and osteoblasts for bone formation. Women are deficient in estrogen after menopause, which promotes bone resorption due to excessive activity of osteoclasts, leading to osteoporosis. TH (also known as dandelion) is native to warm regions and has traditionally been used to treat gynecological diseases and inflammation. Menopause is a major cause of osteoporosis as it causes abnormal activity of osteoclasts, and various studies have shown that anti-inflammatory drugs have the potential to treat osteoporosis. We analyzed the effect of TH on osteoclast differentiation and the relevant mechanisms using RANKL. After administration of TH in a menopause-like rat model in which ovariectomy of the was rats carried out, changes in bone microstructure were analyzed via micro-CT, and the antiosteoporosis effect of TH was verified by a histological analysis. In addition, the pharmacological effects of TH in an animal model of osteoporosis were compared and analyzed with osteoporosis medications (17β-estradiol (E2) and alendronate (ALN)). TH significantly inhibited the initial osteoclast differentiation via the NFATc1/c-Fos mechanism. In addition, bone density in the femur of osteoporotic rats was increased, and the expression of osteoclast-related factors in the serum and tissues was controlled. The results of this study provide objective evidence of the inhibitory effect of TH on osteoclastogenesis and OVX-induced bone loss.
Recent Advances in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Otani Naoyuki , Tomoe Takashi , Kawabe Atsuhiko , Sugiyama Takushi , Horie Yasuto , Sugimura Hiroyuki , Yasu Takanori , Nakamoto Takaaki
Published: October 2022

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease in which stenosis or obstruction of the pulmonary arteries (PAs) causes an increase in PA pressure, leading to right-sided heart failure and death. Basic research has revealed a decrease in the levels of endogenous vasodilators, such as prostacyclin, and an increase in the levels of endogenous vasoconstrictors, such as endothelin, in patients with PAH, leading to the development of therapeutic agents. Currently, therapeutic agents for PAH target three pathways that are selective for PAs: the prostacyclin, endothelin, and nitric oxide pathways. These treatments improve the prognosis of PAH patients. In this review, we introduce new drug therapies and provide an overview of the current therapeutic agents.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Potential Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Complications
Authors: Sun Fengtian , Sun Yuntong , Wu Feng , Xu Wenrong , Qian Hui
Published: October 2022

As a novel cell-free strategy, mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) inherit the therapeutic potential of donor cells, and are widely used for the treatment of many diseases. Increasing studies have shown that MSC-EVs transfer various bioactive molecules to create a beneficial microenvironment, thus exerting protective roles in diabetic mellitus (DM) and diabetic complications. To overcome the limitations of natural MSC-EVs such as heterogeneity and insufficient function, several modification methods have been established for constructing engineered MSC-EVs with elevated repairing efficiency. In this review, the PubMed library was searched from inception to August 2022, using a combination of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords related to MSC-EVs, DM, and diabetic complications. We provide an overview of the major characteristics of MSC-EVs and summarize the recent advances of MSC-EV-based therapy for hyperglycemia-induced tissue damage with an emphasis on MSC-EV-mediated delivery of functional components. Moreover, the potential applications of engineered MSC-EVs in DM-related diseases therapy are discussed by presenting examples, and the opportunities and challenges for the clinical translation of MSC-EVs, especially engineered MSC-EVs, are evaluated.
Development of a Granule Growth Regime Map for Twin Screw Wet Granulation Process via Data Imputation Techniques
Authors: Kotamarthy Lalith , Sampat Chaitanya , Ramachandran Rohit
Published: October 2022

Twin screw granulation (TSG) is a continuous wet granulation technique that is used widely across different solid manufacturing industries. The TSG has been recognized to have numerous advantages due to its modular design and continuous manufacturing capabilities, including processing a wide range of formulations. However, it is still not widely employed at the commercial scale because of the lack of holistic understanding of the process. This study addresses that problem via. the mechanistic development of a regime map that considers the complex interactions between process, material, and design parameters, which together affect the final granule quality. The advantage of this regime map is that it describes a more widely applicable quantitative technique that can predict the granule growth behavior in a TSG. To develop a robust regime map, a database of various input parameters along with the resultant final granule quality attributes was created using previously published literature experiments. Missing data for several quality attributes was imputed using various data completion techniques while maintaining physical significance. Mechanistically relevant non-dimensional X and Y axis that quantify the physical phenomena occurring during the granulation were developed to improve the applicability and predictability of the regime map. The developed regime map was studied based on process outcomes and granule quality attributes to identify and create regime boundaries for different granule growth regimes. In doing so breakage-dominant growth was incorporated into the regime map, which is very important for TSG. The developed regime map was able to accurately explain the granule growth regimes for more than 90% of the studied experimental points. These experimental were generated at vastly different material, design, and process parameters across various studies in the literature, this further increases the confidence in the developed regime map.
Incorporation of Nanocatalysts for the Production of Bio-Oil from Staphylea holocarpa Wood
Authors: Li Yiyang , Li Guanyan , Yang Yafeng , Chen Xiangmeng , Peng Wanxi , Li Hanyin
Published: October 2022

Biomass has been recognized as the most common source of renewable energy. In recent years, researchers have paved the way for a search for suitable biomass resources to replace traditional fossil fuel energy and provide high energy output. Although there are plenty of studies of biomass as good biomaterials, there is little detailed information about Staphylea holocarpa wood (S. holocarpa) as a potential bio-oil material. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of S. holocarpa wood as a bio-oil. Nanocatalyst cobalt (II) oxide (Co3O4) and Nickel (II) oxide (NiO) were used to improve the production of bio-oil from S. holocarpa wood. The preparation of biofuels and the extraction of bioactive drugs were performed by the rapid gasification of nanocatalysts. The result indicated that the abundant chemical components detected in the S. holocarpa wood extract could be used in biomedicine, cosmetics, and biofuels, and have a broad industrial application prospect. In addition, nanocatalyst cobalt tetraoxide (Co3O4) could improve the catalytic cracking of S. holocarpa wood and generate more bioactive molecules at high temperature, which is conducive to the utilization and development of S. holocarpa wood as biomass. This is the first time that S. holocarpa wood was used in combination with nanocatalysts. In the future, nanocatalysts can be used to solve the problem of sustainable development of biological resources.
God as a Servant of Magic? The Challenge of the Impersonalisation of God in Neo-Pentecostal Prophetic Responses to Human Agency and Transcendence in Africa
Authors: Banda Collium
Published: October 2022

This article is a Christian theological evaluation of African neo-Pentecostal prophets’ (ANPPs) projection of God as a servant of prophetic rituals in their solutions to poor human agency (power to act) and transcendence (power to overcome) in Africa. Instead of propagating a personal relational God who transforms the poor and empowers their agency and transcendence by personally engaging with them, ANPPs propagate a God who works by ritual manipulation. The main question answered in the article is: what is the notion of God that informs and guides the ANPPs’ engagement with human agency and transcendence in Africa? The question is answered by first presenting a framework of God’s personality. The ANPPs’ impersonalized view of God is described. The basis of the impersonalisation of God in ATR is presented. The vulnerability of human agency and transcendence as a result of the impersonalisation of God is described. The article closes by proposing how a personal Trinitarian view of God rejects the ANPP impersonalisation of God and describes how the Trinitarian view can assist in addressing the problem of human agency and transcendence among poor Africans. The contribution of the article lies in challenging ANPPs to desist from addressing poor human agency and transcendence in Africa by propagating a version of God who is a servant of magical rituals instead of a relational God who is personally involved with the poor to empower them to overcome the hindrances to their human flourishing.
The Reading of the Mencius by Korean Confucian Scholars: Rhetorical Exegesis and the Dao
Authors: You Min Jung
Published: October 2022

When Joseon Korea scholars were interpreting the Mencius (孟子: K. Maengja or Mengzi), they were focusing on its content and on its rhetorical elements at the same time. For a given commentator, selecting various rhetorical features (such as grammatical and lexical specificities) meant to read the dao 道 (K. do) of the Mencius in a fashion different from the one expounded by other scholars. In this article, I examine the relationship these commentators were establishing between the textual patterns of the Mencius and the encompassing reality, dao, as understood by this latter work. Specifically, I focus upon the works of two Joseon scholars—Yi Hwang 李滉’s Maengja seogui 孟子釋義 and Wi Baekgyu 魏伯珪’s Maengja chaui 孟子箚義. Through their reading, I notably attempt to (a) describe how rhetorically oriented exegeses had been maturing throughout this era; and to (b) elucidate how Korean commentators, through their rhetorical commentaries, put forward interpretations that differed from the ones propounded by the orthodox tradition as exemplified by Zhu Xi.
Collaborative Consistent Knowledge Distillation Framework for Remote Sensing Image Scene Classification Network
Authors: Xing Shiyi , Xing Jinsheng , Ju Jianguo , Hou Qingshan , Ding Xiurui
Published: October 2022

For remote sensing image scene classification tasks, the classification accuracy of the small-scale deep neural network tends to be low and fails to achieve accuracy in real-world application scenarios. However, although large deep neural networks can improve the classification accuracy of remote sensing image scenes to some extent, the corresponding deep neural networks also have more parameters and cannot be used on existing embedded devices. The main reason for this is that there are a large number of redundant parameters in large deep networks, which directly leads to the difficulty of application on embedded devices and also reduces the classification speed. Considering the contradiction between hardware equipment and classification accuracy requirements, we propose a collaborative consistent knowledge distillation method for improving the classification accuracy of remote sensing image scenes on embedded devices, called CKD. In essence, our method addresses two aspects: (1) We design a multi-branch fused redundant feature mapping module, which significantly improves the parameter redundancy problem. (2) To improve the classification accuracy of the deep model on embedded devices, we propose a knowledge distillation method based on mutually supervised learning. Experiments were conducted on two remote sensing image classification datasets, SIRI-WHU and NWPU-RESISC45, and the experimental results showed that our approach significantly reduced the number of redundant parameters in the deep network; the number of parameters decreased from 1.73 M to 0.90 M. In addition, compared to a series of student sub-networks obtained based on the existing different knowledge distillation methods, the performance of the student sub-networks obtained by CKD for remote sensing scene classification was significantly improved on two different datasets, with an average accuracy of 0.943 and 0.916, respectively.
Benchmarking Different SfM-MVS Photogrammetric and iOS LiDAR Acquisition Methods for the Digital Preservation of a Short-Lived Excavation: A Case Study from an Area of Sinkhole Related Subsidence
Authors: Corradetti Amerigo , Seers Thomas , Mercuri Marco , Calligaris Chiara , Busetti Alice , Zini Luca
Published: October 2022

We are witnessing a digital revolution in geoscientific field data collection and data sharing, driven by the availability of low-cost sensory platforms capable of generating accurate surface reconstructions as well as the proliferation of apps and repositories which can leverage their data products. Whilst the wider proliferation of 3D close-range remote sensing applications is welcome, improved accessibility is often at the expense of model accuracy. To test the accuracy of consumer-grade close-range 3D model acquisition platforms commonly employed for geo-documentation, we have mapped a 20-m-wide trench using aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry, as well as iOS LiDAR. The latter was used to map the trench using both the 3D Scanner App and PIX4Dcatch applications. Comparative analysis suggests that only in optimal scenarios can geotagged field-based photographs alone result in models with acceptable scaling errors, though even in these cases, the orientation of the transformed model is not sufficiently accurate for most geoscientific applications requiring structural metric data. The apps tested for iOS LiDAR acquisition were able to produce accurately scaled models, though surface deformations caused by simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) errors are present. Finally, of the tested apps, PIX4Dcatch is the iOS LiDAR acquisition tool able to produce correctly oriented models.
Optimizing Radar-Based Rainfall Estimation Using Machine Learning Models
Authors: Hassan Diar , Isaac George A. , Taylor Peter A. , Michelson Daniel
Published: October 2022

Weather radar research has produced numerous radar-based rainfall estimators based on climate, rainfall intensity, a variety of ground-truthing instruments and sensors (e.g., rain gauges, disdrometers), and techniques. Although each research direction gives improvement, their collective application in an operational sense still yields uncertainty in rainfall estimation at times. This study aims to explore the concept of implementing Machine Learning (ML) models in optimizing the radar-based rainfall estimations at the bin level from a group of estimator. The Canadian King City C-Band radar was used with a GEONOR T-200B rain gauge (a total of 263 sample points) to establish a group of polarimetric-based rainfall estimators (R(Z), R(Z, ZDR), R(KDP)). The estimators were used to train three ML models, namely Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Gradient Boost, to choose the optimal rainfall estimators based on radar variables (Z, ZDR, KDP). Data from the Canadian Exeter C-Band radar and a Texas Electronics TE525 tipping bucket gauge at a different location were used to verify the ML models and compare their results to the most commonly used Z-R relations. The verification process shows promising results for the ML models, specifically the Gradient Boost model. These encouraging results need to be further explored with more sample points to further refine the ML models.
Electromagnetic Signal Attenuation Characteristics in the Lunar Regolith Observed by the Lunar Regolith Penetrating Radar (LRPR) Onboard the Chang’E-5 Lander
Authors: Ding Chunyu , Su Yan , Lei Zhonghan , Zhang Zongyu , Song Mi , Liu Yuanzhou , Wang Ruigang , Li Qingquan , Li Chunlai , Huang Shaopeng
Published: October 2022

The Chinese Chang’E-5 probe landed in the Mons Rümker of Oceanus Procellarum on the near side of the Moon. The lunar regolith penetrating radar (LRPR) carried by the Chang’E-5 probe allows for the determination of in situ lunar regolith dielectric properties, which are probably related to the age and chemical composition of the regolith. In this paper, we analyze the Chang’E-5 LRPR data with the frequency shift method to estimate the loss tangent of the lunar regolith within a depth of ∼2.8 m. The loss tangent of the Chang’E-5 landing site is constrained to be 0.0148 ± 0.0016, which is substantially higher than that of the typical lunar regolith. The high loss tangent is found to be characteristic of the young basalt age (∼2.0 Ga) and high TiO2+FeO content (28.21 ± 1.57%) of the Chang’E-5 landing site. Integrated analysis of results from Chang’E-3, Chang’E-4, and Chang’E-5 show that the younger is the geologic age of the mare unit, the greater is the loss tangent of the lunar regolith, and the weaker is the radar electromagnetic signal penetrating ability.
LiDAR and UAV SfM-MVS of Merapi Volcanic Dome and Crater Rim Change from 2012 to 2014
Authors: Gomez Christopher , Setiawan Muhammad Anggri , Listyaningrum Noviyanti , Wibowo Sandy Budi , Hadmoko Danang Sri , Suryanto Wiwit , Darmawan Herlan , Bradak Balazs , Daikai Rikuto , Sunardi Sunardi , Prasetyo Yudo , Astari Annisa Joviani , Lukman Lukman , Nurani Idea Wening , Dede Moh. , Suhendro Indranova , Lavigne Franck , Malawani Mukhamad Ngainul
Published: October 2022

Spatial approaches, based on the deformation measurement of volcanic domes and crater rims, is key in evaluating the activity of a volcano, such as Merapi Volcano, where associated disaster risk regularly takes lives. Within this framework, this study aims to detect localized topographic change in the summit area that has occurred concomitantly with the dome growth and explosion reported. The methodology was focused on two sets of data, one LiDAR-based dataset from 2012 and one UAV dataset from 2014. The results show that during the period 2012–2014, the crater walls were 100–120 m above the crater floor at its maximum (from the north to the east–southeast sector), while the west and north sectors present a topographic range of 40–80 m. During the period 2012–2014, the evolution of the crater rim around the dome was generally stable (no large collapse). The opening of a new vent on the surface of the dome has displaced an equivalent volume of 2.04 × 104 m3, corresponding to a maximum −9 m (+/−0.9 m) vertically. The exploded material has partly fallen within the crater, increasing the accumulated loose material while leaving “hollows” where the vents are located, although the potential presence of debris inside these vents made it difficult to determine the exact size of these openings. Despite a measure of the error from the two DEMs, adding a previously published dataset shows further discrepancies, suggesting that there is also a technical need to develop point-cloud technologies for active volcanic craters.
Equations for Calculating the Foundation Settlement of Zhanjiang Formation Gray Clay Considering the Influence of Multiple Factors
Authors: Tang Bin , Song Yuhao , Yin Xia
Published: October 2022

The Zhanjiang Formation gray clay has physical properties similar to the muddy clay of other areas, such as a large void ratio and high-water content. At the same time, it also has mechanical properties that differ from muddy clay in other areas, such as high strength and low compressibility. When calculating the foundation settlement, the equation that calculates the foundation settlement as suggested by the code tends to produce values of compression modulus that are too small, which leads to larger calculated values. This study investigated the relationship between the pressure and deformation of Zhanjiang Formation gray clay foundations with different densities, water content, and stress histories by means of a plate loading model test. It revealed the influence of these factors on the deformation modulus, and the quantitative relationship between this modulus and the density of soils, water content, and the over consolidation ratio was established. In doing so, the aforementioned quantitative relationship was applied to the equation which calculated the foundation settlement as suggested by the current code, thereby proposing a pertinent formula relevant to Zhanjiang Formation gray clay foundations. The formula was subsequently applied to two engineering examples, and the settlement amounts output were in agreement with actual measured values, indicating it is reasonable and feasible for practical application. Therefore, it can provide a reference for the calculation of foundation settlements across the coastal area of Beibu Gulf.
Daily Behavior Characteristics and Environmental Symbiosis Mechanism of Village Residents in Alpine Pastoral Areas: Meiwu Village, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Authors: Li Wei , Ma Yujia , Qi Jianwu , Jiao Jianping
Published: October 2022

The characteristics of the daily behaviors of village residents and their symbiotic relationship with the environment play important roles in optimizing the spatial configuration of villages and promoting the sustainable development of the villages and the environment. This paper used the questionnaire survey method and the field observation method, collected the data of different residents’ activities by interviews and surveys in Meiwu Village, Gannan Prefecture, and analyzed the characteristics of the local residents’ behaviors and activities, as well as their interaction with spaces from the perspective of time. The results showed that the types of daily activities of village residents in alpine pastoral areas can be divided into four types: life type, survival type, leisure type, and folk type, and there were significant differences in the types of daily activities and the corresponding spaces of the different groups. Residents’ daily behaviors determine the choice and construction of the village spaces, and residents lifestyles promote the functional transformation of the living spaces. On the other hand, the village spaces can also affect the behavioral activities. This study is helpful to improve the method of evaluating the daily living spaces of pastoral villages based on residents’ behaviors, and the conclusion of the empirical study has certain guiding significance for the rural planning of alpine pastoral areas under the humanistic concept.
An Empirical Examination of Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning as Mediating Variables between HRM and Sustainable Organizational Performance
Authors: Kokkaew Nakhon , Peansupap Vachara , Jokkaw Noppadon
Published: October 2022

Despite increasing competition, the construction industry is still lagging behind other industries in several aspects such as productivity growth, technology adoption, and human resource management. Although the causal link between human resource management (HRM) and organizational performance (OP) is well established and reinforced by several studies, the mediating mechanisms through which HRM practices impact organizational performance remain areas lacking consensus. This article, therefore, aims at examining the mediating roles of knowledge management (KM) and organizational learning (OL) in the established relationship between HRM and the long-term or sustainable peformance of Thai construction firms. Confirmatory factor analysis and partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) were employed as the methods of analysis. Based on the dataset of 194 responses, the empirical results of the study strongly supported the three hypotheses that assumed positive relationships between (1) HRM and OP, (2) HRM and knowledge management, and (3) organizational learning and the OP of the firms under study. These findings thus provide empirical evidence for the three relationships. However, empirical results testing the roles of KM or OL or both as mediating variables behind the link between HRM and sustainable OP were not confirmed by the dataset. Therefore, one of the practical implications provided by this study is that Thai construction firms should be better aligned and integrated their HRM practices, knowledge management, and organizational learning to enhance the firms’ competitive advantage and to help lead the firms towards a more sustainable pathway of business operations. However, since the fragmented activities of construction make it hard to apply human resource management effectively, such good alignment and integration of HRM, KM, and OL for improving performance may, in practice, be quite challenging for most construction firms.
Circular Fashion: Cluster Analysis to Define Advertising Strategies
Authors: Aramendia-Muneta Maria Elena , Ollo-López Andrea , Simón-Elorz Katrin
Published: October 2022

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 provides a catalogue of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In this context, Circular fashion stands out as one of the sectors where commitment to the SDGs is most needed, given its global nature and its significant growth in terms of consumption. Moreover, it is not possible to assert that society, in general, is aware of the importance of the principles that guide circularity, both in terms of awareness and attitudes. In this study, through cluster analysis, five different segments have been identified with divergent characteristics in terms of level of maturity regarding principles of circular fashion and/or benefits and/or enablers of related communication tools. Social and personal characteristics make it possible to contrast the differences in consumer behavior, as well as relevant aspects, such as willingness to pay more for circular fashion. The present study will help to fill the gap in research between the awareness and attitudes of consumers in circular fashion and propose different strategies for the industry and institutions to develop the concept of sustainability regarding circular fashion.
DEM Study on Hydrological Response in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hidayatulloh Asep , Chaabani Anis , Zhang Lifu , Elhag Mohamed
Published: October 2022

The changes in catchments can be analyzed through the generation of DEM, which is important as input data in hydrologic modeling. This study aims to analyze the effect of anthropogenic activities on hydrological studies based on DEM comparison and GIUH hydrographs. The four DEM datasets (SRTM, ALOS, Copernicus, Sentinel-1) were compared to the topographic map of Makkah City and GPS data in order to assess the quality of the DEM elevation. The GIS Arc Hydro toolbox was used to extract morphometric and Horton–Strahler ratio characteristics to generate a GIUH hydrograph of the catchments of Wadi Nouman and Wadi Ibrahim inside Makkah City. Based on the DEM comparison, Copernicus and SRTM have the highest accuracy, with R2 = 0.9788 and 0.9765, and the lowest RMSE, 3.89 m and 4.23 m, respectively. ALOS and Sentinel-1 have the lowest R2, 0.9687 and 0.9028, and the highest RMSE, 4.27 m and 6.31 m, respectively. GIUH Copernicus DEM on Wadi Nouman has a higher qp  and lower tp (0.21 1/h and 2.66 h) than SRTM (0.20 1/h and 2.75 h), respectively. On Wadi Ibrahim, the SRTM has a greater qp and lower tp  than Copernicus due to the wadi having two shapes. Based on the anthropogenic effect, the stream network in the mountain area is quite similar for SRTM and Copernicus due to the dominant influence of the mountainous relief and relatively inconsequential influence of anthropogenic activities and DEM noise. In the urban area, the variation of the stream network is high due to differing DEM noise and significant anthropogenic activities such as urban redevelopment. The Copernicus DEM has the best performance of the others, with high accuracy, less RMSE, and stream flow direction following the recent condition.
Reducing Wind Erosion through Agroforestry: A Case Study Using Large Eddy Simulations
Authors: van Ramshorst Justus G. V. , Siebicke Lukas , Baumeister Moritz , Moyano Fernando E. , Knohl Alexander , Markwitz Christian
Published: October 2022

Wind erosion is seen as one of the main risks for modern agriculture in dry and sandy regions. Shelterbelts and agroforestry systems are known for their ability to reduce wind speed and, consequently, wind erosion. The current study considers temperate alley cropping agroforestry systems, where multiple tree strips (shelterbelts) are interleaved with either annual rotating crops or perennial grassland. The aim was to quantify the potential wind erosion reduction by alley cropping agroforestry systems and the effect of design decisions for a case study in Germany. By combining wind measurements and Large Eddy Simulations, the wind speed and potential wind erosion inside an agroforestry system were estimated. Our model simulations result in an average reduction in wind speed between 17% and 67%, and a reduction of average potential wind erosion between 24% and 97%. The most optimal reduction of the average potential wind erosion was larger than 92% for tree strips orientated perpendicular to the main wind direction, whereas for a diagonal orientation of the tree strips to the main wind direction we found an average reduction of 86%. Parallel orientated tree strips reduce wind erosion on average by less than 35%. Tree strips planted with ≤48 m distance provide a strong and constant reduction of wind erosion, even for tree strips of 2 m height the average reduction was 86%, when the tree strips were orientated optimal to the dominant wind direction. Our model simulations showed that alley cropping agroforestry systems in a temperate climate have a large potential to reduce wind erosion by more than 80% when the system is well-designed and managed.
Mechanism and Application of Roof Cutting by Directional Energy-Cumulative Blasting along Gob-Side Entry
Authors: Wang Eryu , Shi Zhen , Xi Wenyuan , Feng Jiwei , Wu Pengfei
Published: October 2022

In this paper, roof-cutting technology of directional energy-cumulative presplitting blasting is taken as the research object. Through the numerical simulation software Ansys/Ls-dyna3D, the process of energy-cumulative blasting and non-cumulative blasting is simulated and analyzed by using the ALE algorithm. Moreover, the evolution processes of tensile strain energy, detonation stress wave of explosives, stress state of rock mass, and rock crack damage cumulative are compared in two conditions. In the energy cumulative state, the detonation wave acts centrally on the hole wall in the energy cumulative direction to form an initial crack, and then under the action of the jet of energy cumulative, the crack continues to propagate until it runs through. In the non-energy cumulative state, the crack propagates uniformly around the hole wall, forming irregular short cracks. The simulation is verified by the field test, and the law of crack propagation is the same with the simulation. Therefore, directional energy-concentrated presplitting blasting has good practicability in a roof presplitting operation.
Changes in Costs Incurred by Car Users of the Local Transport System Due to the Implementation of Sunday Retail Restrictions
Authors: Borowska-Stefańska Marta , Kowalski Michał , Majewska Anna , Wiśniewski Szymon
Published: October 2022

The correlation between retail trade and the transport system is clear. Shops are customer oriented, and to visit them, the shopper needs to travel by a mode of transport and find a suitable time to do so. Due to the concentration of retail outlets in large-format shopping centres, these have become among the greatest attractors and traffic generators (including car traffic). While their attraction potential and traffic generation are well established in the literature, research on disruptions to the retail market and their impact on the transport system remains sparse. The authors—wishing to extend the scope of research on this subject matter—set themselves the objective of examining the extent to which Sunday retail restrictions affect the efficiency of the local road transport system. They applied time-measured costs (queuing and delayed travel times) as a measure of efficiency. Empirical measurements of traffic volumes were employed in the study, and the measure of efficiency was calculated through microsimulation traffic modelling based on a psychophysical car-following model. However, the returned results prove to be inconclusive. A decrease in the temporal cost incurred by road users is observed in areas around shopping centres located in the city centre and the outskirts. A different pattern, however, is observed close to shopping centres located on an axis connecting the city centre to residential areas. The main conclusion from this study is that the changes in traffic density seen due to Sunday retail restrictions should induce further analyses of the changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of traffic. As a result, a more efficient traffic management that is adjusted to a given day of the week and specific situation on that day could be implemented.
The Influence of Systematic Strategic Planning and Strategic Business Innovation on the Sustainable Performance of Manufacturing SMEs: The Case of Palestine
Authors: Dwikat Said Yousef , Arshad Darwina , Mohd Shariff Mohd Noor
Published: October 2022

Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) impact on economic growth is widely acknowledged. Nevertheless, the literature lacks empirical evidence as to how the sustainable performance of manufacturing SMEs in developing countries with unstable and turbulent business environments, such as Palestine, could be enhanced. Relying on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Resource-based View (RBV) theory, and sustainable performance literature, this study explores the influence of systematic strategic planning (SSP) and strategic business innovation (SBI) on the sustainable performance (SP) of Palestinian manufacturing SMEs. Based on a sample of 377 manufacturing SMEs in Palestine, 245 valid surveys have been subjected to Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling for analysis using Smart PLS 3.0 software. The results show that various factors can enhance manufacturing SMEs’ sustainability performance, such as adopting a supporting national policy to enhance the concept of sustainability at the policy level. However, implementing proper systematic strategic planning (SSP) and strategic business innovation (SBI) in a collaborative culture and a participatory management style at the firm level in manufacturing SMEs positively influences and enhances the sustainable performance of those firms. This study’s contribution to the literature expands the knowledge on sustainable performance in manufacturing SMEs in developing countries experiencing political and economic uncertainty. Hence, the research findings demonstrate how (SSP) and (SBI) are crucial management tools for businesses operating in a highly competitive and turbulent environment.
Do Financial Support Policies Catalyse the Development of New Consumption Field?—Evidence from China’s New Consumer Enterprises
Authors: Lu Qin , Zhang Zongyi
Published: October 2022

The development of the new consumption field is crucial to China’s sustained economic growth at this stage, and it is also of significance to catch-up economies in a shift period of economic growth in order to achieve a breakthrough in development. From a micro perspective, relying on propensity score matching and the difference-in-differences method, this paper is the first study to examine the impact of financial support policies on the growth of new consumer enterprises by using the data of A-share-listed enterprises from 2012 to 2021 and to systematically explore this impact mechanism on the basis of the heterogeneity of property rights and regions. The results show the following: First, the implementation of financial support policies is beneficial to catalyse both current growth and the growth potential of new consumer enterprises. Second, financial support policies play a role in the allocation of credit resources for new consumer enterprises and promote their growth by improving credit supply. Third, financial support policies have a more obvious effect on the growth of non-state-owned new consumer enterprises than those that are state-owned, and they play a greater role in promoting the growth of new consumer enterprises in the northern region than that in the southern region. Our conclusions provide a theoretical reference and path reference for achieving targeted assistance for new consumer enterprises and accelerating the sustainable development of the new consumption field.