bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distributionally Robust Programming of Berth-Allocation-with-Crane-Allocation Problem with Uncertain Quay-Crane-Handling Efficiency
Authors: Tang Xufeng , Liu Chang , Li Xinqi , Ji Ying
Published: September 2023

In order to promote the efficient and intelligent construction of container ports, we focus on the optimization of berth-and-quay-crane (QC) allocation in tidal terminal operations. This paper investigates the quay-crane-profile-(QC-profile)-based assignment problem, and considers the uncertainty in QC profiles regarding QC efficiency for the first time. A mixed-integer programming (MIP) model is established for a discrete berth allocation with a crane-assignment problem (BACAP), considering the tide time window. We aim to minimize the total time loss caused by anchorage and the delay of vessels. Leveraging the theory of uncertainty optimization, the proposed deterministic model is extended into a stochastic programming (SP) model and a distributionally robust optimization (DRO) model, via the consideration of the random QC efficiency. To solve the proposed models, a column generation (CG) algorithm is employed, utilizing the mathematical method and subproblem-solving approach. The numerical experiments with different instances demonstrate that the DRO model yields a smaller variation in the objective function values, and the effectiveness of the CG method. The experimental results verify the robustness of the constructed models, and the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Corridors Construction and Development Strategies for Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Study about the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Zhang Tianxin , Yang Yuliang , Fan Xin , Ou Shengya
Published: September 2023

At present, there is obvious regional segmentation in the protection of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. ArcGIS spatial analysis method and minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) models are used to investigate the distribution characteristics of ICH and the suitability of corridor construction in this region. On this basis, the strategies for heritage corridor construction are proposed. (1) The results show that the density and distribution of ICH in the Yangtze River Economic Belt have distinct regional characteristics: most of the high-density areas are in the eastern region, yet the low-density areas are mainly in the western region. (2) The suitability of heritage corridor construction decreases from west to east, and the unsuitable areas are mainly distributed in the western region. (3) According to the spatial characteristics of heritage distribution and the suitability of regional corridor construction, the ArcGIS spatial analysis method is used to determine 37 heritage corridors in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. (4) On this basis, a corridor construction method that uses linear landscape as the corridor theme and connects individual heritage points is proposed. The development strategy of heritage corridors should be in line with local conditions in different regions so as to realize regional collaborative development. Furthermore, the influence domain of heritage corridors should be further increased.
Research on Magnetic Rollers for Recovering Non-Ferrous Metals from End-of-Life Vehicles Employing Machine Learning
Authors: Jia Youdong , Liu Jianxiong , Li Zhengfang
Published: September 2023

Recovering copper foil and crushed aluminum from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) is a significant issue in the recycling industry. As a key technology for sorting aluminum, copper, and other non-ferrous metals, eddy current separation (ECS) is efficient in isolating the non-ferrous metals according to their different electrical conductivity and density. However, further research is still needed in the separation of large-size copper foil and crushed aluminum from scrapped vehicles. In this study, support vector regression (SVR) and the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) are exploited for the first time to be used in optimizing the Halbach magnetic roller. Firstly, the numerical simulation results are based on the response surface methodology (RSM). Then, the accuracy of four kernel functions employing SVR is compared to select a kernel function. The sparrow search algorithm (SSA) is proposed to optimize the structural parameters of the Halbach magnetic roller, concentrating on the above-selected kernel function. Meanwhile, the parameters are confirmed. Numerical simulation results indicate that machine learning for magnetic roller optimization is feasible.
Product Traceability and Supply Chain Sustainability of Black Soybeans as Raw Materials for Soy Sauce in Maintaining Quality and Safety
Authors: Anwar Syaiful , Perdana Tomy , Rachmadi Meddy , Noor Trisna Insan
Published: September 2023

Black soybeans are a necessary raw material for the soy sauce industry in Indonesia, with the reason being that they are preferred because they have a natural black color and a delicious and savory taste. As a source of raw material for soy sauce, the industry ensures that the black soybean supply chain is sustainable and can meet production requirements in quality and quantity. This research aims to trace the product and supply chain of sustainable black soybeans as raw materials for soy sauce. The selection of data sources or informants in this study in Indonesia comprised 122 farmer groups that assisted or collaborated with cooperatives that sent black soybeans to be used as raw materials for making soy sauce; 1 field assistant; and 4 cooperatives that collaborated with the industry. The data collection techniques used in this study were observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The types of documentation were research notes based on interview guides, research photos, and official institutional documents. The data analysis method used in this study was a qualitative approach with the help of QSR NVivo version 12 Plus software. The results of this study show that traceability in production is necessary to maintain safety, quality, and sustainability. Product traceability requires a monitoring system and regulations established by the industry that all stakeholders must follow, starting with farmer groups and cooperatives that supply raw materials to the industry. A good monitoring system places employees from the industry as agricultural assistants. As such, it will also determine the sustainability of the economic, social, environmental, technological, institutional, and infrastructural dimensions. Traceability in the production of black soybeans used as raw materials for making soy sauce, namely those of the Mallika variety that are round/whole and unbroken, will be accepted by the industry. The process carried out by farmer groups from planting to harvesting black soybeans is controlled by agricultural assistants and follows regulations set by the industry. The cooperative lends black soybean seeds to grade-A-seed-quality farmer groups. The farmer group repays the loan at harvest time and returns it to the cooperative in cash sums of 10,000 IDR/kg.
Selection and Application of Bohai Sea Environmental Governance Policy Instrumental: A Quantitative Analysis Based on Policy Text (1996–2022)
Authors: Pan Feng , Cheng Liangyu , Wang Lin
Published: September 2023

The Bohai Sea is the only inland sea in China and serves as an important carrier for the Bohai Sea Economic Zone. However, it is also one of the areas with serious marine environmental pollution. This paper selects the policy text concerning Marine environmental pollution control issued by the central and local governments from 1996 to 2022 as the research object. Based on the three policy instruments of government environmental regulation, market incentive mechanisms and public participation, and using a content analysis method to encode and quantify the text content, it was found that the Bohai Sea marine environmental governance suffers from issues such as a singular concept of the use of policy instruments, imbalance in the proportion of their use, and insufficient supervision in the event of their use. Consequently, it is recommended to adopt diversified policy concepts, optimize the structure of policy instruments, and strengthen in-process supervision in the governance of the Bohai Sea marine environment.
Optimization and Comparative Analysis of Different CCUS Systems in China: The Case of Shanxi Province
Authors: Zhou Wenyue , Pan Lingying , Mao Xiaohui
Published: September 2023

As an effective technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology has been a major strategic choice and has received widespread attention. Meanwhile, the high cost and strict requirements of carbon dioxide storage and utilization on geographical conditions, industrial equipment, and other aspects limit large-scale applications of CCUS. Taking Shanxi Province as an example, in this paper, we study the economic and environmental characteristics of carbon dioxide capture, storage, and utilization under different combinations of technical routes. Steel, power, cement, and chemical industries are considered. Deep saline aquifers and CO2-enhanced coalbed methane (CO2-ECBM) recovery are selected as the two types of sequestration sinks. Urea production, methanol production, microalgae cultivation, and cement curing are selected as the four potential utilization methods. Then, a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is used to optimize the CO2 utilization pathway based on the principle of least cost, to select the best emission sources, CO2 pipelines, intermediate transportation nodes, utilization, and storage nodes to achieve reasonable deployment of CCS/CCU projects in Shanxi Province. The results show that CCU with urea production has the lowest cost and is the most economically viable with over 50% reduction in emissions. The second option is CCS which includes CO2-ECBM and achieves a 50% reduction in emissions. In addition, there is little difference between the cost of cement-cured CCU and that of methanol-produced CCU. CCU for microalgae cultivation has the highest cost. Therefore, the latter three utilization pathways are currently not economical.
Study of Centrality Measures in the Network of Green Spaces in the City of Krakow
Authors: Dudzic-Gyurkovich Karolina
Published: September 2023

Access to and interaction with natural blue or green spaces is a critical factor in quality of life and overall well-being. Studies have shown that exposure to natural areas has health benefits for individuals and society. Incorporating interconnected natural ecosystems into the urban fabric is recognized as a means of building urban resilience and mitigating climate change. It is therefore essential to strengthen and expand existing networks. Mathematical measures of centrality provide a valuable approach to analyzing networks, based on the assumption that certain nodes are more central due to better connectivity. However, due to their complexity, centrality measures are not widely used in urban planning studies, and no research has been conducted in specific Polish conditions. This study aims to fill this gap by testing the usefulness of centrality measures in Krakow’s system of green spaces. The results show that there are few well-connected green areas and that the centrality measures vary. The information provided by this study can contribute to a better understanding of the spatial distribution of green spaces in Krakow and in future to better management and decision-making processes aimed at improving the accessibility of green spaces and the quality of life of residents.
A Comprehensive Study of Assessing Sustainable Agricultural Water Management under Changing Climate Scenarios—A Regional Basis Study in the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Eldho T. I. , Chandu Navya , Sadhwani Kashish
Published: September 2023

The Western Ghats (WG) in South India is a biological hotspot with a cluster of small river basins and heterogeneous climate and vegetation patterns, and it is categorized under the water stress region by Central Water Commission (CWC). This study aims to evaluate the effects of climate change and land use/land cover (LULC) transformations on water balance components and irrigation water demand (IWD) across different regions of WG for a future period (2020–2050). The variable infiltration capacity model has been calibrated separately for the upper, middle, and lower regions of WG. Further, climate projections from the CMIP6 experiment (SSP2 45/SSP5 85) have been used for future projections of water balance components. The land use change shows an increase in built-up (5.79%) and a decrease in cultivable land (1.24%) by the end of 2030 from 1995. The combined impact due to climate and LULC change shows that the future rainfall/runoff increases in the lower regions of the basin by 100/36.5 mm/year through SSP 4.5. However, the summer months show an increasing water requirement in the future for the Ghats and Nilgiri regions of the basin. The present regional-based study will be useful for future agriculture water management practices in the region for sustainable development and the study can be extended to other similar regions.
The Estimation of the Correlation between GHG and the Technical Efficiency of Korean Short-Sea Ports
Authors: Ahn Young-Gyun , Kim Bo-Ram , Park Han-Seon , Lee Min-Kyu
Published: September 2023

Short-sea ports in Korea are classified as national or local according to their management and operation entities. Korea has 29 ports, of which 11 are nationally managed and 18 are locally managed. Meanwhile, according to Korea’s Harbor Act, short-sea ports are designed to support the promotion of benefits such as handling cargo required for local industries, transportation of passengers, and revitalization of tourism. However, even though they are designated as short-sea ports, there are cases in which the initial designation purpose was not achieved because of the minor traffic volume and number of passengers. Consequently, this study evaluated the operational efficiency of 29 Korean short-sea ports employing the data envelopment analysis (DEA) and presented the operational efficiency of 29 short-sea ports. Moreover, the study measured the correlation between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the port operation efficiency of 29 Korean short-sea ports. The analysis results of this study are as follows: First, the correlation between port-operation efficiency and sulfur dioxide was −0.41707. Second, the correlation between efficiency and carbon monoxide was −0.39952. Third, the correlation between efficiency and nitrogen dioxide was −0.30888. In summary, this study concludes that the higher the port-operational efficiency, the lower the GHG emissions. Improving the operational efficiency of ports can reduce GHG emissions, which can positively (+) affect port sustainability.
Investigating the Knowledge Co-Construction Process in Homogeneous Ability Groups during Computational Lab Activities in Financial Mathematics
Authors: Barana Alice , Boetti Giulia , Marchisio Marina , Perrotta Adamaria , Sacchet Matteo
Published: September 2023

Inclusive computational practices are increasingly being employed to enrich knowledge and facilitate sensemaking in STEM education. Embedding computational activities in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning environments can enhance students’ experiences. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge co-construction process within tailored student-led computational lab activities designed for a Computational Finance module. In particular, this study focused on the analysis of the effects of different lab practices and of group composition on knowledge co-construction. The groups designed for the lab activities were internally homogenous in terms of student ability. The sample consisted of 396 answers to a weekly survey filled out by all 50 of the undergraduate students who attended the module during the AY 2020/2021. The qualitative analysis relied on an adapted version of the Interaction Analysis Model designed by Gunawardena and colleagues for collaborative knowledge construction. Quantitative analyses were then conducted to study how the different lab practices and the composition of the groups affected the interaction. The findings revealed that, although the lower phases were the most prevalent, significant negotiations of meaning and discussions were activated, especially in tasks guiding towards sensemaking. Furthermore, the groups composed of lower-achieving students were the most engaged in negotiating and improving understanding as a result of the group interaction.
Microbial and Physicochemical Status of Raw and Processed Sea Cucumbers from the Hellenic Seawaters
Authors: Boziaris Ioannis S. , Anagnostopoulos Dimitrios A. , Parlapani Foteini F. , Syropoulou Faidra , Martsikalis Petros V. , Apostologamvrou Chrysoula , Kokioumi Despoina , Vafidis Dimitris
Published: September 2023

The aquatic environment is a reservoir of many species that have not yet been exploited at a global level and have not been extensively investigated. The aim of the present work was to study the microbial populations, the bacterial communities and physicochemical parameters (pH, water activity, humidity, salinity) in raw, frozen, boiled, dehydrated and salted final products of two sea cucumber species (Holothuria polii and Holothuria tubulosa) originating from the Hellenic seawaters. The results indicated that all products were found at acceptable levels from a microbiological point of view. The metabarcoding analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the existence of several different bacterial groups, the presence and abundance of which were mainly dependent on product type, even though some moderate differences in the microbiota profile between the two sea cucumber species were also detected in some of the products. Overall, the present work deals with an underexplored aquatic product and provides novel and useful information for the aquatic food industry, consumers and other stakeholders, increasing, in parallel, the need for further scientific attention in the near future. Our findings could be exploited as a baseline to highlight a promising aquatic food product provided to the international market.
A Life-Cycle Carbon Emissions Evaluation Model for Traditional Residential Houses: Applying to Traditional Dong Dwellings in Qandongnan, Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Wang Sicheng , Guo Yuanyuan , Zhang Hao , Gao Mingming
Published: September 2023

In recent years, due to the low energy utilization of the whole life-cycle of buildings, the diminished indoor and outdoor comfort of buildings, and the impact on the surrounding environment caused by the carbon emissions of the building life-cycle, the establishment of a whole life- cycle carbon emission evaluation model for buildings to improve their energy utilization at all stages of their life-cycle has received unprecedented attention. In China, the construction industry has become a major carbon emitter, and traditional houses, as a green development building type, are an effective way to achieve carbon neutrality in buildings; however, the existing green building evaluation system lacks quantitative indicators of carbon emissions in the building life-cycle. The exclusive evaluation indexes for regional and characteristic buildings, such as traditional houses, are neglected. This study explored the formula for calculating the life-cycle carbon emissions model of traditional residential houses under a carbon emission intervention and used real measurements of the physical environment. Based on the results of indoor and outdoor heat and humidity environmental tests of residential houses due to locality, four important factors affecting local green buildings in terms of energy utilization, site ecology and landscape, land saving, and material saving were extracted; on this basis, the whole life-cycle carbon emission evaluation model of traditional residential houses was constructed by combining the existing green building evaluation standards with the carbon emission indexes of the life-cycle of traditional residential houses.
What Is Affecting the Popularity of New Energy Vehicles? A Systematic Review Based on the Public Perspective
Authors: Jiang Yahong , Wu Qunqi , Li Min , Gu Yulei , Yang Jun
Published: September 2023

The dependence of traditional fuel vehicles on petroleum energy has aggravated the energy crisis, while the harmful gas emissions generated during the use of traditional fuel vehicles have aggravated environmental pollution and climate warming. Therefore, it is urgent to alleviate energy consumption and environmental pollution in the transportation sector. The development and promotion of energy-saving and environmentally friendly new energy vehicles has become an important initiative in the world automotive industry. However, there is still a gap between the promotion of new energy vehicles and the public’s purchase preference, and understanding and respecting the public’s purchase preference can help promote the popularity of new energy vehicles. Based on the core database of the Web of Science, we extracted 1498 papers related to the public’s purchase preference and the popularization of new energy vehicles in the past two decades. We adopted a systematic literature review framework to clarify the research trajectory and research hotspots from literature combing, with the aim to reveal the interaction between the popularity of new energy vehicles and the public’s purchase preference. In addition, we further refined and summarized the existing major studies in order to provide solution ideas for achieving the transition to new energy vehicles in an effort to promote the green and sustainable development of energy.
The Deformation Characteristics of the Zhuka Fault in Lancang River and Its Influence on the Geostress Field
Authors: Hu Daru , Wen Tao , Wu Shuyu , Huang Wanying , Zhu Huanchun
Published: September 2023

The construction of infrastructure projects such as the Sichuan–Tibet Railway and western cascade hydropower stations has led to the increasing development of ultra-long and deeply buried tunnels in an environment characterized by highly active neotectonic movement, which affects the sustainable development of ecological civilization in Tibet. However, the effects of faults resulting from tectonic activity on the distribution of geostress fields have not been systematically studied. This research focuses on the development characteristics and basic type of the Zhuka fault near the RM hydropower station, aiming to analyze the phenomenon of geostress concentration in the study area. Field investigations have revealed significant high-geostress damage on the downstream slope of the lower dam site, situated on the hanging wall of the Zhuka fault. The results indicate a correlation between these high-geostress phenomena and the Zhuka fault, suggesting the concentration of geostress within a certain range on the hanging wall and outside of the fault zone. Stress concentration primarily depends on the characteristics of fault thrusting and fault morphology. The left-lateral strike-slip and thrusting process of the Zhuka fault, combined with NNW-directed tectonic compression stress and sudden changes in fault strike, contribute to geostress concentration within a specific range of the fault hanging wall. The observed high-geostress damage to the hard rock on the valley slope results from the combined effect of construction stress concentration and fourth-order valley incision stress concentration, which influences site selection for the RM hydropower station, thereby highlighting the role of geostress concentration outside the fault zone in engineering practice. This study provides valuable insights into geostress concentration and its implications for sustainable development in the Sichuan–Tibet region.
Analysis of Refueling Behavior Models for Hydrogen-Fuel Vehicles: Markov versus Generalized Poisson Modeling
Authors: Isaac Nithin , Saha Akshay Kumar
Published: September 2023

This paper presents an analysis of two methodologies that can be used to predict refueling behavior. Both models aim to provide insights into hydrogen-fuel vehicle users’ refueling patterns and behaviors. The first model leverages probabilistic transitions between refueling states to simulate and predict the refueling behavior of hydrogen vehicle users. In contrast, the GP-1 model employs Gaussian processes to capture the underlying patterns and uncertainties in hydrogen-fuel vehicle refueling behavior, taking into consideration additional factors such as weather conditions and the time of the year. The model demonstrates statistical significance and accuracy in predicting trips while identifying the insignificance of precipitation and high ambient temperatures. The methodologies, findings, strengths, and limitations of the two models were tested and compared to identify their relevant contributions. By contrasting their methodologies and evaluating their predictive performance, using performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, and recall values, this study provides valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of each approach. Limitations include assuming a stationary refueling process and excluding external factors and limitations related to data availability, as well as the absence of a specific focus on hydrogen-fuel vehicles. By understanding the differences and similarities between these two models, this paper aims to provide a unique perspective on gaps and further requirements for accurate prediction and modeling of refueling behavior to guide policymakers, infrastructure planners, and stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding the design and optimization of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
Analysis of Debonding Failures of the Screen and Case during Tablet Drop
Authors: Zhu Zhengtao , Jin Xiaoming , Wang Di , Ma Fangping
Published: September 2023

In recent years, due to the increasingly powerful functions of tablets, more and more people have used tablets. The failure of the screen caused by debonding failure between the screen and the case of the tablet due to drops will affect the normal use of the tablet. However, there have been few studies on the debonding methods of the screen and the case of the tablet, as well as the factors influencing the debonding between the screen and the case of the tablet. Numerical analysis software was used in this paper to simulate the iPad Air (Air) drop process, and the cohesive zone model and tiebreak contact were used to simulate the debonding process between the screen and case of the Air tablet, respectively. When the results are compared to the experiments, the results show that the cohesive zone model is superior. The effects of various rounded corner radii, drop postures in the XY plane, materials of the outer case, and strain rates of PC/ABS on the localized debonding between the outer case and outer glass of the Air during the drop process were investigated. The degree of debonding between the Air model’s outer case and outer glass is defined by t, which is the ratio of the area of the deleted cohesive elements to the total area of the cohesive elements. The results show that the rounded corner radius and the strain rate of PC/ABS have less influence on t; the t of the Air model dropped at 45° in the XY plane is 37.7% of that dropped at 0° and 90°; and the t of the Air model with glass as the outer case material is 48% of that with aluminum alloy as the outer case material. These studies serve as a foundation for tablet design and material selection.
Unearthing Soil Structure Dynamics under Long-Term No-Tillage System in Clayey Soils
Authors: Phefadu Kopano Conferance , Munjonji Lawrence
Published: September 2023

Soil structure is a sensitive and dynamic soil physical property that responds rapidly to different tillage systems, and thus it requires constant monitoring and evaluation. The visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) and subsoil visual evaluation of soil structure (SubVESS) methods were used to assess the soil structure quality of clayey soils subjected to different tillage systems. The tillage systems were no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT), with virgin fields (VGs) used as controls. The study was conducted at Tshivhilwi and Dzingahe in Thohoyandou, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The soil structure quality at Tshivhilwi, as determined by VESS and SubVESS, was found to be poor. However, at Dzingahe, both the VESS and SubVESS scores responded to the impact of tillage. VESS showed a fair (Sq = 2.25) soil structural quality in the NT system, poor quality (Sq = 3.57) in the CT system and moderately poor quality (Sq = 3.05) in the VG. Similarly, at the same location, the SubVESS scores were moderately good in the NT system, moderately poor for the CT system and fair in the VG. The differences in the responses of VESS and SubVESS at the two locations were attributed to differences in the duration of the NT system. The VESS and SubVESS results were supported by selected measured soil physico-chemical properties such as bulk density and porosity. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that VESS and SubVESS were able to effectively differentiate between the impacts of tillage systems on soil structural quality. The soil structure quality was better under NT than CT at Tshivhilwi and Dzingahe.
A Solution-Extracted System for Facilitating the Governance of Urban Problems: A Case Study of Wuhan
Authors: Wang Yong , Chen Wei , Lu Xuteng , Yan Hang
Published: September 2023

Recently, rapid urbanization around the world has spawned several urban problems. Although a large amount of experience has been accumulated throughout the process of global urban problem governance, the knowledge has not been optimally utilized. Furthermore, there is a dearth of mechanisms with which to distill and employ past experiences in addressing emerging urban problems. Consequently, in this study, based on the CBR method, we establish a mechanism called the Solution-Extracted System of Urban Problem Governance (SESUPG), aiming to find solutions to the diverse array of existing urban problems from previous experience. The main steps for obtaining a suitable solution for a specific urban problem in a target city through the SESUPG are as follows: (1) Calculate the similarity to retrieve the most similar cities. (2) Extract the possible solution through similar cities. (3) Case–solution modification before solution adoption. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism, the air pollution problem in Wuhan, China, was tested to verify the effectiveness of the SESUPG as a case study. As a result, four policy recommendations were extracted by the SESUPG, and all of them proved to be effective in mitigating air pollution problems in Wuhan. The system proposed in this study can aid decision makers in the selection of strategies and solutions when addressing urbanization issues and guiding the process of mining effective experience for the promotion of urban governance levels.
From Optimal Control to Mean Field Optimal Transport via Stochastic Neural Networks
Authors: Di Persio Luca , Garbelli Matteo
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we derive a unified perspective for Optimal Transport (OT) and Mean Field Control (MFC) theories to analyse the learning process for Neural Network algorithms in a high-dimensional framework. We consider a Mean Field Neural Network in the context of MFC theory referring to the mean field formulation of OT theory that may allow the development of efficient algorithms in a high-dimensional framework while providing a powerful tool in the context of explainable Artificial Intelligence.
Fractional Integrals Associated with the One-Dimensional Dunkl Operator in Generalized Lizorkin Space
Authors: Bouzeffour Fethi
Published: September 2023

This paper explores the realm of fractional integral calculus in connection with the one-dimensional Dunkl operator on the space of tempered functions and Lizorkin type space. The primary objective is to construct fractional integral operators within this framework. By establishing the analogous counterparts of well-known operators, including the Riesz fractional integral, Feller fractional integral, and Riemann–Liouville fractional integral operators, we demonstrate their applicability in this setting. Moreover, we show that familiar properties of fractional integrals can be derived from the obtained results, further reinforcing their significance. This investigation sheds light on the utilization of Dunkl operators in fractional calculus and provides valuable insights into the connections between different types of fractional integrals. The findings presented in this paper contribute to the broader field of fractional calculus and advance our understanding of the study of Dunkl operators in this context.
A Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Impact Analysis of AbobotulinumtoxinA in Greece
Authors: Nomikos Nikolaos , Eleftheriou Christos , Athanasakis Kostas
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of abobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT-A) plus Best Supportive Care (BSC) compared with BSC alone for managing limb spasticity in adult patients in Greece, as well as to conduct a budget impact analysis of the introduction of aboBoNT-A in the Greek healthcare system compared to onabotulinumtoxinA (onaBoNT-A). Clinical studies were utilized to extract data on drug efficacy and patients’ utility, while cost data were collected from Greek sources. The results of the study showed that aboBoNT-A plus BSC was a cost-effective treatment option for both upper and lower limb spasticity in adult patients compared to BSC. Additionally, introducing aboBoNT-A into the Greek healthcare system resulted in cost savings in pharmaceutical spending over a 5-year period. The findings suggest that incorporating aboBoNT-A into the Greek healthcare system could improve patient access to treatment and healthcare resource efficiency, as it is a more economical option compared to onaBoNT-A.
Multi-Mycotoxin Analysis in Italian Grains Using Ultra-High-Performance Chromatography Coupled to Quadrupole Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lima da Silva Juliane , Lombardi Sonia , Castaldo Luigi , Morelli Elena , Garda-Buffon Jaqueline , Izzo Luana , Ritieni Alberto
Published: September 2023

Mycotoxins are a major source of contamination in cereals, posing risks to human health and causing significant economic losses to the industry. A comprehensive strategy for the analysis of 21 mycotoxins in Italian cereal grain samples (n = 200) was developed using a simple and quick sample preparation method combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC Q-Orbitrap HRMS). The proposed method showed some advantages, such as multi-mycotoxin analyses with simple sample preparation, fast determination, and high sensitivity. The analysis of the sample revealed the presence of 11 mycotoxins, with α-zearalenol being the most frequently detected, while deoxynivalenol exhibited the highest contamination level. Furthermore, co-occurrence was identified in 15.5% of the samples under analysis. Among these, 13% of the samples reported the simultaneous presence of two mycotoxins, while 2.5% showed the co-occurrence of three mycotoxins. Currently, there has been a renewed interest in guaranteeing the quality and safety of products intended for human consumption. This study holds significant value due to its ability to simultaneously detect multiple mycotoxins within a complex matrix. Furthermore, it provides findings regarding the occurrence and co-occurrence of emerging mycotoxins that currently lack regulation under the existing European Commission Regulation.
Hepatorenal Toxicity after 7-Day Oral Administration of Low-Dose Tetrodotoxin and Its Distribution in the Main Tissues in Mice
Authors: Zhong Yaqian , Zhang Xiaojun , Yang Qiyu , Wang Qianfeng
Published: September 2023

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a highly toxic compound detected in various edible marine animals even in European waters. To characterize the hazard by oral exposure to TTX, its tissue distribution was evaluated after single (75 μg/kg) or 7-day (25–125 μg/kg) oral administration in mice. Moreover, TTX liver and renal toxicity was evaluated after 7-day oral administration. The elimination cycle of a single oral dose of TTX (75 µg/kg) was found to be approximately 168 h (7 days). Daily oral administration of TTX at doses of 25, 75, and 125 µg/kg for 7 consecutive days revealed dose-dependent toxic effects on the liver and kidney. Histopathological examination showed increased inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver and kidney with higher TTX doses, along with disorganization of the hepatic cord and renal tubular cell arrangement. The study results indicated that TTX had more hepatotoxicity than nephrotoxicity in mice. These findings provide insights into the unintentional ingestion of a low dose of TTX in mammals, including humans, and emphasize the importance of food safety.
The Viromes of Mosquitoes from the Natural Landscapes of Western Siberia
Authors: Ternovoi Vladimir A. , Shvalov Alexander N. , Kartashov Mikhail Yu. , Ponomareva Eugenia P. , Tupota Natalia L. , Khoroshavin Yuri A. , Bayandin Roman B. , Gladysheva Anastasia V. , Mikryukova Tamara P. , Tregubchak Tatyana V. , Loktev Valery B.
Published: September 2023

The metagenomic analysis of mosquitoes allows for the genetic characterization of mosquito-associated viruses in different regions of the world. This study applied a metagenomic approach to identify novel viral sequences in seven species of mosquitoes collected from the Novosibirsk region of western Siberia. Using NGS sequencing, we identified 15 coding-complete viral polyproteins (genomes) and 15 viral-like partial sequences in mosquitoes. The complete sequences for novel viruses or the partial sequences of capsid proteins, hypothetical viral proteins, and RdRps were used to identify their taxonomy. The novel viral sequences were classified within the orders Tymovirales and Picornavirales and the families Partitiviridae, Totiviridae, Tombusviridae, Iflaviridae, Nodaviridae, Permutotetraviridae, and Solemoviridae, with several attributed to four unclassified RNA viruses. Interestingly, the novel putative viruses and viral sequences were mainly associated with the mosquito Coquillettidia richardii. This study aimed to increase our understanding of the viral diversity in mosquitoes found in the natural habitats of Siberia, which is characterized by very long, snowy, and cold winters.
Conceptualization of Farmers’ Water Conservation Intention and Behavior through the Lens of Economic Man Worldview: Application of Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Valizadeh Naser , Bijani Masoud , Fallah Haghighi Negin , Hayati Dariush , Bazrafkan Khadijeh , Azadi Hossein
Published: September 2023

Although different worldviews have been presented to analyze the conservation behaviors of farmers, limited empirical evidence exists for the use of the economic man worldview to analyze farmers’ water conservation behaviors (WCBs). Therefore, the conceptualization of farmers’ water conservation behavioral intentions through the lens of this worldview was the primary objective of this survey. To this aim, the extended planned behavior theory (PBT), which is the main theory of the economic man worldview, was employed. The study population was 36183 Iranian farmers, 380 of whom were interviewed in-person in the form a cross-sectional survey research design. An estimation of sample size was performed via the Krejcie and Morgan Table. Moreover, the distribution of the sample size was carried out by a multi-stage random sampling method. Validity and reliability, which are undeniable features of questionnaires in social and psychological sciences, were examined using different quantitative and qualitative indices. The obtained results indicated that the effect of intention towards water conservation (IWC) on WCB was positive and significant. Therefore, this research supports the main assumption of the PBT and the economic man worldview. However, according to the results, the power of IWC’s effect on WCB is not very significant. In addition, the variance explanation of WCB as the fundamental dependent variable is not very high. It can be mentioned that the economic man worldview has a relative and moderate power to analyze the WCBs of farmers. Hence, it is suggested that some variables, including moral norms, environmental concerns, and environmental values, are used to develop and increase the explanatory power of the PBT in future studies. This study is the first study of the applicability of the economic man approach in analyzing farmers’ WCBs. It could be used to open a new research window for future and interested researchers to conduct successful interventions in the field of water conservation.
Reengineering and Its Reliability: An Analysis of Water Projects and Watershed Management under a Digital Twin Scheme in China
Authors: Sheng Dong , Lou Yu , Sun Feifei , Xie Jinping , Yu Yu
Published: September 2023

Water project and watershed management is currently being reengineered under digital twin schemes in China through pilot projects. An evaluation on pilot reengineering is important for its further implementation and improvement. This paper investigates national legislation and pilot projects’ implementations of a digital twin watershed and digital twin water project from the perspectives of design, policy, technology, investment, personnel, cyberspace security, co-construction, and sharing through interviews and expert review, and it uses a Bayesian network to study their reliability. First, the design of the digital twin watershed and digital twin water project is reasonable with regard to system architecture and business management. Second, although there are some national legislations on cyberspace security and geospatial data, they are incomplete for policy making and are probably infeasible for some technology. Third, there are insufficient mechanisms to sustainably support investment, personnel, and cyberspace security. Forth, co-construction and sharing are required for both inside and outside water departments. Fifth, the Bayesian network is useful for investigating the reliability of weak nodes, and it is helpful for the design and further implementation of the digital twin watershed and digital twin water project, as will be demonstrated with an anonymous example. This study could provide useful insights into the further reengineering of water projects and watershed management under a digital twin scheme in the world.
Bathymetry Inversion Using Attention-Based Band Optimization Model for Hyperspectral or Multispectral Satellite Imagery
Authors: Wang Yingxi , Chen Ming , Xi Xiaotao , Yang Hua
Published: September 2023

Satellite-derived bathymetry enables the non-contact derivation of large-scale shallow water depths. Hyperspectral satellite images provide more information than multispectral satellite images, making them theoretically more effective and accurate for bathymetry inversion. This paper focuses on the use of hyperspectral satellite images (PRISMA) for bathymetry inversion and compares the retrieval capabilities of multispectral satellite images (Sentinel-2 and Landsat 9) in the southeastern waters of Molokai Island in the Hawaiian Archipelago and Yinyu Island in the Paracel Archipelago. This paper proposes an attention-based band optimization one-dimensional convolutional neural network model (ABO-CNN) to better utilize the increased spectral information from multispectral and hyperspectral images for bathymetry inversion, and this model is compared with a traditional empirical model (Stumpf model) and two deep learning models (feedforward neural network and one-dimensional convolutional neural network). The results indicate that the ABO-CNN model outperforms the above three models, and the root mean square errors of retrieved bathymetry using the PRISMA images are 1.43 m and 0.73 m in the above two study areas, respectively. In summary, this paper demonstrates that PRISMA hyperspectral imagery has superior bathymetry inversion capabilities compared to multispectral images (Sentinel-2 and Landsat 9), and the proposed deep learning model ABO-CNN is a promising candidate model for satellite-derived bathymetry using hyperspectral imagery. With the increasing availability of ICESat-2 bathymetric data, the use of a combination of the proposed ABO-CNN model and the ICEsat-2 data as the training data provides a practical approach for bathymetric retrieval applications.
Extraction of Bioactive Compounds via Solid-State Fermentation Using Aspergillus niger GH1 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Pomegranate Peel
Authors: Izábal-Carvajal Ana L. , Sepúlveda Leonardo , Chávez-González Mónica L. , Torres-León Cristian , Aguilar Cristóbal N. , Ascacio-Valdés Juan A.
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the recovery of polyphenolic compounds such as punicalagin, punicalin, and ellagic acid via solid-state fermentation (SSF)-assisted extraction from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.) using Aspergillus niger GH1 and Saccharomhyces cerevisiae. Food processing has contributed to the increase in agroindustrial wastes, which has become a global concern due to environmental protection. However, these wastes can be valorized via the extraction of high-value components such as bioactive compounds. Ellagitannins extracted during the bioprocesses were identified via the HPLC–MS technique and quantified via total polyphenols (hydrolyzable and condensed assays). Enzymatic activities were tested. HPLC–MS analysis showed a decrease in the levels of punicalagin, the formation of punicaline, and the accumulation of ellagic acid during fermentation kinetics. The present study compares two different bioprocesses in order to obtain, from agroindustrial wastes, high-added-value compounds using SSF-.
Functional features and possibilities for the implementation of tactile Internet
Authors: Simeonova Tsvetelina , Kadrev Vasil
Published: September 2023

According to the ITU, tactile Internet is a network that combines ultra-low latency with extremely high availability, reliability and security. Tactile Internet provides real-time monitoring, management and control of remote infrastructure and devices that support haptic communications. The purpose of this work is to identify the functional features and capabilities for the implementation of tactile Internet. The results are related to the summary of typical use cases, based on the key parameters latency and reliability. A key point is the comparative analysis of the use cases in terms of key parameters and sectors of influence.
Requirements to the tactile Internet and approaches for implementation
Authors: Simeonova Tsvetelina
Published: September 2023

The aim of this paper is to outline the specifics of network service parameters, as well as the basic technical requirements for the tactile Internet based on mobile networks, which are the basis for developing its system and functional architecture, components and interactions in architecture. The accepted interfaces in the tactile Internet network are given and an analysis of protocols proposed for use for tactile Internet is made. The results are related to the differentiation of the features of architecture, interfaces and protocols of the tactile Internet. Contributions from the work are the comprehensive consideration and analysis of the development of the tactile Internet, outlining some possible current directions of research, as well as existing highlights and open questions.