bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing of a Liquid Cooler with a Phase Transition With a Power of 5 kW
Authors: Bazhanov A. , Yao Yi
Published: October 2023

A diagram and installation of a prototype of a two-flow heat pipe with the ability to regulate the parameters of the working environment have been developed. The installation allows the heat pipe to operate in both normal and pulsed cooling modes. Data were obtained that made it possible to obtain the dependence of the heat transfer coefficient on the heater power, and the heat transfer coefficients in stationary and pulsed modes were determined. In this article, the Aspen Hysys software package is selected as the software and circuit simulation. As a result of theoretical studies, it was established that the heat transfer coefficient of a heat pipe in pulsed mode is 12% higher than in stationary mode with the same initial coolant parameters. Based on the results of the work, it is proposed to use the method of pulsed supply of liquid coolant as one of the ways to increase the heat transfer of a heat pipe.
A Systematic Approach to the Formation of Design Competencies of a Future Teacher
Authors: Sarybaeva M.
Published: October 2023

Considers a systematic approach to the formation of design competencies of future primary school teachers. The study showed that the use of a systematic approach is an effective tool for the development of skills and abilities of future teachers. It allows you to use the project methodology, develop creative and communicative abilities of students, as well as increase their motivation for the learning process. The article may be useful for teachers at pedagogical universities and primary school teachers who want to effectively form the design competencies of their students and pupils.
Some Training Methods of Speech Communication in Universities
Authors: Sharipova M.
Published: October 2023

One of the main tasks at the current stage of development of higher education is to update professional education by strengthening its practical orientation while maintaining basic quality. A review of psychological, pedagogical, linguistic and methodological literature shows that the topic of teaching oral speech has been considered much more widely in recent years. Many scientists have analyzed it. The article is devoted to the analysis of modern methods of teaching languages, aimed at developing the language skills of students in non-philological fields of study. The purpose of this study is to highlight some of the theoretical foundations of the system of teaching professional language activities based on interdisciplinary integration and to outline the optimal implementation of the university course “Kyrgyz language and culture of speech” in the training of non-philology students.
Methods and Techniques for the Development of Written Speech of Students in Russian Language Lessons in a Kyrgyz School
Authors: Aknazarova G.
Published: October 2023

The article discusses various classifications of methods and techniques for teaching coherent written speech of students, as well as the application of these methods in the Kyrgyz school at the level of 7-8 grades. The methods of reproductive and (partially) productive methods, in particular, the research productive method, are recognized as the most effective. The conclusion is made about the limitations in the use of a creative productive method in Russian language lessons in grades 7-8 of the Kyrgyz school.
Customs and Traditions of Uzbek-Kataghans
Authors: Umarov I.
Published: October 2023

The Katagans are a large Uzbek clan that lived mainly in the southern regions of modern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as in the northeastern regions of Afghanistan. The traditions and rituals of the Katagans were formed over many centuries and covered all aspects of social life. Many of the rituals they have are not found in other regions and are of great scientific interest. This article highlights the customs and rituals of the Uzbek Katagans of the late XIX - early XX centuries.
Assessment of Wheat Foliar Rust Infestations in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Pothwar Regions of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Sami Summia , Iram Shazia
Published: October 2023

In the present study, the incidence and severity of yellow rust and brown rust in different regions of Pothwar have been studied. The lower Pothwar region (Jhelum) had the highest incidence of brown rust with a prevalence of 54.3%, while Rawalpindi had the highest incidence of yellow rust in the upper region with a prevalence of 26.8%. In the middle region (Attock), brown rust incidence was the lowest with a prevalence of 4.6%. The severity of both rusts varied among locations, with some locations experiencing severe outbreaks while others had little or no incidence. The highest incidence of both rusts was observed in Harrial for yellow rust (90%) and Balla for brown rust (100%). The severity of rusts ranged from Resistant to Moderately Susceptible. The study examined the yield attributes of wheat crops in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Pothwar regions of Pakistan. The results showed that Rawalpindi district had the highest crop yield, while Jhelum had the lowest. The study also found a correlation between disease incidence and various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, tillers per meter length, tillers per meter square, number of grains per spike, and grain weight. Yellow rust had a strong correlation with humidity, tillers per meter square, and grain weight, while brown rust showed a strong correlation with temperature, precipitation, and humidity. The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between environmental factors and crop yield to ensure food security.
Assessment of Responses of Peach Cultivars to Postharvest Pathogen Botrytis Cinerea and its Mitigation using Plant Essential Oils
Authors: Ahmad Zahra , Abbas Huma , Murtaza Tamsal , Khan Atta ur Rehman , Ali Anasr , Zahid Khizra , Tahir Zunaira , Mahmood Tahir , Habib Amer
Published: October 2023

In peaches, post-harvest losses occur due to injury during mishandling, storage, processing, and transportation, especially caused by pathogen infections that result in the reduction of quantity, quality, and market value of agricultural commodities. Numerous postharvest pathogens attack peaches, especially Botrytis cinerea, which causes grey mold disease, resulting in losses of about $10 billion globally. The current paper reports the results of a study that investigated the occurrence of different fungi and the effect of different essential oils on mold growth in five peach cultivars. The study found that Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus flavus, and A. niger had different preferences and distributions among the cultivars. The study also found that Florida King 6-A was resistant to B. cinerea, while Early Gold was highly susceptible. The study also found that cinnamon oil was the most effective essential oil in controlling mold growth in Florida King 6-A, while sesame oil was the least effective in Early Grand. The study also found that clove bud oil at 100% concentration had the highest antifungal potency among the tested essential oils and that different concentrations of essential oils were required for different cultivars. These findings highlight the varying levels of susceptibility among peach cultivars to fungal pathogens and the varying degrees of effectiveness associated with different essential oils in mitigating fungal growth. Such insights are invaluable for agricultural practices aiming to protect peach crops from fungal infections and optimize yield.
Using Essential Oils to Protect Peaches from Post-Harvest Rot Caused by Rhizopus Species
Authors: Mahmood Tahir , Moosa Anam , Khan Atta ur Rehman , Maqsood Ambreen , Kiani Fozia , Abbas Ghayor , Alyas Kamran , Khalid Bareerah
Published: October 2023

Rhizopus is an important post-harvest pathogen that causes rot in fruits and vegetables. During 2022, a considerable incidence of post-harvest rot of peaches was observed in local markets in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The symptoms appeared as whiskery moldy growth on the surface of the fruit. The pathogen was isolated and identified as Rhizopus species based on morphological features. Under the microscope, sporangiospores of Rhizopus were observed as light brown in color. The colony was very fast-growing and spreading. The color of Rhizopus mycelium was greyish. The pathogenicity was confirmed to satisfy Koch’s postulates. The pathogen caused lesions on the surface of peach fruit. The current study also assessed the antifungal effects of essential oils on the growth of Rhizopus. Two essential oils were used: clove oil and cinnamon oil at concentrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, respectively. The disease lesion with a diameter of 1.6 cm was treated with clove oil, 1.3 cm with 100% concentrated cinnamon oil, and 2.4 cm with the control (inoculated with Rhizopus). Cinnamon oil gave the maximum inhibition of Rhizopus on peach fruit compared to clove oil. The loss in fruit weight was minimum (2 g) in cinnamon-treated fruit compared to clove oil (3 g), control (2 g), and the infected one without any treatment (7 g). In conclusion, the study provides important information about Rhizopus as a significant post-harvest pathogen causing rot in fruits and vegetables, with a specific focus on peach fruit in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The findings suggest that cinnamon oil could be a potential natural antifungal agent to mitigate post-harvest rot caused by the fungus in peaches.
Unraveling Seed Dormancy and Host Specificity of Alectra Vogelii in Malawi
Authors: Phiri Christopher Kalima , Kabambe Vernon H. , Bokosi James
Published: October 2023

Parasitic angiosperm Alectra vogelii Benth is a growing problem in Malawi, particularly with the current emphasis on legume crops. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted in Lilongwe, Malawi to evaluate the effects of site, A. vogelii dormancy-breaking period on Mkanakaufiti and IT82E-16 cowpea varieties. Varieties of cowpea were grown in A. vogelii-infested pots sourced from three agroecological zones and subjected to varied dormancy-breaking periods. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated four times. The study revealed that dormancy breaking had impacts depending on the A. vogelii source. However, the Alectra source affected the A. vogelii shoot counts and cowpea grain weight. Neno-Manyenye collections had a higher incidence without induced dormancy breaking periods while Lilongwe-Kamowa, and Salima-Matumba collections had a high incidence after the dormancy-breaking period. Late infestation (at 119 to 149 days after planting) on resistant Mkanakaufiti cowpea variety by A. vogelii collections used indicated apparent strain variability of collections used. The results confirmed the delayed resistance mechanism of Mkanakaufiti against A. vogelii. Nevertheless, the variety reactions on the parasitic weed depends on suitability, compatibility, and specificity, although some resistant genotypes tend to lose the resistance mechanism with time. A. vogelii seeds organic carbon % varied (4.87±1.73 to 9.13±0.95) from the three agroecological zones which signified the collections’ variability due to warmer temperatures, relative humidity, and crop husbandry practices under long-term conditions. Therefore, screening efforts for resistance or evaluation of agronomic options to suppress the weed should be intensified.
Assessment of Phytoextracts and Synthetic Chemicals for Controlling Leaf Blight of Syzygium Cumini
Authors: Khan Rabeet Ahsan , Atiq Muhammad , Rajput Nasir Ahmed , Ahmad Irfan , Jabbar Abdul , Arif Muhammad Jalal , Husnain Abuzar , Nawaz Ahmad , Mehtab Muhammad , Ahmad Waqas
Published: October 2023

Jamun (Syzygium cumini) is a distinguished source of protein, fat, minerals (Iron, Calcium, and Potassium), fiber, carbohydrates, phosphorous, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Leaf blight of S. cumini, caused by Pestalotiopsis spp., poses a potential threat to the successful production of Jamun fruit. The appearance of small, round, dark, and sunken spots on the fruit diminishes its quality and results in yield losses of 10 to 20%. Fungicides and plant extracts were employed to address this fungal problem under laboratory and greenhouse conditions using a Completely Randomized Design whereas field trials were performed using a Randomized Complete Block Design. In vitro experiments revealed that among the fungicides, minimum fungal growth was observed with Score (12.5 mm), followed by Topsin M (16.89 mm), Fossil (18.37 mm), Excel (23.17 mm), Evito (27.56 mm), and Bloom (32.32 mm), as compared to the control (55.56 mm). Among the phytoextracts, Moringa extracts showed the least fungal growth (15.7 mm), followed by Neem (18.76 mm), Eucalyptus (19 mm), Garlic (22.72 mm), Ginger (27.57 mm), and Cinnamomum verum (Dar Cheni) (31 mm), in comparison to the control (53.17 mm). The most effective fungicides and plant extracts determined in the laboratory experiments were further evaluated in greenhouse and field conditions, both alone and in combinations. In the greenhouse evaluation, the combination of Moringa + Score exhibited the lowest disease incidence (23.63%), followed by Score (28.12%) and Moringa (29.56%), in contrast to the control (52.9%). Under field conditions, among all treatments, Moringa + Score exhibited the least disease incidence of 17.44%. These findings confirm that leaf blight of S. cumini can be managed by using Score fungicide and Moringa oleifera extract.
Bioefficacy of Some Botanical Extracts against Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer [Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenee); Lepidoptera, Pyrallidae)
Authors: Manzoor Mujahid , Hamza Ali , Javaid Arshad , Anees Moazzam , Tariq Muhammad Rizwan , Firdosi Malik Fiaz Hussain , Intisar Azeem , Sami Adnan , Haider Muhammad Zeeshan , Haider Muhammad Saleem
Published: October 2023

Plant-based biopesticides such as extracts of neem and eucalyptus are gaining increasing attention as potential alternatives to synthetic pesticides due to their reduced toxicity to non-target species and the environment. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.) as biopesticides against the brinjal fruit and shoot borer (BFSB) (Leucinodes orbonalis), a major pest of brinjal (eggplant) crop. Experiments were conducted to determine the lethal concentration of both neem and eucalyptus extracts against BFSB larvae. The biopesticides were applied to brinjal fruit and their efficacy was evaluated by monitoring the mortality of BFSB larvae and pupae. The results showed that both neem and eucalyptus extracts were effective in controlling BFSB larvae, with the neem extract being slightly more toxic than the eucalyptus extract. A 5% concentration of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of neem caused 82% and 64% mortality of BFSB 3rd instar larvae, while the same concentration of eucalyptus extracts caused 73% mortality with 60% mortality, respectively. BFSB 5th instar larvae showed a decreased mortality as compared to 3rd instars. It concludes that the use of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of neem and eucalyptus could help to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides to control brinjal fruit and shoot borer. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of these biopesticides in controlling BFSB and protecting brinjal crops.
Outlier detection using iterative adaptive mini-minimum spanning tree generation with applications on medical data
Authors: Li Jia , Li Jiangwei , Wang Chenxu , Verbeek Fons J. , Schultz Tanja , Liu Hui
Published: October 2023

As an important technique for data pre-processing, outlier detection plays a crucial role in various real applications and has gained substantial attention, especially in medical fields. Despite the importance of outlier detection, many existing methods are vulnerable to the distribution of outliers and require prior knowledge, such as the outlier proportion. To address this problem to some extent, this article proposes an adaptive mini-minimum spanning tree-based outlier detection (MMOD) method, which utilizes a novel distance measure by scaling the Euclidean distance. For datasets containing different densities and taking on different shapes, our method can identify outliers without prior knowledge of outlier percentages. The results on both real-world medical data corpora and intuitive synthetic datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method compared to state-of-the-art methods.
Food-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Multi-Bioactive Complex and Their Versatile Health Effects
Authors: Yeo JuDong
Published: October 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound organelles that are generally released by eukaryotic cells and enclose various cellular metabolic information, such as RNA, meta-proteins, and versatile metabolites. The physiological properties and diverse functions of food-derived EVs have been extensively elucidated, along with a recent explosive upsurge in EV research. Therefore, a concise review of the health effects of food-derived EVs is necessary. This review summarizes the structural stability and uptake pathways of food-derived EVs to target cells and their health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic effects, gut microbiome modulation, and intestinal barrier enhancement.
Manifesting Rights on Cloth: Regalia and Relations on the Northwest Coast
Authors: Bunn-Marcuse Kathryn
Published: October 2023

Using buttons and beads sewn on wool and calico, Northwest Coast First Nations women fashion the robes and aprons essential to ongoing expressions of inherited prerogatives and rights. Each piece of regalia is carefully crafted to include signifying materials and motifs, telling of the origins or relations of their owners. These creations exist as part of a holistic system that integrates material artworks within ceremony, including song, dance, and oratory, which in turn uphold the laws expressed through potlatching. Shifting scholarly focus from Northwest Coast carving traditions, this paper recenters textile arts within a holistic, culturally focused context while addressing issues of gender, the effects of colonial practices, and the damage wrought by salvage anthropology as it fragmented cultural information across archives. Women’s artistic productions embody long-held technical and aesthetic knowledge connected to oral histories and cultural practices. Restoring Indigenous perspectives connecting tangible and intangible cultural heritage counterbalances the aesthetic emphasis that has dominated Northwest Coast art history.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics of Ozone Concentration and Source Analysis during the COVID-19 Lockdown Period in Shanghai
Authors: Shen Shinan , He Li , Chen Wanqi , Chen Shuang , Ma Weichun
Published: October 2023

In March 2022, a new wave of COVID-19 outbreak occurred in Shanghai due to the widespread transmission of the Omicron variant. A two-month citywide lockdown was implemented from April 1st to May 31st, adopting measures such as zone-based classification and grid management. This unique social event provided an “ideal air quality experiment” for pollution research. The rapid reduction in economic activities during the lockdown had many positive impacts on the environment, leading to overall improvements in air quality. Particularly, the concentration of NOx, one of the precursors to O3, significantly decreased. However, O3, as a typical secondary pollutant, showed a noticeable increase. This study uses the WRF-CAMx-OSAT air quality model method to analyze the source of O3 pollution in Shanghai from April to May 2022. The impact of O3 precursor control, sector sources, and regional contributions on the formation of O3 pollution in Shanghai is analyzed in depth. During the pandemic lockdown period, it was found that, in Shanghai, the overall O3 levels were controlled by VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and controlling VOCs proved to be an effective measure in reducing O3 concentrations in Shanghai. Compared with the same period in 2021, the proportion of road traffic sources contributing to ozone concentration has significantly decreased from 70.61% to 64.3%, but they are still the largest contributor. The contribution of industrial emissions to the ozone concentration has significantly risen from 20.71% to 26.36%, making them still the second largest contributor. Industrial and traffic sources are emission sources that require particular attention. The contribution ratio of local sources to external transport is about 7:3, which is higher than the ratio of local sources to external transport in the same period of 2021, which is about 6:4. The local ozone is the main source of ozone concentration in Shanghai, and controlling local source emissions is the key to controlling ozone concentration in the Shanghai area. When excluding the impact of long-range transport, the main areas contributing to O3 formation from local sources are Baoshan District, Jiading District, Qingpu District, and Chongming District, accounting for approximately 41.12% of the total absolute contribution. Different source regions exhibit significant spatial variations in their contributions to the ozone concentration. Through these studies, we aim to provide scientific support and control suggestions for the precise prevention and control of O3 pollution in Shanghai.
Evaluation of Current Studies to Elucidate Processes in Dental Follicle Cells Driving Osteogenic Differentiation
Authors: Morsczeck Christian , De Pellegrin Michela , Reck Anja , Reichert Torsten E.
Published: October 2023

When research on osteogenic differentiation in dental follicle cells (DFCs) began, projects focused on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. The BMP pathway induces the transcription factor DLX3, whichh in turn induces the BMP signaling pathway via a positive feedback mechanism. However, this BMP2/DLX3 signaling pathway only seems to support the early phase of osteogenic differentiation, since simultaneous induction of BMP2 or DLX3 does not further promote differentiation. Recent data showed that inhibition of classical protein kinase C (PKCs) supports the mineralization of DFCs and that osteogenic differentiation is sensitive to changes in signaling pathways, such as protein kinase B (PKB), also known as AKT. Small changes in the lipidome seem to confirm the participation of AKT and PKC in osteogenic differentiation. In addition, metabolic processes, such as fatty acid biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, or glycolysis, are essential for the osteogenic differentiation of DFCs. This review article attempts not only to bring the various factors into a coherent picture of osteogenic differentiation in DFCs, but also to relate them to recent developments in other types of osteogenic progenitor cells.
Biomimetic Cardiac Tissue Models for In Vitro Arrhythmia Studies
Authors: Aitova Aleria , Berezhnoy Andrey , Tsvelaya Valeriya , Gusev Oleg , Lyundup Alexey , Efimov Anton E. , Agapov Igor , Agladze Konstantin
Published: October 2023

Cardiac arrhythmias are a major cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide. Many arrhythmias are caused by reentry, a phenomenon where excitation waves circulate in the heart. Optical mapping techniques have revealed the role of reentry in arrhythmia initiation and fibrillation transition, but the underlying biophysical mechanisms are still difficult to investigate in intact hearts. Tissue engineering models of cardiac tissue can mimic the structure and function of native cardiac tissue and enable interactive observation of reentry formation and wave propagation. This review will present various approaches to constructing cardiac tissue models for reentry studies, using the authors’ work as examples. The review will highlight the evolution of tissue engineering designs based on different substrates, cell types, and structural parameters. A new approach using polymer materials and cellular reprogramming to create biomimetic cardiac tissues will be introduced. The review will also show how computational modeling of cardiac tissue can complement experimental data and how such models can be applied in the biomimetics of cardiac tissue.
Insulin-like Growth Factor II mRNA-Binding Protein 1 Regulates Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth through the Surveillance of CDC25A mRNA
Authors: Di Fusco Davide , Segreto Maria Teresa , Di Maggio Giulia , Iannucci Andrea , Maresca Claudia , Di Grazia Antonio , Colella Marco , Stolfi Carmine , Monteleone Giovanni , Monteleone Ivan
Published: October 2023

A number of data indicate that the sources of different kinds of PDAC may be discovered at the transcription/transduction stage. RNA metabolism is manipulated at various steps by different RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and the deregulation or irregular activity of RBPs is known to contribute to tumor promotion and progression. The insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein family (IMPs), and IMP1 in particular, has been linked with a poor prognosis in PDAC patients; however, little is known about its contribution in PDAC carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the function of IMP1 in PDAC. To evaluate IMP1 expression and correlation with PDAC prognosis, we utilized several public databases. Using a specific siRNA IMP1, we analyzed cell death and cell cycle progression in PDAC cell lines and 3D spheroids. The role of IMP1 was also evaluated in vivo in a Panc-1-derived tumor xenograft murine model. Public data suggest that PDAC patients with higher expression of IMP1 showed poor overall and progression-free survival. IMP1 silencing leads to reduced cell growth in PDAC cells and three-dimensional spheroids. Abrogation of IMP1 in PDAC cells showed lower levels of CDC25A, increased phosphorylation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, and accumulation of PDAC cells in the G1 phase. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that IMP1 binds CDC25A mRNA, thus controlling cell-cycle progression. Ultimately, we proved that suppression of IMP1 blocked in vivo growth of Panc-1 transferred into immunodeficient mice. Our results indicate that IMP1 drives the PDCA cell cycle and represents a novel strategy for overcoming PDCA cell proliferation.
Entropy Optimization by Redesigning Organization in Hospital Operations
Authors: Winasti Windi , Berden Hubert , van Merode Frits
Published: October 2023

A redesign of hospitals (i.e., partitioning departments and delegating decision authority) may be needed to deal with variable demand. Uncertain demands and throughput times often need short reaction times. In this study, we develop quantitative methods to guide a redesign through an information-processing approach. To demonstrate how the methods can be used in practice, we tested them by applying them to a large perinatology care system in the Netherlands. We used the following two methods: 1. portfolio optimization and 2. efficient coordination of workload and reallocation of nurses. Our case study of a large perinatology care system showed that several designs of clustered units minimized the demand uncertainty in the perinatology care system. For the coordination strategy, the information and decision uncertainty is minimized when the decision power is positioned at the operation level and with the help of a centralized information system. When the operation decision-making power is not supplemented with the centralized and system-wide information system, hospitals can better use the hierarchy model, where the manager holds decision-making power with a system-wide overview. We also found that the speed of decision-making in real-time depends on the level of information aggregation set up by the system. We conclude that combining the correlation perspectives and the entropy theory is a way of quantifying how organizations can be (re)designed.
Unlocking Sustainable Commuting: Exploring the Nexus of Macroeconomic Factors, Environmental Impact, and Daily Travel Patterns
Authors: Gričar Sergej , Lojanica Nemanja , Obradović Saša , Bojnec Štefan
Published: October 2023

This paper examines normality in time series econometrics for a sustainable energy transition. By analysing data from January 1997 to December 2021, this study integrates macroeconomic, environmental, and energy data to gain insights into the potential changes in daily commuting patterns among Slovenians. Various methods, including unit root tests such as the augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF), Kwiatkowski–Phillips–Schmidt–Shin (KPSS), and Zivot–Andrews (Z-A), as well as other tests, are employed. Additionally, the vector autoregressive (VAR) model, Granger Causality and regression analysis determine the impact. This paper contributes to uncovering valuable information within data from macrovariables using macroeconometric techniques. It also provides insights that can support evidence-based decision-making for sustainable energy transition policies in Slovenia. The results of the normality tests indicate that most macro variables are integrated; there is a need for a careful analysis of integration levels and appropriate testing methods. These findings have implications for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in economics, the environment, and energy supply. At the same time, this research highlights that gross domestic product, unemployment, inflation, and carbon dioxide positively impact car usage among Slovenians, while gasoline prices and commuters have a negative one. While the recently investigated development of sustainable commuting does not work, the study highlights an innovation: the connection of time series econometrics, which offers a better understanding of future commuting patterns on energy consumption and their causalities.
Real-Time Implementation of Sensorless DTC-SVM Applied to 4WDEV Using the MRAS Estimator
Authors: Boudallaa Abdelhak , Belkhadir Ahmed , Chennani Mohammed , Belkhayat Driss , Zidani Youssef , Rhofir Karim
Published: October 2023

This article presents the DTC-SVM approach for controlling a sensorless speed induction motor. To implement this approach, a practical prototype is built using a microcontroller, an embedded GPS module, and a memory card to collect real-time data during the driving route, such as road geographical data, speed, and time. These data are then utilized in the laboratory to implement the control law (DTC-SVM) on the electric vehicle. The d-q model of the induction motor is first presented to explain the requirements for calculating the rotor speed. Then, an adaptive model reference system speed estimator is developed based on the rotor flux, along with a controller and DTC-SVM strategy, which are implemented using the dSpace 1104 board to achieve the desired performance. The simulation results demonstrate satisfactory speed regulation with the proposed system. In this study too, an electronic differential system is modeled for the four wheels of an electric vehicle equipped with an integrated motor, all controlled by the DTC-SVM strategy. Vehicle speed and electrical vehicle steering angle variations, as well as wheel speeds estimated by code system, are verified using MATLAB/Simulink simulations.
Calibrating the Ångström–Prescott Model with Solar Radiation Data Collected over Long and Short Periods of Time over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Liu Jiandong , Shen Yanbo , Zhou Guangsheng , Liu De-Li , Yu Qiang , Du Jun
Published: October 2023

As the coefficients of the Ångström–Prescott model is site-dependent, the sparsity of radiation stations in regions like the Tibetan Plateau (TP) presents challenges for model calibration. Due to the unique climate and the clean air conditions over the TP, it might be feasible to calibrate the Ångström–Prescott model with short-term observations from scientific expeditions. To test this hypothesis, we used various datasets with different lengths at four stations, together with 435 daily radiations measured during a scientific expedition at Banga in the central TP from 2014 to 2015, to calibrate the Ångström–Prescott model. We found that calibration with a 1-year data length resulted in model performances comparable to those with a 20-year data length. Analysis of the expedition observations showed that the monthly average daily radiation ranged from 15.2 MJ/m2d in December 2014 to 26.5 MJ/m2d in July 2015, with an average value of 20.6 MJ/m2d. When this set of expedition data was used for calibration, the Ångström–Prescott model performed well with an NSE (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency) of 0.820. If no data were available for calibration, the coefficients of the Ångström–Prescott model could also be directly calculated by parameterization methods established with calibrations at the other radiation stations. In this situation, the LiuJD method performed the best with the highest NSE of 0.792, followed by the LiuXY method with an NSE of 0.764. The FAO method performed poorly with an NSE of 0.578, while the Gopinathan method performed the worst with the lowest NSE of 0.218. Thus, the best strategy to calibrate the Ångström–Prescott model in the Tibetan Plateau is to use data from local observations, even if collected over short periods. When these are not available, the coefficients of the Ångström–Prescott model should be calculated using the parameterization method established with calibrations over the Tibetan Plateau.
An Examination of Households’ Attitudes towards Renewable Energy Source Investments in Lower Silesian Voivodeship
Authors: Stanisławska Marta
Published: October 2023

This study presents findings from an empirical investigation into households’ decisions to further invest in renewable energy sources (RES). In the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, the survey gathered responses from 300 single-family homeowners who had already invested in RES. Notably, household income emerged as a significant influencer, with higher income levels correlating to a greater inclination for RES investment. Surprisingly, owning photovoltaic batteries was associated with reduced intent for further RES investment, potentially indicating contentment with prior outcomes. Moreover, many respondents reported decreased energy costs post-RES investment, underscoring its economic viability. Nonetheless, results also revealed a perceived shortfall in government financial support, suggesting a need for more effective support mechanisms. Economic factors, including financial accessibility and perceived profitability, were pivotal drivers for RES investment. Policy interventions should account for these factors to bolster green energy adoption, particularly for low-income households. Future research should probe the reasons behind perceived government support insufficiency and discern the roles of different forms of financial assistance. These endeavors could refine policy frameworks and invigorate energy transition efforts. In conclusion, the study highlights households’ keen interest in RES investment in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Household income stood out as a critical determinant, underlining economic factors’ sway over investment decisions. An intriguing observation was that prior photovoltaic battery ownership might temper enthusiasm for future RES investments. Most respondents experienced energy cost reduction, reinforcing RES benefits, though calls for improved government support remain. Economic considerations drive RES investment and warrant policy attention. Future research could probe the causes of perceived support shortfalls and untangle financial aid impacts for more targeted approaches to energy transition.
Impacts of Climate Warming and Humidification on Vegetation Activity over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: He Zhe , Zhou Ting , Chen Jiaqi , Fu Yajing , Peng Yuanying , Zhang Li , Yao Tongyu , Farooq Taimoor Hassan , Wu Xiaohong , Yan Wende , Wang Jun
Published: October 2023

Vegetation is the most vulnerable component of terrestrial ecosystems to climate change. In recent decades, there has been a significant warming and humidification trend in the Tibetan Plateau. It is crucial to study and analyze the impact of these changes on the ecosystem and their future trends for protecting the Tibetan Plateau’s ecosystem. This study collected and analyzed climate (temperature, precipitation) data and vegetation index data (the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the leaf area index (LAI)), as well as data from significance tests combined with Mann–Kendall tests and Sen’s slope estimation. The effects of temperature and precipitation factors on vegetation indices were revealed, leading to a multiple regression model predicting NDVI and LAI value changes under climate change from 2021 to 2100. The results indicate a general increase in temperature and precipitation levels across the Tibetan Plateau between 2000 and 2020. The climate experienced a clear pattern of warming and moist conditions, with the southeast region experiencing warmer and wetter conditions, and the northwest region experiencing drier and colder conditions. The trends of the LAI and NDVI values of the Tibetan Plateau indicated a general increase, with a gradual decline from the southeast to the northwest. Precipitation and temperature were differentially correlated with the NDVI and LAI values across various regions of the plateau. Between 2021 and 2100, the Tibetan Plateau is expected to experience year-on-year increases in both precipitation and temperature levels. However, the increase in precipitation was found to be less significant than that of the climate and, comparatively, smoother. There is a certain correlation between the NDVI and LAI values, and the changes in temperature and precipitation. The variations of both are more influenced by temperature than precipitation, with an overall increasing trend observed over the years, which is also quite evident. This study could serve as a scientific foundation and a point of reference for monitoring vegetation changes over a long period of time on the plateau, as well as for the planning and execution of ecological development in the Tibetan Plateau.
Edge-Computing-Based People-Counting System for Elevators Using MobileNet–Single-Stage Object Detection
Authors: Shen Tsu-Chuan , Chu Edward T.-H.
Published: October 2023

Existing elevator systems lack the ability to display the number of people waiting on each floor and inside the elevator. This causes an inconvenience as users cannot tell if they should wait or seek alternatives, leading to unnecessary time wastage. In this work, we adopted edge computing by running the MobileNet–Single-Stage Object Detection (SSD) algorithm on edge devices to recognize the number of people inside an elevator and waiting on each floor. To ensure the accuracy of people counting, we fine-tuned the SSD parameters, such as the recognition frequency and confidence thresholds, and utilized the line of interest (LOI) counting strategy for people counting. In our experiment, we deployed four NVIDIA Jetson Nano boards in a four-floor building as edge devices to count people when they entered specific areas. The counting results, such as the number of people waiting on each floor and inside the elevator, were provided to users through a web app. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieved an average accuracy of 85% for people counting. Furthermore, when comparing it to sending all images back to a remote server for people counting, the execution time required for edge computing was shorter, without compromising the accuracy significantly.
Financial Data Quality Evaluation Method Based on Multiple Linear Regression
Authors: Li Meng , Liu Jiqiang , Yang Yeping
Published: October 2023

With the rapid growth of customer data in financial institutions, such as trusts, issues of data quality have become increasingly prominent. The main challenge lies in constructing an effective evaluation method that ensures accurate and efficient assessment of customer data quality when dealing with massive customer data. In this paper, we construct a data quality evaluation index system based on the analytic hierarchy process through a comprehensive investigation of existing research on data quality. Then, redundant features are filtered based on the Shapley value, and the multiple linear regression model is employed to adjust the weight of different indices. Finally, a case study of the customer and institution information of a trust institution is conducted. The results demonstrate that the utilization of completeness, accuracy, timeliness, consistency, uniqueness, and compliance to establish a quality evaluation index system proves instrumental in conducting extensive and in-depth research on data quality measurement dimensions. Additionally, the data quality evaluation approach based on multiple linear regression facilitates the batch scoring of data, and the incorporation of the Shapley value facilitates the elimination of invalid features. This enables the intelligent evaluation of large-scale data quality for financial data.
The Effects of Different Carbon Sources on Water Quality, Growth Performance, Hematology, Immune, and Antioxidant Status in Cultured Nile Tilapia with Biofloc Technology
Authors: Rind Khalid Hussain , Habib Syed Sikandar , Ujan Javed Ahmed , Fazio Francesco , Naz Saira , Batool Aima Iram , Ullah Mujeeb , Attaullah Sobia , Khayyam Khayyam , Khan Khalid
Published: October 2023

The biofloc technology system (BFT) is considered to be one of the sustainable aquaculture systems, which is based on the principle of nutrient recycling with the addition of a carbon source to give dominance to heterotrophic microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sugar cane molasses and tapioca flour as carbon sources on the water quality, growth, hematology, immune status, and non-specific antioxidant status of Oreochromis juveniles. Methodologically, the experiment was carried out for 10 weeks on 225 juvenile Nile tilapia with initial body weights of 47.0 ± 1.3 g that were randomly distributed in 09 tanks (1000 L) with a stocking density of 25 tilapias per tank; the treatments were: BFT + SM (S molasses), BFT + TF tapioca flour (TF), and a control with no carbon source added. The control group was fed 100% feed, while the BFT experimental groups were fed microbial flocs along with 75% feed. The results revealed that the water quality parameters were affected by the carbon sources, but were adequate for normal fish welfare, and the biofloc volume was higher (28.94) with the TF carbon source. The growth performance, such as weight gain (98.61), survival (99.01), and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.69), was recorded in BFT + TF. Significant improvements in WBCs, HCT, HB, lymphocytes, plasma proteins, albumin, and non-specific immune factors (lysozyme activity, immunoglobulins levels, and ACH50) were observed in biofloc-reared fish with tapioca flour as the carbon source compared to the control and sugarcane molasses groups. Moreover, significant increases in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were found in the biofloc-reared fish with different carbon sources. In conclusion, the use of BFT + TF was found to affect improving the water quality, growth, hematology, immunity, and antioxidant status of juvenile Tilapia.
The Links between Food Components, Dietary Habits and Gut Microbiota Composition
Authors: Zhao Jichun , Zhao Nan
Published: October 2023

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, claimed that “All disease begins in the gut”, while modern scientific studies show that a lot of diseases are at least correlated to the gut, which contains trillions of microbes [...]
Predictive Clinical and Biological Criteria for Gene Panel Positivity in Suspected Inherited Autoinflammatory Diseases: Insights from a Case–Control Study
Authors: Heiser Lionel , Broly Martin , Rittore Cécile , Touitou Isabelle , Georgin-Lavialle Sophie , Boursier Guilaine
Published: October 2023

In order to assess the clinical and biological criteria that predict gene panel positivity in patients with a suspected inherited genetic autoinflammatory disease, we conducted a case–control study. These new selection criteria could replace the national multidisciplinary staff approval before performing genetic testing that has been required since 2019. The study involved 119 positive gene panels matched by panel sizes to 119 randomly selected negative gene panels. The patients were referred to our laboratory for genetic testing between June 2012, and March 2023. The clinical and biological criteria were extracted from a prospectively filled database. We focused our evaluation on accuracy and the positive predictive value. Neonatal symptom onset and deafness had the highest accuracies among all criteria associated with the positivity panel, with 92.9% (88.6; 96.0) and 92.6% (88.5; 95.6), respectively. However, it is important to note that the associated Positive Predictive Values (PPVs) cannot exceed 50%. Despite finding a statistical association between clinical and biological criteria and panel positivity, the predictive values of these criteria were not sufficient to recommend Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) gene panel testing without the national multidisciplinary staff evaluation.
Nature-Based Interventions in the UK: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring Green Prescribing for Promoting the Mental Wellbeing of Young Pregnant Women
Authors: Sands Gina , Blake Holly , Carter Tim , Spiby Helen
Published: October 2023

Green prescribing is gaining in popularity internationally for the promotion of mental wellbeing. However, the evidence base is limited, particularly in young pregnant women, a population with known risk factors for anxiety and depression. The aim of this mixed-methods study was to provide insights into the availability, processes, and suitability of nature-based interventions for young pregnant women. First, an online mapping survey of nature-based activities in the East Midlands region of the United Kingdom (UK) was undertaken. Second, focus groups (n = 6) were conducted with nature activity providers and young mothers (n = 11). This study found there were many diverse nature-based activities available to promote mental wellbeing. The organisational challenges highlighted include a lack of sufficient funding for service provision and disappointing experiences with some green prescribing programmes. The young women felt that nature-based activities helped to promote their mental wellbeing, and also offered an opportunity for social support. The facilitators, such as having detailed information and being accompanied to initial sessions to ease anxieties, were found to maximise the women’s engagement with nature-based interventions. This study provides new perspectives on nature-based interventions from service providers and young women. Findings on the organisational barriers and facilitators to delivering interventions will inform the design of much needed future experimental research.
Give until It Hurts: An Exploratory Analysis of Mental Health Workers’ Wellness
Authors: Olson Marin G. , Pyles Karly M. , Nadorff Danielle Kristen
Published: October 2023

Background: The well-being of mental health professionals has been of growing concern due to the increasing rates of reported stress and burnout. Previous research suggests that the quality of life for mental health workers (MHWs) is at an increased risk due to clinical load, salary concerns, and lack of time for self-care activities outside of work. There is a lack of research regarding the wellness of MHWs (i.e., psychology graduate students, academic faculty, psychiatrists, and mental health counselors) and its relation to the workplace environment. This study examined job-related factors that impacted participants’ social, emotional, and professional well-being. Methods: Participants were recruited via professional organization listservs and answered questions about their psychological health (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9), support systems (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), and three qualitative questions about what they enjoy or find challenging about their work and any barriers to engaging in self-care activities. Results: An inductive qualitative analysis of the qualitative questions and descriptive statistics are presented to provide context for their qualitative responses. Conclusions: Institutions can better support their workers by creating outlets to teach their staff self-care strategies and practice these strategies at work.