bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long- and Short-Term Conductance Control of Artificial Polymer Wire Synapses
Authors: Hagiwara Naruki , Sekizaki Shoma , Kuwahara Yuji , Asai Tetsuya , Akai-Kasaya Megumi
Published: January 2021

Networks in the human brain are extremely complex and sophisticated. The abstract model of the human brain has been used in software development, specifically in artificial intelligence. Despite the remarkable outcomes achieved using artificial intelligence, the approach consumes a huge amount of computational resources. A possible solution to this issue is the development of processing circuits that physically resemble an artificial brain, which can offer low-energy loss and high-speed processing. This study demonstrated the synaptic functions of conductive polymer wires linking arbitrary electrodes in solution. By controlling the conductance of the wires, synaptic functions such as long-term potentiation and short-term plasticity were achieved, which are similar to the manner in which a synapse changes the strength of its connections. This novel organic artificial synapse can be used to construct information-processing circuits by wiring from scratch and learning efficiently in response to external stimuli.
Thermal Conductivities of Crosslinked Polyisoprene and Polybutadiene from Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Vasilev Aleksandr , Lorenz Tommy , Breitkopf Cornelia
Published: January 2021

For the first time, the thermal conductivities of vulcanized polybutadiene and polyisoprene have been investigated according to their degree of crosslinking. The C-C and C-S-S-C crosslink bridges, which can be obtained via vulcanization processes using peroxides and sulfur, respectively, are considered. The temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of soft rubber derived from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is in very good agreement with the experimental results. The contributions of bonded and non-bonded interactions in the MD simulations and their influence on the thermal conductivities of polyisoprene and polybutadiene are presented. The details are discussed in this paper.
Molecular Weight Enables Fine-Tuning the Thermal and Dielectric Properties of Polymethacrylates Bearing Sulfonyl and Nitrile Groups as Dipolar Entities
Authors: Bonardd Sebastian , Saldías Cesar , Leiva Ángel , Díaz Díaz David , Kortaberria Galder
Published: January 2021

In this work, polymethacrylates containing sulfonyl and nitrile functional groups were successfully prepared by conventional radical polymerization and reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (RAFT). The thermal and dielectric properties were evaluated, for the first time, considering differences in their molecular weights and dispersity values. Variations of the aforementioned properties do not seem to substantially affect the polarized state of these materials, defined in terms of the parameters ε’r, ε”r and tan (δ). However, the earlier appearance of dissipative phenomena on the temperature scale for materials with lower molecular weights or broader molecular weight distributions, narrows the range of working temperatures in which they exhibit high dielectric constants along with low loss factors. Notwithstanding the above, as all polymers showed, at room temperature, ε’r values above 9 and loss factors below 0.02, presenting higher dielectric performance when compared to conventional polymer materials, they could be considered as good candidates for energy storage applications.
Potential of Brewer’s Spent Grain as a Potential Replacement of Wood in pMDI, UF or MUF Bonded Particleboard
Authors: Barbu Marius Cătălin , Montecuccoli Zeno , Förg Jakob , Barbeck Ulrike , Klímek Petr , Petutschnigg Alexander , Tudor Eugenia Mariana
Published: January 2021

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is the richest by-product (85%) of the beer-brewing industry, that can be upcycled in a plentiful of applications, from animal feed, bioethanol production or for removal of heavy metals from wastewater. The aim of this research is to investigate the mechanical, physical and structural properties of particleboard manufactured with a mixture of wood particles and BSG gradually added/replacement in 10%, 30% and 50%, glued with polymeric diisocyanate (pMDI), urea-formaldehyde (UF) and melamine urea-formaldehyde (MUF) adhesives. The density, internal bond, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, screw withdrawal resistance, thickness swelling and water absorption were tested. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy anaylsis was carried out to analyze the structure of the panels after the internal bond test. Overall, it was shown that the adding of BSG decreases the mechanical performance of particleboard, due to reduction of the bonding between wood and BSG particles. This decrease has been associated with the structural differences proven by SEM inspection. Interaction of particles with the adhesive is different for boards containing BSG compared to those made from wood. Nevertheless, decrease in the mechanical properties was not critical for particleboards produced with 10% BSG which could be potentially classified as a P2 type, this means application in non-load-bearing panel for interior use in dry conditions, with high dimensional stability and stiffness.
A Review of the Polymer for Cryogenic Application: Methods, Mechanisms and Perspectives
Authors: Chen Duo , Li Juanzi , Yuan Yuhuan , Gao Chang , Cui Yunguang , Li Shichao , Liu Xin , Wang Hongyu , Peng Cong , Wu Zhanjun
Published: January 2021

Recently, the application of polymer-based composites at cryogenic conditions has become a hot topic, especially in aerospace fields. At cryogenic temperature, the polymer becomes more brittle, and the adverse effect of thermal stress induced by temperature is more remarkable. In this paper, the research development of thermoset and thermoplastic polymers for cryogenic applications are all reviewed. This review considers the literature concerning: (a) the cryogenic performance of modified thermoset polymers and the improving mechanisms of the reported modification methods; (b) the cryogenic application potential of some commercial thermoplastic polymers and the cryogenic performance of modified thermoplastic polymers; (c) the recent advance in the use of polymer for special cryogenic environment-liquid oxygen. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the research development of the polymer for cryogenic application. Moreover, future research directions have been proposed to facilitate its practical applications in aerospace.
Volatile Fatty Acids as Carbon Sources for Polyhydroxyalkanoates Production
Authors: Szacherska Karolina , Oleskowicz-Popiel Piotr , Ciesielski Slawomir , Mozejko-Ciesielska Justyna
Published: January 2021

Waste of industrial origin produced from synthetic materials are a serious threat to the natural environment. The ending resources of fossil raw materials and increasingly restrictive legal standards for the management of plastic waste have led to research on the use of biopolymers, which, due to their properties, may be an ecological alternative to currently used petrochemical polymers. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have gained much attention in recent years as the next generation of environmentally friendly materials. Currently, a lot of research is being done to reduce the costs of the biological process of PHA synthesis, which is the main factor limiting the production of PHAs on the industrial scale. The volatile fatty acids (VFAs) produced by anaerobic digestion from organic industrial and food waste, and various types of wastewater could be suitable carbon sources for PHA production. Thus, reusing the organic waste, while reducing the future fossil fuel, originated from plastic waste. PHA production from VFAs seem to be a good approach since VFAs composition determines the constituents of PHAs polymer and is of great influence on its properties. In order to reduce the overall costs of PHA production to a more reasonable level, it will be necessary to design a bioprocess that maximizes VFAs production, which will be beneficial for the PHA synthesis. Additionally, a very important factor that affects the profitable production of PHAs from VFAs is the selection of a microbial producer that will effectively synthesize the desired bioproduct. PHA production from VFAs has gained significant interest since VFAs composition determines the constituents of PHA polymer. Thus far, the conversion of VFAs into PHAs using pure bacterial cultures has received little attention, and the majority of studies have used mixed microbial communities for this purpose. This review discusses the current state of knowledge on PHAs synthesized by microorganisms cultured on VFAs.
Challenges in Solvent-Free Methods for Manufacturing Electrodes and Electrolytes for Lithium-Based Batteries
Authors: Verdier Nina , Foran Gabrielle , Lepage David , Prébé Arnaud , Aymé-Perrot David , Dollé Mickaël
Published: January 2021

With the ever-growing energy storage notably due to the electric vehicle market expansion and stationary applications, one of the challenges of lithium batteries lies in the cost and environmental impacts of their manufacture. The main process employed is the solvent-casting method, based on a slurry casted onto a current collector. The disadvantages of this technique include the use of toxic and costly solvents as well as significant quantity of energy required for solvent evaporation and recycling. A solvent-free manufacturing method would represent significant progress in the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries. This review provides an overview of solvent-free processes used to make solid polymer electrolytes and composite electrodes. Two methods can be described: heat-based (hot-pressing, melt processing, dissolution into melted polymer, the incorporation of melted polymer into particles) and spray-based (electrospray deposition or high-pressure deposition). Heat-based processes are used for solid electrolyte and electrode manufacturing, while spray-based processes are only used for electrode processing. Amongst these techniques, hot-pressing and melt processing were revealed to be the most used alternatives for both polymer-based electrolytes and electrodes. These two techniques are versatile and can be used in the processing of fillers with a wide range of morphologies and loadings.
Fermentation of Ferulated Arabinoxylan Recovered from the Maize Bioethanol Industry
Authors: Mendez-Encinas Mayra A. , Valencia-Rivera Dora E. , Carvajal-Millan Elizabeth , Astiazaran-Garcia Humberto , Micard Valérie , Rascón-Chu Agustín
Published: January 2021

Maize by-product from the bioethanol industry (distiller’s dried grains with solubles, DDGS) is a source of ferulated arabinoxylan (AX), which is a health-promoting polysaccharide. In the present study, AX from DDGS was fermented by a representative colonic bacterial mixture (Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, and Bacteroides ovatus), and the effect of the fermented AX (AX-f) on the proliferation of the cell line Caco-2 was investigated. AX was efficiently metabolized by these bacteria, as evidenced by a decrease in the polysaccharide molecular weight from 209 kDa to < 50 kDa in AX-f, the release of ferulic acid (FA) from polysaccharide chains (1.14 µg/mg AX-f), and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production (277 µmol/50 mg AX). AX-f inhibited the proliferation of Caco-2 cells by 80–40% using concentrations from 125–1000 µg/mL. This dose-dependent inverse effect was attributed to the increased viscosity of the media due to the polysaccharide concentration. The results suggest that the AX-f dose range and the SCFA and free FA production are key determinants of antiproliferative activity. Using the same polysaccharide concentrations, non-fermented AX only inhibited the Caco-2 cells proliferation by 8%. These findings highlight the potential of AX recovered from the maize bioethanol industry as an antiproliferative agent once fermented by colonic bacteria.
Improvement of Water Solubility of Mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate (BSH)-Peptides by Conjugating with Ethylene Glycol Linker and Interaction with Cyclodextrin
Authors: Kitamatsu Mizuki , Nakamura-Tachibana Ayaka , Ishikawa Yoshimichi , Michiue Hiroyuki
Published: January 2021

We previously developed a conjugate consisting of 10B cluster BSH and tri-arginine peptide (BSH-3R). This could potentially be used as a boron agent for boron neutron capture therapy; however, it possesses poor water solubility and thus needs to be improved for use as medicine. In this study, we devised several means of improving the water solubility of BSH-3R. As one of them, we used cyclodextrin (CD), which was expected to improve the water solubility resulting from interaction of the BSH-3R with CD. We evaluated the solubility of BSH-3R in aqueous CD solution by using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. As we expected, the solubility of BSH-3R was increased in a manner dependent on the addition of β-CD and γ-CD in aqueous solution. Furthermore, we synthesized BSH conjugated to oligoarginine having various chain lengths (BSH-nR) and BSH-3R with ethylene glycol linkers introduced between BSH and 3R (BSH-nEg-3R). The water solubility of these BSH peptides was also evaluated and the results showed that the introduction of nEg to BSH-3R markedly improved the water solubility. Furthermore, we found that the water solubility of these peptides can be further improved by also applying CD.
Numerical Study on Unsteady Pressure Distribution on Bulk Carrier in Head Waves with Forward Speed
Authors: Yang Kyung-Kyu , Kim Beom-Soo , Kim Yonghwan , Kashiwagi Masashi , Iwashita Hidetsugu
Published: January 2021

This study deals with wave-induced unsteady pressure on a ship moving with a constant forward speed in regular head waves. Two different numerical methods are applied to solve wave–ship interaction problems: a Rankine panel method which adopts velocity potential, and a Cartesian-grid method which solves the momentum and mass conservation equations under the assumption of inviscid and incompressible fluids. Before comparing l1ocal pressure distributions, the computational methods are validated for global quantities, such as ship motion responses and added resistance, by comparison with available experimental data. Then, the computational results and experimental data are compared for hydrodynamic pressure, particularly focusing on the magnitude of the first-harmonic component in different sections and vertical locations. Furthermore, the Cartesian-grid method is used to simulate the various wave-amplitude conditions, and the characteristics of the zeroth-, first-, and second-harmonic components of wave-induced pressure are investigated. The nonlinearity of pressure distribution is observed mostly from the pressure near the still-water-level of the ship bow and the normalized first-harmonic component of wave-induced pressure decreases as the wave steepness increases. Lastly, to understand the local characteristics of wave-induced unsteady pressure, the time-averaged added pressure and added local force are analyzed. It is found that the major contribution of the time-averaged added local force that occurs around the ship stem above the design waterline.
Thermal Oxidative Stability of Biodiesel/Petrodiesel Blends by Pressurized Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Its Calculated Cetane Index
Authors: Silva Jilliano B. , Almeida Josue S. , Barbosa Rodrigo V. , Fernandes Glauber J. T. , Coriolano Ana C. F. , Fernandes Valter J. , Araujo Antonio S.
Published: January 2021

Diesel fuel mixtures with high concentrations of biodiesel have been investigated to analyze the technical feasibility of their use in diesel cycle engines regarding thermal and oxidative properties. The results of combined techniques of oxidative stability, high Pressurized Differential Scanning Calorimetry (P-DSC), Calculated Cetane Index (CCI), and calorific power were used to verify the effect of the thermal-oxidative stability as a function of the percentage of biodiesel in the mixtures. The obtained results evidenced that the thermal and oxidative stability decreased with the addition of biodiesel from 50 to 5% v/v. Low stability fuels require rapid use as the oxidation compounds degrade the product and impair vehicle performance, as well as lead to corrosion and clogging problems in various mechanical systems.
Extra-Heavy Crude Oil Viscosity Reduction Using and Reusing Magnetic Copper Ferrite Nanospheres
Authors: Mateus Lucía , Taborda Esteban A. , Moreno-Castilla Carlos , López-Ramón María Victoria , Franco Camilo A. , Cortés Farid B.
Published: January 2021

The main objective of this study is the synthesis, use, and reuse of magnetic copper ferrite nanospheres (CFNS) for extra-heavy oil viscosity reduction. The CFNS were synthesized using a solvothermal method resulting in mean particle size of 150 nm. Interactions of CFNS with the crude oil were evaluated through asphaltene adsorption isotherms, as well as static and dynamic rheology measurements for two cycles at 25 °C. Adsorption and desorption experiments corroborated that most of the asphaltenes adsorbed can be removed for nanoparticle reuse. During the rheology tests, nanoparticles were evaluated in the first cycle at different concentrations from 300 to 1500 mg/L, leading to the highest degree of viscosity reduction of 18% at 500 mg/L. SiO2 nanoparticles were evaluated for comparison issues, obtaining similar results regarding the viscosity reduction. After measurements, the CFNS were removed with a magnet, washed with toluene, and further dried for the second cycle of viscosity reduction. Rheology tests were performed for a second time at a fixed concentration of 500 mg/L, and slight differences were observed regarding the first cycle. Finally, changes in the extra-heavy oil microstructure upon CFNS addition were observed according to the significant decrease in elastic and viscous moduli.
Evaluation of Dissolution Profiles of a Newly Developed Solid Oral Immediate-Release Formula Containing Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Authors: Pop Anca , Crișan Simona , Bârcă Maria , Ciobanu Anne-Marie , Varlas Valentin , Pop Coriolan , Pali Mariana-Ana , Cauni Dumitru , Ozon Emma , Udeanu Denisa , Trifu Simona , Năsui Bogdana
Published: January 2021

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA, thioctic acid), a naturally-occurring essential dithiol compound, has become a common ingredient in many pharmaceutical and food supplement products (FSP), used in oxidative stress-dependent pathologies; oral bioavailability of ALA is limited by pharmacokinetic particularities that reduce its therapeutic efficacy-reduced solubility, lack of gastric stability and hepatic degradation, doubled by formulation hinders. The objectives were to develop a solid oral 600 mg ALA FSP to obtain an optimal pharmaceutical profile compared to a reference listed drug (RLD) with a similarity factor f2 50. A comparative dissolution study was performed; an HPLC method was used for ALA quantification. After planning combinatory simulations (formulation stage), two prototype formulas (#1 and #2) were manufactured and further optimized by adjusting ALA physical characteristics and the excipients quantities (#3 and #4) in order to achieve the Quality Target Product Profile. A misshapen of ALA’s in vitro release was observed for #3 Formula (f2 = 31.6); the optimal profile was obtained for Formula #4 (f2 = 58.5). A simple quantitative formula is not enough to assure good ALA bioavailability; the formulation needs multiple compounding modulations under physicochemical compatibility algorithms, with multiple dissolution profiles testing back-ups. It is essential to ensure a formulation with an in vitro dissolution comparable with the RLD, allowing the compound to reach its target level to assure the optimum claimed antioxidant activity of ALA at the cellular level, even for food supplement formulations.
Culturing of Melanocytes from the Equine Hair Follicle Outer Root Sheath
Authors: Li Hanluo , Michler Jule Kristin , Bartella Alexander , Sander Anna Katharina , Gaus Sebastian , Hahnel Sebastian , Zimmerer Rüdiger , Simon Jan-Christoph , Savkovic Vuk , Lethaus Bernd
Published: January 2021

Hair follicles harbor a heterogeneous regenerative cell pool and represent a putative low-to-non-invasively available source of stem cells. We previously reported a technology for culturing human melanocytes from the hair follicle outer root sheath (ORS) for autologous pigmentation of tissue engineered skin equivalents. This study translated the ORS technology to horses. We de-veloped a culture of equine melanocytes from the ORS (eMORS) from equine forelock hair follicles cultured by means of an analogue human hair follicle-based in vitro methodology. The procedure was adjusted to equine physiology by addition of equine serum to the culture medium. The hair follicles were isolated by macerating forelock skin rests, enzymatically digested and subjected to air-medium-interface cultivation method. The procedure resulted in differentiated equine melanocytes, which exhibited typical morphology, presence of melanosomes, expression of cytoskeleton proteins vimentin, α-SMA, Sox2, S100ß and tyrosinase as well as tyrosinase activity followed by production of melanin. According to all assessed parameters, eMORS could be ranked as partially melanotic melanocytes. The results of the study offer an experimental base for further insight into hair follicle biology in equine and for comparative studies of hair follicles across different species.
Impedimetric Microcystin-LR Aptasensor Prepared with Sulfonated Poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline)–Silver Nanocomposite
Authors: Bilibana Mawethu Pascoe , Feleni Usisipho , Williams Avril Rae , Iwuoha Emmanuel
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a novel impedimetric aptasensor for cyanobacterial microcystin-LR (L, l-leucine; R, l-arginine) (MC-LR) containing a 5′ thiolated 60-mer DNA aptamer (i.e., 5′-SH-(CH2)6GGCGCCAAACAGGACCACCATGACAATTACCCATACCACCTCATTATGCCCCATCT CCGC-3′). A nanocomposite electrode platform comprising biocompatible poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline) (PDMA)-poly(vinylsulfonate) (PVS) and silver nanoparticle (Ag0) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), i.e., (GCE/PDMA–PVS–Ag0) was used in the biosensor development. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) spectroscopic analysis revealed that the PDMA–PVS–Ag0 nanocomposites were polydispersed and contained embedded Ag0. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) responses of the aptasensor gave a dynamic linear range (DLR) and limit of detection (LOD) values of 0.01–0.1 ng L−1 MC-LR and 0.003 ng L−1 MC-LR, respectively. The cross-reactivity studies, which was validated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), showed that the aptasensor possesses excellent selectivity for MC-LR.
Transesterification Using Ultrasonic Spray of Triolein Containing CaO Particles into Methanol Vapor in a 3-Phase Reactor
Authors: Vitidsant Ravisut , Kodama Satoshi , Sekiguchi Hidetoshi
Published: January 2021

Ultrasonic spraying was used in a three-phase reactor to produce small droplets of triolein mixed with CaO as a solid catalyst at temperatures above the boiling point of methanol for enhancement of the transesterification of triolein. Droplets fell in the methanol countercurrent flow and were collected at the bottom of the reactor, followed by circulation to the ultrasonic spray system. The experimental parameters included triolein flow rates of 2.5–9.0 mL/min, reaction temperatures of 70–100 °C, and catalyst contents of 1.0–7.0 wt%. The methanol feed rate was set to be constant. The results suggested that the enhancement was successful after using the three-phase reactor by generating a high contact surface area for the droplets, which was a key factor for determining the performance. Comparing the results with conventional transesterification in the liquid phase using the same CaO at 60 °C, the three-phase reactor produced a methyl ester yield 2–5% higher during the 60 min trial period. However, the yield became lower after 60 min because the mass transfer of methanol to the droplets was limited. The transesterification kinetics were estimated based on the experimental data—assuming a first-order reaction—and the results indicated a range of the rate constant, an apparent activation energy, and a pre-exponential factor of 1.21–3.70 × 10−2 min−1, 36.1 kJ mol−1, and 64.9 min−1, respectively, suggesting that the three-phase reactor was effective for fast transesterification at the initial stage.
Evolutionary Algorithm to Support Field Architecture Scenario Screening Automation and Optimization Using Decentralized Subsea Processing Modules
Authors: Díaz Arias Mariana J. C. , dos Santos Allyne M. , Altamiranda Edmary
Published: January 2021

Manual generation of test cases and scenario screening processes, during field architecture concept development, may produce a limited number of solutions that do not necessarily lead to an optimal concept selection. For more complex subsea field architectures, which might include processing modules for enhancing pressure and thermal management for the production network, the number of configuration cases and scenarios to evaluate can be extremely large and time and resource-consuming to handle through conventional manual design processes. This paper explores the use of evolutionary algorithms (EA) to automate case generation, scenario screening, and optimization of decentralized subsea processing modules during field development. An evaluation of various genetic operators and evolution strategies was performed to compare their performance and suitability to the application. Based on the evaluation results, an EA using structural uniform crossover and a gradient plus boundary mutation as the main variation operators was developed. The methodology combines EA and an integrated modeling approach to automate and optimize the concept selection and field architecture design when considering decentralized subsea processing modules.
Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Reductants in the Ferromanganese Alloy Production: A Review
Authors: Surup Gerrit Ralf , Trubetskaya Anna , Tangstad Merete
Published: January 2021

This study examined the literature on life cycle assessment on the ferromanganese alloy production route. The environmental impacts of raw material acquisition through the production of carbon reductants to the production of ferromanganese alloys were examined and compared. The transition from the current fossil fuel-based production to a more sustainable production route was reviewed. Besides the environmental impact, policy and socioeconomic impacts were considered due to evaluation course of differences in the production routes. Charcoal has the potential to substantially replace fossil fuel reductants in the upcoming decades. The environmental impact from current ferromanganese alloy production can be reduced by ≥20% by the charcoal produced in slow pyrolysis kilns, which can be further reduced by ≥50% for a sustainable production in high-efficient retorts. Certificated biomass can ensure a sustainable growth to avoid deforestation and acidification of the environment. Although greenhouse gas emissions from transport are low for the ferromanganese alloy production, they may increase due to the low bulk density of charcoal and the decentralized production of biomass. However, centralized charcoal retorts can provide additional by-products or biofuel and ensure better product quality for the industrial application. Further upgrading of charcoal can finally result in a CO2 neutral ferromanganese alloy production for the renewable power supply.
Copper Oxide Spectral Emission Detection in Chalcopyrite and Copper Concentrate Combustion
Authors: Reyes Gonzalo , Diaz Walter , Toro Carlos , Balladares Eduardo , Torres Sergio , Parra Roberto , Vásquez Alejandro
Published: January 2021

In this research, the spectral detection of copper oxide is reported from different combustion tests of chalcopyrite particles and copper concentrates. Combustion experiments were performed in a bench reactor. In all the tests, the radiation emitted from the sulfide particle reactions was captured in the VIS–NIR range. The obtained spectral data were processed by using the airPLS (adaptive iteratively reweighted penalized least squares) algorithm to remove their baseline, and principal component analysis (PCA) and the multivariate curve resolution method alternate least squares (MCR-ALS) methods were applied to identify the emission lines or spectral bands of copper oxides. The extracted spectral pattern is directly correlated with the emission profile reported in the literature, evidencing the potential of using spectral analysis techniques on copper sulfide combustion spectra.
Mesophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Hydrothermally Pretreated Lignocellulosic Biomass (Norway Spruce (Picea abies))
Authors: Ghimire Nirmal , Bakke Rune , Bergland Wenche Hennie
Published: January 2021

Hot water extraction (HWE) removes hemicellulose from woody biomass to give improved end products while producing a sugar-rich by-product stream, which requires proper treatment before disposal. Hot water extracted Norway spruce (Picea abies) at two different pretreatment conditions (140 °C for 300 min (H140) and 170 °C for 90 min (H170)) generated hydrolysate as a by-product, which was used in mesophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) as substrate. H140 gave a higher methane yield (210 NmL/g COD—chemical oxygen demand) than H170 (148 NmL/g COD) despite having a lower concentration of sugars, suggesting that different levels of inhibitors (furans and soluble lignin) and recalcitrant compounds (soluble lignin) affected the methane yield significantly. Organic loads (OLs) had a negative effect on the methane yield, as observed during AD of H170, while such an effect was not observed in the case of H140. This suggests that the decrease in methane yield (32%) of H170 compared to H140 is primarily due to inhibitors, while the decrease in methane yield (19%) of H140 compared to the synthetic hydrolysate is primarily due to recalcitrant substances. Therefore, both OL and pretreatment conditions must be considered for efficient anaerobic digestion from hydrolysate for enhanced methane production.
Death Anxiety, Religiosity and Culture: Implications for Therapeutic Process and Future Research
Authors: Pandya Apurva-kumar , Kathuria Tripti
Published: January 2021

Death anxiety is a common phenomenon that humans experience. It is multidimensional. There has been an upsurged interest around the discussion on death anxiety across the globe, however, much of the literature focuses on the concept of death anxiety, religiosity, and its role in mental health conditions. Further, studies on death anxiety are scattered and at times disconnected. It is important to review existing literature to get an overview of the current direction in research and understand its relevance to facilitate therapeutic processes. In this scoping review, literature was searched in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and PsychINFO using key words such as “death anxiety”, “fear of death”, religion”, “culture”, and “psychopathology” combined with Boolean operators to narrow down the search results. The initial search yielded 614 records, of which 546 records were removed based on title review (363), abstract review (94), and full-text review (89). Finally, 68 articles were appraised, narratively synthesized, and thematically presented. Major themes revealed in the literature were theoretical frameworks of death anxiety, religiosity, universality, psychological effects of death anxiety, psychopathology, and religious coping strategies. There is a need to assess client’s death anxiety and address them using religious rituals and coping mechanisms.
Shifting Paradigms in Islamic Higher Education in Europe: The Case Study of Leiden University
Authors: Berger Maurits S.
Published: January 2021

Islamic higher education finds itself at the cross-roads of a variety of developments: it oscillates between the ‘teaching into’ approach of Theology and the ‘teaching about’ approach of Religious Studies, between the security-driven need for a ‘European Islam’ and a European Muslim-driven need for a high-quality education in ‘Islam in Europe’, between traditional one-way knowledge dissemination and innovative two-way knowledge sharing, and between Islam as defined and discussed by scholars and Islam as defined and discussed by the public. This myriad of dynamics is challenging and a source of tensions among all parties involved, in particular between lecturers and students. In this article, a qualitative self-study research based on personal experiences with various Islamic higher education programs at Leiden University will be used to reflect on the broader developments in Islamic higher education programs in Europe. It argues that thinking about Islamic higher education is not a process of finding solutions to problems but is a process of educational opportunities and innovation.
On James Sterba’s Refutation of Theistic Arguments to Justify Suffering
Authors: Reichenbach Bruce R.
Published: January 2021

In his recent book Is a Good God Logically Possible? and article by the same name, James Sterba argued that the existence of significant and horrendous evils, both moral and natural, is incompatible with the existence of God. He advances the discussion by invoking three moral requirements and by creating an analogy with how the just state would address such evils, while protecting significant freedoms and rights to which all are entitled. I respond that his argument has important ambiguities and that consistent application of his moral principles will require that God remove all moral and natural evils. This would deleteriously restrict not only human moral decision making, but also the knowledge necessary to make moral judgments. He replies to this critique by appealing to the possibility of limited divine intervention, to which I rejoin with reasons why his middle ground is not viable.
The Tenacity of Popular Devotions in the Age of Vatican II: Learning from the Divine Mercy
Authors: Alvis Robert E.
Published: January 2021

Despite is global popularity in recent decades, the Divine Mercy devotion has received scant scrutiny from scholars. This article examines its historical development and evolving appeal, with an eye toward how this nuances our understanding of Catholic devotions in the “age of Vatican II.” The Divine Mercy first gained popularity during World War II and the early Cold War, an anxious era in which many Catholic devotions flourished. The Holy Office prohibited the active promotion of the Divine Mercy devotion in 1958, owing to a number of theological concerns. While often linked with the decline of Catholic devotional life generally, the Second Vatican Council helped set the stage for the eventual rehabilitation of the Divine Mercy devotion. The 1958 prohibition was finally lifted in 1978, and the Divine Mercy devotion has since gained a massive following around the world, benefiting in particular from the enthusiastic endorsement of Pope John Paul II. The testimonies of devotees reveal how the devotion’s appeal has changed over time. Originally understood as a method for escaping the torments of hell or purgatory, the devotion developed into a miraculous means to preserve life and, more recently, a therapeutic tool for various forms of malaise.
Sustainable Use of Petrothermal Resources—A Review of the Geological Conditions in Poland
Authors: Sowiżdżał Anna , Gładysz Paweł , Pająk Leszek
Published: January 2021

This article considers the possibility of using unconventional geothermal resources in enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) under Polish geological conditions. In order to obtain additional environmental benefits, EGS systems using CO2 as a medium were analyzed. In addition to the production of clean energy, this allows for the geological storage of CO2 during the energy production process. The aim of this paper is to analyze the geological conditions for EGS-CO2 systems. Criteria is established for selecting an optimal location for the implementation of the first pilot installation of this type in Poland. Due to the depth of deposition and predicted thermal and petrophysical parameters, the optimal location occurs in sedimentary rocks in the central part of the Polish Lowland (Krośniewice-Kutno area). However, other favorable zones meeting the established criteria for simultaneous energy production and CO2 sequestration have been identified in northwestern parts of Poland (Szczecin Trough) and in southern Poland, in the area of the Carpathian Foredeep (Upper Silesia region).
Determinants of Demand for Private Long-Term Care Insurance (Empirical Evidence from Poland)
Authors: Jurek Łukasz , Wolańska Wioletta
Published: January 2021

The main aim of the article is to evaluate determinants of demand for private long-term care insurance in Poland. Since this type of insurance is not (yet) offered on the market, the demand was examined through a survey in which respondents declared their willingness to purchase it. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that Poles declare a high propensity for private protection in the event of dependence. The vast majority (almost two-thirds) of the respondents were interested in purchasing long-term care insurance, while only one in sixteen respondents showed no such interest. Factors that predominantly determine the willingness to buy are as follows: individual foresight, knowledge about the costs of long-term care, preferences regarding methods of financing care, having children, and the level of education.
Modeling Spatiotemporal Population Changes by Integrating DMSP-OLS and NPP-VIIRS Nighttime Light Data in Chongqing, China
Authors: Lu Dan , Wang Yahui , Yang Qingyuan , Su Kangchuan , Zhang Haozhe , Li Yuanqing
Published: January 2021

The sustained growth of non-farm wages has led to large-scale migration of rural population to cities in China, especially in mountainous areas. It is of great significance to study the spatial and temporal pattern of population migration mentioned above for guiding population spatial optimization and the effective supply of public services in the mountainous areas. Here, we determined the spatiotemporal evolution of population in the Chongqing municipality of China from 2000–2018 by employing multi-period spatial distribution data, including nighttime light (NTL) data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP-VIIRS). There was a power function relationship between the two datasets at the pixel scale, with a mean relative error of NTL integration of 8.19%, 4.78% less than achieved by a previous study at the provincial scale. The spatial simulations of population distribution achieved a mean relative error of 26.98%, improved the simulation accuracy for mountainous population by nearly 20% and confirmed the feasibility of this method in Chongqing. During the study period, the spatial distribution of Chongqing’s population has increased in the west and decreased in the east, while also increased in low-altitude areas and decreased in medium-high altitude areas. Population agglomeration was common in all of districts and counties and the population density of central urban areas and its surrounding areas significantly increased, while that of non-urban areas such as northeast Chongqing significantly decreased.
Vegetation Phenology in the Qilian Mountains and Its Response to Temperature from 1982 to 2014
Authors: Qiao Cancan , Shen Shi , Cheng Changxiu , Wu Junxu , Jia Duo , Song Changqing
Published: January 2021

The vulnerability of vegetation ecosystems and hydrological systems in high-altitude areas makes their phenology more sensitive and their response to climate change more intense. The Qilian Mountains, an important geographic unit located in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP), has experienced the more significant increases in temperature and precipitation in the past few decades than most areas of the TP. However, under such intense climate change, the temporal and spatial differences in phenology in the Qilian Mountains are not clear. This study explored the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of phenology in the Qilian Mountains from 1982 to 2014 and its response to three temperature indicators, including the mean daily temperature (Tmean), mean daily daytime temperature (Tmax), and mean daily nighttime temperature (Tmin). The results showed that (1) as the altitude rose from southeast to northwest, the multiyear mean of the start of the growing season (SOS) was gradually delayed mainly from 120 to 190 days, the multiyear mean of the end of the growing season (EOS) as a whole was advanced (from 290 to 260 days), and the multiyear mean of the length of the growing season (LGS) was gradually shortened (from 150 to 80 days). (2) In general, there was an advanced trend in the annual average SOS (0.2 days per decade), a delayed trend in the annual average EOS (0.15 days per decade), and an extended trend in the annual average LGS (0.36 days per decade) over the study period. However, there has been no significant phenological trend in recent years, especially for the SOS after 2000 and the EOS and LGS after 2003. (3) Higher preseason temperatures led to an advanced SOS and a delayed EOS at the regional scale. Moreover, the SOS and EOS were more triggered by Tmax than Tmin and Tmean. The LGS was significantly positively correlated with annual mean temperature (r = −0.82, p < 0.01).
A Survey of Active Learning for Quantifying Vegetation Traits from Terrestrial Earth Observation Data
Authors: Berger Katja , Rivera Caicedo Juan Pablo , Martino Luca , Wocher Matthias , Hank Tobias , Verrelst Jochem
Published: January 2021

The current exponential increase of spatiotemporally explicit data streams from satellite-based Earth observation missions offers promising opportunities for global vegetation monitoring. Intelligent sampling through active learning (AL) heuristics provides a pathway for fast inference of essential vegetation variables by means of hybrid retrieval approaches, i.e., machine learning regression algorithms trained by radiative transfer model (RTM) simulations. In this study we summarize AL theory and perform a brief systematic literature survey about AL heuristics used in the context of Earth observation regression problems over terrestrial targets. Across all relevant studies it appeared that: (i) retrieval accuracy of AL-optimized training data sets outperformed models trained over large randomly sampled data sets, and (ii) Euclidean distance-based (EBD) diversity method tends to be the most efficient AL technique in terms of accuracy and computational demand. Additionally, a case study is presented based on experimental data employing both uncertainty and diversity AL criteria. Hereby, a a simulated training data base by the PROSAIL-PRO canopy RTM is used to demonstrate the benefit of AL techniques for the estimation of total leaf carotenoid content (Cxc) and leaf water content (Cw). Gaussian process regression (GPR) was incorporated to minimize and optimize the training data set with AL. Training the GPR algorithm on optimally AL-based sampled data sets led to improved variable retrievals compared to training on full data pools, which is further demonstrated on a mapping example. From these findings we can recommend the use of AL-based sub-sampling procedures to select the most informative samples out of large training data pools. This will not only optimize regression accuracy due to exclusion of redundant information, but also speed up processing time and reduce final model size of kernel-based machine learning regression algorithms, such as GPR. With this study we want to encourage further testing and implementation of AL sampling methods for hybrid retrieval workflows. AL can contribute to the solution of regression problems within the framework of operational vegetation monitoring using satellite imaging spectroscopy data, and may strongly facilitate data processing for cloud-computing platforms.
Improve the Accuracy of Water Storage Estimation—A Case Study from Two Lakes in the Hohxil Region of North Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Qiao Baojin , Ju Jianting , Zhu Liping , Chen Hao , Kai Jinlei , Kou Qiangqiang
Published: January 2021

Lake water storage is essential information for lake research. Previous studies usually used bathymetric data to acquire underwater topography by interpolation method, and to therefore estimate water storage. However, due to the large area of Tibetan Plateau (TP) lakes, the method of bathymetry was challenging to cover the whole region of one lake, and the accuracy of the underwater topography, in which no bathymetric data covered, was low, which resulted in a comparatively large error of lake water storage estimation and its change. In this study, we used Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and in situ bathymetric data to establish the underwater topography of Hohxil Lake (HL) and Lexiewudan Lake (LL) in the Hohxil Region of North TP and estimate and analyzed the changes of lake level and water storage. The results showed HL and LL’s water storage was 5.12 km3 and 5.31 km3 in 2019, respectively, and their level increased by 0.5 m/y and 0.57 m/y during 2003−2018, respectively. They were consistent with those (0.5 m/y and 0.5 m/y) from altimetry data, and they were much more accurate than those results (0.077 m/y and 0.156 m/y) from bathymetric data. These findings indicated that this method could improve the accuracy of lake water storage and change estimation. We estimated water storage of two lakes by combining with multitemporal Landsat images, which had doubled since 1976. Our results suggested that the increasing precipitation may dominate the lake expansion by comparing with the change of temperature and precipitation and the increasing glacial meltwater contributed approximately 4.8% and 10.7% to lake expansion of HL and LL during 2000–2019 based on the glacier mass balance data, respectively.
Derivation of Red Tide Index and Density Using Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) Data
Authors: Lee Min-Sun , Park Kyung-Ae , Micheli Fiorenza
Published: January 2021

Red tide causes significant damage to marine resources such as aquaculture and fisheries in coastal regions. Such red tide events occur globally, across latitudes and ocean ecoregions. Satellite observations can be an effective tool for tracking and investigating red tides and have great potential for informing strategies to minimize their impacts on coastal fisheries. However, previous satellite-based red tide detection algorithms have been mostly conducted over short time scales and within relatively small areas, and have shown significant differences from actual field data, highlighting a need for new, more accurate algorithms to be developed. In this study, we present the newly developed normalized red tide index (NRTI). The NRTI uses Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) data to detect red tides by observing in situ spectral characteristics of red tides and sea water using spectroradiometer in the coastal region of Korean Peninsula during severe red tide events. The bimodality of peaks in spectral reflectance with respect to wavelengths has become the basis for developing NRTI, by multiplying the heights of both spectral peaks. Based on the high correlation between the NRTI and the red tide density, we propose an estimation formulation to calculate the red tide density using GOCI data. The formulation and methodology of NRTI and density estimation in this study is anticipated to be applicable to other ocean color satellite data and other regions around the world, thereby increasing capacity to quantify and track red tides at large spatial scales and in real time.