bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Surfactants on Silk Fibroin Self-Assembly at the Air–Water Interface
Authors: Milyaeva O. Yu. , Miller R. , Loglio G. , Rafikova A. R. , Wan Z. , Noskov B. A.
Published: February 2025

Silk fibroin (SF)-based materials attract significant interest because of their biocompability and great diversity of possible morphologies. One of the approaches to obtain SF materials is the use of an air–water or oil–water interface as a template for protein self-assembly. Surfactants can change the surface properties of adsorbed SF layers by promoting or preventing the formation of SF fiber networks. This study focuses on the influence of two typical ionic surfactants, cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), on the dynamic properties of SF layers adsorbed at the air–water interface. The dynamic surface elasticity, surface tension, ellipsometric angle Δ, and the film thickness were measured as a function of the surface age and surfactant concentration. The morphology of the layers was evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). For the adsorption layers of globular proteins, the main effect of the surfactants consists in the protein unfolding at high concentrations and in a decrease in the electrostatic adsorption barrier. In the case of SF layers, CTAB and SDS strongly influence the protein aggregation at the air–water interface. Regardless of the sign of the surfactant charge, its addition to SF solutions results in a decrease in the surface elasticity and the destruction of the ordered structure of protein fibers at concentrations higher than 1 × 10−4 M. With the further increase in the surfactant concentration, the thread-like aggregates disappear, the packing of thin fibers becomes less tight, a uniform layer disintegrates into separate islands, and finally, the protein is displaced from the interface.
Techno-Economic and CO2 Net Assessment of Dimethyl Carbonate Production from Biomass-Derived Methanol
Authors: Custodio Renan Fagundes , Junior Osvaldo Valarini , Vieira Admilson Lopes , Souza Thiago Leandro de , Bezerra Felipi Luiz de Assunção , Bonfim-Rocha Lucas
Published: February 2025

The increasing concern over greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2, has emphasized the urgency for practical solutions to mitigate the environmental impacts of climate change. This study assessed the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of producing dimethyl carbonate (DMC) through an integrated route using methanol derived from biomass gasification in sugarcane-based industries. Unlike previous studies that analyzed isolated aspects of DMC production, this research was conducted through process modeling and simulation in Aspen Plus® V12.1, evaluating key performance indicators such as conversion rates, product purity, capital and operating expenses, and CO2 emissions. A DMC conversion rate of 78.06% and a purity level of 96.80% were achieved. However, the integration of methanol production increased both CAPEX and OPEX, leading to a net present value (NPV) of R$ 36.7 million over 10 years, lower than alternative routes using commercially available methanol. Additionally, the process resulted in a net CO2 emission of 3.41 kg CO2 per kg of DMC, exceeding conventional methods. These findings suggest that under the evaluated conditions, process integration did not offer economic advantages, despite many environmental advantages over commercially available methanol.
Impact of Surgeons’ Experience on Implant Placement Accuracy Using a Dynamic Navigation System: A Cadaver Pilot Study
Authors: Pera Francesco , Vocaturo Camillo , Crupi Armando , Longhi Beatrice , Campagna Alessandro , Fiorino Antonino , Gibello Umberto , Roccuzzo Andrea
Published: February 2025

Objectives: The study’s objective was to evaluate the accuracy of dynamic computer-assisted surgical implant placement systems during practical training on fresh defrozen cephali. Methods: Three defrozen cephali with terminal dentition received a total of 26 implants (15 4.3 × 13 mm and 11 4.3 × 13 mm, Nobel Biocare Service AG (Zrich-Flughafen Switzerland)) following a standardized protocol: a digital scanning and planning protocol followed by dynamic navigation surgery (X-Guide, X-Nav Technologies, LLC, Lansdale, PA, USA). All surgical interventions were performed by two surgeons: a senior oral surgeon (OE) with more than 5 years of implant dentistry experience and a non-experienced surgeon (NE). Results: Different linear and angular measurements (i.e., deviation shoulder point; deviation tip point; depth deviation shoulder point; depth deviation tip point; B/L and M/D angular deviations) were calculated in duplicate to estimate the discrepancy of the virtual digital planning with respect to the real clinical scenario. The differences between the two operators were also explored. The results of the bivariate analysis detected clinical negligible differences between the operators, without any statistically significant differences for all investigated parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The preliminary positive findings of this pilot study suggest that the investigated dynamic navigation system could be a viable and safe technique for implant surgery and may offer additional safety benefits to non-experienced operators, despite the required learning.
Time Lag Analysis of Atmospheric CO2 and Proxy-Based Climate Stacks on Global–Hemispheric Scales in the Last Deglaciation
Authors: Liu Zhi , Liu Xingxing
Published: February 2025

Based on 88 well-dated and high-resolution paleoclimate records, global and hemispheric stacks of the last deglacial climate were synthesized by utilizing the normalized average method. A sequential relationship between the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide ice core CO2 concentration and the composited proxy-based global–hemispheric climate stacks was detected using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and wavelet analysis. The results indicate that the climate stack of the Northern Hemisphere started to increase slowly before 22 kabp, possibly due to the enhancement of summer insolation at high northern latitudes, the onset of warming in the Southern Hemisphere occurred around 19 kabp, and the atmospheric CO2 concentration began to raise around 18.1 kabp. This suggests that the change in northern high-latitude summer insolation was the initial trigger of the last deglaciation, and atmospheric CO2 concentration was an internal feedback associated with global ocean circulation in the Earth’s system. Both the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and wavelet analysis showed that during the BØlling–AllerØd and the Younger Dryas periods there was no obvious asynchrony between the global climate and atmospheric CO2 concentration, which perhaps implies a fast feedback–response mechanism. The seesawing changes in interhemispheric climate and the abrupt variations in the atmospheric CO2 concentration could be explained by the influences of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation strength during the BØlling–AllerØd and the Younger Dryas periods. This reveals that Atlantic meridional overturning circulation played an important role in the course of the last deglaciation.
Frontal Variant Alzheimer’s Disease or Primary Psychiatric Disorder? A Case Report
Authors: Liew Siew Fai , Li Weishan
Published: February 2025

Background and Clinical Significance: In our case study, the patient experienced approximately a year-long delay in her diagnosis, where her initial diagnosis was mistakenly a primary psychiatric disorder, resulting in undue stress on her family. The aim of this case study is to raise awareness of frontal variant Alzheimer’s dementia (fvAD) and to increase knowledge amongst clinicians about this disorder, its management and the need for long-term follow up in specialized clinics. Case Presentation: In January 2023, a 56-year-old woman first presented with a 4-month history of worsening cognitive symptoms with considerable overlapping mood symptoms. Her Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 20/28, whereas her Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) score was 6/18. Upon neuropsychological evaluation, she demonstrated multidomain cognitive deficits, where impairments were most prominent in executive dysfunction, learning, memory and semantic fluency. There was evidence of progressive neurodegenerative changes, with brain MRI (April 2024) showing predominant bilateral frontal and parietal volume loss, sparing the occipital and temporal lobes. Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) was diffusely positive. A diagnosis of fvAD (frontal variant Alzheimer’s dementia) with BPSD was made. Other differential diagnoses included a major neurocognitive disorder due to multiple etiologies (AD and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)), frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and the psychiatric disorder of pseudodementia secondary to a mood disorder. Conclusions: This case presented significant challenges given the atypical neuropsychological profile and the complexity of the symptom presentation with significant neuropsychiatric overlay. The preliminary research findings underscore the complexity of fvAD, warranting future research using fundamental approaches.
Advancing Water Hyacinth Recognition: Integration of Deep Learning and Multispectral Imaging for Precise Identification
Authors: Herrera Ollachica Diego Alberto , Asiedu Asante Bismark Kweku , Imamura Hiroki
Published: February 2025

The aquatic plant species Eichhornia crassipes, commonly known as water hyacinth, is indigenous to South America and is considered an invasive species. The invasive water hyacinth has caused significant economic and ecological damage by preventing sunlight from penetrating the surface of the water, resulting in the loss of aquatic life. To quantify the invasiveness and address the issue of accurately identifying plant species, water hyacinths have prompted numerous researchers to propose approaches to detect regions occupied by water hyacinths. One such solution involves the utilization of multispectral imaging which obtain detailed information about plant species based on the surface reflectance index. This is achieved by analyzing the intensity of light spectra at different wavelengths emitted by each plant. However, the use of multispectral imagery presents a potential challenge since there are various spectral indices that can be used to capture different information. Despite the high accuracy of these multispectral images, there remains a possibility that plants similar to water hyacinths may be misclassified if the right spectral index is not chosen. Considering this challenge, the objective of this research is to develop a low-cost multispectral camera capable of capturing multispectral images. The camera will be equipped with two infrared light spectrum filters with wavelengths of 720 and 850 nanometers, respectively, as well as red, blue, and green light spectrum filters. Additionally, the implementation of the U-Net architecture is proposed for semantic segmentation to accurately identify water hyacinths, as well as other classes such as lakes and land. An accuracy rate of 96% was obtained for the identification of water hyacinths using data captured by an autonomous drone constructed in the laboratory flying at an altitude of 10 m. We also analyzed the contribution each of the infrared layers to the camera’s spectrum setup.
Design, Development, and Qualification of a Broadband Compact S-Band Antenna for a CubeSat Constellation
Authors: Sánchez-Sevilleja Saray , Poyatos David , Masa-Campos José Luis , Aragón Víctor Miguel , Rodríguez José Antonio , Santiago Amaia
Published: February 2025

An S-band antenna has been designed, developed, measured, space-qualified, and integrated into the INTA ANSER satellite constellation and the future ANSER-AT mission. This antenna will be part of the space-to-ground communication link for the constellation, which consists of one Leader and two Followers. The novel antenna, mounted on the Leader, has been designed and manufactured with materials and processes specifically tested for space. It features dual circular polarization over a wide band without requiring a phase-shifting network, making it very compact and straightforward. Additionally, its gain patterns are highly stable within the desired band, improving its link capacity compared to the UHF monopole alternative used in the previous Leader. Currently, the antenna has been qualified and installed on INTA’s Leader-S, set to launch in January 2025, as well as on the future ANSER-AT mission.
GeoIoU-SEA-YOLO: An Advanced Model for Detecting Unsafe Behaviors on Construction Sites
Authors: Jia Xuejun , Zhou Xiaoxiong , Shi Zhihan , Xu Qi , Zhang Guangming
Published: February 2025

Unsafe behaviors on construction sites are a major cause of accidents, highlighting the need for effective detection and prevention. Traditional methods like manual inspections and video surveillance often lack real-time performance and comprehensive coverage, making them insufficient for diverse and complex site environments. This paper introduces GeoIoU-SEA-YOLO, an enhanced object detection model integrating the Geometric Intersection over Union (GeoIoU) loss function and Structural-Enhanced Attention (SEA) mechanism to improve accuracy and real-time detection. GeoIoU enhances bounding box regression by considering geometric characteristics, excelling in the detection of small objects, occlusions, and multi-object interactions. SEA combines channel and multi-scale spatial attention, dynamically refining feature map weights to focus on critical features. Experiments show that GeoIoU-SEA-YOLO outperforms YOLOv3, YOLOv5s, YOLOv8s, and SSD, achieving high precision (mAP@0.5 = 0.930), recall, and small object detection in complex scenes, particularly for unsafe behaviors like missing safety helmets, vests, or smoking. Ablation studies confirm the independent and combined contributions of GeoIoU and SEA to performance gains, providing a reliable solution for intelligent safety management on construction sites.
Sensor-Fusion Based Navigation for Autonomous Mobile Robot
Authors: Ušinskis Vygantas , Nowicki Michał , Dzedzickis Andrius , Bučinskas Vytautas
Published: February 2025

Navigation systems are developing rapidly; nevertheless, tasks are becoming more complex, significantly increasing the number of challenges for robotic systems. Navigation can be separated into global and local navigation. While global navigation works according to predefined data about the environment, local navigation uses sensory data to dynamically react and adjust the trajectory. Tasks are becoming more complex with the addition of dynamic obstacles, multiple robots, or, in some cases, inspection of places that are not physically reachable by humans. Cognitive tasks require not only detecting an object but also evaluating it without direct recognition. For this purpose, sensor fusion methods are employed. However, sensors of different physical nature sometimes cannot directly extract required information. As a result, AI methods are becoming increasingly popular for evaluating acquired information and for controlling and generating robot trajectories. In this work, a review of sensors for mobile robot localization is presented by comparing them and listing advantages and disadvantages of their combinations. Also, integration with path-planning methods is looked into. Moreover, sensor fusion methods are analyzed and evaluated. Furthermore, a concept for channel robot navigation, designed based on the research literature, is presented. Lastly, discussion and conclusions are drawn.
Tax Compliance and Conditional Cooperation: A Study Based on the Dense Social Trust of Young People
Authors: Alarcón-García Gloria , Mayor Balsas José Manuel , Ayala Gaytán Edgardo Arturo
Published: February 2025

Most research exploring the effect of trust on tax compliance focuses on institutional trust or diluted trust. In contrast, the role of dense social trust has been scarcely investigated, even less through rigorous empirical contrasts that determine the potential causal relationship between this type of trust and tax compliance. This paper contributes to this line of research, providing empirical evidence in this regard. Based on a sample of 2059 young university students, and using a structural equation model, we conclude that the behaviors and attitudes towards tax fraud and the economy that occur in the family potentially influence young people’s fiscal awareness.
Comparative Effects of Resistance Training Modalities on Mental Health and Quality of Life in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Santos Lucas Vieira , Freitas Karla Raphaela da Silva Ramos , Pereira Eveline Torres , Leite Luciano Bernardes , Forte Pedro , de Oliveira Claudia Eliza Patrocínio , Moreira Osvaldo Costa
Published: February 2025

Background: Anxiety and depression are prevalent after spinal cord injury, impairing social participation and quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of traditional resistance training (TRT), flywheel resistance training (FWRT), and high-velocity resistance training (HVRT) on the mental health and quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury. Methods: Thirty-two participants were divided into TRT (n = 12), FWRT (n = 8), and HVRT (n = 12) groups, undergoing 8 weeks of upper-limb training twice weekly under super-vision. Training intensity and volume were progressively increased. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and SF-36 Questionnaire were used to assess outcomes. Results: Both the TRT and FWRT groups showed a reduction in HADS-D scores post-intervention (p < 0.001). The TRT group also presented a significant reduction in HADS-A scores post-intervention (p = 0.003). Concerning quality of life, after training, TRT showed improvements in social functioning (p = 0.013), FWRT improved scores in physical functioning (p = 0.002), bodily pain (p = 0.002), vitality (p = 0.046), and role emotional (p < 0.001), while HVRT enhanced role physical (p < 0.001), social functioning (p = 0.013), and role emotional (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Overall, TRT was the most effective in reducing anxiety and depression and enhancing quality of life, while FWRT showed notable gains in physical and functional capacity. HVRT demonstrated improvements primarily in role physical but was less effective in other domains.
Social and Environmental Trade-Offs and Synergies in Cocoa Production: Does the Farming System Matter?
Authors: Bandanaa Joseph , Asante Isaac K. , Annang Ted Y. , Blockeel Johan , Heidenreich Anja , Kadzere Irene , Schader Christian , Egyir Irene S.
Published: February 2025

Although cocoa production addresses the livelihoods of several rural households, there is a global concern about its negative impact on the physical environment. How does this trade-off play out in different farming systems? This paper examined the social and environmental trade-offs and synergies of organic and conventional cocoa farming systems. Using the ‘SMART Farm-tool’ and principal component analysis approach, data collected from 398 cocoa farmers in five communities in the Atwima Mponua District of Ghana were analysed. We found that social and environmental trade-offs in the organic cocoa farming system are labour-related (EV = −0.38). The social and environmental trade-offs in the conventional cocoa farming system are health and safety and biodiversity-related (EV = −0.64). The organic farming system recognises indigenous knowledge in promoting biodiversity conservation and land degradation reduction (EV = −0.57). There can be more synergy than trade-off in both systems if support for capacity building and credit is provided and indigenous knowledge sharing is prioritised among low-income and vulnerable farmers. In this way, the labour conditions, biodiversity conservation, and health and safety-related concerns will be addressed. Addressing labour concerns in organic cocoa farming involves improving efficiency and working conditions. Strategies include training programs for organic techniques, introducing technology for tasks, and adhering to fair labour standards. This ensures labour concerns are addressed across the supply chain.
Identifying AMF-Rich Tir Wheat Rhizospheres to Foster Microbial Inoculants Useful in Sustainable Agriculture: Evidence from the Van Lake Basin
Authors: Najafi Solmaz , Ülker Mehmet , Rezaee Danesh Younes , Demir Semra , Oral Erol , Altuner Fevzi , Karaca Siyami , Balci Meriç , Özdemir Burak , Sargin Bulut , Dilsiz Aynur , Sagun Çağlar , Selem Ezelhan , Salih Sana Jamal , Najafi Mina , Farda Beatrice , Pellegrini Marika
Published: February 2025

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture by enhancing nutrient efficiency and reducing the dependence on synthetic fertilizers. Developing these sustainable, effective products requires knowledge of the target plant and its associated microbial communities in the production landscape of interest. This study focused on AMF populations associated with Tir wheat in six main locations of Türkiye’s Van Lake Basin. The Erçek-Özalp-Saray region exhibited the highest organic matter values. Higher available phosphorous contents were found for Erciş-Patnos and Muradiye. The Erciş-Patnos region exhibited the highest AMF density (120 spores/10 g soil) and frequency (75%), while the lowest AMF density (45 spores/10 g soil) was recorded in Muradiye. Sand contents correlated positively with spore number and mycorrhizal frequency and negatively with silt and clay. Based on these results, Erciş-Patnos was elected as the best location for the isolation of AMF spores suitable for the development of microbial-based tools for Tir wheat cultivation. These results are very important in the current context of climate change, which mandates the use of low-impact environmental strategies. Further research should explore the interactions of AMFs with other microorganisms to optimize their ecological benefits. However, the results of this study provide a valuable basis for future investigations of AMF-based products for use in sustainable Tir wheat cultivation.
Predicting Fuel Consumption by Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Based on the Regular City Bus Lines
Authors: Lorenc Augustyn
Published: February 2025

This article discusses the application of an ANN model for forecasting the fuel consumption of vehicles on the regular city bus lines. In the context of rising fuel costs and their impact on transportation companies, the developed system supports the optimization of fuel consumption standards and fleet management. The model accounts for prediction factors such as route length [km], number of bus stops, probability of traffic jams [from 1—low to 3—high], ambient temperature [°C], from external database, technical state of the vehicle [from 1—good to 5—bad], type of petrol [1—ON; 2—E95], filling of the vehicle/number of passengers [from 1—empty to 5—full]. Based on this these data, the presented model was developed. The system analyzes input, generates reports, and identifies potential issues, including excessive fuel consumption or fuel theft. Its modular design allows for further development and adaptation to user needs. Implementing this solution enhances operational efficiency, reduces costs, and optimizes transportation management.
Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Management of Offshore Sand Mining in Malaysia
Authors: Ali Parveen Farjan , Gan Gerald Goh Guan , Asmawi Arnifa
Published: February 2025

Urbanization and land development in Asia, including Malaysia, have led to an increase in offshore sand mining activities, leading to significant environmental and social issues. Excessive sand extraction disrupts the ocean system equilibrium, necessitating sustainable management strategies. This study examined Malaysian offshore sand mining practices to recommend sustainable management approaches to be adopted. Using case studies involving interviews and document analysis, data were collected from 34 participants from six federal and state government departments, business owners, technical agencies, and community groups (including environmental non-governmental organizations from environmental action and consumer rights). The thematic analysis conducted in the case study revealed the need for six key strategies for sustainable management: (1) institutional strengthening, (2) adopting flexible technologies, (3) implementing comprehensive policy measures, (4) fostering stakeholder engagement, (5) capacity building, and (6) enhancing monitoring and enforcement. This study bridges the theoretical gap in sustainability management of offshore sand mining by examining the governance challenges faced and proposing strategic policy enhancements. This offers practical implications for designing policies that strengthen regulatory frameworks and improve mechanisms for sustainable development. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of understanding management and policy structures and their implications for driving sustainable transformation in regional contexts. Hence, it offers a valuable planning and management framework for authorities, enabling effective and timely decision making in managing offshore sand mining in Malaysia.
Comparative Analysis of Servitization in European Union Countries Using Hellwig’s Synthetic Measure of Development
Authors: Kołodziejczak Małgorzata
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and compare the degree of servitization of the economies of European Union countries and to assess the importance of servitization for sustainable development. This study used Eurostat data from the years 2000 and 2023. Using Hellwig’s synthetic measure of development, four groups of countries differing in the degree of servitization in each of the years studied were created and then compared in the context of the differences between them, including population density, the share of the service sector in employment and gross value-added creation, and the level of gross value added created by the service sector per capita. The results showed that a high degree of servitization characterizes mainly the rich countries of the EU-15, while a lower one applies mainly to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The service sector increased its share in employment, structure, and gross value-added creation during the period under review. High population density was also a factor conducive to the development of services, but its increase did not always coexist with an increase in the degree of servitization of the economy. Servitization drives development and facilitates optimal use of resources. However, high levels of servitization are not always reflected in good values of sustainable development. Servitization processes can be stimulated by adequate economic development policies, but the methods and actions taken in this regard should be adapted to the level of economic development and the specifics of each country.
Influence of Additives on Solar-Controlled Anaerobic and Aerobic Processes of Cow Manure and Tomato Waste
Authors: Li Jinping , Cheng Da , Huang Juanjuan , Kang Jian , Jin Baohong , Novakovic Vojislav , Sun Yasong
Published: February 2025

As a type of high-water-content agricultural waste, vegetable waste (VW) is extremely prone to spoilage and environmental pollution. Anaerobic digestion (AD) technology can accelerate the degradation of VW; however, its direct reaction might encounter the risk of termination due to excessive acidification. How to effectively prevent excessive acidification and further accelerate the degradation and maturity of VW remains a significant challenge at present. This paper employed the methods of AD of biogas and aerobic treatment (AT) of biogas slurry (BS) to develop a set of three groups of coupled devices for thermostatic anaerobic and aerobic processes with temperature control by solar collectors. The reaction process was further facilitated by adopting a mixture of raw materials and exogenous additives. In Lanzhou, a comparative experiment was carried out to examine the impacts of a blank group (BG) (additive-free), a 1 g/L urea group (UG), and a 1 g/L plant ash group (PG) on the decomposition process of the mixture of cow dung and tomato stems and leaves. The thermostatic batch wet AD stage of the mixed raw materials at (26 ± 2 °C) lasted for 49 days. The substrate after digestion underwent aerobic aeration treatment for 8 h at different temperatures and different aeration rates. The results show that the system could be initiated smoothly and maintain stable operation in winter under the temperature control of the solar collector; adding additives during AD significantly boosted biogas and methane production during the first 28 days, with urea being the most effective. During the subsequent aerobic phase, UG demonstrated the highest bio-effectiveness under optimized conditions of (30 ± 1 °C) and an aeration rate of 12 L/min. Comprehensive analysis revealed that the optimal operation strategy was identified as the use of UG with a 29-day reaction cycle. The research results have significant referential value for the rapid decomposition of high-water-content agricultural and livestock waste in cold regions.
Assessing Mineral and Metal Resources in Life Cycle Assessment: An Overview of Existing Impact Assessment Methods
Authors: Jabara Marco , Wu Junzhang , De Franceschi Saverio , Manzardo Alessandro
Published: February 2025

Mineral resources and metals are integral to modern society, with growing demand driven by recent technological advancements. Life cycle assessment (LCA) provides a valuable framework for assessing resource use, and numerous methodologies have been developed to address both the midpoint and endpoint levels of life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing LCIA methodologies related to minerals and metals, with a focus on recent developments, progress made, and potential future directions. It examines these LCIA methods in terms of resources considered, underlying assumptions, data sources, and identified limitations. According to the nature of the underlying considerations, the various methods are grouped into different families. In addition, the novelty of this article is to place raw material criticality considerations alongside LCA characterization methods; however, only one class of critical raw materials, rare earth elements (REEs), is considered. These REEs are mainly used in electrical and electronic components (e.g., electric vehicle motors) and in various renewable energy technologies (e.g., wind turbines) due to their unique properties that make them difficult to substitute. However, their supply is constrained by limited global reserves and their concentration in a few countries. This situation highlights the need for more reliable and accurate data on resource production and recycling. Additionally, this review presents case studies that apply LCIA methods to real-world scenarios, illustrating current capabilities as well as areas where further research and refinement are needed.
Revitalizing Japan’s Vacant Houses: A Sustainable Approach Through Adaptive Reuse
Authors: Margono Romi Bramantyo , Ahdika Atina , Sulistiyowati  , Zuraida Siswanti , Dewancker Bart
Published: February 2025

Adaptive reuse of vacant houses in Japan offers an innovative and sustainable solution to the increase in vacant houses. This approach aligns with principles of sustainable architecture and the circular economy by reducing waste, lowering energy consumption, and extending the lifecycle of existing structures. This study uses purposive sampling, analyzing 262 adaptive reuse cases across Japanese prefectures through partial surveys, municipal records, and online maps. K-prototype clustering identified three distinct patterns. Cluster 1 emphasizes modern businesses, such as food, beverage, and accommodation services, within urban areas to address the needs of densely populated regions and tourist hubs. Cluster 2 blends urban and rural contexts, balancing historical preservation with modern functionality. Cluster 3 highlights rural and scenic accommodations that cater to tourists seeking cultural immersion and authentic experiences, despite challenges like low population density and limited accessibility. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of adaptive reuse as a key strategy for repurposing underutilized spaces, promoting both economic and social resilience. In practical terms, it demonstrates how adaptive reuse advances circular economy objectives by preserving cultural heritage, enhancing environmental sustainability, and creating economic opportunities. Further investigation is needed to unlock the unexplored potential of adaptive reuse in broader contexts and functions.
Research on Evaluation Methods of Complex Product Design Based on Hybrid Kansei Engineering Modeling
Authors: Zhu Tianlu , Wu Cengjuan , Zhang Zhizheng , Li Yajun , Wu Tianyu
Published: February 2025

The field of complex product design evaluation can attract high ambiguity due to difficulties in establishing indicators and the subjectivity of expert evaluation scoring. Indeed, traditional Kansei Engineering (KE) relies on user requirements and feedback for design evaluation, which may not fully and effectively validate the design evaluation results, let alone determine whether they apply to complex products with more evaluation index systems. To overcome these drawbacks, this study proposes an evaluation method based on Hybrid Kansei Engineering (HKE) modeling for complex product design evaluation. HKE modeling consists of two parts, namely Forward Kansei Engineering (FKE) and Backward Kansei Engineering (BKE). In this study, four electric forklift designs are used as an example. The FKE system adopts the multi-attribute decision evaluation method; obtains the evaluation indexes of the forklift product imagery and then establishes the perceptual word collection; constructs the evaluation index system of the forklift via the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP); calculates the weights of the evaluation indexes of each level and their rankings; and calculates the final rankings of the four electric forklift design solutions by adopting the Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) method. The BKE system adopts eye tracking (ET) to extract the attention time, visual attention hotspot, and other eye movement index data, and the Gray Relation Analysis (GRA) method was used to validate the model to derive the ranking, which verifies the effectiveness and scientific validity of the evaluation method. The results of this study show that the two-way evaluation of HKE modeling can effectively avoid subjective factors in product design, improve the scientific nature of the design, and guarantee the logical rigor of the perceptual design procedure.
Regularized Stress Tensor of Vector Fields in de Sitter Space
Authors: Zhang Yang , Ye Xuan
Published: February 2025

We study the Stueckelberg field in de Sitter space, which is a massive vector field with the gauge fixing (GF) term 12ζ(Aμ;μ)2. We obtain the vacuum stress tensor, which consists of the transverse, longitudinal, temporal, and GF parts, and each contains various UV divergences. By the minimal subtraction rule, we regularize each part of the stress tensor to its pertinent adiabatic order. The transverse stress tensor is regularized to the 0th adiabatic order, while the longitudinal, temporal, and GF stress tensors are regularized to the 2nd adiabatic order. The resulting total regularized vacuum stress tensor is convergent and maximally symmetric, has a positive energy density, and respects the covariant conservation, and thus, it can be identified as the cosmological constant that drives the de Sitter inflation. Under the Lorenz condition Aμ;μ=0, the regularized Stueckelberg stress tensor reduces to the regularized Proca stress tensor that contains only the transverse and longitudinal modes. In the massless limit, the regularized Stueckelberg stress tensor becomes zero, and is the same as that of the Maxwell field with the GF term, and no trace anomaly exists. If the order of adiabatic regularization were lower than our prescription, some divergences would remain. If the order were higher, say, under the conventional 4th-order regularization, more terms than necessary would be subtracted off, leading to an unphysical negative energy density and the trace anomaly simultaneously.
Deciphering Viral Replication Dynamics in Feline Infectious Peritonitis: A Quantitative Approach
Authors: Burgener Carole J. , Barker Emi N. , Soare Teodoru , Soare Diana-Gabriela , Spiri Andrea M. , Malbon Alexandra J. , Meli Marina L. , Kipar Anja
Published: February 2025

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a complex immune-mediated disease caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). Despite advancements in understanding its pathogenesis, challenges persist in elucidating viral factors related to virion composition and replication. This study examined FCoV-infected cats with and without FIP for potential associations with or variation in expression ratios for different viral genes. We analyzed tissue samples with FIP lesions from 46 cats with FIP and mesenteric lymph nodes from 10 FCoV-infected cats (7b RT-qPCR positive) without FIP with three RT-qPCR assays, targeting (sub)-genomic RNAs of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and envelope (E) genes. In cats with FIP, the RdRp mRNA assay yielded the highest copy numbers, followed by the combined RdRp gRNA and mRNA assay; the E mRNA assay yielded the lowest copy numbers. In cats without FIP, significantly fewer viral RNA copies were detected regardless of the assay. Viral gene expression was not detected in six and was observed only at low levels in one or more assays in four samples. The observed correlation between assays and the intragroup correlation assay indicate consistent transcription of both the structural E protein and RdRp genes within FIP lesions in cats with FIP but not in cats with systemic FCoV infection alone.
Associations of the Severity of Dry Eye Symptoms and Signs with Quality of Life in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) Study
Authors: Cheng Ellie , Han Katherine , Chen Yineng , Asbell Penny , Ying Gui-Shuang ,   the DREAM Research Group
Published: February 2025

Purpose: To assess associations of the severity of the symptoms and signs of dry eye disease (DED) with the quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe DED. Methods: At baseline, 6 and 12 months, participants (n = 535) were assessed for DED symptoms using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and signs using conjunctival staining, corneal staining, tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer’s testing, meibomian gland dysfunction, and tear osmolarity. Quality of life was evaluated using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), consisting of a Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS). Spearman correlation coefficients (rho) were used to evaluate correlations between the severity of DED and the SF-36. Results: At baseline, worse DED symptoms indicated by a higher OSDI total score were correlated with worse PCS (rho = −0.13, p = 0.002) and MCS (rho = −0.09, p = 0.03) in the SF-36. Worse vision-related function was correlated with a worse PCS score (rho = −0.18, p < 0.0001), and worse ocular symptoms were correlated with a worse MCS score (rho = −0.15, p < 0.001). More severe DED signs including corneal staining (rho = −0.22, p < 0.001), Schirmer test (rho = 0.11, p = 0.01), TBUT (rho = 0.14, p < 0.001), and tear osmolarity (rho = −0.12, p = 0.02) were correlated with a worse PCS score but were not correlated with MCS score (p ≥ 0.39). ln longitudinal analysis, only the worsening of ocular symptoms was significantly correlated with the worsening of the MCS score (rho = −0.09, p = 0.04). Conclusions: In patients with moderate-to-severe DED, there were significant yet weak correlations between the severity of dry eye symptoms/signs and the physical or mental components of the SF-36. Healthcare professionals should offer patients with DED symptom relief and support for the emotional and practical challenges in their daily lives.
Can Climate-Resilient Tilapia Cage Culture Support Sustainable Livelihoods in Flood-Prone Bangladesh?
Authors: Islam Mohammed Ariful , Kunda Mrityunjoy , Harun-Al-Rashid Ahmed , Sunny Atiqur Rahman , Mithun Mahmudul Hasan , Sazzad Sharif Ahmed , Bhuiyan Md Khurshid Alam
Published: February 2025

The Haor region in northeastern Bangladesh, characterized by seasonal wetlands and a heavy reliance on fisheries, faces significant challenges due to climate change. Erratic rainfall, prolonged flooding, and ecosystem degradation threaten traditional fishing practices and community livelihoods. This study investigates the potential of climate-resilient cage aquaculture as a sustainable, alternative income-generating solution for vulnerable Haor communities. An 80-day experiment was conducted in five villages of Sunamganj district, Sylhet division, Bangladesh, where tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry were reared in climate-resilient floating cages at five stocking densities: T1 (800 fry/m3), T2 (900 fry/m3), T3 (1000 fry/m3), T4 (1100 fry/m3), and T5 (1200 fry/m3). Key environmental parameters, including temperature (28.12–29.55 °C), dissolved oxygen (4.61–6.55 mg/L), pH (7.53–7.72), and ammonia (0.05–0.76 mg/L), remained within optimal ranges across treatments. Growth performance, survival rate, and economic feasibility were evaluated with T5 yielding the highest gross production (51.77 ± 4.80 kg/m3) and net benefits (7500 ± 500 BDT/m3), achieving a benefit–cost ratio of 1:2.86. The survey findings revealed that a majority of fishers (82%) identified tilapia cage culture as a promising alternative livelihood, yet financial constraints and limited access to credit hinder adoption. Despite these socioeconomic challenges, our findings suggest that tilapia cage culture offers a viable income-generating solution, particularly during flood periods. The study highlights floating cage aquaculture as a climate-resilient strategy to mitigate climate impacts, enhance food security, and improve economic resilience in flood-prone and ecologically sensitive regions.
Development of a Practical Surface Image Flowmeter for Small-Sized Streams
Authors: Yu Kwonkyu , Lee Junhyeong , Yoon Byungman
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the series of processes involved in designing, manufacturing, installing, and operating a practical Surface Image Flowmeter (SIF) system, complete with suitable hardware and software. By ‘practical’, we mean a system capable of automatically measuring discharges in a river 24 h a day, 365 days a year, at 2 min intervals. The equipment required for this practical SIF includes a CCTV camera, a water level gauge, a Linux-based PC for analysis, and lighting for night-time measurements. We also developed software to operate the system. Furthermore, we applied a coordinate transformation method using projective transformation to calculate the area of the measurement cross-section according to changes in water level and to adjust the positions of velocity analysis points within the image. The CCTV captured 20 s video clips every 2 min, which were then analyzed using the Spatio-Temporal Image Velocimetry (STIV) method. For the STIV method, measurement points were set at appropriate intervals on the measurement cross-section, and spatio-temporal images (STIs) were constructed at these points for analysis. The STIs were captured parallel to the main flow direction (perpendicular to the cross-section), and the resulting STIs were analyzed using the hybrid STIV method to calculate the discharge. When the constructed SIF system was tested in a steep-sloped channel at the Andong River Experiment Center, the velocity distribution showed a difference of less than 9% compared to measurements from a traditional current meter, and the discharge showed a difference of around 10% compared to measurements from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP).
Enhancing Financial Decision-Making: Real Options Complementing the Net Present Value Technique in the Financial Services Sector
Authors: Marimuthu Ferina , Fitzgerald Kyle
Published: February 2025

Objective: This study investigates the effectiveness of integrating real options with the Net Present Value (NPV) technique in the context of the financial services sector. The aim of the study was to assess how this approach enhances decision-making among financial practitioners. Research Design & Methods: Employing a quantitative research approach, data was collected through a questionnaire from 286 participants in the financial services sector who had prior experience in project evaluation and decision-making. Findings: The results concluded that the incorporation of real options into traditional NPV analysis significantly improves decision-making, offering decision-makers greater flexibility and efficiency. The results suggest that when faced with hypothetical projects where initial NPV turns negative with the adoption of real options, decision-makers are more likely to make rational choices that optimize the outcome. Implications and Recommendations: Based on the findings, the adoption of a combined NPV and real options strategy for practitioners in the financial services sector is recommended in order to make more informed and flexible investment decisions, which would ultimately benefit their organizations and stakeholders. Contribution & Value Added: Future research should explore the qualitative aspects of decision-making and expand the analysis to different nations and industries.
Problems on ventilation and air cleaning in modern multifunctional hospitals
Authors: Vshivkova A. P. , Kirichenko L. V.
Published: February 2025

The present paper reviews current data reflecting the challenges associated with the functioning of ventilation systems and the contamination of airborne particulate matter of both microbiological and chemical origin within large hospitals. The review highlights the role of ventilation in the transmission and containment of healthcare-associated infections, as well as presents various types of ventilation systems and modern methods for their decontamination. Current requirements for the operation of ventilation systems in large healthcare facilities are summarized.
Activity of lysostaphin against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and their biofilms
Authors: Gordina E. M. , Bozhkova S. A. , Goncharuk D. A. , Tkach E. N. , Kasimova A. R.
Published: February 2025

Objective. To conduct a comparative evaluation of lysostaphin activity against isolates of S. aureus, S. epidermidis and their biofilms, obtained from orthopedic patients.

   Materials and methods. The study examines the effect of lysostaphin on 120 clinical bacterial isolates (30 MSSA, 30 MRSA, 30 MSSE, and 30 MRSE) alongside four reference strains of staphylococci. The minimum inhibitory concentration of lysostaphin was determined using a serial dilution method (ranging from 0.06 to 512 mg/l). The effect on biofilms and their formation was assessed by means of the O'Toole method. Data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism software.

   Results. According to the results, lysostaphin exhibited twice the activity against methicillin-sensitive strains and was more effective against S. aureus compared to S. epidermidis. The studied concentrations of lysostaphin effectively prevented biofilm formation, particularly in MSSA strains. The MBIC90 value for lysostaphin was found to be four times higher for MRSE strains and twice as high for S. aureus. Additionally, the MBEC90 value of lysostaphin against S. epidermidis was 32 times greater than that observed for S. aureus.

   Conclusion. The pronounced anti-staphylococcal activity of lysostaphin, along with its significant destructive effect on S. aureus biofilms, offers a considerable potential for further investigation and implementation in clinical practice to combat staphylococcal infections, including those associated with various implants in orthopedics, dentistry, and cardiology.