bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Column-Test Data Analyses and Geochemical Modeling to Determine Uranium Reactive Transport Parameters at a Former Uranium Mill Site (Grand Junction, Colorado)
Authors: Johnson Raymond H. , Tigar Aaron D. , Richardson C. Doc
Published: April 2022

The long-term release of uranium from residual sources at former uranium mill sites was often not considered in prior conceptual and numerical models, as contaminant removal focused on meeting radiological standards. To determine the reactive transport parameters, column tests were completed with various influent waters (deionized water, site groundwater, and local river water) on sediment from identified areas with elevated uranium on the solid phase in (1) vadose-zone (VZ) sediments, (2) saturated-zone sediments with higher organic carbon content, and (3) both vadose- and saturated-zone sediments with additional gypsum content. The gypsum was precipitated when low-pH, high-sulfate, tailings fluids or acidic waste disposal water were buffered by natural aquifer calcite dissolution. In general, the resulting uranium release was higher in the sediments with greater uranium concentrations. However, the addition of deionized water (DI) to the VZ sediments delayed the uranium release until higher-alkalinity groundwater was added. Higher-alkalinity river water continued to remove uranium from the VZ sediments for an extended number of pore volumes, with the uranium being above typical standards. Thus, river flooding is more efficient at removing uranium from VZ sediments than precipitation events (DI water in column tests). Organic carbon provides a stronger uranium sorption surface, which can be explained with geochemical modeling or a larger constant sorption coefficient (Kd). Without organic carbon, the typical sorption in sands and gravels is easily measurable, but sorption is stronger at lower, water-phase uranium concentrations. This effect can be simulated with geochemical modeling, but not with a constant Kd. Areas with gypsum create situations in which geochemical sorption is more difficult to simulate, which is likely due to the presence of uranium within mineral coatings. All the above mechanisms for uranium release must be considered when evaluating remedial strategies. Column testing provides initial input parameters that can be used in future reactive transport modeling to evaluate long-term uranium release rates and concentrations.
Synergistic Enhancement Properties of a Flexible Integrated PAN/PVDF Piezoelectric Sensor for Human Posture Recognition
Authors: Mu Jiliang , Xian Shuai , Yu Junbin , Zhao Juanhong , Song Jinsha , Li Zhengyang , Hou Xiaojuan , Chou Xiujian , He Jian
Published: April 2022

The flexible pressure sensor has attracted much attention due to its wearable and conformal advantage. All the same, enhancing its electrical and structural properties is still a huge challenge. Herein, a flexible integrated pressure sensor (FIPS) composed of a solid silicone rubber matrix, composited with piezoelectric powers of polyacrylonitrile/Polyvinylidene fluoride (PAN/PVDF) and conductive silver-coated glass microspheres is first proposed. Specifically, the mass ratio of the PAN/PVDF and the rubber is up to 4:5 after mechanical mixing. The output voltage of the sensor with composite PAN/PVDF reaches 49 V, which is 2.57 and 3.06 times that with the single components, PAN and PVDF, respectively. In the range from 0 to 800 kPa, its linearity of voltage and current are all close to 0.986. Meanwhile, the sensor retains high voltage and current sensitivities of 42 mV/kPa and 0.174 nA/kPa, respectively. Furthermore, the minimum response time is 43 ms at a frequency range of 1–2.5 Hz in different postures, and the stability is verified over 10,000 cycles. In practical measurements, the designed FIPS showed excellent recognition abilities for various gaits and different bending degrees of fingers. This work provides a novel strategy to improve the flexible pressure sensor, and demonstrates an attractive potential in terms of human health and motion monitoring.
Nickel-Fullerene Nanocomposites as Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Nadtochiy Andriy , Kozachenko Viktor , Korotchenkov Oleg , Schlosser Viktor
Published: April 2022

Nickel films with nanovoids filled with fullerene molecules have been fabricated. The thermoelectric properties of the nanocomposites have been measured from room temperature down to about 30 K. The main idea is that the phonon scattering can be enhanced at the C60/matrix heterointerface. The distribution of atoms within the Ni and Ni-C60 layers has been characterized by Auger depth profiling. The morphology of the grown samples has been checked using cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity have been addressed employing an automatic home-built measuring system. It has been found that nanostructuring using Ar+ ion treatment increases the thermopower magnitude over the entire temperature range. Incorporating C60 into the resulting voids further increased the thermopower magnitude below ≈200 K. A maximum increase in the Seebeck coefficient has been measured up to four times in different fabricated samples. This effect is attributed to enhanced scattering of charge carriers and phonons at the Ni/C60 boundary.
Silkworm Protein-Derived Nitrogen-Doped Carbon-Coated Li[Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05]O2 for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Sim Gyu Sang , Shaji Nitheesha , Santhoshkumar P. , Park Jae Woo , Ho Chang Won , Nanthagopal Murugan , Kim Hong Ki , Lee Chang Woo
Published: April 2022

Li[Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05]O2 (NCA) is a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries and has high power density and capacity. However, this material has disadvantages such as structural instability and short lifespan. To address these issues, herein, we explore the impact of N-doped carbon wrapping on NCA. Sericin, an easily obtained carbon- and nitrogen-rich component of silk cocoons, is utilized as the precursor material. The electrochemical performance evaluation of N-doped carbon-coated NCA shows that the capacity retention of 0.3 NC@NCA at 1C current density is 69.83% after 200 cycles, which is about 19% higher than the 50.65% capacity retention of bare NCA. The results reveal that the sericin-resultant N-doped carbon surface wrapping improves the cycling stability of NC@NCA.
Structural Engineering Effects on Hump Characteristics of ZnO/InSnO Heterojunction Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: Li Qi , Dong Junchen , Han Dedong , Xu Dengqin , Wang Jingyi , Wang Yi
Published: April 2022

Transparent conductive oxides (TCO) have been extensively investigated as channel materials for thin-film transistors (TFTs). In this study, highly transparent and conductive InSnO (ITO) and ZnO films were deposited, and their material properties were studied in detail. Meanwhile, we fabricated ZnO/ITO heterojunction TFTs, and explored the effects of channel structures on the hump characteristics of ZnO/ITO TFTs. We found that Vhump–VON was negatively correlated with the thickness of the bottom ZnO layer (10, 20, 30, and 40 nm), while it was positively correlated with the thickness of the top ITO layer (3, 5, 7, and 9 nm), where Vhump is the gate voltage corresponding to the occurrence of the hump and VON is the turn-on voltage. The results demonstrated that carrier transport forms dual current paths through both the ZnO and ITO layers, synthetically determining the hump characteristics of the ZnO/ITO TFTs. Notably, the hump was effectively eliminated by reducing the ITO thickness to no more than 5 nm. Furthermore, the hump characteristics of the ZnO/ITO TFTs under positive gate-bias stress (PBS) were examined. This work broadens the practical application of TCO and provides a promising method for solving the hump phenomenon of oxide TFTs.
Therapeutic Properties and Use of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Clinical Nutrition: A Narrative Review and Literature Update
Authors: Jiménez-Sánchez Andrés , Martínez-Ortega Antonio Jesús , Remón-Ruiz Pablo Jesús , Piñar-Gutiérrez Ana , Pereira-Cunill José Luis , García-Luna Pedro Pablo
Published: April 2022

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet (MedD). In this narrative review, we synthesize and illustrate the various characteristics and clinical applications of EVOO and its components—such as oleic acid, hydroxytyrosol, and oleuropein—in the field of clinical nutrition and dietetics. The evidence is split into diet therapy, oleic acid-based enteral nutrition formulations and oral supplementation formulations, oleic acid-based parenteral nutrition, and nutraceutical supplementation of minor components of EVOO. EVOO has diverse beneficial health properties, and current evidence supports the use of whole EVOO in diet therapy and the supplementation of its minor components to improve cardiovascular health, lipoprotein metabolism, and diabetes mellitus in clinical nutrition. Nevertheless, more intervention studies in humans are needed to chisel specific recommendations for its therapeutic use through different formulations in other specific diseases and clinical populations.
The Nutraceutical Antihypertensive Action of C-Phycocyanin in Chronic Kidney Disease Is Related to the Prevention of Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Rojas-Franco Placido , Garcia-Pliego Erick , Vite-Aquino Alma Gricelda , Franco-Colin Margarita , Serrano-Contreras Jose Ivan , Paniagua-Castro Norma , Gallardo-Casas Carlos Angel , Blas-Valdivia Vanessa , Cano-Europa Edgar
Published: April 2022

C-phycocyanin (CPC) is an antihypertensive that is not still wholly pharmacologically described. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether CPC counteracts endothelial dysfunction as an antihypertensive mechanism in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy (NFx) as a chronic kidney disease (CKD) model. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sham control, sham-treated with CPC (100 mg/Kg/d), NFx, and NFx treated with CPC. Blood pressure was measured each week, and renal function evaluated at the end of the treatment. Afterward, animals were euthanized, and their thoracic aortas were analyzed for endothelium functional test, oxidative stress, and NO production. 5/6 Nephrectomy caused hypertension increasing lipid peroxidation and ROS production, overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), reduction in the first-line antioxidant enzymes activities, and reduced-glutathione (GSH) with a down-expression of eNOS. The vasomotor response reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in aorta segments exposed to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. However, the treatment with CPC prevented hypertension by reducing oxidative stress, NO system disturbance, and endothelial dysfunction. The CPC treatment did not prevent CKD-caused disturbance in the antioxidant enzymes activities. Therefore, CPC exhibited an antihypertensive activity while avoiding endothelial dysfunction.
Murine Models of Obesity
Authors: Martins Tânia , Castro-Ribeiro Catarina , Lemos Sílvia , Ferreira Tiago , Nascimento-Gonçalves Elisabete , Rosa Eduardo , Oliveira Paula Alexandra , Antunes Luís Miguel
Published: April 2022

Obesity, classified as an epidemic by the WHO, is a disease that continues to grow worldwide. Obesity results from abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat and usually leads to the development of other associated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, among others. In vitro and in vivo models have been crucial for studying the underlying mechanisms of obesity, discovering new therapeutic targets, and developing and validating new pharmacological therapies against obesity. Preclinical animal models of obesity comprise a variety of species: invertebrates, fishes, and mammals. However, small rodents are the most widely used due to their cost-effectiveness, physiology, and easy genetic manipulation. The induction of obesity in rats or mice can be achieved by the occurrence of spontaneous single-gene mutations or polygenic mutations, by genetic modifications, by surgical or chemical induction, and by ingestion of hypercaloric diets. In this review, we describe some of the most commonly used murine models in obesity research.
Multiplicity Distribution and KNO Scaling of Charged Particles Production from pp Collisions at Different Energies
Authors: Mahmoud Mohammed Attia
Published: April 2022

The multiplicity distribution of charged particles produced from proton–proton collisions at energies s = 2.36, 2.76, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13 and 14 TeV were studied in the present work. Furthermore, multiplicity distribution was studied in different pseudorapidity regions ∣η∣ < 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5. KNO scaling was studied at the same pseudorapidity regions. This is valid in the pseudorapidity region ∣η∣ < 0.5, but with increasing pseudorapidity, the violation increases. The influence of MPI and color reconnection in violation of KNO scaling were studied. The relation between mean multiplicity and collisions energy was explored, noted that it increases with the increasing energy of collisions.
Dual PI3K/Akt Inhibitors Bearing Coumarin-Thiazolidine Pharmacophores as Potential Apoptosis Inducers in MCF-7 Cells
Authors: Abdelnaby Rana M. , Rateb Heba S. , Ali Omaima , Saad Ahmed S. , Nadeem Rania I. , Abou-Seri Sahar M. , Amin Kamilia M. , Younis Nancy S. , Abdelhady Rasha
Published: April 2022

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide; therefore, the development of new anticancer agents is essential for improved tumor control. By adopting the pharmacophore hybridization approach, two series of 7-hydroxyl-4-methylcoumarin hybridized with thiosemicarbazone (V–VI) and thiazolidin-4-one moieties (VII–VIII) were prepared. The in vitro anticancer activity was assessed against MCF-7 cells adopting the MTT assay. Nine compounds showed significant cytotoxicity. The most promising compound, VIIb, induced remarkable cytotoxicity (IC50 of 1.03 + 0.05 µM). Further investigations were conducted to explore its pro-apoptotic activity demonstrating S-phase cell cycle arrest. Apoptosis rates following VIIb treatment revealed a 5-fold and 100-fold increase in early and late apoptotic cells, correspondingly. Moreover, our results showed caspase-9 dependent apoptosis induction as manifested by an 8-fold increase in caspase-9 level following VIIb treatment. Mechanistically, VIIb was found to target the PI3K-α/Akt-1 axis, as evidenced by enzyme inhibition assay results reporting significant inhibition of examined enzymes. These findings were confirmed by Western blot results indicating the ability of VIIb to repress levels of Cyclin D1, p-PI3K, and p-Akt. Furthermore, docking studies showed that VIIb has a binding affinity with the PI3K binding site higher than the original ligands X6K. Our results suggest that VIIb has pharmacological potential as a promising anti-cancer compound by the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt axis.
Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Nanostructures as Drug Delivery Systems and Vaccine Platforms
Authors: Chountoulesi Maria , Pispas Stergios , Tseti Ioulia K. , Demetzos Costas
Published: April 2022

Lyotropic liquid crystals result from the self-assembly process of amphiphilic molecules, such as lipids, into water, being organized in different mesophases. The non-lamellar formed mesophases, such as bicontinuous cubic (cubosomes) and inverse hexagonal (hexosomes), attract great scientific interest in the field of pharmaceutical nanotechnology. In the present review, an overview of the engineering and characterization of non-lamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline nanosystems (LLCN) is provided, focusing on their advantages as drug delivery nanocarriers and innovative vaccine platforms. It is described that non-lamellar LLCN can be utilized as drug delivery nanosystems, as well as for protein, peptide, and nucleic acid delivery. They exhibit major advantages, including stimuli-responsive properties for the “on demand” drug release delivery and the ability for controlled release by manipulating their internal conformation properties and their administration by different routes. Moreover, non-lamellar LLCN exhibit unique adjuvant properties to activate the immune system, being ideal for the development of novel vaccines. This review outlines the recent advances in lipid-based liquid crystalline technology and highlights the unique features of such systems, with a hopeful scope to contribute to the rational design of future nanosystems.
Simultaneous Quantification and Pharmacokinetic Characterization of Doxapram and 2-Ketodoxapram in Porcine Plasma and Brain Tissue
Authors: Kraft Manuel , Foerster Kathrin I. , Wiedmann Felix , Sauter Max , Paasche Amelie , Blochberger Pablo L. , Yesilgöz Baran , L’hoste Yannick , Frey Norbert , Haefeli Walter E. , Burhenne Jürgen , Schmidt Constanze
Published: April 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia associated with an increased stroke risk and mortality rate. Current treatment options leave unmet needs in AF therapy. Recently, doxapram has been introduced as a possible new option for AF treatment in a porcine animal model. To better understand its pharmacokinetics, three German Landrace pigs were treated with intravenous doxapram (1 mg/kg). Plasma and brain tissue samples were collected. For the analysis of these samples, an ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) assay for the simultaneous measurement of doxapram and its active metabolite 2-ketodoxapram was developed and validated. The assay had a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 10 pg/mL for plasma and 1 pg/sample for brain tissue. In pigs, doxapram pharmacokinetics were biphasic with a terminal elimination half-life (t1/2) of 1.38 ± 0.22 h and a maximal plasma concentration (cmax) of 1780 ± 275 ng/mL. Its active metabolite 2-ketodoxapram had a t1/2 of 2.42 ± 0.04 h and cmax of 32.3 ± 5.5 h after administration of doxapram. Protein binding was 95.5 ± 0.9% for doxapram and 98.4 ± 0.3% for 2-ketodoxapram with a brain-to-plasma ratio of 0.58 ± 0.24 for doxapram and 0.12 ± 0.02 for 2-ketodoxapram. In conclusion, the developed assay was successfully applied to the creation of pharmacokinetic data for doxapram, possibly improving the safety of its usage.
AgNPs Targeting the Drug Resistance Problem of Staphylococcus aureus: Susceptibility to Antibiotics and Efflux Effect
Authors: Nefedova Ekaterina , Shkil Nikolay , Luna Vazquez-Gomez Roberto , Garibo Diana , Pestryakov Alexey , Bogdanchikova Nina
Published: April 2022

The present work presents translational research with application of AgNPs targeting the global drug resistance problem. In vivo fieldwork was carried out with 400 breeding farm cows sick with a serous mastitis. Ex vivo results revealed that after cow treatment with LactobayTM (a mixture of antibiotic drugs) the susceptibility to 31 antibiotics of S. aureus isolates from cow breast secretion decreased by 25%, while after treatment with Argovit–CTM silver nanoparticles S. aureus susceptibility increased by 11%. The portion of isolates with an efflux effect leading to elimination of antibiotics from S. aureus after Lactobay-treatment resulted in a 15% increase, while Argovit-C-treatment led to a 17.5% decrease. The obtained results showed that mastitis treatments with Argovit-CTM AgNPs can partially restore the activity of antibiotics towards S. aureus and shorten the duration of mastitis treatment by 33%.
Hot Melt Extrusion-Triggered Amorphization as a Continuous Process for Inducing Extended Supersaturable Drug Immediate-Release from saSMSDs Systems
Authors: Yu Huan , Zhang Yanfei , Ma Yinghui , Zhang Huifeng , Hao Chengyi , Zhang Yong , Li Zhengqiang , Qi Xianrong , Shi Nianqiu
Published: April 2022

Hot melt extrusion (HME), a continuous manufacturing process for generating supersaturating amorphous self-micellizing solid dispersion systems (saSMSDs), holds promise for achieving amorphization of many pharmaceutical formulations. For saSMSDs generation, HME-triggered continuous processes offer advantages over traditional non-continuous processes such as fusion/quench cooling (FQC) and co-precipitation (CP). Here we employed HME, FQC, and CP to generate saSMSDs containing the water-insoluble BCS II drug nitrendipine (NIT) and self-micellizing polymer Soluplus®. Scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that saSMSDs formed when NIT–Soluplus® mixtures were subjected to the abovementioned amorphization methods. All saSMSDs outperformed crystalline NIT preparations and physical mixtures in achieving extended supersaturable immediate release states with superior solubility, “spring-parachute” process characteristics, and dissolution behaviors. Notably, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopic results obtained for saSMSDs detected hydrogen bonding interactions between the drug and the carrier. Ultimately, our results revealed the advantages of HME-triggered amorphization as a continuous process for significantly improving drug dissolution, increasing solubility, and maintaining supersaturation as compared to traditional amorphization-based techniques.
Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of Dracocephalum moldavica L. Essential Oil and Hydrolate
Authors: Aćimović Milica , Šovljanski Olja , Šeregelj Vanja , Pezo Lato , Zheljazkov Valtcho D. , Ljujić Jovana , Tomić Ana , Ćetković Gordana , Čanadanović-Brunet Jasna , Miljković Ana , Vujisić Ljubodrag
Published: April 2022

Steam distillation was used for the isolation of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (Moldavian dragonhead) essential oil (DMEO). This aromatic herbaceous plant is widespread across the Northern Hemisphere regions and has been utilized in health-improving studies and applications. In addition to the DMEO, the hydrolate (DMH), a byproduct of the distillation process, was also collected. The DMEO and DMH were analyzed and compared in terms of their chemical composition, as well as their in vitro biological activities. The main component in DMEO was geranyl acetate, while geranial was dominant in DMH. The DMEO demonstrated better antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared with the DMH against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes, which represent sources of food-borne illness at the global level. The DMEO and DMH show promise as antioxidant and antimicrobial additives to various products.
Nitrogen–Salt Interaction Adjusts Root Development and Ion Accumulation of the Halophyte Suaeda salsa
Authors: Wang Shoule , Ge Shaoqing , Tian Changyan , Mai Wenxuan
Published: April 2022

Nitrogen (N) application might exert a great impact on root (biomass, length) distribution, which possibly contributes to ion and nutrient uptakes. Here, we address the effects of N application on these characteristics to detect how N improves its salt tolerance. Suaeda salsa was subjected to four salt levels (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%) and three N treatments (NO3−-N: 0, 0.25, and 0.50 g·kg−1) in soil column experiments. The N applications performed a “dose effect” that significantly enhanced the growth of Suaeda at low salt levels, while negative effects were displayed at high salt levels. Moderate N markedly benefited from Na+ and Cl− uptake, which was approximately 111 mg and 146 mg per plant at a salt level of 1.0%. Exposure to a certain N application significantly enhanced topsoil root length at salt levels of 0.5% and 1.0%, and it was higher by 0.766 m and 1.256 m under N50 treatment than that under N0 treatment, whereas the higher salt levels accelerate subsoil root growth regardless of N treatment. Therefore, its interactive effects on root development and ion uptake were present, which would provide further theoretical basis for improving saline soil amelioration by N application. Regression analysis always showed that topsoil root length generated more positive and significant influences on ion uptake and vegetative growth than total root length. The results suggested that N application is beneficial to salt tolerance by altering root allocation so as to raise its elongation and gather more ions for halophyte in the topsoil.
New Geometric Models for Shape Quantification of the Dorsal View in Seeds of Silene Species
Authors: Rodríguez-Lorenzo José Luis , Martín-Gómez José Javier , Tocino Ángel , Juan Ana , Janoušek Bohuslav , Cervantes Emilio
Published: April 2022

The description of shape in Silene seeds is based on adjectives coined by naturalists in the 19th century. The expressions reniform, dorso plana, and dorso canaliculata were applied in reference to lateral or dorsal views of seeds, but the characters described can be submitted now to an analytical description by quantitative methods, allowing shape quantification and the comparison between species or populations. A quantitative morphological analysis is based on the comparison with geometric models that adjust to the shape of seeds. Morphological analysis of the dorsal view of Silene seeds based on geometric models is applied here to 26 seed populations belonging to 12 species. According to their dorsal views, the seeds are classified as convex and non-convex. New geometric models are presented for both types, including figures such as super-ellipses and modified ellipses. The values of J index (percent of similarity of a seed image with the model) are obtained in representative seed samples from diverse populations and species. The quantitative description of seed shape based on the comparison with geometric models allows the study of variation in shape between species and in populations, as well as the identification of seeds in Silene species. The method is of application to other plant species.
Preparation of Stable POSS-Based Superhydrophobic Textiles Using Thiol–Ene Click Chemistry
Authors: Wang Baoliang , Xing Lili , Xing Tieling , Chen Guoqiang
Published: April 2022

In this study, a superhydrophobic fabric was synthesized by modifying the fiber’s surface with dopamine-containing hydroxyl functional groups. Furthermore, we introduced mercapto-based functional groups by the hydrolysis of mercaptopropylmethyldimethoxysilane (MPMDS) and finally grafted POSS and mercaptans using a thiol–ene click reaction. These processes generated a superhydrophobic fabric with a static contact and a sliding angle of 162° and 8°, respectively. The superhydrophobic fabric’s compact and regular micro-nano rough structure based on POSS and mercaptans provides stable fastness and durability, as well as high resistance to organic solvents, acid–base environments, mechanical abrasion, UV rays, and washing. Moreover, it can be used for self-cleaning and oil–water separation, and it has a wide range of applications in the coating industry.
Structural Behavior of a Composite Curtain Wall Fabricated by the Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing Method
Authors: Park Min Jae , Bae Jaehoon , Ju Young K.
Published: April 2022

In this era of the fourth industrial revolution, the integration of big data and 3D printing technology with the construction industry has maximized productivity. Currently, there is an active effort to research the optimal cladding structure through 3D printing technology to reduce production costs. This paper proposes a new type of 3D print curtain wall, using a high-strength ABS-M30 polymer panel, which is stronger than the standard acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer, as an internally reinforced structure. This structure is fabricated via fused deposition modeling, a 3D printing method, to reduce the weight of the general cement panel. In addition, the shape of the polymer board was designed; three shapes were considered—O, W, and X types—which aided in further reducing the weight of the cladding. After comparing the center deformation of the structure through a lateral load test and finite element method analysis, the optimal model was selected. The measured data of the two methods at a design wind speed of 100% showed a difference of approximately 10%; however, at 150% of the design wind speed, the difference between the two sets of data increased to 27%.
Study on Surface Discharge Characteristics of GO-Doped Epoxy Resin–LN2 Composite Insulation
Authors: Xing Yunqi , Chen Yuanyuan , Yuan Ruiyi , Yang Zhuoran , Yao Tianyi , Li Jiehua , Zhu Wenbo , Wang Xiaoxue
Published: April 2022

Superconducting power lead equipment for epoxy insulation, such as high-temperature superconducting DC power or liquefied natural gas energy pipelines, as well as high-temperature superconducting cables, has long been used in extreme environments, from liquid nitrogen temperatures to normal temperatures. It is easy to induce surface discharge and flashover under the action of strong electric field, which accelerates the insulation failure of current leads. In this paper, two-dimensional nano-material GO was used to control the electrical properties of epoxy resins. The DC surface discharge and flashover characteristics of the prepared epoxy resin–GO composite insulation materials were tested at room temperature with liquid nitrogen. The surface discharge mechanism of the epoxy resin–GO composite insulation materials was analyzed. The experimental results show that the insulation properties of epoxy composites doped with GO changed. Among them, the surface flashover voltage of 0.05 wt% material is the best, which can inhibit the discharge phenomenon and improve its insulation properties in extreme environments, from room temperature to liquid nitrogen temperature. It is found that the development process of surface discharge of composite insulating materials under liquid nitrogen is quite different from that under room temperature. Before critical flashover, the repetition rate and amplitude of surface discharge remain at a low level until critical flashover. Furthermore, the voltage of the first flashover is significantly higher than that of the subsequent flashover under the action of the desorption gas on the surface of the composite insulating material and the gasification layer produced by the discharge. Given that the surface flashover voltage of 0.05 wt% epoxy composite is the best, the research and analysis of 0.05 wt% composite is emphasized. In the future design of superconducting power lead insulation, the modification method of adding GO to epoxy resin can be considered in order to improve its insulation performance.
Children and Climate Anxiety: An Ecofeminist Practical Theological Perspective
Authors: Mercer Joyce Ann
Published: April 2022

As awareness grows of global warming and ecological degradation, words such as “climate anxiety”, and “eco-anxiety” enter our vocabularies, describing the impact of climate change on human mental health and spiritual wellbeing. Distress over climate change disproportionately impacts children, who also are more susceptible to the broader health, economic, and social effects brought about by environmental harm. In this paper, I explore children’s vulnerability to climate change and climate anxiety through the lens of ecofeminist practical theology. Ecofeminism brings the liberatory concerns of feminist theologies into engagement with those theologies focused on the life of the planet. Drawing on ecofeminism, practical theology must continue and deepen its own ecological conversion, and practical theologies of childhood must take seriously the work of making an ecological home, oikos, in which children are embedded as a part of the wider ecology that includes the more-than-human world. This requires foregrounding religious education with children toward the inhabitance of the earth in good and just ways. However, these theologies also must address children’s lived realities of increased anxiety over planetary changes that endanger life through practices of spiritual care with children that engage and support them in their distress toward participatory empowerment for change.
Observations on the Magisterium’s Gender Anthropology and Its Consequences for Women in the Catholic Church
Authors: Anuth Bernhard Sven
Published: April 2022

The Catholic Church has a gender-hierarchical constitution. The Church’s magisterium justifies this structure and the lack of gender equality within the Church with the complementary sexuality of human beings as man and woman, which is considered to be the will of God. In this article, this doctrine is presented in detail, based on relevant documents of the Church‘s magisterium, and is classified with regard to its consequences for women within the Catholic Church. Even though the Church rejects criticism of its position as a dangerous “(gender) ideology”, fewer and fewer women (and men) accept its teaching of a specific “genius of women” and of the assigned gender-specific roles in the Church and in the world associated with it. Moreover, there is now a growing awareness that violence against women is usually related to such hierarchical gender concepts.
Insincerity, Secrecy, Neutralisation, Harm: Reporting Clergy Sexual Misconduct against Adults—A Survivor-Based Analysis
Authors: de Weger Stephen Edward
Published: April 2022

The foundational study for this article asked: how do survivors of clergy sexual misconduct against adults (CSMAA) in the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) describe and understand their experiences of reporting that misconduct to Roman Catholic Church authorities? The findings were that, while survivors sincerely believed that they would be cared for when they approached their Church officials, most soon began to sense a deep lack of insincerity coming from the officials dealing with their case. This insincerity was exposed in various forms by those officials as well as RCC hierarchy connected to the cases. The conclusion here is that the RCC seeks to neutralise exposure of CSMAA and the survivors thereof, and that they actually need to do so. The result—further and deeper harming of the already harmed.
A Perspective Review on Integrating VR/AR with Haptics into STEM Education for Multi-Sensory Learning
Authors: Sanfilippo Filippo , Blazauskas Tomas , Salvietti Gionata , Ramos Isabel , Vert Silviu , Radianti Jaziar , Majchrzak Tim , Oliveira Daniel
Published: April 2022

As a result of several governments closing educational facilities in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, almost 80% of the world’s students were not in school for several weeks. Schools and universities are thus increasing their efforts to leverage educational resources and provide possibilities for remote learning. A variety of educational programs, platforms, and technologies are now accessible to support student learning; while these tools are important for society, they are primarily concerned with the dissemination of theoretical material. There is a lack of support for hands-on laboratory work and practical experience. This is particularly important for all disciplines related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), where labs and pedagogical assets must be continuously enhanced in order to provide effective study programs. In this study, we describe a unique perspective to achieving multi-sensory learning through the integration of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) with haptic wearables in STEM education. We address the implications of a novel viewpoint on established pedagogical notions. We want to encourage worldwide efforts to make fully immersive, open, and remote laboratory learning a reality.
Improved GM-PHD Filter with Birth Intensity and Spawned Intensity Estimation Based on Trajectory Situation Feedback Control
Authors: Zhang Chao , Li Zhengzhou , Zhu Yong , Luo Zefeng , Qin Tianqi
Published: April 2022

The Gaussian Mixture Probability Hypothesis Density (GM-PHD) filter can effectively track multiple targets in a single scenario. However, for GM-PHD, unknown target behavior, e.g., target birth or target intersection, produces difficulties in terms of accurate estimation. First of all, GM-PHD assumes the model parameters about the birth target are prior information, which results in the inability to detect the birth target that occurs at random in complex scenarios. Then, since the measurements generated by the intersected targets overlap each other, GM-PHD cannot distinguish these targets, resulting in a biased estimation of the state and number of targets. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an improved GM-PHD filter with a birth intensity and spawned intensity updating method based on the trajectory situation feedback. In the filtering process, the trajectory initiation feedback formed by the rule-based correlation of Gaussian components is introduced to GM-PHD to adjust the birth intensity in real time, which is used to improve the detection of birth targets. Simultaneously, the analysis of trajectory situation is designed to determine the relative motion trend between targets. On this basis, the filter improves the recognition of the intersected targets by enhancing the spawned intensity. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves better performance on the state and number of targets in complex scenarios, and shows superiority to other GM-PHD filters.
Diagnostics of Coherent Eddy Transport in the South China Sea Based on Satellite Observations
Authors: Liu Tongya , He Yinghui , Zhai Xiaoming , Liu Xiaohui
Published: April 2022

The large discrepancy between Eulerian and Lagrangian work motivates us to examine the leakage of Eulerian eddies and quantify the contribution of coherent eddy transport in the South China Sea (SCS). In this study, Lagrangian particles with a resolution of 1/32° are advected by surface geostrophic currents derived from satellite observations spanning 23 years, and two types of methods are employed to identify sea surface height (SSH) eddies and Lagrangian coherent structures. SSH eddies are proven to be highly leaky during their lifetimes, with more than 80% of the original water leaking out of the eddy interior. As a result of zonal and meridional eddy propagation, the leaked water exhibits a spatial pattern of asymmetry relative to the eddy center. The degree of eddy leakage is found to be independent of several eddy parameters including the nonlinearity parameter U/c, which has been commonly used to assess eddy coherency. Finally, the Lagrangian coherent structures in the SCS are diagnosed and the associated coherent eddy diffusivity is calculated. It is found that coherent eddies contribute to less than 5% of the total eddy material transport in both zonal and meridional directions. These findings suggest that previous studies based on the Eulerian framework significantly overestimate the contribution of coherent eddy transport in the SCS.
Polarimetric Radar Quantitative Precipitation Estimation
Authors: Ryzhkov Alexander , Zhang Pengfei , Bukovčić Petar , Zhang Jian , Cocks Stephen
Published: April 2022

Radar quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) is one of the primary tasks of weather radars. The QPE quality was substantially improved after polarimetric upgrade of the radars. This study provides an overview of existing polarimetric methodologies for rain and snow estimation and their operational implementation. The variability of drop size distributions (DSDs) is a primary factor affecting the quality of rainfall estimation and its impact on the performance of various radar rainfall relations at S, C, and X microwave frequency bands is one of the focuses of this review. The radar rainfall estimation algorithms based on the use of specific attenuation A and specific differential phase KDP are the most efficient. Their brief description is presented and possible ways for their further optimization are discussed. Polarimetric techniques for the vertical profile of reflectivity (VPR) correction at longer distances from the radar are also summarized. Radar quantification of snow is particularly challenging and it is demonstrated that polarimetric methods for snow measurements show good promise. Finally, the article presents a summary of the latest operational radar QPE products available in the US by integration of the information from the WSR-88D radars via the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) platform.
Development of an Area Scan Step Length Measuring System Using a Polynomial Estimate of the Heel Cloud Point
Authors: Haji Kadir Nursyuhada Binti , Muguro Joseph K. , Matsushita Kojiro , Senanayake Senanayake Mudiyanselaga Namal Arosha , Sasaki Minoru
Published: April 2022

Due to impaired mobility caused by aging, it is very important to employ early detection and monitoring of gait parameters to prevent the inevitable huge amount of medical cost at a later age. For gait training and potential tele-monitoring application outside clinical settings, low-cost yet highly reliable gait analysis systems are needed. This research proposes using a single LiDAR system to perform automatic gait analysis with polynomial fitting. The experimental setup for this study consists of two different walking speeds, fast walk and normal walk, along a 5-m straight line. There were ten test subjects (mean age 28, SD 5.2) who voluntarily participated in the study. We performed polynomial fitting to estimate the step length from the heel projection cloud point laser data as the subject walks forwards and compared the values with the visual inspection method. The results showed that the visual inspection method is accurate up to 6 cm while the polynomial method achieves 8 cm in the worst case (fast walking). With the accuracy difference estimated to be at most 2 cm, the polynomial method provides reliability of heel location estimation as compared with the observational gait analysis. The proposed method in this study presents an improvement accuracy of 4% as opposed to the proposed dual-laser range sensor method that reported 57.87 cm ± 10.48, an error of 10%. Meanwhile, our proposed method reported ±0.0633 m, a 6% error for normal walking.
Impact or Outputs? Exploring Multinational’s CSR Activities in Mexico
Authors: Vázquez-Maguirre Mario , Benito Alfonso E.
Published: April 2022

This article aims to explore how multinationals measure CSR activities in Mexico and their alignment with core business activities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a qualitative approach and an exploratory methodology, based on 15 semi-structured interviews with CSR and sustainability managers, the results suggest that multinationals in this sample focus on outputs rather than on impact. Two reasons provided by the interviewees are as follows: (1) impact measurement does not carry any punishment or social reward, so corporations do not have much interest in measuring it; and (2) some corporations do not know how to measure CSR impact, so they usually report outputs in their sustainability reports. The results also suggest a disconnection between CSR and core business activities. Finally, multinationals recognise SDGs as a paramount guide to address the world’s more urgent problems and are starting to link their CSR initiatives to particular goals. However, such efforts are still incipient and mostly mean connecting CSR initiatives and specific SDGs in their sustainability reports.
Enhanced Net Channel Based-Heat Sink Designs for Cooling of High Concentration Photovoltaic (HCPV) Systems in Dammam City
Authors: Al-Amri Fahad Ghallab , Maatallah Taher , Zachariah Richu , Okasha Ahmed T. , Alghamdi Abdullah Khalid
Published: April 2022

In this study, enhanced net channel based heat sink designs for cooling HCPV systems at geometrical concentration ratios ranging from 500× to 3000× are presented. The effect of increasing the number of layers in the parallel flow net channel, as well as the fraction of the coolant mass flow rate in the counter flow net channel, on the overall performance of the HCPV systems, are investigated. The various configurations of each proposed net channel based-heat sink design are examined, and a comparative analysis between the different proposed designs is performed under the climate weather conditions of Dammam city, Saudi Arabia. On one hand, the double-layered counter flow net channel heat sink outperformed the other designs in terms of electrical efficiency and in keeping the solar cell operating well below the safe operating limits, achieving a reduction in maximum cell temperature relatively compared to the parallel flow net channel with five layers and conventional mini channel of 11.72% and 12.01%, respectively. On the other hand, for effective usability of the heat recovery rate by the cooling mechanism, the parallel flow net channel is the most appropriate design since it has recorded 27.55% higher outlet water temperature than the double-layered counter flow net channel.
Ensuring Urban Food Security in Malaysia during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Is Urban Farming the Answer? A Review
Authors: Murdad Rosmah , Muhiddin Mardiana , Osman Wan Hurani , Tajidin Nor Elliza , Haida Zainol , Awang Azwan , Jalloh Mohamadu Boyie
Published: April 2022

Urbanisation and related insufficiency of food sources is due to the high urban population, insufficient urban food sources, and inability of some urban communities to afford food due to rising costs. Food supply can also be jeopardised by natural and man-made disasters, such as warfare, pandemics, or any other calamities which result in the destruction of crop fields and disruption of food distribution. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the impact of such calamities on the fresh food supply chain in Malaysia, especially when the Movement Control Order (MCO) policy was first implemented. The resulting panic buying caused some food shortage, while more importantly, the fresh food supply chain was severely disrupted, especially in urban areas, in the early stages of implementation. In this regard, urban farming, while a simple concept, can have a significant impact in terms of securing food sources for urban households. It has been used in several countries such as Canada, The Netherlands, and Singapore to ensure a continuous food supply. This paper thus attempted to review how the pandemic has affected Malaysian participation in urban farming and, in relation to that, the acceptance of urban farming in Malaysia and the initiatives and approaches of local governmental and non-governmental organisations in encouraging the urban community to participate in urban farming through peer-reviewed journal articles and other articles related to urban agriculture using the ROSES protocol. About 93 articles were selected after screening to ensure that the articles were related to the study. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge in Malaysians’ awareness of the importance of urban farming has offered great opportunities for the government to encourage more Malaysian urban communities to participate in urban farming activities. Limitations such as relevant knowledge, area, and space, however, are impediments to urban communities’ participation in these activities. Government initiatives, such as the Urban Community Garden Policy (Dasar Kebun Komuniti Bandar (DKKB)), are still inadequate as some issues are still not addressed. Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPM) and technology-driven practices are seen as possible solutions to the primary problem of land and space. Additionally, relevant stakeholders play a crucial role in disseminating relevant and appropriate knowledge and methodology applicable for urban farming. Partnerships between government agencies, the education sector, and the private sector are necessary to develop modern urban agricultural technologies as well as knowledge, knowhow, and supports to build and sustain urban community participation in urban farming activities.