bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Chemoresistive Gas Sensors Using Two-Dimensional Materials
Authors: Ko Jae-Kwon , Park In-Hyeok , Hong Kootak , Kwon Ki Chang
Published: August 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as a promising candidate in the chemoresistive gas sensor field to overcome the disadvantages of conventional metal-oxide semiconductors owing to their strong surface activities and high surface-to-volume ratio. This review summarizes the various approaches to enhance the 2D-material-based gas sensors and provides an overview of their progress. The distinctive attributes of semiconductor gas sensors employing 2D materials will be highlighted with their inherent advantages and associated challenges. The general operating principles of semiconductor gas sensors and the unique characteristics of 2D materials in gas-sensing mechanisms will be explored. The pros and cons of 2D materials in gas-sensing channels are discussed, and a route to overcome the current challenges will be delivered. Finally, the recent advancements to enhance the performance of 2D-material-based gas sensors including photo-activation, heteroatom doping, defect engineering, heterostructures, and nanostructures will be discussed. This review should offer a broad range of readers a new perspective toward the future development of 2D-material-based gas sensors.
Recent Advances of Stretchable Nanomaterial-Based Hydrogels for Wearable Sensors and Electrophysiological Signals Monitoring
Authors: Duan Haiyang , Zhang Yilong , Zhang Yitao , Zhu Pengcheng , Mao Yanchao
Published: August 2024

Electrophysiological monitoring is a commonly used medical procedure designed to capture the electrical signals generated by the body and promptly identify any abnormal health conditions. Wearable sensors are of great significance in signal acquisition for electrophysiological monitoring. Traditional electrophysiological monitoring devices are often bulky and have many complex accessories and thus, are only suitable for limited application scenarios. Hydrogels optimized based on nanomaterials are lightweight with excellent stretchable and electrical properties, solving the problem of high-quality signal acquisition for wearable sensors. Therefore, the development of hydrogels based on nanomaterials brings tremendous potential for wearable physiological signal monitoring sensors. This review first introduces the latest advancement of hydrogels made from different nanomaterials, such as nanocarbon materials, nanometal materials, and two-dimensional transition metal compounds, in physiological signal monitoring sensors. Second, the versatile properties of these stretchable composite hydrogel sensors are reviewed. Then, their applications in various electrophysiological signal monitoring, such as electrocardiogram monitoring, electromyographic signal analysis, and electroencephalogram monitoring, are discussed. Finally, the current application status and future development prospects of nanomaterial-optimized hydrogels in wearable physiological signal monitoring sensors are summarized. We hope this review will inspire future development of wearable electrophysiological signal monitoring sensors using nanomaterial-based hydrogels.
Dynamic Framing and Power Allocation for Real-Time Wireless Networks with Variable-Length Coding: A Tandem Queue Approach
Authors: Liu Yuanrui , Zhao Xiaoyu , Chen Wei , Zhang Ying-Jun Angela
Published: August 2024

Ensuring high reliability and low latency poses challenges for numerous applications that require rigid performance guarantees, such as industrial automation and autonomous vehicles. Our research primarily concentrates on addressing the real-time requirements of ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). Specifically, we tackle the challenge of hard delay constraints in real-time transmission systems, overcoming this obstacle through a finite blocklength coding scheme. In the physical layer, we encode randomly arriving packets using a variable-length coding scheme and transmit the encoded symbols by truncated channel inversion over parallel channels. In the network layer, we model the encoding and transmission processes as tandem queues. These queues backlog the data bits waiting to be encoded and the encoded symbols to be transmitted, respectively. This way, we represent the system as a two-dimensional Markov chain. By focusing on instances when the symbol queue is empty, we simplify the Markov chain into a one-dimensional Markov chain, with the packet queue being the system state. This approach allows us to analytically express power consumption and formulate a power minimization problem under hard delay constraints. Finally, we propose a heuristic algorithm to solve the problem and provide an extensive evaluation of the trade-offs between the hard delay constraint and power consumption.
Trends in Prevalence and Incidence of Epilepsy and Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Children: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Korea
Authors: Lee Jooyoung , Choi Arum , Kim Sukil , Yoo Il Han
Published: August 2024

Population-based data on drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) are lacking. This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of pediatric epilepsy and DRE in South Korea using health insurance claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (2013–2022). Epilepsy and DRE prevalence and incidence in children <18 years old were estimated over time and by age and sex. Results showed that the age-standardized prevalence and incidence rates of epilepsy increased. The age-standardized prevalence rate of DRE increased, while the age-standardized incidence rate remained unchanged. The standardized prevalence rate of DRE was 0.26 per 1000 persons, and the average standardized incidence rate of DRE was 0.06 per 1000 persons. The prevalence rate of DRE gradually increased with age, with age 0 demonstrating the highest incidence rate. The prevalence of generalized DRE was the highest across all ages, and incidence was the highest at 0 years. Conversely, the incidence of focal DRE did not change with age. Our study revealed a stable incidence rate of DRE in Korea, despite increased prevalence. DRE incidence was the highest in the first year of life, with the generalized type being the most prevalent.
Quality of Life Assessment in Romanian Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Undergoing Nusinersen Treatment
Authors: Cavaloiu Bogdana , Simina Iulia-Elena , Chisavu Lazar , Vilciu Crisanda , Trăilă Iuliana-Anamaria , Puiu Maria
Published: August 2024

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), identified over a century ago, is characterized by severe muscle wasting and early mortality. Despite its rarity, the high carrier frequency of the responsible genetic mutations and the variability in its manifestations make it a significant research focus. This prospective cross-sectional descriptive study evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across eight health domains in 43 Romanian SMA patients treated with nusinersen, using the SF-36 questionnaire to analyze influencing factors. The survey was conducted online with informed consent, and the data were analyzed using MedCalc software, employing both parametric and non-parametric statistical tests for accurate interpretation. The results revealed significant variations in HRQoL. Most patients were non-ambulatory (74.4%), reflecting SMA’s impact on mobility. Urban residents reported better outcomes, particularly in physical functioning (p = 0.014), which may be attributed to improved access to healthcare services. Younger participants (under 14), represented by proxy responses, noted better general health (p = 0.0072) and emotional well-being (p = 0.0217) compared to older participants. These findings suggest that younger patients or their proxies perceive a better health status, highlighting the need for age-specific approaches in SMA management and the potential optimistic bias associated with proxy reporting on perceived health outcomes.
Effect of Selol on Tumor Morphology and Biochemical Parameters Associated with Oxidative Stress in a Prostate Tumor-Bearing Mice Model
Authors: Sochacka Małgorzata , Hoser Grażyna , Remiszewska Małgorzata , Suchocki Piotr , Sikora Krzysztof , Giebułtowicz Joanna
Published: August 2024

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men. Some studies suggest that selenium Se (+4) may help prevent prostate cancer. Certain forms of Se (+4), such as Selol, have shown anticancer activity with demonstrated pro-oxidative effects, which can lead to cellular damage and cell death, making them potential candidates for cancer therapy. Our recent study in healthy mice found that Selol changes the oxidative–antioxidative status in blood and tissue. However, there are no data on the effect of Selol in mice with tumors, considering that the tumor itself influences this balance. This research investigated the impact of Selol on tumor morphology and oxidative–antioxidative status in blood and tumors, which may be crucial for the formulation’s effectiveness. Our study was conducted on healthy and tumor-bearing animal models, which were either administered Selol or not. We determined antioxidant enzyme activities (Se-GPx, GPx, GST, and TrxR) spectrophotometrically in blood and the tumor. Furthermore, we measured plasma prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, plasma and tumor malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration as a biomarker of oxidative stress, selenium (Se) concentrations and the tumor ORAC value. Additionally, we assessed the impact of Selol on tumor morphology and the expression of p53, BCL2, and Ki-67. The results indicate that treatment with Selol influences the morphology of tumor cells, indicating a potential role in inducing cell death through necrosis. Long-term supplementation with Selol increased antioxidant enzyme activity in healthy animals and triggered oxidative stress in cancer cells, activating their antioxidant defense mechanisms. This research pathway shows promise in understanding the anticancer effects of Selol. Selol appears to increase the breakdown of cancer cells more effectively in small tumors than in larger ones. In advanced tumors, it may accelerate tumor growth if used as monotherapy. Therefore, further studies are necessary to evaluate its efficacy either in combination therapy or for the prevention of recurrence.
Exploring Public Health Nurses’ Thoughts, Needs and Expectations for the Development and Usability of an Online Parenting Resource on Early Nutrition Delivered through Primary Care: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Helle Christine , Hillesund Elisabet Rudjord , Øverby Nina Cecilie
Published: August 2024

Public health nurses (PHNs) constitute an important source of nutritional knowledge for parents during the child’s first 1000 days of life, but parents also seek advice from various online sources. Access to timely digital interventions may facilitate healthful eating habits later in life. In the Nutrition Now project, we wanted to combine previously evaluated digital interventions on early nutrition and implement the integrated intervention at municipality level. We prospectively explored PHNs’ thoughts, needs and expectations regarding the development and usability of such a digital resource. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six PHNs, and data was subjected to thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: (1) an online resource on nutrition may be a useful tool; (2) the content should attract interest and be broad in scope; (3) it must be easy to apply and adapted to different users; and (4) participating in a development process should seem meaningful. Our findings highlight the need for easily accessible, quality-assured online information to underpin the guidance provided by PHNs. The study further sheds light on prerequisites considered by PHNs to be crucial for parents to engage in a digital resource, as well as their perspectives on how it best may be communicated and used.
Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome: From Food Avoidance to Deciphering the Potential Cross-Reactivity between Pru p 3 and Ole e 7
Authors: Álvarez Paula , Aguado Rocío , Molina Juan , Trujillo-Aguilera Antonio , Villalba Mayte , Díaz-Perales Araceli , Oeo-Santos Carmen , Chicano Eduardo , Blanco Nadine , Navas Ana , Ruiz-León Berta , Jurado Aurora
Published: August 2024

Background: Cross-reactivity between nonspecific lipid transfer proteins could cause anaphylaxis, further influencing food avoidance and nutrient deficiencies. The one affecting olive pollen (Ole e 7) and peach (Pru p 3) may underlie a variety of pollen-food syndromes, though a deep molecular analysis is necessary. Methods: Three Ole e 7-monosensitised patients (MON_OLE), three Pru p 3-monosensitised patients (MON_PRU) and three bisensitised patients (BI) were selected. For epitope mapping, both digested proteins were incubated with patient sera, and the captured IgE-bound peptides were characterised by LC-MS. Results: The analysis revealed two Ole e 7 epitopes and the three Pru p 3 epitopes previously described. Interestingly, the “KSALALVGNKV” Ole e 7 peptide was recognised by MON_OLE, BI and MON_PRU patients. Conversely, all patients recognised the “ISASTNCATVK” Pru p 3 peptide. Although complete sequence alignment between both proteins revealed 32.6% identity, local alignment considering seven residue fragments showed 50 and 57% identity when comparing “ISASTNCATVK” with Ole e 7 and “KSALALVGNKV” with Pru p 3. Conclusions: This study mapped sIgE-Ole e 7-binding epitopes, paving the way for more precise diagnostic tools. Assuming non-significant sequence similarity, structural homology and shared key residues may underlie the potential cross-reactivity between Ole e 7 and Pru p 3 nsLTPs.
Circulating Amino Acid Concentration after the Consumption of Pea or Whey Proteins in Young and Older Adults Affects Protein Synthesis in C2C12 Myotubes
Authors: Salles Jérôme , Gueugneau Marine , Laleg Karima , Giraudet Christophe , Sanchez Phelipe , Blot Adeline , Richard Ruddy , Neveux Nathalie , Lefranc-Millot Catherine , Perreau Caroline , Guérin-Deremaux Laetitia , Boirie Yves , Walrand Stéphane
Published: August 2024

As older adults tend to reduce their intake of animal-source proteins, plant-source proteins may offer valuable resources for better protein intake. The aim of this study was to assess whether the pea proteins can be used to achieve blood amino acid levels that stimulate muscle protein synthesis. We measured variations in plasma amino acid concentrations in young and older adults given pea (NUTRALYS® S85 Plus) or whey proteins either alone or in a standardized meal. The effect of amino acid concentrations on protein synthesis in C2C12 myotubes was determined. In terms of results, plasma amino acid concentrations reflected the difference between the amino acid contents of whey and pea proteins. Blood leucine showed a greater increase of 91 to 130% with whey protein compared to pea protein, while the opposite was observed for arginine (A greater increase of 147 to 210% with pea compared to whey). Culture media prepared with plasmas from the human study induced age-dependent but not protein-type-dependent changes in myotube protein synthesis. In conclusion, pea and whey proteins have the same qualities in terms of their properties to maintain muscle protein synthesis. Pea proteins can be recommended for older people who do not consume enough animal-source proteins.
Mechanism Study of Xiaoyao San against Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis-Related Liver Fibrosis Based on a Combined Strategy of Transcriptome Analysis and Network Pharmacology
Authors: Yan Di , Zhang Xiaoling , Ma Chengmei , Huang Wenting , Hao Mimi , Xie Lan
Published: August 2024

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of NAFLD. The livers of patients with NASH are more likely to develop fibrosis. Xiaoyao San (XYS) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that has been widely used in treating liver diseases. In this study, we elucidated the effects and mechanism of XYS in treating NASH-related liver fibrosis by combining high-throughput sequencing-based high-throughput screening with network pharmacology analysis. Our work revealed that XYS may play a role in preventing NASH-related liver fibrosis by regulating biological functions related to the extracellular matrix (ECM), inflammation, and metabolism. Additionally, Bupleuri Radix, Poria, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and Paeoniae Radix Alba are the key herbs of XYS that could partially represent the functions of XYS. These regulatory effects are mediated by targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) signaling. Narcissin, casuarictin, and γ-sitosterol were identified as representative active compounds in XYS targeting STAT3, NFκB, and PPARγ, respectively. Taken together, our findings provide a novel strategy for investigating the pharmacological effects and biological mechanisms of a TCM formula.
Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica) Attenuates Chemically Induced Lung Carcinomas in Rats through Suppression of Proliferation and Angiogenesis
Authors: Ali Naglaa A. , Elsayed Ghada H. , Mohamed Safaa H. , Abd Elkarim Asmaa S. , Aly Mohamed S. , Elgamal Abdelbaset M. , Elsayed Wael M. , El-Newary Samah A.
Published: August 2024

In 2022, 2.5 million cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, resulting in 1.8 million deaths. These statistics have motivated us to introduce a new natural product which is feasible in lung cancer therapies. This comprehensive study was performed to study the effects of chia seed extracts (70% ethanol and petroleum ether) on lung cancer in vitro and in vivo models. The invitro cytotoxicity activity of the chia extracts was studied in lung cancer cell lines (A549 cells). After 48 h, chia alcohol and ether extracts showed more inhibitory influence (IC50, 16.08, and 14.8 µg/mL, respectively) on A549 cells compared to Dox (IC50, 13.6 µg/mL). In vivo, administration of chia alcohol and ether extracts (500 mg/kg/day, orally for 20 weeks) recovered 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung cancer, as a significant reduction in the lung cancer biomarkers, including the relative weight of the lung (20.0 and 13.33%), ICAM(31.73 and 15.66%), and c-MYC (80 and 96%) and MMP9(60 and 69%) expression genes, and improvement in these changes were observed by histopathological examinations of the lung tissues compared to the lung control. Chia seeds fought lung cancer via suppression of proliferation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and activation apoptosis. These activities may be attributed to the chemical composition of chia, which is identified by LC-Mass, such as caffeic acid, vanillic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide, and taxifolin. Finally, we can conclude that chia seeds have an anti-lung cancer effect with a good safety margin.
Advances and Prospects in Casimir Physics
Authors: Klimchitskaya Galina L. , Mostepanenko Vladimir M.
Published: August 2024

In the present introductory to the Special Issue “75 Years of the Casimir Effect: Advances and Prospects”, we summarize the state of the art in this field of physics, briefly describe the topics of the contributing papers, formulate several unresolved problems, and outline possible pathways towards their resolution. Special attention is given to experiments on measuring the Casimir force, to the known problem of the dissipation of conduction electrons when one compares experiment with theory, and to the Casimir effect in novel materials and non-traditional situations. We conclude that in the future, this multidisciplinary quantum effect will continue to play a crucial role in both fundamental physics and its applications.
re-ISSUES—Renewable Energy-Linked Interoperable Smart and Sustainable Urban Environmental Systems
Authors: Pastor Raúl , Lecuona Antonio , Fraga Anabel
Published: August 2024

Smart cities will be smart if they improve their citizens’ quality of life; to do so, it is essential to listen to citizens and collaborate with service and technological companies. For that, digitalization seems essential. Environmental management systems are complex and expensive. If their lifecycle costs are reduced, these systems would be more sustainable. This can be achieved through citizen collaboration (CS), the use of low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and collaboration with local renewable energy businesses. All this leads to a real interoperability challenge. Systems engineering offers a valid framework for managing information and knowledge for environmental systems. It offers a range of guides for processes that can improve the quality of the related information and the reusability of knowledge throughout the lifecycles of these systems. After quantifying the opportunity and the cost for a motivational case of atmospheric neighborhood odor impact and introducing trends and opportunities in energy management, the authors propose a model for renewable energy-linked interoperable smart and sustainable urban environmental systems (re-ISSUES). The model’s ontology is used to discover research trends and potential for improvements to the model itself, enabling semantic interoperability and knowledge reuse.
Study on Nonlinear Parameter Inversion and Numerical Simulation in Condensate Reservoirs
Authors: Ma Kuiqian , Yang Chenxu , Gao Zhennan , Wang Xifeng , Liu Xinrong
Published: August 2024

The B6 metamorphic buried hill condensate gas reservoir exhibits a highly compact matrix, leading to a rapid decline in bottom-hole pressure during initial production. The minimal difference between formation and saturation pressures results in severe retrograde condensation, with multiphase flow further increasing resistance. Conventional numerical simulations often overestimate reservoir energy supply due to their failure to account for this additional resistance, leading to inaccuracies in bottom-hole pressure predictions and gas–oil ratio during history matching. To address these challenges, this study conducted research on nonlinear numerical simulation for buried hill condensate gas reservoirs and established a method for calculating a multiphase pressure sweep range based on the well testing theory. By correcting and fitting the pressure propagation boundaries with numerical simulation, the nonlinear flow parameters applicable to the B6 gas field were inversed. This study revealed that conventional Darcy flow is inadequate for predicting pressure propagation boundaries and that it is possible to reasonably characterize the pressure sweep range through nonlinear flow. This approach resulted in an improvement in the accuracy of historical matching for bottom-hole pressure and gas–oil ratio, which improve the historical fitting accuracy to 85%, providing valuable insights for the development of similar reservoirs.
Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity Analysis of Provincial Road Traffic Accidents and Its Influencing Factors in China
Authors: Zhang Keke , Wang Shaohua , Song Chengcheng , Zhang Sinan , Liu Xia
Published: August 2024

To objectively evaluate the road traffic safety levels across different provinces in China, this study investigated the spatiotemporal heterogeneity characteristics of macro factors influencing road traffic accidents. Panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2009 to 2021 were collected, and after data preprocessing, traffic accident data were selected as the dependent variables. Population size, economic level, motorization level, highway mileage, unemployment rate, and passenger volume were selected as explanatory variables. Based on the spatiotemporal non-stationarity testing of traffic accident data, three models, namely, ordinary least squares (OLS), geographically weighted regression (GWR), and geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR), were constructed for empirical research. The results showed that the spatiotemporal heterogeneity characterizing the macro factors of traffic accidents could not be ignored. In terms of impact effects, highway mileage, population size, motorization level and passenger volume had positive promoting effects on road traffic accidents, while economic level and unemployment rate mainly exhibited negative inhibitory effects. In terms of impact magnitude, highway mileage had the greatest impact on traffic accidents, followed by population size, motorization level, and passenger volume. Comparatively, the impact magnitude of economic level and unemployment rate was relatively small. The conclusions were aimed at contributing to the objective evaluation of road traffic safety levels in different provinces and providing a basis for the formulation of reasonable macro traffic safety planning and management decisions. The findings offer valuable insights that can be used to optimize regional traffic safety policies and strategies, thereby enhancing road safety.
Enhancing Sustainability through Weather Derivative Option Contracts: A Risk Management Tool in Greek Agriculture
Authors: Prentzas Angelos , Bournaris Thomas , Nastis Stefanos , Moulogianni Christina , Vlontzos George
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the efficacy of weather derivatives as a risk management tool in the agricultural sector of Naousa, Greece, focusing on tree crops sensitive to temperature variations. The specific purpose is to assess how effectively weather derivative options can mitigate financial risks for farmers by providing strategic solutions. The study assesses the strategic application of Heating Degree Days (HDD) index options and their potential to alleviate economic vulnerabilities faced by farmers due to temperatures fluctuations. Employing different strike prices in Long Call and Straddle options strategies on the HDD index, the research offers tailored risk management solutions that cater to varying risk aversions among farmers. Moreover, the study applies the Value at Risk (VaR) methodology to quantify the financial security that weather derivatives can furnish, revealing a significantly reduced probability of severe financial losses in hedged scenarios compared to no-hedge conditions. Results show that all implemented strategies effectively enhance financial outcomes compared to scenarios without hedging, highlighting the exceptional utility of weather derivatives as risk management tools in the agricultural sector. Strategy 4, which exhibits the lowest VaR, emerges as the most effective, providing substantial protection against adverse weather conditions. This research supports the notion that weather derivatives can substantially contribute to the economic sustainability of rural economies, influencing policy decisions toward enhancing financial instruments for risk management in agriculture.
Research on Energy-Saving Efficiency and Influencing Factors of Green and Low-Carbon Enterprises Based on Three-Stage DEA and Tobit Models
Authors: Xu Fenfang , Shao Teng , Hu Ruili , Zhang Minbo
Published: August 2024

Implementing the “dual-carbon” objective has profoundly affected China’s businesses, prompting a continuous process of transformation and innovation. Green, low-carbon transformation, upgrading, and sustainable development have emerged as the means to achieve high-quality company growth, with firms playing a crucial role in achieving the “dual-carbon” target. By prioritizing firms’ green, low-carbon, and sustainable growth, not only can their economic efficiency be improved, but it also serves as a vital measure to advance high-quality development. To achieve this objective, it is crucial to analyze the elements that impact the energy-saving effectiveness of businesses to develop optimization tactics that can enhance their competitiveness. This study combines the three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Tobit model to assess the energy-saving efficiency of green and low-carbon firms from 2018 to 2022. The analysis focuses on selected samples from various areas and industries. The study investigates the relationship between energy-saving effectiveness and different regional and industrial parameters, considering the distinct attributes of each firm and the key elements that influence its energy-saving performance. The findings indicate that green, low-carbon firms typically demonstrate suboptimal energy-saving efficiency but have considerable room for improvement. Upon considering environmental concerns, it becomes clear that the primary limitation on energy-saving performance is the lower efficiency of the enterprise scale. The energy-saving efficiency of green, low-carbon firms varies significantly across different regions and industries. On average, northern firms in the energy-saving and carbon reduction industry, as well as the resource recycling industry, have higher energy-saving efficiency compared to southern enterprises. In contrast, the environmental protection industry in southern firms demonstrates a better average energy-saving efficiency compared to their northern counterparts. Employee quality, policy support, and automation are key factors that greatly enhance the energy-saving efficiency of firms in both regions. Enterprise size has a beneficial impact on the energy-saving efficiency of southern firms but a negative impact on northern enterprises. Moreover, the industry and financial structures exert a detrimental influence on enhancing the energy-saving efficiency of green and low-carbon firms. Thus, in order to improve the energy-saving effectiveness of businesses, it is essential to utilize the elements that have a positive influence on energy-saving performance and reduce the impact of those that have negative impacts. This strategy will enhance the energy-saving efficiency of businesses and promote the development of an environmentally friendly and low-carbon society.
Assessment of Common Reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) Biomass Suitability for Solid Biofuels Production
Authors: Alexiou Ivanova Tatiana , Paramonova Kseniia , Talipov Olzhas , Tanyrbergenov Nariman , Zhakupov Talgat , Akayev Aibek
Published: August 2024

From the uncontrolled proliferation of invasive plants, several challenges for the environment arise. Invasive wetland grasses biomass can be collected for biofuel production, thus offering a sustainable solution for invasive plants’ management and contributing to the renewable energy sector. The straw-like shoot biomass of common reed (Phragmites australis), widespread across temperate and tropical zones, has been examined to assess its potential use for energy purposes. We seek to determine the fuel-energy characteristics of common reed biomass, which are necessary for converting it into energy through combustion. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to determine the physical and chemical properties of biomass according to the ISO standards for solid biofuels. These properties included calorific values, moisture, ash and volatile matter contents, and contents of C, H, N, and major and minor elements, as well as ash melting behaviour. The measured values were also compared to standard limits for different classes of densified biofuels. Based on the results, the net calorific value (15.33 MJ/kg ar) and other parameters met the requirements for the class A quality of non-woody briquettes and pellets. The only parameters which exceeded the class A limits were ash content (7.1% d.b.) and Cl content (0.16% d.b.). The findings of this study are important for the potential utilisation of common reed biomass for bioenergy as a step towards contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Exploring the Relationship between Key Perceptual Elements of Urban Secondary Wilderness and Its Restorative Benefits
Authors: Chen Keyan , Xu Yan , Zhan Kaiyuan , Gao Yangshuo , Xie Xiangcai
Published: August 2024

Urban secondary wilderness (USWs) is a near-natural place in cities and is an important link to reconnect humans with the natural world. Assessing the perceptual elements of USWs not only provides insight into public perceptions and preferences, but also helps to further explore its relevance to experiential values such as environmental restoration benefits. In this study, we selected three USWs cases located in Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian Province, China, and constructed an evaluation system containing two types of dimensions and seventeen perceptual elements. Based on the public’s evaluation of the importance of and satisfaction with the perceived elements, we extracted the key perceived elements and analyzed their relationship with environmental restoration benefits. The results indicated that all three USWs cases scored over 4.9 on the Perceived Restoration Scale (PRS). Plants, Landscape color, Water, Landform, Climate, Freedom, and Naturalness are the key perceptual elements of the USWs, and the correlation coefficients between the satisfaction with the above seven perceptual elements and the scores of the PRS were all positive. In summary, USWs is an ideal place for residents to carry out restoration activities, and its key perceptual elements play a driving role.
Quadratic p-Median Problem: A Bender’s Decomposition and a Meta-Heuristic Local-Based Approach
Authors: Adasme Pablo , Viveros Andrés , Dehghan Firoozabadi Ali
Published: August 2024

In this paper, the quadratic p-median optimization problem is discussed, where the goal is to connect users to a selected group of facilities (emergency services, telecommunications servers, healthcare facilities) at the lowest possible cost. The problem is aimed at minimizing the cost of connecting these selected facilities. The costs are symmetric, meaning connecting two different points is the same in both directions. This problem extends the traditional p-median problem, a combinatorial problem used in various fields like facility location, network design, transportation, supply chain networks, emergency services, healthcare, and education planning. Surprisingly, the quadratic version has not been thoroughly considered in the literature. The paper highlights the formulation of two mixed-integer quadratic programming models to find optimal solutions to this problem. One model is a classic formulation, and the other is based on set cover theory. Linear versions and Bender’s decomposition formulations for each model are also derived. A Bender’s decomposition is solved using an algorithm that adds constraints during each iteration to improve the solution. Lazy constraints in the Gurobi solver’s branch and cut algorithm are dynamically added whenever a mixed-integer programming solution is found. Additionally, an efficient local search meta-heuristic is proposed that usually finds optimal solutions for tested instances. Challenging instances with up to 60 facilities and 2000 users are successfully solved. Our results show that Bender’s models with lazy constraints are the most effective for Euclidean and random test cases, achieving optimal solutions in less CPU time. The meta-heuristic also finds near-optimal solutions rapidly for these cases.
Emergency Radiology in the First 24 h of Two Major Earthquakes on the Same Day and Radiologic Evaluation of Trauma Cases
Authors: Ilgar Mehtap , Dağ Nurullah
Published: August 2024

Background: On 6 February 2023, two major earthquakes occurred in Turkey on the same day. More than 50,000 people died, and more than 100,000 people were injured in these earthquakes. The aim of this study is to contribute to disaster management plans by evaluating the functioning of a radiology department and the imaging examinations performed after this disaster. Methods: The functioning of the radiology clinic at Malatya Training and Research Hospital in the first 24 h after the earthquake was evaluated. The images of 596 patients who were admitted to Malatya Training and Research Hospital for earthquake-related trauma between 6 February 2023, at 4:17 a.m. and 7 February 2023, at 4:17 a.m., and who underwent radiography and computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.3 ± 20.1 years. A total of 313 (52.5%) patients were male. The most frequently performed imaging test was a CT scan. In total, 437 (73.3%) of 596 patients underwent a CT scan. At least one body part was affected in 160 patients (26.8%). The most commonly affected regions were the thorax, vertebrae, and extremities. Thoracic findings were observed in 52 patients (32.5%), vertebral findings in 52 patients (32.5%), and extremity findings in 46 patients (28.7%). Fractures were the most common finding in our study. Of the 160 patients with pathologic findings, 139 (86.9%) had evidence of fractures. Conclusions: The role of radiology in disasters is important. When disaster preparedness plans are made, radiology departments should be actively involved in these plans. This will ensure the quick and efficient functioning of radiology departments.
Stellar Modeling via the Tolman IV Solution: The Cases of the Massive Pulsar J0740+6620 and the HESS J1731-347 Compact Object
Authors: Panotopoulos Grigoris
Published: August 2024

We model compact objects of known stellar mass and radius made of isotropic matter within Einstein’s gravity. The interior solution describing hydrostatic equilibrium we are using throughout the manuscript corresponds to the Tolman IV exact analytic solution obtained a long time ago. The three free parameters of the solutions are determined by imposing the matching conditions for objects of known stellar mass and radius. Finally, using well established criteria, it is shown that, contrary to the Kohler Chao solution, the Tolman IV solution is compatible with all requirements for well-behaved and realistic solutions, except for the relativistic adiabatic index that diverges at the surface of stars. The divergence of the index Γ may be resolved, including a thin crust assuming a polytropic equation of state, which is precisely the case seen in studies of neutron stars. To the best of our knowledge, we model here for the first time the recently discovered massive pulsar PSR J0740+6620 and the strangely light HESS compact object via the Tolman IV solution. The present work may be of interest to model builders as well as a useful reference for future research.
The Intrinsic Correlations between Prompt Emission and X-ray Flares of Gamma-Ray Bursts
Authors: Zhong Xing-Ting , Zhu Si-Yuan , Zhuo Li-Ming , Zhang Zeng , Zhang Fu-Wen
Published: August 2024

X-ray flare (XRF) is a common phenomenon in the X-ray afterglow of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Although it is commonly believed that XRFs may share a common origin with prompt emission, i.e., the “internal” origin, the origin of XRFs is still unknown. In this work, we compile a GRB sample containing 31 GRBs with a single XRF, a well-measured spectrum, and a redshift, and investigate the intrinsic properties and correlations between prompt emission and the XRFs of these events. We find that the distributions of main physical parameters of prompt emission and XRFs are basically log-normal. The median value of the rise time is shorter than the decay time for all flares, with a ratio of about 1:2, which is similar to the fast rise and exponential decay structure of prompt emission pulses. We also find that the prompt emission energy (Eiso) and peak luminosity (Liso) have tight correlations with XRF energy (EX,iso) and peak luminosity (LX,p), Eiso∝EX,iso0.74 (LX,p0.62) and Liso∝EX,iso0.85 (LX,p0.68). However, the durations of prompt emissions are independent of the temporal properties of XRFs. Furthermore, we also analyze the three-parameter correlations between prompt emissions and XRFs, and find that there are tight correlations among the XRF peak time (Tp,z), LX,p, and Eiso/Liso, LX,p∝Tp,z−1.08Eiso0.84 and LX,p∝Tp,z−1.09Liso0.71. Interestingly, these results are very similar to the properties of an X-ray plateau in GRBs, which indicates that X-ray flares and plateaus may have the same physical origin, and strongly supports that the two emission components originate from the late-time activity of the central engine.
Towards a Retailess City? A Comparative Analysis of the Retail Desertification between a Global and a Local Commercial Strips in Barcelona
Authors: Frago Lluis , Morcuende Alejandro , Lloberas David
Published: August 2024

The relationships between the circuits of the urban economy and retail desertification are analysed based on two retail strips in Barcelona: Passeig de Gràcia, a central hub with global reach, and the Sants-Creu Coberta strip, which responds to the demand for consumption on a local, everyday scale. The hypothesis is that the relationships between these circuits and retail desertification behave differently depending on their relative position in the city with respect to consumption flows. This is tested with a one-to-one analysis of the uses of ground floor premises in both strips for 2016 and 2021, using data from the Commercial Censuses of the Barcelona City Council and Barcelona Provincial Council, respectively. Each ground floor premises is classified as superior, lower or vacant, which allows the process to be mapped from 2016 to 2021 for each of the premises. The article provides, first and foremost, an original systematisation of the behaviour, relationships, and observed forms between the circuits and desertification, and secondly, it demonstrates the differential behaviour of these relationships and forms through case studies, indicating that retail desertification is the main cause of economic and landscape change.
Fas/FasL-Mediated Apoptosis and Inflammation Contribute to Recovery from HSV-2-Mediated Spinal Cord Infection
Authors: Krzyzowska Malgorzata , Patrycy Magdalena , Chodkowski Marcin , Janicka Martyna , Kowalczyk Andrzej , Skulska Katarzyna , Thörn Karolina , Eriksson Kristina
Published: August 2024

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a sexually transmitted pathogen that causes a persistent infection in sensory ganglia. The infection manifests itself as genital herpes but in rare cases it can cause meningitis. In this study, we used a murine model of HSV-2 meningitis to show that Fas and FasL are induced within the CNS upon HSV-2 infection, both on resident microglia and astrocytes and on infiltrating monocytes and lymphocytes. Mice lacking Fas or FasL had a more severe disease development with significantly higher morbidity, mortality, and an overall higher CNS viral load. In parallel, these Fas/FasL-deficient mice showed a severely impaired infection-induced CNS inflammatory response with lower levels of infiltrating CD4+ T-cells, lower levels of Th1 cytokines and chemokines, and a shift in the balance between M1 and M2 microglia/monocytes. In vitro, we confirmed that Fas and FasL is required for the induction of leucocyte apoptosis, but also show that the Fas/FasL pathway is required for adequate cytokine and chemokine production by glial cells. In summary, our data show that the Fas/FasL cell death receptor pathway is an important defense mechanism in the spinal cord as it down-regulates HSV-2-induced inflammation while at the same time promoting adequate anti-viral immune responses against infection.
Electric Drive Units: A Set-Up for Investigating Function, Efficiency, and Dynamics
Authors: Pointner-Gabriel Lukas , Franzelin Thomas , Morhard Bernd , Schweigert Daniel , Voelkel Katharina , Stahl Karsten
Published: August 2024

High-speed electric drive units promise improved power density and, theoretically, driving range of battery electric vehicles. An essential step of the development process is extensive testing of the drive unit on a test rig. In particular, at a high rotational speed level, experimental testing can be challenging. This paper describes a test rig for investigating the overall function of a high-speed drive unit and the transmission’s efficiency and dynamics. The high-speed drive unit developed in the Speed4E research project was the reference drive unit. The test rig is based on the concept of electrical power circulation. Thus, the test rig can be used universally for different drive unit designs and operating modes. A reaction torque measurement unit was developed to enable measurements at high rotational speeds. Simultaneously, this unit allows robust measurements at low costs. The expected measurement uncertainties of torque, rotational speed, transmission efficiency, and power losses were calculated using the Monte Carlo method. The results demonstrate that the developed torque measurement unit combines precise torque measurement with a robust design and low costs, making it competitive with state-of-the-art solutions for torque measurement at high speeds.
Análise de erros na realização de atividades matemáticas com crianças
Authors: Henklain Marcelo Henrique Oliveira , Gualberto Priscila Mara de Araújo , Carmo João dos Santos
Published: August 2024

Buscou-se identificar padrões de erros na realização de atividades matemáticas entre crianças das primeiras séries do Ensino Fundamental por meio da aplicação da bateria de Fioraneli, Castro-Caneguim e Carmo (2011). Participaram quatro crianças, entre sete e 11 anos. Os erros concentraram-se em duas habilidades: operações aritméticas de divisão e multiplicação, envolvendo ou não a identificação de incógnitas nas posições iniciais (a e b), e ordenação de conjuntos segundo critérios específicos. Verificou-se que a construção de baterias e a análise de erros podem ajudar a mapear dificuldades em matemática, sinalizando quais relações ainda precisam ser aprendidas ou aprimoradas, de modo que ocorra uma melhora de desempenho.
DECIFRA-ME OU TE DEVORO: ESTUDOS SOBRE O MOVIMENTO ESCOLA “SEM” PARTIDO
Authors: Reis Larissa Pereira
Published: August 2024

Resenha do livro de FRIGOTTO, Gaudêncio (org.). ESCOLA “SEM” PARTIDO. Esfinge que ameaça a educação e a sociedade brasileira. Rio de Janeiro:  LPP/UERJ, 2017
LA ESCUELA DE MANUELA”. INFANCIAS Y MEMORIA. ZONAS DE EXPERIENCIA Y CRONOTOPOS EN CONTEXTOS DE MOVILIZACIÓN SOCIAL
Authors: Melgarejo Patrícia Medina
Published: August 2024

O trabalho aborda a relação complexa entre a infânciae a memória, reconhecendo o exercício político dascrianças na epistêmica de construção de demandassociais. Um desenvolvimento argumentativo econceitual é apresentado como suporte para umaproposta metodológica em diálogo para compreenderos referentes analíticos de um caso: “A escola daManuela”, como uma contribuição no campo deestudos junto com a infância.
A CIDADE NA INFÂNCIA, A INFÂNCIA NA CIDADE
Authors: De Araújo Vânia Carvalho
Published: August 2024

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar parte dosresultados de um estudo exploratório qualitativorealizado com crianças matriculadas em instituiçõespúblicas de educação infantil. Tem como foco a análisedas narrativas mais frequentes e inusitadas das criançassobre os sentidos que atribuem à cidade. Os resultadosindicam que, embora imersas em uma imagemagonística de cidade, reiterada pelos acontecimentos deviolência, fugacidade do tempo, dores e separações, ascrianças conseguem estabelecer outros vínculos com olugar onde moram a partir das experiências partilhadas,fazendo sobressair um modo próprio de interpretação.
LEITURA, REPRESENTAÇÃO E PARTICIPAÇÃO NA CONSTRUÇÃO DO TERRITÓRIO
Authors: Perillo Giovanni
Published: August 2024

Educar crianças e adolescentes para a leitura doterritório significa educá-los para a leitura da suarelação com ele. Nesse sentido, necessita tanto de umaexploração do contexto-território quanto das relaçõesna história que diferentes textos entretêm com aquelecontexto. Os diferentes textos baseiam-se nas relaçõescom a dimensão ecológica, social e transcendental ouespiritual do contexto. Juntamente com a leitura, tornasenecessária a participação das crianças e adolescentesna construção ideológica coletiva da identidade culturaldo próprio território. A participação permite a criançase adolescentes desenvolver práticas de liberdade em umterritório (micro e macro) de forma a se sentirem menosestrangeiros e, consequentemente, participem mais nasua preservação.