bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smart Energy Urban Agglomerations in China: The Driving Mechanism, Basic Concepts, and Indicator Evaluation
Authors: Li Zheng , Tang Ruoyao , Qiu Hanbin , Ma Linwei
Published: August 2023

The development of urban agglomerations and smart energy systems in China are tightly connected. However, basic concepts of this interdisciplinary connection are still lacking. To fill this gap, this paper proposed an item of “Smart Energy Urban Agglomeration” (SEUA), and studied its driving mechanism, basic concepts in China, and indicator evaluation of typical urban agglomerations. Firstly, by a theorical analysis, the driving mechanism of SEUA was concluded as of “internal and external driven by two axes”, whereas national policies and cities’ spontaneity are external and internal driving forces, and two axes are urban planning and energy system integration. Secondly, using system approaches, its concept connotation, development barriers, and action suggestions were proposed based on China’s conditions. Thirdly, an indicator evaluation based on the driving mechanism was carried out to reveal the differences of four urban agglomerations, with relevant explanations. The results indicated that the Yangtze River Delta had the highest level of SEUA development because of its good performance in both axes. Meanwhile, the cities’ spontaneity had a stronger driving force than national policies. Therefore, it is urgent for China’s government to integrate the urban and energy planning among cities in urban agglomerations.
Research on the Influencing Factors and Decoupling State of Carbon Emissions in China’s Transportation Industry
Authors: Li Xiao-Yang , Chen Tao , Chen Bin
Published: August 2023

To help achieve the dual-carbon target, based on the LMDI model and C-D production function, this study decomposed the influencing factors of CO2 emissions in China’s transportation industry from 2000 to 2020, then combined the Tapio model to explore the decoupling state. The results showed that (1) from 2000 to 2020, CO2 emissions increased from 263.88 million tons to 957.59 million tons in China’s transportation industry. (2) The transportation intensity effect was the most significant factor to curb the growth in carbon emissions, and the total carbon emissions were reduced by about 364.84 million tons. The capital input effect was the primary factor promoting the carbon emissions, increasing the total carbon emissions by about 899.78 million tons. The effect of energy structure is the factor with the most potential to restrain the increase in carbon emissions in the future. (3) The decoupling state of the transportation industry mainly consists of expansive coupling and weak decoupling. Especially after 2010, the decoupling state remained a weak decoupling and continued to improve. The results can provide lessons for the establishment of policies in China’s transportation industry.
Place Branding Approach within Functional Urban Areas—Evidence from Poland
Authors: Matwiejczyk Anna
Published: August 2023

As people’s mobility increases, the places they inhabit are also changing, resulting, among other things, in the creation of commuter zones. The existence of such areas has contributed to the development of the concept of functional urban areas (FUAs). Such units quickly began to gain relevance on a global scale, triggering the issue of differentiating themselves from other such areas in pursuit of residents, tourists, and investors. This issue is intertwined with branding and, since FUAs are territorial units, the issue of place branding. The aim of this study was to identify the degree of involvement of Polish FUAs in marketing and place-branding activities. In this way, the following research problem has been formulated: what is FUAs’ approach to territorial marketing and place branding? A qualitative method was chosen to achieve the stated objective. Given that the adaptation of the concept of place branding in relation to FUAs is at an early stage, the exploratory nature of qualitative research was utilized in the form of in-depth interviews. The interviews were conducted between April and June 2021 among employees representing 15 FUAs in Poland. The results suggest that there is a diverse understanding of the issue of place branding but also a noticeable need to conduct extensive marketing activities. All areas pointed to the basic principle of introducing a place branding policy that is applicable in their areas, namely, responding and reacting efficiently to emerging social and economic challenges.
Promoting Sustainable Environments through Urban Green Spaces: Insights from Kenya
Authors: Mwanzu Arnold , Nguyu Winnie , Nato Jacob , Mwangi Joseph
Published: August 2023

Kenya has experienced rapid population growth and urbanization in recent years leading to major changes in its natural environment. Urban infrastructure has a significant influence on carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Urban green spaces are some of the interventions that demonstrate how the impact of increased urbanization can be managed. An exploration of the current state of urban green spaces in Kenya is essential to identify equitable and sustainable development strategies. Kenya has a few green spaces and community gardens for relaxation and recreational activities. These spaces’ continued renovation and preservation strongly indicate Kenya’s commitment to maintaining urban green spaces for a sustainable environment. A multi-method approach involving a literature review, situational analysis, and researchers’ reflections was used to examine two urban green spaces (Nairobi City Park and John Michuki memorial park) and identify their benefits and opportunities to the environment and community whilst highlighting the challenges of maintaining the spaces. Green spaces provide socioeconomic benefits, increased biodiversity, reduced air and water pollution, and regulated temperatures. Population growth, lack of enough public open spaces, and overdevelopment are highlighted as contributors to environmental degradation. Urban green spaces in Kenya offer numerous economic and social development opportunities, promoting employment creation and attracting foreign investment. Today, community centers, such as green libraries, sustain the environment by availing modern reading areas with adequate natural lighting and disseminating knowledge that promotes green growth. It is unclear how renovated Kenyan urban spaces, such as parks, create a better environment and reduce the negative impacts of urbanization. This paper aims to fill this gap by providing an understanding of the role of urban green spaces in Kenya and how they promote environment sustainability.
Preparation of Coal Gangue-Based Porous Ceramics and Its Application on Pb2+ Cycling Adsorption
Authors: Jia Yansen , Liu Hongwei , Han Shaoxiong , Liu Jun , Wang Yongzhen
Published: August 2023

The presence of lead in wastewater poses a significant threat to human health. To address this issue, coal gangue-based porous ceramics (CGPC) were developed to remove Pb2+ in wastewater. Coal gangue (CG) waste from Lvliang City, Shanxi province in China was used as raw material, and porosity was introduced through the addition of a pore-forming agent and an extrusion molding process. Properties of CGPC were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to explore its adsorption mechanism. The researchers examined the impact of pH, dosage of adsorbent, initial concentration, duration of adsorption, and temperature on the adsorption efficiency of CGPC. The CGPC of best performance had a porosity of 32.91% and compressive strength of 20.5 MPa prepared at 800 °C under nitrogen atmosphere with 10 wt% Na2CO3 pore-forming agent and 8 wt% CaO-MnO2 combined fluxing agent. The removal rate of Pb2+ in simulated lead-containing wastewater with a concentration of 200 mg/L reached 99.63%, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 32.15 mg/g. The adsorption process of Pb2+ by CGPC involves chemical adsorption and ion exchange. After being regenerated for seven cycles with 1 mol/L NaOH as the desorption agent, the removal rate of Pb2+ by CGPC still had 72%.
Individual Behavior and Attention Distribution during Wayfinding for Emergency Shelter: An Eye-Tracking Study
Authors: Wei Yixuan , Liu Jianguo , Jin Longzhe , Wang Shu , Deng Fei , Ou Shengnan , Pan Song , Wu Jinshun
Published: August 2023

A fast evacuation from buildings to emergency shelters is necessary and important after the occurrence of a disaster. We investigated the variations in physical behaviors and cognition processes while finding emergency shelter. The on-site emergency-shelter-finding experiments were conducted in Beijing, China. Participants performed the task by using a wearable eye-tracking device. We aimed to assess three eye metrics: fixation counts, mean fixation duration, and visual attention index, to perform cognitive searching analysis for the environmental elements. The results showed that most people spend more fixation time on digital maps (297.77 ± 195.90 ms) and road conditions (239.43 ± 114.91 ms) than signs (150.90 ± 81.70 ms), buildings (153.44 ± 41.15 ms), and plants (170.11 ± 47.60 ms). Furthermore, most participants exhibit hesitation and retracing behaviors throughout the wayfinding process. The participants with relatively rich disaster experience and a proactive personality exhibit better performance in the shelter-finding task, such as a shorter retracing distance (p = 0.007) and nearer destination (p = 0.037). Eye metrics, together with the questionnaire, can mirror the complexity and heterogeneity of evacuation behavior during emergency shelter-finding. In addition, this also provides insights for the optimization of guidance sign systems and improvements in emergency management.
What Influences Green Cosmetics Purchase Intention and Behavior? A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Limbu Yam B. , Ahamed A. F. M. Jalal
Published: August 2023

The green cosmetics industry has witnessed significant growth over the last few years. Simultaneously, scholarly interest in the area has grown. However, overall, the evidence is inconsistent. Despite the growing literature, no systematic review has been carried out to summarize and synthesize the empirical studies that have examined factors associated with green cosmetics purchase intention (GCPI) and green cosmetics purchase behavior (GCPB). This study aims to fill this gap. We conducted this systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. From forty-eight studies that met the inclusion criteria, we identified ten major themes that were significantly associated with GCPI and GCPB. The most frequently demonstrated determinants were the theory of planned behavior components (attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control), followed by marketing mix, consumer consciousness concerns, consumer values, brand-related attributes, experience and knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers. In addition, we identified several gaps that could be addressed through future research. These results will help scholars understand the knowledge boundary and assist marketers in developing effective strategies for promoting green cosmetics.
A Multiagent Game Theoretic Simulation of Public Policy Coordination through Collaboration
Authors: Herrera-Medina Eleonora , Riera Font Antoni
Published: August 2023

Background: Policy coordination is necessary to address many of the sustainability challenges we face today. The formal representations of policy coordination focus on modeling conflict management but neglect its collaborative nature. This limits efforts to build more realistic models of policy coordination. The objective of this paper is to simulate collaboration and noncollaboration between agents in the context of policy coordination in order to determine the effect of different approaches to policy coordination. Methods: For this purpose, a multiagent simulation of collaboration based on evolutionary game theory is used. Results: The results suggest that policy coordination through collaboration produces the most desirable outcomes and that reducing the cost of communication between agents is necessary to increase the probability of collaboration. Conclusions: The cost of information (both its transmission and transformation) is critical to increase the probability of collaboration in policy coordination. This paper advances the understanding of how to model the collaborative nature of policy coordination by contributing to the methodological standardization of the analysis and implementation of public policy coordination.
Environmental Impact of PV Power Systems
Authors: Bošnjaković Mladen , Santa Robert , Crnac Zoran , Bošnjaković Tomislav
Published: August 2023

In response to the problem of increasing climate change and energy security, investment in renewable energy sources has increased significantly both in Europe and globally. Wind and solar power plants are expected to be the largest contributors to global decarbonization, ranking first and second in projected capacity by 2050. As all power plants have a certain impact on the environment, so do PV power plants, and due to their planned large capacities, it is necessary to assess their impact on the environment. Improving the manufacturing technology of PV system components, increasing the efficiency of solar cells, and using materials that are less harmful to the environment will reduce these impacts. Manufacturing PV system components is a highly energy-intensive process that involves greenhouse gas emissions. As new renewable energy capacity is built, the amount of “green” electricity on the grid increases, reducing CO2 emissions per kWh consumed. The objective of this paper is to analyze the current status of the environmental impact of PV power plants under these changing conditions in terms of CO2 emissions, land use, pollutant and noise emissions, and water consumption. The capacity installed to date will reach the end of its lifetime by 2050, which means that the amount of waste associated with it will increase over time. This can have a significant impact on the environment, which is why part of the work is dedicated to this problem. In addition to the available information from the literature, the authors also made their own estimates of land use based on data on newly installed PV power plants and PV modules available on the market. The results of the analysis show that there is enough land both in Europe and worldwide to install the planned capacities of rooftop and ground-mounted PV power plants. CO2 emissions are at the same level as for concentrated solar power, with a decreasing trend. Pollutant emissions, noise, and water consumption are not major problems compared to other types of power plants. Overall, it can be concluded that the expansion of PV capacity has a very positive impact on the environment.
Numerical Study of Resistance Loss and Erosive Wear during Pipe Transport of Paste Slurry
Authors: Qiu Jianhui , Tian Minghua , Zhu Debin , Xiao Chongchun , Wen Bin , Bin Feng , Chen Hao , Wang Daolin
Published: August 2023

Cemented paste backfill (CPB) as a solid waste treatment technology that prepares tailings as aggregate into a highly concentrated slurry to be transported to the underground mining area, is now widely used in mines. However, the pipeline resistance loss and erosion wear during CPB slurry transportation considering the coupling effect of inlet velocities, viscosities, and particle sizes have not yet been well evaluated and analyzed. Hence, the CFD-based three-dimensional network simulation of CPB slurry flow in an L-shaped pipe at different combinations of the three parameters was developed using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The results showed that the pipe resistance loss was most affected by the inlet velocity and viscosity, with the minimum pipe resistance loss occurring at an inlet velocity of 1.5 m/s, a viscosity of 2.0 Pa·s, and a particle size of 150 μm. In particular, pipe erosion wear was severest at the bend and was positively correlated with inlet velocity and particle size, and negatively correlated with slurry viscosity, with maximum pipe erosion wear occurring at an inlet velocity of 3.5 m/s, a viscosity of 3.0 Pa·s, and a particle size of 2000 μm. The findings would be important for the design of the CPB pipeline transportation, which will improve the safety and economic level of a mine.
Examining Digital Transformation Trends in Austrian and Hungarian Companies
Authors: Katona Andrea , Birkner Zoltán , Péter Erzsébet
Published: August 2023

The contemporary discourse focuses on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its impact on companies. The research is based on a quantitative questionnaire survey of 101 business leaders in Hungary and on 54 in Austria. It was considered important to analyze these two neighboring countries, which have similar histories and cultures but different industrial and economic advantages in terms of labor costs/skills and technology. The aim of our study is to assess how ready companies are for Industry 4.0 and what key factors they take into account when implementing Industry 4.0 initiatives. To complement our quantitative analysis, we conducted four semi-structured interviews with two Hungarian and two Austrian CEOs. Based on both the quantitative and qualitative survey, we conclude that there are relevant differences in digital maturity between the two countries at both macro and micro levels, with Hungarian companies lagging behind Austrian companies in the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. Hungarian managers were most concerned with achieving higher profits from the adoption of an Industry 4.0 strategy, while Austrian companies were most concerned with improving their market position. Our analysis also revealed the main areas where Hungarian and Austrian companies show similar performance and improvements in line with Industry 4.0.
Optimal Decisions of Electric Vehicle Closed-Loop Supply Chain under Government Subsidy and Varied Consumers’ Green Awareness
Authors: Wang Juntao , Li Wenhua , Mishima Nozomu
Published: August 2023

The emerging operating mode of new automobile forces in the context of China brings up new problems for the development of the EV CLSC, which are the market position shift inside the loop and government policy and consumer awareness of changes outside it. Aiming at promoting the development of the EV CLSC, this study integrates the influence of internal and external factors, analyzes their joint impact on the performance of the EV CLSC, and explores the optimal CLSC structure. Specifically, this study develops five game theory models considering different CLSC structures and consumers’ green awareness under government subsidy and varied channel leaderships. Combining theoretical analysis with numerical simulation, the study reveals the performance of the EV CLSC and indicates the optimal CLSC decisions for different players. The result suggests that an EV manufacturer should develop an EV CLSC by itself considering the elimination of double marginalization. When a third-party player is incorporated, the EV manufacturer should undertake the collection effort by itself to optimize the benefit for both the EV manufacturer and the third-party player, especially considering the increasing green awareness of consumers. And a lift of each player’s channel power would always be a wise choice for each other. For the government which has the goals of promoting both the EV industry and the end-of-life treatment of obsolete EVs, a series of trade-offs including the CLSC structure and channel leadership should be considered prudently. This study contributes to the comprehensive understanding of the optimal decisions of the EV CLSC, and will benefit the development of the EV CLSC.
Cooperative Cruise Control for Intelligent Connected Vehicles: A Bargaining Game Approach
Authors: Arevalo-Castiblanco Miguel F. , Pachon Jaime , Tellez-Castro Duvan , Mojica-Nava Eduardo
Published: August 2023

Intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) are at the forefront of advancements in transportation, offering enhanced efficiency, safety, and environmental friendliness. To enable ITSs, autonomous systems play a pivotal role, contributing to the development of autonomous driving, data-driven modeling, and multiagent control strategies to establish sustainable and coordinated traffic management. The integration of networked and automated vehicles has garnered significant attention as a potential solution for alleviating traffic congestion and improving fuel economy, achieved through global route optimization and cooperative driving. This study focuses on a predictive control perspective to address the cooperative cruise control problem. Online decision making is employed during the driving process, utilizing information gathered from the network. By employing bargaining games to establish an operating agreement among vehicles, we formalize a synchronization approach based on predictive control theory. Ultimately, these findings are put to the test in an emulation environment within a hardware-in-the-loop system. The results revealed that the proposed cruise control successfully achieved convergence toward the desired reference signal. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in achieving synchronized platoon behavior and correct bargaining outcomes. These findings underscore the effectiveness and potential of DMPC with bargaining games in coordinating and optimizing vehicular networks. This paves the way for future research and development in this promising area.
Improving Appraisal Methodology for Land Use Transport Measures to Reduce Risk of Social Exclusion
Authors: Stanley John , Stanley Janet
Published: August 2023

Enabling people to be socially included is a high-priority goal for many governments but monetised benefit measures applicable to initiatives intended to reduce social exclusion risk are lacking in land use transport, and other, policy arenas. In settings where the decision-making process seeks guidance from cost-benefit analysis, this is likely to disadvantage initiatives intended to reduce exclusion. This is a particular problem for public transport services intended to enable people to access more of the opportunities available in their society (‘social transit’). This paper develops a monetised measure of the value of improved mobility as it contributes to reducing risk of social exclusion, showing this to make a material difference to benefit estimates from social transit service improvements. It also develops monetised benefit estimates for some other potential pathways for reducing risk of social exclusion, particularly changes in bridging and bonding social capital, sense of community, subjective wellbeing and neighbourhood disadvantage. The research thus provides an opportunity to significantly strengthen appraisal tools linked to reducing social exclusion, which should encourage more integrated approaches to reducing exclusion and improve implementation prospects for initiatives with that purpose. Reduced social exclusion is a likely outcome.
Experimental Study on the Flexural Properties of FRP-Reinforced Super-Span Concrete T-Beam after Service
Authors: Hou Dongxu , Hu Tieming , Zhang Guanhua , Chu Boqi , Zhu Jing , Yang Xingdong
Published: August 2023

Super-span (20 m) non-prestressed T-section reinforced concrete beams have been in service for more than 30 years and are common in Chinese highway bridges. However, the actual performance of these super-span T-section reinforced concrete (RC) beams that have been reinforced with FRP, including their process of failure from a service state to a failure state, has not been determined. In this study, original RC T-beams, with a 20 m span and retrofitted with FRP, were taken from a highway bridge. Their flexural performance was detected via experiments in a laboratory. The experiments revealed that the sectional strain distribution is more non-uniform. The mid-span ribs clearly play a role in strengthening the section and the bearing reservation was studied based on a subsequent sectional analysis. It became clear that the load-bearing reservation of an old super-span T-beam changes during the entire life of the specimen; not only because of the depression of the resistant capacity and the reinforced measure, but also due to the updates to load codes.
Strategic CSR: Framework for Sustainability through Management Systems Standards—Implementing and Disclosing Sustainable Development Goals and Results
Authors: Fonseca Luis , Carvalho Filipe , Santos Gilberto
Published: August 2023

This study proposes a framework to integrate sustainability within management systems standards and subsequently implement and disclose sustainable development (SD) goals and results. Moreover, it investigates the SD goals (SDGs) and results (SDRs) that Portuguese organizations with integrated management systems (IMSs) disclose to their interested parties. The study, supported by content analysis, highlights that four most frequently disclosed SDGs are “life on land” (50.0%), “industry, innovation, and infrastructure” (47.1%), “responsible consumption and production” (47.1%), and “partnerships for the goals” (47.1%). The four SDRs most frequently disclosed are “employment” (82.4%), “economic performance” (79.4%), “anticorruption” (64.7%), and “occupational health and safety” (61.8%). Hence, SDG disclosure emphasizes the environmental dimension, while SDR disclosure highlights the social dimension (economic dimension present in both SDGs and SDRs). Finally, the disclosure of SDGs and SDRs in institutional reports presents a positive and strong correlation that is statistically significant. Overall, the contributions of this research are twofold. First, it highlights the awareness of SD goals and results publications within organizations with certified management systems standards, therefore supporting the integration of the SDGs within those organizations, and second, it stimulates the demonstration of their impacts on the SDGs (the SDRs).
The Relationship between Environmental Bullying and Turnover Intention and the Mediating Effects of Secure Workplace Attachment and Environmental Satisfaction: Implications for Organizational Sustainability
Authors: Moffat Éva , Rioux Liliane , Scrima Fabrizio
Published: August 2023

Today, organizations must pay attention to countless aspects of work life to maintain high levels of organizational sustainability. One of the key aspects of organizational sustainability is maintaining low levels of turnover. In line with the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and environmental psychology, the organizational environment must sustain employee well-being, motivation and performance. However, stressors such as environmental bullying, that is, bullying behaviors involving environmental elements (i.e., not giving colleagues the opportunity to adjust the temperature of the office or making noise near a colleague’s workspace), can have destructive effects on the employee and the organization. The present work aimed to test the impact of environmental bullying on employee turnover intention. In addition, to better understand the underlying psychosocial processes, we observed the mediating role played by secure workplace attachment and satisfaction toward the work environment. Using a cross-sectional design, we conducted a survey of 182 office employees and tested a serial mediation model. Hypotheses were tested using the PROCESS macro. The results show that employees who feel bullied through manipulation of their workspace or workplace have greater intention to leave, and secure workplace attachment and environmental satisfaction play a role in this relationship. The results confirm that while the environmental characteristics of the workplace can play a supportive role by meeting the employee’s needs, environmental bullying behaviors may have an adverse effects by promoting insecure attachment and an intention to leave. To reduce turnover intention, management should carefully consider the physical–spatial characteristics of workplaces as means of developing attachment to the place and environmental satisfaction in employees.
Digital Twin Smart Cities for Disaster Risk Management: A Review of Evolving Concepts
Authors: Ariyachandra M. R. Mahendrini Fernando , Wedawatta Gayan
Published: August 2023

Natural hazard-induced disasters have caused catastrophic damage and loss to buildings, infrastructure, and the affected communities as a whole during the recent decades and their impact is expected to further escalate in the future. Thus, there is a huge demand for disaster risk management using digitalisation as a key enabler for effective and efficient disaster risk management systems. It is widely accepted that digital and intelligence technologies can help solve key aspects of disaster risk management such as disaster prevention and mitigation, and rescue and recovery. Digital Twin (DT) is one of the most promising technologies for multi-stage management which offers significant potential to advance disaster resilience. Smart Cities (SCs) use pervasive information and communications technology to monitor activities in the city. With increasingly large applications of DTs combined with big data generated from sensors in a SC, it is now possible to create Digital Twin Smart Cities (DTSCs). Despite the increasing prevalence of DTSC technologies and their profound impact on disaster risk management, a systematic and longitudinal view of the evolution to the current status of DTSC for disaster risk management does not exist. This review analyses 312 titles and abstracts and 72 full papers. To begin with, a scientific review of DT and SC is undertaken, where the evolution of DTSCs is reviewed. In addition, the intelligence technologies used in DTSCs for disaster risk management are assessed and their benefits are evaluated. Furthermore, the evolution and technical feasibility of DTSC-driven disaster risk management is evaluated by assessing current applications of DTSCs in disaster risk management. It was found that despite the significant potential benefits offered by DTSCs, they also add a new layer of complexities and challenges inherent to these technologies to the already complex web of complexities involved in disaster risk management. These challenges can be addressed by understanding how the process of utilising DTSCs in disaster risk reduction and sustainability is designed, which is essential for comprehending what DTSCs may offer, how it is implemented, and what it means to all involved stakeholders. This paper contributes to the knowledge by improving the understanding of the current status of DTSC technologies and their impact on disaster risk management, and articulating the challenges in implementing DTSC, which inspires the professional community to advance these technologies to address them in future research.
Results on Minkowski-Type Inequalities for Weighted Fractional Integral Operators
Authors: Srivastava Hari Mohan , Sahoo Soubhagya Kumar , Mohammed Pshtiwan Othman , Kashuri Artion , Chorfi Nejmeddine
Published: August 2023

This article considers a general family of weighted fractional integral operators and utilizes this general operator to establish numerous reverse Minkowski inequalities. When it comes to understanding and investigating convexity and inequality, symmetry is crucial. It provides insightful explanations, clearer explanations, and useful methods to help with the learning of key mathematical ideas. The kernel of the general family of weighted fractional integral operators is related to a wide variety of extensions and generalizations of the Mittag-Leffler function and the Hurwitz-Lerch zeta function. It delves into the applications of fractional-order integral and derivative operators in mathematical and engineering sciences. Furthermore, this article derives specific cases for selected functions and presents various applications to illustrate the obtained results. Additionally, novel applications involving the Digamma function are introduced.
An Independent Cascade Model of Graph Burning
Authors: Song Jiaqi , Qi Xingqin , Cao Zhulou
Published: August 2023

Graph burning was introduced to simulate the spreading of news/information/rumors in social networks. The symmetric undirected graph is considered here. That is, vertex u can spread the information to vertex v, and symmetrically vertex v can also spread information to vertex u. When it is modeled as a graph burning process, a vertex can be set on fire directly or burned by its neighbor. Thus, the task is to find the minimum sequence of vertices chosen as sources of fire to burn the entire graph. This problem has been proved to be NP-hard. In this paper, from a new perspective, we introduce a generalized model called the Independent Cascade Graph Burning model, where a vertex v can be burned by one of its burning neighbors u only if the influence that u gives to v is larger than a given threshold β≥0. We determine the graph burning number with this new Independent Cascade Graph Burning model for several graphs and operation graphs and also discuss its upper and lower bounds.
Nonlinear Dynamic Modeling and Analysis for a Spur Gear System with Dynamic Meshing Parameters and Sliding Friction
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhang Dayi , Liu Kaicheng , Wang Jianjun , Liu Yu , Long Yifu
Published: August 2023

The performance of gear systems is closely related to the meshing parameters and sliding friction. However, the time-varying characteristics of meshing parameters caused by transverse vibration are usually not regarded and the sliding friction has always been ignored in previous studies. Therefore, the influence of the transverse vibration on meshing parameters and sliding friction have not been considered. In view of this, a nonlinear dynamic model for a spur gear system is proposed. The dynamic meshing parameters (pressure angle, backlash, etc.) and the effects of the variations of these parameters on the dynamic mesh force (DMF) and sliding friction are emphasized. The differential equations of motion are derived by the Lagrange method and solved by the Runge–Kutta method. Then, the input speed and friction coefficient are used as control parameters to compare the dynamic responses of the new and previous models. The results show that the meshing parameters and sliding friction are affected by transverse vibration, leading to distinctive nonlinear dynamic responses. This paper can provide a basis for further research and give a better understanding of system vibration control.
A Novel DGM(1, N) Model with Interval Grey Action Quantity and Its Application for Forecasting Hydroelectricity Consumption of China
Authors: Li Ye , Ren Hongtao , Yao Shi , Liu Bin , Zeng Yiming
Published: August 2023

This paper addresses the issue of the conventional DGM(1, N) model’s prediction results not taking into account the grey system theory pri1nciple of the “non-uniqueness of solutions”. Firstly, before presenting the interval grey action quantity, the practical significance of grey action quantity is examined. In the DGM(1, N) model, the grey action quantity is transformed into an interval grey action quantity. Then, the calculation of the parameters uses the least squares method. A DGM(1, N, ⊗c) model containing interval grey action is then built, and meanwhile, the program code for DGM(1, N, ⊗c) is provided. Lastly, the aforementioned model is used to forecast the hydroelectricity consumption of China. The findings indicate that it produces more rational outcomes than the traditional DGM(1, N) model. Overall, the research carries significant pragmatic implications for broadening the conceptual underpinnings of multivariate grey forecasting models and enhancing their structural arrangement.
C/EBPβ–TFAM-Mediated NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Contributes to Arsenic-Induced Rat Kidney Injury
Authors: Wu Ziqin , Wang Wenjuan , Zhu Kai , Luo Daopeng , Zhang Aihua
Published: August 2023

Compelling evidence has demonstrated that arsenic (As) exposure is associated with kidney injuries. Given that inflammatory responses and immune imbalances are the root causes of several kidney diseases, this study investigated the potential mechanisms underlying NLRP3 inflammasome activation in As-induced kidney injury. A rat model of sub-chronic As exposure was established via oral administration of NaAsO2. The results revealed that urinary β-2-microglobulin (β2-MG), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosidase (NAG) and albumin (ALB) were increased in the As-exposed group, reflecting kidney impairment. Moreover, significant glomerular vacuole-like changes, tubular dilatation and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed. Meanwhile, the expression levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), IL-1β and IL-18 were enhanced in the kidney tissues of As-treated rats. Further, increased expression of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1, which are NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins, were observed in the kidney tissues of rats in the As-treated groups. The expression levels of the NLRP3 upstream regulators C/EBPβ and TFAM were also elevated. These findings suggest that sub-chronic As exposure triggers inflammatory responses in rat kidney tissue and impairs kidney function. The underlying mechanisms may be related to the C/EBPβ–TFAM pathway and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.
Mycolactone A vs. B: Multiscale Simulations Reveal the Roles of Localization and Association in Isomer-Specific Toxicity
Authors: Nguyen John D. M. , da Hora Gabriel C. A. , Swanson Jessica M. J.
Published: August 2023

Mycolactone is an exotoxin produced by Mycobacterium ulcerans that causes the neglected tropical skin disease Buruli ulcer. This toxin inhibits the Sec61 translocon in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), preventing the host cell from producing several secretory and transmembrane proteins, resulting in cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects. Interestingly, only one of the two dominant isoforms of mycolactone is cytotoxic. Here, we investigate the origin of this specificity by performing extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with enhanced free energy sampling to query the association trends of the two isoforms with both the Sec61 translocon, using two distinct cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) models as references, and the ER membrane, which serves as a toxin reservoir prior to association. Our results suggest that mycolactone B (the cytotoxic isoform) has a stronger association with the ER membrane than mycolactone A due to more favorable interactions with membrane lipids and water molecules. This could increase the reservoir of toxin proximal to the Sec61 translocon. In one model of Sec61 inhibited by mycolactone, we find that isomer B interacts more closely with residues thought to play a key role in signal peptide recognition and, thus, are essential for subsequent protein translocation. In the other model, we find that isomer B interacts more closely with the lumenal and lateral gates of the translocon, the dynamics of which are essential for protein translocation. These interactions induce a more closed conformation, which has been suggested to block signal peptide insertion and subsequent protein translocation. Collectively, these findings suggest that isomer B’s unique cytotoxicity is a consequence of both increased localization to the ER membrane and channel-locking association with the Sec61 translocon, facets that could be targeted in the development of Buruli Ulcer diagnostics and Sec61-targeted therapeutics.
Comparative Analysis of Alpha-1 Orthosteric-Site Binding by a Clade of Central American Pit Vipers (Genera Atropoides, Cerrophidion, Metlapilcoatlus, and Porthidium)
Authors: Jones Lee , Waite Callum , Neri-Castro Edgar , Fry Bryan G.
Published: August 2023

The distribution and relative potency of post-synaptic neurotoxic activity within Crotalinae venoms has been the subject of less investigation in comparison with Elapidae snake venoms. No previous studies have investigated post-synaptic neurotoxic activity within the Atropoides, Metlapilcoatlus, Cerrophidion, and Porthidium clade. Given the specificity of neurotoxins to relevant prey types, we aimed to uncover any activity present within this clade of snakes that may have been overlooked due to lower potency upon humans and thus not appearing as a clinical feature. Using biolayer interferometry, we assessed the relative binding of crude venoms to amphibian, lizard, bird, rodent and human α-1 nAChR orthosteric sites. We report potent alpha-1 orthosteric site binding in venoms from Atropoides picadoi, Metlapilcoatlus occiduus, M. olmec, M. mexicanus, M. nummifer. Lower levels of binding, but still notable, were evident for Cerrophidion godmani, C. tzotzilorum and C. wilsoni venoms. No activity was observed for Porthidium venoms, which is consistent with significant alpha-1 orthosteric site neurotoxicity being a trait that was amplified in the last common ancestor of Atropoides/Cerrophidion/Metlapilcoatlus subsequent to the split by Porthidium. We also observed potent taxon-selective activity, with strong selection for non-mammalian targets (amphibian, lizard, and bird). As these are poorly studied snakes, much of what is known about them is from clinical reports. The lack of affinity towards mammalian targets may explain the knowledge gap in neurotoxic activity within these species, since symptoms would not appear in bite reports. This study reports novel venom activity, which was previously unreported, indicating toxins that bind to post-synaptic receptors may be more widespread in pit vipers than previously considered. While these effects appear to not be clinically significant due to lineage-specific effects, they are of significant evolutionary novelty and of biodiscovery interest. This work sets the stage for future research directions, such as the use of in vitro and in vivo models to determine whether the alpha-1 orthosteric site binding observed within this study confers neurotoxic venom activity.
Isolation and Characterization of the Zearalenone-Degrading Strain, Bacillus spizizenii B73, Inspired by Esterase Activity
Authors: Liu Xue , Wu Na , Zhang Mingyu , Xue Feng , Xu Qing
Published: August 2023

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a widespread mycotoxin found in grain and feed, presenting a serious threat to animal and human health. This study investigated the ability of the novel strain B73, isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil, to detoxify ZEN. B73 was identified as Bacillus spizizenii through physiological and biochemical tests, and further confirmed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and the complete genome sequence. B. spizizenii B73 was capable of degrading up to 99.3% of ZEN at a concentration of 10 μg/mL in a minimal medium (pH = 7.0) within 8 h at 37 °C via HPLC-UV. In addition, B. spizizenii B73 was used to treat ZEN-contaminated wheat bran, dried distillers grains (DDGS), and corn meal, whereby the respective degradation rates reached 96.32%, 98.73%, and 80.31% after 36 h of treatment. HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS analysis revealed one of the degradation products to have the formula C17H24O4. B. spizizenii B73 is a novel strain isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil, and the extracellular enzymes secreted by this strain show a remarkable ability to degrade ZEN.
Elimination of Solanum nigrum ilarvirus 1 and Apple Hammerhead Viroid from Apple Cultivars Using Antivirals Ribavirin, Rimantadine, and Zidovudine
Authors: Sedlák Jiří , Přibylová Jaroslava , Koloňuk Igor , Špak Josef , Lenz Ondřej , Semerák Matěj
Published: August 2023

Apple hammerhead viroid (AHVd) was detected in the apple cultivar ‘Šampion’ and in mixed infection with Solanum nigrum ilarvirus 1 (SnIV-1) in the cultivars ‘Selena’ and ‘Jonagored Supra’, using a high-throughput sequencing method. Experiments were conducted to eliminate both pathogens in apples using meristem tip cultures in combination with the antivirotics ribavirin, rimantadine, and zidovudine. Elimination of both pathogens was verified by repeated RT-PCR and qRT-PCR assays after 7–11 months. Elimination of SnIV-1 from all cultivars was successful with each of the three antivirotics at concentrations of 20, 40, and 80 mg L−1. Elimination of AHVd was also achieved, although less effectively and only with ribavirin in the concentration range of 20–160 mg L−1.
Immunization and Host Responses to MB-1, a Live Hatchery Vaccine against Infectious Bursal Disease
Authors: Wein Yossi , Loeb Virginie , Asmare Aderajew , Tal Saar , Finger Avner , Friedman Aharon
Published: August 2023

MB-1 is an attenuated infectious bursal disease virus vaccine. Previously, we observed a temporal delay of vaccine virus replication in the bursae of chicks due to maternally derived antibodies (MDAs). The mechanism that allowed its survival despite MDA neutralization remained unclear. We hypothesized that after vaccination at 1 day of age (DOA), the MB-1 virus penetrates and resides in local macrophages that are then distributed to lymphoid organs. Furthermore, MB-1’s ability to survive within macrophages ensures its survival during effective MDA protection. PCR analysis of lymphoid organs from chicks with MDA, vaccinated on 1 DOA, demonstrated that the MB-1 virus was identified at low levels solely in the spleen pre-14 days of age. Fourteen days after vaccination, the virus was identified using PCR in the bursa, with viral levels increasing with time. The possible delay in viral colonization of the bursa was attributed to the presence of anti-IBDV capsid VP2 maternal IgA and IgY in the bursa interstitium. These indicate that during the period of high MDA levels, a small but viable MB-1 viral reservoir was maintained in the spleen, which might have served to colonize the bursa after MDA levels declined. Thereafter, individual immunization of chicks against Gumboro disease was achieved.
Stimulation of Estrus and Ovulation by Resynchronization in Kangal Sheep during Early Anestrus
Authors: Takci Abdurrahman , Dinc Dursun Ali
Published: August 2023

A total of 100 Kangal sheep were divided into four groups with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of resynchronization during anestrus for the first time in the literature. The groups were then divided into two further subgroups, namely the resynchronization subgroup group (hCG+resynch) and group (resynch)) and the no resynchronization subgroup (Group (hCG) and group (control)). All the groups started with progesterone-containing sponge insertion on Day 7. The sponge was removed after 7 days (on Day 0), and 600 IU eCG + 131.5 µg PGF2α was injected. The animals in group (hCG+resynch) and group (hCG) received hCG injection at the time of sponge administration. Accordingly, four different groups were established, i.e., resynchronization + hCG administration group (hCG+resynch); n:25), no resynchronization + hCG administration (group (hCG); n:25), resynchronization + no hCG administration (group (resynch); n:25), and no resynchronization + no hCG administration (Group (control); n:25). Estrus rates at the first application in group (hCG+resynch), group (hCG), group (resynch), and group (control) groups were 76%, 88%, 96%, and 76%, respectively, and pregnancy rates were 52%, 64%, 72%, and 60%, respectively; there were no intergroup statistical differences in the two parameters above. It was concluded that resynchronization performed with two consecutive stimulations during anestrus could help save time and provide a pregnancy rate at a level that can provide economic returns.