bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A PRPD-Based UHF Filtering and Noise Reduction Algorithm for GIS Partial Discharge
Authors: Fang Weixing , Chen Guojin , Li Wenxin , Xu Ming , Xie Wei , Chen Chang , Wang Wanqiang , Zhu Yucheng
Published: July 2023

The online detection of partial discharge (PD) in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) is a crucial and powerful tool for maintaining their reliability. However, extracting weak discharge signals from strong disturbances is a significant challenge. The presence of noise can hamper the identification and localization of PD types, making the extraction of pure PD signals the focus of current research. This paper proposes a PRPD-based PD filtering algorithm that analyzes interference using the output information from PRPD and sets threshold parameters for noise reduction processing. This method is mainly used for secondary noise reduction at a later stage, without analyzing the noise source, to achieve effective signal acquisition while retaining the characteristics of the PD signals, thereby improving the system’s sensitivity and the signal’s purity.
GATCF: Graph Attention Collaborative Filtering for Reliable Blockchain Services Selection in BaaS
Authors: Zeng Yuxiang , Xu Jianlong , Zhang Zhuohua , Chen Caiyi , Ling Qianyu , Wang Jialin
Published: July 2023

Blockchain technology is a decentralized ledger that allows the development of applications without the need for a trusted third party. As service-oriented computing continues to evolve, the concept of Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) has emerged, providing a simplified approach to building blockchain-based applications. The growing demand for blockchain services has resulted in numerous options with overlapping functionalities, making it difficult to select the most reliable ones for users. Choosing the best-trusted blockchain peers is a challenging task due to the sparsity of data caused by the multitude of available options. To address the aforementioned issues, we propose a novel collaborative filtering-based matrix completion model called Graph Attention Collaborative Filtering (GATCF), which leverages both graph attention and collaborative filtering techniques to recover the missing values in the data matrix effectively. By incorporating graph attention into the matrix completion process, GATCF can effectively capture the underlying dependencies and interactions between users or peers, and thus mitigate the data sparsity scenarios. We conduct extensive experiments on a large-scale dataset to assess our performance. Results show that our proposed method achieves higher recovery accuracy.
Forgery Cyber-Attack Supported by LSTM Neural Network: An Experimental Case Study
Authors: Zarzycki Krzysztof , Chaber Patryk , Cabaj Krzysztof , Ławryńczuk Maciej , Marusak Piotr , Nebeluk Robert , Plamowski Sebastian , Wojtulewicz Andrzej
Published: July 2023

This work is concerned with the vulnerability of a network industrial control system to cyber-attacks, which is a critical issue nowadays. This is because an attack on a controlled process can damage or destroy it. These attacks use long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks, which model dynamical processes. This means that the attacker may not know the physical nature of the process; an LSTM network is sufficient to mislead the process operator. Our experimental studies were conducted in an industrial control network containing a magnetic levitation process. The model training, evaluation, and structure selection are described. The chosen LSTM network very well mimicked the considered process. Finally, based on the obtained results, we formulated possible protection methods against the considered types of cyber-attack.
Contributions to Unsupervised Online Misalignment Detection and Bumper Error Compensation for Automotive Radar
Authors: Bobaru Alexandru , Nafornita Corina , Copacean George , Vesa Vladimir Cristian , Skutek Michael
Published: July 2023

One of the fundamental sensors utilized in the Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) is the radar sensor. Automotive-related functions need highly precise detection and range of traffic and surroundings; otherwise, the whole ADAS performance suffers. The radar placement beneath a bumper or a cover, the age or exposure to accidents or vehicle vibration, vehicle integration, and mounting tolerances will impact the angular performance of the radar sensor. In this research, we present an unsupervised online method for elevation mounting angle error compensation and a method for bumper and environmental error compensation in the azimuth direction. The proposed methods need no specific calibration jig and may be used to replace traditional initial calibration methods; they also enable ongoing calibration throughout the sensor’s lifespan. A first proposed standalone method for vertical alignment uses stationary radar targets reflected from the environment to calculate a vertical misalignment angle with a line-fitting algorithm. The vertical mounting error compensation approach delivers two types of correction values: a dynamic value that converges quickly in the case of minor accidents and a more stable correction value that converges slowly but offers a long-term compensation value over the sensor’s lifespan. A second proposed solution uses the vehicle velocity and radar targets properties, like relative velocity and measured azimuth angle, to calculate an individual azimuth correction curve. Real-world data collected from drive testing with a 77 GHz series automobile radar was used to analyze the performance of the proposed methods, yielding encouraging results.
Escalator Foundation Bolt Loosening Fault Recognition Based on Empirical Wavelet Transform and Multi-Scale Gray-Gradient Co-Occurrence Matrix
Authors: E Xuezhuang , Wang Wenbo
Published: July 2023

An escalator is an essential large-scale public transport equipment; once it fails, this inevitably affects the operation of the escalator and even leads to safety concerns, or perhaps accidents. As an important structural part of the escalator, the foundation of the main engine can cause the operation of the escalator to become abnormal when its fixing bolts become loose. Aiming to reduce the difficulty of extracting the fault features of the footing bolt when it loosens, a fault feature extraction method is proposed in this paper based on empirical wavelet transform (EWT) and the gray-gradient co-occurrence matrix (GGCM). Firstly, the Teager energy operator and multi-scale peak determination are used to improve the spectral partitioning ability of EWT, and the improved EWT is used to decompose the original foundation vibration signal into a series of empirical mode functions (EMFs). Then, the gray-gradient co-occurrence matrix of each EMF is constructed, and six texture features of the gray-gradient co-occurrence matrix are calculated as the fault feature vectors of this EMF. Finally, the fault features of all EMFs are fused, and the degree of the loosening of the escalator foundation bolt is identified using the fused multi-scale feature vector and BiLSTM. The experimental results show that the proposed method based on EWT and GGCM feature extraction can diagnose the loosening degree of foundation bolts more effectively and has a certain engineering application value.
Key Factors Affecting Smart Building Integration into Smart City: Technological Aspects
Authors: Apanavičienė Rasa , Shahrabani Mustafa Muthnna Najm
Published: July 2023

This research presents key factors influencing smart building integration into smart cities considering the city as a technological system. This paper begins with an overview of the concept of smart buildings, defining their features and discussing the technological advancements driving their development. The frameworks for smart buildings are presented, emphasizing energy efficiency, sustainability, automation, and data analytics. Then, the concept of a smart city and the role of digitalization in its development is explored. The conceptual framework of smart building into a smart city is presented, contributing to understanding the complex process of integrating smart buildings into smart cities. Further research delves into the factors influencing the integration of smart buildings into smart cities, focusing on energy, mobility, water, security systems, and waste management infrastructure domains. Each thematic area is examined, highlighting the importance of integration and the associated challenges and opportunities, based on research in the literature and the analysis of case studies. This enables the identification of 26 factors influencing integration and the synthesis of findings. The findings indicate that the successful integration of smart buildings into smart cities requires attention to multiple factors related to smart energy, smart mobility, smart water, smart security, and smart waste management infrastructures. The results obtained from this research provide valuable insights into the factors influencing smart building integration into a smart city from a technological perspective, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions and develop strategies paving the way for sustainable, resilient, and efficient urban environments.
Does Exposure to Televised Debates Change the Weight of Different Criteria for Candidate Assessment? A Quasi-Experiment in the Context of the 2014 Spitzenkandidaten Debate
Authors: Santana-Pereira José , Nina Susana Rogeiro
Published: July 2023

In this article, we show how exposure to debates primes specific candidate assessments as key factors of candidate appraisal. To fulfil this goal, we rely on quasi-experimental data collected in 24 European Union Member States and focus on a debate starred by largely unknown candidates (the 2014 European Spiztenkandidaten) engaged in a remarkably invisible campaign. Our results show that candidate perceptions become much more important factors of general candidate appraisal after the debate in the case of three out of the five lead candidates, namely those whose image benefitted from their participation in the debate. In several cases, personal likeability became more important in the general assessment of the Spitzenkandidaten, but there was also an increased relevance of the perceptions of leadership strength (Keller) and quality of the ideas to stimulate the European economy (Schulz and Tspiras). Moreover, in the cases of Schulz, Keller, and Tsipras, post-exposure candidate perceptions impacted more their general appraisal by participants without previous knowledge of them than by those who claimed to know them before the debate. Interestingly, leadership strength appraisal was more relevant for the former than for the latter participants. In short, by unveiling these patterns, this article not only provides evidence of the priming effects of debate exposure but also illustrates how such effects may vary according to citizens’ previous knowledge and the candidates’ general performance in the debate.
Gender-Differentiated Perceptions of Teaching among Preservice Teachers of Secondary Education
Authors: Sánchez-Cabrero Roberto , Mañoso-Pacheco Lidia , León-Mejía Ana Cristina
Published: July 2023

The decision to pursue a career in teaching is usually driven by vocational interests, with the social image of teachers playing a pivotal role in this choice. This study endeavors to explore the influence of gender on the perception of teaching and its impact on the inclination of preservice teachers towards vocational training. The research, based on a sample of 1469 participants, aims to evaluate attributive factors related to the decision to become a secondary school teacher, perceptions of the training received during the master’s degree, and gender disparities when recalling their previous teachers. To achieve this, an ad hoc questionnaire was employed. The data obtained were analyzed using Student’s t test, Chi-square, Somers’ D, and Chaid Tree. The results reveal gender differences by age and academic specialization, as well as a more negative evaluation of former high school teachers by female participants compared to their male counterparts. Overall, the study suggests that female students tend to retain more negative memories of secondary school instructors, a phenomenon that could be influenced by the prevailing unfavorable social image of teachers and their perceived struggle to compensate for past educational deficiencies upon embarking on a teaching career. Given that gender proves to be a relevant factor in the work of secondary school teachers, it is strongly recommended that the training of future educators address this issue with utmost diligence and depth. By sensitizing aspiring teachers to the potential challenges related to gender perceptions, teacher preparation programs can better equip them to navigate these complexities in the classroom and foster an inclusive learning environment.
The Relationship between Environmental Quality, Sustainable Health, and the Coronavirus Pandemic in European Countries
Authors: Ansarinasab Moslem , Saghaian Sayed
Published: July 2023

The emission of air pollutants weakens the body’s immune system and can increase the prevalence of coronaviruses. This study examined the effects of six environmental pollutant gases, including Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), Perfluorocarbons (PFC), and Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6), on the prevalence of coronaviruses (i.e., coronavirus cases, total deaths, and active cases) in 30 European countries. Due to the benefits of ridge regression, this method was used to investigate the effects of those environmental pollutants on coronavirus cases. The results showed that all six gases had a positive effect on active coronavirus cases in European countries. This study concludes that industrialized European countries could focus on reducing environmental pollutants to decrease the effects of future pandemics.
Sustainable Design of Circular Reinforced Concrete Column Sections via Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Jelušič Primož , Žula Tomaž
Published: July 2023

An optimization model for reinforced concrete circular columns based on the Eurocodes is presented. With the developed optimization model, which takes into account the exact distribution of the steel reinforcement, which is not the case when designing with conventional column design charts, an optimal design for the reinforced concrete cross section is determined. The optimization model uses discrete variables, which makes the results more suitable for actual construction practice and fully exploits the structural capacity of the structure. A parametric study of the applied axial load and bending moment was performed for material cost and CO2 emissions. The results based on a single objective function show that the optimal design of the reinforced concrete column cross section obtained for the material cost objective function contains a larger cross-sectional area of concrete and a smaller area of steel compared with the optimization results when CO2 emissions are determined as the objective function. However, the optimal solution in the case where the material cost was assigned as the objective function has much more reserve in axial load capacity than in the optimal design where CO2 was chosen as the objective function. In addition, the multi-objective optimization was performed to find a set of solutions that provide the best trade-offs between the material cost and CO2 emission objectives.
Exploring the Image, Perceived Authenticity, and Perceived Value of Underground Built Heritage (UBH) and Its Role in Motivation to Visit: A Case Study of Five Different Countries
Authors: Kovačić Sanja , Pivac Tatjana , Akkar Ercan Müge , Kimic Kinga , Ivanova-Radovanova Petja , Gorica Klodiana , Tolica Ermelinda Kordha
Published: July 2023

Underground Built Heritage (UBH) is a unique cultural and tourist resource, often with diverse values for tourists and the local community. The research on UBH requires an interdisciplinary approach, various techniques, and methodologies, with current literature mainly focusing on sustainability and conservation issues of these sites, their classification and definitions. This paper tends to fill in the research gap in this field, which is based on the fact that tourism and marketing issues in research of UBH are quite rare and often neglected, although such aspects are very important for heritage valorization. Thus, the principal aim of the paper is to explore how heritage image, perceived authenticity, and perceived value affect motivation to visit UHS (Underground Heritage Sites) and domestic visitors’ loyalty. To explore this aim, the survey was conducted in five countries (Serbia, Poland, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Albania,) on five underground heritage sites. The study sample included 504 domestic visitors (residents of the country where the research was conducted) of underground heritage sites—Petrovaradian Fortress Military Galleries (Serbia), the Srebrna Góra Fortress (Poland), Roman City (Bulgaria), Göreme (Turkey), and BUNK’ART (Albania). The results show a significant positive influence of perceived authenticity on perceived value, heritage image, motivation to visit UBH sites, and loyalty. However, perceived value seems to be a stronger predictor of all analyzed constructs. Heritage image also showed significant positive effects on motivation to visit and loyalty. Theoretical and practical implications of results are discussed in the paper.
Smart and Novelty Villages as the Quality Place of Virtuality
Authors: Paniagua Angel
Published: July 2023

From the perspective of the recent orientations of virtual geographies, the idea of smart and novelty villages in the context of renovated material rural worlds is conceptualized. The sum of new virtual and new materiality produces virtual and novelty spaces and places, which acquire a precise territorial dimension in the rural policy and politics of smart villages. Smart villages can not only be framed in global smart contexts, but they can also play a fundamental role in de-global territorial horizons as an instrument of resistance to global processes of rural restructuring. The smart political idea or orientation takes shape in each rural community with a different expression in the form of new local materials. The concept of quality virtuality is developed theoretically along three axes: the encounter between smart, novelty and new materials; the smart in the equitable rural community; and the right to disconnection in remote rural areas.
The Effects of a Cross-Border Freight Railway Project on Chinese Cities’ Green Innovation Intensity: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on the Expansion of the China Railway Express
Authors: Jiang Yinhua , Zhang Jianqing
Published: July 2023

This paper intends to clarify whether launching a cross-border freight railway project will cause adverse impacts on cities’ green innovation intensity. Based on the construction and operation of the China Railway Express, the impact mechanism of this cross-border freight railway project on cities’ green innovation is theoretically analyzed. Through using the data of 284 prefecture-level cities in China from 2017 to 2019, the effects of the China Railway Express on green innovation intensity are empirically tested by adopting the differences-in-differences method. The results show the following: 1. launching the China Railway Express project has a direct negative impact on cities’ green innovation intensity; 2. the China Railway Express has indirect positive impacts on green innovation intensity through increasing the foreign trade volume of cities as well as reducing the level of industrial specialization, and has an indirect negative impact on green innovation intensity through reducing the strictness of environmental regulations; 3. the radius of the impact coverage of the China Railway Express is 150 km, and its impact on surrounding cities is funnel-shaped; 4. the China Railway Express will cause a negative impact on green innovation intensity in large cities, cities with lower pollution emissions, and cities of Eastern China and Western China. Taking these findings into account, some policy implications are proposed.
Digitalization Driving High-Quality Converged Development of Rural Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Industries: Mechanisms, Effects, and Paths
Authors: Hu Yiqin , Yu Huyue , Chen Qiaoyu
Published: July 2023

The convergence of rural primary, secondary, and tertiary industries is an effective way to establish a modern rural industrial system. The digital transformation of rural industries is a new idea to promote high-quality converged development. This paper focuses on the converged development of China’s rural industries, trying to explore the impact of digitalization on the high-quality converged development of China’s rural industries. Firstly, the mechanisms of digitalization driving rural industrial convergence are revealed. Secondly, we use panel data of 30 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China from 2011 to 2020 to empirically test the impact of digitalization on rural industrial convergence. Finally, considering the regional differences in industrial structure, the non-linear impact of digitalization on rural industrial convergence is examined. The results indicate digitalization has a significant positive effect on rural industrial convergence, and the impact of the latter has a dual threshold effect with regional heterogeneity based on industrial structure. Therefore, it is suggested to accelerate the construction of digital infrastructure, strengthen digital application, promote regional coordinated development, and improve the institutional system, which are expected to contribute to a deeper connection between digitalization and rural industries.
Grid-Forming Inverter Control for Power Sharing in Microgrids Based on P/f and Q/V Droop Characteristics
Authors: Salem Qusay , Aljarrah Rafat , Karimi Mazaher , Al-Quraan Ayman
Published: July 2023

Grid-forming inverters are anticipated to be integrated more into future smart microgrids commencing the function of traditional power generators. The grid-forming inverter can generate a reference frequency and voltage itself without assistance from the main grid. This paper comprehensively investigates grid-forming inverter modelling and control methodology. A decentralized method employing an active power versus frequency P − f droop and a reactive power versus voltage Q − V droop is exploited to drive the operation of the grid-forming inverter. This decentralized method ensures balancing the supply and demand beside the power-sharing task between two or more inverters. The performance of the grid-forming inverter is examined by monitoring the frequency and RMS voltage of the inverter bus for three different periods of a varying PQ load. In addition, the performance of the resultant droop is compared with the assumed droop to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, two grid-forming inverters equipped with the same droop characteristics are connected to a single load to observe the power-sharing concept among them. All simulations are implemented and executed using Matlab/Simulink version R2014b.
Research on the POPi Digital Model Framework for BIM Implementation in High-Rise Megaprojects
Authors: Ying Yuken , Wu Jie , Zhang Qilin , Jin Jin , Wang Pengfei
Published: July 2023

For more than a decade, researchers and practitioners have been working to advance the implementation of virtual design and construction (VDC) and building information modeling (BIM) in the construction industry. Based on the product-organization-process (POP) research model of VDC/BIM, this paper presents the product-organization-process-infrastructure (POPi) digital framework by adding the core element: the software and hardware infrastructure. This paper discusses the element models and corresponding relationship of the POPi framework in terms of practical characteristics: the diversity of BIM applications and software in high-rise megaprojects and cross-organizational task interdependence. In addition, by combining the practices of the Suzhou Zhongnan Center, this study analyzes the four core element models of the POPi framework and discusses the typical applications and benefits to projects in design and the early stage of construction based on the element models. The research results provide a theoretical framework for the BIM application and related software development of similar projects.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Adoption Factors of Film Distribution Business Models in the Context of Sustainability
Authors: Orankiewicz Agnieszka , Bartosiewicz Aleksandra
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated already visible changes in the film distribution model caused by the rapid growth of streaming platforms. Restrictions caused by the pandemic, including movement and occupancy limits, meant that the current distribution model had to change. At the same time, it has caused certain behaviours and changes in audience preferences to emerge that have rendered the value proposition offered to viewers insufficient. The sustainability of film distribution encompasses both business and cultural aspects, seeking to create value that is sustainable from a social, economic, and environmental perspective. The aim of this article is to identify and quantify the strength of factors influencing the formation of contemporary film distribution business models. Starting from the observations of changes in the film distribution market, through a literature review, and semi-structured and computer-assisted CAWI expert interviews conducted from December 2022 to May 2023, we attempt to identify which factors influence the change in the business model adopted. The results of the research carried out indicate that it is primarily social and economic factors that drive the creation of new business models for film distribution, while environmental aspects are still considered to be the least important in this regard.
Measuring the Competition Index in the Indonesian Manufacturing Industry: The Structure–Conduct–Performance Paradigm
Authors: Setiawan Maman
Published: July 2023

This study proposed a fresh measure of the competition index in the Indonesian manufacturing industry during the period of 1990–2015. The competition index was estimated using indicators in the dimensions of the structure–conduct–performance paradigm. This research used principal component analysis to weigh the indicators in a dimension as well as to weigh the dimensions of the structure–conduct–performance in the final estimation of the competition index. This study found that the Indonesian manufacturing industry had a low competition. The dimension of structure had the highest contribution to the competition index compared to the dimensions of conduct and performance. The performance was also positively affected by the structure and conduct variables. This research contributed to the literature by providing a new competition index using the complete aggregated dimensions of structure, conduct, and performance. Policymakers could also use this competition index to indicate the level of competition in the industry as well as the sources of competition.
Can Global Value Chain Upgrading Promote Regional Economic Growth? Empirical Evidence and Mechanism Analysis Based on City-Level Panel Data in China
Authors: Li Can , He Qi , Ji Han
Published: July 2023

Since launching its reforms and opening up, China has actively integrated itself into global value chains (GVCs) and experienced continuous growth. However, there exists a significant imbalance between GVC upgrading and economic growth across regions in China. Can GVC upgrading promote economic growth at the regional level? Despite the theoretical foundations and empirical evidence provided at the national level, research on GVC upgrading at the subnational level remains limited. This study constructs a temporal indicator to measure GVC upgrading at the finest subnational level, including cities at the prefecture level and above, and employs panel fixed effects (FE) and mediation models to examine the impact and mechanism of GVC upgrading on regional economic growth, aiming for a meaningful exploration in this area. The results show that GVC upgrading has a significant positive effect on regional economic growth with robust performance. Specifically, a 1-standard-deviation improvement in GVC upgrading leads to a 0.054-standard-deviation increase in the logarithm of per capita gross domestic product (GDP). Heterogeneity analysis shows that the promotion effect is more pronounced in coastal areas and administrative centers. Mechanism analysis indicates that GVC upgrading promotes regional economic growth by facilitating capital accumulation, promoting technological progress, and enhancing human resources, among which, facilitating capital accumulation plays the most significant role, accounting for over 70% of the economic growth effects associated with GVC upgrading. Thus, China should create an enabling environment for promoting GVC upgrading, enhance capital accumulation, foster regional innovation systems, improve the quality of human capital, and promote domestic market integration.
Effect of Solvent Pretreatment on the Flash Pyrolysis Performance of Yinggema Lignite
Authors: Mo Wen-Long , Kan Hui , Wu Ting , Hu Xiao-Bo , Ma Ya-Ya , Guo Jia , Guo Wen-Cang , Wei Xian-Yong , Akram Naeem
Published: July 2023

Yinggema lignite (YL) was pretreated with isometric acetone/carbon disulfide mixed solvent to obtain the residue (RYL) and, then, RYL was separated by density difference with carbon tetrachloride to obtain the light residue (LRYL). The flash pyrolysis performances of YL and LRYL were analyzed by thermogravimetry–Fourier transform infrared spectrometer–Gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (TG-FTIR-GC/MS). The results showed that solvent pretreatment could remove some small molecules in the coal and swell the used coal, leading to the increase in pyrolysis reactivity. The intensity and absorption peak area of C=O from LRYL were significantly reduced compared to YL, resulting from the high hydrogen-donating ability of acetone. The main gaseous products of both samples are H2O, CH4, CO2, and CO; the hydrocarbons detected by GC/MS in the pyrolysis products of YL and LRYL at 450 °C were mainly alkanes, alkenes, and arenes, with the higher relative contents of alkanes of 31.1% and 36.2%, followed by arenes of 27.1% and 22.6%, respectively. The oxygen-containing compounds were mainly alcohols and phenols. It is speculated that the pretreated coal could expose more oxygen-containing functional groups, facilitating their conversion to phenolic hydroxyl groups during the pyrolysis process, resulting in more phenolic compounds.
Butterfly Algorithm for Sustainable Lot Size Optimization
Authors: Benmamoun Zoubida , Fethallah Widad , Ahlaqqach Mustapha , Jebbor Ikhlef , Benmamoun Mouad , Elkhechafi Mariam
Published: July 2023

The challenges faced by classical supply chain management affect efficiency with regard to business. Classical supply chain management is associated with high risks due to a lack of accountability and transparency. The use of optimization algorithms is considered decision-making support to improve the operations and processes in green manufacturing. This paper suggests a solution to the green lot size optimization problem using bio-inspired algorithms, specifically, the butterfly algorithm. For this, our methodology consisted of first collecting the real data, then the data were expressed with a simple function with several constraints to optimize the total costs while reducing the CO2 emission, serving as input for the butterfly algorithm BA model. The BA model was then used to find the optimal lot size that balances cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Through extensive experiments, we compared the results of BA with those of other bio-inspired algorithms, showing that BA consistently outperformed the alternatives. The contribution of this work is to provide an efficient solution to the sustainable lot-size optimization problem, thereby reducing the environmental impact and optimizing the supply chain well. Conclusions: BA has shown that it can achieve the best results compared to other existing optimization methods. It is also a valuable chainsaw tool.
Design of Reverse Network for Recyclable Packaging Boxes under Uncertainties
Authors: Lin Huailian , Wu Shuqiao , Zhang Si , Liu Wenting
Published: July 2023

The increasing number of disposable packaging boxes has caused a huge waste of resources and environmental problems. In order to promote the effective use of sustainable express packaging, this study builds a reverse network of recyclable express packaging boxes for e-commerce businesses with self-established logistics. Considering the uncertainties of demand, return rate, retention rate and recovery rate, a stochastic programming model is proposed to determine the location of collection points and recovery centers in the supply chain network, as well as the flow of recycling boxes, with the objective of minimizing the total cost. Furthermore, an improved priority-based tabu search algorithm is proposed to solve the model. The feasibility and operability of the model are verified via a benchmark function experiment and numerical experiment. This study provides important support for the sustainable development of the express delivery industry and helps to protect the environment.
Spatiotemporal Variation of Vegetation Water Use Efficiency and Its Response to Extreme Climate in Northwestern Sichuan Plateau
Authors: Wang Xin , Feng Yong , Cui Yidan , Guo Bin
Published: July 2023

The Northwestern Sichuan Plateau, characterised by complex topography, is located on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau where ecosystems are rapidly changing in response to climate change. However, the spatiotemporal characteristics of water use efficiency (WUE) and its response to climate change remain unclear, especially different responses to changes in climate mean and extremes. In this study, we found that the seasonal variation of WUE for different types of vegetation demonstrates a “unimodal” pattern, with high values during May to September. The variation of WUE is largely dependent on altitude. The annual WUE showed an overall increasing trend from 2001 to 2021 for most types of vegetation, while a decreasing trend was found for wetland, and grassland had a stronger adaptability to altitude and climate change. Mean climatic variables exerted stronger impacts on WUE than climate extremes, and mean temperature change had a stronger impact on WUE than precipitation. However, the synergistic effects of climate extremes and mean climate exerted significant impacts on WUE, with extreme cold events and mean precipitation events generally being unfavourable for an increase in WUE. The WUE of cropland and forest land demonstrated more sensitive responses to climate extremes than other types. The response of the same type of vegetation to climate extremes has obvious regional heterogeneity. However, the diurnal range of temperature, the length of the growing season, and the persistent humidity index had significant influences on the change of WUE for the entire region.
Brinkman–Bénard Convection with Rough Boundaries and Third-Type Thermal Boundary Conditions
Authors: Siddheshwar Pradeep G. , Narayana Mahesha , Laroze David , Kanchana C.
Published: July 2023

The Brinkman–Bénard convection problem is chosen for investigation, along with very general boundary conditions. Using the Maclaurin series, in this paper, we show that it is possible to perform a relatively exact linear stability analysis, as well as a weakly nonlinear stability analysis, as normally performed in the case of a classical free isothermal/free isothermal boundary combination. Starting from a classical linear stability analysis, we ultimately study the chaos in such systems, all conducted with great accuracy. The principle of exchange of stabilities is proven, and the critical Rayleigh number, Rac, and the wave number, ac, are obtained in closed form. An asymptotic analysis is performed, to obtain Rac for the case of adiabatic boundaries, for which ac≃0. A seemingly minimal representation yields a generalized Lorenz model for the general boundary condition used. The symmetry in the three Lorenz equations, their dissipative nature, energy-conserving nature, and bounded solution are observed for the considered general boundary condition. Thus, one may infer that, to obtain the results of various related problems, they can be handled in an integrated manner, and results can be obtained with great accuracy. The effect of increasing the values of the Biot numbers and/or slip Darcy numbers is to increase, not only the value of the critical Rayleigh number, but also the critical wave number. Extreme values of zero and infinity, when assigned to the Biot number, yield the results of an adiabatic and an isothermal boundary, respectively. Likewise, these extreme values assigned to the slip Darcy number yield the effects of free and rigid boundary conditions, respectively. Intermediate values of the Biot and slip Darcy numbers bridge the gap between the extreme cases. The effects of the Biot and slip Darcy numbers on the Hopf–Rayleigh number are, however, opposite to each other. In view of the known analogy between Bénard convection and Taylor–Couette flow in the linear regime, it is imperative that the results of the latter problem, viz., Brinkman–Taylor–Couette flow, become as well known.
Adaptive Model Predictive Control Scheme Based on Non-Minimal State Space Representation
Authors: Rehman Zia Ur , Khan Malak Abid Ali , Ma Hongbin , Rahman Mizanur
Published: July 2023

The model predictive control (MPC) technique is widely employed in process industries as a control scheme. The quality of the model used greatly influences the performance of the MPC. In time-varying systems, the plant model plays a critical role in determining the controller’s performance, as the controller’s control action relies on an adaptive model. Therefore, updating the system parameters rapidly and symmetrically in time-varying systems becomes necessary. To address this need, in the proposed work, a non-minimal state space model of a time-varying system is utilized for parameter estimation, and these parameters are updated at every sampling instant using a multi-innovation recursive least squares (MIRLS) scheme, which enables the timely updates of system parameters. We have explored various extensions of the recursive least square (RLS) scheme, such as the multi-innovation recursive least squares (MIRLS) method. This extension aims to achieve a higher convergence rate for parameter estimation. Furthermore, we have focused on the parameter estimation of a non-minimal state space time-varying system, where the system parameters change at each time interval. Additionally, we have incorporated a time-varying objective function into the MPC formulations, which enables adaptability to change the system dynamics. To demonstrate the applicability of our proposed approach, we have conducted simulation experiments using a benchmark time-varying model. These experiments showcase the effectiveness and benefits of our proposed methodology in dealing with time-varying systems.
A Dynamic Behavior Analysis of a Rolling Mill’s Main Drive System with Fractional Derivative and Stochastic Disturbance
Authors: Wang Guobo , Ma Lifeng
Published: July 2023

Taking the random factors into account, a fractional main drive system of a rolling mill with Gaussian white noise is developed. First, the potential deterministic bifurcation is investigated by a linearized stability analysis. The results indicate that the fractional order changes the system from a stable point to a limit cycle with symmetric phase trajectories. Then, the stochastic response is obtained with the aid of the equivalent transformation of the fractional derivative and stochastic averaging methods. It is found that the joint stationary probability density function appears to have symmetric distribution. Finally, the influence of the fractional order and noise intensity on system dynamics behavior is discussed. The study is beneficial to understand the intrinsic mechanisms of vibration abatement.
Uncertain Stochastic Hybrid Age-Dependent Population Equation Based on Subadditive Measure: Existence, Uniqueness and Exponential Stability
Authors: Jia Zhifu , Liu Xinsheng
Published: July 2023

The existing literature lacks a study on age-dependent population equations based on subadditive measures. In this paper, we propose a hybrid age-dependent population dynamic system (referred to as APDS) that incorporates uncertain random perturbations driven by both the well-known Wiener process and the Liu process associated with belief degree, which have similar symmetry in terms of form. Firstly, we redefine the Liu integral in a mean square sense and then extend Liu’s lemma and the Itô-Liu formula. We then utilize the extensions of the Itô-Liu formula, Barkholder-Davis-Gundy (BDG) inequality, the Liu’s lemma, the Gronwall’s lemma and the symmetric nature of calculus itself to establish the uniqueness of a strong solution for the hybrid APDS. Additionally, we prove the existence of the hybrid APDS by combining the proof of uniqueness with some important lemmas. Finally, under appropriate assumptions, we demonstrate the exponential stability of the hybrid system.
Using Hepatic Gene Expression Assays in English Sole (Parophrys vetulus) to Investigate the Effects of Metro Vancouver Wastewater Effluents
Authors: Parekh Karan , Marlatt Vicki L.
Published: July 2023

The present study has investigated the effects of Metro Vancouver’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents on English sole (Parophrys vetulus) hepatic gene expression using novel targeted gene expression assays to complement the 2017 Burrard Inlet Ambient Monitoring Program conducted by Metro Vancouver. Seven locations of varying distance to the WWTPs were included. Twelve genes involved in xenobiotic defense (CYP1A, HSP70), thyroid function (DIO1), lipid and glucose metabolism (FABP1, FASN, GLUT2, PPARδ, PPARγ), protein synthesis (18S rRNA, RPS4X), and reproduction (ERα, VTG) revealed several differences between these impacted sites. A key finding of the present study was that males exhibited VTG transcript levels either equivalent or exceeding female levels of this gene at all sites investigated, indicating widespread exposure of estrogenic contaminants throughout Burrard Inlet. Furthermore, the induction of hepatic CYP1A was observed due to possible downstream sites being subjected to a larger influx of certain planar halogenated and non-halogenated hydrocarbons from multiple industrial contributors. This study also revealed significant differences between the sites examined and in genes involved in transcriptional regulation and synthesis of proteins, lipids and glucose metabolism, and thyroid hormone metabolism. Collectively, this study demonstrates the potential of molecular biomarkers of urban contaminant exposure in wild caught English sole for use in diagnosing a broader range of adverse health effects when combined with conventional whole organism health indicators.
Mycotoxins in Cereal-Based Products and Their Impacts on the Health of Humans, Livestock Animals and Pets
Authors: Yu Jianmei , Pedroso Ivana Ramos
Published: July 2023

Cereal grains are the most important food staples for human beings and livestock animals. They can be processed into various types of food and feed products such as bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, cake, snacks, beer, complete feed, and pet foods. However, cereal grains are vulnerable to the contamination of soil microorganisms, particularly molds. The toxigenic fungi/molds not only cause quality deterioration and grain loss, but also produce toxic secondary metabolites, mycotoxins, which can cause acute toxicity, death, and chronic diseases such as cancer, immunity suppression, growth impairment, and neural tube defects in humans, livestock animals and pets. To protect human beings and animals from these health risks, many countries have established/adopted regulations to limit exposure to mycotoxins. The purpose of this review is to update the evidence regarding the occurrence and co-occurrence of mycotoxins in cereal grains and cereal-derived food and feed products and their health impacts on human beings, livestock animals and pets. The effort for safe food and feed supplies including prevention technologies, detoxification technologies/methods and up-to-date regulation limits of frequently detected mycotoxins in cereal grains for food and feed in major cereal-producing countries are also provided. Some important areas worthy of further investigation are proposed.
Beyond Angiogenesis: The Multitasking Approach of the First PEGylated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (CdtVEGF) from Brazilian Rattlesnake Venom
Authors: Ferreira Isabela , Oliveira Isadora , Bordon Karla , Reis Mouzarllem , Wiezel Gisele , Sanchez Caroline , Santos Luísa , Santos-Filho Norival , Pucca Manuela , Antunes Lusânia , Lopes Daiana , Arantes Eliane
Published: July 2023

A pioneering study regarding the isolation, biochemical evaluation, functional assays and first PEGylation report of a novel vascular endothelial growth factor from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (CdtVEGF and PEG-CdtVEGF). CdtVEGF was isolated from crude venom using two different chromatographic steps, representing 2% of soluble venom proteins. Its primary sequence was determined using mass spectrometry analysis, and the molecule demonstrated no affinity to heparin. The Brazilian crotalid antivenom recognized CdtVEGF. Both native and PEGylated CdtVEGF were able to induce new vessel formation and migration, and to increase the metabolic activity of human umbilical endothelial vascular cells (HUVEC), resulting in better wound closure (~50% within 12 h) using the native form. CdtVEGF induced leukocyte recruitment to the peritoneal cavity in mice, with a predominance of neutrophil influx followed by lymphocytes, demonstrating the ability to activate the immune system. The molecule also induced a dose-dependent increase in vascular permeability, and PEG-CdtVEGF showed less in vivo inflammatory activity than CdtVEGF. By unraveling the intricate properties of minor components of snake venom like svVEGF, this study illuminates the indispensable significance of exploring these molecular tools to unveil physiological and pathological processes, elucidates the mechanisms of snakebite envenomings, and could possibly be used to design a therapeutic drug.