bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deformation Behavior of Inconel 625 Alloy with TPMS Structure
Authors: Xu Kangning , Cao Jiahui , Zheng Zhiwei , Zhao Rusheng , Xu Gaopeng , Wang Hao , Wang Jincheng , Hur Boyoung , Yue Xuezheng
Published: January 2025

Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs) are known for their smooth, fully interconnected, and naturally porous characteristics, offering a superior alternative to traditional porous structures. These structures often suffer from stress concentration and a lack of adjustability. Using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), we have fabricated Inconel 625 sheet-based TPMS lattice structures with four distinct topologies: Primitive, IWP, Diamond, and Gyroid. The compressive responses and energy absorption capabilities of the four lattice designs were meticulously evaluated. The discrepancies between theoretical predictions and the fabricated specimens were precisely quantified using the Archimedes’ principle for volume displacement. Subsequently, the LPBF-manufactured samples underwent uniaxial compression tests, which were complemented by numerical simulation for validation. The experimental results demonstrate that the IWP lattice consistently outperformed the other three configurations in terms of yield strength. Furthermore, when comparing energy absorption efficiencies, the IWP structures were confirmed to be more effective and closer to the ideal performance. An analysis of the deformation mechanisms shows that the IWP structure characteristically failed in a layer-by-layer manner, distinct from the other structures that exhibited significant shear banding. This distinct behavior was responsible for the higher yield strength (113.16 MPa), elastic modulus (735.76 MPa), and energy absorption capacity (9009.39 MJ/m3) observed in the IWP configuration. To examine the influence of porosity on structural performance, specimens with two varying porosities (70% and 80%) were selected for each of the four designs. Ultimately, the mechanical performance of Inconel 625 under compression was assessed both pre- and post-deformation to elucidate its impact on the material’s integrity.
The Effect of Relative Humidity on Creep Behavior of Cement Paste Microprism
Authors: Chen Zhao , Dargahi Mahdiar , Sorelli Luca
Published: January 2025

Despite decades of extensive studies, the mechanism of concrete creep remains a subject of debate, mainly due to the complex nature of cement microstructure. This complexity is further amplified by the interplay between water and the cement microstructure. The present study aimed to better understand the creep mechanism through creep tests on microprisms of cement paste at hygral equilibrium. First, microprisms with dimensions of 150 mm × 150 mm × 300 mm were prepared by precision cutting from a cement paste specimen with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.4. Subsequently, uniaxial compression and creep tests were carried out on these microprisms in a chamber with controlled relative humidity (RH). To mitigate the impact of plasticity and damage, the applied peak load was set to generate a stress level that was approximately 40% of the compressive strength. Moreover, an analytical coefficient φ was formulated to account for the foundation effect on microprism creep, agreeing with the numerical analysis employing the finite element method. Our findings showed that the microscale creep compliance varied when the RH level was changed from 90% to 11%. Furthermore, logarithmic and power-law models were both applied to simulate creep curves. Lastly, the modeled creep behaviors were compared with those obtained by microindentation experiments in previous studies.
Restructuring of Sections of Mathematics (ISSN 2227-7390)
Authors: Chiclana Francisco
Published: January 2025

The journal Mathematics (ISSN 2227-7390) [...]
The Effect of Local Melatonin Application on Bone Fracture Healing in Rat Tibias
Authors: Tanrisever Murat , Tekin Bahar , Can Umit Koray , Istek Ozmen , Ozcan Erhan Cahit , Ozercan Ibrahim H. , Gelic Turker , Dundar Serkan
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to histologically evaluate the effects of local melatonin application at different doses on bone fracture healing. Materials and Methods: Thirty rats were divided into three groups, with ten rats in each group. In the control group (n = 10), a fracture line was created in the tibial bones, and fracture osteosynthesis was performed without any additional procedure. In the local melatonin dose 1 (MLT D-1) group (n = 10), a fracture line was created in the tibial bones, and 1.2 mg of lyophilized powder melatonin was applied locally before fracture osteosynthesis. In the local melatonin dose 2 (MLT D-2) group (n = 10), a fracture line was created in the tibial bones, and 3 mg of lyophilized powder melatonin was applied locally before fracture osteosynthesis. After a 12-week healing period, all subjects were sacrificed, and tibial bones were collected for histomorphometric analysis. Results: The percentage of bone formation was significantly higher in the MLT D-1 and MLT D-2 groups than in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the MLT D-1 and MLT D-2 groups. Conclusions: In conclusion, the study demonstrated that local melatonin application supports bone fracture by increasing bone formation, although different doses of melatonin did not lead to significant variations in fracture healing.
Optimizing Recycling Processes for Mixed LFP/NMC Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Comparative Study of Acid-Excess and Acid-Deficient Leaching
Authors: Hubert Pierric , Noclain Angelina , Jradi Safi , Chagnes Alexandre
Published: January 2025

This study explores the optimization of hydrometallurgical processes for recycling lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) containing a mixture of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel–manganese–cobalt (NMC) cathodes. Two approaches were investigated: acid-excess leaching and acid-deficient leaching with residue recirculation. A design of experiments (DoE) framework was applied to assess the impact of key parameters, including sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, as well as solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratios, on the dissolution yields of target metals (Ni, Mn, Co, and Li). Acid-excess leaching achieved nearly complete dissolution of target metals but required additional purification steps to remove impurities. Acid-deficient leaching with a 60% recirculation of leaching residue improved dissolution yields by up to 12.5%, reduced reagent consumption, and minimized operational complexity. The study also evaluated separation strategies for manganese and cobalt through solvent extraction. Results indicate that while acid-excess leaching offers higher yields, acid-deficient leaching with residue recirculation is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. These findings provide valuable insights for developing sustainable LIB recycling technologies.
Short-Circuit Performance Analysis of Commercial 1.7 kV SiC MOSFETs Under Varying Electrical Stress
Authors: Makhdoom Shahid , Ren Na , Wang Ce , Wu Yiding , Xu Hongyi , Wang Jiakun , Sheng Kuang
Published: January 2025

The short-circuit (SC) robustness of SiC MOSFETs is critical for high-power applications, yet 1.2 kV devices often struggle to meet the industry-standard SC withstand time (SCWT) under practical operating conditions. Despite growing interest in higher voltage classes, no prior study has systematically evaluated the SC performance of 1.7 kV SiC MOSFETs. This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of commercially available 1.7 kV SiC MOSFETs, analyzing their SC performance under varying electrical stress conditions. Results indicate a clear trade-off between SC withstand time (SCWT) and drain-source voltage (VDS), with SCWT decreasing from 32 µs at 400 V to 4 µs at 1100 V. Under 600 V, a condition representative of practical use cases in many high-voltage applications, the devices achieved an SCWT of 12 µs, exceeding the industry-standard 10 µs benchmark—a threshold often unmet by 1.2 kV devices under similar conditions. Failure analysis revealed gate dielectric breakdown as the dominant failure mode at VDS ≤ 600 V, while thermal runaway was observed at higher voltages (VDS = 800 V and 1100 V). These findings underscore the critical importance of robust gate drive designs and effective thermal management. By surpassing the shortcomings of lower voltage classes, 1.7 kV SiC MOSFETs can be a more reliable, and efficient choice for operating at higher voltages in next-generation power systems.
Gut Microbiome Profiles in Colorectal Cancer Patients in Iraq
Authors: Kadhim Fatima J. , Aziz Zahid S. , Ibrahim Khalid S.
Published: January 2025

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer globally, and is a significant contributor to both morbidity and mortality rates. Emerging research has promptly highlighted the potential role of the gut microbiome in the development and progression of CRC. This study aims to investigate the differences in gut microbiota between CRC patients and healthy individuals in Iraq, using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing on Illumina NovaSeq (PE250-Seq). A total of 21 stool samples were analyzed: 12 from early-stage CRC patients and nine from healthy controls. Bacterial DNA was extracted, followed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to profile the microbial communities. The results indicated significant differences between the fecal microbiome of the two groups. Remarkably, CRC patients exhibited a marked reduction in Bacteroidota and an increase in Verrucomicrobiota compared to healthy controls. At the genus level, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Barnesiella, Eubacterium Lachnospiraceae_UCG_004, and Lachnospira were significantly less abundant in CRC patients compared to the healthy individuals, while Actinomyces, Monoglobus, Desulfovibrio, Akkermansia, and Bacteroides were highly enriched. In addition, diversity analyses further indicated decreased α-diversity and distinct β-diversity patterns in the CRC patients, suggesting significant shifts in the gut microbial composition. These findings underscore the potential of microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutic strategies, with microbial alterations serving as biomarkers for CRC diagnosis. Further research needs to focus on elucidating the causal relationships and therapeutic potential of these microbiome changes in CRC management.
Characterization of Streptococcus pyogenes Strains from Tonsillopharyngitis and Scarlet Fever Resurgence, 2023—FIRST Detection of M1UK in Bulgaria
Authors: Keuleyan Emma , Todorov Theodor , Donchev Deyan , Kevorkyan Ani , Vazharova Radoslava , Kukov Alexander , Todorov Georgi , Georgieva Boriana , Altankova Iskra , Uzunova Yordanka
Published: January 2025

Recently a resurgence of Streptococcus pyogenes infections has arisen, with concerns around the highly virulent M1UK lineage. Our aim was to characterize S. pyogenes, the immune responses it causes, and to determine the presence of the M1UK lineage in Sofia, Bulgaria. In our study, the infections were confirmed by culture testing or rapid antigen test. Identification was performed by MALDI-TOF and was followed up by antibiotic susceptibility testing (EUCAST). Virulence factors were identified using multiplex PCR and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Immune responses were measured through detection of serum complement levels, lymphocyte subsets, and cytokine profiling. Out of 82 children, 38 had scarlet fever and the rest had streptococcal pharyngitis. Strains were susceptible to penicillin (β-lactams), macrolides, clindamycin, tetracyclines, co-trimoxazole, fluoroquinolones, and linezolid. Superantigen profiles were identified: SpeA + SpeJ (45%), SpeC, and SpeI + SpeH (27.5% each). A novel Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) haplotype in the mutS gene (d90b) was found in four strains. The M1UK lineage was detected for the first time in Bulgaria. We observed an increase in complement fractions C3 and C4 and a decrease in T lymphocytes. A significant increase in the levels of IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 with corresponding reduction in IL-17A were revealed. In conclusion, the studied S. pyogenes strains were characterized by their susceptibility to antibiotics and the predominance of SpeA superantigen; for the first time in Bulgaria the presence of M1UK and a novel SNP variation in the mutS gene (d90b) were found. A mixed pattern of pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses in patients was observed.
Dissemination of IncQ1 Plasmids Harboring NTEKPC-IId in a Brazilian Hospital
Authors: Boralli Camila Maria dos Santos , Paganini Julian Andres , Meneses Rodrigo Silva , Mata Camila Pacheco Silveira Martins da , Leite Edna Marilea Meireles , Schürch Anita C. , Paganelli Fernanda L. , Willems Rob J. L. , Camargo Ilana L. B. C.
Published: January 2025

KPC is a clinically significant serine carbapenemase in most countries, and its rapid spread threatens global public health. blaKPC transmission is commonly mediated by Tn4401 transposons. The blaKPC gene has also been found in non-Tn4401 elements (NTEKPC). To fill the gap in the understanding of the stability and dissemination of NTEKPC-carrying plasmids, we selected and characterized carbapenem-resistant bacteria isolated between 2009 and 2016 from a hospital for a retrospective study of their plasmids conjugation capacity, impact on fitness, and replication in different species. Different clones were selected using PFGE, and their genomes were sequenced using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore methods. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by broth microdilution. Plasmid copy numbers (PCNs) were determined using qPCR. Doubling time was used to analyze fitness change. Most isolates (67%, 33/49) carried blaKPC, of which 85% presented blaKPC in a NTEKPC. The 25 isolates selected presented the blaKPC gene in NTEKPC-IId in IncQ1-type plasmids, showing multispecies dissemination. IncQ1 plasmids were mobilizable and PCN seemed to be directly linked to the species, presenting a high-copy number, mainly in K. pneumoniae. No relationship was observed between IncQ1 PCN and carbapenems MIC values. IncQ1 and a conjugative plasmid from K. pneumoniae BHKPC10 were transferred to E. coli J53 without fitness changes, and MIC values were maintained for carbapenems despite the low transconjugant PCN. In addition to IncQ1 with NTEKPC, Enterobacter cloacae BHKPC28 contained the mcr-9 gene in an IncHI2/IncHI2A conjugative plasmid, which may help the mobility of IncQ1 and the dissemination of two resistance determinants to last-resort antibiotics. Understanding the interaction between plasmids and high-risk lineages can help develop new therapies to prevent the dissemination of resistance traits.
Correction: Awahara et al. The Effects of Side-Chain Configurations of a Retro–Inverso-Type Inhibitor on the Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus (HTLV)-1 Protease. Molecules 2022, 27, 1646
Authors: Awahara Chiyuki , Oku Daiki , Furuta Saki , Kobayashi Kazuya , Teruya Kenta , Akaji Kenichi , Hattori Yasunao
Published: January 2025

Figure Legend [...]
Isotopic Transient Kinetic Analysis of Soot Oxidation on Mn3O4, Mn3O4-CeO2, and CeO2 Catalysts in Tight Contact Conditions
Authors: Rotko Marek , Karpińska-Wlizło Karolina
Published: January 2025

The reaction mechanism of soot oxidation on Mn (Mn3O4), Mn-Ce (Mn3O4-CeO2), and Ce (CeO2) catalysts in tight contact conditions was investigated using ITKA (isotopic transient kinetic analysis). The obtained results suggest that lattice-bulk oxygen from all studied catalysts takes part in the soot oxidation process but with varying relative contributions: for the Ce catalyst, this contribution is practically 100%, whereas with decreasing Ce content in Mn-Ce catalysts, the significance of lattice-bulk oxygen for soot oxidation diminishes. For the Mn catalyst, it is estimated to be below 50%. Moreover, strong interactions between Mn and Ce ions were observed, increasing oxygen mobility in the catalyst crystal lattice and affecting the activity of Mn-Ce catalysts.
Preparation and Gas-Sensitive Properties of SnO2@Bi2O3 Core-Shell Heterojunction Structure
Authors: Liu Jin , Gao Yixin , Lv Yuanyuan , Yang Mengdi , Guo Haoru , Li Neng , Bai Danyang , Wang Anyi
Published: January 2025

The SnO2@Bi2O3 core-shell heterojunction structure was designed and synthesized via a hydrothermal method, and the structure and morphology of the synthesized samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Based on the conclusions from XRD and SEM, it can be observed that as the hydrothermal temperature increases, the content of Bi2O3 coated on the surface of SnO2 spheres gradually increases, and the diameter of Bi2O3 nanoparticles also increases. At a hydrothermal temperature of 160 °C, the SnO2 spheres are fully coated with Bi2O3 nanoparticles. This paper investigated the gas-sensitive performance of the SnO2@Bi2O3 sensor towards ethanol gas. Gas sensitivity tests at the optimal operating temperature of 300 °C showed that the composite prepared at 160 °C achieved a response value of 19.7 for 100 ppm ethanol. Additionally, the composite exhibited excellent response to 100 ppm ethanol, with a response time of only 4 s, as well as good repeatability. The excellent gas-sensitive performance of the SnO2@Bi2O3 core-shell heterojunction towards ethanol gas is attributed to its p-n heterojunction material properties. Its successful preparation contributes to the realization of high-performance heterostructure ethanol gas sensors.
Urinary Fluoride Levels Among Youth in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2016: Potential Differences According to Race
Authors: Khan Durdana , Franks Stephen , Wang Zhilin , Miles Angela , Hu Howard , Malin Ashley J.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Urinary fluoride (UF) is the most well-established biomarker for fluoride exposure, and understanding its distribution can inform risk assessment for potential adverse systemic health effects. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report distributions of UF among youth according to sociodemographic factors in a nationally representative United States (US) sample. Methods: The study included 1191 children aged 6-11 years and 1217 adolescents aged 12-19 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2016. We examined UF according to sociodemographic variables as well as Spearman correlations between UF and plasma fluoride. Survey-weighted quantile regression examined associations between tap water fluoride and UF levels adjusted for covariates. Results: The average age of participants was 12.5 years. The median (IQR) UF and water fluoride concentrations were 0.52 (0.50) mg/L and 0.39 (0.54) mg/L, respectively. Children had higher UF levels than adolescents and males had higher UF levels than females. UF differed according to race/ethnicity among both children and adolescents. Specifically, non-Hispanic Black youth tended to have higher UF levels than all participants except for those classified as other race/multiracial. UF and plasma fluoride were moderately correlated for children and adolescents. Higher water fluoride levels were associated with higher UF levels, and the magnitudes of association were larger at higher quantiles of UF (β = 0.14, p < 0.001; β = 0.20, p< 0.001 at the 25th and 50th quantiles, respectively). The magnitude of association between water fluoride and UF was the largest for non-Hispanic Black participants (predictive margin = 0.3, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Non-Hispanic Black youth in the US may have greater fluoride exposure and receive more of their fluoride intake from tap water than youth of other races/ethnicities. Factors contributing to potential racial/ethnic disparities in fluoride exposure within the US warrant further investigation so that they can be mitigated to reduce the potential for harm.
The Inhibitory Effects of NCT503 and Exogenous Serine on High-Selenium Induced Insulin Resistance in Mice
Authors: Zhan Shuo , Wang Jianrong , Zhu Mingyu , Liu Yiqun , Han Feng , Sun Licui , Wang Qin , Huang Zhenwu
Published: January 2025

Objective: This study aims to identify whether the development of insulin resistance (IR) induced by high selenium (Se) is related to serine deficiency via the inhibition of the de novo serine synthesis pathway (SSP) by the administrations of 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) inhibitor (NCT503) or exogenous serine in mice. Method: forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: adequate-Se (0.1 mgSe/kg), high-Se (0.8 mgSe/kg), high-Se +serine (240 mg/kg/day), and high-Se +NCT503 (30 mg/kg, twice a week) for 5 months. The glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were used to confirm the development of IR in mice with high-Se intake, and fasting blood glucose levels were measured monthly. The Se contents in plasma and tissues were detected by ICP-MS. The levels of insulin (INS), homocysteine (HCY), and serine in plasma were tested by ELISA. Western blot analyses were conducted to evaluate the protein expressions of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and PHGDH, the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, folate cycle (SHMT1, MTHFR), and methionine cycle (MS). Results: An IR model was developed in mice from the high-Se group with elevated fasting blood glucose and INS levels, impaired glucose tolerance, and reduced insulin sensitivity, but not in both the high-Se +serine group and the high-Se +NCT503 group. Compared with the high-Se and high-Se +serine groups, the expressions of GPX1 and SELENOP significantly decreased for the high-Se +NCT503 group in the liver, muscle, and pancreas tissues. The expression of PHGDH of high-Se group was significantly higher than that of the adequate-Se group in the liver (p < 0.05) and pancreas (p < 0.001). Also, the expected high expression of PHGDH was effectively inhibited in mice from the high-Se +serine group but not from the high-Se +NCT503 group. The expression of p-AKT (Ser-473) for the high-Se group was significantly lower than that of the adequate-Se group in the liver, muscle, and pancreas. Conclusions: The IR induced by high-Se intake in the body has been confirmed to be partially due to serine deficiency, which led to the initiation of SSP to produce endogenous serine. The supplementations of exogenous serine or inhibitors of PHGDH in this metabolic pathway could be used for the intervention.
Analyzing Predictive Factors for the Media’s Impact on the Nursing Profession
Authors: Pavić Jadranka , Marković Marta , Hošnjak Ana Marija , Racz Aleksandar , Kovačević Irena , Smrekar Martina
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Mass media play a crucial role not only in informing the public but also in shaping public perception, educating, and enhancing the visibility of various professions, including nursing. Despite being the most populous healthcare profession, nursing remains underrepresented in media coverage. This imbalance affects the social status of the nursing profession and its public perception. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a validated questionnaire with high internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha coefficients) to assess nurses’ perceptions of the media’s role in society and the nursing profession. Data were collected from 203 participants using an online survey employing the snowball sampling method. Statistical analyses included Welch ANOVA, t-tests, and hierarchical regression to predict the importance of media education. Results: Participants demonstrated positive perceptions of the media’s societal influence but identified a lack of adequate representation of nurses. Younger nurses and those with higher education levels emphasized the need for media education. Regression analysis revealed that perceptions of the media’s power and self-assessed media competencies were significant predictors of valuing media education. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for integrating media literacy training into nursing education to enhance professional visibility and public engagement. This can empower nurses to actively contribute to shaping their professional image and addressing public misconceptions. Future research should expand the sample size and explore diverse healthcare settings to validate these findings.
Cost-Effective and Energy-Efficient Photonics-Based Frequency Hopping by Single Wavelength-Tunable Laser for Secure THz Communication
Authors: Masutomi Naoto , Ye Shenghong , Li Bo , Kaide Ryota , Che Ming , Mikami Yuya , Ueda Yuta , Kato Kazutoshi
Published: January 2025

A photomixing-based frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) system is effective for future secure terahertz (THz) wireless communications. Conventional photomixing systems are typically composed of two lasers, which result in an increased system size and power consumption. To address this issue, we applied our proposed THz wave generation method, using a single wavelength-tunable laser, to the FHSS system. In the experiments, we successfully demonstrated a J-band (220–330 GHz) FHSS system with a frequency-hopped interval of 400 ns.
Effects of Intercropping and Mowing Frequency on Biological Nitrogen Fixation Capacity, Nutritive Value, and Yield in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Vernal)
Authors: Wang Yao , Zhang Jinsong , He Chunxia , Meng Ping , Wang Jie , Gao Jun , Xue Pan
Published: January 2025

Intercropping with legume forages is recognized as an effective strategy for enhancing nitrogen levels in agroforestry, while mowing may influence nitrogen fixation capacity and yield. This study investigated the rooting, nitrogen fixation, nutritive value, and yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under intercropping and varying mowing frequencies (CK, 2, and 3) from 2021 to 2023, using walnut (Juglans regia L.) and alfalfa as experimental subjects. The results indicated that intercropping suppressed root growth, whereas increased mowing frequency stimulated root development in the topsoil (0–20 cm). Specifically, the average root length density, root surface area, and root volume from the twice- and thrice-mowed treatments increased by 18.26, 17.45, and 4.15%, respectively, in comparison to the control. The δ15N values of the intercropped alfalfa were significantly lower than those of the monocropped alfalfa (p < 0.05), with the δ15N values of the mowing-thrice treatment increasing by an average of 38.61% compared to the control. Intercropping suppressed alfalfa yield but did not affect the total nitrogen content in the leaves or the nutritive value, and all mowing treatments resulted in land equivalent ratios (LERs) greater than 1. Furthermore, increased mowing frequency enhanced both the nutritive value and yield of alfalfa. Our study suggests that intercropping with walnut can improve biological nitrogen fixation in alfalfa, and that adopting a mowing-thrice regime can optimize yield and nutritive value.
How Do Arabidopsis Seedlings Sense and React to Increasing Ambient Temperatures?
Authors: Fehér Attila , Hamid Rasik Shiekh Bin , Magyar Zoltán
Published: January 2025

Plants respond to higher ambient temperatures by modifying their growth rate and habitus. This review aims to summarize the accumulated knowledge obtained with Arabidopsis seedlings grown at normal and elevated ambient temperatures. Thermomorphogenesis in the shoot and the root is overviewed separately, since the experiments indicate differences in key aspects of thermomorphogenesis in the two organs. This includes the variances in thermosensors and key transcription factors, as well as the predominance of cell elongation or cell division, respectively, even though auxin plays a key role in regulating this process in both organs. Recent findings also highlight the role of the root and shoot meristems in thermomorphogenesis and suggest that the cell cycle inhibitor RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED protein may balance cell division and elongation at increased temperatures.
Gaussian Process Regression with a Hybrid Risk Measure for Dynamic Risk Management in the Electricity Market
Authors: Das Abhinav , Schlüter Stephan
Published: January 2025

In this work, we introduce an innovative approach to managing electricity costs within Germany’s evolving energy market, where dynamic tariffs are becoming increasingly normal. In line with recent German governmental policies, particularly the Energiewende (Energy Transition) and European Union directives on clean energy, this work introduces a risk management strategy based on a combination of the well-known risk measures of the Value at Risk (VaR) and Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR). The goal is to optimize electricity procurement by forecasting hourly prices over a certain horizon and allocating a fixed budget using the aforementioned measures to minimize the financial risk. To generate price predictions, a Gaussian process regression model is used. The aim of this hybrid approach is to design a model that is easily understandable but allows for a comprehensive evaluation of potential financial exposure. It enables consumers to adjust their consumption patterns or market traders to invest and allows more cost-effective and risk-aware decision-making. The potential of our approach is shown in a case study based on the German market. Moreover, by discussing the political and economical implications, we show how the implementation of our method can contribute to the realization of a sustainable, flexible, and efficient energy market, as outlined in Germany’s Renewable Energy Act.
Contrastive Dual-Pool Feature Adaption for Domain Incremental Remote Sensing Scene Classification
Authors: Shao Yingzhao , Li Yunsong , Han Xiaodong
Published: January 2025

Remote sensing image classification has achieved remarkable success in environmental monitoring and urban planning using deep neural networks (DNNs). However, the performance of these models is significantly impacted by domain shifts due to seasonal changes, varying atmospheric conditions, and different geographical locations. Existing solutions, including rehearsal-based and prompt-based methods, face limitations such as data privacy concerns, high computational overhead, and unreliable feature embeddings due to domain gaps. To address these challenges, we propose DACL (dual-pool architecture with contrastive learning), a novel framework for domain incremental learning in remote sensing image classification. DACL introduces three key components: (1) a dual-pool architecture comprising a prompt pool for domain-specific tokens and an adapter pool for feature adaptation, enabling efficient domain-specific feature extraction; (2) a dual loss mechanism that combines image-attracting loss and text-separating loss to enhance intra-domain feature discrimination while maintaining clear class boundaries; and (3) a K-means-based domain selector that efficiently matches unknown domain features with existing domain representations using cosine similarity. Our approach eliminates the need for storing historical data while maintaining minimal computational overhead. Extensive experiments on six widely used datasets demonstrate that DACL consistently outperforms state-of-the-art methods in domain incremental learning for remote sensing image classification scenarios, achieving an average accuracy improvement of 4.07% over the best baseline method.
Time Series Data Augmentation for Energy Consumption Data Based on Improved TimeGAN
Authors: Tang Peihao , Li Zhen , Wang Xuanlin , Liu Xueping , Mou Peng
Published: January 2025

Predicting the time series energy consumption data of manufacturing processes can optimize energy management efficiency and reduce maintenance costs for enterprises. Using deep learning algorithms to establish prediction models for sensor data is an effective approach; however, the performance of these models is significantly influenced by the quantity and quality of the training data. In real production environments, the amount of time series data that can be collected during the manufacturing process is limited, which can lead to a decline in model performance. In this paper, we use an improved TimeGAN model for the augmentation of energy consumption data, which incorporates a multi-head self-attention mechanism layer into the recovery model to enhance prediction accuracy. A hybrid CNN-GRU model is used to predict the energy consumption data from the operational processes of manufacturing equipment. After data augmentation, the prediction model exhibits significant reductions in RMSE and MAE along with an increase in the R2 value. The prediction accuracy of the model is maximized when the amount of generated synthetic data is approximately twice that of the original data.
Tracking Boats on Amazon Rivers—A Case Study with the LoRa/LoRaWAN
Authors: Rodrigues Marlos , dos Santos Alyson , Lima Hillermann , Nogueira Warley , de Lucena Junior Vicente
Published: January 2025

The Amazon region has the largest hydrographic basin in the world. The rivers act as roads, and boats serve as vehicles for transporting passengers and cargo to large urban centers, municipalities, riverside communities, villages, and settlements. The Amazon River transportation system faces critical gaps due to the lack of land infrastructure in certain areas, which makes rivers essential for commerce and access to isolated communities. This work proposes the development of a new hardware platform consisting of a system-in-package (SiP)—iMCP HTLRBL32L and GPS, which enables data transfer over a network with long-range LoRa technology. In addition, we developed a new communication protocol between the end devices called the LoRa Protocol Proprietary (LPP). This protocol allows parameterizable commands (location table, modulation, routing, source and destination DevEUI, and port) to be sent between end devices, providing flexibility in the configuration and management of Internet of Things networks. The results of the practical experiments with the new hardware platform in the communication scenario between the end device and the gateway show that the maximum range was 16.928 km. In the communication scenario between the end devices, the maximum range was 12.447 km. It offers a stable platform for exchanging control information, which is fundamental to the safety of river transport in the Amazon.
All-Metal Metamaterial-Based Sensor with Novel Geometry and Enhanced Sensing Capability at Terahertz Frequency
Authors: Banerjee Sagnik , Ghosh Ishani , Santini Carlo , Mangini Fabio , Citroni Rocco , Frezza Fabrizio
Published: January 2025

This research proposes an all-metal metamaterial-based absorber with a novel geometry capable of refractive index sensing in the terahertz (THz) range. The structure consists of four concentric diamond-shaped gold resonators on the top of a gold metal plate; the resonators increase in height by 2 µm moving from the outer to the inner resonators, making the design distinctive. This novel configuration has played a very significant role in achieving multiple ultra-narrow resonant absorption peaks that produce very high sensitivity when employed as a refractive index sensor. Numerical simulations demonstrate that it can achieve six significant ultra-narrow absorption peaks within the frequency range of 5 to 8 THz. The sensor has a maximum absorptivity of 99.98% at 6.97 THz. The proposed absorber also produces very high-quality factors at each resonance. The average sensitivity is 7.57/Refractive Index Unit (THz/RIU), which is significantly high when compared to the current state of the art. This high sensitivity is instrumental in detecting smaller traces of samples that have very correlated refractive indices, like several harmful gases. Hence, the proposed metamaterial-based sensor can be used as a potential gas detector at terahertz frequency. Furthermore, the structure proves to be polarization-insensitive and produces a stable absorption response when the angle of incidence is increased up to 60°. At terahertz wavelength, the proposed design can be used for any value of the aforementioned angles, targeting THz spectroscopy-based biomolecular fingerprint detection and energy harvesting applications.
Towards the Measurement of Sea-Ice Thickness Using a Time-Domain Inductive Measurement System
Authors: Hills Danny , Lawless Becan , Khangerey Rauan , Wilkinson Jeremy , Marsh Liam A.
Published: January 2025

Frequency-domain electromagnetic induction (EMI) is routinely used to detect the presence of seawater due to the inherent electrical conductivity of the seawater. This approach is used to infer sea-ice thickness (SIT). A time-domain EMI sensor is presented, which demonstrates the potential for correlating the spectroscopic properties of the received signal with the distance to the sea surface. This is a novel approach to SIT measurement, which differs from existing methods in that it uses measurements from 10 kHz to 93 kHz rather than a single frequency. The sensor was tested at a tidal pool containing seawater and measured to have a conductivity of 57.3 mS/cm. Measurements were performed at a range of heights between 0.2 m and 1.9 m above the sea surface and for inclinations from 0° to 45°. These measurements were correlated with Finite Element Modeling (FEM) simulations performed in COMSOL. The measured and simulated datasets are presented along with a proposed form of post-processing, which establishes a correlation between the distance to the sea surface and the measured EMI response. This forms a proxy measurement for the absolute distance from the EMI sensor to the sea surface. Because the air gap between the sensor and the seawater is indicative of the properties of sea ice, this study demonstrates a novel approach to non-destructive measurement of sea-ice thickness. The measurements show that this distance to the sea surface can be estimated to within approximately 10% of the known value from 0.2–1.5 m and 15% from 1.5 to 1.9 m.
Integrated Renewable Energy Systems for Buildings: An Assessment of the Environmental and Socio-Economic Sustainability
Authors: Gabbar Hossam A. , Ramadan A.
Published: January 2025

Developing a green energy strategy for municipalities requires creating a framework to support the local production, storage, and use of renewable energy and green hydrogen. This framework should cover essential components for small-scale applications, including energy sources, infrastructure, potential uses, policy backing, and collaborative partnerships. It is deployed as a small-scale renewable and green hydrogen unit in a municipality or building demands meticulous planning and considering multiple elements. Municipality can promote renewable energy and green hydrogen by adopting policies such as providing financial incentives like property tax reductions, grants, and subsidies for solar, wind, and hydrogen initiatives. They can also streamline approval processes for renewable energy installations, invest in hydrogen refueling stations and community energy projects, and collaborate with provinces and neighboring municipalities to develop hydrogen corridors and large-scale renewable projects. Renewable energy and clean hydrogen have significant potential to enhance sustainability in the transportation, building, and mining sectors by replacing fossil fuels. In Canada, where heating accounts for 80% of building energy use, blending hydrogen with LPG can reduce emissions. This study proposes a comprehensive approach integrating renewable energy and green hydrogen to support small-scale applications. The study examines many scenarios in a building as a case study, focusing on economic and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts. The optimum scenario uses a hybrid renewable energy system to meet two distinct electrical needs, with 53% designated for lighting and 10% for equipment with annual saving CAD$ 87,026.33. The second scenario explores utilizing a hydrogen-LPG blend as fuel for thermal loads, covering 40% and 60% of the total demand, respectively. This approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions from 540 to 324 tCO2/year, resulting in an annual savings of CAD$ 251,406. This innovative approach demonstrates the transformative potential of renewable energy and green hydrogen in enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability across sectors, including transportation, buildings, and mining.
Reducing Water Consumption on a Student Campus Through Communication Campaigns
Authors: Gherheș Vasile , Cernicova-Buca Mariana
Published: January 2025

Water management is a significant component of ensuring the pursuit of sustainable goals in an organization. Universities are known actors committed to developing responsible behaviors in students, including water consumption. The present research investigates the changes in student water-related behaviors in campus living, due to an information and persuasion campaign that took place in the oldest university in Western Romania. The research is based on a quantitative statistical approach highlighting the changes in students’ self-perceived importance allocated to water use and water saving, due to a communication campaign that took place on campus premises, with over 6000 residents. The pre- and post-campaign questionnaire rendered over 800 valid responses, ensuring the representativeness of the results for the given campus. The campaign described in the research targeted raising students’ awareness of sustainability issues and nudging pro-environment behaviors. The water management component of the campaign aimed at reducing water consumption in student campus living without affecting cleanness and personal hygiene, by making better use of the existing resources. Students responded positively to nudge messages for the reduction in showering time and a better use of laundry machines. The campaign led to a measurable reduction in water waste, but the results need to be reinforced through new campaigning, to maintain the water-saving behavior in the student population.
Sustainable Production of Activated Carbon from Waste Wood Using Goethite Iron Ore
Authors: Spencer William , Ibana Don , Singh Pritam , Nikoloski Aleksandar N.
Published: January 2025

The growing demand for eco-friendly activated carbon necessitates sustainable production methods. This study investigates the conversion of waste wood into activated carbon using goethite iron ore as an activating agent. A high-temperature rotary furnace was used to activate the carbon at 1373 K. The oxygen released from the iron oxide during the heat treatment reacted with the carbon in the wood, resulting in 49% of activated carbon with BET surface areas between 684 m2/g and 770 m2/g. The activated carbon and char showed type I isotherms with micropore areas between 600 m2/g and 668 m2/g, respectively. Additionally, 92% of the iron in the ore was reduced from ferric to ferrous. The findings demonstrate that goethite iron ore is an effective activating agent for producing wood-based activated carbon while also generating metallic iron as a byproduct. This alternative activation method enhances the sustainability and efficiency of activated carbon production.
Interregional Environmental Policy Coordination, Natural Resource Endowment, and Green Economic Development: A Quantitative Analysis of China’s Policy Tests
Authors: Ge Tao , Chen Yuan
Published: January 2025

Revealing the linkage between interregional coordination and a green economy is crucial to economic resilience and high-quality development capabilities. Although local governments in China are increasingly emphasizing environmental policy coordination, academics have not fully investigated whether it can advance green economic development. This research aims to quantify interregional environmental policy coordination from the perspectives of policy actor coordination and policy tool coordination and further investigates its green development effects, particularly when considering the mediating role of natural resource endowment. The analysis is based on environmental policies and related data issued by 284 cities in China from 2003 to 2022. The results indicate that (1) interregional environmental policy coordination contributes to green economic development, in which policy actor coordination and policy tool coordination are complementary and indispensable. (2) It exhibits heterogeneity characteristics that have a stronger promoting effect in resource-rich areas, as well as spillover characteristics that gradually weaken with increasing distance. (3) Interregional environmental policy coordination promotes green economic development by reducing natural resource abundance and natural resource dependence; however, both policy actor coordination and policy tool coordination mainly play a role in lowering natural resource abundance. This study offers useful insights for policymakers seeking to maximize economic benefits while utilizing limited resources and protecting the environment.
Advanced Autonomous System for Monitoring Soil Parameters
Authors: Valentina-Daniela Băjenaru , Simona-Elena Istrițeanu , Ancuța Paul-Nicolae
Published: January 2025

Context: This research investigates the advantages of real-time monitoring of soil quality for various land management practices. It also highlights the significance of spatio-temporal soil modeling and mapping in providing a clear and visual understanding of how aridity changes over time and across different locations. Aims: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the key processes required for the development of a laboratory-based soil quality monitoring system. Methods: The applied methodologies involved the processes of sensor deployment, data acquisition infrastructure establishment, and sensor calibration. These procedures culminated in the development of a soil quality assessment model that was subsequently subjected to two months of laboratory testing using three distinct soil types. The analysis yielded a strong positive linear correlation between the measured and predicted soil quality values. Key Results: As expected, the assimilation of prior soil quality estimates within the modeling framework demonstrated a significant enhancement in the accuracy of real-time soil quality estimations. Conclusions: This research promotes the importance of iterative improvements of the soil quality monitoring system. The need for a long-term perspective and a plan for maintenance and continuous improvement of such systems in the ecosystem is important to improve the ease of making predictions to avoid soil aridization. The results of this research will be useful for researchers and practitioners involved in the design and implementation of soil monitoring systems.
Impact of Charge on Strange Compact Stars in Rastall Theory
Authors: Sallah Malick , Sharif Muhammad
Published: January 2025

Within the framework of Rastall theory, we investigate the impact of charge on the structural development of different types of spherically symmetric anisotropic stars. To do so, we present modified field equations based upon the Finch–Skea metric potentials expressed in terms of three parameters (A,B,C). These constants are determined using suitable matching conditions and observational data for compact objects which include Her X-1, SAX J 1808.4-3658, PSR J038-0842, LMC X-4 and SMC X-1. The equation of state offered by the MIT bag model for quark–gluon plasma is used to investigate the inner structure and other characteristics of these compact objects. For a fixed bag constant, B=60MeV/fm3, and two sets of the Rastall and charge parameters, ζ=0.255,0.259 and Q˜=0.2,0.7, respectively, we analyze the consistency of the matter variables in the model and other physical parameters such as energy conditions, stellar mass, compactness, and surface redshift. In addition, we assess the stability of the constructed model through two different approaches. It is found that the obtained model is physically viable and stable.