bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Magneto-Priming on the Physiological Quality of Soybean Seeds
Authors: de Faria Rute Q. , dos Santos Amanda R. P. , Batista Thiago B. , Gariepy Yvan , da Silva Edvaldo A. A. , Sartori Maria M. P. , Raghavan Vijaya
Published: March 2023

Microwaves have been applied to the drying of seeds of several species due to their maintenance of the quality of the seeds and reduction of time and costs. However, few is known about the effect of microwaves on the increase of the physiological quality of soybean seeds and especially their effects on longevity. Therefore, the use of microwaves as magneto-priming in soybean seeds was the object of study in this work. For this purpose, two soybean cultivars were selected and submitted to the ultra-high frequency (UHF) microwave exposure of 2.45 GHz, in the wavelength of 11 cm, and power of 0.2 W/g, for 15 min. The results showed that this condition of exposure to the microwave brought benefits in both cultivars after treatment. Incremental improvements were observed in the germinability indexes, the seedling length, the water absorption by the seeds, the fresh mass, dry mass, and longevity. The genes related to seed germination and longevity showed superior expression (HSFA3, HSP21, HSP17.6b, EXP, ABI3) with magneto-priming treatment. The data found ensure the use of the technique as a viable option for pre-treatment as magneto-priming in soybean seeds in order to improve seed quality.
Strategies and Methods for Improving the Efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing in Plant Molecular Breeding
Authors: Zhou Junming , Luan Xinchao , Liu Yixuan , Wang Lixue , Wang Jiaxin , Yang Songnan , Liu Shuying , Zhang Jun , Liu Huijing , Yao Dan
Published: March 2023

Following recent developments and refinement, CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology has become increasingly mature and is being widely used for crop improvement. The application of CRISPR/Cas9 enables the generation of transgene-free genome-edited plants in a short period and has the advantages of simplicity, high efficiency, high specificity, and low production costs, which greatly facilitate the study of gene functions. In plant molecular breeding, the gene-editing efficiency of the CRISPR-Cas9 system has proven to be a key step in influencing the effectiveness of molecular breeding, with improvements in gene-editing efficiency recently becoming a focus of reported scientific research. This review details strategies and methods for improving the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in plant molecular breeding, including Cas9 variant enzyme engineering, the effect of multiple promoter driven Cas9, and gRNA efficient optimization and expression strategies. It also briefly introduces the optimization strategies of the CRISPR/Cas12a system and the application of BE and PE precision editing. These strategies are beneficial for the further development and optimization of gene editing systems in the field of plant molecular breeding.
Growth and Leaf Gas Exchange Upregulation by Elevated [CO2] Is Light Dependent in Coffee Plants
Authors: de Souza Antonio H. , de Oliveira Ueliton S. , Oliveira Leonardo A. , de Carvalho Pablo H. N. , de Andrade Moab T. , Pereira Talitha S. , Gomes Junior Carlos C. , Cardoso Amanda A. , Ramalho José D. C. , Martins Samuel C. V. , DaMatta Fábio M.
Published: March 2023

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plants have been assorted as highly suitable to growth at elevated [CO2] (eCa), although such suitability is hypothesized to decrease under severe shade. We herein examined how the combination of eCa and contrasting irradiance affects growth and photosynthetic performance. Coffee plants were grown in open-top chambers under relatively high light (HL) or low light (LL) (9 or 1 mol photons m−2 day−1, respectively), and aCa or eCa (437 or 705 μmol mol–1, respectively). Most traits were affected by light and CO2, and by their interaction. Relative to aCa, our main findings were (i) a greater stomatal conductance (gs) (only at HL) with decreased diffusive limitations to photosynthesis, (ii) greater gs during HL-to-LL transitions, whereas gs was unresponsive to the LL-to-HL transitions irrespective of [CO2], (iii) greater leaf nitrogen pools (only at HL) and higher photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency irrespective of light, (iv) lack of photosynthetic acclimation, and (v) greater biomass partitioning to roots and earlier branching. In summary, eCa improved plant growth and photosynthetic performance. Our novel and timely findings suggest that coffee plants are highly suited for a changing climate characterized by a progressive elevation of [CO2], especially if the light is nonlimiting.
Self-Healing Poly(urea formaldehyde) Microcapsules: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Kothari Jehan , Iroh Jude O.
Published: March 2023

Smart coatings and smart polymers have been garnering great interest in recent times due to their novel characteristics, such as being self-restoring, self-cleaning, and self-healing. However, most self-healing materials have a low glass transition temperature (Tg) and are inadequate for the repair of advanced composites. Because of their low Tg, the conventional self-healing materials plasticize and weaken the composites. In this study, moderate to high temperature self-healing microcapsules, capable of healing and thus stopping crack propagation, are prepared. The microcapsules were prepared using a two-step process involving the synthesis of poly(urea formaldehyde) (PUF) prepolymer, followed by the encapsulation of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) in an oil-in-water emulsion to form a crosslinked PUF shell. Diisocyanates are of particular interest as self-healing encapsulants because of their diversity of structure and fast rate of hydrolysis. Successful encapsulation was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and optical microscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to characterize the thermal properties of microcapsules. The onset temperature for microcapsule degradation varied from 155 °C to 195 °C. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to determine the thermomechanical response of microcapsule/epoxy films. DMA showed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the epoxy/microcapsule composite was greater than the Tg for neat epoxy and varied between 34 and 65 °C. The TGA analysis of the epoxy/microcapsule composite shows that the thermal stability and char retention of the epoxy/microcapsule composite increased and the low temperature decomposition peak at 150 °C, associated with the microcapsule, disappeared after the DMA test, indicating the occurrence of a reaction between HDI and the epoxy to form a crosslinked polyurea network structure.
The Influence of Carbon Black Colloidal Properties on the Parameters of the Kraus Model
Authors: Rutherford Kirsty J. , Akutagawa Keizo , Ramier Julien L. , Tunnicliffe Lewis B. , Busfield James J. C.
Published: March 2023

The Payne Effect (also known as the Fletcher–Gent Effect) has a fundamental impact on the behavior of filled rubber composites and therefore must be considered during their design. This study investigates the influence of carbon black (CB) surface area and structure on the observed Payne Effect and builds on the existing models of Kraus and Ulmer to explain this phenomenon. Dynamic strain sweeps were carried out on natural rubber (NR) compounds containing eight different grades of CB at equivalent volume fractions. The loss and storage moduli were modeled according to the Kraus and Ulmer equations, using a curve optimization tool in SciPy. Subsequent regression analysis provided strong correlations between the fitting parameters and the CB structure and surface area. Using this regression analysis, this work provides further insight into the physical meaning behind the Kraus and Ulmer models, which are phenomenological in nature.
π-Electron-Extended Triazine-Based Covalent Organic Framework as Photocatalyst for Organic Pollution Degradation and H2 Production from Water
Authors: Wang Jing Han , Gaber Taher A. , Kuo Shiao-Wei , EL-Mahdy Ahmed F. M.
Published: March 2023

Herein, we report the efficient preparation of π-electron-extended triazine-based covalent organic framework (TFP-TPTPh COF) for photocatalysis and adsorption of the rhodamine B (RhB) dye molecule, as well as for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water. The resultant TFP-TPTPh COF exhibited remarkable porosity, excellent crystallinity, high surface area of 724 m2 g−1, and massive thermal stability with a char yield of 63.41%. The TFP-TPTPh COF demonstrated an excellent removal efficiency of RhB from water in 60 min when used as an adsorbent, and its maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) of 480 mg g−1 is among the highest Qm values for porous polymers ever to be recorded. In addition, the TFP-TPTPh COF showed a remarkable photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye molecules with a reaction rate constant of 4.1 × 10−2 min−1 and an efficiency of 97.02% under ultraviolet–visible light irradiation. Furthermore, without additional co-catalysts, the TFP-TPTPh COF displayed an excellent photocatalytic capacity for reducing water to generate H2 with a hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of 2712 μmol g−1 h−1. This highly active COF-based photocatalyst appears to be a useful material for dye removal from water, as well as solar energy processing and conversion.
A Cloud Detection Neural Network Approach for the Next Generation Microwave Sounder Aboard EPS MetOp-SG A1
Authors: Larosa Salvatore , Cimini Domenico , Gallucci Donatello , Di Paola Francesco , Nilo Saverio Teodosio , Ricciardelli Elisabetta , Ripepi Ermann , Romano Filomena
Published: March 2023

This work presents an algorithm based on a neural network (NN) for cloud detection to detect clouds and their thermodynamic phase using spectral observations from spaceborne microwave radiometers. A standalone cloud detection algorithm over the ocean and land has been developed to distinguish clear sky versus ice and liquid clouds from microwave sounder (MWS) observations. The MWS instrument—scheduled to be onboard the first satellite of the Eumetsat Polar System Second-Generation (EPS-SG) series, MetOp-SG A1—has a direct inheritance from advanced microwave sounding unit A (AMSU-A) and the microwave humidity sounder (MHS) microwave instruments. Real observations from the MWS sensor are not currently available as its launch is foreseen in 2024. Thus, a simulated dataset of atmospheric states and associated MWS synthetic observations have been produced through radiative transfer calculations with ERA5 real atmospheric profiles and surface conditions. The developed algorithm has been validated using spectral observations from the AMSU-A and MHS sounders. While ERA5 atmospheric profiles serve as references for the model development and its validation, observations from AVHRR cloud mask products provide references for the AMSU-A/MHS model evaluation. The results clearly show the NN algorithm’s high skills to detect clear, ice and liquid cloud conditions against a benchmark. In terms of overall accuracy, the NN model features 92% (88%) on the ocean and 87% (85%) on land, for the MWS (AMSU-A/MHS)-simulated dataset, respectively.
Fluorination Treatment and Nano-Alumina Concentration on the Direct Current Breakdown Performance & Trap Levels of Epoxy/Alumina Nanocomposite for a Sustainable Power System
Authors: Khan Muhammad Zeeshan , Nazir Muhammad Shahzad , Bhutta Muhammad Shoaib , Wang Feipeng
Published: March 2023

Epoxy resin is extensively used in gas insulated switches as a renewable energy coating due to its exceptional insulation, mechanical characteristics, and environmental friendliness. The higher resistivity of the epoxy resin causes numerous surface charges to accumulate on the surface of the epoxy resin as a result of carrier injection due to the high DC electric field, which may cause insulation failure of the power transmission system. In this study, various concentrations of epoxy resins blended with nano-alumina (nano-Al2O3) at 0 wt%, 1 wt%, 3 wt%, and 5 wt% were created. Afterwards, the epoxy resin and Al2O3 nanocomposites were fluorinated by utilizing a combination of F2 and N2 with a ratio of 20% F2 at 0.05 MPa while maintaining the temperature at 40 °C. In order to improve dispersion, nano- Al2O3 was treated with a silane coupling agent called γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550). Additionally, infrared spectroscopy based on the Fourier transform was used to investigate the structure of chemical bonds. Furthermore, the changes in the molecular chains were verified by the FTIR spectra. The DC breakdown strength of epoxy resin\Al2O3 nano-composites showed that breakdown strength significantly improved after gas-phase fluorination. Moreover, 1 wt% nano- Al2O3 showed a higher breakdown strength. The fluorinated layer had a charge-suppressing effect, reducing the charge injected into the polymer matrix of the epoxy-resin matrix and increasing its DC breakdown capability. Thermally stimulated current (TSC) measurements indicate that epoxy resin’s trap energy and trap density are altered by nano- Al2O3 incorporation and fluorination treatment (gas-phase). It was also observed that introducing nano- Al2O3 at a lower concentration (e.g., 1 wt%) can hinder the growth of space charge in the polymer matrix of the epoxy resin, thus enhancing the deep traps’ energy. Furthermore, a fluorination layer containing a strong polarization of C-F bonding would seize the charge injection from electrodes, thus decreasing the conductivity and suppressing the charge injection.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Land Surface Phenology from 2001 to 2021 in the Agricultural Pastoral Ecotone of Northern China
Authors: Wei Baocheng , Wei Jing , Jia Xu , Ye Zhigang , Yu Shan , Yin Shan
Published: March 2023

Vegetation phenology is one of the most sensitive indicators to understanding terrestrial ecosystem status and change. However, few studies have been conducted to reveal vegetation phenology variation characteristics over the past two decades, especially under the background of the global warming hiatus since 1998. The agricultural pastoral ecotone of northern China (APENC) is an ideal place to analyze land surface phenology (LSP) variation. Therefore, the spatiotemporal patterns of LSP were quantitatively analyzed at regional, basin and pixel scales based on time-series MODIS NDVI data (2001–2021). Results showed that: (i) The start of the growing season (SOS) occurred in 105–141 Julian days, the end of the growing season (EOS) was between 257 and 281 Julian days and the length of the growing season (LOS) varied from 130 to 172 days. The later SOS was mainly distributed in croplands and typical grassland areas, while the early SOS was observed in forests and sandy vegetation coverage areas. The early EOS occurred in typical grasslands, and the later EOS was concentrated in the southeast boundary. The magnitude of the SOS and LOS fluctuation was less than EOS. (ii) The SOS and EOS exhibited overall insignificant advanced and delayed trends at a rate of −0.09 days·yr−1 and 0.12 days·yr−1, respectively, and the LOS displayed an insignificant extended trend at a rate of 0.26 days·yr−1 at a regional scale. The trends of phenological metrics were consistent with the APENC in the Yellow River and Haihe River Basins. The shortened trend of LOS occurred due to the delayed SOS and advanced EOS in the Songliao River and Continental Basins. (iii) The SOS variation gradually changed from an advanced trend to a delayed trend from a southwest to northeast direction in cropland and grassland ecosystems, whereas an opposite trend was found for EOS. The LOS exhibited a significant extended trend due to the significant advanced and delayed trend of SOS and EOS at p < 0.01 in forest ecosystems. This work provides a critical reference for the vegetation phenology dynamic research of semi-arid and semi-humid regions.
Mobile-Based Training and Certification Framework for Teachers’ Professional Development
Authors: Dahri Nisar Ahmed , Al-Rahmi Waleed Mugahed , Almogren Abeer S. , Yahaya Noraffandy , Vighio Muhammad Saleem , Al-Maatuok Qusay
Published: March 2023

This study highlights the challenges faced in providing professional development programs for teachers, including limited resources and conventional training methods. Mobile technology, with its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, is increasingly being used as a part of professional development programs, but existing frameworks do not adequately support the integration of technology. This study proposes a mobile-based training certification framework that includes support for mobile phones, a training curriculum and assessment, expert support, and CPD evaluation. The framework was piloted with 35 participants from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with positive results indicating that mobile-based training is effective in enhancing teachers’ learning outcomes. According to the teachers’ responses, 100% agreed that this was a groundbreaking endeavor and expressed excitement to use it. Additionally, 98% found mobile learning easier and more enjoyable than traditional methods. The study recommends the implementation of the mobile-based training certification framework to improve teachers’ professional development and bridge the gap between traditional training methods and the needs of modern-day educators. The study also highlights the potential of mobile-based training to improve student outcomes by developing the knowledge and skills of teachers.
Antecedents of Organizational Resilience after COVID-19: The Case of UAE
Authors: Al Ameri Khadija Ali Mohammed Abdulrahman
Published: March 2023

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between work stress, employee engagement, employee well-being, and employee and organizational resilience, in order to develop a model that can be used to investigate the effects of these variables on organization performance. A quantitative approach was used and structural equation modeling with AMOS 28 was applied to investigate the relationship between the variables in a convenient sample of 394 employees in the UAE. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that work-stress negatively impacts the resilience of organizations, while work engagement and employee resilience are positive indicators of the resilience of organizations. No relationship was found between employee well-being and organizational resilience. Using the findings of this study, one may be able to determine whether a company will be able to achieve better resilience when operating in the midst of intense crisis situations.
Is It Possible to Implement the Same Circular-Economy Concept in Rural and Urban Areas? Study on Willingness to Pay for Household Waste
Authors: Arista Nor Isnaeni Dwi , Handayani Dwini , Ernawati Ninin
Published: March 2023

Household waste management is still a problem that has not been fully solved in various countries, regions, and even in households, due to various factors from within and outside the individual. Nevertheless, efforts to improve waste management continue, including the Willingness to Pay (WTP) model for better waste management. The research hypothesizes that various important factors that influence WTP can lead to a circular economy. The research data is collected through an online survey with a total of 255 respondents, which overall discusses waste and the strategies in its management. Based on factor analysis, the area of residence (rural or urban areas) and the income of respondents have a significant effect on WTP decisions. Furthermore, the WTP decision is tested through respondents’ perceptions of various aspects of the circular economy that have an impact on health, awareness, desire, ability, and marketing prospects of waste which, when tested using the Spearman correlation, shows correlation between all aspects. We recommend these results to stakeholders to improve the management system of household waste management in both rural and urban areas through the WTP system, to achieve a circular economy.
How Oil Price Changes Affect Inflation in an Oil-Exporting Country: Evidence from Azerbaijan
Authors: Aliyev Khatai , Humbatova Sugra , Gadim-Oglu Natig Hajiyev
Published: March 2023

This research study aims to explore the inflationary effects of oil price rises in the case of Azerbaijan. The study covers 1997–2021 yearly data to estimate long- and short-term impacts while considering “oil price—money supply” interactions. Autoregressive Distributed Lag Bounds testing (ARDLBT), Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), and Canonical Cointegration Regression (CCR) cointegration methods are applied simultaneously. The research findings are: (1) oil price is a significant long-term determinant of inflation in Azerbaijan, affecting overall prices directly and indirectly via the money supply; (2) the effect is statistically significant in the short-term and happens indirectly, moderated by the money supply; and (3) oil price moderates the impact of the money supply over inflation in the short-term. A major limitation of the current study is that it omits the possible moderation impact of oil prices over inflation in Azerbaijan through the resulting inflationary pressure due to oil price rises in trade-partner countries and the government’s fiscal policy. Research findings require the Central Bank to consider indirect effects of oil price changes, especially due to money supply changes, when targeting inflation and addressing policy sustainability in Azerbaijan.
Pursuing the Sustainability of Real Estate Market: The Case of Chinese Land Resources Diversification
Authors: Lee Cheng-Wen , Chiang Shu-Hen , Wen Zhong-Qin
Published: March 2023

Numerous studies have focused on the ripple effect in housing markets; however, these studies often fail to grasp the critical role of commercial real estate land use when forming a real estate portfolio. We argue that spreading an investment across various land-use assets—namely, diversification—may be effective in stabilizing and balancing China’s housing market through the introduction of the ripple effect. In six Chinese mega-cities, the cointegration system is initially used to prove the existence of ripple effects. A causality test can then identify the source cities: Beijing and Chongqing in the residential market, and Shenzhen and Chongqing in the commercial market. Finally, the authorities should enforce the differentiated measures by “depressing the housing market while encouraging the commercial market” in the respective target cities; this approach could efficiently ripple out to other cities. It is believed that the policy of land resources diversification can enable the Chinese real estate market to achieve more sustainable development.
Experimental Analysis of the Discharge Valve Movement of the Oil-Free Linear Compressor in the Refrigeration System
Authors: Li Chengzhan , Sun Jian , Zou Huiming , Cai Jinghui , Zhu Tingting
Published: March 2023

In a linear compressor, the valve motion significantly affects the thermodynamic efficiency and the compressor’s reliability, especially in oil-free conditions. To better understand the dynamic behavior of the discharge valve, a real-time test bench was built. The piston movements and dynamic pressure in the cylinder were also observed to obtain the synchronizing characteristics among the reed valve motion, cylinder pressure, and piston motion. Observing the motion of the discharge valve visually, the discharge valve flutters due to the change in the form of the cylinder pressure, the delayed opening of the valve is caused by the inertia of the valve itself, and additional displacement fluctuations are present. This paper presents the dynamic behavior of the discharge valve under different discharge pressure/operating frequency/piston stroke/clearance length conditions. The results show that the valve flutters increase, the mean displacement of the valve increases, and the duration of the discharge increases when the discharge pressure decreases. When the operating frequency increases, the duration of the discharge decreases, while the mean displacement of the valve increases. For a high stroke or a low clearance length case, the duration of the discharge increases, while the valve flutters increase due to the pressure fluctuations in the cylinder. Through analyzing the synchronizing characteristic among the valve movements, piston movements, and cylinder pressure, it is shown that the phenomenon of the delayed opening valve is much worse for a low stroke or a high operating frequency case. In addition, the delayed closing of the valve appears for a high operating frequency case (75 Hz).
Analysis of the Impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty on Environmental Sustainability in Developed and Developing Economies
Authors: Huang Huafang , Ali Sharafat , Solangi Yasir Ahmed
Published: March 2023

The literature on the impact of policy uncertainty on climate change has grown rapidly in recent years as policymakers and researchers have become increasingly concerned about the potential adverse effects of policy uncertainty on environmental sustainability. This study aims to investigate the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU), GDP per capita, renewable energy consumption (REC), and foreign direct investment (FDI) on environmental sustainability from the perspectives of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) and pollution halo/haven hypotheses. The research employs panel data analysis techniques, including panel corrected standard errors (PCSE) and generalized least squares (GLS), to analyze the data from a panel of 19 developed and developing countries from 2001 to 2019. The results reveal that EPU, GDP per capita, REC, and FDI significantly impact GHG emissions, contributing to climate change. The results of the study confirm a U-shaped EKC and pollution haven hypothesis in the selected economies. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers, as they highlight the need to consider the interplay between economic growth, foreign investment, and environmental policy in addressing climate change. The results also suggest that reducing policy uncertainty and promoting sustainable economic growth can mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure environmental sustainability.
Food Proteins: Potential Resources
Authors: Dolganyuk Vyacheslav , Sukhikh Stanislav , Kalashnikova Olga , Ivanova Svetlana , Kashirskikh Egor , Prosekov Alexander , Michaud Philippe , Babich Olga
Published: March 2023

According to the FAO and WHO, half of the world’s population (nearly eight billion people) is protein deficient. Protein deficiency is the most important nutritional problem in the world. Proteins can be animal- (meat and offal, fish, milk, eggs) or plant- (cereals, legumes, oilseeds) based, microbiologically synthesized (from yeast and a variety of bacteria), and synthetic or artificial (produced after amino acid synthesis). Animal proteins are the most expensive. The systematic incorporation of alternative proteins in the human diet is becoming increasingly urgent as global meat costs rise. Legumes, cereals, seeds, and nuts can all provide protein to the human body. Microalgae are considered to be an excellent source of functional and biologically active nutrients for human nutritional needs. Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris are the most popular microalgae on the global market today, both of which are marketed as standalone functional foods containing proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Insects, as a source of dietary protein, differ in protein content from 20 to 75%. Investments in plant-based meat companies exceeded $350 million in 2020. The FAO predicts that the market for edible insects will reach $1.2 billion by 2023. All of these alternative protein sources are becoming more popular in the modern food industry for the production of high-protein foods and dietary supplements. This review aims to be a state-of-the-art study of new and potential sources of dietary proteins.
Battery Thermal Management: An Application to Petrol Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Raja Ahsan Shah Raja Mazuir , Al Qubeissi Mansour , Youssef Hazem , Soyhan Hakan Serhad
Published: March 2023

Battery thermal management systems (BTMS) in hybrid electric vehicles can be complex and heavy. They tend to increase energy consumption, leading to higher carbon dioxide emissions. In this study, a new approach was investigated for the potential use of four fuel components as coolants for direct liquid-cooled (LC)-BTMS, N-Pentane, N-Hexane, N-Butane, and Cyclo-Pentane. The performance of the fuel components was numerically analysed and CFD modelled using ANSYS Fluent software. Several meshing iterations of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) module were performed to conduct mesh independence check for higher accuracy and less computational time. The LIB module was simulated, in comparison to a free air convection (FAC)-BTMS as a benchmark, at three discharge rates (1C, 1.5C, 2C) for each of the inlet velocity values (0.1, 0.5, 1 m/s). Results show that FAC-BTMS exceeded the LIB module optimal operating temperature range (293–313 K) at 2C. On average, at the worst condition (lowest inlet velocity and highest discharge rate), all fuel components of the LC-BTMS were able to maintain the LIB module temperature below 288 K. That is at least 4.7% cooler compared to FAC-BTMS, which renders the new approach viable alternative to the conventional BTMS.
The Effect of Cellulose Crystalline Structure Modification on Glucose Production from Chemical-Composition-Controlled Biomass
Authors: Jang Soo-Kyeong , Jeong Hanseob , Choi In-Gyu
Published: March 2023

The crystalline structure is a biomass recalcitrance factor that hinders chemical or biological access to degrade the plant cell-wall structure. However, controversy persists over whether a ratio of the crystalline region, the crystallinity index, is a critical biomass recalcitrance factor. In this study, an alkaline treatment modified from mercerization was adopted to alleviate the crystalline structure in the xylem of eucalyptus, along with hemicellulose and lignin removal via autohydrolysis and acid–chlorite treatment, respectively. Then, the glucose yield of the treated solid residues was used as a parameter of biomass recalcitrance. The alkaline treatment successfully reduced the crystallinity index, and the maximal reduction ratio was 84.9% when using an 8% sodium hydroxide solution. However, the reduction ratio of the crystallinity index was dependent on the remaining lignin content in the treated solid residues. Additionally, the lignin removal ratio showed critical influence to improve the glucose yield that was even observed in the treated solid residue having a low reduction ratio of the crystallinity index. Consequently, the cellulose crystalline structure is minimally involved with biomass recalcitrance, especially cellulase activity, at least in eucalyptus.
Remediation of Micro-Pollution in an Alkaline Washing Solution of Fly Ash Using Simulated Exhaust Gas: Parameters and Mechanism
Authors: Wang Lei , Tang Yuemei , Gong Yu , Shao Xiang , Lin Xiaochen , Xu Weili , Zhu Yifan , Ju Yongming , Shi Lili , Kołodyńska Dorota
Published: March 2023

Currently, there is an urgent need to remediate heavy metals (HMs) and high alkalinity in the washing solution of fly ash (FA). This study investigated the remediation with simulated exhaust gases of two CO2 partial pressure and revealed the removal efficiency of target pollutants, mainly including Pb ions. The results verify that under the preferred conditions of 25 °C and 15 mL/min flow rate, bubbling two kinds of simulated flue gases could efficiently remove 97.9–99.2% of Pb ions. Moreover, the initial 40 min removal of Pb ions fits in a way with a pseudo-first-order equation. Based on the thermodynamic parameters, we infer that the removal of Pb ions was a spontaneous, exothermic, and entropy-decreasing process. Furthermore, residual HMs and terminal pH after remediation of the FA washing solution basically met the regulatory threshold values of the integrated wastewater discharge standard in China (GB 8978−1996). Additionally, the particles obtained from the washing solution of FA were identified as CaCO3, which was mainly composed of vaterite and calcite crystalline. This study provides a fundamental guide for remediating multiple pollutants in the washing solution of FA and simultaneously sequestrating carbon emissions from power plants and industries.
Current Status and Development Trend of Soil Salinity Monitoring Research in China
Authors: Ma Yingxuan , Tashpolat Nigara
Published: March 2023

Soil salinization is a resource and ecological problem that currently exists on a large scale in all countries of the world. This problem is seriously restricting the development of agricultural production, the sustainable use of land resources, and the stability of the ecological environment. Salinized soils in China are characterized by extensive land area, complex saline species, and prominent salinization problems. Therefore, strengthening the management and utilization of salinized soils, monitoring and identifying accurate salinization information, and mastering the degree of regional salinization are important goals that researchers have been trying to explore and overcome. Based on a large amount of soil salinization research, this paper reviews the developmental history of saline soil management research in China, discusses the research progress of soil salinization monitoring, and summarizes the main modeling methods for remote sensing monitoring of saline soils. Additionally, this paper also proposes and analyzes the limitations of China’s soil salinity monitoring research and its future development trend, taking into account the real needs and frontier hotspots of the country in related research. This is of great practical significance to comprehensively grasp the current situation of salinization research, further clarify and sort out research ideas of salinization monitoring, enrich the remote sensing monitoring methods of saline soils, and solve practical problems of soil salinization in China.
A Perspective on Current Flavivirus Vaccine Development: A Brief Review
Authors: Dutta Sudip Kumar , Langenburg Thomas
Published: March 2023

The flavivirus genus contains several clinically important pathogens that account for tremendous global suffering. Primarily transmitted by mosquitos or ticks, these viruses can cause severe and potentially fatal diseases ranging from hemorrhagic fevers to encephalitis. The extensive global burden is predominantly caused by six flaviviruses: dengue, Zika, West Nile, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis. Several vaccines have been developed, and many more are currently being tested in clinical trials. However, flavivirus vaccine development is still confronted with many shortcomings and challenges. With the use of the existing literature, we have studied these hurdles as well as the signs of progress made in flavivirus vaccinology in the context of future development strategies. Moreover, all current licensed and phase-trial flavivirus vaccines have been gathered and discussed based on their vaccine type. Furthermore, potentially relevant vaccine types without any candidates in clinical testing are explored in this review as well. Over the past decades, several modern vaccine types have expanded the field of vaccinology, potentially providing alternative solutions for flavivirus vaccines. These vaccine types offer different development strategies as opposed to traditional vaccines. The included vaccine types were live-attenuated, inactivated, subunit, VLPs, viral vector-based, epitope-based, DNA and mRNA vaccines. Each vaccine type offers different advantages, some more suitable for flaviviruses than others. Additional studies are needed to overcome the barriers currently faced by flavivirus vaccine development, but many potential solutions are currently being explored.
IFITM2 Presents Antiviral Response through Enhancing Type I IFN Signaling Pathway
Authors: Chen Lei , Li Xiangrong , Deng Yingying , Bi Yingjie , Yan Zhenfang , Yang Yanmei , Zhang Xiangbo , Li Huixia , Xie Jingying , Feng Ruofei
Published: March 2023

Interferon (IFN) helps cells fight viral infections by further inducing the expression of many downstream IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Human interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITM) are one of these ISGs. The antiviral function of human IFITM1, IFITM2, and IFITM3 are well known. In this study, we report that IFITM can significantly inhibit EMCV infectivity in HEK293 cells. Overexpression of IFITM proteins could promote IFN-β production. Meanwhile, IFITMs facilitated type I IFN signaling pathway adaptor MDA5 expression. We detected the binding of IFITM2 to MDA5 in a co-immunoprecipitation assay. It was also found that the ability of IFITM2 to activate IFN-β was significantly inhibited after interfering with MDA5 expression, suggesting that MDA5 may play an important role in the activation of the IFN-β signaling pathway by IFITM2. Moreover, the N-terminal domain plays an active role in the antiviral activity and the activation of IFN-β by IFITM2. These findings suggest that IFITM2 plays a vital role in antiviral signaling transduction. In addition, a positive feed-forward loop between IFITM2 and type I IFN establishes a key role for IFITM2 in enforcing innate immune responses.
Sociodemographic Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination among People in Guatemalan Municipalities
Authors: Choudhary Rewa , Carter Emily , Monzon Jose , Stewart Allison , Slotnick Jennifer , Samayoa Jerez Leslie L. , Rodriguez Araujo David S. , Zielinski-Gutierrez Emily , Suchdev Parminder S.
Published: March 2023

The Republic of Guatemala’s reported COVID-19 vaccination coverage is among the lowest in the Americas and there are limited studies describing the disparities in vaccine uptake within the country. We performed a cross-sectional ecological analysis using multi-level modeling to identify sociodemographic characteristics that were associated with low COVID-19 vaccination coverage among Guatemalan municipalities as of 30 November 2022. Municipalities with a higher proportion of people experiencing poverty (β = −0.25, 95% CI: −0.43–−0.07) had lower vaccination coverage. Municipalities with a higher proportion of people who had received at least a primary education (β = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.38–1.08), children (β = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.36–1.77), people aged 60 years and older (β = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.70–4.12), and testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection (β = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.14–0.36) had higher vaccination coverage. In the simplified multivariable model, these factors explained 59.4% of the variation in COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Poverty remained significantly associated with low COVID-19 vaccination coverage in two subanalyses restricting the data to the time period of the highest national COVID-19-related death rate and to COVID-19 vaccination coverage only among those aged 60 years or older. Poverty is a key factor associated with low COVID-19 vaccination and focusing public health interventions in municipalities most affected by poverty may help address COVID-19 vaccination and health disparities in Guatemala.
The Effect of the Immunization Schedule and Antibody Levels (Anti-S) on the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Large Cohort of Healthcare Workers in Northern Italy
Authors: Sansone Emanuele , Collatuzzo Giulia , Renzetti Stefano , Ditano Giorgia , Bonfanti Carlo , Sala Emma , Terlenghi Luigina , Matteelli Alberto , Abedini Mahsa , Asafo Shuffield Seyram , Boffetta Paolo , De Palma Giuseppe
Published: March 2023

Given their occupational risk profile, HCWs were the first to receive anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. However, breakthrough infections remained common, mainly sustained by new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) that rapidly spread one after another in Italy. Evidence suggests that the measured level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies does not clearly predict the level of protection conferred by either natural infection or vaccine-induced immunization, highlighting the need for further study on the diversity in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The present study aimed to characterize different risk profiles for SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs who had recently received the booster dose, and who were classified according to their immunization profile. The very small number of workers infected during the 8 months following the primary-cycle administration represents proof of the vaccine’s effectiveness against non-omicron strains. The comparison among different immunization profiles showed that hybrid immunization (vaccine plus natural infection) elicits higher antibody levels. However, hybrid immunization does not always provide better protection against reinfection, thus suggesting that the immunization profile plays a major role as a virus–host interaction modifier. Despite the high resistance to the reinfection, the peri-booster infection had a not-neglectable infection rate (5.6%), this further reinforcing the importance of preventive measures.
An Innovative Waterwheel-Rotating Biological Contactor (WRBC) System for Rural Sewage Treatment
Authors: Huang Jiansheng , Wen Xin , Tang Qian , Liu Deshao , Chen Shuangkou
Published: March 2023

The treatment of rural sewage has become an important part of environmental protection. In this study, a novel waterwheel-rotating biological contactor (WRBC) system, with intensified biofilm and high-shock load resistance, was applied to treat rural sewage. When the COD concentration of actual sewage fluctuated between 79–530 mg/L, the COD removal efficiency was 41.3–94.5%, and the NH4+-N removal efficiency always reach 100% with actual sewage. The TN removal efficiency changed between 14.3–86.2%, which was greatly affected by the water intake. The effluent TN concentration ranged from 5 to 14 mg/L, which meets the emission requirements. It maintained an absolute effluent stability when the change rates of influent loads (N or COD) varied from −60% to 100%. The biofilm morphology and the composition of extracellular polymeric substances were evaluated based on SEM and FTIR spectra. The results showed that the -NH2 group content increased compared with the inoculated sludge, and the biofilm formed more uneven compact clusters after the treatment of actual sewage. Based on 16SrRNA high-throughput sequencing techniques, the bacterial diversity and microbial community structure of the WRBC system over time was revealed. This study may help guide optimization strategies for more effective pollutant removal in rural areas.
Filling Missing and Extending Significant Wave Height Measurements Using Neural Networks and an Integrated Surface Database
Authors: Bujak Damjan , Bogovac Tonko , Carević Dalibor , Miličević Hanna
Published: March 2023

Wave data play a critical role in offshore structure design and coastal vulnerability studies. For various reasons, such as equipment malfunctions, wave data are often incomplete. Despite the interest in completing the data, few studies have considered constructing a machine learning model with publicly available wind measurements as input, while wind data from reanalysis models are commonly used. In this work, ANNs are constructed and tested to fill in missing wave data and extend the original wave measurements in a basin with limited fetch where wind waves dominate. Input features for the ANN are obtained from the publicly available Integrated Surface Database (ISD) maintained by NOAA. The accuracy of the ANNs is also compared to a state-of-the-art reanalysis wave model, MEDSEA, maintained at Copernicus Marine Service. The results of this study show that ANNs can accurately fill in missing wave data and also extend beyond the measurement period, using the wind velocity magnitude and wind direction from nearby weather stations. The MEDSEA reanalysis data showed greater scatter compared to the reconstructed significant wave heights from ANN. Specifically, MEDSEA showed a 22% higher HH index for expanding wave data and a 33% higher HH index for filling in missing wave data points.
Loss of trust or corruption: a problem of the imperative nature of the dismissal of a civil servant
Authors:   Department of Civil Law Disciplines Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Khramushin V.V.
Published: March 2023

Today, the basis for the dismissal of civil servants, such as the loss of trust, is very relevant and topical. Meanwhile, according to the author of the article, the legislation lacks its adequate understanding as an imperative or dispositive basis for terminating the service contract.
The Role of Advertising to Product Trademarking
Authors:   Departemen Ilmu Komunikasi, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia, Ramadan M R , Luckyardi S ,   Departemen Magister Manajemen, Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Indonesia
Published: March 2023

The aim of this research is to explain how a brand experiences a shift in meaning caused by the lack of information obtained related to the brand. This study used a descriptive correlative research method. The results of this paper show that without the use of information media, there is a high possibility that the name of the product will experience a shift in meaning. An optimal use of social media can help disseminating information related to a product so there will be less misconception to the product related.
Type of Benefits Factors in The Implementation of Green Space Policy in Bandung City
Authors: Fidowaty Tatik , Redjo Samugyo Ibnu
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the type of benefits factor in implementing the Green Space policy in Bandung City. This study uses a descriptive research method with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques used are literature study, observation, interviews with the Mayor of Bandung, the Bandung City Spatial Planning Service, the Department of Housing and Settlements, Land and Landscaping (DPKP3) Bandung City and the people of Bandung City. The technique of determining informants using purposive for government officials and accidental for the people of Bandung City. The results showed that Green Space has many benefits, including as a place for recreation and beauty. People visit the city forest of BabakanSiliwangi to breathe fresh air while exercising, want to see the green plants, relax while chatting. The point is you want to release your fatigue from your daily activities. Based on the explanation above, it can be concluded that the type of benefits factor can already be felt by various parties, although it is not evenly distributed because indeed the benefits of this Green Space are so many. Each party feels the benefits of Green Space from different perspectives or needs. If there are parties who feel aggrieved in the management of Green Spaces, the road will eventually be resolved in court.
The Factors Affecting The Behavior of Abstain Voters In Governor Election
Authors: Rohmawati Tatik
Published: March 2023

The study aims to determine the factors that affect the behavior of abstain voters in the election of governor. The governor election is a concrete manifestation of the local Democratic Party. In the election of governor, there is voter behavior that does not exist. The focus in this paper is on the factors that influence the behavior of abstain voters in the election for the Governor of West Java. The paper is the result of research using qualitative methods. The author acts as a research instrument. The data collection methods used include observation, interviews and documentation studies. The focus of the analysis of the research results shows that the factors that influence the behavior of abstain voters in the governor election are, among others, administrative factors, like not receiving an invitation letter, or not obtaining a voter card. Second, technical or individual factors, namely at work, having personal needs at the time of election, and the third is political factors, namely that the election is useless in improving a better life. The conclusions of this study include first, apathy, which is not compatible with existing candidate pairs, the reason is because they are not local sons but from other regions and are party choices. Second, do not believe in government, because they will not pay attention to and improve their daily needs for the voters. Third, the lack of socialization of the election for governor from the West Java KPU.