bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the Characteristics of ESS Fires in South Korea: An In-Depth Analysis of ESS Fire Investigation Outcomes
Authors: Na Yong-Un , Jeon Jae-Wook
Published: October 2023

Unlike traditional coal-powered energy generation, renewable energy sources do not generate carbon dioxide emissions. To enhance the efficiency of renewable energy systems, energy storage systems (ESSs) have been implemented. However, in South Korea, ESS fire incidents have emerged as a significant social problem. Consequently, a government-formed committee was established to investigate the cause of these fires through the analysis of the data collected from ESSs, stored in the battery management system (BMS) log data of the fire-resistant safe storage. In the first phase of the investigation, the committee was unable to identify the underlying characteristic of ESS fires. Nevertheless, in the second phase, the investigation committee could identify the key characteristics of ESS fires by analyzing the BMS log data. ESS fires were found to occur when the state of charge level was more than 95% and during the initiation of thermal runaway in specific cells. Despite these findings, the committee was unable to determine the root cause of ESS fires.
Resiniferatoxin: Nature’s Precision Medicine to Silence TRPV1-Positive Afferents
Authors: Szallasi Arpad
Published: October 2023

Resiniferatoxin (RTX) is an ultrapotent capsaicin analog with a unique spectrum of pharmacological actions. The therapeutic window of RTX is broad, allowing for the full desensitization of pain perception and neurogenic inflammation without causing unacceptable side effects. Intravesical RTX was shown to restore continence in a subset of patients with idiopathic and neurogenic detrusor overactivity. RTX can also ablate sensory neurons as a “molecular scalpel” to achieve permanent analgesia. This targeted (intrathecal or epidural) RTX therapy holds great promise in cancer pain management. Intra-articular RTX is undergoing clinical trials to treat moderate-to-severe knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Similar targeted approaches may be useful in the management of post-operative pain or pain associated with severe burn injuries. The current state of this field is reviewed, from preclinical studies through veterinary medicine to clinical trials.
The Inhibiting Effects of High-Dose Biochar Application on Soil Microbial Metagenomics and Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Production
Authors: Zhu Nanyan , Yu Qiaoqiao , Song Lingqi , Sheng Haijun
Published: October 2023

Biochar is usually considered as an organic improver which can improve soil and increase crop yields. However, the unrestricted application of biochar to normal-fertility farmland will cause chemical stress on crops and affect agricultural production. At present, the effects and mechanisms of high-dose applications of biochar on rice (Oryza sativa L.) production and soil biological characteristics have not been fully studied. In this greenhouse pot experiment, combined with soil microbial metagenomics, three treatments in triplicates were conducted to explore the responses of rice production, soil chemical properties, and soil biological properties to high-dose applications of biochar (5%, w/w) prepared using peanut waste (peanut hulls and straw). The results show that peanut hulls, with a loose texture and pore structure, are a raw material with stronger effects for preparing biochar than peanut straw in terms of its physical structure. In a rice monoculture system, high-dose applications of biochar (5%, w/w) can slightly increase the grains per spike, while significantly inhibiting the spike number per pot and the percentage of setting. High-dose applications of biochar also have significant negative effects on the diversity and stability of soil bacterial and archaeal communities. Moreover, the microbial metabolism and nutrient cycling processes are also significantly affected by changing the soil carbon/nitrogen ratio. This study discusses the response mechanisms of rice production and soil biology to high-dose biochar applications, and complements the understanding of irrational biochar application on agricultural production and land sustainability.
Which Biomarker(s) Augment the Diagnostic Value of the Positive Exercise Electrocardiography Test: Systemic Inflammatory Index, Plasma Atherogenic Index, or Monocyte/HDL-C Ratio?
Authors: Ergun Gokhan , Demirelli Selami
Published: October 2023

The exercise electrocardiography test (EET) is still used before coronary angiography in the diagnosis of chronic coronary syndromes. This study aimed to demonstrate the value of the combination of a positive EET with the systemic inflammatory index (SII), the plasma atherogenic index (PAI), and the monocyte/HDL-C ratio (MHR) in the determination of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). This single-center, retrospective study included 540 patients who underwent coronary angiography after ETT. The patients were separated into Group 1, comprising 434 patients with normal coronary arteries and non-obstructive CAD, and Group 2, including 106 with obstructive CAD. In Group 2, the patients were separated into SYNTAX ≤ 22 or ≥23. Glucose, low-density lipoprotein, white blood cells, and MHR were determined to be significantly higher in Group 2 (p < 0.05). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, gender, diabetes mellitus, and low-density lipoprotein were determined to be independent predictors of CAD. In the ROC curve analysis, a cut-off value of 12 for the MHR in the determination of obstructive CAD had a sensitivity of 60.4% and a specificity of 53.0%. The main result of this study was that a high MHR is an indicator of obstructive CAD in patients with positive EET and suspected CAD.
Clinical Significance of Discordance between Hip and Spine Bone Mineral Density in Korean Elderly Patients with Hip Fractures
Authors: Lee Se-Won , Yoon Younghyun , Kwon Junhyuk , Heu Jun-Young , Hwang Jihyo
Published: October 2023

The clinical significance of BMD discordance has not yet been elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of BMD discordance between the hip and spine for hip fractures. The BMD was measured and related factors were investigated in 109 elderly patients hospitalized for a hip fracture (fracture group) and 109 patients hospitalized without a hip fracture (non-fracture group). BMD discordance of the hip and spine was classified as minor discordance (normal and osteopenia, and osteopenia and osteoporosis) and major discordance (normal and osteoporosis). The risk of hip fracture was calculated according to the type of discordance: no discordance, low hip, and lower spine. There was no significant difference between the general characteristics of the fracture group and the non-fracture group. The rate of BMD discordance and low hip discordance were significantly higher in the fracture group (53.2%, 43.1%) than in the non-fracture group (28.4%, 19.3%). The odds ratio of hip fracture was 2.86 times higher in patients with BMD discordance than in those without discordance and 3.42 times higher in the patients with low hip discordance than in those without no hip discordance. The presence of discordance, particularly when there is low hip discordance, might be related to the hip fractures.
Corrosion Behaviour of High-Pressure Die-Cast AZ91 Alloy in NaCl Solution: Effects of Friction Stir Process at High Rotational Speed
Authors: Ghio Emanuele , Cerri Emanuela
Published: October 2023

The AZ series of Mg alloys have become promising in several industrial fields thanks to its potential microstructure refinement and the β-Mg17Al12 eutectic that controls the mechanical behaviour. Simultaneously, the rapid degradation characterizing Mg alloys makes the investigation of their corrosion behaviour necessary. The present work considers high-pressure die cast (HPDC) AZ91 alloy to evaluate its corrosion behaviour in 1M NaCl solution and investigates how different friction stir process parameters can affect the corrosion responses. No studies analyse the effects induced by the friction stir processed zone, reached using high rotational speeds (>2000 rpm), on the unprocessed HPDC AZ91 alloy. In addition, the morphological analysis of the corroded surfaces having a friction stir processed zone, in which the grain refinement was not obtained, is not present in the literature yet. Microstructural features were investigated by optical microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis before and after the friction stir process. These were subsequently correlated to the corrosion responses after the immersion tests. The results show that HPDC samples with a very smooth surface have the best corrosion resistance with a corrosion rate lower than 3 mm/year, evaluated through the weight loss, compared to the rougher ones. Both the amount of β-Mg17Al12 eutectic and the wt.% Al in the α-Mg matrix, as well as the surface roughness, influence the corrosion behaviour of friction stir processed samples. The best corrosion resistance was obtained with an HPDC alloy processed at 2500 rpm and 50 mm/min.
Hot-Pressing Deformation Yields Fine-Grained, Highly Dense and (002) Textured Ru Targets
Authors: Liu Shaohong , Xu Fengshuo , Zhou Limin , Cui Hao , Liu Manmen , Wen Ming , Wang Chuanjun , Wang Wei , Li Song , Sun Xudong
Published: October 2023

Ruthenium (Ru) is a refractory metal that has applications in the semiconductor industry as a sputtering target material. However, conventional powder metallurgy methods cannot produce dense and fine-grained Ru targets with preferred orientation. Here, we present a novel method of hot-pressing deformation to fabricate Ru targets with high relative density (98.8%), small grain size (~4.4 μm) and strong (002) texture. We demonstrate that applying pressures of 30–40 MPa at 1400 °C transforms cylindrical Ru samples into disk-shaped targets with nearly full densification in the central region. We also show that the hardness and the (002)/(101) peak intensity ratio of the targets increase with the pressure, indicating enhanced mechanical and crystallographic properties. Our study reveals the mechanisms of densification and texture formation of Ru targets by hot-pressing deformation.
Study on the Shear Resistance Performance of Grouped Stud Connectors
Authors: Lu Wenru , Huang Yuanming , Xu Wenhan
Published: October 2023

In order to further investigate the grouped stud effect on the force properties of stud connectors, based on the premise that the correctness of the finite element simulation method, in this paper, a finite element model of grouped stud connectors was developed, and the grouped stud effect and its sensitivity factors were analyzed in order to validate the recommended formula for calculating the shear capacity of grouped stud connectors. Results show that the number of grouped stud rows and stud row spacing have a significant influence on the grouped stud effect, and the unevenness coefficient of grouped stud force is negatively correlated with the number of grouped stud rows as well as the grouped stud row spacing. Grouped stud connectors with commonly used concrete grades greater than C50 and height-to-diameter ratios of greater than 4 in steel–concrete composite structural bridges are insensitive to changes in the concrete strength grades and the length of the studs. The direction of force transmission for grouped stud changes with the change in loading angle and the unevenness coefficient of force for the grouped stud will therefore be reduced. By comparing the results of the 62 existing groups of grouped stud connectors push-out tests, the mean of the tested to calculated value ratio was found to be 1.12, the variance was 0.023, the dispersion was small, and it was shown that the recommended formula has a high degree of accuracy. The results of this paper can be used as a theoretical basis for the study of the shear stress performance of grouped stud connectors.
Eco-Friendly Cerium–Cobalt Counter-Doped Bi2Se3 Nanoparticulate Semiconductor: Synergistic Doping Effect for Enhanced Thermoelectric Generation
Authors: Musah Jamal-Deen , Or Siu Wing , Kong Lingyan , Roy Vellaisamy A. L. , Wu Chi-Man Lawrence
Published: October 2023

Metal chalcogenides are primarily used for thermoelectric applications due to their enormous potential to convert waste heat into valuable energy. Several studies focused on single or dual aliovalent doping techniques to enhance thermoelectric properties in semiconductor materials; however, these dopants enhance one property while deteriorating others due to the interdependency of these properties or may render the host material toxic. Therefore, a strategic doping approach is vital to harness the full potential of doping to improve the efficiency of thermoelectric generation while restoring the base material eco-friendly. Here, we report a well-designed counter-doped eco-friendly nanomaterial system (~70 nm) using both isovalent (cerium) and aliovalent (cobalt) in a Bi2Se3 system for enhancing energy conversion efficiency. Substituting cerium for bismuth simultaneously enhances the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity via ionized impurity minimization. The boost in the average electronegativity offered by the self-doped transitional metal cobalt leads to an improvement in the degree of delocalization of the valence electrons. Hence, the new energy state around the Fermi energy serving as electron feed to the conduction band coherently improves the density of the state of conducting electrons. The resulting high power factor and low thermal conductivity contributed to the remarkable improvement in the figure of merit (zT = 0.55) at 473 K for an optimized doping concentration of 0.01 at. %. sample, and a significant nanoparticle size reduction from 400 nm to ~70 nm, making the highly performing materials in this study (Bi2−xCexCo2x3Se3) an excellent thermoelectric generator. The results presented here are higher than several Bi2Se3-based materials already reported.
Multiomics Revealed the Multi-Dimensional Effects of Late Sleep on Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Children in Northwest China
Authors: Xiang Xuesong , Chen Juanjuan , Zhu Mingyu , Gao Huiyu , Liu Xiaobing , Wang Qi
Published: October 2023

Background Sleep plays a pivotal role in children’s mental and physical development and has been linked to the gut microbiota in animals and adults. However, the characteristics of the gut microbiota and metabolites and the relationship to late bedtimes in children remain unclear. Methods In total, 88 eligible children, aged from 3 to 8 years, were recruited and divided into two groups according to the bedtime collected by designed questionnaires (early, before 22:00: n = 48; late, after 22:00, n = 40). Stools and plasma samples were collected to examine the characteristics of the gut microbiota and metabolites by shotgun metagenomics and metabolomics. Results The richness and diversity of the gut microbiota in children with early bedtime were significantly increased compared with the late ones. Coprococcus, Collinsella, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Bifidobacterium adolescentis were significantly more abundant in children with early bedtime, while Bacteroides and Clostridium sp. CAG-253 were obviously enriched in the late ones. A total of 106 metabolic pathways, including biosynthesis of ribonucleotide, peptidoglycan, and amino acids, and starch degradation were enriched in children with early bedtime, while 42 pathways were abundant in those with late bedtime. Notably, more gut microbial metabolites were observed in children with late bedtime, which included aldehyde, ketones, esters, amino acids and their metabolites, benzene and substituted derivatives, bile acids, heterocyclic compounds, nucleotide and metabolites, organic acid and derivatives, sugars and acyl carnitine. In plasma, fatty amides, lipids, amino acids, metabolites, hormones, and related compounds were enriched in children with early bedtime, while bile acids were higher in children with late bedtime. Association studies revealed that the different microbial species were correlated with metabolites from gut microbiota and plasma. Conclusions The results of our study revealed that the gut microbiota diversity and richness, and metabolic pathways were significantly extensive in children with early bedtime, whereas the gut microbial metabolites were significantly decreased, which might be related to gut microbial differences.
Morroniside Inhibits Inflammatory Bone Loss through the TRAF6-Mediated NF-κB/MAPK Signalling Pathway
Authors: Xiao Jirimutu , Han Qiuge , Yu Ziceng , Liu Mengmin , Sun Jie , Wu Mao , Yin Heng , Fu Jingyue , Guo Yang , Wang Lining , Ma Yong
Published: October 2023

Osteoporosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that severely affects quality of life. Cornus officinalis is a Chinese herbal medicine with various bioactive ingredients, among which morroniside is its signature ingredient. Although anti-bone resorption drugs are the main treatment for bone loss, promoting bone anabolism is more suitable for increasing bone mass. Therefore, identifying changes in bone formation induced by morroniside may be conducive to developing effective intervention methods. In this study, morroniside was found to promote the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) and inhibit inflammation-induced bone loss in an in vivo mouse model of inflammatory bone loss. Morroniside enhanced bone density and bone microstructure, and inhibited the expression of IL6, IL1β, and ALP in serum (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in in vitro experiments, BMSCs exposed to 0–256 μM morroniside did not show cytotoxicity. Morroniside inhibited the expression of IL6 and IL1β and promoted the expression of the osteogenic transcription factors Runx2 and OCN. Furthermore, morroniside promoted osteocalcin and Runx2 expression and inhibited TRAF6-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling, as well as osteoblast growth and NF-κB nuclear transposition. Thus, morroniside promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, slowed the occurrence of the inflammatory response, and inhibited bone loss in mice with inflammatory bone loss.
Epidrugs as Promising Tools to Eliminate Plasmodium falciparum Artemisinin-Resistant and Quiescent Parasites
Authors: Reyser Thibaud , Paloque Lucie , Nguyen Michel , Augereau Jean-Michel , Fuchter Matthew John , Lopez Marie , Arimondo Paola B. , Hassell-Hart Storm , Spencer John , Di Stefano Luisa , Benoit-Vical Françoise
Published: October 2023

The use of artemisinin and its derivatives has helped reduce the burden of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. However, artemisinin-resistant parasites are able, in the presence of artemisinins, to stop their cell cycles. This quiescent state can alter the activity of artemisinin partner drugs leading to a secondary drug resistance and thus threatens malaria eradication strategies. Drugs targeting epigenetic mechanisms (namely epidrugs) are emerging as potential antimalarial drugs. Here, we set out to evaluate a selection of various epidrugs for their activity against quiescent parasites, to explore the possibility of using these compounds to counter artemisinin resistance. The 32 chosen epidrugs were first screened for their antiplasmodial activity and selectivity. We then demonstrated, thanks to the specific Quiescent-stage Survival Assay, that four epidrugs targeting both histone methylation or deacetylation as well as DNA methylation decrease the ability of artemisinin-resistant parasites to recover after artemisinin exposure. In the quest for novel antiplasmodial drugs with new modes of action, these results reinforce the therapeutic potential of epidrugs as antiplasmodial drugs especially in the context of artemisinin resistance.
Hydrogel-Based Microneedle as a Drug Delivery System
Authors: Filho David , Guerrero Marcelo , Pariguana Manuel , Marican Adolfo , Durán-Lara Esteban F.
Published: October 2023

The skin is considered the largest and most accessible organ in the human body, and allows the use of noninvasive and efficient strategies for drug administration, such as the transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS). TDDSs are systems or patches, with the ability and purpose to deliver effective and therapeutic doses of drugs through the skin. Regarding the specific interaction between hydrogels (HG) and microneedles (MNs), we seek to find out how this combination would be applied in the context of drug delivery, and we detail some possible advantages of the methods used. Depending on the components belonging to the HG matrix, we can obtain some essential characteristics that make the combination of hydrogels–microneedles (HG–MNs) very advantageous, such as the response to external stimuli, among others. Based on multiple characteristics provided by HGMNs that are depicted in this work, it is possible to obtain unique properties that include controlled, sustained, and localized drug release, as well as the possibility of a synergistic association between the components of the formulation and the combination of more than one bioactive component. In conclusion, a system based on HG–MNs can offer many advantages in the biomedical field, bringing to light a new technological and safe system for improving the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and new treatment perspectives.
Electrochemical Comparison of 2D-Flexible Solid-State Supercapacitors Based on a Matrix of PVA/H3PO4
Authors: Muñoz Bianca K. , González-Banciella Andrés , Ureña Daniel , Sánchez María , Ureña Alejandro
Published: October 2023

Different modifications of woven carbon fiber (WCF) based on carbon aerogel (CAG), copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs), and lignin (LIG) has been tested and used to study their effect on the fabrication and performance of a flexible supercapacitor. New symmetric flexible supercapacitors (SFSCs) were fabricated using different separators. According to the electrochemical results, the device fabricated using CAG and woven glass fiber (WGF) in a sandwich type configuration CAG/WGF/CAG embedded in H3PO4/PVA exhibited the best performance (1.4 F/g, 0.961 W/kg, 0.161 Wh/kg). A proof of concept based on a LED powered on and a bending test was done, and the capacitor demonstrated excellent electrochemical values even during and after bending. The new device was able to recover 96.12% of its capacitance when returned to its original unbent position. The manufacturing process was critical, as the fibers or layers must be completely embedded in the gel electrolyte to function effectively. A double flexible supercapacitor connected in parallel was fabricated and it showed higher stability, in the same voltage window, yielding 311 mF/cm2 of areal capacitance.
Polymeric Materials Obtained by Extrusion and Injection Molding from Lignocellulosic Agroindustrial Biomass
Authors: Pacheco Ada , Evangelista-Osorio Arian , Muchaypiña-Flores Katherine Gabriela , Marzano-Barreda Luis Alejandro , Paredes-Concepción Perla , Palacin-Baldeón Heidy , Dos Santos Maicon Sérgio Nascimento , Tres Marcus Vinícius , Zabot Giovani Leone , Olivera-Montenegro Luis
Published: October 2023

This review presents the advances in polymeric materials achieved by extrusion and injection molding from lignocellulosic agroindustrial biomass. Biomass, which is derived from agricultural and industrial waste, is a renewable and abundant feedstock that contains mainly cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. To improve the properties and functions of polymeric materials, cellulose is subjected to a variety of modifications. The most common modifications are surface modification, grafting, chemical procedures, and molecule chemical grafting. Injection molding and extrusion technologies are crucial in shaping and manufacturing polymer composites, with precise control over the process and material selection. Furthermore, injection molding involves four phases: plasticization, injection, cooling, and ejection, with a focus on energy efficiency. Fundamental aspects of an injection molding machine, such as the motor, hopper, heating units, nozzle, and clamping unit, are discussed. Extrusion technology, commonly used as a preliminary step to injection molding, presents challenges regarding fiber reinforcement and stress accumulation, while lignin-based polymeric materials are challenging due to their hydrophobicity. The diverse applications of these biodegradable materials include automotive industries, construction, food packaging, and various consumer goods. Polymeric materials are positioned to offer even bigger contributions to sustainable and eco-friendly solutions in the future, as research and development continues.
Building Bridges: Examining the Role of University Athletic Departments and Local Congregations in the Holistic Care of Student-Athletes in the United States
Authors: Waller Steven , Flowers Rasheed , Crooms Brandon
Published: October 2023

This conceptual essay discusses how university athletic departments and local churches can collaborate in providing spiritual care for intercollegiate athletes in the United States. Parachurch organizations such as Athletes in Action (AIA) and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) play a vital role in creating and maintaining these partnerships. Additionally, a considerable body of literature is available on the importance of religiosity and spirituality in the lives of intercollegiate athletes in the United States. In the interests of helping intercollegiate student-athletes grow and develop religiously and spirituality, many sports chaplains assist student-athletes with finding a local place to worship while on campus. Chaplains that subscribe to the “urban chaplaincy/congregational model” play a significant role in bringing this task to pass. This essay highlights the primacy of building a relational bridge between university athletic departments and local churches in the United States to collaborate in intercollegiate student-athlete spiritual development and holistic care.
Large-Scale Crustal Deformation of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, from Sentinel-1 InSAR Observations (2015–2020)
Authors: Sha Pengcheng , He Xiufeng , Wang Xiaohang , Gao Zhuang
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we address some questions with respect to the Tianshan Mountains that are necessary for understanding the present deformation rate in this region. A series of thrust nappe structures are distributed on the north and south sides of the Tianshan Mountains, and many of them are currently active. To analyze the deformation characteristics and movement rates of different fold-and-thrust belts on the northern and southern margins of Tianshan, we use InSAR observations (Sentinel-1A/B, 2015–2020) to produce a rate map for the entire observation period on four ascending and four descending tracks. In order to reduce phase artifacts, we reconstruct multi-temporal scenes with atmospheric-corrected and orbital-corrected interferograms via a small baseline subset. The results show that the Bolokenu-Aqikekuduke Fault exhibits a right-lateral strike-slip motion, with the western segment moving at about 4.95 ± 0.38 mm/yr and the eastern segment at approximately 2.34 ± 0.34 mm/yr. The Manas-Tugulu anticline in the northern fold-and-thrust belt reaches ~5–8 mm/yr at 86°E–86.5°, and the Qiulitage anticline in the south reaches ~6–9 mm/yr at ~83°–85°. The post-seismic time series cumulative displacement map of the Jinghe earthquake reveals no significant post-seismic deformation signal in the epicenter area. The Qiulitage thrust belt, situated within the fold-and-thrust belts flanking the Tianshan, features extensive thrust accompanied by a right-lateral strike-slip component. And the Manas-Tugulu anticline exhibits sustained deformation, including pronounced coseismic and post-seismic effects from the Hutubi earthquake. This study highlights the potential of a multi-temporal InSAR analysis and emphasizes future opportunities presented by new generations of SAR platforms with shorter revisit periods for quantifying the spatial and temporal behavior of post-seismic and interseismic periods.
Antecedents and Consequences of Labor Relations Climate Perception: An Investigation of a Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Wu Lu , Wei Lihua , Zhao Lei , Shen Yimo
Published: October 2023

Previous researchers have yet to examine the antecedents and consequences of labor relations climate perception. Drawing from social information processing theory, we utilize psychological contract breach (PCB) as a negative environment input that diminishes employees’ perceived harmonious labor relations climate, which in turn affects employee outcomes (task performance, organization identification, and turnover intention); meanwhile, this indirect relationship is moderated by benevolent leadership. The results of the analysis of 284 questionnaires obtained from a multi-time, multi-source field survey supported our proposed moderated mediation model. This research contributes to revealing the critical role of psychological contracts in developing a labor relations climate and expands knowledge and understanding of the labor relations climate.
Sustainability in E-Learning: E-Books and Academic Procrastination among Secondary Students
Authors: Al Mulhim Ensaf Nasser , Zaky Yara Ahmed Mohebeldin
Published: October 2023

This article investigates the extent of academic procrastination among secondary school students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who utilize sustainable digital learning materials, specifically e-books, compared to those who rely on printed books in a traditional face-to-face learning environment. A sample of 336 first-year secondary school students was randomly recruited and divided into two experimental groups based on their preference for either electronic or printed textbooks. An online survey was employed to assess academic procrastination. The findings indicate no statistically significant differences in the impact of textbook formats (electronic versus printed) on academic procrastination among secondary school students. This study emphasizes the importance of employing e-books instead of printed books as sustainable digital learning resources, thereby contributing to sustainable education and the preservation of natural resources. Furthermore, this research could serve as part of a broader series of studies investigating the effects of integrating sustainable digital resources into education on students’ psychological development, study habits, and educational outcomes.
Human Health Risks and Interference of Urban Landscape and Meteorological Parameters in the Distribution of Pollutant: A Case Study of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand
Authors: Janta Rungruang , Kaewrat Jenjira , Tala Wittaya , Sichum Surasak , Rattikansukha Chuthamat , Dharmadasa K. H. Sameera M.
Published: October 2023

Recently, the air quality in urban areas has declined because of increasing traffic emissions. This paper aimed to determine the toxicity from exposure to pollutants among three sensitive groups of residents in urban areas. Moreover, this study also estimated the impacts of landscape and meteorological conditions on the accumulation of air pollutants in these areas. The results showed that the annual average concentration in the town exceeded the WHO air quality guidelines. Other areas that had a high traffic density also presented unacceptable levels according to the hazard quotient (HQ value ≥ 1). It was found that the air quality in the town had declined. This study also found that people living in a tropical monsoon climate should avoid exposure to air pollution in both the summer and rainy seasons; even though the pollutant concentration is lower in the rainy season, the longer exposure time causes unacceptable health risks. Humidity showed a strong impact on gas pollutant reduction (rs = −0.943). The pollutants tended to increase in areas with a high density of main roads. Additionally, building density affected the accumulation of pollutants in near-source areas and blocked pollutants in receptor areas. Therefore, this study suggests that local authorities should provide vegetation infrastructure for a sustainable air quality improvement in urban areas.
Sustainability Assessment of Medicines Reverse Logistics in Brazil: Outcomes from the National and Local Systems
Authors: Viegas Cláudia Viviane , Bond Alan , Pontes André Teixeira , Korzenowski André Luís , Bordin Ronaldo , Rosa Roger dos Santos , Coimbra Masurquede de Azevedo , Bobek Paulo Ricardo
Published: October 2023

Brazil adopted a national medicines reverse logistic system (MRLS) in 2020 to properly discharge medicines for human use. Parallel to this, there are Brazilian municipal MRLSs that have been working since 2002 that facilitate the appropriate discharge or reuse of medicines. These systems are not linked with each other. This paper evaluates the national and the municipal Brazilian MRLS, and compares them regarding their principles, concepts, procedures, and (socio)economic outcomes using a modified sustainability assessment framework. It was found that shared responsibility is a principle of both MRLSs, but that local systems provide additional community benefits and lead to greater circularity in the use of medicines. Procedural aspects are highly formalized only in the national MRLS. The national MRLS collected and destroyed 52.7 tons of medicines in 2021 but did not disclose the costs. Estimations based on demographic data, information disclosed by one municipality, and secondary data from five other local systems indicate that the six municipalities could return around USD 123 million in 2021 to the benefit of the local population, if they spent USD 12.6 million on correct disposal. Such an estimate, however, is not fully trackable, and it exposes the lack of transparency and data collection at the local level.
System Design, Optimization and 2nd Law Analysis of a 100 MWe Double Reheat s-CO2 Power Plant at Full Load and Part Loads
Authors: Manavalla Sreekanth , M. Feroskhan , Daniel Joseph , Ramasamy Sivakumar , Yunus Khan T. M. , Baig Rahmath Ulla , Almakayeel Naif , Voddin Tirumalapur Bhanu Kiran
Published: October 2023

Super-critical Carbon dioxide (s-CO2) power plants are considered to be efficient and environmentally friendly compared to the traditional Rankine cycle-based steam power plants and Brayton cycle-based gas turbine power plants. In this work, the system design of a coal-fired 100 MWe double reheat s-CO2 power plant is presented. The system is also optimized for efficiency with turbine inlet pressures and the recompression ratio as the variables. The components needed, mass flow rates of various streams and their pressures at various locations in the system have been established. The plant has been studied based on 1st and 2nd laws at full load and at part loads of 80%, 60% and 40%. Operating parameters such as mass flow rate, pressure and temperature have considerably changed in comparison to full load operation. It was also observed that the 1st law efficiency is 53.96%, 53.93%, 52.63% and 50% while the 2nd law efficiency is 51.88%, 51.86%, 50.61% and 48.1% at 100%, 80%, 60% and 40% loads, respectively. The power plant demonstrated good performance even at part loads, especially at 80% load, while the performance deteriorated at lower loads. At full load, the highest amount of exergy destruction is found in the main heater (36.6%) and re-heaters (23.2% and 19.6%) followed by the high-temperature recuperator (5.7%) and cooler (4.1%). Similar trends were observed for the part load operation. It has been found that the recompression ratio should be kept high (>0.5) at lower loads in order to match the performance at higher loads. Combustion and heat exchange due to finite temperature differences are the main causes of exergy destruction, followed by pressure drop.
Structural Heterogeneity of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Stands at Its Northernmost Limits
Authors: Jansone Diāna , Matisons Roberts , Kārše Viesturs , Bāders Endijs , Kaupe Dārta , Jansons Āris
Published: October 2023

The expansion of European beech to northeastern regions due to climate change is anticipated, especially if assisted migration techniques are employed. Marginal populations of European beech are exposed to unfavorable growing conditions that are challenging for their survival and multifunctionality. Under such conditions, the structural complexity of stands is a critical factor that supports the sustainability of these populations. In this study, five stands of European beech in Latvia, which are currently the most northeastern stands in Europe, were investigated. In each of the stands, two sample plots (area 500 m2) were randomly established. The dimensions of trees, stem quality features, and spatial structure of the stands were assessed. The stands varied in density but were found to be productive as indicated by comparable tree dimensions to those in core populations. The studied beech stands displayed low species mingling and tended towards monospecies composition, with some structural diversification likely due to small-scale disturbances and varying stand densities, suggesting that spatial diversity was influenced by species composition and competition among trees. The analyzed European beech stands were in the maturing phase, but displayed diverse diameter and height structures, indicating that natural ecological processes were occurring, akin to those found in non-marginal regions. The stem quality of the trees was intermediate, with frequent occurrences of ramicorn, epicormic branches, and forking (41.8%, 53.5%, and 26.3%, respectively), while stem cracks were rare (4.6%). However, these features can provide crucial microhabitats for biodiversity. Therefore, European beech has the potential for diversification in forestry and ensuring sustainability at the edge of its range expansion. The main implications of this study highlight the diverse structural characteristics of the European beech stands, indicating the influence of species competition and small-scale disturbances, providing valuable insights for forest management and conservation strategies. Although, this study has a few potential limitations that should be considered, including the relatively small sample size and the absence of long-term data.
Green FinTech Innovation as a Future Research Direction: A Bibliometric Analysis on Green Finance and FinTech
Authors: Kwong Raymond , Kwok Man Lung Jonathan , Wong Helen S. M.
Published: October 2023

In alignment with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles, nations have established platforms for environmental sustainability through financial routes, spotlighting green finance and FinTech. While there have been tangible advancements, academic discourse on these topics remains dispersed and lacks cohesion. Observing the frequent overlap in the implementation of green finance and FinTech, this paper offers a bibliometric analysis of research concerning green finance and FinTech up to 2022. The primary objective of this study is to identify some of the most pertinent research in these fields. The results assist in delineating several future research directions, including a greater focus on the investment facet of green finance, the application facet of FinTech, the regulatory environment in some developing countries, and an emphasis on Green FinTech research based on information from the Web of Science database.
Evaluating a User-Centered Environment-Friendly Mobile Phone App for Tourists and Residents Using Facial-Recognition Software
Authors: Khoshaim Lama Sameer , Yüksel Serhat , Dinçer Hasan
Published: October 2023

This study aims to examine a user-centered environment-friendly mobile phone app for tourists and residents in Saudi Arabia. To achieve this objective, a new fuzzy decision-making model is constructed. In this scope, by considering a detailed literature examination, eight criteria are identified. Facial expression-based quantum spherical DEMATEL with golden cuts are taken into consideration to examine the possible impact and directions among these criteria. The main contribution of this study is that priority factors in the development of the environment-friendly tourism mobile application can be identified. Moreover, facial expressions of the decision-makers are considered in the fuzzy decision-making analysis. This situation helps us to achieve more appropriate results. The findings demonstrate that user-centeredness is the most significant environment-friendly mobile application performance criterion of the tourism industry. Additionally, functionality is another important determinant with respect to this situation. It is of great importance to ensure customer satisfaction for the mobile applications used in the development of tourism to be successful. Thus, user feedback should be taken into consideration for them to work more effectively. Furthermore, tourism applications should provide users with fast and accurate information. In this context, mobile applications should offer customized offers to users to increase customer satisfaction.
For Educational Inclusiveness: Design and Implementation of an Intelligent Tutoring System for Student-Athletes Based on Self-Determination Theory
Authors: Chen Angxuan , Liu Huaiya , Li Kam-Cheong , Jia Jiyou
Published: October 2023

Student-athletes frequently struggle to strike a balance between their academic and athletic responsibilities. Various factors, such as age and competitive level, contribute to differences in their academic motivation and identity, showcasing the multifaceted needs they possess. While self-determination theory (SDT) has been proven effective for explaining student-athletes academic needs, its integration into learning design for this group remains limited. The developing AI technology, especially the Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS), offers the potential for creating personalized learning environments that can cater to the varying levels of motivation among student-athletes within the framework of SDT. Therefore, our paper explored how to build an SDT-based ITS for student-athletes to enhance their academic engagement and motivation. A two-stage experiment was conducted for: (a) identifying academic challenges faced by student-athletes in an online ITS; (b) evaluating the effectiveness of an SDT-based ITS design; and (c) exploring how autonomy, competence, and relatedness design affect their motivation. Results revealed that student-athletes face three challenges in learning in ITS: inflexible technology, identity missing, and mismatched learning difficulty. However, a significant improvement in academic engagement and motivation was shown when student-athletes faced an SDT-based ITS. In the meantime, the athletic motivation, which leads them to higher athletic performance, remains preserved and unaffected, showing a favorable outcome for student-athletes. This paper can provide practical implications for building a more inclusive and diverse learning environment for student-athletes.
Monetary Datum Fractal Analysis Using the Time Series Theory
Authors: Paun Maria-Alexandra , Paun Vladimir-Alexandru , Paun Viorel-Puiu
Published: October 2023

The paper will allow the interpretation of exchange rate fluctuations for several international currencies, the EUR—European currency and the CHF—Swiss Franc, respectively. The fractal dimension versus box-counting dimension, together with the fractal dimension versus log scale for CHF and EUR, respectively, are thoroughly presented. The exchange rate time series for CHF and EUR during March–June 2022 were also analyzed. The Hurst exponent H was numerically evaluated. By the application of directional symmetry (DS) statistics, the model efficiency in predicting the direction modification of time series has been verified. Ultimately, the prognosis of EUR-RON and CHF-RON exchange rates of the time series fluctuations for the last months (August–December) of the year 2022 was performed.
Microbiological Mechanisms for Nitrogen Removal Using Anaerobic Fermentation Liquid from Spent Mushroom Substrates as a Carbon Source
Authors: Chen Ruihuan , Zhang Weihong , Bi Xiaohui , Jin Yan , Yang Yunlong
Published: October 2023

In wastewater treatment, a low C/N ratio highly inhibits the bioremoval of nitrogen, and commercial external carbon sources are widely used. In order to obtain an economical substitute, fermentation broth of spent mushroom substrates (SMS) was employed here as a carbon source for denitrification in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). During the domestication process, the SMS fermentation broth-feeding treatment presented comparable nitrogen removal ability (74.44%) with a commercial carbon source group (77.99%). Rhodobacter, Lactobacillus and Pseudomonas were the dominant bacteria in the fermentation broth, and Saccharomycetales Gymnopilus dilepis was the dominant fungi. At the early domestication stage, the relatively high concentration of fermentation broth led to a much lower abundance of typical nitrate reductase genes than the control group. Furthermore, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) formation was observed in the broth-feeding sample. The microbial structure dynamic was investigated, which showed a high influent effect when 20% fermentation broth was added. As domestication proceeded, similar dominant species in the control and broth-feeding treatments were observed. Overall, SMS fermentation broth can be used as a promising substitute to replace a costly commercial carbon source.
Numerical Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis of Sediment Issues in Pumped Storage Power Stations: Sediment Conveyance of Turbine and Sedimentation of Reservoirs
Authors: Liu Chuang , Yu Minghui , He Xin , Wang Kaixuan , Shao Yuying
Published: October 2023

In this paper, a 1D process-based numerical model is established to study the sediment concentration via the turbine (TSC) and sedimentation of the lower reservoir and the upper reservoir of a certain pumped storage power station (PSPS), which is intended to be built on a sandy river. In addition, the sensitivity of TSC to some factors, such as suspended sediment gradation, the water level of the lower reservoir, and the coefficients of the sediment-carrying capacity formula, are analyzed in this paper. It is revealed that (1) the TSC will decrease by 30.8~34.5% when the incoming sediments of particle sizes less than 0.002 mm (which accounts for 3.95% of the totality) are replaced with incoming sediments of particle sizes between 0.002 mm and 0.004 mm. At the same time, the sedimentation thickness of the upper reservoir will decrease by 20.9%, and the siltation rate of the lower reservoir will increase by 2.4%. (2) The TSC will decrease by 12.6~13.1% as the water level of the lower reservoir rises by 17.55 m. This represents an increase of 8.4% in the average water depth and 26.4% in the storage capacity of the lower reservoir. At the same time, the sedimentation thickness of the upper reservoir will decrease by 32.2%, and the siltation rate of the lower reservoir will increase by 2.5%. (3) The TSC will decrease by 1.2~1.4% as the index of the sediment-carrying capacity formula m changes from 1.12 to 0.666, and the coefficient of the sediment-carrying capacity formula K changes from 0.2 to 0.6. At the same time, the sedimentation thickness of the upper reservoir will decrease by 7.2%, and the siltation rate of the lower reservoir will increase by 1.7%. Through the research on the sensitivity of the TSC, the direction and amplitude of the TSC changes with the boundary conditions are found, which provides a basis for the scheme comparison of specific projects and further supplements the prediction method system of the TSC. Meanwhile, the results remind researchers to pay more attention to the determination of boundary conditions and also provide the basis for the error analysis of the TSC. In summary, the results have certain guiding significance for the related research, and the sensitivity analysis results of the case could provide a reference for other specific projects.