bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of the Food Acceptance Questionnaire for Thai Partial and Complete Edentulism
Authors: Suwanarpa Ketsupha , Hasegawa Yoko , Paphangkorakit Jarin , Pitiphat Waranuch , Hori Kazuhiro , Ono Takahiro
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to develop the Food Acceptance Questionnaire (FAQ) to assess the masticatory ability of Thai older adults (≥60 years). Fifty participants were interviewed using open-ended questions about food they regularly consumed and avoided due to difficulty chewing. From a list of 140 items, 100 were recruited for a trial version of the FAQ. A total of 154 participants responded to the 5-point Likert scale on their chewing perception of each food item (1, impossible to chew; 5, most easily eaten). The average response of each food item was used as the chewing index (CI). The 100 food items were ranked and divided into five grades based on their CIs. Masticatory performance (MP) was objectively assessed by a visual scoring method using gummy jelly (UHA Mikakuto). Two foods from each grade that demonstrated the highest correlation with MP were selected to form the final 10-item FAQ. The FAQ score was calculated by summarizing the responses of 10 items. MP correlated strongly with the FAQ score (r = 0.57, p < 0.001), indicating its predictive validity. Furthermore, the FAQ indicates strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient = 0.90), indicating high reliability. In conclusion, this newly developed 10-item FAQ is valid and reliable for assessing the masticatory ability of Thai older adults.
Melatonin Modulates Lipid Metabolism and Reduces Cardiovascular Risk in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice Fed a Western Diet
Authors: Santos-Sánchez Guillermo , Álvarez-López Ana Isabel , Ponce-España Eduardo , Álvarez-Ríos Ana Isabel , Lardone Patricia Judith , Carrillo-Vico Antonio , Cruz-Chamorro Ivan
Published: May 2024

Melatonin (MLT), a natural compound found in the animal and vegetable kingdom, participates in several physiological processes. MLT exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, among others, but information about its action on lipid metabolism is still scarce. For this reason, mice deficient in apolipoprotein E (ApoE−/−) fed a Western diet (WD) were intragastrically treated with different concentrations of MLT (2 and 9 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. The lipid parameters were quantified, and, since links between cardiovascular risk and immune function and oxidative stress have been established, we also analyzed the population of leukocytes and the oxidative stress status. Although there was no change in the weight of the mice, a significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed in mice treated with the higher concentration of MLT tested in this study. Additionally, an improvement in cardiovascular risk indexes was observed. A reduction in the hepatic total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C levels was also observed in the treated mice. Finally, a decrease in leukocytes and lymphocytes in particular, as well as an increase in the antioxidant status, were shown in MLT-treated mice. In conclusion, MLT is a promising candidate that could be considered as a possible functional ingredient capable of preventing cardiovascular risk.
How Much Potential Do Nucleoside Analogs Offer to Combat Human Corona Viruses?
Authors: Buchowicz Włodzimierz , Koszytkowska-Stawińska Mariola
Published: May 2024

Nucleoside analogs (NAs) have been extensively examined as plausible antiviral agents in recent years, in particular since the outbreak of the global pandemic of COVID-19 in 2019. In this review, the structures and antiviral properties of over 450 NAs are collected according to the type of virus, namely SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-229E, and HCoV-NL63. The activity of the NAs against HCoV-related enzymes is also presented. Selected studies dealing with the mode of action of the NAs are discussed in detail. The repurposing of known NAs appears to be the most extensively investigated scientific approach towards efficacious anti-HCoV agents. The recently reported de novo-designed NAs seem to open up additional approaches to new drug candidates.
Therapeutic Prospects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Their Derived Exosomes in the Regulation of the Gut Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Qiao Yaru , Tang Xiaohua , Liu Ziyue , Ocansey Dickson Kofi Wiredu , Zhou Mengjiao , Shang Anquan , Mao Fei
Published: May 2024

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown great potential in the treatment of several inflammatory diseases due to their immunomodulatory ability, which is mediated by exosomes secreted by MSCs (MSC-Exs). The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing globally, but there is currently no long-term effective treatment. As an emerging therapy, MSC-Exs have proven to be effective in alleviating IBD experimentally, and the specific mechanism continues to be explored. The gut microbiota plays an important role in the occurrence and development of IBD, and MSCs and MSC-Exs can effectively regulate gut microbiota in animal models of IBD, but the mechanism involved and whether the outcome can relieve the characteristic dysbiosis necessary to alleviate IBD still needs to be studied. This review provides current evidence on the effective modulation of the gut microbiota by MSC-Exs, offering a basis for further research on the pathogenic mechanism of IBD and MSC-Ex treatments through the improvement of gut microbiota.
Development of Oral Tablets of Nebivolol with Improved Dissolution Properties, Based on Its Combinations with Cyclodextrins
Authors: Maestrelli Francesca , Cirri Marzia , Mennini Natascia , Fiani Silvia , Stoppacciaro Beatrice , Mura Paola
Published: May 2024

New oral tablets of nebivolol have been developed aiming to improve, by cyclodextrin (CD) complexation, its low solubility/dissolution properties—the main reason behind its poor/variable oral bioavailability. Phase-solubility studies, performed using βCD and highly-soluble βCD-derivatives, indicated sulfobutylether-βCD (SBEβCD) as the best solubilizing/complexing agent. Solid drug-SBEβCD systems were prepared by different methods and characterized for solid-state and dissolution properties. The coevaporated product was chosen for tablet development since it provided the highest dissolution rate (100% increase in dissolved drug at 10 min) and almost complete drug amorphization/complexation. The developed tablets reached the goal, allowing us to achieve 100% dissolved drug at 60 min, compared to 66% and 64% obtained, respectively, with a reference tablet without CD and a commercial tablet. However, the percentage dissolved after 10 min from such tablets was only 10% higher than the reference. This was ascribed to the potential binding/compacting abilities of SBEβCD, reflected in the greater hardness and longer disintegration times of the new tablets than the reference (7.64 vs. 1.06 min). A capsule formulation with the same composition of nebivolol-SBEβCD tablets showed about a 90% increase in dissolved drug after 5 min compared to the reference tablet, and reached 100% dissolved drug after only 20 min.
Surface Plasmon Waveguide Based on Nested Dielectric Parallel Nanowire Pairs Coated with Graphene
Authors: Yu Lixia , Liu Ji , Xue Wenrui
Published: May 2024

A kind of surface plasmon waveguide composed of two nested cylindrical dielectric parallel nanowire pairs coated with graphene was designed and studied. The dependence of the mode characteristics and the normalized gradient force of the lowest two modes supported by the waveguide on the parameters involved were analyzed by using the multipole method. To ensure rigor, the finite element method was employed to verify the accuracy of the multipole method, thus confirming its results. The results show that the multipole method is a powerful tool for handling this type of waveguide. The real part of the effective refractive index, the propagation length, the figure of merit, and the normalized gradient force can be significantly affected by the operating wavelength, the Fermi energy of graphene, the waveguide geometric parameters, and the refractive index of the inner dielectric nanowire. Due to the employment of nested dielectric nanowire pairs coated with graphene, this waveguide structure exhibits significant gradient force that surpasses 100 nN·μm−1·mW−1. The observed phenomena can be attributed to the interaction of the field with graphene. This waveguide holds promising potential for applications in micro/nano integration, optical tweezers, and sensing technologies.
Synergy between AI and Optical Metasurfaces: A Critical Overview of Recent Advances
Authors: Jakšić Zoran
Published: May 2024

The interplay between two paradigms, artificial intelligence (AI) and optical metasurfaces, nowadays appears obvious and unavoidable. AI is permeating literally all facets of human activity, from science and arts to everyday life. On the other hand, optical metasurfaces offer diverse and sophisticated multifunctionalities, many of which appeared impossible only a short time ago. The use of AI for optimization is a general approach that has become ubiquitous. However, here we are witnessing a two-way process—AI is improving metasurfaces but some metasurfaces are also improving AI. AI helps design, analyze and utilize metasurfaces, while metasurfaces ensure the creation of all-optical AI chips. This ensures positive feedback where each of the two enhances the other one: this may well be a revolution in the making. A vast number of publications already cover either the first or the second direction; only a modest number includes both. This is an attempt to make a reader-friendly critical overview of this emerging synergy. It first succinctly reviews the research trends, stressing the most recent findings. Then, it considers possible future developments and challenges. The author hopes that this broad interdisciplinary overview will be useful both to dedicated experts and a general scholarly audience.
Overexpression of Calcineurin B-like Interacting Protein Kinase 31 Promotes Lodging and Sheath Blight Resistance in Rice
Authors: Chen Jingsheng , Wang Siting , Jiang Shiqi , Gan Tian , Luo Xin , Shi Rujie , Xuan Yuanhu , Xiao Guosheng , Chen Huan
Published: May 2024

A breakthrough “Green Revolution” in rice enhanced lodging resistance by using gibberellin-deficient semi-dwarf varieties. However, the gibberellic acid (GA) signaling regulation on rice disease resistance remains unclear. The resistance test showed that a positive GA signaling regulator DWARF1 mutant d1 was more susceptible while a negative GA signaling regulator Slender rice 1 (SLR1) mutant was less susceptible to sheath blight (ShB), one of the major rice diseases, suggesting that GA signaling positively regulates ShB resistance. To isolate the regulator, which simultaneously regulates rice lodging and ShB resistance, SLR1 interactors were isolated. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), and Co-IP assay results indicate that SLR1 interacts with Calcineurin B-like-interacting protein kinase 31 (CIPK31). cipk31 mutants exhibited normal plant height, but CIPK31 OXs showed semi-dwarfism. In addition, the SLR1 level was much higher in CIPK31 OXs than in the wild-type, suggesting that CIPK31 OX might accumulate SLR1 to inhibit GA signaling and thus regulate its semi-dwarfism. Recently, we demonstrated that CIPK31 interacts and inhibits Catalase C (CatC) to accumulate ROS, which promotes rice disease resistance. Interestingly, CIPK31 interacts with Vascular Plant One Zinc Finger 2 (VOZ2) in the nucleus, and expression of CIPK31 accumulated VOZ2. Inoculation of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA revealed that the voz2 mutant was more susceptible to ShB. Thus, these data prove that CIPK31 promotes lodging and ShB resistance by regulating GA signaling and VOZ2 in rice. This study provides a valuable reference for rice ShB-resistant breeding.
Variability of Silver Fir Needle (Abies alba Mill.) Anatomical Features in the Southeast Europe Natural Populations
Authors: Popović Vladan , Lučić Aleksandar , Rakonjac Ljubinko , Vemić Aleksandar , Jovanović Sanja , Nikolić Biljana M. , Miljković Danijela
Published: May 2024

The survival of marginal/peripheral silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) populations in the broader region of Southeast Europe is endangered due to climate change and population decline. This study aimed to determine the level and pattern of variability for the anatomical traits of needles and the possibility of linking the pattern of phenotypic variability with environmental factors. In most of the analyzed needle traits, the statistically significant variability between populations was determined. According to the results of the multivariate principal component analysis, it is evident that the populations are distinct from each other, in three groups. The climatic factors Hargreaves reference evaporation, mean annual temperature, and growing degree-days, were statistically significantly correlated. The altitude and heating degree-days are statistically significantly correlated with the following three environmental factors: Hargreaves reference evaporation, mean annual temperature and growing degree-days, but negatively with others. The paper’s findings indicate significant moderate and high correlations between the anatomical traits of the needles’ central bundle diameter with the resin duct diameter, the distance between the vascular bundle and the resin duct and the epidermis thickness with cuticle, the resin duct diameter with the distance between the vascular bundle and the resin duct and the epidermis thickness with cuticle, as well as the distance between the vascular bundle and the resin duct with the hypodermis height and the epidermis thickness with cuticle. The results of agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis, performed for anatomical and climatic traits, confirmed the existence of three groups of tested populations according to the altitude gradient. Research results provide knowledge on the diversity and structure of Abies alba populations of Southeast Europe, important for further research and guidelines for the species’ conservation and genetic variability preservation in the southern marginal distribution area and keeping in line with climate change projections.
Simulation Study and Optimization Strategies for Vacuum Infusion of GFRP Hoses Based on Resin Time-Viscosity Variables
Authors: Jiang Yue , Xu Jiazhong , Liu Meijun , Fu Tianyu
Published: May 2024

During the infusion process of a glass-fiber-reinforced thermosetting composite hose, the viscosity of its resin matrix undergoes temporal variations. Consequently, if the impact of resin viscosity changes over time on the internal resin fluidity is not considered during the infusion process, this may result in the incomplete impregnation of the hose, characterized by the presence of numerous voids. This phenomenon adversely affects the quality of the pipe’s curing and forming process. Therefore, based on the characteristic variations in resin viscosity, this paper considers the changes in fluidity caused by the resin’s temporal evolution within the material. We establish a finite element simulation model to calculate and analyze the overall infusion effects of resin viscosity changes during the hose infusion process. Furthermore, based on the predicted analysis, a variable parameter infusion strategy is proposed to increase resin impregnation in the hose, thereby reducing internal void content and subsequently improving the quality of material curing and forming.
Tension and Shear Behaviour of Basalt Fiber Bio-Composites with Digital Image Correlation and Acoustic Emission Monitoring
Authors: Kek Tomaž , Šturm Roman , Bergant Zoran
Published: May 2024

This research investigates the mechanical behavior and damage evolution in cross-ply basalt fiber composites subjected to different loading modes. A modified Arcan rig for simultaneous acoustic emission (AE) monitoring was designed and manufactured to apply quasi-isotropic shear, combined tensile and shear loading, and pure tensile loading on specimens with a central notch. Digital image correlation (DIC) was applied for high-resolution strain measurements. The measured failure strengths of the bio-composite specimens under different loading angles are presented. The different competing failure mechanisms that contribute to the local reduction in stress concentration are described. Different damage mechanisms trigger elastic waves in the composite, with distinct AE signatures that closely follow the sequence of fracture mechanisms. AE monitoring is employed to capture signals associated with structural damage initiation and progression. The characteristic parameters of AE signals are correlated with crack modes and damage mechanisms. The evolution of AE parameters during the peak load transition is presented, which enables the timely AE detection of the maximum load transition. The combination of DIC and AE monitoring improves understanding of the mechanical response and failure mechanisms in cross-ply basalt fiber composites, offering valuable insights for possible performance monitoring and structural reliability in diverse engineering applications.
Preparation of Polyoxymethylene/Exfoliated Molybdenum Disulfide Nanocomposite through Solid-State Shear Milling
Authors: Feng Shuo , Zhou Xinwen , Yang Sen , Tan Jiayu , Chen Meiqiong , Chen Yinghong , Zhang Huarong , Zhu Xu , Wu Shulong , Gu Haidong
Published: May 2024

In this paper, the solid-state shear milling (S3M) strategy featuring a very strong three-dimensional shear stress field was adopted to prepare the high-performance polyoxymethylene (POM)/molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) functional nanocomposite. The transmission electron microscope and Raman measurement results confirmed that the bulk MoS2 particle was successfully exfoliated into few-layer MoS2 nanoplatelets by the above simple S3M physical method. The polarized optical microscope (PLM) observation indicated the pan-milled nanoscale MoS2 particles presented a better dispersion performance in the POM matrix. The results of the tribological test indicated that the incorporation of MoS2 could substantially improve the wear resistance performance of POM. Moreover, the pan-milled exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets could further substantially decrease the friction coefficient of POM. Scanning electron microscope observations on the worn scar revealed the tribological mechanism of the POM/MoS2 nanocomposite prepared by solid-state shear milling. The tensile test results showed that the pan-milled POM/MoS2 nanocomposite has much higher elongation at break than the conventionally melt-compounded material. The solid-state shear milling strategy shows a promising prospect in the preparation of functional nanocomposite with excellent comprehensive performance at a large scale.
Cotton Fabric-Reinforced Hydrogels with Excellent Mechanical and Broad-Spectrum Photothermal Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Yuan Xiangnan , Zhang Jun , Shi Jiayin , Liu Wenfu , Kritchenkov Andreii S. , Van Vlierberghe Sandra , Wang Lu , Liu Wanjun , Gao Jing
Published: May 2024

Antibacterial hydrogel wound dressings hold great potential in eliminating bacteria and accelerating the healing process. However, it remains a challenge to fabricate hydrogel wound dressings that simultaneously exhibit excellent mechanical and photothermal antibacterial properties. Here we report the development of polydopamine-functionalized graphene oxide (rGO@PDA)/calcium alginate (CA)/Polypyrrole (PPy) cotton fabric-reinforced hydrogels (abbreviated as rGO@PDA/CA/PPy FHs) for tackling bacterial infections. The mechanical properties of hydrogels were greatly enhanced by cotton fabric reinforcement and an interpenetrating structure, while excellent broad-spectrum photothermal antibacterial properties based on the photothermal effect were obtained by incorporating PPy and rGO@PDA. Results indicated that rGO@PDA/CA/PPy FHs exhibited superior tensile strength in both the warp (289 ± 62.1 N) and weft directions (142 ± 23.0 N), similarly to cotton fabric. By incorporating PPy and rGO@PDA, the swelling ratio was significantly decreased from 673.5% to 236.6%, while photothermal conversion performance was significantly enhanced with a temperature elevated to 45.0 °C. Due to the synergistic photothermal properties of rGO@PDA and PPy, rGO@PDA/CA/PPy FHs exhibited excellent bacteria-eliminating efficiency for S. aureus (0.57%) and E. coli (3.58%) after exposure to NIR for 20 min. We believe that the design of fabric-reinforced hydrogels could serve as a guideline for developing hydrogel wound dressings with improved mechanical properties and broad-spectrum photothermal antibacterial properties for infected-wound treatment.
Development of Bilayer Polysaccharide-Based Films Combining Extrusion and Electrospinning for Active Food Packaging
Authors: Gouvêa Rodrigo F. , Andrade Cristina T.
Published: May 2024

The development of active food packaging is desirable for food safety and to avoid food loss and waste. In this work, we developed antioxidant bilayer films combining extrusion and electrospinning techniques. These films consisted of a first layer of thermoplastic cornstarch (TPS), incorporated with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The second layer consisted of gallic acid (GA) encapsulated at different concentrations in 1:1 chitosan/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (CS/EVOH) nanofibers. This layer was directly electrospun onto the TPS/MCC film. The morphological, structural, wettability, permeability to oxygen, and antioxidant properties were investigated for the first layer and the bilayer films. Water contact angle measurements revealed the hydrophobic nature of the first layer (θ0 = 100.6°). The oxygen permeability (OP) was accessed through the peroxide value (PV) of canola oil, kept in containers covered by the films. PV varied from 66.6 meq/kg for the TPS/MCC layer to 60.5 meq/kg for a bilayer film. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds, mediated by GA, contributed slightly to improving the mechanical strength of the bilayer films. The bilayer film incorporated with GA at 15.0% reached a radical scavenging activity against the DPPH radical of (903.8 ± 62.2) μmol.L−1.Eq. Trolox.g−1. This result proved the effectiveness of the GA nanoencapsulation strategy.
Heat Transfer and Thermal Efficiency in Oxy-Fuel Retrofit of 0.5 MW Fire Tube Gas Boiler
Authors: Ahn Joon
Published: May 2024

Industrial boilers cause significant energy wastage that could be mitigated with oxy-fuel combustion versus traditional air combustion. Despite several feasibility studies on oxy-fuel burners, they are widely avoided in industry due to major infrastructural challenges. This study measured the performance and heat transfer characteristics of each component in a 0.5 MW fire tube gas boiler after retrofitting it with an oxy-fuel burner. Comparisons were drawn across three combustion modes—air combustion, oxy-fuel combustion, and oxy-fuel flue gas recirculation (FGR). The Dittus–Boelter equation was employed to predict heat transfer in the fire tube for all combustion modes at full load (100%). Heat transfer in the latent heat section of the economizer was measured and compared with predictions using the Zukauskas equation. With this retrofit, oxy-fuel combustion improved the thermal efficiency by about 3–4%. In oxy-fuel combustion, the flow rate of exhaust gas decreased. When integrated into an existing fire tube boiler, the fire tube’s heat transfer contribution diminished greatly, suggesting the economic viability of a redesigned, reduced fire tube section. Additionally, a new design could address the notable increase in gas radiation from the fire tube in oxy-fuel and FGR, as well as aid in the efficient recovery of condensation heat from exhaust gases.
Marine Infrastructure Detection with Satellite Data—A Review
Authors: Spanier Robin , Kuenzer Claudia
Published: May 2024

A rapid development of marine infrastructures can be observed along the global coasts. Offshore wind farms, oil and gas platforms, artificial islands, aquaculture, and more, are being constructed without a proper quantification of these human activities. Therefore, effective monitoring is required to maintain transparency towards environmental standards, marine resource management, inventorying objects, and global security. This study reviews remote sensing-based approaches to offshore infrastructure detection over the past 12 years. We analyzed 89 studies from over 30 scientific journals, highlighting spatial and temporal trends, methodological approaches, and regional and thematic research foci. Our results show a significant increase in research interest, especially since 2019. Asia, and especially China, is the predominant focus region in terms of first authorship, funding, and areas of investigation. Aquaculture is the most studied infrastructure, followed by platforms, offshore wind farms, and artificial islands. Gaofen, Sentinel, and Landsat are the most used satellite sensors for detection. The apparent shift towards automated detection methods, especially Deep Learning algorithms, reflects advances in computer vision. This study highlights the key role of earth observation in the field of off-shore infrastructure detection, which can contribute towards outlining effective monitoring practices for marine activities, as well as highlighting important knowledge gaps.
Deformation Analysis and Prediction of a High-Speed Railway Suspension Bridge under Multi-Load Coupling
Authors: Liu Simin , Jiang Weiping , Chen Qusen , Wang Jian , Tan Xuyan , Liu Ruiqi , Ye Zhongtao
Published: May 2024

High-speed railway suspension bridges (HSRSBs) have been constructed with the new advancements in technology. The deformation prediction for HSRSBs is essential to their safety and maintenance. The conventional prediction methods are developed for bridges without high-speed railway. Different factors, including temperature (TEMP), time delay compensation (TDC), train live load (TLL), are considered in these methods. However, the train side (TS) and train instantaneous position (TIP) have a significant impact on deformation for HSRSBs, and they are not used in the prediction. More importantly, the coupling issue among different factors is so significant that it cannot be neglected. In this study, we propose a deformation prediction model based on a backpropagation (BP) neural network. This model uses different factors as model input, including TEMP, TDC, TLL, TS, and TIP. The coupling issue is addressed by using the new model. The new model was evaluated using a dataset of 10-day field measurements. It achieves a mean absolute error (MAE) of 8.81 mm, a mean relative error (MRE) of 9.82%, and coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.94. The new model will provide high-precision prediction for deformation and will be used in the development of an early warning system.
Advances in Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing Technology for Geothermal Resource Detection
Authors: Wang Sen , Xu Wei , Guo Tianqi
Published: May 2024

This paper discusses thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing technology applied to the delineation of geothermal resources, a significant renewable energy source. The technical characteristics and current status of TIR remote sensing is discussed and related to the integration of geological structure, geophysical data, and geochemical analyses. Also discussed are surface temperature inversion algorithms used to delineate anomalous ground-surface temperatures. Unlike traditional geophysical and geochemical exploration methods, remote sensing technology exhibits considerable advantages in terms of convenience and coverage extent. The paper addresses the major challenges and issues associated with using TIR remote sensing technology in geothermal prospecting.
Rice Origin Tracing Technology Based on Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Stoichiometry
Authors: Li Changming , Tan Yong , Liu Chunyu , Guo Wenjing
Published: May 2024

The origin of agricultural products is crucial to their quality and safety. This study explored the differences in chemical composition and structure of rice from different origins using fluorescence detection technology. These differences are mainly affected by climate, environment, geology and other factors. By identifying the fluorescence characteristic absorption peaks of the same rice seed varieties from different origins, and comparing them with known or standard samples, this study aims to authenticate rice, protect brands, and achieve traceability. The study selected the same variety of rice seed planted in different regions of Jilin Province in the same year as samples. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to collect spectral data, which was preprocessed by normalization, smoothing, and wavelet transformation to remove noise, scattering, and burrs. The processed spectral data was used as input for the long short-term memory (LSTM) model. The study focused on the processing and analysis of rice spectra based on NZ-WT-processed data. To simplify the model, uninformative variable elimination (UVE) and successive projections algorithm (SPA) were used to screen the best wavelengths. These wavelengths were used as input for the support vector machine (SVM) prediction model to achieve efficient and accurate predictions. Within the fluorescence spectral range of 475–525 nm and 665–690 nm, absorption peaks of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADPH), riboflavin (B2), starch, and protein were observed. The origin tracing prediction model established using SVM exhibited stable performance with a classification accuracy of up to 99.5%.The experiment demonstrated that fluorescence spectroscopy technology has high discrimination accuracy in tracing the origin of rice, providing a new method for rapid identification of rice origin.
Discrete-Time Adaptive Control for Three-Phase PWM Rectifier
Authors: Hou Bo , Qi Jiayan , Li Huan
Published: May 2024

This paper proposes a dual-loop discrete-time adaptive control (DDAC) method for three-phase PWM rectifiers, which considers inductance-parameter-mismatched and DC load disturbances. A discrete-time model of the three-phase PWM rectifier is established using the forward Euler discretization method, and a dual-loop discrete-time feedback linearization control (DDFLC) is given. Based on the DDFLC, the DDAC is designed. Firstly, an adaptive inductance disturbance observer (AIDO) based on the gradient descent method is proposed in the current control loop. The AIDO is used to estimate lump disturbances caused by mismatched inductance parameters and then compensate for these disturbances in the current controller, ensuring its strong robustness to inductance parameters. Secondly, a load parameter adaptive law (LPAL) based on the discrete-time Lyapunov theory is proposed for the voltage control loop. The LPAL estimates the DC load parameter in real time and subsequently adjusts it in the voltage controller, achieving DC load adaptability. Finally, simulation and experimental results show that the DDAC exhibits better steady and dynamic performances, less current harmonic content than the DDFLC and the dual-loop discrete-time PI control (DDPIC), and a stronger robustness to inductance parameters and DC load disturbances.
1 V Tunable High-Quality Universal Filter Using Multiple-Input Operational Transconductance Amplifiers
Authors: Kumngern Montree , Khateb Fabian , Kulej Tomasz , Knobnob Boonying
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a new multiple-input single-output voltage-mode universal filter employing four multiple-input operational transconductance amplifiers (MI-OTAs) and three grounded capacitors suitable for low-voltage low-frequency applications. The quality factor (Q) of the filter functions can be tuned by both the capacitance ratio and the transconductance ratio. The multiple inputs of the OTA are realized using the bulk-driven multiple-input MOS transistor technique. The MI-OTA-based filter can also offer many filtering functions without additional circuitry requirements, such as an inverting amplifier to generate an inverted input signal. The proposed filter can simultaneously realize low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band-stop, and all-pass responses, covering both non-inverting and inverting transfer functions in a single topology. The natural frequency and the quality factors of all the filtering functions can be controlled independently. The natural frequency can also be electronically controlled by tuning the transconductances of the OTAs. The proposed filter uses a 1 V supply voltage, consumes 120 μW of power for a 5 μA setting current, offers 40 dB of dynamic range and has a third intermodulation distortion of −43.6 dB. The performances of the proposed circuit were simulated using a 0.18 μm TSMC CMOS process in the Cadence Virtuoso System Design Platform to confirm the performance of the topology.
ThermoBounce: Visualizing Chemical Kinetics via a Gravitational Potential Analogy
Authors: Max Nelson , Max Edward
Published: May 2024

ThermoBounce is an interactive online visualization designed to help students understand how enthalpy, entropy, and temperature contribute to the reaction rate and equilibrium of a unimolecular chemical change between reactant and product states, for example, molecular isomerizations or phase transitions. At the start of the animation, reactant molecules are represented by spheres bouncing around in a reactant room, with an average kinetic energy proportional to the temperature. This room is connected to an adjacent product room by a window. When the user triggers the animation, spheres may convert to the product state by passing through the window into the product room, changing color as they do so. The difference between the floor heights of the reactant and product rooms represents the enthalpy change of the reaction, and the floor areas of the two rooms represent the entropies of the reactant and product states. The height of the bottom of the window above the floor of the reactant room represents the enthalpy of activation, and the width of the window represents the entropy of activation. Users can change the geometry of the rooms and window to adjust all these quantities and can modify the temperature before or during the reaction. They can then observe the resulting changes in the reaction rate and in the accumulation of product molecules, as shown on a reaction progress graph. The visualization and instructions for interacting with it are freely available on the Internet.
Feeling the Stress: Salivary Cortisol Responses of Softball Umpires during National Championships
Authors: Houison Ronald J. , Lamont-Mills Andrea , Kotiw Michael , Terry Peter C.
Published: May 2024

Stress research in sports tends to focus on athletes, with sports officials typically being overlooked. In the current study, baseline, pre-game, and post-game cortisol levels among a sample of softball umpires were measured to assess the pattern of stress responses and determine if umpire performance (pass/fail) and position on the diamond (plate/field) could be predicted from cortisol levels. Nine male and four female participants aged 25–68 years (N = 13, M = 47.06 ± 15.65 years) each provided saliva samples on multiple occasions prior to and after officiating games at two Australian National Softball Championships. Data from 65 games were analysed. Performance was assessed using Softball Australia’s official umpire assessment tool. Cortisol levels increased significantly from baseline to pre-game (p < 0.001, d = −0.69) and declined significantly from pre-game to post-game (p < 0.001, d = 0.47). Umpiring performances were correctly classified as pass or fail from baseline and pre-game cortisol levels in 61.5% of cases and umpire position on the diamond from pre-game cortisol in 63.1% of cases. Findings suggest that stress management strategies should be recommended to softball umpires for performance enhancement and to safeguard their mental health.
Can Digital Economy Development Facilitate Corporate ESG Performance?
Authors: Kong Jiayang , Goh Mark , Cao Yu
Published: May 2024

As ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) is consistent with the spirit of sustainable development, it is useful to elevate ESG performance to realize the sustainable development of enterprise and society. Using the data of Chinese A-share listed firms in the period of 2011 to 2019, this paper takes the National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone policy as a quasi-natural experiment and uses the difference-in-differences method to assess the effect of digital economy development on ESG performance. This paper reveals the following: (1) the digital economy can facilitate ESG performance; (2) digitalization of the economy helps enterprises to propel digital transformation, which in turn lifts ESG performance; (3) digital economy development has a deeper impact on private enterprises, especially for those in China’s capital cities; and (4) digital economy development moderates the inhibiting effect of ESG performance on corporate financial constraints. The findings of this paper indicate that digitalization of the economy can help to achieve sustainable development.
Analysis of Internal Conditions and Energy Consumption during Winter in an Apartment Located in a Tenement Building in Poland
Authors: Laska Marta , Reclik Katarzyna
Published: May 2024

The residential sector of existing buildings has great potential in energy savings and the improvement of indoor conditions. The modernization of buildings is of particular concern to the policies of the European Union, local governments, and building users. The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of indoor parameters and energy consumption for heating for an apartment located in a pre-war tenement building before and after thermomodernization. The analysis was conducted for winter conditions and was based on measurements and simulations. Originally, the building had not undergone any thermomodernization actions since its reconstruction after WWII. Interior, exterior, and surface temperatures were recorded to describe the thermal conditions of the apartment, while gas meter readings were used to estimate energy consumption for heating purposes. WUFI Plus software (v.3.2.0.1) was used to estimate energy consumption and perform energy simulations for the apartment over an extended period of time. The best thermomodernization effect resulted from the replacement of windows and the inefficient heating system, avoiding surface condensation and reducing final energy consumption by more than 50%. The extended options resulted in energy savings higher than 70%. The presented analysis shows the importance of retrofit measures and proves that even a small improvement can bring significant benefits.
Exploring the Mechanisms of Regional Environmental Collaborative Legislation in China: Policy Effectiveness, Practical Challenges, and Policy Suggestions
Authors: Peng Shizhong , Liang Shan , Dai Tianyu , Peng Haoran
Published: May 2024

The legislation for regional environmental collaboration is of significant importance in enhancing the effectiveness of environmental protection. The existing literature focuses on the power struggle between central and local governments regarding environmental regulation within the realm of regional environmental governance, lacking an examination of the collaborative governance mechanisms and their effectiveness. Therefore, this study takes China’s regional environmental collaborative legislation as its research object. It employs a difference-in-differences model to test the effectiveness of regional environmental collaborative legislation concerning environmental governance and conducts a qualitative analysis to examine the current practical challenges facing regional environmental collaborative legislation. The quantitative analysis results indicate that regional environmental collaborative legislation can effectively suppress the emission of environmental pollutants. Specifically, the implementation of regional environmental collaborative legislation results in a 19.7% reduction in prefecture-level wastewater emissions and a 26.6% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions. Qualitative analysis results show that regional environmental collaborative legislation currently faces challenges such as localism, difficulties in legislative authority allocation, and a lack of cooperation mechanisms. Therefore, this paper proposes to establish a collaboration platform, balance the interests of stakeholders, and improve the allocation mechanism of environmental regulatory powers in order to better optimize the regional environmental collaborative legislation and enhance the government’s environmental governance capacity.
The Future Probability of Winter Wheat and Maize Yield Failure in Hungary Based on Long-Term Temporal Patterns
Authors: Huzsvai László , Juhász Csaba , Seddik Loujaine , Kovács Györgyi , Zsembeli József
Published: May 2024

The level of yield variation of primary crops has a considerable effect on the vulnerability of agriculture. The main factor that makes the agriculture of Hungary so vulnerable is climate change, and technological development cannot compensate for its unfavourable effects. We examined the yield failures of the two major field crops grown in Hungary that occurred during the last 100 years. The goals of our study were to determine how often yield losses at 15% and 30% occur, what their probability is and whether the probability has changed in recent decades. The Wald–Wolfowitz runs test was used to determine the randomness of yield failures. A series of yield failures for maize and winter wheat were found to be random. Based on the data for 1985–2023, failure by 15% and 30% can be expected approximately every 8th and 19th year for winter wheat and 3rd and 5th year for maize. Winter wheat yield failure at 15% shows a decreasing trend in occurrence, while at 30% it increases. On the other hand, the frequency of maize yield failure increased at both levels. The consideration of historical yield data can help to determine the extent of crop loss to be expected in the long term to maintain sustainable winter wheat and maize production in our changing climate.
Empowering Sustainable Healthcare: The Role of Health Literacy
Authors: Zanobini Patrizio , Del Riccio Marco , Lorini Chiara , Bonaccorsi Guglielmo
Published: May 2024

The imperative of sustainability in healthcare is becoming more pressing due to global health crises, climate change, and the rising burden of chronic diseases. Sustainability in healthcare involves social, economic, and environmental dimensions, each important for equitable and robust healthcare delivery. Health literacy may play a central role in embracing all three dimensions, bridging the gap between complex health information and individuals’ capability to understand and use it effectively: In fact, as a factor influencing the link between adverse social and economic conditions and subsequent health issues, health literacy could represent a practical target for mitigating health disparities within various demographic groups, thereby enhancing social sustainability. Furthermore, when people possess a solid understanding of their health conditions and the necessary steps for health management, they can contribute to a reduction in generated healthcare costs. Finally, health literacy and environmental health literacy equips individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills to understand how environmental factors affect health and empowers them to take proactive measures to protect the environment, potentially reducing the environmental impact of healthcare services. Therefore, integrating health literacy into education curricula and healthcare professional training is crucial for promoting sustainability. Despite some known barriers to the advancement and improvement of health literacy, such as limited awareness of its importance, the collaboration between academia, healthcare institutions, and community organizations is a path to follow to overcome these challenges.
The Impact of Sugarcane By-Product Exports on Income Inequality: How Sustainable Is This Relationship?
Authors: Da Cruz Thiago Vizine , Machado Ricardo Luiz
Published: May 2024

The reduction in income inequality and its convergence between localities is one of the aims of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This work aims to contribute to the theme, researching the relationship among international trade, the export of sugarcane by-products, and income inequality. A panel data regression was performed for a group of 98 cities from the state of Goiás-Brazil. Results indicate that international trade has a minimal, though positive effect, reducing income inequality. Nevertheless, the export of sugarcane by-product results indicates a harmful effect on workers’ income in the poorest cities who work in the agricultural sector. The results indicate that international trade contributes to sustainable development by generating wealth, contributing to UN SDG number 1, and reducing income inequality, helping to achieve UN SDG number 10.
Evaluating the Sustainable Development Performance of China’s International Commercial Ports Based on Environmental, Social and Governance Elements
Authors: Zhang Yan , Xin Zihan , Gan Guoya
Published: May 2024

An environmental, social and governance (ESG) evaluation system can focus on the value of enterprises more comprehensively and better scrutinize the development premise of enterprise. As a novel investment concept, both domestic and foreign investors widely acknowledge the significance of ESG. With the implementation of “carbon peak”, “carbon neutral” and other national strategies, an increasing number of transportation enterprises in China’s international commercial ports have started to focus on the role of ESG evaluation. This not only facilitates self-examination and correction within enterprises but also helps in adjusting the strategic direction toward sustainable development. This shift toward ESG evaluation is crucial for promoting environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility within the transportation industry. In this regard, this study aims to evaluate the sustainable development performance of China’s international commercial ports based on ESG elements. A data envelopment analysis (DEA) is considered to be a non-parametric performance evaluation method that can effectively solve for multi-criteria decision-making units, so this study mainly selects the DEA model for the performance evaluation. This study conducted research to select eight benchmarking companies within the industry and found that efficient units excelled in their ability to complete capacity levels with high quality and quantity at ports. In contrast, less efficient units scored lower in the domain of social responsibility.
Does Farmers’ Cognition Enhance Their Enthusiasm for Adopting Sustainable Digital Agricultural Extension Services? Evidence from Rural China
Authors: Gao Tianzhi , Lu Qian , Zhang Yiping , Feng Hui
Published: May 2024

The service model of digital agricultural technology extension, as a novel and sustainable approach, plays a pivotal role in facilitating the digital transformation of farmers’ agricultural practices. Leveraging survey data from 1475 farmers in China, the study employed a multivariate ordered logit model to investigate the relationship between farmers’ cognition and enthusiasm to adopt digital agricultural extension services. The findings revealed that subjective and objective cognitions positively influence farmers’ enthusiasm for adopting digital agricultural extension services. Furthermore, policy incentives, as a significant regulatory factor, effectively influence farmers’ cognition levels and enthusiasm to adopt digital agricultural extension services. Additionally, female respondents, farmers with higher educational levels, and membership in agricultural cooperatives all facilitate the adoption of these services. This study not only enriches the theoretical framework for agricultural technology promotion, aiding in the understanding of farmers’ decision-making processes when adopting digital agricultural extension services, but also provides a deeper insight into the role of digital agricultural technologies in promoting sustainable agricultural development, offering scientific evidence for relevant policy formulation and implementation.