bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Validation of the Greulich and Pyle Atlas for Radiological Bone Age Assessments in a Pediatric Population from the Canary Islands
Authors: Martín Pérez Isidro Miguel , Martín Pérez Sebastián Eustaquio , Vega González Jesús María , Molina Suárez Ruth , García Hernández Alfonso Miguel , Rodríguez Hernández Fidel , Herrera Pérez Mario
Published: September 2024

Bone age assessments measure the growth and development of children and adolescents by evaluating their skeletal maturity, which is influenced by various factors like heredity, ethnicity, culture, and nutrition. The clinical standards for this assessment should be up to date and appropriate for the specific population being studied. This study validates the GP-Canary Atlas for accurately predicting bone age by analyzing posteroanterior left hand and wrist radiographs of healthy children (80 females and 134 males) from the Canary Islands across various developmental stages and genders. We found strong intra-rater reliability among all three raters, with Raters 1 and 2 indicating very high consistency (intra-class coefficients = 0.990 to 0.996) and Rater 3 displaying slightly lower but still strong reliability (intra-class coefficients = 0.921 to 0.976). The inter-rater agreement was excellent between Raters 1 and 2 but significantly lower between Rater 3 and the other two raters, with intra-class coefficients of 0.408 and 0.463 for Rater 1 and 0.327 and 0.509 for Rater 2. The accuracy analysis revealed a substantial underestimation of bone age compared to chronological age for preschool- (mean difference = 17.036 months; p < 0.001) and school-age males (mean difference = 13.298 months; p < 0.001). However, this was not observed in females, where the mean difference was minimal (3.949 months; p < 0.239). In contrast, the Atlas showed greater accuracy for teenagers, showing only a slight overestimation (mean difference = 3.159 months; p = 0.823). In conclusion, the GP-Canary Atlas demonstrates overall precision but requires caution as it underestimates the BA in preschool children and overestimates it in school-age girls and adolescents.
Drivers of Veterans’ Healthcare Choices and Experiences with Veterans Affairs and Civilian Healthcare
Authors: Kintzle Sara , Alday Eva , Sutherland Aubrey , Castro Carl A.
Published: September 2024

Background: Access to quality healthcare is essential to the well-being of U.S. veterans. Little is known about what drives veterans’ healthcare decisions. The purpose of this study was to explore factors that drive healthcare choices in veterans, and their experiences in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and non-VA healthcare settings. Methods: Fifty-nine veterans participated in eight focus groups. Participants were asked to discuss factors that led to their choice of provider and their healthcare experiences. Thematic analysis was conducted to reveal themes around healthcare choices and use. Results: VA and non-VA users described positive experiences with care. VA users reported cost, quality, and ease of care as reasons for use. Non-VA healthcare setting users reported eligibility issues, negative perceptions of the VA, administrative bureaucracy, and lack of continuity of care as reasons they chose not to use VA care. VA users reported difficulty with red tape, continuity of care, limitations to gender specific care, and having to advocate for themselves. Conclusions: Veterans were satisfied with care regardless of where they received it. Experiences with civilian providers indicate that more could be done to provide veterans with choices in the care they receive. Despite positive experiences with the VA, the veterans highlighted needed improvements in key areas.
Research Trends and Hot Spots in Telemedicine for the Elderly: A Scientometric Analysis
Authors: He Huiqian , Abdul-Rashid Salwa Hanim , Raja Ghazilla Raja Ariffin
Published: September 2024

Background: As the elderly population rapidly grows, age-related health issues are increasing. Telemedicine helps older adults adapt by providing efficient and accessible health management and medical services. Objectives: This study employs bibliometric analysis to examine research focus areas, emerging trends, and collaboration networks in telemedicine for older adults over the past three decades. Methods: The Web of Science Core Collection served as the primary data source for the publications on telemedicine and the elderly since the database’s inception through June 2024. Using CiteSpace.6.2.R4 software, keyword and collaboration network visualizations were generated, including clusters, co-authors, and co-citations. Results: This study analyzed 586 papers from 252 countries or regions, which were published across 246 journals and written by 2750 authors. Conclusions: The analysis revealed three primary research directions encompassing 42 clusters: (1) health literacy and technology adaptation; (2) telemedicine technology and health management; and (3) social interaction and economic impact. Research hotspots include elderly fitness, mobile health, technology acceptance, telemedicine, elderly care, and health literacy. Despite the potential benefit of telemedicine, challenges persist in areas such as technology acceptance, usability, effectiveness, service quality, and privacy concerns. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current research on telemedicine for the elderly and highlights emerging trends in the field.
Effect of Insulin Pen Training Using the Teach-Back Method on Diabetes Self-Management, Quality of Life, and HbA1c Levels in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Değer Tahsin Barış , Gönderen Çakmak Huri Seval , Cihan Erdoğan Banu , Değer Mustafa Özgür
Published: September 2024

Background: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of insulin pen training using the Teach-Back method in older patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on their self-management of insulin treatment, quality of life (QoL), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Methods: Participants included 25 patients in the intervention group, with a mean age of 80.76 ± 6.132 years, and 24 patients in the control group, with a mean age of 81.29 ± 4.920 years. All participants were older people who had previously been diagnosed with T2D, had been using insulin for at least 6 months, and lived in rural areas. Teach-Back pen training was provided to the intervention group, while general diabetes education was provided to the control group. One-way variance analysis, paired-samples t-test and independent sample t-test were used. The self-management of insulin treatment, QoL and HbA1c levels were determined before training and after 3 months. The study was conducted between December 2022 and April 2023. Results: A significant difference was found in the mean scale scores between the intervention group and control group after training. The mean self-management of insulin treatment and QoL scale scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group after training. The post-training HbA1c levels in the intervention group were lower than the pre-training levels. Conclusions: Teach-Back training improved diabetes self-management and QoL and decreased HbA1c levels in older patients with T2D living in a rural community.
Strategies to Improve Bladder Control: A Preliminary Case Study
Authors: Zucco Gesualdo M. , Andretta Elena , Hummel Thomas
Published: September 2024

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) are a common complaint in adult and elderly men with bladder outlet obstruction, and have a considerable impact on their quality of life. Symptoms affect storage, voiding and post micturition stages. Among the latter, a feeling of incomplete emptying is one of the most bothersome for the patients; a condition that in turn contributes to affect urinary urgency, nocturia and frequency. Common recommendations include self-management practices (e.g., control of fluid intake, double-voiding and distraction techniques) to relieve patients’ symptoms, whose effectiveness, however, is under debate. Methods: In this report we describe two pioneering procedures to favor bladder residual content voiding in people complaining of LUTS disorders. The first is based on motor imagery and the second on the use of odors. The beneficial effects of Mental imagery techniques on various tasks (e.g., in the treatment of several pathological conditions or as valid mnemonics aids have a long tradition and have received consistently experimental support. Thus, a patient (a 68-year-old Caucasian man) complaining of LUTS was trained to use a motor imagery technique (building up a visual image comprising the bladder, the detrusor muscle and the urethra, and to imagine the detrusor muscle contracting and the flow of urine expelled) for 90 days and two odors (coffee and a lavender scented cleanser) for 10 days, as a trigger for micturition. He was asked to record—immediately after the first morning micturition—the time interval between the first (free) and the second (cued) micturition. Results: Reported data suggest the efficacy of motor imagery in favoring the bladder residual urine voiding in a few minutes (M = 4.75 min.) compared to the control condition, i.e., the baseline of the patient (M = 79.5 min.), while no differences between the odor-based procedures (M 1st odorant = 70.6 min.; M 2nd odorant = 71.1 min) and the latter were observed. Conclusions: A procedure based on an imagery technique may, therefore, be of general value—as a suggested protocol—and accordingly can be applicable to clinical settings. An olfactory bladder control hypothesis cannot, however, be ruled out and is discussed as a promising future line of research.
A Review of Pakistan’s National Spatial Data Infrastructure Using Multiple Assessment Frameworks
Authors: Ahmad Munir , Ali Asmat , Nawaz Muhammad , Sattar Farha , Hussain Hammad
Published: September 2024

Efforts to establish Pakistan’s National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) have been underway for the past 15 years, and therefore it is necessary to gauge the current progress to channelize efforts into areas that need improvement. This article assessed Pakistan’s NSDI implementation efforts through well-established approaches, including the SDI readiness model, organizational aspects, and state of play. The data were collected from Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) and Geographic Information System (GIS) experts. The findings underscored challenges related to human resources, SDI education/culture, long-term vision, lack of awareness of geoinformation (GI), sustainable funding, metadata availability, online geospatial services, and geospatial standards hindering NSDI development in Pakistan. However, certain factors exhibit favorable standings, such as the legal framework for NSDI establishment, web connectivity, geospatial software availability, the unavailability of core spatial datasets, and institutional leadership. Thus, to enhance the development of NSDI in Pakistan, recommendations include bolstering financial and human resources, improving online geospatial presence, and fostering a long-term vision for NSDI.
Community Detection Using Deep Learning: Combining Variational Graph Autoencoders with Leiden and K-Truss Techniques
Authors: Patil Jyotika Hariom , Potikas Petros , Andreopoulos William B. , Potika Katerina
Published: September 2024

Deep learning struggles with unsupervised tasks like community detection in networks. This work proposes the Enhanced Community Detection with Structural Information VGAE (VGAE-ECF) method, a method that enhances variational graph autoencoders (VGAEs) for community detection in large networks. It incorporates community structure information and edge weights alongside traditional network data. This combined input leads to improved latent representations for community identification via K-means clustering. We perform experiments and show that our method works better than previous approaches of community-aware VGAEs.
A New Isolate Beauveria bassiana GxABT-1: Efficacy against Myzus persicae and Promising Impact on the Beet Mild Yellow Virus-Aphid Association
Authors: Dessauvages Kenza , Scheifler Mathilde , Francis Frédéric , Ben Fekih Ibtissem
Published: September 2024

Within the context of ecofriendly alternatives to neonicotinoids, we explored the direct and endophytic potential of two Beauveria bassiana isolates, GHA from BotaniGard and the new endemic isolate GxABT-1, against the Sugar Beet Mild Yellow Virus (BMYV)-Myzus persicae pathosystem. A mortality rate of 96 and 91% was registered after 8 days of treatment with GHA and Gx-ABT-1, respectively. To assess the endophytic impact, sugar beet seeds were treated, and the ability of the fungi to colonize the plant was assessed and correlated with the aphids’ (1) life cycle, (2) attraction towards the plants, and (3) ability to transmit BMYV. Both fungi colonized the plants, and the GxABT-1 isolate impaired the aphids’ life cycle. Myzus persicae were more attracted to leaf discs from non-treated plants than to the fungal-treated ones. Interestingly, when the choice test dealt only with the fungal treatments, aphids were more attracted to leaves from plants harboring Gx-ABT-1 than those with GHA. Moreover, no significant impact was observed for BMYV transmission despite the slight decrease in the viral load in GxABT-1 isolate-treated plants. Our findings constitute a baseline to delve more into the performance of the new endemic isolate B. bassiana in other pathosystems using different treatment methods.
Toxicity Evaluation of Potassium Sorbate In Vivo with Drosophila Melanogaster
Authors: Zhang Xubo , Zhang Qian , Song Xiaoxuan , Yang Wanchen , Cheng Andi , Zhang Jianzhen , Dong Wei
Published: September 2024

Potassium sorbate (PS) is a preservative widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Improper and careless use of PS can lead to various health issues and potential environmental problems. Drosophila is capable of making rapid and sensitive responses to stress or other stimuli. Here we utilized Drosophila as a model organism to evaluate the potential toxicity of PS. Our study revealed that PS ingestion reduced the lifespan and fecundity of Drosophila. In addition, excessive PS ingestion led to cell apoptosis and ROS accumulation in the midgut. Furthermore, PS intake also enhanced the mitophagy of midgut cells. Strikingly, PS affected the cell differentiation progression as well, leading to the production of more enteroendocrine (EE) cells. We further demonstrated that the expression of notch (N), a vital player in intestinal stem cell (ISC) differentiation, was down-regulated in the midgut. This indicates that the differentiation progression was affected potentially by repressing the N expression.
Mental Health and Quality of Life of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Pre and Post Radioactive Iodine Treatment: A Prospective Study
Authors: Changchien Te-Chang , Yen Yung-Chieh , Lu Yung-Chuan
Published: September 2024

Background: Although patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) have a good prognosis, their long-term clinical course can influence their mental health and their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, few studies have evaluated the psychological factors that influence subsequent HRQoL in this population, particularly during the initial treatment stage. Methods: In this 1-month cohort study, we evaluated depressive and anxiety symptoms and HRQoL of patients with DTC and examined possible predictors of further HRQoL impairment. Results: In total, 181 patients completed questionnaires where they self-rated their psychological status (the Chinese Health Questionnaire [CHQ], Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire [TDQ]) and HRQoL (the 36-item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) at baseline and 1 month after radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. Compared with the general Taiwanese population, patients with DTC reported a worse HRQoL in all dimensions of the SF-36. Multivariate regression models indicated that anxiety and depressive symptoms were inversely correlated with some dimensions (physical functioning, bodily pain, and general health perceptions for the CHQ; role limitations due to physical problems and social functioning for the TDQ). However, psychiatric follow-up and treatment history were significantly associated with physical functioning and role limitations owing to the physical problem dimensions of HRQoL. Conclusions: In conclusion, although anxiety and depressive symptoms may negatively affect certain HRQoL domains, psychiatric follow-up can improve the physical dimensions.
One-Year Clinical Experience of Single-Port and Multi-Port Robotic Thyroid Surgery in a Single Institution
Authors: Lee Sun Min , Hwang Hilal , Shin Myung Ho , Yi Jin Wook
Published: September 2024

Background: With the advent of da Vinci SP, surgical methods using da Vinci SP are becoming popular in thyroid surgery. The authors previously reported on a new surgical method called the single-port robotic areolar (SPRA) approach, which evolved from the previous bilateral axillary breast approach (BABA). This paper reports a comparative analysis of SPRA and BABA over one year. Methods: The data on SPRA and BABA thyroid surgery performed at the authors’ hospital from December 2022 to December 2023 were analyzed. Results: 111 SPRA and 159 BABA surgeries were performed. SPRA was performed overwhelmingly on women (1 man vs. 110 women), and the body mass index (BMI) was lower in SPRA patients (23.63 ± 3.49 vs. 25.71 ± 4.39, p < 0.001). The proportion of total thyroidectomy was significantly higher in BABA patients, and a modified radical neck dissection (MRND) was only performed using the BABA method. The time for flap formation before robot docking was significantly shorter in SPRA patients (12.08 ± 3.99 vs. 18.34 ± 5.84 min, p < 0.001). Postoperative drain amount was also significantly lower in SPRA patients (53.87 ± 35.45 vs. 81.74 ± 30.26 mL, p < 0.001). Hospital stay after surgery was significantly shorter with SPRA (3.04 ± 0.48 vs. 3.36 ± 0.73 days, p < 0.001). Thyroglobulin levels after a total thyroidectomy (0.06 ± 0.13 vs. 0.45 ± 0.78, p = 0.002) and stimulated Tg level before the RAI (1.03 ± 0.74 vs. 5.01 ± 13.63, p = 0.046) were significantly lower in the SPRA group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups according to the postoperative complications, including vocal cord palsy and hypoparathyroidism. Conclusions: Based on the authors’ experience, SPRA is a less invasive robot thyroid surgery method than BABA.
Baseline Predictors of Adverse Outcomes for Transthyretin Amyloidosis Cardiomyopathy Patients Treated and Untreated with Tafamidis: A Canadian Referral Center Experience
Authors: Shahi Karan , Miller Robert J. H. , Dykstra Steven , Feng Yuanchao , Howlett Jonathan G. , Jimenez-Zepeda Victor , Veenhuyzen Jan , White James A. , Fine Nowell M.
Published: September 2024

Background: Tafamidis is a costly therapy that improves outcomes for patients with transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), although significant knowledge gaps exist for predicting longer-term response to treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine baseline predictors of adverse outcomes and their association with tafamidis treatment in comparison with those untreated in a clinical cohort from a Canadian ATTR-CM referral center. Methods: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ATTR-CM were included. Multivariable modeling was used to identify baseline variables associated with the primary outcome of all-cause mortality and secondary outcomes of cardiovascular mortality or hospitalization. Cox proportional hazard and competing risk analyses were used, with tafamidis modeled as a time-varying covariate. Results: In total, 139 ATTR-CM patients were included, with a median age of 80.9 years [74.3–86.6 years], from 2011 to 2022. The mean follow-up was 2.9 ± 1.8 years. Eighty (55%) patients were treated with tafamidis. All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality alone were associated with the following baseline variables: age, clinical frailty scale, systolic blood pressure, renal function, and right ventricular size and function (all p < 0.05), with no identified interactions with tafamidis treatment. Only baseline renal function was associated with cardiovascular hospitalization (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Important baseline variables associated with adverse ATTR-CM disease outcomes included renal function, systolic blood pressure, frailty, and right ventricular size and function. The risk factors were independent of treatment with tafamidis. These findings may help improve risk stratification for determining eligibility for ATTR-CM therapies.
Adaptive Control for Underwater Simultaneous Lightwave Information and Power Transfer: A Hierarchical Deep-Reinforcement Approach
Authors: Shin Huicheol , Jeong Sangki , Baek Seungjae , Song Yujae
Published: September 2024

In this work, we consider a point-to-point underwater optical wireless communication scenario where an underwater sensor (US) transmits its sensing data to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Before the US transmits its data to the ROV, the ROV performs simultaneous lightwave information and power transfer (SLIPT), delivering both control data and lightwave power to the US. Under the considered scenario, our objective is to maximize energy harvesting at the US while supporting predetermined communication performance between the two nodes. To achieve this objective, we develop a hierarchical deep Q-network (DQN)–deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG)-based online algorithm. This algorithm involves two reinforcement learning agents: the ROV and US. The role of the ROV agent is to determine an optimal beam-divergence angle that maximizes the received optical signal power at the US while ensuring a seamless optical link. Meanwhile, the US agent, which is influenced by the decision of the ROV agent, is responsible for determining the time-switching and power-splitting ratios to maximize energy harvesting without compromising the required communication performance. Unlike existing studies that do not account for adaptive parameter control in underwater SLIPT, the proposed algorithm’s adaptive nature allows for the dynamic fine-tuning of optimization parameters in response to varying underwater environmental conditions and diverse user requirements.
Plankton Resting Stages Distribution in Bottom Sediments along the Confinement Gradient of the Taranto Sea System (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy)
Authors: Rubino Fernando , Denti Giuseppe , Belmonte Manuela , Belmonte Genuario
Published: September 2024

The abundance distribution and species richness of encysted plankton have been investigated in the bottom sediments of the Taranto Marine System (southern Italy) for contributing to the understanding of plankton dynamics in a confined coastal area. This confined area is characterized by four contiguous basins with different degrees of confinement. The investigation was carried out in the fall season with the aim to intercept a period of rich cyst production from the plankton before overwintering. From the analysis of a total of 36 sediment samples, from 12 sample sites, the highest abundance of cysts and species richness were registered in the confined part of the system. A total of 103 cyst morphotypes have been recognized in the whole area, with highest abundances and taxa richness in the most confined stations. These results, suggesting a benthic-pelagic exchange of living matter, more intense in confined environments than in the open sea, highlight the necessity of (i) including the analysis of sediment cyst banks in studies of plankton dynamics, and (ii) to consider the role of confined areas, where the variability of environmental conditions favours a higher planktonic biodiversity in the sediments than in the water column.
Eco-Spatial Indices as an Effective Tool for Climate Change Adaptation in Residential Neighbourhoods—Comparative Study
Authors: Giedych Renata , Maksymiuk Gabriela , Cieszewska Agata
Published: September 2024

Eco-spatial indices are commonly used tools to improve the quality of the environment in cities. Initially modelled on the Berlin BAF, indices have evolved to address current challenges, particularly climate change adaptation. The Ratio of Biologically Vital Areas (RBVA), introduced in Poland in the mid-1990s, is an early planning tool for implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) at the site level. This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of the RBVA in Poland compared to its counterparts in Oslo and Malmö. The study employed a serious simulation game developed under the Norwegian-funded CoAdapt project, testing six development scenarios, varied in terms of applied NbSs, for a typical multi-family housing estate. The adaptive potential of the tested scenarios was assessed based on the values of five environmental parameters calculated in the game; that is, air temperature, oxygen production, CO2 sequestration, rainwater harvesting, and biodiversity. The findings revealed that the RBVA, in its current form, has limited effectiveness in supporting climate adaptation. Its two-dimensional nature makes it less effective than the more comprehensive Green Factors used in Oslo and Malmö. The research presented in the article proves that better-constructed indices result in the efficiency of applied NbSs and consequently better adaptation to climate change.
Regional Differences in Carbon Budgets and Inter-Regional Compensation Zoning: A Case Study of Chongqing, China
Authors: Yang Renfei , Jin Xianfeng , Zhou Hongwen , Ren Fu , Zhang Xiaocheng , Ma Zezhong , Yao Liwei , Zhang Hongwei
Published: September 2024

Carbon compensation can guide human activities in reducing carbon emissions or increasing carbon sequestration and also represents an important approach for coordinating regional development. In this paper, Chongqing Municipality, whose internal development is varied, was selected as a case study. The annual carbon emissions, carbon sequestration, carbon deficits, and inter-regional carbon compensation costs from 2000 to 2021 were continuously estimated via local optimization methods, and a carbon compensation zoning scheme was proposed that integrates the present situation and trend analysis. The results show that (1) Chongqing’s total carbon emissions were greater than the total carbon sequestration, and the carbon deficit was approximately 556.24 × 104 t~3621.58 × 104 t. (2) County-level carbon budgets have large regional differences; the counties that should always receive carbon compensation are from the southeast and northeast regions, and the counties that should always pay carbon compensation are from central urban areas and the surrounding new urban areas. (3) All the counties were zoned into key payment areas, basic payment areas, key recipient areas, and basic recipient areas. The key payment areas, which account for 39.47%, maintain and grow payment status and are the main sources of carbon compensation costs, while the key recipient areas, which account for 44.74%, maintained a negative compensation status and a continuous downward trend, meaning that they may receive increasing carbon compensation costs. This paper revealed inequities in carbon compensation and proposed a novel zoning solution, which can provide scientific reference and data support for further establishing inter-regional carbon compensation mechanisms.
Spatio-Temporal Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms of Urban Expansion in the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Li Qilun , Li Lin , Zhang Jun , He Xiong
Published: September 2024

Accurately identifying the expansion characteristics and driving mechanisms at different development stages of urban agglomerations is crucial for their coordinated development. Using the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration as a case study, we employ a data fusion approach to fuse nighttime light data with LandScan data and utilize the U-net neural network to systematically analyze the expansion characteristics and driving mechanisms of the urban agglomeration. The results indicate that, from 2008 to 2013, the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration was in an initial expansion stage, primarily driven by economic development levels and population size. From 2013 to 2018, the agglomeration entered an accelerated expansion stage, driven mainly by industrial structure transformation and the population agglomeration effect. From 2018 to 2023, the agglomeration experienced a steady expansion stage, with industrial structure upgrading and government support as the primary driving forces. Furthermore, we found that, over time, the influence of economic development levels and population size as driving forces gradually weakened, while the impact of industrial structure and government support significantly increased. Through the fusion of multi-source data and analysis of driving mechanisms at different developmental stages, we comprehensively revealed the development trajectory of the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration and provided valuable insights for future urban agglomeration development planning and policymaking.
Incorporating Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs and Synergies with Ecological Sensitivity to Delineate Ecological Functional Zones: A Case Study in the Sichuan-Yunnan Ecological Buffer Area, China
Authors: Miao Peipei , Li Cansong , Xia Baichuan , Zhao Xiaoqing , Wu Yingmei , Zhang Chao , Wu Junen , Cheng Feng , Pu Junwei , Huang Pei , Zhang Xiongfei , Chai Yi
Published: September 2024

Enhancing regional ecosystem stability and managing land resources effectively requires identifying ecological function zones and understanding the factors that influence them. However, most current studies have primarily focused on ecosystem service bundles, paying less attention to the trade-offs, synergies, and ecological sensitivity, leading to a more uniform approach to functional zoning. This study aimed to analyze and describe the spatial and temporal patterns of four essential ecosystem services, including water yield (WY), net primary productivity (NPP), soil conservation (SC), and habitat quality (HQ), in the Sichuan-Yunnan ecological buffer area over the period from 2005 to 2019. Spatial overlay analysis was used to assess ecological sensitivity, trade-offs, synergies, and ecosystem service bundles to define ecological functional zones. Geographic detectors were then applied to identify the primary drivers of spatial variation in these zones. The findings showed a progressive improvement in ecosystem service functions within the Sichuan-Yunnan ecological buffer zone. Between 2005 and 2019, NPP, soil conservation, and water yield all demonstrated positive trends, while HQ displayed a declining trend. There was significant spatial heterogeneity and distinct regional patterns in ecosystem service functions, with a general decrease from southwest to northeast, particularly in NPP and HQ. Trade-offs were evident in most ecosystem services, with the most significant between WY and HQ and most in the northeast and east regions. Ecological sensitivity decreased from southwest to northeast. Regions with a higher ecological sensitivity were primarily situated in the southwestern region, and their spatial distribution pattern was comparable to that of high habitat quality. The spatial overlay analysis categorized areas into various types, including human production and settlement zones, ecologically vulnerable zones, ecological transition zones, and ecological conservation zones, accounting for 17.28%, 22.30%, 7.41%, and 53.01% of the total area, respectively. The primary environmental factor affecting ecological function zoning was identified as precipitation, while the main social variables were human activity and population density. This study enhances the understanding of ecological functions and supports sustainable development in the Sichuan-Yunnan ecological buffer area, offering important guidance for ecological zoning.
Delivering Systematic and Repeatable Area-Based Conservation Assessments: From Global to Local Scales
Authors: Juffe-Bignoli Diego , Mandrici Andrea , Delli Giacomo , Niamir Aidin , Dubois Grégoire
Published: September 2024

Protected and conserved areas are a key area-based strategy to address the biodiversity and climate change crises. Indicators are fundamental to understanding performance over time. The Digital Observatory for Protected Areas (DOPA) was born in 2013 as a set of open-access web services and applications to be used to assess, monitor, and report on protected and conserved areas. For over a decade, it has delivered over 50 indicators to support policy processes, national and regional governments, and practitioners. DOPA has also developed a versatile and efficient back-end approach that is widely applicable in other area-based conservation contexts. Here, we describe the methods and workflows behind DOPA’s back end and provide examples of policy relevant questions it can answer. We discuss the key advantages and limitations of this systematic and replicable approach and explore the use of this back-end architecture to inform progress in area-based conservation targets for the following decades. This approach, embedded in multiple services provided by the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity of the European Commission (KCBD), can also support the implementation and monitoring of area-based targets of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at international, regional, and national levels.
Transformative Impact of the EU AI Act on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships
Authors: Lee Young-Gyu , Lee Chang-Hee , Jeon Young-Hun , Bae Jae-Hwan
Published: September 2024

The International Maritime Organization collaborates with member states to develop the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code to establish an international agreement framework. In December 2023, an agreement was reached on the European Union (EU) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act within the MASS Code. It was officially finalized and implemented on 1 August 2024. While the Act’s full application is set for two years later, certain provisions regarding safety against AI risks will take effect sooner. This study utilized a multiple-streams analysis method to examine how the EU AI Act impacted shipyards and shipping companies, focusing on ethical AI use and user safety. The findings indicate that technical completeness, safety enhancement, and AI system regulation through risk classification influence autonomous ship innovation. The challenges of reviewing the commercialization of new technologies for autonomous ships may result in market failures or decreased industry competitiveness. The study emphasizes the need to balance AI safety and ethical responsibility with autonomous ship development innovations. To ensure the sustainable application of AI technology, innovators must adapt to the EU AI Directive. Hence, this study confirms that the ethical and legal regulation of AI technology is crucial in technological innovation and development related to autonomous ships.
The Preparation of MoS2/Metal Nanocomposites Functionalized with N-Oleoylethanolamine: Application as Lubricant Additives
Authors: Xing Yaping , Liu Zhiguo , Zhang Weiye , Jia Zhengfeng , Han Weifang , Zhen Jinming , Zhang Ran
Published: September 2024

In this study, MoS2 nanosheets have been prepared and treated ultrasonically with silver ammonia solutions. The MoS2/Ag precursor was reduced using dopamine (DA) as reducing and linking agent at room temperature, and it was subjected to a hydrothermal treatment to produce MoS2/Ag nanocomposites (denoted as MoAg). The MoAg samples were functionalized with N-oleoylethanolamine to improve dispersion in the base oil component of additives. Use of the functionalized MoAg (denoted as Fc-MoAg) as a lubricant additive for steel balls resulted in effective friction reduction and anti-wear. This work avoids ion exchange during exfoliation, and the Ag+ has been reduced to nano-silver particles by dopamine to enlarge the layer spaces of MoS2. Taking the case of lubrication with base oil containing Fc-Mo0.6Ag15, the wear scar diameters and coefficients of friction of the steel balls were 0.428 and 0.098 mm, respectively, which were about three-fifths base oil. In addition, MoS2/Cu and MoS2/Ni nanocomposites were synthesized and the tribological properties associated with steel/steel balls assessed. The results demonstrate that all MoS2/metal composites exhibit enhanced tribological behavior in the steel/steel pair tests. Both nanocomposite synergy and the tribofilm containing sulfide, oxide, carbide, and other compounds play important roles in achieving reduced friction and improved anti-wear. The friction and wear properties of base oil containing Fc-MoAg and commercial additives were evaluated using a four-ball wear tester with steel/steel, steel/zirconia and zirconia/zirconia pairs. The base oil containing Fc-MoAg delivered smaller coefficients of friction (COFs) and/or scarring groove depths than those observed with the use of pure base oil and base oil containing commercial additives.
Comparison of Levitation Properties between Bulk High-Temperature Superconductor Blocks and High-Temperature Superconductor Tape Stacks Prepared from Commercial Coated Conductors
Authors: Kirchner Anke , Espenhahn Tilo , Klug Sebastian , Nielsch Kornelius , Hühne Ruben
Published: September 2024

Bulk high-temperature superconductors (HTSs) such as REBa2Cu3O7−x (REBCO, RE = Y, Gd) are commonly used in rotationally symmetric superconducting magnetic bearings. However, such bulks have several disadvantages such as brittleness, limited availability and high costs due to the time-consuming and energy-intensive fabrication process. Alternatively, tape stacks of HTS-coated conductors might be used for these devices promising an improved bearing efficiency due to a simplification of manufacturing processes for the required shapes, higher mechanical strength, improved thermal performance, higher availability and therefore potentially reduced costs. Hence, tape stacks with a base area of (12 × 12) mm2 and a height of up to 12 mm were prepared and compared to commercial bulks of the same size. The trapped field measurements at 77 K showed slightly higher values for the tape stacks if compared to bulks with the same size. Afterwards, the maximum levitation forces in zero field (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) modes were measured while approaching a permanent magnet, which allows the stiffness in the vertical and lateral directions to be determined. Similar levitation forces were measured in the vertical direction for bulk samples and tape stacks in ZFC and FC modes, whereas the lateral forces were almost zero for stacks with the REBCO films parallel to the magnet. A 90° rotation of the tape stacks with respect to the magnet results in the opposite behavior, i.e., a high lateral but negligible vertical stiffness. This anisotropy originates from the arrangement of decoupled superconducting layers in the tape stacks. Therefore, a combination of stacks with vertical and lateral alignment is required for stable levitation in a bearing.
Impact of Toolpath Pitch Distance on Cutting Tool Nose Radius Deviation and Surface Quality of AISI D3 Steel Using Precision Measurement Techniques
Authors: Jayakumar Santhakumar , Kannan Sathish , Iqbal U. Mohammed
Published: September 2024

The selection of the right tool path trajectory and the corresponding machining parameters for end milling is a challenge in mold and die industries. Subsequently, the selection of appropriate tool path parameters can reduce overall machining time, improve the surface finish of the workpiece, extend tool life, reduce overall cost, and improve productivity. This work aims to establish the performance of end milling process parameters and the impact of trochoidal toolpath parameters on the surface finish of AISI D3 steel. It especially focuses on the effect of the tool tip nose radius deviation on the surface quality using precision measurement techniques. The experimental design was carried out in a systematic manner using a face-centered central composite design (FCCD) within the framework of response surface methodology (RSM). Twenty different experiment trials were conducted by changing the independent variables, such as cutting speed, feed rate, and trochoidal pitch distance. The main effects and the interactions of these parameters were determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimal conditions were identified using a multiple objective optimization method based on desirability function analysis (DFA). The developed empirical models showed statistical significance with the best process parameters, which include a feed rate of 0.05 m/tooth, a trochoidal pitch distance of 1.8 mm, and a cutting speed of 78 m/min. Further, as the trochoidal pitch distance increased, variations in the tool tip cutting edge were observed on the machined surface due to peeling off of the coating layer. The flaws on the tool tip, which alter the edge micro-geometry after machining, resulted in up to 33.83% variation in the initial nose radius. Deviations of 4.25% and 5.31% were noted between actual and predicted values of surface roughness and the nose radius, respectively.
Effect of Moisture on the Fatigue and Self-Healing Properties of SiO2/SBS Composite Modified Asphalt
Authors: Wang Juzhong , Yu Shangjun , Wang Yihan , Sun Linhao , Li Ruixia , Yue Jinchao
Published: September 2024

Moisture accelerates the degradation of asphalt properties, significantly impacting the service life of roads. Therefore, this study uses simplified viscoelastic continuous damage theory and employs frequency scanning, linear amplitude scanning, and fatigue–healing–fatigue tests with a dynamic shear rheometer. The objective is to investigate the effects of aging time, moisture conditions, and aging temperature on the fatigue and self-healing performance of SBS (Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene block copolymer)-modified asphalt, nano-SiO2-modified asphalt, and nano-SiO2/SBS composite modified asphalt in a moisture-rich environment. The results indicate that nano-SiO2 powder enhances the low-temperature performance of modified asphalt, whereas the SBS modifier reduces temperature sensitivity and increases the recovery percentage after deformation. Compared to SBS-modified asphalt, the deformation resistance of nano-SiO2/SBS composite modified asphalt has increased by about 30%, while nano-SiO2-modified asphalt shows relatively poor deformation resistance. The fatigue performance of SBS-modified asphalt deteriorates under moisture, whereas the addition of nano-SiO2 powder improves its fatigue life. Nano-SiO2/SBS composite modified asphalt exhibits strong self-healing capabilities. Although self-healing can enhance the fatigue life of modified asphalt, moisture inhibits this improvement after self-healing.
Experimental and Modeling Analysis of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete Subjected to Alkali Attack and Freeze–Thaw Cycling Effect
Authors: Huang Yuxiang , Ji Yongcheng , Wang Jingchen , Wang Zihao , Yu Bosong , Zhang Siyu
Published: September 2024

The durability of concrete materials in harsh environmental conditions, particularly in cold regions, has garnered significant attention in civil engineering research in recent years. Concrete structures in these areas are often damaged by the combined effects of alkali–silica reaction (ASR) and freeze–thaw cycles, leading to structural cracks and significant safety hazards. Numerous studies have demonstrated that polypropylene fiber concrete exhibits excellent crack resistance and durability, making it promising for applications in cold regions. This study elucidates the impact of alkali content on concrete durability by comparing the mechanical properties and durability of different alkali–aggregate concretes. The principal experimental methodologies employed include freeze–thaw cycle experiments, which examine patterns of mass loss; fluctuations in the dynamic modulus of elasticity; and changes in mechanical properties before and after freeze cycles. The findings indicate that increased alkali content in concrete reduces its strength and durability. At 100% alkali–aggregate content, compressive strength decreases by 35.5%, flexural strength by 32.9%, mass loss increases by 35.85%, relative dynamic elastic modulus by 39.4%, and residual strength by 97.28%, indicating higher alkali content leads to diminished durability. Additionally, this paper introduces a constitutive damage model, validated by a strong correlation with experimental stress–strain curves, to effectively depict the stress–strain relationship of concrete under varying alkali contents. This research contributes to a broader understanding of concrete durability in cold climates and guides the selection of materials for sustainable construction in such environments.
Ultra-High Strength in FCC+BCC High-Entropy Alloy via Different Gradual Morphology
Authors: Ding Ziheng , Ding Chaogang , Yang Zhiqin , Zhang Hao , Wang Fanghui , Li Hushan , Xu Jie , Shan Debin , Guo Bin
Published: September 2024

In this study, high-pressure torsion (HPT) processing is applied to the as-cast Al0.5CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) for 1, 3, and 5 turns. Microstructural observations reveal a significant refinement of the second phase after HPT processing. This refinement effect is influenced by the number of processing turns and the distance of the processing position from the center. As the number of processing turns or the distance of the processing position from the center increases, the fragmentation effect on the second phase becomes more pronounced. The hardness of the alloy is greatly enhanced after HPT processing, but there is an upper limit to this enhancement. After increasing the number of processing turns to 5, the increase in hardness at the edge becomes less significant, while the overall hardness becomes more uniform. Additionally, the strength of the processed alloy is significantly enhanced, while its ductility undergoes a noticeable decrease. With an increase in the number of processing turns, the second phase is further refined, resulting in improvement of strength and ductility.
Aluminum Conductor Steel-Supported Conductors for the Sustainable Growth of Power Line Capacity: A Review and Discussion
Authors: Jalilian Milad , Riba Jordi-Roger , Parvizi Pooya
Published: September 2024

Industrial development and population growth have increased the need for higher-capacity power transmission lines. Aluminum conductor steel-supported (ACSS) conductors, a type of high-temperature low-sag (HTLS) conductor, are now widely used in new designs and reconductoring applications. ACSS conductors are preferred over traditional aluminum conductor steel-reinforced (ACSR) conductors due to their high strength, low sag, and excellent thermal stability. These attributes have garnered significant interest from researchers, engineers, and manufacturers. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the structure, properties, testing methods, and environmental behavior of ACSS conductors.