bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gibberellin-Mediated Sensitivity of Rice Roots to Aluminum Stress
Authors: Lu Long , Chen Xinyu , Tan Qinyan , Li Wenqian , Sun Yanyan , Zhang Zaoli , Song Yuanyuan , Zeng Rensen
Published: February 2024

Aluminum toxicity poses a significant constraint on crop production in acidic soils. While phytohormones are recognized for their pivotal role in mediating plant responses to aluminum stress, the specific involvement of gibberellin (GA) in regulating aluminum tolerance remains unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate that external GA exacerbates the inhibitory impact of aluminum stress on root growth of rice seedlings, concurrently promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Furthermore, rice plants overexpressing the GA synthesis gene SD1 exhibit enhanced sensitivity to aluminum stress. In contrast, the slr1 gain-of-function mutant, characterized by impeded GA signaling, displays enhanced tolerance to aluminum stress, suggesting the negative regulatory role of GA in rice resistance to aluminum-induced toxicity. We also reveal that GA application suppresses the expression of crucial aluminum tolerance genes in rice, including Al resistance transcription factor 1 (ART1), Nramp aluminum transporter 1 (OsNramp4), and Sensitive to Aluminum 1 (SAL1). Conversely, the slr1 mutant exhibits up-regulated expression of these genes compared to the wild type. In summary, our results shed light on the inhibitory effect of GA in rice resistance to aluminum stress, contributing to a theoretical foundation for unraveling the intricate mechanisms of plant hormones in regulating aluminum tolerance.
Fatty Acid Profiling as a Tool for Fostering the Traceability of the Halophyte Plant Salicornia ramosissima and Contributing to Its Nutritional Valorization
Authors: Ricardo Fernando , Veríssimo Ana , Maciel Elisabete , Domingues Maria , Calado Ricardo
Published: February 2024

Salicornia ramosissima, commonly known as glasswort or sea asparagus, is a halophyte plant cultivated for human consumption that is often referred to as a sea vegetable rich in health-promoting n-3 fatty acids (FAs). Yet, the effect of abiotic conditions, such as salinity and temperature, on the FA profile of S. ramosissima remains largely unknown. These factors can potentially shape its nutritional composition and yield unique fatty acid signatures that can reveal its geographical origin. In this context, samples of S. ramosissima were collected from four different locations along the coastline of mainland Portugal and their FAs were profiled through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The lipid extracts displayed a high content of essential FAs, such as 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3. In addition to an epoxide fatty acid exclusively identified in samples from the Mondego estuary, the relative abundance of FAs varied between origin sites, revealing that FA profiles can be used as site-specific lipid fingerprints. This study highlights the role of abiotic conditions on the nutritional profile of S. ramosissima and establishes FA profiling as a potential avenue to trace the geographic origin of this halophyte plant. Overall, the present approach can make origin certification possible, safeguard quality, and enhance consumers’ trust in novel foods.
Particle Propagation and Electron Transport in Gases
Authors: Vialetto Luca , Sugawara Hirotake , Longo Savino
Published: February 2024

In this review, we detail the commonality of mathematical intuitions that underlie three numerical methods used for the quantitative description of electron swarms propagating in a gas under the effect of externally applied electric and/or magnetic fields. These methods can be linked to the integral transport equation, following a common thread much better known in the theory of neutron transport than in the theory of electron transport. First, we discuss the exact solution of the electron transport problem using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. In reality we will go even further, showing the interpretative role that the diagrams used in quantum theory and quantum field theory can play in the development of MC. Then, we present two methods, the Monte Carlo Flux and the Propagator method, which have been developed at this moment. The first one is based on a modified MC method, while the second shows the advantage of explicitly applying the mathematical idea of propagator to the transport problem.
Development of Poly(methyl methacrylate)/nano-hydroxyapatite (PMMA/nHA) Nanofibers for Tissue Engineering Regeneration Using an Electrospinning Technique
Authors: Zaszczyńska Angelika , Kołbuk Dorota , Gradys Arkadiusz , Sajkiewicz Paweł
Published: February 2024

The study explores the in vitro biocompatibility and osteoconductivity of poly(methyl methacrylate)/nano-hydroxyapatite (PMMA/nHA) composite nanofibrous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering (BTE). Electrospun scaffolds, exhibiting both low and high fiber orientation, were investigated. The inclusion of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles enhances the osteoconductivity of the scaffolds while maintaining the ease of fabrication through electrospinning. SEM analysis confirms the high-quality morphology of the scaffolds, with successful incorporation of nHA evidenced by SEM-EDS and FTIR methods. DSC analysis indicates that nHA addition increases the PMMA glass transition temperature (Tg) and reduces stress relaxation during electrospinning. Furthermore, higher fiber orientation affects PMMA Tg and stress relaxation differently. Biological studies demonstrate the composite material’s non-toxicity, excellent osteoblast viability, attachment, spreading, and proliferation. Overall, PMMA/nHA composite scaffolds show promise for BTE applications.
The Amount of Cross-Linker Influences Affinity and Selectivity of NanoMIPs Prepared by Solid-Phase Polymerization Synthesis
Authors: Testa Valentina , Anfossi Laura , Cavalera Simone , Di Nardo Fabio , Serra Thea , Baggiani Claudio
Published: February 2024

The cross-linker methylene-bis-acrylamide is usually present in nanoMIPs obtained by solid-phase polymerization synthesis at 2 mol% concentration, with very few exceptions. Here, we studied the influence of variable amounts of methylene-bis-acrylamide in the range between 0 (no cross-linker) and 50 mol% concentration on the binding properties of rabbit IgG nanoMIPs. The binding parameters were determined by equilibrium binding experiments and the results show that the degree of cross-linking defines three distinct types of nanoMIPs: (i) those with a low degree of cross-linking, including nanoMIPs without cross-linker (0–05 mol%), showing a low binding affinity, high density of binding sites, and low selectivity; (ii) nanoMIPs with a medium degree of cross-linking (1–18 mol%), showing higher binding affinity, low density of binding sites, and high selectivity; (iii) nanoMIPs with a high degree of cross-linking (32–50 mol%), characterized by non-specific nanopolymer–ligand interactions, with low binding affinity, high density of binding sites, and no selectivity. In conclusion, the results are particularly relevant in the synthesis of high-affinity, high-selectivity nanoMIPs as they demonstrate that a significant gain in affinity and selectivity could be achieved with pre-polymerization mixtures containing quantities of cross-linker up to 10–20 mol%, well higher than those normally used in this technique.
Experimental Study of a 3D Printing Strategy for Polymer-Based Parts for Drone Equipment Using Bladeless Technology
Authors: Popișter Florin , Goia Horea Ștefan , Ciudin Paul , Dragomir Diana
Published: February 2024

The present study focuses on an up-to-date topic regarding flying equipment identified within the category of drones that use, for propulsion and air movements, the power generated by electric motors. In this paper, researchers focus on implementing bladeless technology to calculate, develop, and construct flying equipment known in the literature as drones. The entire structure of the prototype, all the needed parts, is to be obtained using additive manufacturing technologies, which assumes practical realization using 3D-printing equipment. Nowadays, the 3D-printing process has been proven to be a reliable solution when it comes to manufacturing complex shape parts in quite a short time and with reduced costs. The practical study within the present research aims to obtain polymer-based, lightweight parts with complex shapes inside to be implemented in the propulsion of a drone. The complex surface geometry of the parts that this research used is influenced by the ventilation technology offered by the “Air Multiplier” technology. The entire structure of the final drone equipment, all the parts, is to be manufactured using fused filament fabrication (FFF). The main purpose of the fusion is to use the advantages offered by this technology in drones to obtain advantages such as augmented values of thrust, a more agreeable and muffled sound signature, or an increased level of safety.
A Joint Optimization Algorithm for Trajectory Planning and Resource Allocation of Vehicle Mobile Base Stations for On-Demand Coverage Networks
Authors: Zhao Lingyu , Zhu Xiaorong
Published: February 2024

In today’s urban hotspot regions, service traffic exhibits dynamic variations in both time and location. Traditional fixed macro base stations (FMBSs) are unable to meet these dynamic demands due to their fixed coverage and capacity. Therefore, this paper introduces a novel algorithm for the joint optimization of the placement of terrestrial vehicle-mounted mobile micro base stations (mBSs), the correlation of service clusters (SCs) with mBSs, and resource assignments. The objective is to maximize the matching degree between network capacity and service demands while adhering to constraints related to the power, coverage, and bandwidth of mBSs, as well as the data rate required for the services. Additionally, we investigate the mobility of the mBSs towards the SCs in the spatiotemporal changing service demand network and obtain optimal trajectories for the mBSs. We begin by formulating the problem of maximizing the matching degree by analyzing the capacity provided by the base stations and the network service demand. Subsequently, we derive solutions to the optimization problem using our algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can effectively meet the capacity demand of dynamically changing hotspot regions and achieve on-demand, resilient coverage of hotspot regions in the network.
Multi-Objective Dynamic Reconstruction of Distributed Energy Distribution Networks Based on Stochastic Probability Models and Optimized Beetle Antennae Search
Authors: Yan Xin , Luo Yiming , Tu Naiwei , Tian Peigen , Xiao Xi
Published: February 2024

In the dynamic optimization problem of the distribution network, a dynamic reconstruction method based on a stochastic probability model and optimized beetle antennae search is proposed. By implementing dynamic reconstruction of distributed energy distribution networks, the dynamic regulation and optimization capabilities of the distribution network can be improved. In this study, a random probability model is used to describe the uncertainty in the power grid. The beetle antennae search is used for dynamic multi-objective optimization. The performance of the beetle antennae search is improved by combining it with the simulated annealing algorithm. According to the results, the optimization success rate of the model was 98.7%. Compared with the discrete binary particle swarm optimization algorithm and bacterial foraging optimization algorithm, it was 9.3% and 26.1% faster, respectively. For practical applications, this model could effectively reduce power grid transmission losses, with a reduction range of 16.7–18.6%. Meanwhile, the charging and discharging loads were effectively reduced, with a reduction range of 16.2–19.7%. Therefore, this method has significant optimization effects on actual power grid operation. This research achievement contributes to the further development of dynamic reconstruction technology for distribution networks, improving the operational efficiency and stability of the power grid. This has important practical significance for achieving green and intelligent operation of the power system.
The River God Cult and the Reshaping of Political Authority—Reading Inscriptions from the Hezhong Area in Tang China
Authors: Jiang Aihua , Ma Longxiang
Published: February 2024

The River God cult held a significant place in state rituals in imperial China. While scholars have primarily focused on the evolution of the River God sacrificial system, with its interplay of the official granting of noble titles and popular beliefs, this paper offers a further examination of the River God cult. By reading the “Stele of the (Shrine) Temple for the River God honored as the Duke of Numinous Source” (hedushen lingyuangong cimiao bei 河瀆神靈源公祠廟碑), created in the Tang Dynasty, this study explores the interactive relationship between the River God cult and state power in the Hezhong 河中area during that time period. We contend that the traditional River God cult and the participation of both officials and civilians in common rituals throughout past dynasties not only created a concentration of historical memories and reverent emotions but also established a strong social foundation for belief in the River God within the Hezhong region. This cult attracted both state endorsement and popular support. Thus, Guo Ziyi 郭子儀 (697–781), a famous military general in the Tang Dynasty, sought to renovate a temple and erect a monument for the River God. This monument was to serve as a cultural symbol that would strengthen the connection between the state and the local community, and hence ease the social tensions in the Hezhong area after the An Lushan Rebellion. In sum, such a construction would enhance the psychological and cultural identity of the people with both the mandate of heaven and the Tang imperial authority.
Climate Migration in Post-Apocalyptic Narratives on the Mainstream Screen
Authors: Koncz Linda , Boas Alex Villas
Published: February 2024

Through the perspective of ‘catastrophising thought’, this work undertakes a comparative analysis of five post-apocalyptic films dealing with climate migration: Waterworld, Snowpiercer, Interstellar, Mad Max: Fury Road and Mortal Engines in order to identify recurring themes within their dystopian societies. These narratives share an apocalyptic literary approach, intertwining biblical elements to draw a subjectivity that enables us to see the end of our known world order simultaneously as a new beginning. In the plots, technological development is related to the disrespect of ecological harmony and, therefore, extreme climate conditions. The changes in the films’ narratives lead to a new kind of spirituality and a new concept of home. This article concludes by evaluating how these findings relate to the real, contemporary world.
Missionary’s Envision of Children in Late Qing China: Children’s Education and the Construction of Christian Discourse in Child’s Paper
Authors: Huang Ziqi , Zhao Haixia , Yang Fan
Published: February 2024

In the late Qing Dynasty, religious periodicals by Western missionaries were made legal in China, and subsequently became an important manner of their missionary cause. Among them, Child’s Paper 小孩月报 (1875–1881) by John Marshall Willoughby Farnham, a Protestant missionary from the United States, endeavoured to convert child readers by carrying children’s stories of moral and emotional education. By concentrating on the educational elements of Child’s Paper, this article inspects how conversion was achieved via the intertextual interpretation of Christian doctrines within these educational elements. Specifically, how the image of little Christians and urchins, respectively, represents salvation and redemption in Christian morals. This article holds that the missionaries’ stress on the authority of Christian discourse in the education of Chinese children makes evident an increasing emphasis on the reformative effects of Christianity on Chinese children. Moreover, the conversion-education efforts by missionaries also construed helping Chinese children gain a cross-cultural perspective on Western religion, and arguably inspired later Chinese intellectuals’ to create newspapers for the purpose of the pre-primary education of Chinese children.
On Proofs for the Existence of God: Aristotle, Avicenna, and Thomas Aquinas
Authors: Liu Xin
Published: February 2024

In this paper, I examine Aristotle’s cosmological proof of God’s existence, Avicenna’s metaphysical proof, and Thomas Aquinas’s five-way proof. By comparing these proofs, I argue that philosophers and theologians take different approaches to proving God’s existence not only because they follow different epistemological principles but, more fundamentally, because they construct different metaphysical frameworks in which God as the Supreme Being plays different roles and is thus clarified differently. The proof of God’s existence is also of theological significance. This paper makes an original contribution by showing that, despite Avicenna’s harsh criticism, Aquinas returns to Aristotelian cosmological proof. Moreover, Aquinas goes beyond Aristotle by identifying God not only as the First Mover but also as the Creator. The theme of God’s existence bridges philosophy and theology, and it also clearly reflects the interplay and mutual influence of Greek philosophy, Arabic Aristotelianism, and Latin Scholastics.
High-Precision Joint TDOA and FDOA Location System
Authors: Xiao Guoyao , Dong Qianhui , Liao Guisheng , Li Shuai , Xu Kaijie , Quan Yinghui
Published: February 2024

Passive location based on TDOA (time difference of arrival) and FDOA (frequency difference of arrival) is the mainstream method for target localization. This paper proposes a fast time–frequency difference positioning method to address issues such as low accuracy, large computational resource utilization, and limited suitability for real-time signal processing in the conventional CAF (cross-ambiguity function)-based approach, aiming to complete the processing of the target radiation source to obtain the target parameters within a short timeframe. In the mixing product operation step of the CAF, a frequency-domain approach replaces the time-domain convolution operation in PW-ZFFT (pre-weighted Zoom-FFT) to reduce the computational load of the CAF. Additionally, a quadratic surface fitting method is used to enhance the accuracy of TDOA and FDOA. The localization solution is obtained using Newton’s method, which can provide more accurate results compared to analytical methods. Next, a signal processing platform is designed with FPGA (field-programmable gate array) and multi-core DSP (digital signal processor), and works by dividing and mapping the algorithm functional modules according to the hardware’s characteristics. We analyze the architectural advantages of multi-core DSP and design methods to improve program performance, such as EDMA transfer optimization, inline function optimization, and cache optimization. Finally, this paper constructs simulation tests in typical positioning scenarios and compares them to hardware measurement results, thus confirming the correctness and real-time capability of the program.
Creating and Leveraging a Synthetic Dataset of Cloud Optical Thickness Measures for Cloud Detection in MSI
Authors: Pirinen Aleksis , Abid Nosheen , Paszkowsky Nuria Agues , Timoudas Thomas Ohlson , Scheirer Ronald , Ceccobello Chiara , Kovács György , Persson Anders
Published: February 2024

Cloud formations often obscure optical satellite-based monitoring of the Earth’s surface, thus limiting Earth observation (EO) activities such as land cover mapping, ocean color analysis, and cropland monitoring. The integration of machine learning (ML) methods within the remote sensing domain has significantly improved performance for a wide range of EO tasks, including cloud detection and filtering, but there is still much room for improvement. A key bottleneck is that ML methods typically depend on large amounts of annotated data for training, which are often difficult to come by in EO contexts. This is especially true when it comes to cloud optical thickness (COT) estimation. A reliable estimation of COT enables more fine-grained and application-dependent control compared to using pre-specified cloud categories, as is common practice. To alleviate the COT data scarcity problem, in this work, we propose a novel synthetic dataset for COT estimation, which we subsequently leverage for obtaining reliable and versatile cloud masks on real data. In our dataset, top-of-atmosphere radiances have been simulated for 12 of the spectral bands of the Multispectral Imagery (MSI) sensor onboard Sentinel-2 platforms. These data points have been simulated under consideration of different cloud types, COTs, and ground surface and atmospheric profiles. Extensive experimentation of training several ML models to predict COT from the measured reflectivity of the spectral bands demonstrates the usefulness of our proposed dataset. In particular, by thresholding COT estimates from our ML models, we show on two satellite image datasets (one that is publicly available, and one which we have collected and annotated) that reliable cloud masks can be obtained. The synthetic data, the newly collected real dataset, code and models have been made publicly available.
Earth Observation-Based Cyanobacterial Bloom Index Testing for Ecological Status Assessment in the Open, Coastal and Transitional Waters of the Baltic and Black Seas
Authors: Vaičiūtė Diana , Sokolov Yevhen , Bučas Martynas , Dabulevičienė Toma , Zotova Olga
Published: February 2024

The use of Earth Observation (EO) for water quality monitoring has substantially raised in the recent decade; however, harmonisation of EO-based indicators across the seas to support environmental policies is in great demand. EO-based Cyanobacterial Bloom Index (CyaBI) originally developed for open waters, was tested for transitional and coastal waters of the Lithuanian Baltic Sea and the Ukrainian Black Sea during 2006–2019. Among three tested neural network-based processors (FUB-CSIRO, C2RCC, standard Level-2 data), the FUB-CSIRO applied to Sentinel-3 OLCI images was the most appropriate for the retrieval of chlorophyll-a in both seas (R2 = 0.81). Based on 147 combined MERIS and OLCI synoptic satellite images for the Baltic Sea and 234 for the Black Sea, it was shown that the CyaBI corresponds to the eutrophication patterns and trends over the open, coastal and transitional waters. In the Baltic Sea, the cyanobacteria blooms mostly originated from the central part and the outflow of the Curonian Lagoon. In the Black Sea, they occurred in the coastal region and shelf zone. The recent decrease in bloom presence and its severity were revealed in the areas with riverine influence and coastal waters. Intensive blooms significantly enhanced the short-term increase in sea surface temperature (mean ≤ 0.7 °C and max ≤ 7.0 °C) compared to surrounding waters, suggesting that EO data originating from thermal infrared sensors could also be integrated for the ecological status assessment.
Non-Destructive Estimation of Deciduous Forest Metrics: Comparisons between UAV-LiDAR, UAV-DAP, and Terrestrial LiDAR Leaf-Off Point Clouds Using Two QSMs
Authors: Gan Yi , Wang Quan , Song Guangman
Published: February 2024

Timely acquisition of forest structure is crucial for understanding the dynamics of ecosystem functions. Despite the fact that the combination of different quantitative structure models (QSMs) and point cloud sources (ALS and DAP) has shown great potential to characterize tree structure, few studies have addressed their pros and cons in alpine temperate deciduous forests. In this study, different point clouds from UAV-mounted LiDAR and DAP under leaf-off conditions were first processed into individual tree point clouds, and then explicit 3D tree models of the forest were reconstructed using the TreeQSM and AdQSM methods. Structural metrics obtained from the two QSMs were evaluated based on terrestrial LiDAR (TLS)-based surveys. The results showed that ALS-based predictions of forest structure outperformed DAP-based predictions at both plot and tree levels. TreeQSM performed with comparable accuracy to AdQSM for estimating tree height, regardless of ALS (plot level: 0.93 vs. 0.94; tree level: 0.92 vs. 0.92) and DAP (plot level: 0.86 vs. 0.86; tree level: 0.89 vs. 0.90) point clouds. These results provide a robust and efficient workflow that takes advantage of UAV monitoring for estimating forest structural metrics and suggest the effectiveness of LiDAR in temperate deciduous forests.
Sea Ice Extent Retrieval Using CSCAT 12.5 km Sampling Data
Authors: Liu Liling , Dong Xiaolong , Yang Liqing , Lin Wenming , Lang Shuyan
Published: February 2024

Polar sea ice extent exhibits a highly dynamic nature. This paper investigates the sea ice extent retrieval on a fine (6.25 km) grid based on the 12.5 km sampling data from the China France Ocean Satellite Scatterometer (CSCAT), which is generated by an adapted Bayesian sea ice detection algorithm. The CSCAT 12.5 km sampling data are analyzed, a corresponding sea ice GMF model is established, and the important calculation procedures and parameter settings of the adapted Bayesian algorithm for CSCAT 12.5 km sampling data are elaborated on. The evolution of the sea ice edge and extent based on CSCAT 12.5 km sampling data from 2020 to 2022 is introduced and quantitatively compared with sea ice extent products of Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) and the Advanced Scatterometer onboard MetOp-C (ASCAT-C). The results suggest the sea ice extent of CSCAT 12.5 km sampling data has good consistency with AMSR2 at 15% sea ice concentration. The sea ice edge accuracy between them is about 7 km and 10 km for the Arctic and Antarctic regions, and their sea ice extent difference is 0.25 million km2 in 2020 and 0.5 million km2 in 2021 and 2022. Compared to ASCAT-C 12.5 km sampling data, the sea ice edge Euclidean distance (ED) of CSCAT 12.5 km data is 14 km (2020 and 2021) and 12.5 km (2022) for the Arctic region and 14 km for the Antarctic region. The sea ice extent difference between them is small except for January to May 2020 and 2021 for the Arctic region. There are significant deviations in the sea ice extents of CSCAT 12.5 km and 25 km sampling data, and their sea ice extent difference is 0.3–1.0 million km2.
Enhancing Maize Yield Simulations in Regional China Using Machine Learning and Multi-Data Resources
Authors: Zou Yangfeng , Kattel Giri Raj , Miao Lijuan
Published: February 2024

Improved agricultural production systems, together with increased grain yield, are essential to feed the growing global population in the 21st century. Global gridded crop models (GGCMs) have been extensively used to assess crop production and yield simulation on a large geographical scale. However, GGCMs are less effective when they are used on a finer scale, significantly limiting the precision in capturing the yearly maize yield. To address this issue, we propose a relatively more advanced approach that downsizes GGCMs by combining machine learning and crop modeling to enhance the accuracy of maize yield simulations on a regional scale. In this study, we combined the random forest algorithm with multiple data sources, trained the algorithm on low-resolution maize yield simulations from GGCMs, and applied it to a finer spatial resolution on a regional scale in China. We evaluated the performance of the eight GGCMs by utilizing a total of 1046 county-level maize yield data available over a 30-year period (1980–2010). Our findings reveal that the downscaled models created for maize yield simulations exhibited a remarkable level of accuracy (R2 ≥ 0.9, MAE < 0.5 t/ha, RMSE < 0.75 t/ha). The original GGCMs performed poorly in simulating county-level maize yields in China, and the improved GGCMs in our study captured an additional 17% variability in the county-level maize yields in China. Additionally, by optimizing nitrogen management strategies, we identified an average maize yield gap at the county level in China ranging from 0.47 to 1.82 t/ha, with the south maize region exhibiting the highest yield gap. Our study demonstrates the high effectiveness of machine learning methods for the spatial downscaling of crop models, significantly improving GGCMs’ performance in county-level maize yield simulations.
The Effects of a New Wireless Non-Adhesive Cardiorespiratory Monitoring Device on the Skin Conditions of Preterm Infants
Authors: Lorente Flores Carmen M. , Zhan Zhuozhao , Scholten Anouk W. J. , Hutten Gerard J. , Vervoorn Marieke , Niemarkt Hendrik J.
Published: February 2024

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate skin conditions when wearing and removing a novel wireless non-adhesive cardiorespiratory monitoring device for neonates (Bambi-Belt) compared to standard adhesive electrodes. Study Design: This was a prospective study including preterm neonates requiring cardiorespiratory monitoring. Besides standard electrodes, the infants wore a Bambi Belt for 10 consecutive days. Their skin conditions were assessed using Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and the Neonatal Skin Condition Score (NSCS) after daily belt and standard electrode removal. The ∆TEWL was calculated as the difference between the TEWL at the device’s location (Bambi-Belt/standard electrode) and the adjacent control skin location, with a higher ∆TEWL indicating skin damage. Results: A total of 15 infants (gestational age (GA): 24.1–35.6 wk) were analyzed. The ΔTEWL significantly increased directly after electrode removal (10.95 ± 9.98 g/m2/h) compared to belt removal (5.18 ± 6.71 g/m2/h; F: 8.73, p = 0.004) and after the washout period (3.72 ± 5.46 g/m2/h vs. 1.86 ± 3.35 g/m2/h; F: 2.84, p = 0.09), although the latter did not reach statistical significance. The TEWL was not influenced by prolonged belt wearing. No significant differences in the NSCS score were found between the belt and electrode (OR: 0.69, 95% CI [0.17, 2.88], p = 0.6). Conclusion: A new wireless non-adhesive device for neonatal cardiorespiratory monitoring was well tolerated in preterm infants and may be less damaging during prolonged wearing.
Alternative Evacuation Procedures and Smart Devices’ Impact Assessment for Large Passenger Vessels under Severe Weather Conditions
Authors: Stefanou Evangelos , Louvros Panagiotis , Stefanidis Fotios , Boulougouris Evangelos
Published: February 2024

Within the expansive domain of maritime safety, optimizing evacuation procedures stands as a critical endeavour. After all, evacuation is literally the last and fundamental safety level afforded to mariners and passengers. Recent incidents have rekindled interest in assessing the performance of this ultimate safety barrier. However, addressing evacuability requires a holistic approach. The authors present herein the setup, simulation, and ultimately evaluation of a novel approach and its ability to rigorously assess multiple innovative risk-control options in a challenging, realistic setting. Moreover, its benchmarking against conventional regulation-dictated evacuation processes is captured distinctively along with the relative effectiveness of each proposed measure. Such measures include smart technologies and procedural changes that can result in substantial improvements to the current procedures. These will impact the ongoing discourse on maritime safety by providing insights for policymakers, vessel operators, emergency planners, etc., and emphasize the need for further research and development efforts to fortify the industry against evolving safety challenges.
Optimization of the Reaction between 5-O-Caffeoylquinic Acid (5-CQA) and Tryptophan—Isolation of the Product and Its Evaluation as a Food Dye
Authors: Vareltzis Patroklos , Karatsioli Panagiota , Kazakos Ioannis , Menelaou Anna-Maria , Parmaxi Konstantina , Economou Vangelis
Published: February 2024

The food industry is seeking a stable, non-toxic red dye as a substitute for synthetic pigments. This can result from the reaction between 5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) and tryptophan (TRP). This study explores the reaction kinetics under ultrasound conditions and investigates reaction parameters, such as pH, temperature, and reactants’ concentrations, to accelerate the reaction. At the end of the reaction, the solution was either spray-dried or acidified to isolate the pigment, which was evaluated for its potential as a food dye. Using ultrasound at 40 °C led to a significant acceleration of the reaction that was completed in 8.5 h, marking a 300% improvement compared to literature. The caffeic acid, and not the quinic acid, moiety of 5-CQA seems to be partly responsible for the formation of the red pigment. The pH had a profound impact on the reaction rate, with an optimal value of pH = 9.5. Increased TRP concentrations led to increased reaction rates, while higher 5-CQA concentrations led to significant deviations from redness (a* value). The pigment, lacking significant antimicrobial activity, exhibited remarkable thermal stability (pH 3–9), delaying food oxidation and color deterioration. The results indicate that the reaction can be significantly accelerated by ultrasound, which will be useful for the scale-up of the process and giving the produced pigment the potential for use as an alternative to artificial coloring.
Flood-Resilient Smart Cities: A Data-Driven Risk Assessment Approach Based on Geographical Risks and Emergency Response Infrastructure
Authors: Peixoto João Paulo Just , Costa Daniel G. , Portugal Paulo , Vasques Francisco
Published: February 2024

Flooding in urban areas is expected to become even more common due to climatic changes, putting pressure on cities to implement effective response measures. Practical mechanisms for assessing flood risk have become highly desired, but existing solutions have been devoted to evaluating only specific cities and consider only limited risk perspectives, constraining their general applicability. This article presents an innovative approach for assessing the flood risk of delimited urban areas by exploiting geospatial information from publicly available databases, providing a method that is applicable to any city in the world and requiring minimum configurations. A set of mathematical equations is defined for numerically assessing risk levels based on elevation, slope, and proximity to rivers, while the existence of emergency-related urban infrastructure is considered as a risk reduction factor. Then, computed risk levels are used to classify areas, allowing easy visualisation of flood risk for a city. This smart city approach not only serves as a valuable tool for assessing the expected flood risk based on different parameters but also facilitates the implementation of cutting-edge strategies to effectively mitigate critical situations, ultimately enhancing urban resilience to flood-related disaster.
Situated Pedagogy in Danish Daycare—The Politics of Everyday Life
Authors: Røn-Larsen Maja , Stanek Anja Hvidtfeldt
Published: February 2024

This article analyzes the possibilities and obstacles in pedagogical practices in ECEC (Early Childhood Education and Care) in relation to developing relevant opportunities for participation for all children, by supporting their own engagements in order to expand their action possibilities. Over the last decades, the political agendas in the Nordic as well as other OECD countries have been led by an increasing focus on learning goals and standardized professional procedures, at the expense of a more situated and flexible pedagogy following children’s own engagements. When concerns arise about children’s well-being, development, and/or learning, this tendency seems to intensify, as descriptions of concerns are often based on assessments of children’s individual (dis-)abilities, while investigations of children’s own engagements and reasons for actions are seldom conducted. From a theoretical standpoint in critical psychology and social practice theory, we discuss collaborative processes among children and adults in relation to institutional conditions as inherently political, in the sense that the distribution of different access to social resources and opportunities for participation for different children is negotiated through such daily exchanges and therefore also involves questions about democracy. We explore the everyday life practices of children and professionals, analyzing how, through everyday practice, they constantly work on maintaining, reproducing, and transgressing the standardized demands. To understand such processes, we suggest a conceptual focus on the politics of everyday life and situated pedagogy.
Hot Spots of Gun Violence in the Era of Focused Deterrence: A Space-Time Analysis of Shootings in South Philadelphia
Authors: Boschan Jamie Anne , Roman Caterina G.
Published: February 2024

Gun and street group violence remains a serious problem in cities across the United States and the focused deterrence strategy has been a widely applied law enforcement intervention to reduce it. Although two meta-analytical studies concluded that the intervention had a significant effect on violence, questions remain about how violence changes across space and time during and after the intervention. This study applies novel geospatial analyses to assess spatiotemporal changes in gun violence before, during, and after the implementation of Philadelphia Focused Deterrence. Emerging hot spot analysis employing Space-Time cubes of ten annual time bins (2009–2018) at the Thiessen polygon level was used to detect and categorize patterns. The analyses revealed a non-significant decreasing trend across the ten-year period. Furthermore, there were ninety-three statistically significant hot spots categorized into four hot spot patterns: fourteen new hot spots; twenty-three consecutive; one persistent; and fifty-three sporadic. There was no evidence showing statistically significant hot spots for the “diminishing” pattern. Knowledge of these patterns that emerge across micro-locations can be used by law enforcement practitioners to complement data-driven problem solving and fine tune these strategies and other place-based programming. Policymakers can use findings to prioritize resources when developing complementary prevention and intervention efforts by tailoring those efforts to the different emergent patterns.
Migration Dynamics in Rejaf Payam, South Sudan: Inbound and Outbound Patterns and Impact on Those Left Behind
Authors: Sassi Maria
Published: February 2024

Exploring migration patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa is vital for unravelling the intricate interplay of demographic, economic, social, and cultural forces shaping the region. This paper specifically centres on migration patterns within Rejaf Payam, Juba County, South Sudan. Its aim is to shed light on both inbound and outbound migration and their impact on vulnerable individuals who choose to stay in their original communities, with a particular focus on women. This study complements the existing literature that exclusively concentrates on the experiences of internally displaced persons and refugees either at their arrival destinations or during the migration process and overlooks the implications for those left behind. The qualitative research methodology proposed in this study is grounded in the utilisation of focus group discussions, specifically engaging traditional authorities and esteemed community stakeholders. Conducted by adequately trained enumerators, these discussions took place in March and June 2023. The methodology, features of the investigated area, migration patterns, and their effects on non-migrants are detailed, concluding with policy implications derived from qualitative evidence. The qualitative findings reveal that economic opportunities, insecurity, and adverse weather conditions predominantly drive migration. However, migrants are not reaching displaced or refugee camps only. In the investigated area, migration is often transitory or seasonal, with most migrants returning to their communities. The study highlights the adverse effects of migration on non-migrant women, who are left to assume the role of sole breadwinners and face economic hardships, social isolation, and increased vulnerability. The study recommends interventions focused on women’s empowerment, skill-building, economic opportunities, awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes, social protection programs, and psychosocial support services to address these challenges. It also emphasises the need for enhanced data collection and research efforts to inform evidence-based policies and interventions. A collaborative approach is crucial for effective implementation.
Numerical Simulations of Failure Mechanism for Silty Clay Slopes in Seasonally Frozen Ground
Authors: Ma Zhimin , Lin Chuang , Zhao Han , Yin Ke , Feng Decheng , Zhang Feng , Guan Cong
Published: February 2024

Landslide damage to soil graben slopes in seasonal freezing zones is a crucial concern for highway slope safety, particularly in the northeast region of China where permafrost thawing is significant during the spring. The region has abundant seasonal permafrost and mostly comprises powdery clay soil that is susceptible to landslides due to persistent frost and thaw cycles. The collapse of a slope due to thawing and sliding not only disrupts highway operations but also generates lasting implications for environmental stability, economic resilience, and social well-being. By understanding and addressing the underlying mechanisms causing such events, we can directly contribute to the sustainable development of the region. Based on the Suihua–Beian highway graben slope landslide-management project, this paper establishes a three-dimensional finite element model of a seasonal permafrost slope using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.1 finite element numerical analysis software. Additionally, the PDE mathematical module of the software is redeveloped to perform hydrothermal-coupling calculations of seasonal permafrost slopes. The simulation results yielded the dynamic distribution characteristics of the temperature and seepage field on the slope during the F–T process. The mechanism behind the slope thawing and sliding was also unveiled. The findings provide crucial technical support for the rational analysis of slope stability, prevention of sliding, and effective control measures, establishing a direct linkage to the promotion of sustainable infrastructure development in the context of transportation and roadway engineering.
Suitability of Foamed Concrete for the Composite Floor System in Mid-to-High-Rise Modular Buildings: Design, Structural, and Sustainability Perspectives
Authors: Rahardjo Alvin , Navaratnam Satheeskumar , Zhang Guomin , Tushar Quddus , Nguyen Kate
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the application of lightweight foamed concrete (FC) in modular building floor systems to address challenges in lifting and transportation within modular construction. Initially, a literature review identifies FC’s characteristics and optimum mix design, considering its sustainability and strength. The comprehensive review highlights that FC can be a lightweight alternative to replace traditional concrete in floor structures. Further, this study conducted the life cycle assessment and indicates that FC with coarse fly ash substitution is the optimum mix, which releases less greenhouse gas emission (i.e., 740.89 kg CO2-eq/1 m3) than other mixes. Subsequently, the study conducted design verification and parametric study of composite floor systems (i.e., cold-formed steel-FC, timber-FC, and steel deck-FC). The results show similar flexural and shear performance compared to normal-weight concrete despite its lower density (1600 kg/m3) compared to normal-weight concrete (2400 kg/m3). Further, the reduction of modulus of elasticity (43% of normal-weight concrete’s value) in FC increases deflection by 22–46% and 11–15% for steel-FC and timber-FC floor systems, respectively. Overall, the outcome shows that FC can be an efficient alternative for mid-to-high-rise modular building floor construction. Its lightweight nature can reduce the module’s weight, making modular construction more cost-effective.
Identifying Rural Landscape Heritage Character Types and Areas: A Case Study of the Li River Basin in Guilin, China
Authors: Hong Zizhen , Cao Wentao , Chen Ying , Zhu Sijia , Zheng Wenjun
Published: February 2024

Rural landscape heritage faces issues of landscape character homogenization and unclear protection boundaries. We propose combining landscape character assessment (LCA) methods to identify the characteristics and areas of heritage, aiming to preserve the diversity and integrity of the landscape. This paper focuses on the Li River Basin as the study area, presenting a method for identifying characteristics and areas of rural landscape heritage. It is divided into four steps: selection and spatial scope identification of rural landscape heritage, identification of natural character areas, identification of cultural character areas, and identification and analysis of character areas of rural landscape heritage. Firstly, cultural relic units, traditional villages, and intangible cultural heritage as sources of rural landscape heritage were selected by utilizing the Minimum Cumulative Resistance model (MCR) to calculate the spatial scope of rural landscape heritage. Secondly, clustering and automatic partition methods were employed to classify the Li River Basin into four types of natural character areas. Thirdly, cultural core areas and buffer areas were determined based on the heritage source hierarchy and cultural features. Fourthly, by overlaying heritage spatial ranges, natural character areas, and cultural character areas, 2 levels of heritage areas, 7 types of heritage cultural areas, and 43 heritage character units were obtained. This method not only provides a comprehensive framework for the identification of characteristics and areas for rural landscape heritage but also enhances the integrity of data selection in landscape character assessment methods at the cultural level.
Conditions of Sustainable Welfare: A Cross-Case Empirical Analysis of 22 Locality-Based Welfare Systems in Decentralised Indonesia
Authors: Tobing-David Virna Emily , Adi Isbandi Rukminto , Nuryana Mu’man
Published: February 2024

The existing body of knowledge underpinning welfare state theory suggests that most welfare systems depend on growth. It signifies that the state–market mechanism is a prerequisite for achieving welfare. However, the current ecological crisis highlights the detrimental effects of unchecked economic growth, which often exploits human and natural resources. This phenomenon calls for a countermovement that protects society and natural resources through social and public policies. Within the domain of sustainable welfare, an argument points towards the need to gain an empirical understanding of sustainable welfare policies and gather qualitative evidence that explains the conditions and mechanisms of “better” eco-social performance. This article aims to identify conditions leading to achieving sustainable welfare outcomes and discern under which conditions sustainable welfare outcomes are attainable or fail, especially in the context of the Global South. It draws on empirical data to analyse the locality-based welfare systems of 22 villages across decentralised Indonesia using a conditions-oriented approach of the crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis. The findings shed light on the institutional setting and policy mix leading to sustainable welfare outcomes in less-industrialised, informal economy-based, and highly decentralised country contexts. The evidence points to the presence of sustainable welfare outcomes when a substantial level of subsidiarity, self-governance, and meaningful community participation, and a policy mix covering basic needs, services for vulnerable groups, a functioning local economy, and innovative ecological practices are in place. While past research predominantly leans towards a statist-focused approach to sustainable welfare, this study proposes a society-focused perspective. It argues that transforming both modes of production and relational dynamics among society, state, and market in the Global South context is necessary, where an empowered society serves as a prerequisite for sustainable welfare outcomes.