bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anthropogenic Risk to Poisonous Species in Mexico
Authors: Rodríguez Soto Clarita , Roque Vilchis Luis Fernando , Cadena Vargas Edel Gilberto , Gómez Albores Miguel Angel
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the morbidity and mortality rates caused by stings and bites of poisonous species have been constant in Mexico; such a phenomenon has been emphasized due to the dominance or modification of the natural geosystem. The modification in the availability of water resources has caused changes in the climate, extreme droughts, and floods that influence the distribution of species, generating risks where they did not occur before. With the aforementioned, it is important to identify risky points through the development of new cartography in the country, which allows an analysis from a spatial and geostatistical perspective. Based on the number of victims of stings or bites, there will be a sharp increase in exposure to poisonous animals where the distribution of these species overlaps with areas of high vulnerability as well as social and natural contact in Mexico. The aim of this study is to model the anthropogenic risk of poisonous species in Mexico in a spatial way (data from 2010–2017). The spatial analyses of this study were carried out throughout the Mexican territory and focused on species such as coral snakes, rattlesnakes, scorpions, and centipedes. The variables of vulnerability, danger, and exposure were considered to create a generalized risk model using the core area alternative in the zonation program, allowing a spatial analysis. The methodology consisted of six stages: (1) the identification of threats and records collected from chosen poisonous animals; (2) obtaining risk models by using the Zonation software that summarized all the species distribution modeling (SDM); (3) the development of a general anthropogenic vulnerability indicator; (4) obtaining the general exposure model with the index of accessibility to medical services; (5) obtaining risk models; and (6) the validation of risk models with morbidity and mortality rates by obtaining geostatistical models. The highlighted risk areas are the Pacific Ocean coast from Southern Sinaloa to the border of Michoacán, a corridor from central Veracruz to northern Oaxaca, central Guerrero, northern Michoacán, and northwestern Nuevo León.
Research on Provincial Carbon Emission Reduction Path Based on LMDI-SD-Tapio Decoupling Model: The Case of Guizhou, China
Authors: Wang Hongqiang , Xu Wenyi , Zhang Yingjie
Published: September 2023

The successful implementation of the national carbon emissions reduction work necessitates the collaboration of various regions. Carbon emission reduction strategies need to be adjusted according to local circumstances due to the differences in regional development levels. From 2005 to 2020, carbon emissions were measured in Guizhou Province, and the contribution degree and action direction of various influencing factors were analyzed using the LMDI model. Using an SD model, we performed dynamic simulations of carbon emission trends under eight scenarios and calculated the Tapio decoupling relationship between economic growth and CO2 emissions. According to the study, carbon emissions in Guizhou Province increased from 2005 to 2020, emphasizing the high pressure for carbon emission reduction. The industry sector ranked first in contribution, contributing 62.71% in 2020. Furthermore, this study found a weak decoupling relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions. The economic scale was the key driver driving the increase in carbon emissions, whereas the industrial fossil energy intensity was the main factor inhibiting the growth of carbon emissions. Additionally, it was predicted that carbon emissions would only peak at 277.71 million tons before 2030 if all three measures were implemented simultaneously, and a strong decoupling relationship with economic growth could be achieved as early as possible. These findings provided Guizhou Province with an effective path for reducing carbon emissions.
Fractal Characteristics of the Spatial Texture in Traditional Miao Villages in Qiandongnan, Guizhou, China
Authors: Gong Lei , Yang Jianzhu , Wu Chong , Zhou Hui
Published: September 2023

Traditional villages are the crystallization of the wisdom of human beings when living harmoniously with nature. The spatial texture of villages is complex, vague, and uncertain, making it difficult to describe with traditional Euclidean geometric spatial measurement methods. Based on the fractal theory, this study analyzes the texture of traditional Miao villages in Qiandongnan, Guizhou, China. It constructs an index system that is suitable for the fractal characteristics of traditional Miao villages. This study uses aggregation fractal dimension and capacity fractal dimension to reflect the spatial aggregation and complexity of the traditional villages, and employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to explore the influencing factors of spatial texture, thereby revealing the characteristics of the spatial texture of traditional villages and their relationship with the ecological environment in the process of continuous development. The research results show the following: (1) There is a significant coupling relationship among the capacity fractal dimensions of the research objects in the sampled villages, indicating that the village textures exhibit clear fractal characteristics. The villages, whether in terms of location selection or development degree, show a good fit with the surrounding environment, maintaining a relatively good original state. (2) Human factors have the greatest impact on the texture of the traditional villages, followed by natural and historical factors, economic policies, and social factors. This study provides specific development strategies for traditional Miao villages in Qiandongnan, Guizhou, offering a scientific basis for their sustainable development. It also explores a new approach for the study and conservation of the spatial morphology in traditional villages of ethnic minorities in China.
Using Green Energy Sources in Trigeneration Systems to Reduce Environmental Pollutants: Thermodynamic and Environmental Evaluation
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Nima , Sharafi Laleh Shayan , Soltani Saeed , Yari Mortaza , Rosen Marc A.
Published: September 2023

With rising electricity demand and environmental concerns, renewable energy is increasingly important. Geothermal power plants offer an opportunity to utilize natural energy sources advantageously. These systems can be coupled with other power cycles, like gas Brayton cycles, to maximize their potential output. Biogas is considered a viable replacement for fossil fuels such as natural gas to further mitigate pollutant gas emissions. In this paper, a biogas-fueled gas turbine coupled with a double-expansion geothermal cycle is proposed that uses, for heat recovery, combustion product gases to run a Kalina cycle. After heating the geothermal fluid twice for double expansion, the product hot gases also heat water in a domestic water heater. Also, three thermoelectric generators are utilized to increase the overall output. Using the geothermal cycle’s waste heat, a humidifier–dehumidifier desalination unit is considered for freshwater production. Green energy, freshwater, and heat are the system’s products, all of which are useful. The proposed system is examined from a thermodynamic perspective using EES V.10.561 (Engineering Equation Solver) software. For the considered input parameters, energy and exergy efficiencies of 36% and 44% are achieved.
Influence of Spatial Accessibility and Environmental Quality on Youths’ Visit to Green Open Spaces (GOS) in Akure, Nigeria
Authors: Ubani Obinna Justice , Alabi Micheal Oloyede , Chiemelu Emmanuel Ndukwe , Okosun Andrew , Sam-Amobi Chinwe
Published: September 2023

Although a regular visit to green open spaces has been recommended in curbing some sedentary lifestyle-associated health challenges, not much has been performed to uncover the factors that promote visits to such spaces in urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa. This research investigated the spatial accessibility and environmental quality factors that influence visits to green open spaces (GOS) by youths in the core area of Akure, Southwest Nigeria. The data were derived from a survey of 400 respondents aged between 18 and 35 years, ArcGIS software, v. Pro 20, and geographic information system (GIS) and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis. The results revealed that the spatial accessibility predictors of visits to GOS among the youths were their age, street integration, social integration, and proximity of GOS to their homes, while the environmental quality predictors were the presence of a gymnasium in GOS and public facilities around such spaces. These findings are instructive in noting that to ensure social justice in access to GOS and the associated social and ecosystem services they offer, the planning, design, and management of green spaces should take cognizance of these predictors in meeting the needs of the youths who constitute a larger percentage of the urban population and thus encouraging them to regularly visit GOS in the study area and beyond.
Tackling Food Waste in the Tourism Sector: Towards a Responsible Consumption Trend
Authors: Delgado Amélia , Rodriguez Rosmel , Staszewska Anna
Published: September 2023

One of the significant problems of planet Earth is related to food production and consumption. This paper evaluates the role of the tourism sector in generating food waste as well as its potential to drive sustainability. Tackling food loss and waste is acknowledged as urgent, both for the people and the planet. Food waste is particularly problematic in industrialised regions, impeding the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Although most of the wasted food originates in households, the contribution of the tourism sector is still relevant. A multidisciplinary reflection is thus carried out to assess the impacts of tourism on food production and consumption, linking them with cultural landscapes. By taking the UK as a case study, common problems of the sector are exposed, including dealing with food that remains uneaten, and the need to accurately assess food waste. Data gaps and guidance in measuring food waste are discussed, and suggestions for mitigating this issue include increasing food literacy, reducing food demand, and implementing sustainability business awards. Initiatives such as zero-waste restaurants are paving the way for mainstream changes in reducing food waste, thereby addressing climate change, increasing food availability and helping to alleviate hunger and malnutrition worldwide.
Sustainable Apple Disease Management Using an Intelligent Fine-Tuned Transfer Learning-Based Model
Authors: Sulaiman Adel , Anand Vatsala , Gupta Sheifali , Alshahrani Hani , Reshan Mana Saleh Al , Rajab Adel , Shaikh Asadullah , Azar Ahmad Taher
Published: September 2023

Apple foliar diseases are a group of diseases that affect the leaves of apple trees. These diseases can significantly impact apple tree health and fruit yield. Ordinary apple foliar diseases include frog_eye_leaf_spots, powdery mildew, rust, apple scabs, etc. Early detection of these diseases is important for effective apple crop management to increase the yield of apples. Therefore, this research proposes a fine-tuned EfficientNetB3 model for the quick and precise assessment of these apple foliar diseases. A dataset containing 23,187 RGB images of eleven different apple foliar diseases is used for experimentation. The proposed model is compared with four transfer learning models, i.e., InceptionResNetV2, ResNet50, AlexNet, and VGG16. All models are fine-tuned by adding different layers like the global average pooling layer, flatten layer, dropout layer, and dense layer. The performance of these five models is compared in terms of the precision, recall, accuracy, and F1-score. The EfficientNetB3 outperformed the other models in terms of all performance parameters. The best model is further optimized with the help of three optimizers, i.e., Adam, SGD, and Adagrad. The proposed model achieved the precision, recall, and F1-score values of 86%, 88%, and 86%, respectively, at 32 batch sizes and 10 epochs. This research formulated a model for an apple foliar disease diagnosis within sustainable agriculture.
Study on the Influence of Subway Tunnel Induced by Under-Crossing Tunnel Based on Monitor Data in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Zhang Xingsheng , Tan Haicheng , Liu Zihui , Dong Jinyu , Liu Shipeng
Published: September 2023

A dense network of underground tunnels usually makes subsequent tunnels cross existing tunnels in the process of urbanization. In this study, we mainly study the deformation of the subway line 11 caused by the under-crossing of the Qianhai–Nanshan Integrated Drainage Deep Tunnel in Shenzhen. We analyzed the process of displacement during the subsequent tunnel under-crossing the subway line 11 according to the displacement monitoring data. Our results demonstrate that deformation detection is an effective measure for controlling the impact of the subsequent tunnel under-crossing subway tunnels. The aim of this paper may provide guidelines for some existing tunnels that are under-crossed by subsequent tunnels with similar conditions.
Research on the Rural Environmental Governance and Interaction Effects of Farmers under the Perspective of Circular Economy—Evidence from Three Provinces of China
Authors: Wang Yijia , Huang Senwei , Liu Jia
Published: September 2023

As an essential subject of rural environmental governance, farmers’ environmental governance behavior directly affects the level and efficiency of rural environmental governance. In traditional rural society, the characteristics of “acquaintance society”, “circle doctrine”, and “clan society” have led to farmers’ behaviors being influenced and constrained by their surrounding social support and social relations. Therefore, the interaction between farmers will affect the effectiveness of rural environmental governance, and the interaction effect will also affect the implementation of policies in rural environmental governance. In the strategic context of the policy of “building a beautiful and harmonious countryside that is desirable to live and work in” and “promoting green development and harmonious coexistence between human beings and nature” put forward by the 20th National Congress, we follow the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle from the perspective of circular economy, taking farmers as our research subject. We take the behavior of domestic garbage disposal as an example and, relying on the National Social Science Foundation project, use field research data and refer to neighbor groups and neighboring village groups. We use the Manski model to test the interaction effect of the two groups, analyze the interaction between individual farmers and the interaction between neighboring villages, and, finally, prove that there is an endogenous interaction effect and a situational interaction effect between the neighbor group and neighboring villages. Endogenous interaction effects, contextual interaction effects, and association effects exist between neighbor groups, while only contextual interaction effects and association effects exist between neighboring village groups. The above conclusions provide a policy reference for rural household waste and environmental management.
Digitalisation in Bioeconomy in the Baltic States and Poland
Authors: Zeverte-Rivza Sandija , Girdziute Laura , Parlińska Agnieszka , Rivza Peteris , Novikova Anastasija , Gudele Ina
Published: September 2023

The agricultural and food production sectors have a predominant role in the bioeconomy of the European Union (EU), followed by wood production. These sectors make significant contributions not only to national economies but also to local areas, in particular the rural ones. Although the digitalisation of businesses within the bioeconomy sector transforms the enterprises, improving the value chains and creating benefits for the rural communities where these enterprises are situated, there are still many barriers to digitalisation. This study has a dual aim: first, to analyse bioeconomy in the EU and the state of digitalisation in the EU, and second, to assess the barriers of the bioeconomy sector and ways to support digital transformation within this sector, focusing on agriculture as the main contributor to bioeconomy in the EU, taking Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland as the case studies. The cluster analysis was explored for the study of the digitalisation and R&D indicators of the EU. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to determine digitalisation scenarios of the bioeconomy sector in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Four stakeholder groups were selected as experts for the study: (i) national government, (ii) advisory and extension, (iii) research, and (iv) entrepreneurship. The findings of the cluster analysis identified 4 clusters in the EU, showing different levels of digitalisation. Strong links between digitalisation and R&D were also found. In this context, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland were assigned to the low-performing cluster. The results of the AHP for the case studies of Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland indicate the overall need for prioritization of support for digital transformation using national and EU funding to achieve better results. Nonetheless, AHP findings also suggested that the opinions of the national government, consulting, and research experts were more aligned throughout all three countries, but the entrepreneurs’ opinions differed from these groups. These findings provide quantitative information regarding digitalisation in the bioeconomy of the EU. They also offer additional qualitative information about scenarios and criteria for increasing the level of digitalisation in the bioeconomy sector in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, which could be useful for policy-makers. This research could also have practical implications for shaping the future trajectory of the bioeconomy policy.
Quantifying Sustainability and Landscape Performance: A Smart Devices Assisted Alternative Framework
Authors: Shen Zhongzhe , Peng Xingjian , Du Chenlong , Kim Mintai
Published: September 2023

This research investigates gaps in current methods and tools in landscape performance research and presents a smart device-assisted alternative framework for performance assessment. Against the background of increasing attention to sustainability, landscape performance has emerged as a novel research focus on sustainability, with the objective of precisely quantifying sustainable performance. However, certain shortcomings persist within this field. This research conducts a comprehensive review of pertinent literature and analyzes deeply the performance metrics and case studies cataloged by the Landscape Performance Series (LPS). Additionally, an examination of quantitative tools is undertaken by surveys. The study finds several issues in current landscape performance research: imbalance development, inconsistent methods, one-time measurement, insufficient tools, and inaccurate and unreliable quantified results. Based on the advantages of smart devices in gathering sustainable data and previous research results, this research presents an alternate framework for conducting landscape performance research, which incorporates smart devices. In addition, it presents a set of recommendations for advancing research on landscape performance. This study could contribute to improving the diversity and accuracy of landscape performance quantification and contribute to future performance research. It assists in the refinement of landscape performance research and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Agricultural Products’ Bundled Pricing Based on Consumers’ Organic Preferences
Authors: Liu Xijia , Liu Xiaoshu , Shi Anna , Li Chenwei
Published: September 2023

To improve the market competitiveness of agricultural e-retailers, we offer an interactive bundle pricing strategy (IBPS). Compared to existing fixed bundling strategies, IBPS takes into account the variability of customer needs and provides consumers with more and more flexible choice opportunities. As more and more consumers tend to buy more environmentally friendly and healthy organic produce, a hybrid bundle pricing model for organic and inorganic produce is developed with the goal of maximizing retailers’ profit and optimizing consumers’ surplus, taking into account consumers’ organic preferences. Meanwhile, we introduce a free shipping strategy to further stimulate consumption. Then, we propose a heuristic algorithm to solve it and derive the optimal price for various bundled packages. Through numerical analysis, we draw some conclusions and propose corresponding management insights: (1) Compared with traditional online retailing methods, IBPS can effectively stimulate consumption and increase retailers’ profits; (2) as the free shipping threshold increases, total profits show a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, indicating that an appropriate free shipping threshold can optimize retailers’ profits; (3) as consumers’ green preferences increase, the sales of organic products increase while the total profit rises, so it is suggested that retailers increase consumer green preference through appropriate advertising; (4) the higher the consumption level, the higher the total value of consumers’ word purchases, so retailers can appropriately increase the free shipping threshold at high consumption levels.
Study of the Mechanical Properties and Water Stability of Microbially Cured, Coir-Fiber-Reinforced Clay Soil
Authors: Hu Qizhi , Song Wensen , Hu Jianwen
Published: September 2023

Clay soil is widely distributed in engineering foundations. Because of its poor stability, low load-bearing capacity, and poor water stability, it does not provide a high-quality foundation. Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a novel soil consolidation technique. The basic principle of this technique is that microorganisms induce calcium carbonate deposition in the soil, solidifying it. The reinforcement treatment of clayey soil via MICP with fiber reinforcement can make full use of the advantages of both techniques to improve the mechanical properties and water stability of the soil. In this study, in order to facilitate engineering applications, bacillus pasteurii liquid was mixed with coconut-fiber-reinforced soil using the mixing method, and a microbial solidification test was carried out on the reinforced clayey soil with fiber contents of 0, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% (mass ratio). By conducting triaxial consolidation without a drainage test, the calcium carbonate content determination test and the disintegration test were combined with SEM microscopic image analysis to compare and analyze the mechanical properties and water stability of clayey soil under different fiber treatments. The results show the following: (1) The coupling of the two techniques can effectively improve the shear strength of the soil. The shear strength first increased and then decreased with the increase in the fiber content. The optimum fiber content is 0.4%, and the shear strength is 120% higher than that of plain soil. (2) The addition of fiber significantly increased the cohesive force of the clayey soil. In addition, the friction angle was also increased by the synergistic effect of the fiber and calcium carbonate. The cohesive force was increased in the range of 3.2~24.4 kPa, and the internal friction angle was increased in the range of 2.2°~6.4°. (3) As the fiber content increased, the disintegration resistance of the solidified soil was obviously improved, and the disintegration rate decreased with the increase in fiber content. When the fiber content was 0.6%, the final disintegration rate was the lowest. (4) Fiber reinforcement increased the colonization space of the microorganisms and improved the deposition efficiency and yield of the calcium carbonate, and the cementing effect of the calcium carbonate promoted fiber reinforcement.
Simulation of Surface Settlement Induced by Parallel Mechanised Tunnelling
Authors: Yu Huat Chia , Armaghani Danial Jahed , Lai Sai Hin , Rasekh Haleh , He Xuzhen
Published: September 2023

Mechanised tunnelling is extensively utilised for twin tunnel construction, particularly in urban areas. A common challenge encountered during this construction method is the occurrence of surface settlement (SS) induced by tunnelling activities. The integrity of nearby structures can be compromised by SS, making it imperative to accurately quantify and mitigate this phenomenon. Several methods for determining SS exist, including empirical formulas and laboratory studies. However, these methods are often constrained by specific soil types and are time-consuming. Moreover, crucial parameters such as tunnel operational factors and construction stages are often omitted from empirical formulas. Given these limitations, this paper aims to address these challenges by employing 3D numerical analysis to simulate tunnelling-induced SS in twin tunnels. This approach takes into account tunnel geometry, construction sequencing, soil properties, and tunnelling operational factors. By incorporating data from in-situ and laboratory tests conducted on the ground, engineering soil parameters are established as inputs for the numerical analysis. The simulated SS results obtained from the 3D numerical analysis are compared with field measurements of SS taken from available ground surface settlement markers. The transverse SS pattern derived from the numerical analysis closely mirrors the field measurements. Additionally, SS values above the first and second tunnels are compared with field measurements, resulting in coefficient of determination (R2) values of 0.94 and 0.96, respectively. The utilisation of the 3D numerical modelling approach enables the customizable mitigation strategies for managing the SS with project-specific parameters such as tunnel geometry, geotechnical engineering factors, and tunnelling operational variables. This will help plan and construct more sustainable tunnels with minimal effects on the ground and residential areas.
A Transect Method for Promoting Landscape Conservation in the Climate Change Context: A Case-Study in Greece
Authors: Vlami Vassiliki , Kokkoris Ioannis P. , Charalampopoulos Ioannis , Doxiadis Thomas , Giannakopoulos Christos , Lazoglou Miltiades
Published: September 2023

Within an EU Life project aiming to boost climate change adaptation in Greece, this study develops a transect method for rapid landscape-scale assessment. The procedure applies a holistic assessment of terrestrial landscapes at three spatial scales: a broad cross-section transect zone through the Peloponnese peninsula (240 km long, 1.416.6 km2) and successively the delineation of 35 selected landscape areas and the associated landscape views. Climate change scenarios and relevant indices were incorporated to screen for climate and anthropogenic impacts, including phytoclimatic, erosion and wildfire analyses. The climatic and bioclimatic conditions were examined in three time periods (reference period: 1970–2000 and in the future periods 2031–2060 and 2071–2100). Based on the above framework, the climate change adaptation planning process is reviewed including the Regional Adaptation Action Plan (RAAP) of the Peloponnese Region. The results of this method application effectively assess both the “territorial” and “perceptual” aspects of the selected landscapes; mapping the potential threats, interpreting problems, identifying knowledge gaps and prioritizing vulnerable areas. Analyses show that combined land-use pressures and climatic shifts will cause landscape change, particularly evident in an increase of wildfires, in the near future. Currently, poor conservation measures do not adequately protect landscapes in most areas of the study from expanding anthropogenic pressures (urban sprawl, wetland draining, etc.); these conditions may further aggravate environmental safety concerns during future climate change conditions. The review also documents poor attention to landscape conservation within the current RAAP report. The proposed transect method may assist in promoting landscape appreciation by setting an “enabling framework” for landscape-scale conservation planning during the climate change adaptation process.
Analysis and Experiments on the Characteristics of Airflow and the Air Cleanliness Protection Region under Fan Filter Units in Cleanrooms
Authors: Li Hao , Huang Chen , Yi Weiqi , Li Chao
Published: September 2023

Cleanrooms often utilize large amounts of supply air to achieve a required cleanliness level. To reduce the overall supply air volume, critical processes demanding the highest cleanliness requirements are suggested to be placed directly beneath the air outlet of fan filter units (FFUs). In order to determine an appropriate supply air volume, it is necessary to quantitatively analyze the particulate concentration distribution downstream of FFUs with various characteristics to determine an adequate but not excessive supply air volume. Three FFU sizes and four supply air velocities were used in this experiment, and the resulting airstream velocities, jet diffusion widths, and characteristics of particulate concentration distribution were obtained. Fitting expressions were statistically acquired based on the respective experimental data sets, which can be used to predict the airflow velocity value at any point in an FFU flow region and the width of the air cleanliness protection range.
Integrating Ecological Knowledge into Regenerative Design: A Rapid Practice Review
Authors: Toner Jane , Desha Cheryl , Reis Kimberley , Hes Dominique , Hayes Samantha
Published: September 2023

While sustainable design practice is working to reduce the ecological impacts of development, many of the earth’s already damaged life support systems require repair and regeneration. Regenerative design theory embraces this challenge using an ecological worldview that recognizes all life as intertwined and interdependent to deliver restorative outcomes that heal. Central to regenerative design theory is the mutually beneficial and coevolving ‘stewardship’ relationship between community and place, the success of which requires local ecological knowledge. However, there is a lack of understanding about how—within the design process—practitioners are integrating ‘innate knowledge’ of place held by local people. This rapid practice review sought to collate and evaluate current ‘regenerative design practice’ methods towards ensuring good practice in the integration of place-based ecological knowledge. A comprehensive online search retrieved 345 related articles from the grey literature, academic book chapters, and government reports, from which 83 articles were analyzed. The authors conclude that regenerative design practice is emergent, with the design practice of including community knowledge of ecological systems of place remaining ad hoc, highly variable, and champion-based. The findings have immediate implications for regenerative design practitioners, researchers, and developers, documenting the state of progress in methods that explore innate ecological knowledge and foster co-evolving ecological stewardship.
Global Value Chains Embedding and Carbon Productivity of China’s Manufacturing Industry: Direct Influence, Adjustment Effect, and Heterogeneity Analysis
Authors: Chen Jingquan , Zhang Shiqi , Ma Xiaojun , Zhao Xue , Song Yanqi , Fan Yijie , Yu Yuanbo
Published: September 2023

In the context of the deepening division of labour in global value chains (GVC) and the goal of “double carbon”, it is important to promote China’s manufacturing industry to break away from the unfavourable situation of “big but not strong” so as to achieve low-carbon transformation and value chain upgrading. Based on the panel data of China’s manufacturing industry from 2006 to 2018, this paper adopts a threshold regression model to analyse the marginal impact of GVC embedding position on carbon productivity. It also comprehensively explores the moderating effects of R&D investment, environmental regulation, industrial structure upgrading, and industrial digitisation on the impact of GVC embedding on carbon productivity in three aspects: forward GVC participation, backward GVC participation, and GVC embedding position. The research shows that forward and backward GVC participation have negative direct effects on carbon productivity in China’s manufacturing sector, but the results of the heterogeneity analysis show that both forward and backward GVC participation are positively associated with carbon productivity in low- and medium-technology manufacturing industries. Improving the GVC embedding position will promote the improvement of carbon productivity, and the promotion effect will be increased and then decreased. Both R&D investment and industrial structure upgrading have strengthened the impact of GVC embedding. Environmental regulation weakens the inhibitory effect of backward GVC participation on carbon productivity, while industry digitisation has a negative moderating effect. Further heterogeneity analysis found that forward simple GVC participation was positively related to carbon productivity. The findings of this paper provide a theoretical and practical foundation for analysing the impact mechanism of GVC embeddedness on carbon productivity in China’s manufacturing industries. It is conducive to promoting China’s manufacturing industries to realise low-carbon transformation and climb up to the high end of the GVC, and it provides certain policy insights for the realization of the goals of “carbon peaking” and “carbon neutrality”.
Dirac Hydrodynamics in 19 Forms
Authors: Fabbri Luca
Published: September 2023

We consider the relativistic spinor field theory re-formulated in polar variables to allow for the interpretation given in terms of fluid variables. After that, the dynamics of spinor fields are converted as dynamics of a special type of spin fluid. We demonstrate that such conversion into dynamical spin fluid is not unique, but it can be obtained through 19 different rearrangements, by explicitly showing the 19 minimal systems of hydrodynamic equations that are equivalent to the Dirac equations.
Universality Classes of Percolation Processes: Renormalization Group Approach
Authors: Hnatič Michal , Honkonen Juha , Lučivjanský Tomáš , Mižišin Lukáš
Published: September 2023

Complex systems of classical physics in certain situations are characterized by intensive fluctuations of the quantities governing their dynamics. These include important phenomena such as (continuous) second-order phase transitions, fully developed turbulence, magnetic hydrodynamics, advective–diffusive processes, the kinetics of chemical reactions, percolation, and processes in financial markets. The theoretical goal of the study of such systems is to determine and predict the temporal and spatial dependence of statistical correlations of fluctuating variables. Modern methods of quantum field theory, originally developed in high-energy physics to describe the properties of elementary particles, allow for quantitative analysis of such correlations. Peculiarities of quantum field theory in solving two paradigmatic statistical problems related to percolation are reviewed, and new results on calculating representative universal parameters such as critical exponents that describe asymptotic behavior are presented.
Identifying Key Factors Influencing Teaching Quality: A Computational Pedagogy Approach
Authors: Yao Dunhong , Lin Jing
Published: September 2023

Although previous research has explored the correlation between teacher characteristics and teaching quality, effective methods for identifying key factors that influence teaching quality are still lacking. This study aims to address this issue by developing an identification methodology based on a computational pedagogy research paradigm to identify the key characteristics of teachers and courses that influence their teaching quality. We developed quantitative models to quantify the characteristics of teaching quality, based on those identified in previous studies. Correlation and multiple correlation analyses were conducted to identify the key influencing characteristics, and grey correlation analysis was used to calculate the degree of correlation between these key characteristics and teaching quality. Our methodology was applied to 27 computer science discipline teachers and 82 courses, and validated with teaching data from eight additional teachers. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in identifying the key influence characteristics of teachers and courses on teaching quality and confirm significant correlations between these key influential characteristics and teaching quality. This innovative approach provides new insights and tools for predicting and improving the teaching quality across disciplinary majors. Our research has significant implications for future education studies, particularly for the development of effective methods for identifying key factors that influence teaching quality. By providing a more comprehensive understanding of the key factors that influence teaching quality, our study can inform the development of evidence-based strategies to improve the teaching effectiveness for different disciplinary majors.
Third-Hand Exposure to E-Cigarette Vapour Induces Pulmonary Effects in Mice
Authors: Thorpe Andrew , Donovan Chantal , Kim Richard , Vindin Howard , Zakarya Razia , Miyai Hanna , Chan Yik , van Reyk David , Chen Hui , Oliver Brian
Published: September 2023

In the last decade, e-cigarette usage has increased, with an estimated 82 million e-cigarette users globally. This is, in part, due to the common opinion that they are “healthier” than tobacco cigarettes or simply “water vapour”. Third-hand e-vapour exposure is the chemical residue left behind from e-cigarette aerosols, which is of concern due to its invisible nature, especially among young children. However, there is limited information surrounding third-hand e-vapour exposure. This study aimed to investigate the pulmonary effects of sub-chronic third-hand e-vapour exposure in a murine model. BALB/c mice (4 weeks of age) were exposed to a towel containing nicotine free (0 mg) e-vapour, nicotine (18 mg) e-vapour, or no e-vapour (sham) and replaced daily for 4 weeks. At the endpoint, lung function was assessed, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lungs were collected to measure inflammation and fibrosis. Mice exposed to third-hand e-vapour without nicotine had alveolar enlargement compared to sham exposed controls. Mice exposed to third-hand e-vapour with nicotine had reduced bronchial responsiveness to provocation, increased epithelial thickening in large airways, increased epithelial layers in small airways, alveolar enlargement, and increased small airway collagen deposition, compared to sham exposed controls. In conclusion, our study shows that third-hand e-vapour exposure, particularly in the presence of nicotine, negatively affects the lung health of mice and highlights the need for greater public awareness surrounding the dangers of third-hand exposure to e-cigarette vapour.
Maternal Serum Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Early Pregnancy and Small for Gestational Age in Southern Sweden
Authors: Malm Ellen , Vilhelmsson Andreas , Högfeldt Hannah , Deshayes Isabelle , Källén Karin , Hansson Stefan R. , Lindh Christian H. , Rylander Lars
Published: September 2023

Small for gestational age (SGA) is considered an adverse birth outcome. Per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) have become increasingly investigated as contributing environmental factors, thus far with inconclusive results. The current study aimed to investigate the hypothesized association between increased maternal PFAS levels in early pregnancy and an increased risk for SGA birth. This population-based study used data from a sample of children born in Scania, Southern Sweden, between 1995 and 2009. Two groups were compared: cases born with SGA (n = 298) and non-SGA controls (n = 580). The cases consisted of two subgroups: one included women whose children’s growth in late pregnancy was in the lowest quartile, and another included women from the remaining growth quartiles. Corresponding maternal serum samples were collected from a biobank and analyzed for concentrations of four types of PFAS: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The results were combined with information from birth registers and analyzed using Mann–Whitney U-tests and logistic regression—unadjusted as well as adjusted for potential confounders. In conclusion, elevated maternal concentrations of PFAS were not associated with an increased risk of SGA birth. However, significant ORs were observed in a subgroup analysis restricted to women of Nordic origin (unadjusted OR 3.2 and adjusted OR 2.4) for PFHxS.
Effects of C-Terminal Lys-Arg Residue of AapA1 Protein on Toxicity and Structural Mechanism
Authors: Cao Zanxia , Zhao Liling , Yan Tingting , Liu Lei
Published: September 2023

Previous experimental investigations have established the indispensability of the C-terminal Lys-Arg residues in the toxic activity of the AapA1 toxin protein. AapA1 is classified as a type I toxin–antitoxin (TA) bacterial toxin, and the precise impact of the C-terminal Lys-Arg residues on its structure and mechanism of action remains elusive. To address this knowledge gap, the present study employed molecular dynamics (MD) and enhanced sampling Well-tempered Two-dimensional Metadynamics (2D-MetaD) simulations to examine the behavior of the C-terminal Lys-Arg residues of truncated AapA1 toxin (AapA1-28) within the inner membrane of Escherichia coli. Specifically, the study focused on the elucidation of possible conformation states of AapA1-28 protein in POPE/POPG (3:1) bilayers and their interactions between the protein and POPE/POPG (3:1) bilayers. The findings of our investigation indicate that the AapA1-28 protein does not adopt a vertical orientation upon membrane insertion; rather, it assumes an angled conformation, with the side chain of Lys-23 directed toward the upper layer of the membrane. This non-transmembrane conformation of AapA1-28 protein impedes its ability to form pores within the membrane, resulting in reduced toxicity towards Escherichia coli. These results suggest that C-Terminal positively charged residues are essential for electrostatic binding to the negatively charged head group of bottom bilayer membrane, which stabilize the transmembrane conformation. These outcomes contribute to our comprehension of the impact of C-terminal charged residues on the structure and functionality of membrane-associated proteins, and provide an improved understanding of how protein sequence influences the antimicrobial effect.
Navigating the Complexities Involving the Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxins (BoNTs) and the Taxonomy of BoNT-Producing Clostridia
Authors: Smith Theresa J. , Schill Kristin M. , Williamson Charles H. D.
Published: September 2023

Botulinum neurotoxins are a varied group of protein toxins that share similar structures and modes of activity. They include at least seven serotypes and over forty subtypes that are produced by seven different clostridial species. These bacterial species are not limited strictly to BoNT-producers as neuro-toxigenic and non-neuro-toxigenic members have been identified within each species. The nomenclature surrounding these toxins and associated bacteria has been evolving as new isolations and discoveries have arisen, resulting in challenges in diagnostic reporting, epidemiology and food safety studies, and in the application of therapeutic products. An understanding of the intricacies regarding the nomenclature of BoNTs and BoNT-producing clostridia is crucial for communication that allows for accurate reporting of information that is pertinent to each situation.
Renal Embolization-Induced Uremic Swine Model for Assessment of Next-Generation Implantable Hemodialyzers
Authors: Moyer Jarrett , Wilson Mark W. , Sorrentino Thomas A. , Santandreu Ana , Chen Caressa , Hu Dean , Kerdok Amy , Porock Edward , Wright Nathan , Ly Jimmy , Blaha Charles , Frassetto Lynda A. , Fissell William H. , Vartanian Shant M. , Roy Shuvo
Published: September 2023

Reliable models of renal failure in large animals are critical to the successful translation of the next generation of renal replacement therapies (RRT) into humans. While models exist for the induction of renal failure, none are optimized for the implantation of devices to the retroperitoneal vasculature. We successfully piloted an embolization-to-implantation protocol enabling the first implant of a silicon nanopore membrane hemodialyzer (SNMHD) in a swine renal failure model. Renal arterial embolization is a non-invasive approach to near-total nephrectomy that preserves retroperitoneal anatomy for device implants. Silicon nanopore membranes (SNM) are efficient blood-compatible membranes that enable novel approaches to RRT. Yucatan minipigs underwent staged bilateral renal arterial embolization to induce renal failure, managed by intermittent hemodialysis. A small-scale arteriovenous SNMHD prototype was implanted into the retroperitoneum. Dialysate catheters were tunneled externally for connection to a dialysate recirculation pump. SNMHD clearance was determined by intermittent sampling of recirculating dialysate. Creatinine and urea clearance through the SNMHD were 76–105 mL/min/m2 and 140–165 mL/min/m2, respectively, without albumin leakage. Normalized creatinine and urea clearance measured in the SNMHD may translate to a fully implantable clinical-scale device. This pilot study establishes a path toward therapeutic testing of the clinical-scale SNMHD and other implantable RRT devices.
Knockdown of the Autophagy Protein Beclin-1 Does Not Affect Innate Cytokine Production in Human Lung Epithelial Cells during Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: Parameswaran Kavesha , Azman Amiera Fatin , Chia Suet Lin , Yusoff Khatijah , Ismail Saila
Published: September 2023

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory tract infections in young children, globally. Autophagy is a cellular degradation process that mediates cell survival. Studies using mouse models have demonstrated that inhibiting autophagy affects the production of cytokines triggered by RSV. However, the effect of autophagy on RSV-induced cytokine production in human cells remains inadequately studied. Our previous research showed that inhibiting autophagy using pharmacological inhibitors did not affect the innate cytokine production in human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) following RSV infection. In this study, we sought to validate these findings using a more specific approach, employing short-interfering RNA (siRNA) to target the important autophagy protein Beclin-1 (Bec-1). Prior to measuring cytokine production, we confirmed that silencing Bec-1 with siRNA effectively suppressed autophagy without affecting cell viability. Our results revealed that inhibiting autophagy through Bec-1 knockdown did not affect the production of innate cytokines CXCL8 and CCL5 in BEAS-2B cells during RSV infection, consistent with our previous findings using pharmacological inhibitors. Overall, our data suggest that targeting autophagy may not be an effective strategy for alleviating RSV-induced airway inflammation.