bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Synergistic Impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Compost Tea to Enhance Bacterial Community and Improve Crop Productivity under Saline–Sodic Condition
Authors: El-maghraby Fatma M. , Shaker Eman M. , Elbagory Mohssen , Omara Alaa El-Dein , Khalifa Tamer H.
Published: February 2024

Soil salinity has a negative impact on the biochemical properties of soil and on plant growth, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus versiform) and foliar spray from compost tea as alleviating treatments, this study aimed to investigate the effects of alleviating salt stress on the growth and development of maize and wheat grown on a saline–sodic soil during the period of 2022/2023. Six treatments were used in the completely randomized factorial design experiment. The treatments included Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF0, AMF1) and varied concentrations of compost tea (CT0, CT50, and CT100). AMF colonization, the bacterial community and endosphere in the rhizosphere, respiration rate, growth parameters, and the productivity were all evaluated. The application of AMF and CT, either separately or in combination, effectively mitigated the detrimental effects caused by soil salinity. The combination of AMF and CT proved to be highly efficient in improving the infection rate of AMF, the bacterial community in the rhizosphere and endosphere, growth parameters, and grain yield of maize and wheat. Therefore, it can be proposed that the inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi with compost tea in saline soils is an important strategy for enhancing salt tolerance in maize and wheat plants through improving microbial activity, the infection rate of AMF, and overall maize and wheat productivity.
Compatibility of Entomopathogenic Nematodes with Chemical Insecticides for the Control of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Dias Sérgio da Costa , de Brida Andressa Lima , Jean-Baptiste Maguintontz Cedney , Leite Luís Garrigós , Ovruski Sergio M. , Lee Jana C. , Garcia Flávio Roberto Mello
Published: February 2024

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a pest that reduces the productivity of small fruits. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and chemical insecticides can suppress this pest, but the compatibility of the two approaches together requires further examination. This laboratory study evaluated the compatibility of Steinernema brazilense IBCBn 06, S. carpocapsae IBCBn 02, Heterorhabditis amazonensis IBCBn 24, and H. bacteriophora HB with ten chemical insecticides registered for managing D. suzukii pupae. In the first study, most insecticides at the recommended rate did not reduce the viability (% of living infective juveniles (IJs)) of S. braziliense and both Heterorhabditis species. The viability of S. carpocapsae was lowered by exposure to spinetoram, malathion, abamectin, azadirachtin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, malathion, and spinetoram after 48 h. During infectivity bioassays, phosmet was compatible with all the EPNs, causing minimal changes in infectivity (% pupal mortality) and efficiency relative to EPN-only controls, whereas lambda-cyhalothrin generally reduced infectivity of EPNs on D. suzukii pupae the most, with a 53, 75, 57, and 13% reduction in infectivity efficiency among H. bacteriophora, H. amazonensis, S. carpocapsae, and S. brazilense, respectively. The second study compared pupal mortality caused by the two most compatible nematode species and five insecticides in various combinations. Both Heterorhabditis species caused 78–79% mortality among D. suzukii pupae when used alone, and were tested in combination with spinetoram, malathion, azadirachtin, phosmet, or novaluron at a one-quarter rate. Notably, H. bacteriophora caused 79% mortality on D. suzukii pupae when used alone, and 89% mortality when combined with spinetoram, showing an additive effect. Novaluron drastically reduced the number of progeny IJs when combined with H. amazonensis by 270 IJs and H. bacteriophora by 218. Any adult flies that emerged from EPN–insecticide-treated pupae had a shorter lifespan than from untreated pupae. The combined use of Heterorhabditis and compatible chemical insecticides was promising, except for novaluron.
Research on Strengthening Fragile Paper with Polyvinylamine
Authors: Li Jing , Shi Meirong , Li Yuhu , Fu Peng
Published: February 2024

Paper documents are an important carrier of information related to human civilization, with the reinforcement and protection of fragile paper documents being a key aspect of their protection. This research utilized amphoteric polyvinylamine polymer as a paper reinforcement agent, strengthening the Xuan paper commonly used in paper documents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), solid-state 13C NMR, and other analytical methods were employed to compare the physical properties, micro-morphology, crystallinity, and aging resistance of the paper before and after reinforcement. Research was conducted on the effects of reinforcement, the aging resistance, and the effects on the fiber structure. The results indicate that polyethylenimine has a filling and bridging effect between the paper fibers. After treatment with polyethylenimine, there was a significant improvement in the folding endurance and tensile strength of the paper. Additionally, the paper maintains a good mechanical strength even after undergoing dry heat and humid aging.
External Stimuli-Induced Welding of Dynamic Cross-Linked Polymer Networks
Authors: Liu Yun , Wang Sheng , Dong Jidong , Huo Pengfei , Zhang Dawei , Han Shuaiyuan , Yang Jie , Jiang Zaixing
Published: February 2024

Thermosets have been crucial in modern engineering for decades, finding applications in various industries. Welding cross-linked components are essential in the processing of thermosets for repairing damaged areas or fabricating complex structures. However, the inherent insolubility and infusibility of thermoset materials, attributed to their three-dimensional network structure, pose challenges to welding development. Incorporating dynamic chemical bonds into highly cross-linked networks bridges the gap between thermosets and thermoplastics presenting a promising avenue for innovative welding techniques. External stimuli, including thermal, light, solvent, pH, electric, and magnetic fields, induce dynamic bonds’ breakage and reformation, rendering the cross-linked network malleable. This plasticity facilitates the seamless linkage of two parts to an integral whole, attracting significant attention for potential applications in soft actuators, smart devices, solid batteries, and more. This review provides a comprehensive overview of dynamic bonds employed in welding dynamic cross-linked networks (DCNs). It extensively discusses the classification and fabrication of common epoxy DCNs and acrylate DCNs. Notably, recent advancements in welding processes based on DCNs under external stimuli are detailed, focusing on the welding dynamics among covalent adaptable networks (CANs).
A Polysaccharide-Based Integrated Nutrient Management System Enhances the Antioxidant Properties in Origanum dictamnus (Lamiaceae), a Valuable Local Endemic Plant of Crete
Authors: Paschalidis Konstantinos , Fanourakis Dimitrios , Tsaniklidis Georgios , Tzanakakis Vasileios A. , Kardamaki Ioanna , Bilias Fotis , Samara Eftihia , Ipsilantis Ioannis , Grigoriadou Katerina , Matsi Theodora , Tsoktouridis Georgios , Krigas Nikos
Published: February 2024

Origanum dictamnus L. (Lamiaceae), a local endemic plant of Crete (Greece), creates polysaccharide-containing subcuticular compartments presenting biological activity against phytopathogenic fungi, and, among others, significantly affects the fungal cell wall polysaccharides. This field study introduces a fertilization scheme for O. dictamnus, which was developed and refined to optimize the yield as well as critical herbal quality aspects. Five fertilization schemes were investigated, based on a polysaccharide-based Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), a mixture of conventional inorganic fertilizers (ChF) and two biostimulants (not algae) via foliar and soil application. Plant growth, together with leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and color (SPAD meter, DA meter, Chroma Meter) were determined. The leaf content of chlorophyll, three critical antioxidant compounds (carotenoids, flavonoids, phenols) and nutrients were also assessed. Considering all three antioxidants together, the enhanced efficiency, non-toxic, water-soluble, polysaccharide-based INM by foliar application was the most stimulatory scheme, playing an important role in plant growth and development. The present field study provides, for the first time, baseline fertilization data improving key herbal quality features in O. dictamnus and unravels the attainment of high antioxidant properties. The latter may be exploited in favor of its further utilization as a raw material for tea preparation, medicinal purposes, natural food flavoring and/or food preservative.
Hydrocarbon Gas Generation from Direct and Indirect Hydrogenation of Organic Matter: Implications from Hydrothermal Experiments
Authors: He Kun , Wang Xiaomei , Yang Chunlong , Zhang Shuichang
Published: February 2024

It is generally accepted that organic–inorganic interactions involving H-rich fluids (i.e., H2O and H2) contribute significantly to hydrocarbon (HC) generation in sedimentary basins. However, the effects of two hydrogenation processes involving H2O and H2 on the generation and C/H isotope fractionation of HC gases from organic matter (OM) remain unclear. In this study, two groups of hydrothermal experiments involving low-mature kerogen without (Group 1) and with FeS (Group 2) at 330–420 °C and 50 MPa were conducted to simulate the hydrogenation of OM by H2O and H2, respectively. The experimental results show that the redox reactions between H2O and FeS lead to the generation of considerable amounts of H2 in the Group 2 experiments. HC gas yield in the Group 2 experiments reaches 1.8–3.6 times that in the Group 1 experiments at Easy%Ro of 1.05–2.50%. In addition, indirect hydrogenation via H2O-derived H2 generates HC gases with smaller 13C fractionation and more negative δ2H compared with direct hydrogenation via H2O. On this basis, the mechanisms for HC gas generation from two hydrogenations were addressed. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the equilibrium isotope effect (EIE) is responsible for the 13C and 2H isotope fractionation in the hydrogenation of OM by H2.
The DMF: Fault Diagnosis of Diaphragm Pumps Based on Deep Learning and Multi-Source Information Fusion
Authors: Meng Fanguang , Shi Zhiguo , Song Yongxing
Published: February 2024

Effective fault diagnosis for diaphragm pumps is crucial. This paper proposes a diaphragm pump fault diagnosis method based on deep learning and multi-source information fusion (DMF). The time-domain features, frequency-domain features, and modulation features are extracted from the vibration signals from eight different positions. After feature enhancement and data preprocessing, the features are input into auto encoders (AE), convolutional neural networks (CNN), and support vector machines (SVM) to obtain the diagnostic results. The results indicate that the DMF method achieves a fault diagnosis accuracy of 99.98%, which is on average 9.09% higher than using a single diagnostic model. The demodulation method is more suitable for vibration signal feature extraction of the diaphragm pump, while the CNN is more suitable for identification of diaphragm pump faults. Specifically, it outperformed the sampling point 1-DPCA-AE model by 13.98% and the sampling point 4-DPCA-SVM model by 8.98%.
Advances in Thermal Process Engineering and Simulation
Authors: Romero Rosenberg J. , Cerezo Jesús
Published: February 2024

The integration of theoretical insights and current findings in the articles included in this Special Issue holds the potential to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world challenges in enhancing physical–chemical processes [...]
Freezing Effect and Bystander Effect: Overlaps and Differences
Authors: Siligato Elena , Iuele Giada , Barbera Martina , Bruno Francesca , Tordonato Guendalina , Mautone Aurora , Rizzo Amelia
Published: February 2024

The present article provides a detailed comparison of two psychological phenomena, the freezing effect and the bystander effect, across their neurobiological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions. This study focuses on identifying and analyzing the similarities and differences between these two responses to stressful and traumatic events. While the freezing effect is characterized by an involuntary neurobiological response to immediate threats, resulting in temporary immobilization or paralysis, the bystander effect describes a cognitive and social phenomenon where individuals refrain from offering help in emergencies when others are present. The study explores affective aspects, including emotional responses and trauma-related impacts associated with both phenomena. Through a comparative analysis, this research unveils important understandings regarding the distinctions among these responses, including their triggers, underlying mechanisms, and observable behaviors. It also highlights overlapping aspects, particularly in how both phenomena can lead to inaction in critical moments. This comparative study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interaction between the brain, individual cognition, and social dynamics in the face of danger and stress. The findings of this research have significant implications for understanding human behavior in emergencies, offering valuable perspectives that can be applied in the domains of psychology, training for emergency response, and trauma therapy.
Does Conformation Affect the Analytical Response? A Structural and Infrared Spectral Evaluation of Phenethylamines (2C-H, 25H-NBOH, and 25I-NBOMe) Using In Silico Methodology
Authors: Mariotto Lívia Salviano , Rodrigues Caio Henrique Pinke , Bruni Aline Thais
Published: February 2024

The identification of new psychoactive substances (compounds that mimic the effects of outlawed substances) poses a significant challenge due to their rapid emergence and continuous modifications. This phenomenon results in these molecules escaping legal regulation, allowing them to circumvent legislation. The phenethylamine class has garnered attention because its molecules replicate the effects of LSD and are associated with numerous cases of intoxication. In this study, we focused on three phenethylamines—2C-H, 25H-NBOH, and 25I-NBOMe—with crystallographic structures available in the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center (CCDC) database. We conducted a systematic conformational analysis and compared the structural information obtained. Subsequently, we compared the spectra derived from this analysis with experimental details from the ENFSI database. Structural comparisons were made based on the RMSDs between the lower energy conformations and experimental crystallographic structures. Additionally, structures obtained from direct optimization were compared. We then simulated the spectra based on the X-ray structures and compared them with those in the experimental database. Interpretation was carried out using heat maps and PCA in Pirouette software. Combining in silico methods with experimental approaches provides a more comprehensive understanding of the characterization process of new psychoactive substances (NPSs).
Tattva, vrata, caryā: On the Relationship of View and Practice in the First Chapter of Padmavajra’s Guhyasiddhi
Authors: Schott Julian
Published: February 2024

The religious worldview of the mantranaya (esoteric Mahāyāna or Vajrayāna) can arguably be seen as rooted in the perspective that reality (tattva) is to be self-experienced (svasamvedya) through contemplative practices, serving as both their means (upāya) and expression (caryā). The tantric path-model of Padmavajra’s Guhyasiddhi, an exegetical text in the Guhyasamāja tradition, supposedly enables individuals to rapidly realize reality, a state also referred to as mahāmudrā or other, within a single lifetime. This path-model describes a transformation leading to the revelation of ultimate realization leaving behind conventional means. These two levels correspond to two stages, the stage of arising (utpattikrama), serving as the foundation for the stage of the arisen (utpannakrama). While the first stage is like a supporting framework giving rise to the correct view, in the second stage, the practitioner cultivates the view that has arisen. The practices of the latter stage eventually become inseparable from the view itself, meaning they are practical expressions of the view exemplified in doctrines like unmattavrata and other forms of observances integral to the mahāmudrā doctrine. Thus, contemplative practices and the established worldview mutually inform each other in a reciprocal relationship. Simultaneously, this system of practice and view continues to influence and shape religious practices and rituals as they are transmitted, e.g., through teacher–disciple lineages (guruparaṃparā). In this paper, I will explore this relationship through the critical edition and annotated translation of Guhyasiddhi’s first chapter by Padmavajra (ca. late 8th and early 9th century), in which a clear exposition of the relationship in question is presented. My analysis of it, thus connecting the work to more general Buddhist concepts, follows a two-level framework, that is, the well-known two-fold system of conventional/implicit (a) and definitive/explicit (b), which can be seen as equivalent to utpatti- (a) and utpannakrama (b). The efficiency of promoted practices accords with the practitioner’s correct assessment of tattva which, following Padmavajra, is the basis for engagement in tantric practices per se. The first part provides the analysis, given in 1.1–1.5, of Padmavajra‘s system and is based on the second part, the annotated translation (2.1) and critical edition (2.2) of Padma-vajra’s Guhyasiddhi chapter one.
Creating Atmosphere and Meaning through Singing on the Religious Pilgrimage from Sali to Piškera
Authors: Valovičić Petra
Published: February 2024

The Catholic pilgrimage from Sali (island of Dugi Otok, Croatia) to the island of Piškera is embedded in the historical connections between these two locations, as Piškera was inhabited by fishermen from Sali for nearly three centuries. While sailing through the archipelago that no longer belongs to them, the pilgrims from Sali sing. During Mass, they perform a sung liturgy rooted in polyphonic folk singing; after Mass, the singing usually continues up until they depart. In this article, I argue that this community embodies its presence in the archipelago and creates a certain atmosphere through singing, while simultaneously inscribing meaning into the pilgrimage itself.
Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage in Vâlcea County, South-West Oltenia Region: Motivations, Belief and Tourists’ Perceptions
Authors: Drăguleasa Ionuț-Adrian , Niță Amalia , Mazilu Mirela , Constantinescu Emilia
Published: February 2024

Vâlcea County in the South-West Oltenia Region, Romania, has a great diversity of tourist destinations and boasts an impressive number of monasteries, churches and places of worship. This research aims to comprehensively investigate how tourists perceive the main reasons for visiting religious settlements and the frequency in Vâlcea County, situated in the South-West Oltenia Region, by employing a two-stage methodology to understand the interplay of demographic variables, travel behaviors and individual motivations, while utilizing GIS and SPSS for spatial and quantitative analysis. The two stages are: (1) the analysis of the specialized literature to identify the motivations, beliefs and tourists’ perceptions regarding religious tourism and pilgrimage and (2) statistical analyses and interviews with internal stakeholders (residents), which present their tourist and religious perspective on Vâlcea County. The research questions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between demographic variables, travel behaviors and individual motivations within this distinctive context. The research significantly contributes to furthering our understanding of the behavior of participants in religious tourism and pilgrimage in Vâlcea County, highlighting that certain variables, such as gender, education level and occupation, may or may not significantly impact their preferences and choices. Geographical Information System (GIS) software was used to map the study area and, at the same time, the main places of worship that were visited by tourists. The SPSS (version 15.0) program was used to investigate and analyze the quantitative research data. The results reveal that, in Vâlcea County’s religious tourism and pilgrimage, gender, age and education level do not significantly impact travel choices or visit durations. However, occupation emerges as a crucial factor influencing transportation preferences, while respondents’ place of origin shows no significant association with the presence of accompanying individuals during religious visits. The current research was limited by its focus on a single case study of Vâlcea County in the South-West Oltenia Region and the scarcity of previous studies on religious tourism and pilgrimage in Vâlcea County.
Use of Geoinformatics for the Digitization and Visualization of Sensitive Space in the Urban Landscape: A Case Study of the Gross-Rosen Sub-Camps Systems
Authors: Różycki Sebastian , Michalski Marek , Kobielec Aleksandra
Published: February 2024

Geospatial technologies enable accurate and detailed documentation of cultural heritage sites. They allow for the creation of digital representations of these sites that can be shared with interested audiences. Given the above, this paper presents the possibility of using archival data to reconstruct the topography of two German labor camps, Dyhernfurth I and II, which operated during World War II. To perform this task, multi-source archival data was obtained and interpreted. These data came from various sources: archives, historical institutes, and museums. The results of the study were presented to the staff of the Gross-Rosen Museum, who anticipated the possibility of using the proposed tools in the management of other labor camps. The proposed methodology can be replicated at other locations and easily implemented by other martyrdom museums involved in the preservation of cultural heritage.
Pretrained Deep Learning Networks and Multispectral Imagery Enhance Maize LCC, FVC, and Maturity Estimation
Authors: Hu Jingyu , Feng Hao , Wang Qilei , Shen Jianing , Wang Jian , Liu Yang , Feng Haikuan , Yang Hao , Guo Wei , Qiao Hongbo , Niu Qinglin , Yue Jibo
Published: February 2024

Crop leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) and fractional vegetation cover (FVC) are crucial indicators for assessing crop health, growth development, and maturity. In contrast to the traditional manual collection of crop trait parameters, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology rapidly generates LCC and FVC maps for breeding materials, facilitating prompt assessments of maturity information. This study addresses the following research questions: (1) Can image features based on pretrained deep learning networks and ensemble learning enhance the estimation of remote sensing LCC and FVC? (2) Can the proposed adaptive normal maturity detection (ANMD) algorithm effectively monitor maize maturity based on LCC and FVC maps? We conducted the following tasks: (1) Seven phases (tassel initiation to maturity) of maize canopy orthoimages and corresponding ground-truth data for LCC and six phases of FVC using UAVs were collected. (2) Three features, namely vegetation indices (VI), texture features (TF) based on Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix, and deep features (DF), were evaluated for LCC and FVC estimation. Moreover, the potential of four single-machine learning models and three ensemble models for LCC and FVC estimation was evaluated. (3) The estimated LCC and FVC were combined with the proposed ANMD to monitor maize maturity. The research findings indicate that (1) image features extracted from pretrained deep learning networks more accurately describe crop canopy structure information, effectively eliminating saturation effects and enhancing LCC and FVC estimation accuracy. (2) Ensemble models outperform single-machine learning models in estimating LCC and FVC, providing greater precision. Remarkably, the stacking + DF strategy achieved optimal performance in estimating LCC (coefficient of determination (R2): 0.930; root mean square error (RMSE): 3.974; average absolute error (MAE): 3.096); and FVC (R2: 0.716; RMSE: 0.057; and MAE: 0.044). (3) The proposed ANMD algorithm combined with LCC and FVC maps can be used to effectively monitor maize maturity. Establishing the maturity threshold for LCC based on the wax ripening period (P5) and successfully applying it to the wax ripening-mature period (P5–P7) achieved high monitoring accuracy (overall accuracy (OA): 0.9625–0.9875; user’s accuracy: 0.9583–0.9933; and producer’s accuracy: 0.9634–1). Similarly, utilizing the ANMD algorithm with FVC also attained elevated monitoring accuracy during P5–P7 (OA: 0.9125–0.9750; UA: 0.878–0.9778; and PA: 0.9362–0.9934). This study offers robust insights for future agricultural production and breeding, offering valuable insights for the further exploration of crop monitoring technologies and methodologies.
Vegetation Greening and Its Response to a Warmer and Wetter Climate in the Yellow River Basin from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Bai Yan , Zhu Yunqiang , Liu Yingzhen , Wang Shu
Published: February 2024

Vegetation greening is time-dependent and region-specific. The uncertainty of vegetation greening under global warming has been highlighted. Thus, it is crucial to investigate vegetation greening and its response to climate change at the regional scale. The Yellow River Basin (YRB) is a vital ecological barrier in China with high ecological vulnerability and climatic sensitivity. The relationship between vegetation greening and climate change in the YRB and the relative contribution of climate change remain to be explored. Using the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and meteorological observation data, the spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation greening across the YRB in response to climate change at the basin and vegetation sub-regional scales from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed. The impact of human activities on regional greening was further quantified. Results showed that approximately 92% of the basin had experienced greening, at average annual and growing season rates of 0.0024 and 0.0034 year–1, respectively. Greening was particularly prominent in the central and eastern YRB. Browning was more prevalent in urban areas with a high intensity of human activities, occupying less than 6.3% of the total basin, but this proportion increased significantly at seasonal scales, especially in spring. Regional greening was positively correlated with the overall warmer and wetter climate, and the partial correlation coefficients between EVI and precipitation were higher than those between EVI and temperature. However, this response varied among different seasonal scales and vegetation sub-regions. The combined effects of climate change and human activities were conducive to vegetation greening in 84.5% of the YRB during the growing season, while human activities had a stronger impact than climate change. The relative contributions of human activities to greening and browning were 65.15% and 70.30%, respectively, mainly due to the promotion of ecological rehabilitation programs and the inhibition of urbanization and construction projects.
Water Stress Index and Stomatal Conductance under Different Irrigation Regimes with Thermal Sensors in Rice Fields on the Northern Coast of Peru
Authors: Ramos-Fernández Lia , Gonzales-Quiquia Maria , Huanuqueño-Murillo José , Tito-Quispe David , Heros-Aguilar Elizabeth , Flores del Pino Lisveth , Torres-Rua Alfonso
Published: February 2024

In the face of the climate change crisis, the increase in air temperature negatively impacts rice crop productivity due to stress from water scarcity. The objective of this study was to determine the rice crop water stress index (CWSI) and stomatal conductance (Gs) under different irrigation regimes, specifically continuous flood irrigation treatments (CF) and irrigations with alternating wetting and drying (AWD) at water levels of 5 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm below the soil surface (AWD5, AWD10, and AWD20) in an experimental area of INIA-Vista Florida and in six commercial areas of the Lambayeque region using thermal images captured with thermal sensors. The results indicated that AWD irrigation generated more water stress, with CWSI values between 0.4 and 1.0. Despite this, the yields were similar in CF and AWD20. In the commercial areas, CWSI values between 0.38 and 0.51 were obtained, with Santa Julia having the highest values. Furthermore, a strong Pearson correlation (R) of 0.91 was established between the CWSI and Gs, representing a reference scale based on Gs values for evaluating water stress levels.
Mapping and Monitoring of the Invasive Species Dichrostachys cinerea (Marabú) in Central Cuba Using Landsat Imagery and Machine Learning (1994–2022)
Authors: Valero-Jorge Alexey , González-De Zayas Roberto , Matos-Pupo Felipe , Becerra-González Angel Luis , Álvarez-Taboada Flor
Published: February 2024

Invasive plants are a serious problem in island ecosystems and are the main cause of the extinction of endemic species. Cuba is located within one of the hotspots of global biodiversity, which, coupled with high endemism and the impacts caused by various disturbances, makes it a region particularly sensitive to potential damage by invasive plants like Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn. (marabú). However, there is a lack of timely information for monitoring this species, as well as about the land use and land cover (LULC) classes most significantly impacted by this invasion in the last few decades and their spatial distribution. The main objective of this study, carried out in Central Cuba, was to detect and monitor the spread of marabú over a 28-year period. The land covers for the years 1994 and 2022 were classified using Landsat 5 TM and 8 OLI images with three different classification algorithms: maximum likelihood (ML), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF). The results obtained showed that RF outperformed the other classifiers, achieving AUC values of 0.92 for 1994 and 0.97 for 2022. It was confirmed that the area covered by marabú increased by 29,555 ha, from 61,977.59 ha in 1994 to 91,533.47 ha in 2022 (by around 48%), affecting key land covers like woodlands, mangroves, and rainfed croplands. These changes in the area covered by marabú were associated, principally, with changes in land uses and tenure and not with other factors, such as rainfall or relief in the province. The use of other free multispectral imagery, such as Sentinel 2 data, with higher temporal and spatial resolution, could further refine the model’s accuracy.
Monitoring and Quantifying Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Rates in Centimeter Accuracy Using UAV-Photogrammetry, GNSS, and t-LiDAR in a Post-Fire Setting
Authors: Alexiou Simoni , Papanikolaou Ioannis , Schneiderwind Sascha , Kehrle Valerie , Reicherter Klaus
Published: February 2024

Remote sensing techniques, namely Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and t-LiDAR (terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging), two well-established techniques, were applied for seven years in a mountainous Mediterranean catchment in Greece (Ilioupoli test site, Athens), following a wildfire event in 2015. The goal was to monitor and quantify soil erosion and sedimentation rates with cm accuracy. As the frequency of wildfires in the Mediterranean has increased, this study aims to present a methodological approach for monitoring and quantifying soil erosion and sedimentation rates in post-fire conditions, through high spatial resolution field measurements acquired using a UAV survey and a t-LiDAR (or TLS—Terrestrial Laser Scanning), in combination with georadar profiles (Ground Penetration Radar—GPR) and GNSS. This test site revealed that 40 m3 of sediment was deposited following the first intense autumn rainfall events, a value that was decreased by 50% over the next six months (20 m3). The UAV–SfM technique revealed only 2 m3 of sediment deposition during the 2018–2019 analysis, highlighting the decrease in soil erosion rates three years after the wildfire event. In the following years (2017–2021), erosion and sedimentation decreased further, confirming the theoretical pattern, whereas sedimentation over the first year after the fire was very high and then sharply lessened as vegetation regenerated. The methodology proposed in this research can serve as a valuable guide for achieving high-precision sediment yield deposition measurements based on a detailed analysis of 3D modeling and a point cloud comparison, specifically leveraging the dense data collection facilitated by UAV–SfM and TLS technology. The resulting point clouds effectively replicate the fine details of the topsoil microtopography within the upland dam basin, as highlighted by the profile analysis. Overall, this research clearly demonstrates that after monitoring the upland area in post-fire conditions, the UAV–SfM method and LiDAR cm-scale data offer a realistic assessment of the retention dam’s life expectancy and management planning. These observations are especially crucial for assessing the impacts in the wildfire-affected areas, the implementation of mitigation strategies, and the construction and maintenance of retention dams.
Estimating and Assessing Monthly Water Level Changes of Reservoirs and Lakes in Jiangsu Province Using Sentinel-3 Radar Altimetry Data
Authors: Xu Jia , Xia Min , Ferreira Vagner G. , Wang Dongmei , Liu Chongbin
Published: February 2024

Generating accurate monthly estimations of water level fluctuations in reservoirs and lakes is crucial for supporting effective water resource management and protection. The dual-satellite configuration of Sentinel-3 makes it possible to monitor water level changes with great coverage and short time intervals. However, the potential of Sentinel-3’s Synthetic Aperture Radar Altimetry (SRAL) data to enable operational monitoring of water levels across Jiangsu Province on a monthly basis has not yet been fully explored. This study demonstrated and validated the use of Sentinel-3’s SRAL to generate accurate monthly water level estimations needed to inform water management strategies. The monthly water levels of lakes and reservoirs from 2017 to 2021 were produced using Sentinel-3 level-2 land products. Results showed that, compared with in situ data across eight studied lakes, all lakes presented R (Pearson correlation coefficient) values greater than 0.5 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values less than 1 m. Notably, water level estimates for Tai Lake, Gaoyou Lake, and Luoma Lake were particularly accurate, with R above 0.9 and RMSE below 0.5 m. Furthermore, the monthly water level estimates derived from the Sentinel-3 data showed consistent seasonal trends over the multi-year study period. The annual water level of all lakes did not change significantly, except for Shijiu Lake, of which the difference between the highest and lowest water level was up to about 5 m. Our findings confirmed the water level observation ability of Sentinel-3. The accuracy of water level monitoring could be influenced by internal water level differences, terrain features, as well as the area and shape of the lake. Larger lakes with more altimetry sampling points tended to yield higher accuracy estimates of water level fluctuations. These results demonstrate that the frequent, wide-area coverage offered by this satellite platform provides valuable hydrological information, especially across remote regions lacking in situ data. Sentinel-3 has immense potential to support improved water security in data-scarce regions.
A Fast Power Spectrum Sensing Solution for Generalized Coprime Sampling
Authors: Jiang Kaili , Wang Dechang , Tian Kailun , Zhao Yuxin , Feng Hancong , Tang Bin
Published: February 2024

With the growing scarcity of spectrum resources, wideband spectrum sensing is necessary to process a large volume of data at a high sampling rate. For some applications, only second-order statistics are required for spectrum estimation. In this case, a fast power spectrum sensing solution is proposed based on the generalized coprime sampling. The solution involves the inherent structure of the sensing vector to reconstruct the autocorrelation sequence of inputs from sub-Nyquist samples, which requires only parallel Fourier transform and simple multiplication operations. Thus, it takes less time than the state-of-the-art methods while maintaining the same performance, and it achieves higher performance than the existing methods within the same execution time without the need to pre-estimate the number of inputs. Furthermore, the influence of the model mismatch has only a minor impact on the estimation performance, allowing for more efficient use of the spectrum resource in a distributed swarm scenario. Simulation results demonstrate the low complexity in sampling and computation, thus making it a more practical solution for real-time and distributed wideband spectrum sensing applications.
Providing Enhanced Insights into Groundwater Exchange Patterns through Downscaled GRACE Data
Authors: Sun Jianchong , Hu Litang , Zhang Junchao , Yin Wenjie
Published: February 2024

The measurement of groundwater exchange between neighboring regions is a critical topic in water resource management and can usually be achieved through a combination of field investigations and the use of groundwater flow models. In this study, we employed the water balance and Darcy’s law methods, utilizing downscaled Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE-Follow On (GRACE-FO) data to assess groundwater exchange patterns in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region of China. Additionally, we determined the contributions of human activities and climate factors to the observed variations via residual analysis. The results revealed a consistent decrease in groundwater storage in the study area since 2008, especially in the spring and summer months. The groundwater exchange rates calculated by 1° and 0.05° groundwater storage anomalies (GWSAs) were basically consistent, and the downscaled GWSAs could better reflect the small-scale groundwater exchange characteristics. The groundwater exchange rate showed a decreasing trend from the Piedmont plain to the coastal areas. A notable trend of declining groundwater exchange between the Taihang Mountains and Piedmont plains was observed, and the downward trend gradually intensified from north to south between 2003 and 2007. After 2008, there was an increasing trend, and coastal areas exhibited the smallest amount of groundwater exchange. Human activities emerged as the predominant factor accounting for more than 90.9% of the overall reduction in groundwater storage, while climate change imposed a minimal influence on groundwater storage variations. The insights obtained in this study hold significant implications for groundwater resource planning and management in the region.
Determination of the Geoid–Quasigeoid Separation Using GGI Method
Authors: Trojanowicz Marek , Owczarek-Wesołowska Magdalena , Wang Yan Ming
Published: February 2024

The determination of the geoid–quasigeoid separation (GQS) is most often based on the use of Bouguer gravity anomalies or disturbances with additional corrections, which allow for the determination of so-called complete or accurate GQS values. This study presents analyses related to an attempt to determine accurate GQS values using the GGI approach (based on the geophysical gravity inversion technique). This approach allows for the modeling of various parameters of the gravity field, and it also enables the determination of the GQS or geoid undulations. Such capabilities of the method have not yet been tested. In this study, the details of the GGI solution in terms of determining the GQS and the first results from tests performed in the area of the Colorado 1 cm geoid computation experiment are presented. The GQS values determined by the GGI approach were compared with the reference values determined previously using the complete classical approach. The differences between the compared values were small, with a standard deviation of 0.007 m, and the maximum differences reached 0.075 m. The analyses also revealed the significant impact of changes in the density of topographic masses on both the geoid undulations and GQS values determined using the GGI approach.
Real-Time Authentication of Camellia Oil by Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Xiang Jun , Liu Qi , Jing Huihua , Chen Xiaoqing
Published: February 2024

Camellia oil is a high-value product with rich nutrients. Recently, the adulteration of camellia oil has become an increasingly concerning issue related to human health. In this study, electric soldering iron coupled with rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) was employed for the identification and analysis of camellia oil without any sample preparation. REIMS technology coupled with chemometrics was applied to develop an analysis model for the authentication of camellia oil adulterated with soybean oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and corn oil (5–40%, v/v). The results showed that different types of vegetable oils could be classified using principal component analysis-linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) with a correct classification of 93.8% in leave-20%-out cross-validation and 100% correctly identified in real-time recognition. The established prediction models were found to be particularly sensitive when the camellia oil samples were adulterated with 5–40% of other oils, indicating that REIMS could be a powerful tool for the authentication and adulteration analysis of camellia oil, particularly for cases where the adulteration levels are relatively high. In conclusion, the results provide valuable insights into the potential of REIMS for the rapid, accurate, and real-time authentication and adulteration analysis of camellia oil.
Features and Advantages of the Recurrent Approximation of Retention Times in Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Zenkevich Igor G. , Derouiche Abdennour
Published: February 2024

Background: Recurrent approximation of retention parameters in reversed-phase HPLC is effective for revealing anomalies that are otherwise difficult to detect, namely, the reversible hydration of analytes. This was demonstrated previously for restricted sets of analytes with acetonitrile–water eluents. Expanding the number of analytes and eluents seems to be a topical problem. Two kinds of derivatives of aromatic carbonyl compounds were characterized: unsubstituted hydrazones and oximes. Methods: If analyte demonstrates no anomalies in dependences of retention times vs. concentration of organic modifier, the recurrent approximations of these dependences are linear. To explain the features of recurrent approximations, the numerical experiments were proposed and considered. The artificial shifting of one, two, or more points allows for the modeling the different kinds of deviations of approximations from linearity. Results: It was shown that hydrazones are the class of analytes having no anomalies of retention parameters. On the contrary, several anomalies were detected for oximes. Downward deviations of points in the plots of recurrent approximations of retention times are the signs of reversible hydration. This effect for methanol–water eluents was detected for the first time. Some of oximes underwent hydrolysis. Conclusions: Recurrent approximation of retention times allows detecting chemical transformations of analytes during RP HPLC analysis.
Accelerated Development of AAV Purification Process Using a High-Throughput and Automated Crossflow System
Authors: Mendes Sónia , Faria Tiago Q. , Nascimento André , Noverraz Marc , Bollmann Franziska , Nestola Piergiuseppe , Roldão António , Peixoto Cristina , Silva Ricardo J. S.
Published: February 2024

Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are currently predominant viral transfer tools for gene therapy, and efforts are being made to design faster and more efficient methods and technologies for their manufacturing. The early selection of high-performing filters is essential for developing an ultrafiltration and diafiltration (UF/DF) process, especially when feed material is scarce, and timelines are short. However, few methods and technologies exist to enable process optimization with multiple variations in a single run. In this study, we explored the potential of Ambr® Crossflow for high-throughput, automated screening of different membrane materials, pore sizes and different process conditions for the UF/DF step of AAV8. The best overall performance was obtained with a 100 kDa PES flat sheet cassette. The UF/DF process was further transferred to a larger scale to the Sartoflow® Smart Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) system using a 100 kDa PES Sartocon® Slice 200 cassette and compared to a 100 kDa PES hollow fiber. Virus recovery, permeate flux and total protein removal values of the flat sheet cassette were similar to those achieved in small-scale devices, and higher than those of the hollow fiber, thus demonstrating similar performance at a larger process scale. The high-throughput, automated method described herein allowed to screen multiple materials and process parameters of a UF/DF process in a time- and resource-efficient way, making it a useful tool to accelerate early-stage downstream process development of AAV.
Oops, I Did It Again! The Humour of Incongruity, Risk-Taking and Creativity in Art Practice and Everyday Life
Authors: Welding Philip
Published: February 2024

This article explores the incongruous results of creativity and risk-taking within art practice and everyday life as encountered through the photographic image. The impetus for this study was a humorous experience that took place during health and safety training that raised questions about the role of humour within everyday life. Research was conducted into two forms of visual media, including pamphlets and guides from the British Safety Council (BSC) archives and viral images that demonstrate accidents (tagged with an ‘epic fail’ hashtag). This led to a practice-based approach to research involving the production of photographic works for an exhibition that tested the role of risk-taking and improvisation within the creative process. This article uses humour theory including superiority, incongruity and relief theory in relation to Louise Peacock’s model for the analysis of slapstick, to analyse these different types of photographs and draws comparisons between the risk-taking creative behaviours of both employees and artists. These creative approaches are considered in relation to Michel de Certeau’s notion of tactics within everyday life. Ordinary thinking and improvisational tactics are present within both art and work, and improvisation heightens the potential for risk-taking. This may lead to incongruities represented through a photograph which can impact the viewer’s engagement through humour, fascination or self-reflexivity. It is proposed that the viewer response to images containing risk is made up of a balance between an embodied understanding of the dangers and an awareness of the artifice, which can shift depending on the conditions of the photograph’s production and display. The peculiarities of the photograph are seen as conducive to a humour response because of the photograph’s ambiguous relationship with the reality that it represents.