bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in the Stool Metabolome between Vegans and Omnivores: Analyzing the NIST Stool Reference Material
Authors: Cumeras Raquel , Shen Tong , Valdiviez Luis , Tippins Zakery , Haffner Bennett D. , Fiehn Oliver
Published: August 2023

To gain confidence in results of omic-data acquisitions, methods must be benchmarked using validated quality control materials. We report data combining both untargeted and targeted metabolomics assays for the analysis of four new human fecal reference materials developed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) for metagenomics and metabolomics measurements. These reference grade test materials (RGTM) were established by NIST based on two different diets and two different samples treatments, as follows: firstly, homogenized fecal matter from subjects eating vegan diets, stored and submitted in either lyophilized (RGTM 10162) or aqueous form (RGTM 10171); secondly, homogenized fecal matter from subjects eating omnivore diets, stored and submitted in either lyophilized (RGTM 10172) or aqueous form (RGTM 10173). We used four untargeted metabolomics assays (lipidomics, primary metabolites, biogenic amines and polyphenols) and one targeted assay on bile acids. A total of 3563 compounds were annotated by mass spectrometry, including 353 compounds that were annotated in more than one assay. Almost half of all compounds were annotated using hydrophilic interaction chromatography/accurate mass spectrometry, followed by the lipidomics and the polyphenol assays. In total, 910 metabolites were found in at least 4-fold different levels in fecal matter from vegans versus omnivores, specifically for peptides, amino acids and lipids. In comparison, only 251 compounds showed 4-fold differences between lyophilized and aqueous fecal samples, including DG O-34:0 and methionine sulfoxide. A range of diet-specific metabolites were identified to be significantly different between vegans and omnivores, exemplified by citrinin and C17:0-acylcarnitine for omnivores, and curcumin and lenticin for vegans. Bioactive molecules like acyl alpha-hydroxy-fatty acids (AAHFA) were differentially regulated in vegan versus omnivore fecal materials, highlighting the importance of diet-specific reference materials for dietary biomarker studies.
Optimization Strategies for Mass Spectrometry-Based Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis of Small Polar Molecules in Human Plasma
Authors: Kaczmarek Michał , Zhang Nanyun , Buzhansky Ludmila , Gilead Sharon , Gazit Ehud
Published: August 2023

The untargeted approach to mass spectrometry-based metabolomics has a wide potential to investigate health and disease states, identify new biomarkers for diseases, and elucidate metabolic pathways. All this holds great promise for many applications in biological and chemical research. However, the complexity of instrumental parameters on advanced hybrid mass spectrometers can make the optimization of the analytical method immensely challenging. Here, we report a strategy to optimize the selected settings of a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for untargeted metabolomics studies of human plasma, as a sample matrix. Specifically, we evaluated the effects of the reconstitution solvent in the sample preparation procedure, the injection volume employed, and different mass spectrometry-related operating parameters including mass range, the number of data-dependent fragmentation scans, collision energy mode, duration of dynamic exclusion time, and mass resolution settings on the metabolomics data quality and output. This study highlights key instrumental variables influencing the detection of metabolites along with suggested settings for the IQ-X tribrid system and proposes a new methodological framework to ensure increased metabolome coverage.
Editorial for Special Issue “Advances in Soil Microbiome”
Authors: McClure Ryan
Published: August 2023

The soil microbiome (the community of all soil microorganisms and their surrounding environment) is a critical part of our ecological network [...]
Microstructural Insights into the Evolution of Ophiolitic Chromite from Luobusha
Authors: Yang Yu , Yang Jingsui , Wu Weiwei , Cai Pengjie , Ma Haitao
Published: August 2023

The podiform chromitite found within the Luobusha ophiolite comprises characteristic nodules and massive chromitites. However, the exact origin of these formations remains a topic of ongoing debate. In this study, the microstructures of olivine and chromite are investigated to unravel their formation processes and shed light on the associated geodynamic mechanisms. EBSD analysis provides insights into chromitite and host peridotite deformation mechanisms. Olivine grains in the host dunite and nodular chromite exhibit crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs) with D-type fabrics, which show a girdle distribution in the [010] and [001] axes, normal to the foliation plane of the sample. The massive and disseminated chromitite displays B-type and C-type olivine fabric, with a concentration of [001] axes parallel to the lineation of the sample. Crystal plastic deformation can be observed in the Luobusha chromite grains, highlighting intercrystalline deformation processes. Small grains lacking misorientation observed in the massive chromitite are likely attributed to heterogeneous nucleation. Chromite nodules are found to be a patchwork of subgrains with various orientations and high-angle boundary misorientation. The formation of Luobusha chromitite involves deep-seated crystallization, followed by amalgamation, and subsequent deformation within the mantle peridotite. These findings distinguish Luobusha chromitite from other ophiolitic chromite deposits, offering valuable insights into the deformation history and formation processes.
One-Pot Mechanochemical Synthesis of Carbons with High Microporosity and Ordered Mesopores for CO2 Uptake at Ambient Conditions
Authors: Dubadi Rabindra , Jaroniec Mietek
Published: August 2023

Mechanochemical synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbons with tunable mesopores and well-developed irregular microporosity is investigated. This synthesis was carried out by the self-assembly of ecofriendly chemicals such as tannin and glyoxal used as carbon precursors, and triblock copolymer as a soft templating agent. The structural properties of the resulting carbons were tailored by using different block copolymers (Pluronic F127, and P123) as soft templates. The various weight ratios of tannin and block copolymer were employed to tune the textural properties of these carbons. The tannin: Pluronic F127 ratios (1:0.75, 1:1, 1:1.1) gave the ordered mesoporous carbons among a wide variety of the samples studied. The ordered mesoporosity was not observed in the case of Pluronic P123 templated mesoporous carbons. The CO2-activated carbon samples obtained for both Pluronic templates showed a high specific surface area (close to 900 m2/g), large pore volume (about 0.6–0.7 cm3g−1), narrow pore size distribution, and high CO2 uptake of about 3.0 mmol g−1 at 1 bar pressure and ambient temperature.
Intensity-Dependent Optical Response of 2D LTMDs Suspensions: From Thermal to Electronic Nonlinearities
Authors: Gomes Anderson S. L. , Campos Cecília L. A. V. , de Araújo Cid B. , Maldonado Melissa , da Silva-Neto Manoel L. , Jawaid Ali M. , Busch Robert , Vaia Richard A.
Published: August 2023

The nonlinear optical (NLO) response of photonic materials plays an important role in the understanding of light–matter interaction as well as pointing out a diversity of photonic and optoelectronic applications. Among the recently studied materials, 2D-LTMDs (bi-dimensional layered transition metal dichalcogenides) have appeared as a beyond-graphene nanomaterial with semiconducting and metallic optical properties. In this article, we review most of our work in studies of the NLO response of a series of 2D-LTMDs nanomaterials in suspension, using six different NLO techniques, namely hyper Rayleigh scattering, Z-scan, photoacoustic Z-scan, optical Kerr gate, and spatial self-phase modulation, besides the Fourier transform nonlinear optics technique, to infer the nonlinear optical response of semiconducting MoS2, MoSe2, MoTe2, WS2, semimetallic WTe2, ZrTe2, and metallic NbS2 and NbSe2. The nonlinear optical response from a thermal to non-thermal origin was studied, and the nonlinear refraction index and nonlinear absorption coefficient, where present, were measured. Theoretical support was given to explain the origin of the nonlinear responses, which is very dependent on the spectro-temporal regime of the optical source employed in the studies.
Controlled Fabrication of Hierarchically Structured MnO2@NiCo-LDH Nanoarrays for Efficient Electrocatalytic Urea Oxidization
Authors: Liu Wenjun , Xu Wenbo , Dong Guofa , Fang Ming
Published: August 2023

Urea, a prevalent component found in wastewater, shows great promise as a substrate for energy-efficient hydrogen production by electrolysis. However, the slow kinetics of the anodic urea oxidation reaction (UOR) significantly hamper the overall reaction rate. This study presents the design and controlled fabrication of hierarchically structured nanomaterials as potential catalysts for UOR. The prepared MnO2@NiCo-LDH hybrid catalyst demonstrates remarkable improvements in reaction kinetics, benefiting from synergistic enhancements in charge transfer and efficient mass transport facilitated by its unique hierarchical architecture. Notably, the catalyst exhibits an exceptionally low onset potential of 1.228 V and requires only 1.326 V to achieve an impressive current density of 100 mA cm−2, representing a state-of-the-art performance in UORs. These findings highlight the tremendous potential of this innovative material designing strategy to drive advancements in electrocatalytic processes.
Methane Catalytic Combustion under Lean Conditions over Pristine and Ir-Loaded La1−xSrxMnO3 Perovskites: Efficiency, Hysteresis, and Time-on-Stream and Thermal Aging Stabilities
Authors: Drosou Catherine , Nikolaraki Ersi , Georgakopoulou Theodora , Fanourgiakis Sotiris , Zaspalis Vassilios T. , Yentekakis Ioannis V.
Published: August 2023

The increasing use of natural gas as an efficient, reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy source, compared with other fossil fuels, has brought the catalytic CH4 complete oxidation reaction into the spotlight as a simple and economic way to control the amount of unconverted methane escaping into the atmosphere. CH4 emissions are a major contributor to the ‘greenhouse effect’, and therefore, they need to be effectively reduced. Catalytic CH4 oxidation is a promising method that can be used for this purpose. Detailed studies of the activity, oxidative thermal aging, and the time-on-stream (TOS) stability of pristine La1−xSrxMnO3 perovskites (LSXM; X = % substitution of La with Sr = 0, 30, 50 and 70%) and iridium-loaded Ir/La1−xSrxMnO3 (Ir/LSXM) perovskite catalysts were conducted in a temperature range of 400–970 °C to achieve complete methane oxidation under excess oxygen (lean) conditions. The effect of X on the properties of the perovskites, and thus, their catalytic performance during heating/cooling cycles, was studied using samples that were subjected to various pretreatment conditions in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the structure–activity/stability correlations. Large (up to ca. 300 °C in terms of T50) inverted volcano-type differences in catalytic activity were found as a function of X, with the most active catalysts being those where X = 0%, and the least active were those where X = 50%. Inverse hysteresis phenomena (steady-state rate multiplicities) were revealed in heating/cooling cycles under reaction conditions, the occurrence of which was found to depend strongly on the employed catalyst pre-treatment (pre-reduction or pre-oxidation), while their shape and the loop amplitude were found to depend on X and the presence of Ir. All findings were consistently interpreted, which involved a two-term mechanistic model that utilized the synergy of Eley–Rideal and Mars–van Krevelen kinetics.
Palmitic Acid Modulates Microglial Cell Response to Metabolic Endotoxemia in an In Vitro Study
Authors: Chmielarz Mateusz , Sobieszczańska Beata , Teisseyre Andrzej , Wawrzyńska Magdalena , Bożemska Edyta , Środa-Pomianek Kamila
Published: August 2023

Metabolic endotoxemia (ME) is characterized by a 2–3-fold increase in blood endotoxin levels and low-grade systemic inflammation without apparent infection. ME is usually accompanied by metabolic syndrome, characterized by central obesity and hyperlipidemia. According to numerous studies, ME may lead to functional brain disorders, including cognitive decline, depression, and dementia. In the current in vitro study, we aimed to determine the direct and indirect impact of endotoxin (LPS) and palmitic acid (PA), representing saturated fatty acids, on the inflammatory and oxidative stress response in the human microglial HMC3 cells unstimulated and stimulated with IFNγ. The study’s results revealed that direct HMC3 cell exposition to endotoxin and PA increased inflammatory response measured as levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 released into the medium and PGE2 levels in cell lysates. Moreover, direct HMC3 cell treatment with PA and LPS induced oxidative stress, i.e., ROS and COX-2 production and lipid peroxidation. On the contrary, an indirect effect of LPS and PA on microglial cells, assessed as the impact of macrophage metabolites, was much lower regarding the inflammatory response, although still associated with oxidative stress. Interestingly, IFNγ had a protective effect on microglial cells, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in HMC3 cells treated directly and indirectly with LPS and PA.
Unraveling Barriers to a Healthy Lifestyle: Understanding Barriers to Diet and Physical Activity in Patients with Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases
Authors: Cavallo Massimiliano , Morgana Giovanni , Dozzani Ivan , Gatti Alessandro , Vandoni Matteo , Pippi Roberto , Pucci Giacomo , Vaudo Gaetano , Fanelli Carmine Giuseppe
Published: August 2023

Although the important contribution of nutrition and physical activity to people’s health is known, it is equally well known that there are many barriers to adherence to healthy habits (i.e., of an organizational, economic, and/or psychological nature) experienced by the general population, as well as by people with non-communicable diseases. Knowledge of these barriers seems essential to the implementation of the activities and strategies needed to overcome them. Here, we aim to highlight the most frequent barriers to nutrition and exercise improvement that patients with chronic-degenerative diseases experience. Drawing from the Pubmed database, our analysis includes quantitative or mixed descriptive studies published within the last 10 years, involving adult participants with non-communicable diseases. Barriers of an organizational nature, as well as those of an environmental, economic, or psychological nature, are reported. The study of patients’ barriers enables healthcare and non-health professionals, stakeholders, and policymakers to propose truly effective solutions that can help both the general population and those with chronic pathologies to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
The Development of a Multiplex PCR Assay for Fast and Cost-Effective Identification of the Five Most Significant Pathogenic Prototheca Species
Authors: Vasco-Julio David , Huilca-Ibarra María , Ledesma Yanua , Echeverria Gustavo , Guerrero-Freire Salome , Jagielski Tomasz , Bastidas-Caldes Carlos , de Waard Jacobus H.
Published: August 2023

A multiplex PCR system (m-PCR) has been developed to accurately differentiate the five most important pathogenic Prototheca species, including the three species associated with infection in dairy cattle (P. ciferrii, P. blaschkeae, and P. bovis) and the two species associated with human infections (P. wickerhamii and P. cutis). The method is low-cost since it employs a simple “heat-shock” method in a TE buffer for DNA extraction. Furthermore, it requires only primers, a Taq polymerase, an agarose gel, and a molecular weight marker for identification. The method was based on published Prototheca cytochrome B sequences and was evaluated using reference strains from each of the five Prototheca species. The validity of the method was confirmed by identifying 50 strains isolated from milk samples. The specificity was tested in silico and with experimental PCR trials, showing no cross-reactions with other Prototheca species, as well as with bacteria, fungi, cows, algae, animals, or humans. The method could detect mixed infections involving two or three Prototheca species, providing a rapid test that delivers results within three hours.
Tigecycline Absorption Improved by Selected Excipients
Authors: Ziółkowski Hubert , Szteyn Kalina , Jędrzkiewicz Dawid , Rasiński Bartosz , Jaroszewski Jerzy
Published: August 2023

To investigate the effects of (2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD), (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), sodium desoxycholate (SDOCH), trimethyl chitosan (TMC), and sodium caprate (C10) on the plasma concentration and the oral bioavailability of tigecycline in broiler chickens. To test the effects of the excipients on absorption of tigecycline, a tetracycline that is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, broiler chickens were used as an animal model. Tigecycline (10 mg/kg body weight) was administered intravenously, orally, and orally with one of the excipients. Plasma samples were taken after administration. To measure tigecycline concentrations, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used. Compartmental and non-compartmental analyses were used for pharmacokinetic analyses of mean plasma concentrations versus time. With the exception of sodium caprate, all the excipients significantly increased the area under the curve and bioavailability of tigecycline (p < 0.05). These parameters were approximately doubled by HP-β-CD, TPGS, and SDOCH, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the difference that included only increases of 1.5-fold or higher (bioavailability: control, 1.67%; HP-β-CD, 3.24%; TPGS, 3.30%; and SDOCH, 3.24%). The increases in these parameters were smaller with DM-β-CD and TMC (DM-β-CD, 2.41%; TMC, 2.55%), and the 95% CIs ranged from close to no difference to nearly double the values in the control group. These results indicate that HP-β-CD, TPGS, and SDOCH substantially increase the area under the curve and oral bioavailability of tigecycline. They suggest that DM-β-CD and TMC may also substantially increase these parameters, but more research is needed for more precise estimates of their effects.
Satisfying QTPP of Erythropoietin Biosimilar by QbD through DoE-Derived Downstream Process Engineering
Authors: Nag Kakon , Sarker Enamul Haq , Kumar Samir , Chakraborty Sourav , Khan Maksusdur Rahman , Chowdhury Mashfiqur Rahman , Roy Rony , Roy Ratan , Biswas Bipul Kumar , Bappi Emrul Hasan , Mohiuddin Mohammad , Sultana Naznin
Published: August 2023

Well-characterized and scalable downstream processes for the purification of biologics are extremely demanding for delivering quality therapeutics to patients at a reasonable price. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a blockbuster biologic with diverse clinical applications, but its application is limited to financially well-off societies due to its high price. The high price of EPO is associated with the technical difficulties related to the purification challenge to obtain qualified products with a cost-effective defined process. Though there are reports for the purification of EPO there is no report of a well-characterized downstream process with critical process parameters (CPPs) that can deliver EPO consistently satisfying the quality target product profile (QTPP), which is a critical regulatory requirement. To advance the field, we applied the quality by design (QbD) principle and design of experiment (DoE) protocol to establish an effective process, which is scalable up to 100× batch size satisfying QTPP. We have successfully transformed the process from static mode to dynamic mode and validated it. Insignificant variation (p > 0.05) within and between 1×, 10×, and 100× batches showed that the process is reproducible and seamlessly scalable. The biochemical analysis along with the biofunctionality data ensures that the products from different scale batches were indifferent and comparable to a reference product. Our study thereby established a robust and scalable downstream process of EPO biosimilar satisfying QTPP. The technological scheme presented here can speed up the production of not only EPO but also many other life-saving biologics and make them available to the mass population at a reduced cost.
YOLOv7-Plum: Advancing Plum Fruit Detection in Natural Environments with Deep Learning
Authors: Tang Rong , Lei Yujie , Luo Beisiqi , Zhang Junbo , Mu Jiong
Published: August 2023

The plum is a kind of delicious and common fruit with high edible value and nutritional value. The accurate and effective detection of plum fruit is the key to fruit number counting and pest and disease early warning. However, the actual plum orchard environment is complex, and the detection of plum fruits has many problems, such as leaf shading and fruit overlapping. The traditional method of manually estimating the number of fruits and the presence of pests and diseases used in the plum growing industry has disadvantages, such as low efficiency, a high cost, and low accuracy. To detect plum fruits quickly and accurately in a complex orchard environment, this paper proposes an efficient plum fruit detection model based on an improved You Only Look Once version 7(YOLOv7). First, different devices were used to capture high-resolution images of plum fruits growing under natural conditions in a plum orchard in Gulin County, Sichuan Province, and a dataset for plum fruit detection was formed after the manual screening, data enhancement, and annotation. Based on the dataset, this paper chose YOLOv7 as the base model, introduced the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) attention mechanism in YOLOv7, used Cross Stage Partial Spatial Pyramid Pooling–Fast (CSPSPPF) instead of Cross Stage Partial Spatial Pyramid Pooling(CSPSPP) in the network, and used bilinear interpolation to replace the nearest neighbor interpolation in the original network upsampling module to form the improved target detection algorithm YOLOv7-plum. The tested YOLOv7-plum model achieved an average precision (AP) value of 94.91%, which was a 2.03% improvement compared to the YOLOv7 model. In order to verify the effectiveness of the YOLOv7-plum algorithm, this paper evaluated the performance of the algorithm through ablation experiments, statistical analysis, etc. The experimental results showed that the method proposed in this study could better achieve plum fruit detection in complex backgrounds, which helped to promote the development of intelligent cultivation in the plum industry.
Polyethylene Glycol-Mediated Directional Conjugation of Biological Molecules for Enhanced Immunoassays at the Point-of-Care
Authors: Battalapalli Dheerendranath , Chakraborty Purbali , Jain Disha , Obaro Stephen K. , Gurkan Umut A. , Bonomo Robert A. , Draz Mohamed S.
Published: August 2023

Rapid and reliable point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests can have a significant impact on global health. One of the most common approaches for developing POC systems is the use of target-specific biomolecules. However, the conjugation of biomolecules can result in decreased activity, which may compromise the analytical performance and accuracy of the developed systems. To overcome this challenge, we present a polymer-based cross-linking protocol for controlled and directed conjugation of biological molecules. Our protocol utilizes a bifunctional thiol-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-hydrazide polymer to enable site-directed conjugation of IgG antibodies to the surface of screen-printed metal electrodes. The metal surface of the electrodes is first modified with thiolated PEG molecules, leaving the hydrazide groups available to react with the aldehyde group in the Fc fragments of the oxidized IgG antibodies. Using anti-Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2 (KPC-2) antibody as a model antibody used for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) testing, our results demonstrate a ~10-fold increase in antibody coupling compared with the standard N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-based conjugation chemistry and effective capture (>94%) of the target KPC-2 enzyme antigen on the surface of modified electrodes. This straightforward and easy-to-perform strategy of site-directed antibody conjugation can be engineered for coupling other protein- and non-protein-based biological molecules commonly used in POC testing and development, thus enhancing the potential for improved diagnostic accuracy and performance.
Factors of Food Waste Reduction Underlying the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior: A Study of Consumer Behavior towards the Intention to Reduce Food Waste
Authors: Schrank Johannes , Hanchai Aphinya , Thongsalab Sahapob , Sawaddee Narakorn , Chanrattanagorn Kirana , Ketkaew Chavis
Published: August 2023

Food waste represents an economic, environmental, and social threat, which makes it an important subject of investigation. Food waste behavior has a crucial effect on everyone’s food security, food safety, economic growth, and the environment; hence, it requires further analysis. The article’s objective is to study the food waste reduction behavior of individual consumers and to examine factors which can explain the intention to reduce food waste. The study’s conceptual foundation is the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which aims to explain the relationship between an individual’s attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The paper extends the TPB by including new factors such as environmental concern, perceived ascription of responsibility, marketing addiction, moral norm, and waste preventing behavior. The data were collected via quota sampling and examined using the structural equation modeling (SEM). The study employed a sample of 369 people in Thailand. The results show that waste preventing behavior, attitude, and perceived behavioral control significantly impact the intention to reduce food waste. The subjective norm and environmental concern positively affects the attitude, which subsequently impacts the intention to reduce food waste. Marketing addiction negatively impacts perceived behavioral control and, hence, increases food waste. This research paper enlarges the understanding of the intention to minimize food waste. Moreover, it points out the implications on how consumers and the government may improve the desire to decrease food waste.
Joint Design of Complementary Sequence and Receiving Filter with High Doppler Tolerance for Simultaneously Polarimetric Radar
Authors: Chen Yun , Zhang Yunhua , Li Dong , Yang Jiefang
Published: August 2023

Simultaneously polarimetric radar (SPR) realizes the rapid measurement of a target’s polarimetric scattering matrix by transmitting orthogonal radar waveforms of good ambiguity function (AF) properties and receiving their echoes via two orthogonal polarimetric channels at the same time, e.g., horizontal (H) and vertical (V) channels (antennas) sharing the same phase center. The orthogonality of the transmitted waveforms can be realized using low-correlated phase-coded sequences in the H and V channels. However, the Doppler tolerances of the waveforms composed by such coded sequences are usually quite low, and it is hard to meet the requirement of accurate measurement regarding moving targets. In this paper, a joint design approach for unimodular orthogonal complementary sequences along with the optimal receiving filter is proposed based on the majorization–minimization (MM) method via alternate iteration for obtaining simultaneously polarimetric waveforms (SPWs) of good orthogonality and of the desired AF. During design, the objective function used for minimizing the sum of the complementary integration sidelobe level (CISL) and the complementary integration isolation level (CIIL) is constructed under the mismatch constraint of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss. Different SPW examples are given to show the superior performance of our design in comparison with other designs. Finally, practical experiments implemented with different SPWs are conducted to show our advantages more realistically.
Tropospheric Delay Parameter Estimation Strategy in BDS Precise Point Positioning
Authors: Liu Zhimin , Xu Yan , Su Xing , Kuang Cuilin , Wang Bin , Wang Guangxing , Ma Hongyang
Published: August 2023

Tropospheric delay (TD) parameter estimation is a critical issue underlying high-precision data processing for global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs). The most widely used TD parameter estimation methods are the random walk (RW) and piece-wise constant (PWC). The RW method can effectively track rapid variations of tropospheric delay, but it may introduce excessive noise. In contrast, the PWC method introduces less noise, but it is less adaptable to cases of large variations of tropospheric delay. To address the problem of how to choose the optimal TD parameter estimation method, this paper investigates the variation patterns of international GNSS service zenith tropospheric delay (IGS ZTD) products and proposes a combined strategy model for TD parameter estimation. Firstly, this paper avoids the day-boundary jumps problem of IGS ZTD products by grouping based on single-day data. Secondly, this paper introduces discrete point areas (DPAs) to measure the magnitude of the ZTD values and uses comprehensive indicators to reflect the variation of ZTD. Next, based on the Köppen-Geiger climate classification, this study selected five different climate classifications with a total of 20 IGS stations as experimental data. The data assessed span from day of year (DOY) 001 to DOY 365 in 2022. This paper then applied 26 different parameter estimation strategies for static precise point positioning (PPP) data processing, and the parameter estimation strategies that were used include the RW and PWC (with the piece-wise constant ranging from twenty minutes to five hundred minutes at twenty-minute intervals). Finally, ZTD and positioning results were obtained using various parameter estimation methods, and a combined strategy model was established. We selected five different climate classifications of IGS stations as validation data and designed three sets of comparative experiments: RW, PWC120, and the combined strategy model, to verify the effectiveness of the combined strategy model. The experimental results revealed that: RW and the combined strategy model have a comparable ZTD accuracy and both are superior to PWC120. The combined strategy model improves the positioning accuracy in the U direction compared to RW and PWC120. In arid (B) and polar (E) regions with a small variation of TD, the PWC120 strategy displayed a better positioning accuracy than the RW strategy; in equatorial (A) and warm-temperate (C) regions, where there are large variations of TD, the RW strategy exhibited a better positioning accuracy than the PWC120 strategy. The combined strategy model can flexibly select the optimal parameter estimation method according to the comprehensive indicator while ensuring ZTD estimation accuracy; it enhances positioning accuracy.
The Stability Analysis of Mt. Gongga Glaciers Affected by the 2022 Luding MS 6.8 Earthquake Based on LuTan-1 and Sentinel-1 Data
Authors: Li Hao , Li Bingquan , Li Yongsheng , Duan Huizhi
Published: August 2023

On 5 September 2022, an MS 6.8 earthquake occurred in Luding county, Sichuan province, China, with the epicenter located approximately 20 km from the main peak of Mount (Mt.) Gongga. The dynamic situation of Mt. Gongga glaciers has received widespread attention. In this study, Mt. Gongga was selected as the study area, and L-band LuTan-1 (LT-1) satellite data were used for differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (D-InSAR) processing to obtain the coseismic landform in Luding. Based on Sentinel-1A images, pixel offset tracking (POT) technology was used to obtain the surface movement velocities of the glaciers before, during, and after the earthquake. The results showed that the overall preseismic movement of the glaciers was fast in the area where the ice cascade of the Hailuogou Glacier reached a maximum average deformation rate of 0.94 m/d. Moreover, time-series monitoring of the postseismic glaciers showed that the surface flow velocities of some glaciers in the study area increased after the earthquake. The flow velocity at the main peak of Mt. Gongga and the tongue of the Mozigou Glacier accelerated for a period after the earthquake. The study concluded that the earthquake was one of the direct causes of the increase in glacier flow velocity, which returned to a stable state more than 70 days after the earthquake. The relevant monitoring results and research data can provide a reference for earthquake-triggered glacial hazards and indicate the effectiveness of LT-1 in identifying and monitoring geological hazards.
Sustainable Development Goal 6 Assessment and Attribution Analysis of Underdeveloped Small Regions Using Integrated Multisource Data
Authors: Miao Junxia , Song Xiaoyu , Zhong Fanglei , Huang Chunlin
Published: August 2023

Data scarcity is a key factor impacting the current emphasis on individual indicators and the distribution of large-scale spatial objects in country-level SDG 6 research. An investigation of progress assessments and factors influencing SDG implementation in cities and counties indicates that smaller-scale regions hold greater operational significance for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development from the bottom up; thus, urgent attention should be given to data deficiencies and inadequate analyses related to SDG impact attribution. This study, conducted in the National Innovative Demonstration Zone for Sustainable Development of Lincang City, investigates multisource data sources such as integrated statistics, survey data, and remote sensing data to analyze the progress and status of SDG 6 achievement from 2015–2020, and employs the LMDI decomposition model to identify influential factors. The assessment results demonstrate that the SDG 6 composite index in Lincang increased from 0.47 to 0.61 between 2015 and 2020. The SDG 6 indicators and SDG 6 composite index have significant spatial heterogeneity. The water resources indexes in wealthy countries are high, the water environment and water ecology indexes in developing countries are comparatively high, and the SDG 6 composite index is high in undeveloped counties. Technological and economic advances are the main positive drivers impacting the SDG 6 composite index, and the relative contributions of technology, economy, structure, and population are 61.84%, 54.16%, −4.03%, and −11.96%, respectively. This study shows that integrated multisource data can compensate for the lack of small-scale regional statistical data when quantitative and comprehensive multi-indicator evaluations of the SDGs are conducted. And, policies related to SDG 6.1.1, SDG 6.2.1, and SDG 6.3.1 can be a priority for implementation in undeveloped regions with limited funding.
Cross-Domain Automatic Modulation Classification Using Multimodal Information and Transfer Learning
Authors: Deng Wen , Xu Qiang , Li Si , Wang Xiang , Huang Zhitao
Published: August 2023

Automatic modulation classification (AMC) based on deep learning (DL) is gaining increasing attention in dynamic spectrum access for 5G/6G wireless communications. However, inconsistent feature parameters between the training (source) and testing (target) data lead to performance degradation or even failure of existing DL-based AMC. The primary reason for this is the difficulty in obtaining sufficient labeled training data in the target domain. Therefore, we propose a novel cross-domain AMC algorithm based on multimodal information and transfer learning, utilizing abundant unlabeled target domain data. We achieve complementary gains by fusing multimodal information such as amplitude, phase, and spectrum, which are used to train a network. Additionally, we apply domain adversarial neural network technology from transfer learning to learn from a large number of unlabeled data samples in the target domain to address the issue of decreased accuracy in cross-domain AMC caused by differences in sampling rate, signal-to-noise ratio, and channel variations. Furthermore, we introduce class weight weighting and entropy weighting to solve the partial domain adaptation problem, considering that the target domain has fewer modulation signal classes than the source domain. Experimental results on two designed modulation datasets demonstrate improved performance gains, thus validating the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Exploring the Unit Spatial Layout Preference for Urban Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: A Survey in Beijing, China
Authors: Bao Xin , Zhang Tao , Dewancker Bart Julien , He Jiahao , Liu Siyuan
Published: August 2023

Following the commodification reform of residential properties in China, multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) have emerged as the most prevalent housing type owing to their high economic value and convenient infrastructure. In recent years, there has been an increasing concern regarding the potential negative impacts of MURBs on residents. To address this issue, in this study, a survey was conducted among 552 purchasers, and methods such as expert questionnaires, factor analysis, Kano two-dimensional quality, and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were employed to evaluate the significance of 19 factors related to the quality of MURBs’ unit spatial layouts. An index model summarizing their utility was developed. The research findings indicated that spatial function held the greatest influence, followed by indoor environment, with spatial organization ranking last. Moreover, we analyzed the influence of preferences on satisfaction and the variations in preferences based on sociodemographic factors. The results aim to assist real estate developers and purchasers in evaluating the quality of housing spatial layouts, ultimately enhancing the overall quality and comfort of MURBs.
Management of Natural Gas Consumption during the Manufacturing of Lead-Acid Batteries
Authors: Sagastume Gutiérrez Alexis , Cabello Eras Juan Jose , Mendoza Fandiño Jorge Mario , Tavera Quiroz Humberto Carlos
Published: August 2023

The production of lead-acid batteries is an energy-intensive process where 28 to 35% of the energy is used in the form of heat, usually obtained from the combustion of fossil fuels. Regardless of the importance of heat consumption during battery manufacturing, there is no discussion available in the specialized literature that assesses heat during battery manufacturing. This study assessed natural gas consumption in a battery plant based on historical data, the thermographic evaluation of different equipment, and measurements of the combustion processes and combustion gases. Heat transfer models were used to calculate surface heat losses in the various assessed processes, while combustion theory was used to identify other saving potentials. Saving potentials equivalent to 16.6% of the plant’s total natural gas consumption were identified. Replacing the ingot casting system accounts for a potential saving equivalent to 13.6% of the plant gas consumption, improving the grid casting systems for 2.8%, and the leady oxide accounts for a low 0.1%. Implementing the saving measures related to surface heat loss and poor operational practice reduced natural gas consumption by an estimated 1.2% monthly. Savings could be increased to 3.2% by expanding the saving measures to the remaining grid casting systems. Overall, natural gas consumption was reduced by an estimated 777 m3/month, GHG emissions by 1.6 tCO2eq./month, and fuel costs by 1603 USD/month.
Study on Influencing Factors of Willingness to Pay for Tourism Eco-Compensation in Danxiashan National Geopark
Authors: Li Shimin , Chen Lili , Chen Zhe , Deng Xi , Huang Jiapeng , Hou Yanni
Published: August 2023

The detrimental effects of tourism on ecosystems are becoming increasingly clear as industries develop rapidly. The relationship between tourism growth and environmental preservation can be balanced through a tourism eco-compensation mechanism, which is a key institutional mechanism. The academic community has become a popular scientific topic. Developing a tourism eco-compensation mechanism can be based on knowledge of the public’s willingness to pay for it and the variables that influence it. This paper is based on the theory of planned behaviour and uses the Danxiashan National Geopark as an example. A questionnaire was used to gather data for this study. SPSS (version 26.0) was then used to analyse the data and determine how variables affect the WTP for ecotourism work. The findings demonstrate that environmental values and sensitivity are the key factors influencing the willingness to pay for tourism eco-compensation. This study concludes by offering solutions and ideas for building an eco-compensation mechanism for tourism.
Biological Magnification of Microplastics: A Look at the Induced Reproductive Toxicity from Simple Invertebrates to Complex Vertebrates
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Ul Hassan Habib , Taj Madiha , Rafiq Naseem , Nabi Ghulam , Ali Asif , Gabol Karim , Shah Muhammad Ishaq Ali , Ghaffar Rizwana Abdul , Sohail Muhammad , Arai Takaomi
Published: August 2023

The issue of microplastic (MP) pollution is one of the most pressing environmental problems faced today and for the future. Plastics are ubiquitous due to their exponential use and mismanagement, resulting in the accumulation of fragments across the world. Hence, the problem of MP pollution is aggravated when these plastic items disintegrate into smaller particles due to different physical, chemical, and environmental factors. The consumption of these MP pollutants by wildlife is a worldwide concern and a potentially crucial risk for all ecosystems. Consequently, MPs have caused a wide variety of problems for both public health and wildlife concerning vital life processes—specifically reproduction, which is critical to species’ survival in an ecosystem. Despite MPs’ detrimental effects on wildlife reproduction, it remains unclear how MPs can affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. This review highlights the significant reproductive toxicity of MPs in wildlife, with potentially devastating consequences for human health. The findings emphasize the urgency of developing effective solutions for mitigating the adverse effects of MP pollution on the reproductive systems of wildlife and preserving the integrity of aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Variability and Heavy Metal Pollution Levels in Water and Bottom Sediments of the Liwiec and Muchawka Rivers (Poland)
Authors: Kluska Mariusz , Jabłońska Joanna
Published: August 2023

In recent years, human impact on the Earth’s ecological environment has become increasingly visible, with serious negative consequences. One of the most important pollutants are heavy metals which can easily bind to sediments. Due to their toxic behavior, persistence, lack of biodegradability and bioaccumulation, they are considered key river pollutants that need to be controlled. This study examined two rivers: the Liwiec and Muchawka rivers located in south-eastern Poland. The mouth of the Liwiec River is the Bug River, which is partly the border between Poland and Belarus. In turn, the mouth of the Muchawka River is the Liwiec River. The objectives of the study were the following: (1) To complete a qualitative analysis of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn) in the waters and bottom sediments of the Liwiec and Muchawka rivers; (2) To assess the degree of heavy metal contamination; (3) To identify the sources of contamination. The analysis included samples of surface water and bottom sediments collected (16 water and 16 bottom sediment samples were taken from the Muchawka River and 32 water and 32 bottom sediment samples were taken from the Liwiec River) in June and September 2022. The variability of characteristics, such as temperature, precipitation and humidity, contributes to seasonal changes in the distribution characteristics and sources of heavy metals. The study showed that only a small part of the heavy metals entering rivers are present in the water depth in the dissolved state, and most of them enrich the sediment, resulting in much higher concentrations of heavy metals in the sediment than in the water column. The differences in the distribution of some elements in water and sediment are due to the fact that surface sediments retain long-term records. Therefore, sediment can be considered a potential source of heavy metals in the aquatic environment. In general, the content of heavy metals determined in bottom sediments was not high but indicative of anthropogenic human activity. There is a possibility of re-release of heavy metals from the sediment into the water when hydrodynamic conditions or environmental factors (pH, redox potential, etc.) change, which could lead to secondary water pollution. The data obtained will be of great importance to both researchers studying river systems and the population living in the area.
Solution to the Unsteady Seepage Model of Phreatic Water with Linear Variation in the Channel Water Level and Its Application
Authors: Wu Dan , Tao Yuezan , Yang Jie , Kang Bo
Published: August 2023

For a semi-infinite aquifer controlled by a river channel boundary, when the Laplace transform is used to solve a one-dimensional unsteady seepage model of phreatic water while considering the influence of the vertical water exchange intensity ε with the change in the river channel water level f(t), a complicated and tedious integral transformation process is required. By replacing f(t) with an operator, this study first derived the analytic formula of the ε term based on the properties of the Laplace transform without the direct participation of f(t) in the transformation. By using f(t) in the form of several types of linear functions, the Laplace transform and inverse transform laws were summarized. The analytical solution to the problem was easily obtained by applying the “integral property” of the transformation to the linear function term with time t. The relative error between the numerical solution and the analytical solution of the example was less than 0.2%, which verified the rationality of the model linearization method and the reliability of the analytical solution. For different boundary conditions, the process of establishing and applying the inflection point method and the curve-fitting method for calculating the model parameters by using dynamic monitoring data for phreatic water is presented with examples.