bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composition of Culturable Microorganisms in Dusts Collected from Sport Facilities in Finland during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Andersson Maria (Aino) , Vornanen-Winqvist Camilla , Koivisto Tuomas , Varga András , Mikkola Raimo , Kredics László , Salonen Heidi
Published: February 2023

Sport facilities represent extreme indoor environments due to intense cleaning and disinfection. The aim of this study was to describe the composition of the cultivated microbiota in dust samples collected in sport facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. A dust sample is defined as the airborne dust sedimented on 0.02 m2 within 28 d. The results show that the microbial viable counts in samples of airborne dust (n = 9) collected from seven Finnish sport facilities during the pandemic contained a high proportion of pathogenic filamentous fungi and a low proportion of bacteria. The microbial viable counts were between 14 CFU and 189 CFU per dust sample. In seven samples from sport facilities, 20–85% of the microbial viable counts were fungi. Out of 123 fungal colonies, 47 colonies belonged to the potentially pathogenic sections of Aspergillus (Sections Fumigati, Nigri, and Flavi). Representatives of each section were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger and A. tubingensis. Six colonies belonged to the genus Paecilomyces. In six samples of dust, a high proportion (50–100%) of the total fungal viable counts consisted of these potentially pathogenic fungi. A total of 70 isolates were considered less likely to be pathogenic, and were identified as Aspergillus section Nidulantes, Chaetomium cochliodes and Penicillium sp. In the rural (n = 2) and urban (n = 7) control dust samples, the microbial viable counts were >2000 CFU and between 44 CFU and 215 CFU, respectively, and consisted mainly of bacteria. The low proportion of bacteria and the high proportion of stress tolerant, potentially pathogenic fungi in the dust samples from sport facilities may reflect the influence of disinfection on microbial communities.
Protein Interactome of Amyloid-β as a Therapeutic Target
Authors: Lazarev Vladimir F. , Dutysheva Elizaveta A. , Kanunikov Igor E. , Guzhova Irina V. , Margulis Boris A.
Published: February 2023

The amyloid concept of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) assumes the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) as the main pathogenic factor, which injures neural and other brain cells, causing their malfunction and death. Although Aβ has been documented to exert its cytotoxic effect in a solitary manner, there is much evidence to claim that its toxicity can be modulated by other proteins. The list of such Aβ co-factors or interactors includes tau, APOE, transthyretin, and others. These molecules interact with the peptide and affect the ability of Aβ to form oligomers or aggregates, modulating its toxicity. Thus, the list of potential substances able to reduce the harmful effects of the peptide should include ones that can prevent the pathogenic interactions by specifically binding Aβ and/or its partners. In the present review, we discuss the data on Aβ-based complexes in AD pathogenesis and on the compounds directly targeting Aβ or the destructors of its complexes with other polypeptides.
Impact of Leucine and Magnesium Stearate on the Physicochemical Properties and Aerosolization Behavior of Wet Milled Inhalable Ibuprofen Microparticles for Developing Dry Powder Inhaler Formulation
Authors: Sharif Shahjabeen , Muneer Saiqa , Izake Emad L. , Islam Nazrul
Published: February 2023

This study investigated the development and characterization of leucine and magnesium stearate (MgSt) embedded wet milled inhalable ibuprofen (IBF) dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations. IBF microparticles were prepared by a wet milling homogenization process and were characterized by SEM, FTIR, DSC, XRD and TGA. Using a Twin-Stage Impinger (TSI), the in vitro aerosolization of the formulations with and without carrier lactose was studied at a flow rate of 60± 5 L/min and the IBF was determined using a validated HPLC method. The flow properties were determined by the Carr’s Index (CI), Hausner Ratio (HR) and Angle of Repose (AR) of the milled IBF with 4–6.25% leucine and leucine containing formulations showed higher flow property than those of formulations without leucine. The fine particle fraction (FPF) of IBF from the prepared formulations was significantly (p = 0.000278) higher (37.1 ± 3.8%) compared to the original drug (FPF 3.7 ± 0.9%) owing to the presence of leucine, which enhanced the aerosolization of the milled IBF particles. Using quantitative phase analysis, the XPRD data revealed the crystallinity and accurate weight percentages of the milled IBF in the formulations. FTIR revealed no changes of the structural integrity of the milled IBF in presence of leucine or MgSt. The presence of 2.5% MgSt in the selected formulations produced the highest solubility (252.8 ± 0.6 µg/mL) of IBF compared to that of unmilled IBF (147.4 ± 1.6 µg/mL). The drug dissolution from all formulations containing 4–6.25% leucine showed 12.2–18.6% drug release in 2.5 min; however, 100% IBF dissolution occurred in 2 h whereas around 50% original and dry milled IBF dissolved in 2 h. The results indicated the successful preparation of inhalable IBF microparticles by the wet milling method and the developed DPI formulations with enhanced aerosolization and solubility due to the presence of leucine may be considered as future IBF formulations for inhalation.
Licochalcone A Suppresses Renal Cancer Cell Proliferation and Metastasis by Engagement of Sp1-Mediated LC3 Expression
Authors: Tseng Tsai-Yi , Lee Chien-Hsing , Lee Hsiang-Lin , Su Chien-Yu , Kao Cheng-Yen , Tsai Jen-Pi , Hsieh Yi-Hsien
Published: February 2023

Licochalcone A (LicA) is a strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic substance that is useful against a variety of human malignancies. However, its precise mechanism in mediating the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is not entirely understood. In this work, LicA was discovered to limit cell growth and survival, induce cell cycle arrest, promote autophagy and LC3B expression, and inhibit the migration and invasion of RCC cells. In addition, the proliferation, migration, and invasion inhibited by LicA were restored by the transfection of siRNA-LC3. The effects of LC3B on the metastatic phenotype of ACHN cells was enhanced with the overexpression of Sp1 or suppressed by inhibiting the phosphorylation of FAK and Src. Finally, LicA showed antitumor properties against RCC in an in vivo xenograft model. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the chemotherapeutic potential of LicA on proliferation, migration, invasion, and autophagy through the activation of LC3B expression, ultimately modulating FAK/Src signaling pathway-mediated Sp1 expression. These findings illustrate the novel role and molecular mechanisms of LicA against RCC cells.
Retinitis Pigmentosa: Novel Therapeutic Targets and Drug Development
Authors: Wu Kevin Y. , Kulbay Merve , Toameh Dana , Xu An Qi , Kalevar Ananda , Tran Simon D.
Published: February 2023

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of hereditary diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal photoreceptors leading to progressive visual decline. It is the most common type of inherited retinal dystrophy and has a high burden on both patients and society. This condition causes gradual loss of vision, with its typical manifestations including nyctalopia, concentric visual field loss, and ultimately bilateral central vision loss. It is one of the leading causes of visual disability and blindness in people under 60 years old and affects over 1.5 million people worldwide. There is currently no curative treatment for people with RP, and only a small group of patients with confirmed RPE65 mutations are eligible to receive the only gene therapy on the market: voretigene neparvovec. The current therapeutic armamentarium is limited to retinoids, vitamin A supplements, protection from sunlight, visual aids, and medical and surgical interventions to treat ophthalmic comorbidities, which only aim to slow down the progression of the disease. Considering such a limited therapeutic landscape, there is an urgent need for developing new and individualized therapeutic modalities targeting retinal degeneration. Although the heterogeneity of gene mutations involved in RP makes its target treatment development difficult, recent fundamental studies showed promising progress in elucidation of the photoreceptor degeneration mechanism. The discovery of novel molecule therapeutics that can selectively target specific receptors or specific pathways will serve as a solid foundation for advanced drug development. This article is a review of recent progress in novel treatment of RP focusing on preclinical stage fundamental research on molecular targets, which will serve as a starting point for advanced drug development. We will review the alterations in the molecular pathways involved in the development of RP, mainly those regarding endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptotic pathways, maintenance of the redox balance, and genomic stability. We will then discuss the therapeutic approaches under development, such as gene and cell therapy, as well as the recent literature identifying novel potential drug targets for RP.
Bioimaging Probes Based on Magneto-Fluorescent Nanoparticles
Authors: Ganguly Sayan , Margel Shlomo
Published: February 2023

Novel nanomaterials are of interest in biology, medicine, and imaging applications. Multimodal fluorescent-magnetic nanoparticles demand special attention because they have the potential to be employed as diagnostic and medication-delivery tools, which, in turn, might make it easier to diagnose and treat cancer, as well as a wide variety of other disorders. The most recent advancements in the development of magneto-fluorescent nanocomposites and their applications in the biomedical field are the primary focus of this review. We describe the most current developments in synthetic methodologies and methods for the fabrication of magneto-fluorescent nanocomposites. The primary applications of multimodal magneto-fluorescent nanoparticles in biomedicine, including biological imaging, cancer treatment, and drug administration, are covered in this article, and an overview of the future possibilities for these technologies is provided.
The Effects of 1,4-Naphthoquinone (NQ) and Naphthazarin (5,8-Dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, DHNQ) Individually and in Combination on Growth and Oxidative Stress in Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedlings
Authors: Karcz Waldemar , Burdach Zbigniew , Rudnicka Małgorzata
Published: February 2023

This study investigated the effects of 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ) and naphthazarin (5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, DHNQ) individually and in combination, applied at low concentrations (0.1, 1, and 10 nM), on growth, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, catalase activity, and lipid peroxidation in maize seedlings. It was found that NQ at 0.1 and 1 nM and DHNQ at 0.1 nM significantly stimulated the fresh weight of the aboveground parts of the seedlings (APS), while the fresh weight of the underground parts of the seedlings (UPS) was enhanced only at 0.1 nM NQ. Interestingly, DHNQ at higher concentrations (1 and 10 nM) significantly diminished the fresh weight of the APS and UPS. When NQ and DHNQ were applied together, an increase in the fresh weight of the APS at all of the concentrations studied was observed. It was also found that NQ and DHNQ individually and in combination, at all concentrations studied, decreased the H2O2 production in the aboveground and underground parts of maize seedlings. The presence of the DHNQ at higher concentrations (1 and 10 nM) triggered an increase in the catalase (CAT) activity of the UPS and APS compared to the control. However, NQ added at 1 nM decreased the CAT activity of both the UPS and APS, while 10 nM increased the CAT activity of UPS. NQ and DHNQ applied together at 0.1 and 10 nM almost completely inhibited catalase activity in the UPS and APS. The data that were obtained for lipid peroxidation, measured as the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, indicated that NQ and DHNQ at all concentrations studied decreased the MDA content of the UPS, while both naphthoquinones increased it in APS. The data presented here are discussed taking into account the mechanisms via which naphthoquinones interact with biological systems.
Ferula sinkiangensis (Chou-AWei, Chinese Ferula): Traditional Uses, Phytoconstituents, Biosynthesis, and Pharmacological Activities
Authors: Khayat Maan T. , Alharbi Majed , Ghazawi Kholoud F. , Mohamed Gamal A. , Ibrahim Sabrin R. M.
Published: February 2023

Ferula is the third largest genus of the Apiaceae family, its species are utilized as a remedy for diverse ailments all over the world. F. sinkiangensis K. M. Shen (Chou-AWei, Chinese Ferula) is mainly found in Xin-jiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Traditionally, it is utilized for treating various illnesses such as digestive disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, wound infection, baldness, bronchitis, ovarian cysts, intestinal worms, diarrhea, malaria, abdominal mass, cold, measles, and bronchitis. It can produce different classes of metabolites such as sesquiterpene coumarins, steroidal esters, lignans, phenylpropanoids, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, coumarins, organic acid glycosides, and sulfur-containing compounds with prominent bioactivities. The objective of this work is to point out the reported data on F. sinkiangensis, including traditional uses, phytoconstituents, biosynthesis, and bioactivities. In the current work, 194 metabolites were reported from F. sinkiangensis in the period from 1987 to the end of 2022. Nevertheless, future work should be directed to conduct in vivo, mechanistic, and clinical assessments of this plant`s metabolites to confirm its safe usage.
Quantitative Traits of Interest in Apple Breeding and Their Implications for Selection
Authors: Sestras Radu E. , Sestras Adriana F.
Published: February 2023

Apple breeding is a laborious and long-lasting process that requires qualified resources, land, time, and funds. In this study, more than 5000 F1 apple hybrids from direct and testcrosses were analyzed. The results revealed how the phenotypic expression of the main quantitative traits of interest assessed in five half-sib families was controlled by the additive genetic effects and by non-additive effects of dominance and epistasis. The statistical number of hybrids required to ensure efficient selection increased exponentially with the number of desirable traits. The minimum number of progenies required to obtain a hybrid with associated quantitative traits of agronomic interest was highly variable. For two independent traits essential in selection (fruit size and quality), but incorporated together in the same hybrid, the statistical number was between about 30 and 300. If three more cumulative traits were added (a large number of fruits per tree, resistance/tolerance to apple scab, and powdery mildew attack), the limits increased to between 1500 and 18,000. The study highlighted the need for new apple varieties due to the narrowing of the genetic diversity of the cultivated species and how the choice of parents used in hybridizations (as well as the objectives pursued in the selection) can increase the efficiency of apple breeding.
Effect of Different Drying Treatments and Sieving on Royal Gala Apple Pomace, a Thickening Agent with Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Cossignani Lina , Ianni Federica , Blasi Francesca , Pollini Luna , Di Michele Alessandro , Pagano Cinzia , Ricci Maurizio , Perioli Luana
Published: February 2023

Currently, there is an increasing interest in the search of natural derived materials as valuable substitutes for microplastics. One of the categories investigated, represented by thickening agents deriving from agri-food waste and apple pomace (AP), was considered of interest. In this study AP was submitted to three different treatments and drying conditions (oven drying at 55 °C for 12 h; homogenization and oven drying at 55 °C for 12 h; homogenization and freeze-drying), and then grinded and sieved obtaining three different dimensional fractions (>400 µm, 250–400 µm and <250 µm). The hydroalcoholic extracts of these fractions, obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction, were analyzed to compare their total phenol content (TPC), antioxidant properties, and phenol profile. Correlation studies between the above-indicated parameters were also carried out. The highest values of TPC, antioxidant capacity, and phenol content (determined by liquid chromatography) were found for oven dried AP (250–400 μm) or homogenized and freeze-dried (>400 μm) samples. Both samples were most suitable to form stable hydrogels and the sample obtained after drying at 55 °C showed the best performances in terms of ability to form a stable hydrogel. Among the studied treatments and drying conditions, the oven dried AP was demonstrated to be an interesting stabilizing material with potential applications in many fields (such as food, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals) showing both antioxidant activity and thickening capacity.
Genetic and Metabolite Variability among Commercial Varieties and Advanced Lines of Vicia faba L.
Authors: Avramidou Eleni , Sarri Efi , Ganopoulos Ioannis , Madesis Panagiotis , Kougiteas Leonidas , Papadopoulou Evgenia-Anna , Aliferis Konstantinos A. , Abraham Eleni M. , Tani Eleni
Published: February 2023

Vicia faba L. (faba bean) is one of the most promising pulse crops due to its nutritional value and high nitrogen fixation capacity. The aim of the present study was to compare the genetic diversity and the seed metabolite profiles of five genetic materials of faba bean. Specifically, three newly developed advanced lines (KK18, KK14 and KK10) and two commercial cultivars (POLIKARPI and TANAGRA), were evaluated for this purpose. Genetic diversity among populations was assessed by SCoT molecular markers. Through UPGMA dendrogram, genetic distances between populations were estimated. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of the seeds was performed employing GC/EI/MS. The cultivar POLYKARPI exhibited the highest polymorphism. All varieties showed a higher within-cultivars and advanced lines variability than between. POLYKARPI and KK14 had the lowest genetic distances, while KK18 and TANAGRA presented the highest ones. The advanced line KK18 displayed the best nutritional profile, the highest concentration of desirable metabolites (lactic acid and trehalose), the lowest concentration of anti-nutritional factors (oxalic acid) and the lowest concentration of saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acid). According to the results of the present study, KK18 line is a very promising material for further exploration and utilization in breeding programs.
Germination of Lolium perenne and Medicago Species under the Conditions of Drought and Silicon Application as Well as Variable pH and Medicago sativa Root Extracts
Authors: Borawska-Jarmułowicz Barbara , Mastalerczuk Grażyna
Published: February 2023

Drought and allelopathic conditions impact the germination of seeds of grass and legume species used in mixtures on grassland. This study evaluated the effects of drought and Medicago sativa root extracts at different pH levels on the germination and characteristics of seedlings of Lolium perenne and selected Medicago species. Two experiments were carried out: the first explored the effects of drought induced by PEG solutions (0.0, −0.3, and −0.6 MPa) under silicon (Si) application; the second studied the influence of Medicago sativa root extracts (12 and 24 g/100 mL H2O) and variable pH solutions (control, 5.0, and 6.5) on seed germination. Germination was carried out on Petri dishes for individual species and in two-species mixtures. The drought conditions did not affect the germination capacity of seeds, but it increased the dry weight of the seedlings of the tested species. The application of silicon decreased the root length of the seedlings of all species, independent of the germination conditions. The higher concentration of M. sativa root extract combined with the studied pH solutions had an inhibitive impact on the germination capacity of L. perenne. Our findings revealed that the lower concentration of M. sativa root extract had a beneficial effect on the morphological features (length of roots and leaves, fresh and dry weight) of the seedlings when germination was carried out separately for both species. In the mixture, the effect was especially marked for L. perenne (only in terms of the root length and fresh weight of seedlings). The applied root extracts in combination with the acidic pH conditions limited the germination capacity and growth of the seedlings of L. perenne the most when germination was performed separately. It was concluded from this study that silicon application did not improve the germination capacity of seeds under drought conditions, whereas the germination of L. perenne seeds in a mixture with M. sativa mitigated the negative allelopathic effects of M. sativa root extracts on the seed germination capacity and morphological features of seedlings of L. perenne.
Contribution of Sucrose Metabolism in Phloem to Kiwifruit Bacterial Canker Resistance
Authors: Wang Yan , Tan Zecheng , Zhen Xi , Liang Yuanyuan , Gao Jianyou , Zhao Yanhui , Liu Shibiao , Zha Manrong
Published: February 2023

Kiwifruit bacterial canker, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), is a catastrophic disease affecting kiwifruit worldwide. As no effective cure has been developed, planting Psa-resistant cultivars is the best way to avoid bacterial canker in kiwifruit cultivation. However, the differences in the mechanism of resistance between cultivars is poorly understood. In the present study, five local kiwifruit cultivars were used for Psa resistance evaluation and classified into different resistance categories, tolerant (T), susceptible (S), and highly susceptible (HS), based on their various symptoms of lesions on the cane. Susceptible and highly susceptible varieties had a higher sucrose concentration, and a greater decrease in sucrose content was observed after Psa inoculation in phloem than in tolerant varieties. Three invertase activities and their corresponding gene expressions were detected in the phloem with lesions and showed the same trends as the variations in sucrose concentration. Meanwhile, after Psa inoculation, enzyme activities involved in antioxidant defense responses, such as PAL, POD, and CAT, were also altered in the phloem of the lesion position. With no differences among cultivars, PAL and POD activities in phloem first increased and then decreased after Psa inoculation. However, great differences in CAT activities were observed between T and S/HS categories. Our results demonstrate that sucrose content was negatively correlated with the disease resistance of different cultivars and that the increase in immune response enzymes is likely caused by increased sucrose metabolism in the phloem.
Antimicrobial and Flame-Retardant Coatings Prepared from Nano- and Microparticles of Unmodified and Nitrogen-Modified Polyphenols
Authors: Widsten Petri , Salo Satu , Hakkarainen Tuula , Nguyen Thu Lam , Borrega Marc , Fearon Olesya
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the structures and functional properties of tannin- and lignin-derived nano- and microparticles and the coatings prepared from them. Nanoparticles prepared from technical lignins and water-insoluble tannin obtained from softwood bark showed large differences in the suspension testing of antibacterial efficacy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. A common factor among the most effective lignin nanoparticles was a relatively low molar mass of the lignin, but that alone did not guarantee high efficacy. Tannin nanoparticles showed good antibacterial activity both in suspension testing and as coatings applied onto cellulose. The nanoparticles of nitrogen-modified tannin and the small microparticles of nitrogen-modified kraft lignin exhibited promising flame-retardant parameters when applied as coatings on cellulose. These results illustrate the potential of nano- and microsized particles of unmodified and chemically modified polyphenols to provide functional coatings to cellulosic substrates for environments and applications with high hygiene and fire safety requirements.
Uniaxial Creep Test Analysis on Creep Characteristics of Fully Weathered Sandy Shale
Authors: Zhang Lianzhen , Huang Changxin , Li Zhipeng , Han Zichuan , Weng Xianjie , Wang Lige
Published: February 2023

The creep damage behavior of rocks is very important for evaluating the stability and safety of key rock engineering. Based on the Lianhua Tunnel Project in China, this paper aims to study the creep damage mechanics, the influencing factors and the creep constitutive models of sandy shale. In order to achieve these goals, a uniaxial compressive strength test and a creep test under different moisture contents and load levels were carried out. According to the test results, the creep parameters (elastic coefficients E1 and E2 and viscosity coefficients η1 and η2) of the Burgers Model were achieved, and the relationship between the creep parameters and moisture content, ω, was established accordingly (E1 = f(ω), E2 = f(ω), η1 = f(ω), η2 = f(ω)). A fully weathered sandy-shale creep constitutive model considering moisture content was finally obtained. Test results showed that creep deformation increases with any increase in load level or moisture content, and the influence of moisture content is more significant. For instance, creep deformation increased by 35% when the load increased by 50%, and creep deformation increased by 82% when the moisture content increased by 45%. In addition, the creep rate in the steady stage and the duration of the primary creep stage increased with any increase in moisture content or load level. The higher the moisture content, the greater the influence of creep deformation on the total deformation. The creep model of fully weathered sandy shale showed that the elastic coefficients (E1, E2) and the viscosity coefficients (η1, η2) are negatively correlated to moisture content; E1 is negatively correlated to load level; and E2, η1 and η2 are positively correlated to load level. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of fully weathered sandy shale can improve the existing research of creep properties and is expected to provide theoretical support for treatment of large deformation disasters in the fully weathered sandy-shale stratum.
Cluster-Based Regression Transfer Learning for Dynamic Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Zhang Xi , Qian Feng , Zhang Liping
Published: February 2023

Many multi-objective optimization problems in the real world have conflicting objectives, and these objectives change over time, known as dynamic multi-objective optimization problems (DMOPs). In recent years, transfer learning has attracted growing attention to solve DMOPs, since it is capable of leveraging historical information to guide the evolutionary search. However, there is still much room for improvement in the transfer effect and the computational efficiency. In this paper, we propose a cluster-based regression transfer learning-based dynamic multi-objective evolutionary algorithm named CRTL-DMOEA. It consists of two components, which are the cluster-based selection and cluster-based regression transfer. In particular, once a change occurs, we employ a cluster-based selection mechanism to partition the previous Pareto optimal solutions and find the clustering centroids, which are then fed into autoregression prediction model. Afterwards, to improve the prediction accuracy, we build a strong regression transfer model based on TrAdaboost.R2 by taking advantage of the clustering centroids. Finally, a high-quality initial population for the new environment is predicted with the regression transfer model. Through a comparison with some chosen state-of-the-art algorithms, the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CRTL-DMOEA is capable of improving the performance of dynamic optimization on different test problems.
Walking Indecently with Marcella Althaus-Reid: Doing Dissident and Liberative Theologies from the South
Authors: Santos Meza Anderson Fabian
Published: February 2023

This theological reflection is a motivation to walk in the footsteps of Marcella Althaus-Reid to discover the disruptive principles of Latin American Queer Theology. Between tangos and popular music, libertine evocations and dissident stories, prosthetic considerations, and transit strategies, this indecent text indicates some revitalizing ideas that manifest the need to think and inhabit the Global South in a more queer way. The voice of the South is powerfully theological and potentially revolutionary.
Spoiler or Facilitator? Radicalization of the Georgian Orthodox Church and Its Impact on Societal Resilience in Georgia
Authors: Lebanidze Bidzina , Kakabadze Shota
Published: February 2023

This article explores the process of creeping radicalization within the Georgian Orthodox Church and its implications for building societal resilience in the country. In doing so, it aims to fill the gap in the literature on the role of dominant religious organizations in resilience building in Georgia and in the broader post-Soviet region. Our analysis ascribes a mostly negative impact to the Georgian Orthodox Church on the country’s societal resilience. We identify two possible mechanisms with which the Georgian Orthodox Church undermines societal resilience in Georgia: (1) by decreasing general trust in society and (2) by inspiring anti-Western narratives, which undermine the basis of Georgia’s national identity.
Integrating UAV-Derived Information and WorldView-3 Imagery for Mapping Wetland Plants in the Old Woman Creek Estuary, USA
Authors: Islam Md Kamrul , Simic Milas Anita , Abeysinghe Tharindu , Tian Qing
Published: February 2023

The classification of wetland plants using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and satellite synergies has received increasing attention in recent years. In this study, UAV-derived training and validation data and WorldView-3 satellite imagery are integrated in the classification of five dominant wetland plants in the Old Woman Creek (OWC) estuary, USA. Several classifiers are explored: (1) pixel-based methods: maximum likelihood (ML), support vector machine (SVM), and neural network (NN), and (2) object-based methods: Naïve Bayes (NB), support vector machine (SVM), and k-nearest neighbors (k-NN). The study evaluates the performance of the classifiers for different image feature combinations such as single bands, vegetation indices, principal components (PCs), and texture information. The results showed that all classifiers reached high overall accuracy (>85%). Pixel-based SVM and object-based NB exhibited the best performance with overall accuracies of 93.76% and 93.30%, respectively. Insignificantly lower overall accuracy was achieved with ML (92.29), followed by NN (90.95) and object-oriented SVM (90.61). The k-NN method showed the lowest (but still high) accuracy of 86.74%. All classifiers except for the pixel-based SVM required additional input features. The pixel-based SVM achieved low errors of commission and omission, and unlike the other classifiers, exhibited low variability and low sensitivity to additional image features. Our study shows the efficacy of combining very high spatial resolution UAV-derived information and the super spectral observation capabilities of WorldView-3 in machine learning for mapping wetland vegetation.
NPP Variability Associated with Natural and Anthropogenic Factors in the Tropic of Cancer Transect, China
Authors: Wu Yanyan , Wu Zhifeng
Published: February 2023

The regions near the Tropic of Cancer are a latitudinal geographical zone with typical climatic, topographic, and human landscape features. It is necessary to explore the region’s net primary productivity (NPP) dynamics as it combines complex topography, various vegetation types, and intense human activities. The study sets the transect near the Tropic of Cancer (TCT) and uses the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford (CASA) model to estimate the NPP from 2000 to 2020. After using the RESTREND method, the paper calculates and compares the relative contributions of climate variability and anthropogenic activities to NPP changes. Finally, the geographical detector (Geodetector) model is applied to evaluate how anthropogenic and natural factors affect spatial distribution patterns and NPP changes. The results indicated that the average annual NPP is 820.39 gC·m−2·yr−1 during the 21 years. In addition, when the NPP varies, it increases over the entire study area, with a slope of 4.81 gC·m−2·yr−1, particularly in the western region. Across the entire research area, 63.39% and 77.44% of the total pixels positively contribute to climate variability and human activities in NPP, with a contribution of 0.90 and 3.91 gC·m−2·yr−1, respectively. Within the western, central, and eastern regions, anthropogenic activities have a stronger impact on NPP than climate variability, particularly pronounced in the eastern region. Furthermore, vegetation cover is the dominant factor in the spatial patterns and NPP trends across the TCT and the three regions. In contrast, climate factors are shown to be less influential in NPP distribution than in the western region. The results also demonstrated that the effect of population density and the GDP on NPP gradually rises. Two-factor interaction is much larger than any individual factor, with the dominant interaction factor being vegetation cover with climatic factors. Lastly, the findings revealed that anthropogenic activities positively promote NPP accumulation across the TCT, thus highlighting the importance of human activity-led ecological restoration and ecological protection measures that contribute to regional carbon sequestration and carbon balance.
Changes in Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Concentration in the Arctic Ocean over the Past Two Decades
Authors: Yang Meng , Qiu Yubao , Huang Lin , Cheng Maoce , Chen Jianguo , Cheng Bin , Jiang Zhengxin
Published: February 2023

With global warming, the decrease in sea ice creates favorable conditions for Arctic activities. Sea surface temperature (SST) is not only an important driven factor of sea ice concentration (SIC) changes but also an important medium of the ocean–atmosphere interaction. However, the response of sea surface temperature to Arctic sea ice varies in different sea areas. Using the optimal interpolated SST data from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and SIC data from the University of Bremen, the temporal and spatial characteristics of SST and SIC in the Arctic above 60°N and their relationship are studied, and the melting and freezing time of sea ice are calculated, which is particularly important for the prediction of Arctic shipping and sea ice. The results show that (1) the highest and lowest monthly mean Arctic SST occur in August and March, respectively, while those of SIC are in March and September. The maximum trends of SST and SIC changes are in autumn, which are +0.01 °C/year and −0.45%/year, respectively. (2) There is a significant negative correlation between the Arctic SST and SIC with a correlation coefficient of −0.82. (3) The sea ice break-up occurs on Day of the Year (DoY) 143 and freeze-up occurs on DoY 296 in the Arctic. The melting and freezing processes lasted for 27 days and 14 days, respectively. (4) The Kara Sea showed the strongest trend of sea ice melting at −1.22 d/year, followed by the Laptev Sea at −1.17 d/year. The delay trend of sea ice freezing was the most significant in the Kara Sea +1.75 d/year, followed by the Laptev Sea +1.70 d/year. In the Arctic, the trend toward earlier melting of sea ice is smaller than the trend toward later freezing.
Monitoring Green Tide in the Yellow Sea Using High-Resolution Imagery and Deep Learning
Authors: Shang Weitao , Gao Zhiqiang , Gao Meng , Jiang Xiaopeng
Published: February 2023

Green tide beaching events have occurred frequently in the Yellow Sea since 2007, causing a series of ecological and economic problems. Satellite imagery has been widely applied to monitor green tide outbreaks in open water. Traditional satellite sensors, however, are limited by coarse resolution or a low revisit rate, making it difficult to provide timely distribution of information about green tides in the nearshore. In this study, both PlanetScope Super Dove images and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images are used to monitor green tide beaching events on the southern side of Shandong Peninsula, China. A deep learning model (VGGUnet) is used to extract the green tide features and quantify the green tide coverage area or biomass density. Compared with the U-net model, the VGGUnet model has a higher accuracy on the Super Dove and UAV images, with F1-scores of 0.93 and 0.92, respectively. The VGGUnet model is then applied to monitor the distribution of green tide on the beach and in the nearshore water; the results suggest that the VGGUnet model can accurately extract green tide features while discarding other confusing features. By using the Super Dove and UAV images, green tide beaching events can be accurately monitored and are consistent with field investigations. From the perspective of near real-time green tide monitoring, high-resolution imagery combined with deep learning is an effective approach. The findings pave the way for monitoring and tracking green tides in coastal zones, as well as assisting in the prevention and control of green tide disasters.
Extracting Traffic Signage by Combining Point Clouds and Images
Authors: Zhang Furao , Zhang Jianan , Xu Zhihong , Tang Jie , Jiang Peiyu , Zhong Ruofei
Published: February 2023

Recognizing traffic signs is key to achieving safe automatic driving. With the decreasing cost of LiDAR, the accurate extraction of traffic signs using point cloud data has received wide attention. In this study, we propose combining point cloud and image traffic sign extraction: firstly, we use the improved YoloV3 model to detect traffic signs in panoramic images. The specific improvement is that the convolution block attention module is added to the algorithm framework, the traditional K-means clustering algorithm is improved, and Focal Loss is introduced as the loss function. It shows higher accuracy on the TT100K dataset, with a 1.4% improvement in accuracy compared to the previous YoloV3. Then, the point cloud of the area where the traffic sign is located is extracted by combining the image detection results. On this basis, the outline of the traffic sign is accurately extracted using the reflection intensity, spatial geometry and other information. Compared with the traditional method, the proposed method can effectively reduce the missed detection rate, narrow the range of point cloud, and improve the detection accuracy by 10.2%.
Quantum-like Data Modeling in Applied Sciences: Review
Authors: Lipovetsky Stan
Published: February 2023

This work presents a brief review on the modern approaches to data modeling by the methods developed in the quantum physics during the last one hundred years. Quantum computers and computations have already been widely investigated theoretically and attempted in some practical implementations, but methods of quantum data modeling are not yet sufficiently established. A vast range of concepts and methods of quantum mechanics have been tried in many fields of information and behavior sciences, including communications and artificial intelligence, cognition and decision making, sociology and psychology, biology and economics, financial and political studies. The application of quantum methods in areas other than physics is called the quantum-like paradigm, meaning that such approaches may not be related to the physical processes but rather correspond to data modeling by the methods designed for operating in conditions of uncertainty. This review aims to attract attention to the possibilities of these methods of data modeling that can enrich theoretical consideration and be useful for practical purposes in various sciences and applications.
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Two Different Packaging Systems for Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Glass Bottle vs. 100% Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottle
Authors: Ferrara Carmen , De Feo Giovanni
Published: February 2023

Using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology, this study assesses the environmental sustainability of two packaging alternatives for extra virgin olive oil: the glass bottle and the PET bottle produced with 100% of recycled PET granulate. Six scenarios were compared varying on the type of packaging system and the distribution phase (in terms of distribution country and logistics). The life cycle impacts of the scenarios were estimated with the ReCiPe 2018 H evaluation method, using both the midpoint and endpoint approaches. The findings highlighted the higher environmental sustainability of the recycled PET system compared to the glass system for all the impact categories considered, but especially in terms of the global warming potential, particulate formation, terrestrial acidification, and fossil fuel scarcity for which life cycle impacts of the R-PET were lower than 40% compared to those of the glass system. In terms of global warming, the glass system was responsible for 790–1137 kg CO2 eq. (in function of the destination country considered); while the R-PET system, in the same conditions, showed impacts of 459–634 kg CO2 eq. This is mainly due to the high weight of the glass bottle that affected the impacts of both the production and distribution phases. The mode of transport affected the impacts of the distribution phases highlighting how ship transport was more sustainable than truck transport, even when considering greater distribution distances. The LCA results can help consumers make more informed choices with a view to sustainability, as well as disprove the prejudices that consumers often have towards glass bottle packaging alternatives.
Green Closed-Loop Supply Chain Networks’ Response to Various Carbon Policies during COVID-19
Authors: Abbasi Sina , Erdebilli Babek
Published: February 2023

As concerns about the environment continue to increase and restrictions become tougher, professionals in business and legislators are being compelled to investigate the environmental effects of the activities associated with their supply chains. The control of carbon emissions by governments all over the world has involved the adoption of a variety of strategies to lower such emissions. This research optimizes COVID-19 pandemic logistics management as well as a green closed-loop supply chain design (GCLSCD) by basing it on carbon regulatory rules. This research looks at three of the most common types of normal CO2 restrictions. In the models that have been proposed, both costs and emissions are optimized. When it comes to supply chain (SC) activities, there is a delicate balance to strike between location selection, the many shipment alternatives, and the fees and releases. The models illustrate these tensions between competing priorities. Based on the numerical experiment, we illustrate the impact that a variety of policies have on costs in addition to the efficiency with which they reduce emissions. By analyzing the results of the models, managers can make predictions concerning how regulatory changes may affect overall emissions from SC operations.
Thermoelectric Generator Using Low-Cost Thermoelectric Modules for Low-Temperature Waste Heat Recovery
Authors: Castañeda Manuela , Amell Andrés A. , Correa Mauricio A. , Aguilar Claudio E. , Colorado Henry A.
Published: February 2023

One of the most significant problems in industrial processes is the loss of energy according to the sort of heat. Thermoelectrics are a promising alternative to recovering this type of thermal energy, as they can convert heat into electricity, improving the industrial efficiency of the process. This article presents the characteristics of low-cost thermoelectric modules typically used for generation (SP1848-27145SA (TEG-GEN)) and refrigeration (TEC1-12706 (TEC-REF)), both utilized in this research for heat recovery. The modules were evaluated against various configurations, source distances, and distributed systems in order to determine optimal recovery conditions. The experiments were conducted both at the laboratory level and in a large-scale furnace of the traditional ceramics industry, and they revealed that even refrigeration modules are suitable for energy recovery, particularly in developing countries, whereas other generators are more expensive and difficult to obtain. These thermoelectric generators were tested for low-temperature heat recovery in regular furnaces, and the results are to be implemented elsewhere. Results show that even the thermoelectric refrigeration modules can be a solution for heat recovery in many heat sources, which would be particularly strategic for developing countries.
Construction and Application of On-Line Roof Separation Monitoring System Based on High-Precision FBG Indicator
Authors: Wang Mao , Hu Boyi , Li Shuai , Liang Minfu , Wang Xinmin
Published: February 2023

Aiming at the existing problems of low efficiency, lagging monitoring results, and poor reliability and accuracy in the present roadway roof separation monitoring system, a high-precision Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) separation indicator is designed through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and laboratory tests—according to the fiber grating sensing principle. Based on the Microsoft. Net platform, C# programming language, and VS2010 integrated development tools, the corresponding on-line monitoring software is developed. On this basis, a real-time on-line roof separation monitoring system is proposed. The high-precision FBG separator was calibrated and tested in the laboratory and results suggested that both the left and right arm demonstrate good sensitivity and linearity with linear fitting coefficient values of 0.9981 and 0.9979, respectively. The monitoring system was successfully applied to roof separation monitoring of the #14301 rail roadway in the Shaqu coal mine. The monitoring results showed that the on-line roof separation monitoring system based on the high-precision FBG separation indicator has the advantages of high precision, good stability, and long-distance signal transmission, which can achieve real-time dynamic monitoring and provides an effective method for long-term on-line monitoring of roadway roof separation.
Enterprise Green Innovation Mechanism under the “Target-Resource-Network” System—An Empirical Study Based on Data of Listed Companies in China’s Construction Industry
Authors: Chen Songchuan , Wang Jinhang , Zhang Zhiwei
Published: February 2023

Using the data of Chinese A-share listed companies in the construction industry from 2010 to 2021, this paper conducts an empirical analysis of the green innovation mechanism of firms under the system formed by target-level elements, resource-level elements, and network-level elements. By using a fixed-effect model, coupling mechanism analysis and heterogeneity testing, we find that: (1) Government environmental targets and enterprise environmental targets as the target-level elements simultaneously promote enterprise green innovation, and there is a lag in this promotion effect. The mechanism analysis shows that the target-level elements will promote green innovation through government subsidies and enterprise R&D resources as the resource-level elements, while the political networks and the enterprise networks as the network-level elements can optimize the allocation of resources and promote innovation. (2) On the basis of a “target-resource-network” coupling coordination mechanism, the study reveals that the Chinese construction enterprises are currently slightly dysfunctional when it comes to the coupling of environmental targets, resource input, and relationship networks, which leads to a low level of green innovation in the construction industry as a whole. (3) Based on heterogeneity analysis, it is found that the internal characteristics of enterprises, regional differences, and policy changes all affect the relationship between the government’s environmental targets, enterprises’ environmental targets, and enterprises’ green innovation.