bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of an Electronic Interface for Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes
Authors: Pullano Salvatore A. , Oliva Giuseppe , Titirsha Twisha , Shuvo Md Maruf Hossain , Islam Syed Kamrul , Laganà Filippo , La Gatta Antonio , Fiorillo Antonino S.
Published: August 2024

Single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) belong to a family of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) with single-photon detection capability that operate above the breakdown voltage (i.e., Geiger mode). Design and technology constraints, such as dark current, photon detection probability, and power dissipation, impose inherent device limitations on avalanche photodiodes. Moreover, after the detection of a photon, SPADs require dead time for avalanche quenching and recharge before they can detect another photon. The reduction in dead time results in higher efficiency for photon detection in high-frequency applications. In this work, an electronic interface, based on the pole-zero compensation technique for reducing dead time, was investigated. A nanosecond pulse generator was designed and fabricated to generate pulses of comparable voltage to an avalanche transistor. The quenching time constant (τq) is not affected by the compensation capacitance variation, while an increase of about 30% in the τq is related to the properties of the specific op-amp used in the design. Conversely, the recovery time was observed to be strongly influenced by the compensation capacitance. Reductions in the recovery time, from 927.3 ns down to 57.6 ns and 9.8 ns, were observed when varying the compensation capacitance in the range of 5–0.1 pF. The experimental results from an SPAD combined with an electronic interface based on an avalanche transistor are in strong accordance, providing similar output pulses to those of an illuminated SPAD.
Integrated Optical Waveguide Electric Field Sensors Based on Bismuth Germanate
Authors: Wang Jin , Song Yilin , Song Xuefei , Zhang Wei , Yang Junqi , Xuan Zhi
Published: August 2024

Bismuth germanate (Bi4Ge3O12, BGO) is a widely used optical sensing material with a high electro-optic coefficient, ideal for optical electric field sensors. Achieving high precision in electric field sensing requires fabricating optical waveguides on BGO. Traditional waveguide writing methods face challenges with this material. This study explores using femtosecond laser writing technology for preparing waveguides on BGO, leveraging ultrafast optical fields for superior material modification. Our experimental analysis shows that a cladding-type waveguide, written with a femtosecond laser at 200 kHz repetition frequency and 10.15 mW average power (pulse energy of 50.8 nJ), exhibits excellent light-guiding characteristics. Simulations of near-field optical intensity distribution and refractive index variations using the refractive index reconstruction method demonstrate that the refractive index modulation ensures single-mode transmission and effectively confines light to the core layer. In situ refractive index characterization confirms the feasibility of fabricating a waveguide with a refractive index reduction on BGO. The resulting waveguide has a loss per unit length of approximately 1.2 dB/cm, marking a successful fabrication. Additionally, we design an antenna electrode, analyze sensor performance indicators, and integrate a preparation process plan for the antenna electrode. This achievement establishes a solid experimental foundation for future studies on BGO crystal waveguides in electric field measurement applications.
Machine Learning Based Abnormal Gait Classification with IMU Considering Joint Impairment
Authors: Hwang Soree , Kim Jongman , Yang Sumin , Moon Hyuk-June , Cho Kyung-Hee , Youn Inchan , Sung Joon-Kyung , Han Sungmin
Published: August 2024

Gait analysis systems are critical for assessing motor function in rehabilitation and elderly care. This study aimed to develop and optimize an abnormal gait classification algorithm considering joint impairments using inertial measurement units (IMUs) and walkway systems. Ten healthy male participants simulated normal walking, walking with knee impairment, and walking with ankle impairment under three conditions: without joint braces, with a knee brace, and with an ankle brace. Based on these simulated gaits, we developed classification models: distinguishing abnormal gait due to joint impairments, identifying specific joint disorders, and a combined model for both tasks. Recursive Feature Elimination with Cross-Validation (RFECV) was used for feature extraction, and models were fine-tuned using support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB). The IMU-based system achieved over 91% accuracy in classifying the three types of gait. In contrast, the walkway system achieved less than 77% accuracy in classifying the three types of gait, primarily due to high misclassification rates between knee and ankle joint impairments. The IMU-based system shows promise for accurate gait assessment in patients with joint impairments, suggesting future research for clinical application improvements in rehabilitation and patient management.
One-Port Coaxial Line Sample Holder Characterisation Method of Dielectric Spectra
Authors: Farhat Iman , Farrugia Lourdes , Bonello Julian , Grima Rafel , Persico Raffaele , Sammut Charles
Published: August 2024

A technique for solving the one-port closed coaxial transmission line sample holder scattering equation for complex permittivity inversion for lossy materials is presented. A non-linear least-squares procedure is used for the determination of parameters for the specification of the spectral functional form of the complex permittivity. The method allows for accurate retrieval of many low- and high-permittivity dielectric materials in the frequency range of 1 GHz to 3 GHz inserted into the coaxial cell. Using this method, the complex permittivity of a number of liquids and a Maltese soil known as Bajjad soil have been extracted by measurements using a short terminated coaxial transmission line sample holder. The proposed novel inversion method is mainly based on the reflection coefficient of the test material. The measured results of the complex permittivity of liquid dielectrics such as ethanol, methanol, and TX100 are validated and compared with previously published data obtained from measurements made by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) using a two-port measurement setup made with the same commercial coaxial transmission line sample holder used in the one-port setup. Since the technique allows broadband measurements, it has been used to characterise the soil dielectric spectrum in the frequency range of 1–3 GHz, which is also compared with results from a two-port setup of the same coaxial line. The experimental results are a validation of the proposed approach for different types of materials.
A Lightweight Pathological Gait Recognition Approach Based on a New Gait Template in Side-View and Improved Attention Mechanism
Authors: Li Congcong , Wang Bin , Li Yifan , Liu Bo
Published: August 2024

As people age, abnormal gait recognition becomes a critical problem in the field of healthcare. Currently, some algorithms can classify gaits with different pathologies, but they cannot guarantee high accuracy while keeping the model lightweight. To address these issues, this paper proposes a lightweight network (NSVGT-ICBAM-FACN) based on the new side-view gait template (NSVGT), improved convolutional block attention module (ICBAM), and transfer learning that fuses convolutional features containing high-level information and attention features containing semantic information of interest to achieve robust pathological gait recognition. The NSVGT contains different levels of information such as gait shape, gait dynamics, and energy distribution at different parts of the body, which integrates and compensates for the strengths and limitations of each feature, making gait characterization more robust. The ICBAM employs parallel concatenation and depthwise separable convolution (DSC). The former strengthens the interaction between features. The latter improves the efficiency of processing gait information. In the classification head, we choose to employ DSC instead of global average pooling. This method preserves the spatial information and learns the weights of different locations, which solves the problem that the corner points and center points in the feature map have the same weight. The classification accuracies for this paper’s model on the self-constructed dataset and GAIT-IST dataset are 98.43% and 98.69%, which are 0.77% and 0.59% higher than that of the SOTA model, respectively. The experiments demonstrate that the method achieves good balance between lightweightness and performance.
Depth-Sensing-Based Algorithm for Chest Morphology Assessment in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Tomašević Olivera , Ivančić Aleksandra , Mejić Luka , Lužanin Zorana , Jorgovanović Nikola
Published: August 2024

This study introduced a depth-sensing-based approach with robust algorithms for tracking relative morphological changes in the chests of patients undergoing physical therapy. The problem that was addressed was the periodic change in morphological parameters induced by breathing, and since the recording was continuous, the parameters were extracted for the moments of maximum and minimum volumes of the chest (inspiration and expiration moments), and analyzed. The parameters were derived from morphological transverse cross-sections (CSs), which were extracted for the moments of maximal and minimal depth variations, and the reliability of the results was expressed through the coefficient of variation (CV) of the resulting curves. Across all subjects and levels of observed anatomy, the mean CV for CS depth values was smaller than 2%, and the mean CV of the CS area was smaller than 1%. To prove the reproducibility of measurements (extraction of morphological parameters), 10 subjects were recorded in two consecutive sessions with a short interval (2 weeks) where no changes in the monitored parameters were expected and statistical methods show that there was no statistically significant difference between the sessions, which confirms the reproducibility hypothesis. Additionally, based on the representative CSs for inspiration and expirations moments, chest mobility in quiet breathing was examined, and the statistical test showed no difference between the two sessions. The findings justify the proposed algorithm as a valuable tool for evaluating the impact of rehabilitation exercises on chest morphology.
Electrochemical Sensors for Antibiotic Detection: A Focused Review with a Brief Overview of Commercial Technologies
Authors: Frigoli Margaux , Krupa Mikolaj P. , Hooyberghs Geert , Lowdon Joseph W. , Cleij Thomas J. , Diliën Hanne , Eersels Kasper , van Grinsven Bart
Published: August 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, powered by pathogens that become increasingly proficient at withstanding antibiotic treatments. This review introduces the factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), highlighting the presence of antibiotics in different environmental and biological matrices as a significant contributor to the resistance. It emphasizes the urgent need for robust and effective detection methods to identify these substances and mitigate their impact on AMR. Traditional techniques, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and immunoassays, are discussed alongside their limitations. The review underscores the emerging role of biosensors as promising alternatives for antibiotic detection, with a particular focus on electrochemical biosensors. Therefore, the manuscript extensively explores the principles and various types of electrochemical biosensors, elucidating their advantages, including high sensitivity, rapid response, and potential for point-of-care applications. Moreover, the manuscript investigates recent advances in materials used to fabricate electrochemical platforms for antibiotic detection, such as aptamers and molecularly imprinted polymers, highlighting their role in enhancing sensor performance and selectivity. This review culminates with an evaluation and summary of commercially available and spin-off sensors for antibiotic detection, emphasizing their versatility and portability. By explaining the landscape, role, and future outlook of electrochemical biosensors in antibiotic detection, this review provides insights into the ongoing efforts to combat the escalating threat of AMR effectively.
Use of Virtual Reality in School-Aged Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Novel Approach
Authors: Purpura Giulia , Di Giusto Valentina , Zorzi Carla Fulvia , Figliano Giusi , Randazzo Mattia , Volpicelli Valentina , Blonda Rosanna , Brazzoli Elena , Reina Tarjn , Rezzonico Silvia , Sala Roberta , Cavallini Anna
Published: August 2024

Virtual reality (VR) applications in paediatric rehabilitation are recent but promising. This brief report describes a VR rehabilitation program for a small sample of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). The program focused explicitly on executive functions, a key area of concern for this population. It was conducted over 11 weeks in the CARE Lab. This lab was designed with appropriate structural characteristics and sophisticated technology to provide a rehabilitative setting with recreational and semi-immersive features. Before and after the VR training, the children were evaluated in terms of visual attention, inhibition, planning abilities, and visual–motor coordination. The rehabilitation programs were customised according to the clinical needs and the functional profile of each patient, proposing different games with variable complexity levels. These preliminary results showed a global and clinically significant change in executive functions, especially visual attention and inhibition skills. These findings suggest interesting implications for clinical practice, providing new information for professionals regarding the application of VR in the field of paediatric rehabilitation.
Smart Ship Draft Reading by Dual-Flow Deep Learning Architecture and Multispectral Information
Authors: Zhang Bo , Li Jiangyun , Tang Haicheng , Liu Xi
Published: August 2024

In maritime transportation, a ship’s draft survey serves as a primary method for weighing bulk cargo. The accuracy of the ship’s draft reading determines the fairness of bulk cargo transactions. Human visual-based draft reading methods face issues such as safety concerns, high labor costs, and subjective interpretation. Therefore, some image processing methods are utilized to achieve automatic draft reading. However, due to the limitations in the spectral characteristics of RGB images, existing image processing methods are susceptible to water surface environmental interference, such as reflections. To solve this issue, we obtained and annotated 524 multispectral images of a ship’s draft as the research dataset, marking the first application of integrating NIR information and RGB images for automatic draft reading tasks. Additionally, a dual-branch backbone named BIF is proposed to extract and combine spectral information from RGB and NIR images. The backbone network can be combined with the existing segmentation head and detection head to perform waterline segmentation and draft detection. By replacing the original ResNet-50 backbone of YOLOv8, we reached a mAP of 99.2% in the draft detection task. Similarly, combining UPerNet with our dual-branch backbone, the mIoU of the waterline segmentation task was improved from 98.9% to 99.3%. The inaccuracy of the draft reading is less than ±0.01 m, confirming the efficacy of our method for automatic draft reading tasks.
The Guardian Node Slow DoS Detection Model for Real-Time Application in IoT Networks
Authors: Reed Andy , Dooley Laurence , Mostefaoui Soraya Kouadri
Published: August 2024

The pernicious impact of malicious Slow DoS (Denial of Service) attacks on the application layer and web-based Open Systems Interconnection model services like Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) has given impetus to a range of novel detection strategies, many of which use machine learning (ML) for computationally intensive full packet capture and post-event processing. In contrast, existing detection mechanisms, such as those found in various approaches including ML, artificial intelligence, and neural networks neither facilitate real-time detection nor consider the computational overhead within resource-constrained Internet of Things (IoT) networks. Slow DoS attacks are notoriously difficult to reliably identify, as they masquerade as legitimate application layer traffic, often resembling nodes with slow or intermittent connectivity. This means they often evade detection mechanisms because they appear as genuine node activity, which increases the likelihood of mistakenly being granted access by intrusion-detection systems. The original contribution of this paper is an innovative Guardian Node (GN) Slow DoS detection model, which analyses the two key network attributes of packet length and packet delta time in real time within a live IoT network. By designing the GN to operate within a narrow window of packet length and delta time values, accurate detection of all three main Slow DoS variants is achieved, even under the stealthiest malicious attack conditions. A unique feature of the GN model is its ability to reliably discriminate Slow DoS attack traffic from both genuine and slow nodes experiencing high latency or poor connectivity. A rigorous critical evaluation has consistently validated high, real-time detection accuracies of more than 98% for the GN model across a range of demanding traffic profiles. This performance is analogous to existing ML approaches, whilst being significantly more resource efficient, with computational and storage overheads being over 96% lower than full packet capture techniques, so it represents a very attractive alternative for deployment in resource-scarce IoT environments.
A Highly Sensitive D-Shaped PCF-SPR Sensor for Refractive Index and Temperature Detection
Authors: Ullah Sajid , Chen Hailiang , Guo Pengxiao , Song Mingshi , Zhang Sa , Hu Linchuan , Li Shuguang
Published: August 2024

A novel highly sensitive D-shaped photonic crystal fiber-based surface plasmon resonance (PCF-SPR) sensor for dual parameters of refractive index and temperature detecting is proposed. A PCF cladding polishing provides a D-shape design with a gold (Au) film coating for refractive index (RI) sensing (Core 1) and a composite film of silver (Ag) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for temperature sensing (Core 2). Comsol Multiphysics 5.5 is used to design and simulate the proposed sensor by the finite element method (FEM). The proposed sensor numerically provides results with maximum wavelength sensitivities (WSs) of 51,200 and 56,700 nm/RIU for Core 1 and 2 as RI sensing while amplitude sensitivities are −98.9 and −147.6 RIU−1 with spectral resolution of 1.95 × 10−6 and 1.76 × 10−6 RIU, respectively. Notably, wavelength sensitivity of 17.4 nm/°C is obtained between −20 and −10 °C with resolution of 5.74 × 10−3 °C for Core 2 as temperature sensing. This sensor can efficiently work in the analyte and temperature ranges of 1.33–1.43 RI and −20–100 °C. Due to its high sensitivity and wide detection ranges, both in T and RI sensing, it is a promising candidate for a variety of applications, including chemical, medical, and environmental detection.
USSC-YOLO: Enhanced Multi-Scale Road Crack Object Detection Algorithm for UAV Image
Authors: Zhang Yanxiang , Lu Yao , Huo Zijian , Li Jiale , Sun Yurong , Huang Hao
Published: August 2024

Road crack detection is of paramount importance for ensuring vehicular traffic safety, and implementing traditional detection methods for cracks inevitably impedes the optimal functioning of traffic. In light of the above, we propose a USSC-YOLO-based target detection algorithm for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) road cracks based on machine vision. The algorithm aims to achieve the high-precision detection of road cracks at all scale levels. Compared with the original YOLOv5s, the main improvements to USSC-YOLO are the ShuffleNet V2 block, the coordinate attention (CA) mechanism, and the Swin Transformer. First, to address the problem of large network computational spending, we replace the backbone network of YOLOv5s with ShuffleNet V2 blocks, reducing computational overhead significantly. Next, to reduce the problems caused by the complex background interference, we introduce the CA attention mechanism into the backbone network, which reduces the missed and false detection rate. Finally, we integrate the Swin Transformer block at the end of the neck to enhance the detection accuracy for small target cracks. Experimental results on our self-constructed UAV near–far scene road crack i(UNFSRCI) dataset demonstrate that our model reduces the giga floating-point operations per second (GFLOPs) compared to YOLOv5s while achieving a 6.3% increase in mAP@50 and a 12% improvement in mAP@ [50:95]. This indicates that the model remains lightweight meanwhile providing excellent detection performance. In future work, we will assess road safety conditions based on these detection results to prioritize maintenance sequences for crack targets and facilitate further intelligent management.
Navigating Energy and Climate Transitions: Striking a Delicate Balance
Authors: LePoire David John
Published: August 2024

The transitions in energy and the environment are driving large-scale social and technological challenges and responses. These challenges include aspects of changing demographics, development, and consideration of the future (e.g., intergenerational issues). Among the approaches to address these challenges is improving energy transition technologies. These concerns have been incorporated into various models, which cover a wide variety of scenarios. Furthermore, options analysis can be used to follow the development of technologies with international implications. Among the topics discussed in this paper are the emerging representations, energy technologies, and socio-technological modeling, which should be addressed in an integrated, balanced way to mitigate the potential for disruptions and/or systems collapses.
Post-Pandemic Shifts in Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors in a Marine Protected Area
Authors: Vila Mar , Costa Gerard
Published: August 2024

Interest in understanding environmental attitudes and behaviors after traumatic events has been widely studied, but research specific to the COVID-19 pandemic has yielded inconclusive results. This study addresses a gap by exploring the relationship between COVID-19 and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) in marine protected areas (MPAs), which are vital for preserving marine ecosystems and biodiversity. We focus on scuba divers’ environmental attitudes and behaviors within an MPA, using a mixed methodology that combines surveys based on the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale with covert participant observation. Our findings indicate a moderate increase in pro-environmental concerns post-pandemic, particularly regarding nature’s fragility. However, a gap remains between expressed attitudes and actual behaviors, with notable differences in pro-ecological behavior during leisure activities compared to behavior at home. Additionally, risk perception related to COVID-19 has gained prominence, often overshadowing environmental concerns. This study contributes to a better understanding of environmental attitudes and behaviors in the context of MPAs during the ongoing social changes post-COVID-19. These insights can guide more sustainable management of MPAs and inform future research, which should further explore these trends in similar contexts.
Analysis of the Impact of Biomass/Water Ratio, Particle Size, Stirring, and Catalysts on the Production of Chemical Platforms and Biochar in the Hydrothermal Valorization of Coffee Cherry Waste
Authors: Lozano Pérez Alejandra Sophia , Romero Mahecha Valentina , Guerrero Fajardo Carlos Alberto
Published: August 2024

In Colombia alone, 12.6 million bags of green coffee are produced, but at the same time, 784,000 tons of waste biomass are dumped in open fields, of which only 5% is recovered or used, and 10 million tonnes of coffee emit 28.6 million tonnes of CO2 eq annually. This presents a worrying dilemma, and the need to develop a technology to transform the waste into usable products is increasing. As a response to this, the valorization of coffee waste was explored through the production of biochar and platform chemicals by implementing a set of hydrothermal experiments with different biomass/water ratios (1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:40), particle sizes (0.5, 1, 2, 5 mm), stirring rates (5000 and 8000 rpm), and catalysts (H2SO4, NaHCO3 and CH3COOH) at 180, 220, and 260 °C in a batch reactor with autogenous pressure. Notably, the smaller B:W ratios of 1:20 and 1:40, as well as smaller particle sizes of 0.5 and 1 mm, yielded higher amounts of platform chemicals, while stirring showed minimal influence. CH3COOH significantly enhanced the process compared to other catalysts. The biochar was characterized as anthracite, and this obtaining of coal-like materials from biomass itself represents a remarkable feat. Said anthracite presented little to no variation in physical parameters, while catalysts induced functionalization. By optimizing factors like B:W ratio, particle size, and catalyst application, valuable insights have been gained into enhancing the yield of platform chemicals and quality of biochar from coffee waste. The findings not only contribute to sustainable waste management practices but also highlight the importance of exploring innovative solutions for utilizing agricultural by-products effectively.
Enhancing Rural Surface Water Remediation with Iron–Carbon Microelectrolysis-Strengthened Ecological Floating Beds
Authors: Wang Han , Wang Tianbei , Wang Weigang , Yuan Yue
Published: August 2024

Ecological floating beds, with their compact footprint and mobility, offer a promising solution for sustainable surface water remediation in rural areas. However, low removal efficiency and instability still limit its application. In this study, iron–carbon-based fillers were integrated into ecological floating beds to investigate their impact and mechanisms in removing pollutants, including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals. Results indicate that all five fillers (activated carbon, iron–carbon fillers, sponge iron, activated carbon + iron–carbon fillers, and activated carbon + sponge iron) can completely remove orthophosphate, and the sponge iron filler system can completely remove nitrate. Then, fillers were applied to ecological floating beds, and the iron–carbon microelectrolysis (activated carbon + sponge iron filler)-enhanced ecological floating bed showed superior removal efficiency for pollutants. It achieved 95% removal of NH4+-N, 85% removal of NO3−-N, 75% removal of total phosphorus, 90% removal of chemical oxygen demand, and 90% removal of heavy metals. Typical nitrifying bacteria Nitrospira, denitrifying bacteria Denitratisoma, and a variety of bacterial genera with denitrification functions (e.g., Rhodobacter, Dechloromonas, Sediminibacterium, and Novosphingobium) coexisted in the system, ensuring efficient and robust nitrogen removal performance. These findings will provide support for the sustainable treatment of surface water in rural areas.
Analysis of Hydrological Changes in the Fuhe River Basin in the Context of Climate Change
Authors: Mo Li , Zhang Zhenguo , Yao Jingjing , Ma Zeyu , Cong Xiaona , Yu Xinxiao
Published: August 2024

Against the backdrop of global warming, assessing the effects of climate change on hydrological processes is crucial for local water resource management. Variations in temperature, precipitation, and runoff at four different timescales in the Fuhe River Basin were evaluated based on observational data collected from 1960 to 2020 using the Mann–Kendall test. The findings indicated significant increases in average temperatures for the annual, flood season, and non-flood season periods, rising by 0.0197, 0.0145, and 0.0278 °C every annum, respectively (p < 0.01). Precipitation exhibited non-significant upward trends at all timescales (p > 0.1). The trend in flood season runoff was also non-significantly upward, whereas annual runoff and non-flood season runoff displayed non-significant downward trends (p > 0.1). Flood season temperature decreased with increasing altitude, exhibiting a significant Pearson correlation coefficient of −0.744 at the 0.01 level. Conversely, annual, flood, and non-flood season precipitation significantly increased with increasing altitude, with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.678 at the 0.01 level, 0.695 at the 0.01 level, and 0.558 at the 0.05 significance level, respectively. Precipitation and runoff exhibited similar trends throughout the year, increasing initially and then decreasing over time, reaching maximum values in June. Climate change is likely responsible for the hydrological alterations in the study basin. The findings of the study could provide references for water resource management decisions in the Fuhe River Basin.
Precision Remediation of Mining Soils through On-Site Investigation and Large-Scale Synthesized Ferrosilicate
Authors: Xu Han , Liu Jie , Huang Na , Yu Anqing , Li Jingyuan , Li Qiao , Yang Qiunan , Long Lulu
Published: August 2024

To seek a restoration plan for the safe use of agricultural land around mining areas, this study focuses on the regions around a mining plant in Huidong County, western Sichuan Province, affected by lead–zinc mining, and the precise remediation of heavy metal pollution through large-scale synthesis of iron silicate. In this study, we investigated heavy metal pollution in the vicinity of the mining area and proposed a treatment strategy using large-scale synthesis of iron silicate to mitigate this pollution. According to field investigation and sampling analysis, the collected soil samples contained excessive Cd, Pb, and Zn. Cd is a heavy metal related to lead–zinc mining. The planting of crops such as loquats and garlic with a high accumulation coefficient for Cd was found inappropriate for the research area. Instead, it was recommended to plant economically important crops like mangoes and peaches which had lower heavy metal accumulation. On the basis of field investigation, the study area was seriously polluted by heavy metals, among which Cd was 4.0 times higher than the standard of agricultural land. In order to accurately passivate excessive Cd, Zn, and Pb, iron silicate material was put into mass production. In situ passivation experiments showed that when the soil water content was between 25% and 20%, adding 4% silicate material could rapidly reduce the content of effective heavy metals in the soil and the heavy metal content of garlic and other cash crops in the research area by about 8%. After conducting a field investigation, it has been determined that the large-scale preparation of iron silicate can accurately repair soil contaminated by heavy metals in the vicinity of mining areas. In conclusion, iron silicate is capable of effectively reducing the pollution of heavy metals on agricultural land and facilitating the safe utilization of such land.
Can Change in Forest Cover Be Linked to the Management Effectiveness of Protected Areas? The Indian Scenario
Authors: Sen Monali , Mohan Dhananjai
Published: August 2024

Protected areas are an effective mechanism usually supported by a statute to conserve and protect wildlife-rich areas worldwide. Such extensive external management needs elaborate planning, regular monitoring, and periodic assessment of results. Thus, management effectiveness evaluation (MEE) has emerged as one of the major tools for quantifying the performance of any protected area globally since 2006. India has successfully conducted a complete round of management effectiveness evaluation of all its terrestrial protected areas (except conservation reserves and community reserves), with 25 such areas already undergoing a repeat assessment. Simultaneously, India biennially carries out a country-wide status of forest cover in all its states and union territories. This study has correlated the trend in change in forest cover for the states that contain those 25 repeat evaluated protected areas with their change in MEE scores over the same period. Our study found a positive correlation between the change in forest cover and the change in management effectiveness score from 2005–2006 to 2018–2019. Owing to increased protection regimes in the PAs including the degraded areas if they make part of such areas, the habitat often shows recovery. Effective habitat conservation is thus intertwined with the monitoring and preservation of the wildlife populations in the protected areas; therefore, reduction in forest cover equally impacts the management scores. However, in states where the loss in forest cover has been reported, more protected areas need to be assessed to plan complementary strategies for both habitat and species conservation.
Inclusive Innovation Governance for Just Transitions: Insights from the Bean Agri-Food System in the Brunca Region of Costa Rica
Authors: Ortiz-Valverde Rosalba , Peris-Blanes Jordi
Published: August 2024

This study explores how an inclusive governance of “niche” innovations with family farmers enables or limits the realization of just transitions in family farming at different scales, from the local to the national levels. The research focuses on a case study in the Brunca region of Costa Rica, which has pioneered innovations for bean research with family farmers. The primary source of information for the study was in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders. Secondary information comes from a desk review of the relevant policies and strategic documents from the relevant authorities. Lastly, a semi-scoping review was conducted to explore gender and intergenerational gaps in plant breeding, as well as potential conflicts between plant breeding and on-farm agro-diversity. The inclusive governance of bean research contributes to the realization of just-transition dimensions of justice, such as recognitional, procedural, and distributional justice, as a result of farmers’ engagement in participatory plant-breeding processes, and due to the coordination between different institutions at the local and national levels. Progress has been made in terms of the recognition and participation of farmers in research and in decision-making locally. The findings show interactions between the local and national scales, in terms of the commercialization of farmers’ seeds. However, the Costa Rican program for bean research struggles to engage family farmers in national decision-making processes and falls short of addressing equality and intergenerational issues. It also faces challenges in reaching a balance between short-term income generation and long-term conservation of agro-biodiversity on the farm. Fostering just transitions in family farming would require a greater inclusion of women and youth by the Costa Rican bean system. This implies allocating resources to increase their capacities and participation in bean research, as well as in decision-making at all levels. This is imperative and could be achieved if the government and relevant stakeholders align their strategic objectives and priorities to shorten gender and intergenerational gaps within the bean production system.
Cultural Sustainable Development Strategies of Chinese Traditional Furniture: Taking Ming-Style Furniture for Example
Authors: Xue Guanlan , Chen Jinglian , Lin Zhuozhuang
Published: August 2024

In view of the gradual decline and near-stagnant crisis of traditional furniture art from the late Qing Dynasty, the article studied the cultural sustainable strategies of Chinese traditional furniture represented by Ming-style furniture, hoping to promote the revitalization of traditional furniture and good inheritance of traditional culture in modern society. Based on the theory of “Methodology of Affairs”, the article proposes that the sustainable strategies of traditional furniture can be understood as a correlation system under the joint action of “internal factors” (shape, function, technology, etc., of furniture) and “external factors” (social environment, economic environment, humanistic environment, etc., in which furniture develops). Starting from the two aspects, the article finally analyzed the improved translation of internal factors in five parts: shape and function, structure and connection, material and process, color and furnishing, decoration and aesthetics, and studied the adaptive changes in external factors from five dimensions: politics, economy, culture, society, and users. The article hopes to help this endangered Chinese traditional furniture art develop in a sustainable direction, and also provide a reference for scholars working in the field of the inheritance and development of traditional culture.
The Governance and Optimization of Urban Flooding in Dense Urban Areas Utilizing Deep Tunnel Drainage Systems: A Case Study of Guangzhou, China
Authors: Sun Jingyi , Wu Xuewei , Wang Guanghua , He Junguo , Li Wentao
Published: August 2024

With urban expansion, traditional drainage systems in densely populated cities face significant challenges, leading to frequent flooding and pollution issues. Deep tunnel drainage systems emerge as an innovative approach, offering underground storage for excess precipitation and alleviating urban inundation. This research investigates the deployment of a deep tunnel system in Guangzhou’s densely populated urban core. By integrating with existing networks, this system aims to curtail over-flow contamination and boost sewage-handling capacity. Successful implementation hinges on the thorough evaluation and synchronization with broader urban development objectives. In Guangzhou, where traditional methods fall short, deep tunnels present a viable option. This study explores techniques for identifying drainage deficiencies, devising enhancements, and refining citywide strategies. Economic analysis indicates that deep tunnels are more cost-effective than conventional drainage upgrades, offering long-term benefits for land conservation and drainage efficiency. Following implementation, these systems markedly enhance sewage management, diminish overflow incidents, and improve pollution mitigation. Although initial investments are substantial, the enduring advantages in land preservation and drainage efficiency are significant. Thus, deep tunnel systems emerge as a practical flood control solution for high-density urban areas like Guangzhou, fostering sustainable metropolitan growth.
Pengaruh E-WOM dan Brand Image terhadap Purchase Intention di Tokopedia: Studi Mahasiswa di Universitas Pembangunan Pancabudi Meda
Authors: Salman Fahd Abdillah , Syahrial Hery , Sabrina Hesti
Published: August 2024

This study aims to determine whether Electronic Word Of Mouth and Brand Image significantly positively influence Purchase Intention in the Tokopedia marketplace. This research uses a Quantitative approach. The population in this study is all students of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitas Pembangunan Pancabudi Medan, totaling 4315 students. The sampling technique in this study was conducted by distributing questionnaires to 98 respondents. Electronic Word of Mouth significantly positively affects purchase intention in the Tokopedia marketplace. Brand Image has a significant positive effect on Purchase Intention in the Tokopedia marketplace. Considering that Tokopedia may win the competition with other marketplaces due to respondents' answers indicating that they are not disturbed by negative comments when collecting intentions to buy, it is suggested to maintain the quality by continuously innovating and providing encouragement to consumers to continue to stay on Tokopedia and always choose Tokopedia over other competitors, this has shown that Tokopedia has won the competition among the many existing marketplaces.
Negentropy approach to justification of the essence of money
Authors: Islamutdinov V. F.
Published: August 2024

Тhe article discusses existing theories of money, their advantages and disadvantages. The commonalities and differences in existing theories of money are revealed. The author's classification of theories of money is given. The concept of negentropy is substantiated as the methodological basis of the negentropic approach to substantiating the essence of money. The objective negentropic nature of money as a commodity is revealed. The subjective nature of money based on trust is shown. The essence of money as a universal equivalent of the stock of negentropy is revealed. An explanation of the functions of money is given from the point of view of the negentropy approach. Inflation is considered as a manifestation of the entropy of money itself. The laws of monetary circulation are explained from the point of view of the negentropy approach. Existing theories of money are considered as special cases of negentropy theory. Recommendations are given for regulating money circulation, taking into account the negentropic nature of money.
Levantamento de dados sobre casos de Malária nos últimos dez anos no estado do Amazonas
Authors: Mol Ana Paula Garcia , Silva Axell Ronald da , Diniz Mariana de Faria Gardingo , Barbosa Filipe Alves Costa , Aguiar Thiago Peixoto
Published: August 2024

A malária é uma doença infecciosa autolimitada causada por protozoários do gênero Plasmodium e transmitida pelo mosquito vetor Anopheles. A principal lacuna sobre esta temática refere-se ao número de casos registrados da Malária nos últimos 10 anos no estado do Amazonas. Tem-se como questão norteadora na presente investigação: “Como se perfaz o tratamento e manejo da Malária?”. O objetivo do presente estudo é coletar dados a respeito da notificação da Malária nos últimos 10 anos no estado do Amazonas, correlacionando com a importância do diagnóstico, tratamento e manejo. Este estudo é de caráter descritivo, em que os dados avaliados são referentes a usuários do sistema de saúde no estado do Amazonas - Brasil, através do DATASUS, selecionando as notificações sobre a Malária, nos últimos 10 anos. Nos resultados, evidenciou-se na tabela 1, que o estado do Amazonas apresenta elevados registros de casos de Malária, visto que na última década obteve-se 111 registros, número esse considerado alarmante, tendo em vista a gravidade da patologia. Conclui-se, portanto, que o Amazonas possui registros significativos e importantes a respeito dos casos de Malária, e como já mencionado, os números oscilaram na última década, porém, demonstra-se, também, sobre um possível assunto de subnotificação, fato ainda mais preocupante.
Manifestações cutâneas da infecção pelo citomegalovírus em paciente com HIV: uma revisão bibliográfica
Authors: Xavier Bruna Braga , Meira Geanne Muniz , Correa Laura Mariana Vieira , Meira Leidiane Muniz , Morais Bruna Lopes
Published: August 2024

Introdução: A infecção pelo Citomegalovírus (CMV) é uma das principais doenças oportunistas em pacientes infectados pelo Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana (HIV). As manifestações cutâneas relacionadas ao CMV em imunocomprometidos, apesar de incomuns, indicam pior prognóstico e representam um desafio diagnóstico. Objetiva-se reunir na literatura científica atual, evidências sobre as manifestações cutâneas relacionadas à infecção pelo CMV em pacientes com HIV e suas repercussões, para auxiliar no reconhecimento, diagnóstico e tratamento. Metodologia: Procedeu-se a uma pesquisa nas bases de dados PubMed e ScienceDirect, utilizando descritores controlados e não controlados extraídos dos vocabulários Descritores em Ciências da Saúde e o operador booleano AND para compor as estratégias de busca “HIV AND Cytomegalovirus infection AND cutaneous”. Discussão: O CMV é frequentemente isolado de pacientes com HIV. Quando presentes, as lesões cutâneas por CMV possuem grande variedade de apresentação, com predomínio de úlceras nas regiões perianal e oral. O diagnóstico é realizado principalmente por meio da análise histopatológica da biópsia de pele. Por fim, a abordagem da infecção é relativamente simples, porém a variedade de apresentações, a inespecificidade das lesões cutâneas e as coinfecções podem levar ao diagnóstico incorreto e dificultar o manejo adequado. Conclusão: Destaca-se a importância da pesquisa do CMV em pacientes com HIV associado à presença de alterações dermatológicas para a realização de diagnóstico precoce e tratamento, com redução da morbimortalidade e realização do acompanhamento e cuidado adequados.
Atualização da linfadenectomia no tratamento cirúrgico do câncer gástrico
Authors: Souza Carolina Borges Frota de , Mappa Lucas Sant Anna Barbosa , Perdigão Ruth Martins da Costa , Abreu Allan Braga Joi de , Lopes Matheus Ramos , Silva Fábio Felipe da , Lopes Gabriela Esper Kallás , Velloso Marco Antônio Linhares , Araujo Fabiana Oliveira de
Published: August 2024

O presente estudo visa estudar de forma detalhada e minuciosa todas as modalidades terapêuticas disponíveis relacionadas ao câncer gástrico, dada a sua importância epidemiológica e a alta morbimortalidade do câncer gástrico. A ressecção cirúrgica é a única com possibilidade de cura, sendo realizada concomitantemente à linfadenectomia. Os objetivos principais do tratamento cirúrgico consistem em remover o tumor com margens de segurança e remover as cadeias de drenagem linfática. Contudo, não existe uniformidade quanto à amplitude da ressecção das cadeias linfonodais, havendo divergências conforme o país e o serviço médico em que é realizada, de forma que países do ocidente custavam ser menos invasivos que o Japão, por exemplo. Dessa forma, esse trabalho objetiva a discussão dos diferentes modelos de linfadenectomia de acordo com as cadeias de linfonodos ressecadas (D1, D1+ e D2), fazendo uma revisão da literatura atual e comparando esses métodos entre si, dando enfoque em seus impactos na taxa de sobrevida e no estadiamento.
Rinossinusite crônica: uma revisão abrangente sobre etiologia, diagnóstico e tratamento
Authors: Giacomin Raíssa Frederico , Lacerda Daniel Augusto , Rosa Iviê Santos , Pianca Isabella Nardi , Pianca Guilherme Nardi
Published: August 2024

A rinossinusite crônica é uma doença inflamatória complexa das vias aéreas superiores, cuja etiologia envolve infecções bacterianas e fúngicas, alterações anatômicas e fatores ambientais, como poluição e alérgenos, que perpetuam a inflamação. A fisiopatologia da doença é marcada pela desregulação imunológica, disbiose da microbiota nasal e disfunção da barreira epitelial, resultando em inflamação crônica mediada por citocinas como IL-4, IL-5 e IL-13. O diagnóstico é baseado em critérios clínicos e exames complementares, como tomografia computadorizada e endoscopia nasal. O tratamento inicial foca no manejo clínico com corticosteroides intranasais e irrigação salina, enquanto a cirurgia endoscópica funcional dos seios paranasais (FESS) e terapias biológicas, como imunoterapia, são reservadas para casos refratários. A gestão das comorbidades associadas, como asma e rinite alérgica, é fundamental para otimizar os resultados terapêuticos.