bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Maritime Energy Efficiency: A Machine Learning Approach Using Deep Reinforcement Learning for EEXI and CII Compliance
Authors: Alshareef Mohammed H. , Alghanmi Ayman F.
Published: December 2024

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set stringent regulations to reduce the carbon footprint of maritime transport, using metrics such as the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) to track progress. This study introduces a novel approach using deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to optimize energy efficiency across five types of vessels: cruise ships, car carriers, oil tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships, under six different operational scenarios, such as varying cargo loads and weather conditions. Traditional fuels, like marine gas oil (MGO) and intermediate fuel oil (IFO), challenge compliance with these standards unless engine power restrictions are applied. This approach combines DRL with alternative fuels—bio-LNG and hydrogen—to address these challenges. The DRL algorithm, which dynamically adjusts engine parameters, demonstrated substantial improvements in optimizing fuel consumption and performance. Results revealed that while using DRL, fuel efficiency increased by up to 10%, while EEXI values decreased by 8% to 15%, and CII ratings improved by 10% to 30% across different scenarios. Specifically, under heavy cargo loads, the DRL-optimized system achieved a fuel efficiency of 7.2 nmi/ton compared to 6.5 nmi/ton with traditional methods and reduced the EEXI value from 4.2 to 3.86. Additionally, the DRL approach consistently outperformed traditional optimization methods, demonstrating superior efficiency and lower emissions across all tested scenarios. This study highlights the potential of DRL in advancing maritime energy efficiency and suggests that further research could explore DRL applications to other vessel types and alternative fuels, integrating additional machine learning techniques to enhance optimization.
Uneven Burdens: The Intersection of Brownfields, Pollution, and Socioeconomic Disparities in New Jersey, USA
Authors: Chien Shih-Chieh , Knoble Charles
Published: December 2024

Brownfields, abandoned or underutilized lands having the potential for contamination due to industrial activities, pose health risks to nearby residents and raise environmental justice (EJ) concerns. This study examines the relationship between brownfield distribution and socioeconomic factors in New Jersey, a state with over 700 brownfield sites, using correlation, spatial autoregression, and instrumental variable regression methods. Results show that brownfields are associated with higher combined EJ stressors, indicating compounding environmental pollution and health risks in affected areas. Brownfields are disproportionately correlated with lower household income, higher rates of uninsured individuals, lower educational attainment, and a greater percentage of people of color. When accounting for spatial autocorrelation, relationships between income, education, and brownfield distributions are reduced, reflecting New Jersey’s historical, environmental, and social contexts. Overall, the presence of people of color maintains the strongest association with brownfield distribution. This study highlights ongoing EJ challenges faced by disadvantaged groups and emphasizes the need for targeted mitigation measures to enhance sustainability and equity. New Jersey serves as a critical case study given its ethnic diversity, growing urban population, and status as the state with the highest population density in the United States, illustrating broader trends of disproportionate exposure to environmental pollution among marginalized communities.
A Numerical Simulation Study on the Migration of the 90Sr Nuclide of Buffer Material Under the Coupling Effect of Multiple Factors
Authors: Wang Yu-Ping , Wang Zhe , Zeng Zhi-Qiang , Yi Fa-Cheng , Luo Ying
Published: December 2024

With the development of nuclear energy in China, the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is increasingly receiving national attention. Among them, the study of nuclide migration is an important and complex technical system, which requires continuous in-depth research. Under the decay heat, radiation, and groundwater effects of HLW, buffer materials generate complex coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes. The migration and diffusion of nuclides in buffer materials are controlled by the coupling effect of THMC. It is of great significance for the long-term safety of a HLW repository to study the long-term retarding effect of buffer material on nuclide strontium under the coupling effect of multiple factors. This study leverages the solving advantages of COMSOL Multiphysics 5.6, using a combination of the self-developed Mock-up experimental device as a geometric model and numerical simulations to study the multi-field coupling performance and radionuclide migration evolution characteristics of THMC buffer materials, which overcomes the difficulties due to the limitations of the experimental time and spatial scale. The simulation results can predict the migration range and distance variation of strontium in buffer materials at different time scales. In the initial stage, the migration and diffusion of nuclide in buffer materials are relatively slow, and the migration distance increases by about 0.03 m with time. In the mid-to-late stage, the migration distance increases by about 0.05 m over time; to ensure that, in 1000 years, core strontium does not penetrate the buffer material and migrate into the surrounding rock groundwater of the disposal facility, a buffer material thickness of 0.3 m needs to be set. The construction of THMC control equations for the migration and diffusion of nuclides in buffer materials under multi-field coupling conditions has been revealed, providing an important reference for a deeper understanding of the risk analysis of radionuclide contamination in disposal environments.
How Eco-Participating Firms Can Increase Their Willingness to Cooperate Sustainability: A Perceived Contractual Equity Perspective
Authors: Yao Yaoyao , Li Meng , Lian Hongda
Published: December 2024

In the era of digital intelligence, sustainable ecological cooperation in cross-border integration has become a trend, and the willingness of sustainable cooperation is the key to stabilising the cooperative relationship between enterprises and partners and obtaining more profits. Due to the heterogeneity of enterprises, the sense of fairness of enterprises in a relatively disadvantaged position can only be improved to achieve the sustainable development of the cooperative relationship between the two parties. In the business ecosystem, there are some enterprises with obvious differences in resource endowment, market influence, innovation engines, and technology leadership, etc. Enterprises with core competitive advantages occupy the ecological high position and become the ecological core enterprises, while enterprises with relatively weak competitive advantages need to depend on the core enterprises in order to survive in the business ecosystem and become the ecological participating enterprises. This paper takes ‘core enterprise–participating enterprises’ as the main body, establishes a dynamic evolutionary game model to explore the factors affecting the two parties ‘willingness to sustain cooperation, and finds that the increase in the coefficient of willingness to sustain cooperation and the coefficient of maintaining the relationship between core enterprises and participating enterprises, as well as the decrease in the losses caused by opportunistic behaviours of the other party’s enterprises to their own enterprises, will promote the two parties’ willingness to sustain cooperation. In order to verify the connection between the numerical model derivation and the actual situation, we refer to the research of domestic and international scholars, design the scale, and finally obtain 242 valid questionnaires through the research of 263 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China. The results find that the sense of distributive fairness, procedural fairness, and interactive fairness positively promote the willingness to cooperate on a sustainable basis; the sense of contractual fairness increases the willingness to cooperate on a sustainable basis through the relationship value enhancement; and the risk of opportunism negatively moderates the relationship value’s impact on the willingness to cooperate on a sustainable basis. The findings can provide lessons for Chinese SMEs to achieve cross-border integration and for SMEs to improve their ability to manage partnership uncertainty.
Rapid Degradation of Carbamazepine in Wastewater Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge-Assisted Fe3⁺/Sodium Sulfite Oxidation
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhu Yulong , Zhou Zhenghan , Dong Yuxiang , Ni Ziyan , Jiang Zhongqi , Liu Zhiquan , Chen Zhiyan , Wu Xiachun , Zheng Qiyuan , Zhu Shuguang
Published: December 2024

The discharge of medical and domestic wastewater has resulted in increasing levels of pharmaceutical pollutants in water bodies. We combined dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) technology with an Fe3⁺/sodium sulfite oxidation system to address the limitations associated with traditional water treatment technologies in removing carbamazepine, exploring the application efficacy and mechanisms of this approach in carbamazepine degradation. Under optimized experimental conditions, our system achieved a 97% degradation efficiency for carbamazepine within 4 min, significantly outperforming both DBD and sodium sulfite standalone systems. Using response surface methodology to optimize experimental parameters, the effects of sodium sulfite concentration, pH, and Fe3⁺ concentration on degradation efficiency were assessed. Under optimal conditions, the system’s degradation efficiency was 2.5 times higher than that of individual systems. Hydroxyl and sulfate radicals contributed 65% and 85%, respectively, to carbamazepine degradation, while superoxide radicals contributed only 30%. The study demonstrated that this system effectively breaks down the molecular structure of carbamazepine. Eight primary intermediate degradation products were identified, and, as degradation progressed, the concentrations of these intermediates gradually decreased, ultimately achieving a mineralization rate exceeding 85%. This study not only provides an effective technical solution for rapidly treating recalcitrant organic pollutants in water but also offers new insights for environmental protection and the sustainable use of water resources while providing theoretical and experimental data for future related research.
Estimation of Quantitative Inertia Requirement Based on Effective Inertia Using Historical Operation Data of South Korea Power System
Authors: Im Seunghyuk , Park Jeonghoo , Lee Kyungsang , Son Yongbeom , Lee Byongjun
Published: December 2024

In low-inertia systems with a high penetration of renewable energy, the rotational kinetic energy and inertia constant are significant factors in determining frequency stability. The energy released owing to the frequency decrease during contingency represents a portion of the inertia that a synchronous machine possesses in the normal state. However, when securing inertia or planning additional resources to secure frequency stability, inertia in the normal state is analyzed as the standard rather than the amount of energy released during a fault. Therefore, in this paper, we define the actual energy emitted from a synchronous machine as Effective inertia. In order to evaluate Effective inertia in various operating conditions, we conducted a comprehensive review on approximately 24,627 cases from the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. As a result, in systems with low rotational kinetic energy, both low- and high-frequency nadirs were observed, indicating high uncertainty. However, Effective inertia presented a consistent trend regarding the energy release aligned with the minimum frequency. For instance, the rotational kinetic energy required to satisfy the frequency standard was 23 GWs, while the required Effective inertia was 858 MWs. We emphasize that securing inertia based on rotational kinetic energy includes additional imaginary energy that does not contribute to frequency, resulting in an energy requirement greater than that needed for Effective inertia. Therefore, in order to secure the frequency stability of the future system, the actual required energy amount based on Effective inertia will be presented and utilized in the inertia market and FFR (Fast Frequency Response) resource design.
Environmental Background Directors and ESG Performance: A Perspective on Green Governance
Authors: Deng Chuyao , Peng Wenliang , Dou Zhenjiang , Zhang Qidi
Published: December 2024

ESG has gradually become a key indicator to measure the corporate sustainable development performance in various countries. More and more business managements are integrating sustainable development goals into corporate strategies. The board of directors is the strategy and decision maker of the enterprise and has the primary responsibility for ESG governance. The green governance of the board of directors is an important guaranteed mechanism to promote ESG performance. We use text analysis to identify environmental background directors (EBDs) and analyze the impact and mechanisms of EBDs on ESG performance, drawing on data from Chinese-listed companies between 2010 and 2022. The results indicate that EBDs significantly enhance overall corporate ESG performance at the 1% level. Specifically, EBDs significantly improve social (S) performance at the 1% level and environmental (E) and governance (G) performance at the 5% level. Mechanism analysis finds that EBDs enhance ESG performance by fostering management’s green awareness and promoting the enterprise’s green innovation. Heterogeneity analysis shows that EBDs have a greater impact on green governance in regions with weak environmental regulation, cleaning industries, and after the implementation of the New Environmental Protection Law. Our findings contribute to the literature on factors influencing ESG performance and green governance. They also provide novel empirical evidence supporting the selection and cultivation of directors with environmental backgrounds, enhancing board diversity and fostering corporate sustainable development.
Evaluating the Sustainability of Longtime Operating Infrastructure for Romanian Flood Risk Protection
Authors: Popescu Ioana , Teau Camelia , Moisescu-Ciocan Cristian , Florescu Constantin , Adam Relu , Constantin Albert Titus
Published: December 2024

Flood protection infrastructures are crucial for enhancing the resilience of societies exposed to natural hazards. Newly designed infrastructures are evaluated for sustainability using a coherent and internationally recognized method defined by the International Hydropower Association (IHA). However, in operation, old structures require a different assessment approach. Different work proposes a modified IHA protocol, mHSAP, which identifies opportunities for improvement and develops a sustainability evaluation framework for existing infrastructures. This paper applies the modified protocol to evaluate the sustainability of two types of flood protection structures: a unique canal system for flood–drought protection of an urban area and a flood protection dike. The time of operation of these structures is over 250 years and over 50 years, respectively. The application of the modified framework demonstrates its advantages in identifying areas for improving flood protection structure operation while maintaining the structure’s sustainability. It also illustrates how Romanian water boards can use such tools to facilitate collaboration between structure owners and stakeholders, allowing them to assess the risks and effects of flooding on society. Through these two examples from Romania, we also show that the mHSAP framework has the potential to actively support the fulfillment of the United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results presented here show that this method can be further utilized by water board authorities to account for climate change effects, address related challenges in a coordinated and efficient manner, develop resilient flood management strategies, inform infrastructure investment decisions, and enhance collaboration among water management authorities.
Seismic Fragility Analysis of Offshore Wind Turbines Considering Site-Specific Ground Responses
Authors: Ngo Duc-Vu , Lee Sang-Il , Kim Dong-Hyawn
Published: December 2024

This study investigated the seismic performance and assessed the seismic fragility of an existing pentapod suction-bucket-supported offshore wind turbine, focusing on the amplification of earthquake ground motions. A simplified suction bucket–soil interaction model with nonlinear spring elements was employed within a finite element framework, linking the suction bucket and soil to hypothetical points on the OWT structures at the mudline. Unlike conventional approaches using bedrock earthquake records, this study utilized free-field surface motions as input, derived from bedrock ground motions through one-dimensional wave theory propagation to estimate soil-layer-induced amplification effects. The validity of the simplified model was confirmed, enabling effective assessment of seismic vulnerability through fragility curves. These curves revealed that the amplification effect increases the vulnerability of the OWT system, raising the probability of exceeding damage limit states such as horizontal displacement of the tower top, tower stress, and horizontal displacement at the mudline during small to moderate earthquakes, while decreasing this likelihood during strong earthquakes. Comparisons between the Full Model and the simplified Spring Model reveal that the simplified model reduces computational time by approximately 75%, with similar seismic response accuracy, making it a valuable tool for rapid seismic assessments. This research contributes to enhancing seismic design practices for suction-bucket-supported offshore wind turbines by employing a minimalist finite element model approach.
A Novel TOPSIS Framework for Multi-Criteria Decision Making with Random Hypergraphs: Enhancing Decision Processes
Authors: Rahman Saifur , Alali Amal S. , Baro Nabajyoti , Ali Shakir , Kakati Pankaj
Published: December 2024

In today’s complex decision-making landscape, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) frameworks play a crucial role in managing conflicting criteria. Traditional MCDM methods often face challenges due to uncertainty and interdependencies among criteria. This paper presents a novel framework that combines the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) with random hypergraphs to enhance decision processes. In TOPSIS, asymmetry in criterion interactions is typically managed by assigning different weights, while for independent criteria, Euclidean distance introduces geometric symmetry, treating all dimensions (criteria) equally when calculating an alternative’s distance from ideal or negative-ideal solutions. Although assigning weights can partially address asymmetry caused by interdependencies and uncertainties among criteria, it cannot fully account for uncertainty in data and criteria interactions. Our approach integrates random hypergraphs to better capture these relationships, offering a more refined representation of decision problems and improving the robustness of the decision-making process. In this method, we first capture criteria interactions in a random hypergraph. Using properties of the graph and input data, the algorithm then generates weights for interacted groups of criteria. These weights, termed “dynamic weights”, adapt in response to changes in criteria interactions and data, forming the basis for a generalized TOPSIS algorithm. A comparative study with illustrative examples highlights the advantages of this enhanced TOPSIS framework, showing how random hypergraphs expand its analytical capabilities. This research advances the theoretical foundation of MCDM frameworks while offering practical insights for practitioners seeking robust solutions in complex and uncertain decision environments.
Similar Classes of Convex and Close-to-Convex Meromorphic Functions Obtained Through Integral Operators
Authors: Cotîrlă Luminiţa-Ioana , Totoi Elisabeta-Alina
Published: December 2024

We define new classes of meromorphic p-valent convex functions, respectively, meromorphic close-to-convex functions, by using an extension of Wanas operator in order to study the preservation properties of these classes, when a well-known integral operator is used. We find the conditions which allow this operator to preserve the classes mentioned above, and we will remark the symmetry between these classes.
Zika Virus Model with the Caputo–Fabrizio Fractional Derivative
Authors: Chouhan Virendra Singh , Badsara Ashok Kumar , Shukla Rahul
Published: December 2024

In this article, we examine a deterministic Zika virus model that takes into account the vector and sexual transmission route, in the absence of disease-induced deaths, symmetrically observing the impact of human knowledge and vector control. In order to construct the model, we suppose that the Zika virus is first spread to humans through mosquito bites, and then to their sexual partner. In this article, we conduct analytical studies which often begin by proving the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the Zika virus model using the fractional derivative from the Caputo–Fabrizio derivative. Then, the uniqueness of the solution is investigated. After that, we also identify under which circumstances and symmetry the model provides a unique solution.
Experimental Study on Ignition and Pressure-Gain Achievement in Low-Vacuum Conditions for a Pulsed Detonation Combustor
Authors: Cojocea Andrei Vlad , Gall Mihnea , Vrabie George Ionuț , Cuciuc Tudor , Porumbel Ionuț , Ursescu Gabriel , Crunţeanu Daniel Eugeniu
Published: December 2024

Pressure-gain combustion (PGC) represents a promising alternative to conventional propulsion systems for interplanetary travel due to its key advantages, including higher thermodynamic efficiency, increased specific impulse, and more compact engine designs. However, to elevate this technology to a sufficient technology readiness level (TRL) for practical application, extensive experimental validation, particularly under vacuum conditions, is essential. This study focuses on the performance of a pulsed-detonation combustor (PDC) under near-vacuum conditions, with two primary objectives: to assess the combustor’s ignition capabilities and to characterize the shock wave behavior at the exit plane. To achieve these objectives, high-frequency pressure sensors are strategically positioned within both the vacuum chamber and the combustor prototype to capture the pressure cycles during operation, providing insights into pressure augmentation over a period of approximately 0.5 s. Additionally, the Schlieren visualization technique is employed to analyze and interpret the flow structures of the exhaust jet. The combination of these experimental methods enables a comprehensive understanding of the ignition dynamics and the development of shock waves, contributing valuable data to advance PGC technology for space-exploration applications.
RNA-seq and Ribosome Profiling Reveal the Translational Landscape of Rice in Response to Rice Stripe Virus Infection
Authors: Wang Chen , Tang Yao , Zhou Changmei , Li Shanshan , Chen Jianping , Sun Zongtao
Published: December 2024

Rice is a crucial staple food for over half the global population, and viral infections pose significant threats to rice yields. This study focuses on the Rice Stripe Virus (RSV), which is known to drastically reduce rice productivity. We employed RNA-seq and ribosome profiling to analyze the transcriptional and translational responses of RSV-infected rice seedlings. Our results reveal that translational reprogramming is a critical aspect of the plant’s defense mechanism, operating independently of transcriptional changes. Notably, less than half of the differentially expressed genes showed concordance between transcription and translation. Furthermore, RSV infection led to significant alterations in translational efficiency for numerous genes, suggesting that the virus selectively manipulates translation to enhance its pathogenicity. Our findings underscore the necessity of examining both transcriptional and translational landscapes to fully understand plant responses to viral infections.
Wolbachia-Based Approaches to Controlling Mosquito-Borne Viral Threats: Innovations, AI Integration, and Future Directions in the Context of Climate Change
Authors: Branda Francesco , Cella Eleonora , Scarpa Fabio , Slavov Svetoslav Nanev , Bevivino Annamaria , Moretti Riccardo , Degafu Abate Lemlem , Pecchia Leandro , Rizzo Alberto , Defilippo Francesco , Moreno Ana , Ceccarelli Giancarlo , Alcantara Luiz Carlos Junior , Ferreira Alvaro , Ciccozzi Massimo , Giovanetti Marta
Published: December 2024

Wolbachia-based mosquito control strategies have gained significant attention as a sustainable approach to reduce the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. These endosymbiotic bacteria can limit the ability of mosquitoes to transmit pathogens, offering a promising alternative to traditional chemical-based interventions. With the growing impact of climate change on mosquito population dynamics and disease transmission, Wolbachia interventions represent an adaptable and resilient strategy for mitigating the public health burden of vector-borne diseases. Changes in temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns can alter mosquito breeding habitats and extend the geographical range of disease vectors, increasing the urgency for effective control measures. This review highlights innovations in Wolbachia-based mosquito control and explores future directions in the context of climate change. It emphasizes the integration of Wolbachia with other biological approaches and the need for multidisciplinary efforts to address climate-amplified disease risks. As ecosystems shift, Wolbachia interventions could be crucial in reducing mosquito-borne diseases, especially in vulnerable regions. AI integration in Wolbachia research presents opportunities to enhance mosquito control strategies by modeling ecological data, predicting mosquito dynamics, and optimizing intervention outcomes. Key areas include refining release strategies, real-time monitoring, and scaling interventions. Future opportunities lie in advancing AI-driven approaches for integrating Wolbachia with other vector control measures, promoting adaptive, data-driven responses to climate-amplified disease transmission.
Rewriting Viral Fate: Epigenetic and Transcriptional Dynamics in KSHV Infection
Authors: Han Chunyan , Niu Danping , Lan Ke
Published: December 2024

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), a γ-herpesvirus, is predominantly associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) as well as two lymphoproliferative disorders: primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). Like other herpesviruses, KSHV employs two distinct life cycles: latency and lytic replication. To establish a lifelong persistent infection, KSHV has evolved various strategies to manipulate the epigenetic machinery of the host. In latently infected cells, most viral genes are epigenetically silenced by components of cellular chromatin, DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications. However, some specific latent genes are preserved and actively expressed to maintain the virus’s latent state within the host cell. Latency is not a dead end, but the virus has the ability to reactivate. This reactivation is a complex process that involves the removal of repressive chromatin modifications and increased accessibility for both viral and cellular factors, allowing the activation of the full transcriptional program necessary for the subsequent lytic replication. This review will introduce the roles of epigenetic modifications in KSHV latent and lytic life cycles, including DNA methylation, histone methylation and acetylation modifications, chromatin remodeling, genome conformation, and non-coding RNA expression. Additionally, we will also review the transcriptional regulation of viral genes and host factors in KSHV infection. This review aims to enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic modifications and transcriptional regulation in the KSHV life cycle, providing insights for future research.
Beyond Poliomyelitis: A 21-Year Study of Non-Polio Enterovirus Genotyping and Its Relevance in Acute Flaccid Paralysis in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Carmona Rita Cássia Compagnoli , Reis Fabricio Caldeira , Cilli Audrey , Dias Juliana Monti Maifrino , Machado Bráulio Caetano , de Morais Daniele Rita , Jorge Adriana Vieira , Dias Amanda Meireles Nunes , de Sousa Cleusa Aparecida , Calou Sabrina Bonetti , Ferreira Gabriel Henriques , Leme Lucas , Timenetsky Maria do Carmo Sampaio Tavares , Eduardo Maria Bernadete de Paula
Published: December 2024

In the context of the near-global eradication of wild poliovirus, the significance of non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) in causing acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and their impact on public health has gained increased attention. This research, conducted from 2001 to 2021, examined stool samples from 1597 children under 15 years in São Paulo, Brazil, through the AFP/Poliomyelitis Surveillance Program, detecting NPEVs in 6.9% of cases. Among the 100 NPEV-positive strains analyzed, 90 were genotyped through genomic sequencing of the partial VP1 region, revealing a predominance of EV-B species (58.9%), followed by EV-A (27.8%) and EV-C (13.3%). This study identified 31 unique NPEV types, including EV-A71, CVB2, and E11, as the most prevalent, along with the first documented occurrence of CVA19 in Brazil. These findings emphasize the importance of NPEV genotyping in distinguishing AFP from poliomyelitis, enhancing understanding of these viruses’ epidemiology. Moreover, it ensures that AFP cases are correctly classified, contributing to the effective surveillance and eradication efforts for poliomyelitis.
scTRIM44 Positively Regulated Siniperca Chuatsi Rhabdovirus Through RIG-I- and MDA5-Mediated Interferon Signaling
Authors: Niu Yinjie , Yang Xinmei , Liang Hongru , Luo Xia , Ma Baofu , Lin Qiang , Fu Xiaozhe , Li Ningqiu
Published: December 2024

Tripartite Motif-Containing 44 (TRIM44) is responsible for cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections. However, the role of Siniperca chuatsi TRIM44 (scTRIM44) during viral infection remains unclear. In the present study, we analyzed the molecular characteristics of scTRIM44 and its role in infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), largemouth bass virus (LMBV), and Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus (SCRV) infection. ScTRIM44 contained one B-box domain (B, 166–207 aa) and a coiled-coil domain (CC, 279–309 aa), but lacked the canonical RING domain of E3 ubiquitin ligases. The scTRIM44 mRNA was expressed relatively high in immune-related tissues. The mRNA expression of scTRIM44 significantly decreased in vivo and vitro post-ISKNV and -LMBV infection. However, the expression of scTRIM44 mRNA showed significant up-regulation post-SCRV infection. ScTRIM44 positively regulated SCRV infection in CPB cells, but copies of ISKNV and LMBV showed no significant alteration in over-expressed or knocked-down scTRIM44 cells. Moreover, scTRIM44 positively regulated RIG-I- and MDA5-mediated interferon molecule signaling. These data suggested that scTRIM44 promoted SCRV infection by positively regulating RIG-I- and MDA5-mediated interferon molecule signaling, but didn’t regulate ISKNV and LMBV infection. This research provided a comprehensive insight into the antiviral activity of scTRIM44.
Spatial-Temporal Variations and Severity of the 2020 Catastrophic Floods in the Yangtze River Basin from Sentinel-1 SAR Data
Authors: Huang Minmin , Wang Ying , Jin Shuanggen , Chen Qingxiang
Published: December 2024

Flood is one of the most frequent natural disasters in the Yangtze River Basin. Flood risk evaluation is of great social significance, especially for large hydrological systems. Rainfall is both temporal and spatial, influencing surface hydrological activities. The water body range is the final outcome of a flood and can be observed from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images under any weather condition. A flood severity evaluation model is proposed to quantitatively evaluate the flood based on water body range from area disparity and flood duration. Large hydrological objects usually span a wide range and have significant differences. This results in different initial water areas in each region. This approach addresses the issue through normalization processing. In this paper, Sentinel-1 data are used to extract the temporal water body using the adaptive bimodal method, and the water level data were also incorporated to improve the observation frequency for water area. The flood severity evaluation approach can be used to assess flood risk between any region of large hydrological systems or any flood event, regardless of their regional spatial differences and rainfall duration differences. The results show that: (1) In general, the average water body area in 2020 was 20.40% larger than it was in 2019, and the daily water body areas in 2020 were all greater than the average of 2019 with 71.36% of the days in 2020 having an area greater than the maximum in 2019. The flood severity in 2020 was 1.75 times as much as that of 2019; (2) Reach performance indexes in 2020 were in order of Yueyang (2.21) > Jiujiang (2.04) > Hankou (1.44) > Chizhou (1.32), which were inconsistent with the spatial site; (3) Flood event impact indexes in 2020 were in order as No.2 (1.64) > No.3 (1.61) > No.1 (1.44) > No.4 (1.17) > No.5 (1.15); (4) The flood was more likely the result of cumulative rainfall for 30 days.
Assessing Non-Point Source Pollution in a Rapidly Urbanizing Sub-Basin to Support Intervention Planning
Authors: Assegide Endaweke , Alamirew Tena , O’Donnell Greg , Dessie Bitew K. , Walsh Claire L. , Zeleke Gete
Published: December 2024

Non-point sources of pollution (NPSPs) originating from runoff from contaminated agricultural and populated areas are becoming a growing concern in developing countries, endangering the environment and public health. This requires systematic investigation, including modelling the likely impact using an appropriate hydrological model. This study quantified the spatiotemporal variation of the NPSP and prioritised the most vulnerable sub-watersheds for intervention planning. We investigated the effects of land use and cover (LULC) conversion on runoff generation and NPSP loads in terms of sediment, phosphate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and nitrate loading using the SWAT model. The principal source of data utilised to assess the change in NPSP loads was the 2003 and 2023 LULC. The analysis of the results showed that grassland and shrubland substantially changed, with 96.7% and 74.4% reductions, respectively, while the increase in agricultural land was 147.3% and that of built-up areas increased by 80.14%. The mean yearly increase in sediment yield ranges from 25.46 to 27,298.75 t, while the mean yearly increase in surface runoff ranges from 183.1 mm to 487.9 mm. The minimum recorded runoff was 10.69 mm (5.1%) in WS03, while the highest was 123.3 mm (66.5%) in WS02. The NO3− load increased from 127.6 to 20,739.7 kg, and the PO43− load increased from 3.12 to 2459.7 kg. The TN load increased from 4465.5 to 482,014.5 kg, and the TP load increased from 1383.5 to 133,641.3 kg. The monthly analysis of nitrate loading revealed that the “Belg” season has the highest nitrate load than the rainy season, probably due to nitrification. The findings clearly showed that the inputs applied to the farms were not effectively utilised for the intended purpose. Hence, efforts must be made to ensure that nutrients remain in the catchment through an appropriate land management intervention.
Application of the River Habitat Survey Method in the Assessment of the Human Pressure Within the Lowland River Catchment: The Mollusc Biodiversity Versus Habitat Features
Authors: Lewin Iga , Śmietana Przemysław , Pakulnicka Joanna , Stryjecki Robert , Stępień-Zawal Edyta , Pešić Vladimir , Bańkowska Aleksandra , Szlauer-Łukaszewska Agnieszka , Michoński Grzegorz , Achrem Magdalena , Krakowiak Maja , Zawadzki Dominik , Chatterjee Tapas , Zawal Andrzej
Published: December 2024

The objectives of our study were to analyse the degree of human pressure within the lowland river catchment in relation to the mollusc communities and to assess the usefulness of the River Habitat Survey as a field method in determining the human pressure in the mollusc biodiversity context. The River Habitat Survey (RHS), an essential method for hydromorphological studies of rivers under the requirements of the European Union Water Framework Directive, was applied. This study showed that the diversity of molluscs was impacted by several environmental factors acting simultaneously, including pH, concentration of ammonium nitrogen in water, and the habitat features depending on the degree of human pressure on the river. The result of the RHS method confirmed that the occurrence of molluscs including Unio crassus and Pseudanodonta complanata, the endangered species on a global scale, was associated with the extensive presence of several natural habitat features in the river channel. The RHS method proved to be an indispensable tool for assessing the relationships between the diversity of aquatic organisms and the degree of habitat anthropogenic modification of river environments. It seems innovative and necessary, especially in restoring the natural character of rivers.
The Influence of Non-Pressure Pipes Filled to Different Degrees on the Hydraulic Characteristics of Channel–Pipe Combined Irrigation Systems
Authors: Jia Xiaomeng , Zhang Wenzheng , Wang Yingying , Shen Yuqi , Sun Yi
Published: December 2024

Modern irrigation areas often use a combination of channels and pipes for irrigation. Due to changes in terrain, inflow, and pipe diameter, pipelines are often prone to experiencing a state of no pressure. This lack of pressure affects not only the velocity distribution and water surface profile of the main channel but also the velocity distribution and flow distribution of the pipeline. Therefore, in this study, we employed a combination of physical model experiments and theoretical analysis to study the influence of non-pressure pipelines on the hydraulic characteristics of channel–pipe combined irrigation systems filled to different degrees. Through this, the variation laws of the flow velocity distribution, turbulence intensity, water surface, diversion width, and diversion ratio under different filling degrees were obtained. The non-pressure pipeline flow velocity expression was obtained through dimensional analysis, and the calculation formula for the non-pressure pipeline flow velocity coefficient was fitted using linear regression analysis. The relative error between the calculated value and the measured value did not exceed 8.81%. The research results presented in this article can provide technical support for the design and maintenance of channel–pipe combined irrigation systems.
Wastewater Management Using a Neural Network-Assisted Novel Paradigm for Waste Prediction from Vermicomposting
Authors: Vadivel Thanjai , Barathi Kumar , Arulkumaran Ganeshan , Anand Muthu Bala , Cherubini Claudia
Published: December 2024

Vermicomposting is one of the most important waste management techniques in the process of vermiculture. In this study, a neural network-assisted novel paradigm is proposed to predict waste from vermicomposting. The proposed neural network skeleton is based on a gallium arsenide processing schema, which is used to separate wastes. By comparing the proposed system with existing methods, it was found that the proposed approach had the highest average prediction ratio of 91.32%, outperforming other techniques like the encoder-recurrent decoder (ERD) network, recurrent neural network (RNN), and deep long short-term memory (deep LSTM) network. The separation ratio analysis also demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method, with a range of 45–94%. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of chemical equilibrium and the effectiveness of our proposed gallium arsenide processing schema in achieving high prediction and separation accuracies, showcasing its potential for practical application in waste management processes. Lastly, the prediction of the process evolution stages is detailed, indicating the efficiency of the proposed system in achieving various levels of waste separation. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential of the proposed methods in optimizing wastewater management processes, paving the way for more effective and sustainable vermicomposting practices.
Space-Time Variability of Maximum Daily Rainfall in Piura River Basin in Peru Related to El Niño Occurrence
Authors: Farias de Reyes Marina , Chávarri-Velarde Eduardo , Cotrina Valeria , Aguilar Pierina , Vegas Laura
Published: December 2024

This study analyzes hydrometeorological data (1950–2023) to examine the signatures of El Niño and La Niña events and assess their impact on rainfall distribution in the Piura Region, Peru. Using data from 23 stations, high-resolution gridded rainfall datasets (PISCO), and oceanic–atmospheric indices we investigated the frequency, intensity, and spatial variability of these events in the Piura River Basin (PRB). Return periods for very strong El Niño and La Niña events are 25 and 19 years, respectively, compared to 2 years for neutral conditions. Over the past 30 years, the recurrence of Coastal El Niño has significantly increased. This increased frequency contributes to the global rise in El Niño events, reducing the return period for very strong events from 5.2 to 3.4 years. This rise correlates with an increase in maximum daily precipitation across the basin centered in the middle PRB during El Niño years. Future rainfall projections, based on 20 CMIP6 GCMs under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, suggest continued intensification of rainfall events. These findings highlight the necessity of incorporating El Niño variability into infrastructure design, water resource management, and climate adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of these increasingly frequent and severe events in the PRB.
The Response of Runoff to Land Use Change in the Northeastern Black Soil Region, China
Authors: Hao Yonggang , Qi Peng , Du Chong
Published: December 2024

With the intensification of climate change and human activities, the impacts of land use shifts on hydrological processes are becoming more pronounced, especially in regions with complex geographic, geological, and climatic conditions such as the Northeast Black Soil Region, China. This study quantitatively examines the variations in various land use types from 1980 to 2020 by means of a land use transfer matrix, and it incorporates the multi-year average runoff value to mitigate the interference of short-term climate fluctuations on the runoff trend, thereby enhancing the representativeness and stability of the simulation outcomes. The SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model is employed to simulate land use alterations in different periods. The findings indicate that the area of farmland increased by 5.34% and the area of grassland decreased by 5.36% over 40 years. The areas of forest land and wetland have fluctuated significantly due to policy interventions and population growth. This study discovers that LUCC has resulted in a marginal increase in annual water yield. For instance, the water yield of paddy fields in 2020 amounts to 92.26 mm/year, which is 0.52–9.42% higher than the historical scenario and exhibits a notable upward trend in summer. Spatial analysis discloses regional disparities, with substantial changes in the hydrological behavior of northern watersheds (such as the Huma River) and southeastern regions (such as the Toudao River). The augmentation of wetland and forest coverage has effectively mitigated peak runoff, especially during extreme rainfall events. Wetlands have manifested strong water regulation capabilities and alleviated the impact of floods. This study quantitatively discloses the complex response pattern of LUCC to runoff by introducing a multi-scale analysis approach, which furnishes a scientific basis for flood risk assessment, land use optimization, and water resource management, and demonstrates the potential for extensive application in other countries and regions with similar climatic and topographic conditions.
Improving Irrigation Water Use Efficiency and Maximizing Vegetable Yields with Drip Irrigation and Poly-Mulching: A Climate-Smart Approach
Authors: Bwire Denis , Watanabe Fumio , Suzuki Shinji , Suzuki Kana
Published: December 2024

Water management is a significant aspect of sustainable vegetable farming, especially in water-scarce regions. This, in addition to weed infestations, limits vegetable yields, which negatively affect food security in developing regions, particularly East Africa, where livelihoods chiefly depend on rain-fed agriculture. Vegetable farming, especially tomato cultivation, requires more water. By promoting mulching, a soil water conservation tool, we can control surface evaporation (E), which, together with irrigation, enhances effective water use and vegetable yields. The experiments for this study were conducted at the Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan, to evaluate the influences of different irrigation conditions and poly-mulching on weed control, tomato yields, and water use efficiency. The study was conducted from May to September 2018 on a 30 m2 plot in an open-ended greenhouse using drip irrigation for tomato cultivation. Three predetermined irrigation conditions of 4, 3, and 2 mm/day were applied on black poly-mulched and bare ridges. Data on soil conditions—soil temperature, as well as meteorological variables, including solar radiation and temperature—were measured using thermocouple sensors and micro-hobo weather stations, respectively, during the tomato cultivation, while yield components—growth, yield, water productivity, and sugar content—were determined after harvest. The results of a two-way ANOVA show that irrigation conditions with poly-mulching reduced the weed biomass significantly, and improved yields and water use efficiency compared to the irrigation conditions on bare ridges. The application of 4, 3, and 2 mm/day irrigation with poly-mulching significantly reduced the weed biomass by 5% compared to the same irrigation conditions on bare ridges. Similarly, 4 and 3 mm/day irrigation conditions with poly-mulching significantly increased the tomato yield by 5% compared to 2 mm/day on bare ridges. The bigger roots were concentrated and widely distributed at the shallow soil depth (0–20 cm) of the ridges with high irrigation amounts, while the small and thin roots were in deeper soil layers (30–45 cm). This study provides scientific knowledge on the application of predetermined irrigation conditions that can be (i) integrated into irrigation scheduling and (ii) adopted for regions facing water scarcity and limited or no in situ meteorological data, to improve water use efficiency for vegetable cultivation.