bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Radial and Ipsilateral Ulnar Artery Compression versus Isolated Radial Artery Compression after Conventional Radial Access for Coronary Angiography and/or Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Condello Francesco , Cacia Michele , Sturla Matteo , Terzi Riccardo , Sánz-Sanchez Jorge , Reimers Bernhard , Gasparini Gabriele , Pagnotta Paolo , Sorrentino Sabato , Spaccarotella Carmen , Indolfi Ciro , Polimeni Alberto
Published: November 2022

Background: Simultaneous ulnar and radial artery compression (SURC) has emerged as a strategy to increase radial artery flow and mitigate radial artery occlusion (RAO) while achieving adequate hemostasis after transradial access (TRA), though its technical adoption has been limited worldwide. Methods: A systematic search of studies comparing SURC versus isolated radial artery compression after TRA for coronary angiography and/or intervention was performed. Data were pooled by meta-analysis using random-effects models. Odds ratios (OR) with relative 95% confidence intervals (CI) and standardized mean difference were used as measures of effect estimates. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of overall RAO. Results: A total of 6 studies and 6793 patients were included. SURC method as compared to isolated radial artery compression was associated with a lower risk of RAO both overall (OR 0.29; 95% CI, 0.13–0.61, p < 0.001; number needed to treat to benefit [NNTB] =38) and in-hospital (OR 0.28; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.75; p = 0.01, NNTB = 36), with a reduced risk of unsuccessful patent hemostasis (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.85; p = 0.03, NNT = 5) and upper extremity pain (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.95; p = 0.04, NNTB = 124). No significant difference was observed in hemostasis time and in the risk of hematoma. Conclusion: Compared to isolated radial artery compression, SURC is associated with lower risk of RAO, unsuccessful patent hemostasis, and reported upper limb pain, without any trade-off in safety outcomes. With further development of dedicated dual compression devices, the proposed technique should be freed from usage constraints.
Factors Affecting the Usage of Wearable Device Technology for Healthcare among Indian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Patil Vathsala , Singhal Deepak , Naik Nithesh , Hameed B. , Shah Milap , Ibrahim Sufyan , Smriti Komal , Chatterjee Gaurav , Kale Ameya , Sharma Anshika , Paul Rahul , Chłosta Piotr , Somani Bhaskar
Published: November 2022

Background: Wearable device technology has recently been involved in the healthcare industry substantially. India is the world’s third largest market for wearable devices and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of ~26.33%. However, there is a paucity of literature analyzing the factors determining the acceptance of wearable healthcare device technology among low-middle-income countries. Methods: This cross-sectional, web-based survey aims to analyze the perceptions affecting the adoption and usage of wearable devices among the Indian population aged 16 years and above. Results: A total of 495 responses were obtained. In all, 50.3% were aged between 25–50 years and 51.3% belonged to the lower-income group. While 62.2% of the participants reported using wearable devices for managing their health, 29.3% were using them daily. technology and task fitness (TTF) showed a significant positive correlation with connectivity (r = 0.716), health care (r = 0.780), communication (r = 0.637), infotainment (r = 0.598), perceived usefulness (PU) (r = 0.792), and perceived ease of use (PEOU) (r = 0.800). Behavioral intention (BI) to use wearable devices positively correlated with PEOU (r = 0.644) and PU (r = 0.711). All factors affecting the use of wearable devices studied had higher mean scores among participants who were already using wearable devices. Male respondents had significantly higher mean scores for BI (p = 0.034) and PEOU (p = 0.009). Respondents older than 25 years of age had higher mean scores for BI (p = 0.027) and Infotainment (p = 0.032). Conclusions: This study found a significant correlation with the adoption and acceptance of wearable devices for healthcare management in the Indian context.
Non-Transecting Urethroplasty for Bulbar Urethral Strictures—Narrative Review and Treatment Algorithm
Authors: Coddington Nathaniel , Higgins Margaret , Mian Abrar , Flynn Brian
Published: November 2022

The bulbar urethra is the most common site of stricture disease for which urethroplasty remains standard of care. A decrease in trauma as an etiology in the developed world and concerns regarding sexual dysfunction related to transection of the corpus spongiosum have placed a renewed emphasis on non-transecting urethroplasty techniques. Here, we present our surgical algorithm with emphasis on non-transecting techniques for bulbar urethral stricture disease and review the current state of literature comparing transecting to non-transecting approaches in order to provide guidance to practitioners on patient selection, counseling, and technique.
Complete Intra-Operative Image Data Including 3D X-rays: A New Format for Surgical Papers Needed?
Authors: Regazzoni Pietro , Liu Wen-Chih , Jupiter Jesse B. , Fernandez dell’Oca Alberto A.
Published: November 2022

Intra-operative 3D X-rays have been confirmed to decrease revision rates and improve optimal screw placement in complex fractures of the distal radius. Compared with traditional surgical publications, another advantage of whole intraoperative clinical imaging can be presented in electronic databases, e.g., the ICUC working group, through a link without size limitation. The detail of complete intra-operative image dataset includes essential technical details which can be analyzed secondarily for costs and complications, considering the technical performance bias. Furthermore, the new format complies with reading/learning preferences of young surgeons and allows secondary work-up by artificial intelligence. Intra-operative 3D X-ray is a new approach for better surgical outcomes, economic benefit, and educational purposes.
Prosodic Transfer in English Literacy Skills among Chinese Elementary-Age Students: Controlling for Non-Verbal Intelligence
Authors: Lin Jiexin , Zhang Haomin , Lin Xiaoyu
Published: November 2022

Building upon the prosodic transfer hypothesis, the current study aims to examine the intermediary effect of English stress on the relation between Chinese lexical tone awareness and English word-level literacy (reading and spelling) as well as the moderating effect of English oral vocabulary proficiency on the cross-linguistic association. Grade 4 Chinese learners of English (N = 224) participated in this study and were assessed for their tone and stress sensitivity, English oral vocabulary, English word reading, and English word spelling. Mediated multivariate analyses with moderation were used to explore: (1) whether the influence of lexical tone perception on L2 word reading and spelling was mediated by English stress as posited in the prosodic transfer hypothesis; (2) whether the effects of tone on English word reading and spelling performance varied as a function of oral vocabulary levels. The findings revealed a direct positive relationship between Chinese tone and English word reading and spelling, and the relationship was mediated by English stress awareness. Furthermore, the direct pathway from tone to English word-level literacy skills were moderated by oral vocabulary and the relationship between tone and English word-level skills became stronger as oral vocabulary levels increased; however, such strength reached a plateau among children without adequate oral vocabulary skills. These findings suggest the necessity to incorporate word spelling as an outcome in the cross-suprasegmental phonological transfer models of early literacy development. Additionally, the current study endorses the complexity of cross-language prosodic transfer. It points to a precise threshold for sufficient L2 oral vocabulary skills to enable tone transfer in English word-level literacy attainment.
The Infection of Paracalanid Copepods by the Alveolate Parasite Ellobiopsis chattoni Caullery, 1910 in a Subtropical Coastal Area
Authors: Martinelli Filho José E. , Gusmão Felipe , Alves-Júnior Flavio A. , Lopes Rubens M.
Published: November 2022

Paracalanid copepods, common in tropical zooplankton communities, are known hosts for a variety of parasites. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the prevalence and consequences of parasitism in these copepods. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between two paracalanid copepods, Parvocalanus crassirostris and Paracalanus spp., with a common parasite, the alveolate protist Ellobiopsis chattoni, in a subtropical environment on the south-east Brazilian coast. We assessed the frequency and abundance of parasites in juveniles and adult male and female copepods. We observed that 22 out of 4014 Paracalanus spp. (0.55%) and 98 out of 3920 P. crassirostris were infected (2.5%). E. chattoni were rarely found in other taxa (about 0.05% for Oithona spp. and Acartia lilljeborgii). The parasites were most frequently attached to cephalosome appendages (73.6%), with up to four cells per copepod. The parasites were more prevalent in adults than juveniles, and adult females were more frequently infected than males. E. chattoni had a likely negative impact on copepod growth because the infected females were smaller than the non-infected females (p < 0.001). Females are usually bigger and live longer than males, which could account for their high frequency of infection.
Morphodynamic Behaviour of a Mediterranean Intermittent Estuary with Opening Phases Primarily Dominated by Offshore Winds
Authors: Feyssat Pierre , Certain Raphaël , Robin Nicolas , Raynal Olivier , Aleman Nicolas , Hebert Bertil , Lamy Antoine , Barusseau Jean-Paul
Published: November 2022

This study focuses on the dynamics of an intermittent estuary in a wave-dominated (microtidal) area, with low fluvial discharges and strong dominant offshore wind regimes. The aims are to understand the effect of these particular environmental factors in the dynamics of such estuaries. The results allow us to propose a synthetic morphodynamic model of evolution whereby opening phases are predominantly controlled by offshore winds, which have a significant influence in the northern Mediterranean. Inputs from rainfall/karst discharge and the overtopping of storm waves cause the lagoon to fill. Closing phases are controlled by the slight easterly swell which forms a berm at the inlet entrance. On occasion, major storms can also contribute to barrier opening. Nevertheless, offshore wind remains the main controlling factor allowing the surge of lagoon waters behind the beach barrier and the lowering of the berm by wind deflation. This leads to opening of the barrier due to the overflow of lagoon waters at the beach megacusp horns, thus connecting the sub-aerial beach with the inner bar system that is developed on topographically low sectors of the barrier. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this type of estuary is not described in the literature.
A Framework for Optimal Sensor Placement to Support Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Li Shen , Coraddu Andrea , Brennan Feargal
Published: November 2022

Offshore or drydock inspection performed by trained surveyors is required within the integrity management of an in-service marine structure to ensure safety and fitness for purpose. However, these physical inspection activities can lead to a considerable increase in lifecycle cost and significant downtime, and they can impose hazards for the surveyors. To this end, the use of a structural health monitoring (SHM) system could be an effective resolution. One of the key performance indicators of an SHM system is its ability to predict the structural response of unmonitored locations by using monitored data, i.e., an inverse prediction problem. This is highly relevant in practical engineering, since monitoring can only be performed at limited and discrete locations, and it is likely that structurally critical areas are inaccessible for the installation of sensors. An accurate inverse prediction can be achieved, ideally, via a dense sensor network such that more data can be provided. However, this is usually economically unfeasible due to budget limits. Hence, to improve the monitoring performance of an SHM system, an optimal sensor placement should be developed. This paper introduces a framework for optimising the sensor placement scheme to support SHM. The framework is demonstrated with an illustrative example to optimise the sensor placement of a cantilever steel plate. The inverse prediction problem is addressed by using a radial basis function approach, and the optimisation is carried out by means of an evolutionary algorithm. The results obtained from the demonstration support the proposal.
Small-Sample Sonar Image Classification Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Dai Zezhou , Liang Hong , Duan Tong
Published: November 2022

Deep learning is a core technology for sonar image classification. However, owing to the cost of sampling, a lack of data for sonar image classification impedes the training and deployment of classifiers. Classic deep learning models such as AlexNet, VGG, GoogleNet, and ResNet suffer from low recognition rates and overfitting. This paper proposes a novel network (ResNet-ACW) based on a residual network and a combined few-shot strategy, which is derived from generative adversarial networks (GAN) and transfer learning (TL). We establish a sonar image dataset of six-category targets, which are formed by sidescan sonar, forward-looking sonar, and three-dimensional imaging sonar. The training process of ResNet-ACW on the sonar image dataset is more stable and the classification accuracy is also improved through an asymmetric convolution and a designed network structure. We design a novel GAN (LN-PGAN) that can generate images more efficiently to enhance our dataset and fine-tune ResNet-ACW pretrained on mini-ImageNet. Our method achieves 95.93% accuracy and a 14.19% increase in the six-category target sonar image classification tasks.
High Speed and Precision Underwater Biological Detection Based on the Improved YOLOV4-Tiny Algorithm
Authors: Yu Kun , Cheng Yufeng , Tian Zhuangtao , Zhang Kaihua
Published: November 2022

Realizing high-precision real-time underwater detection has been a pressing issue for intelligent underwater robots in recent years. Poor quality of underwater datasets leads to low accuracy of detection models. To handle this problem, an improved YOLOV4-Tiny algorithm is proposed. The CSPrestblock_body in YOLOV4-Tiny is replaced with Ghostblock_body, which is stacked by Ghost modules in the CSPDarknet53-Tiny backbone network to reduce the computation complexity. The convolutional block attention module (CBAM) is integrated to the algorithm in order to find the attention region in scenarios with dense objects. Then, underwater data is effectively improved by combining the Instance-Balanced Augmentation, underwater image restoration, and Mosaic algorithm. Finally, experiments demonstrate that the YOLOV4-Tinier has a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 80.77% on the improved underwater dataset and a detection speed of 86.96 fps. Additionally, compared to the baseline model YOLOV4-Tiny, YOLOV4-Tinier reduces about model size by about 29%, which is encouraging and competitive.
Hydrodynamic Analysis of the WIND-Bos Spar Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Hallak Thiago S. , Guedes Soares C. , Sainz Oscar , Hernández Sergio , Arévalo Alfonso
Published: November 2022

The WIND-bos spar Floating Offshore Wind Turbine is studied both experimentally and numerically. The experimental model of the moored WIND-bos platform is presented, and the different numerical models that have been developed to analyze the hydrodynamics of the platform are described. The results provide a detailed comparison of numerical and experimental motion responses of the floating structure in regular and irregular waves. The numerical study includes frequency domain results from spectral analysis, weakly nonlinear time-domain results from a validated in-house code, and coupled time-domain results from commercial software. The importance of damping calibration is put in evidence, whereas damping ratios are calculated iteratively in the coupled time-domain simulations, and nonlinear damping force is considered within the developed numerical scheme. The results compare well and also show that the novel concept has a good motion performance in general.
Design of a Display Structure for an Anti-Collision System of Offshore Drilling Units Based on the Digital Twin Concept
Authors: Kwon Ki-Youn , Ku Namkug , Lee Jaeyong
Published: November 2022

The drill floor of an offshore drilling facility is equipped with a collision avoidance system to prevent collisions between moving equipment. In this paper, we present the visualization of the collision avoidance system using the digital twin concept. By classifying the core technologies of the digital twin, the elements necessary for the visualization of the collision avoidance system are derived, and the information for visualization is organized. We conduct 3D visualization of equipment and design IO devices necessary for the visualization. The movement of the floater is considered, and a database is built to efficiently search for the information required for the retrieval of stored 3D information. A collision detection situation is generated by operating the equipment using the input device required for simulation. Collision information is displayed as designed, and it is confirmed that the switching of the display between the present and past time is operating normally. The entire system functions normally as designed, including the input/output with other databases and equipment operation. Implementing a digital twin for an offshore platform is a time-consuming and costly process. It is expected that the improved anti-collision system can be expanded for the digital twin of an entire offshore platform.
The Analysis of the Mycobiota in Plastic Polluted Soil Reveals a Reduction in Metabolic Ability
Authors: Temporiti Marta Elisabetta Eleonora , Nicola Lidia , Girometta Carolina Elena , Roversi Anna , Daccò Chiara , Tosi Solveig
Published: November 2022

Plastic pollution is a growing environmental issue that results in its accumulation and persistence in soil for many decades, with possible effects on soil quality and ecosystem services. Microorganisms, and especially fungi, are a keystone of soil biodiversity and soil metabolic capacity. The aim of this research was to study soil fungal biodiversity and soil microbial metabolic profiles in three different sites in northern Italy, where macro- and microplastic concentration in soil was measured. The metabolic analyses of soil microorganisms were performed by Biolog EcoPlates, while the ITS1 fragment of the 18S ribosomal cDNA was used as a target for the metabarcoding of fungal communities. The results showed an intense and significant decrease in soil microbial metabolic ability in the site with the highest concentration of microplastics. Moreover, the soil fungal community composition was significantly different in the most pristine site when compared with the other two sites. The metabarcoding of soil samples revealed a general dominance of Mortierellomycota followed by Ascomycota in all sampled soils. Moreover, a dominance of fungi involved in the degradation of plant residues was observed in all three sites. In conclusion, this study lays the foundation for further research into the effect of plastics on soil microbial communities and their activities.
In Vitro Characterization of a Nuclear Receptor-like Domain of the Xylanase Regulator 1 from Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Mello-de-Sousa Thiago M. , Gorsche Rita , Jovanović Birgit , Mach Robert L. , Mach-Aigner Astrid R.
Published: November 2022

Engineering transcription factors is an interesting research target gaining increasing attention, such as in the case of industrially used organisms. With respect to sustainability, biomass-degrading saprophytic fungi, such as Trichoderma reesei, are promising industrial work horses because they exhibit a high secretory capacity of native and heterologously expressed enzymes and compounds. A single-point mutation in the main transactivator of xylanase and cellulase expressions in T. reesei Xyr1 led to a strongly deregulated and enhanced xylanase expression. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed a change in secondary structure caused by this mutation. According to electrophoretic mobility shift assays and determination of the equilibrium-binding constants, the DNA-binding affinity of the mutated Xyr1 was considerably reduced compared to the wild-type Xyr1. Both techniques were also used to investigate the allosteric response to carbohydrates (D-glucose-6-phosphate, D-xylose, and sophorose) signalling the repression or induction of Xyr1 target genes. The mutated Xyr1 no longer exhibited a conformational change in response to these carbohydrates, indicating that the observed deregulation is not a simple matter of a change in DNA-binding of the transactivator. Altogether, we postulate that the part of Xyr1 where the mutation is located functions as a nuclear receptor-like domain that mediates carbohydrate signals and modulates the Xyr1 transactivating activity.
Cultural Differences between University Students in Online Learning Quality and Psychological Profile during COVID-19
Authors: Sato Simone Nomie , Condes Moreno Emilia , Rico Villanueva Adriana , Orquera Miranda Paulo , Chiarella Pascual , Tornero-Aguilera Jose Francisco , Clemente-Suárez Vicente Javier
Published: November 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, educational systems had to adapt to the social and health situation immediately. This led to the appearance of the asynchronous teaching model. Throughout the pandemic at an educational level, we can distinguish three phases, eminently online, hybrid, and face-to-face. However, the perception of educational quality in these three educational moments, considering the psychometric profile and cultural differences comparing Ibero-American countries, has not been studied. The study aims to analyze the psychological profile, and perception of quality in the teaching–learning processes at the university stage, during the three processes of educational transition during COVID-19: online, hybrid, and face-to-face. Thus, 1093 university students from Ibero-American countries were studied. Through a questionnaire, demographic, academic, and psychological variables were analyzed during three phases of the pandemic. Data suggest that Latin American students had higher levels of trait anxiety and stress perception, as well as higher levels of loneliness, during the online teaching phase (lockdown), but higher grades and higher levels of motivation compared to Europeans. Indeed, Latin Americans showed greater convenience, and preference for online learning methods. However, during the face-to-face teaching phase, European students presented greater motivation and grades, showing a greater preference for this method of learning than Latin American students. Factors such as resilience, a more unfavorable and pronounced pandemic evolution, and greater social inequities, may explain the present results. Furthermore, the present study suggests that despite the effect of the pandemic on mental health, online education is postulated as an effective teaching–learning alternative. Indeed, online teaching models have come to stay, not as a substitute, but as a tool, an essential focus of attention on these models should be conducted in European countries, while the governments of Latin American countries ensure that the infrastructures and resources are equitable to be able to correctly implement this teaching model.
An Entrepreneurial Definition of the Blockchain Technology and a Stacked Layer Model of the ICO Marketplace Using the Text Mining Approach
Authors: Gomaa Ahmed , Li Yibai
Published: November 2022

The landscape of ICOs and its underlying Blockchain technology needs more clarity, given that several overlapping and opposing views exist from governmental institutions, institutional investors, economists, and academia. Those positions stem from confusion, bias, and vested interest. Having consensus from the pioneer entrepreneurs who define Blockchain technology usage, and its marketplace address this need. Furthermore, an agreement on the problems blockchain is solving from the industry perspective would further the understanding of the technology direction and its “raison d’être.” or “reason of existence”. The paper analyzes 4367 businesses that requested funding using ICO whitepapers and raising more than $20 billion US dollars during the most active ICO period. Using Latent Semantic Analyses (LSA), the paper identifies a one-factor solution that explains 98.15% of all ICOs. The paper conducts a second-order analysis that generates an 18-factor solution. Through the empirical analysis, the paper presents its findings as an ICO marketplace stacked layer model. The model is comprised of four layers: (1) Trust; (2) Value exchange; (3) Automation; and (4) Applications to enable value exchange, and an era of new business models. The paper then presents an unbiased, unified entrepreneurial definition of the Blockchain technology usage.
Spatial Analysis of Aridity during Grapevine Growth Stages in Extremadura (Southwest Spain)
Authors: García-Martín Abelardo , Aguirado Cristina , Paniagua Luis L. , Alberdi Virginia , Moral Francisco J. , Rebollo Francisco J.
Published: November 2022

Aridity is a key determinant of agriculture worldwide due to rising temperatures, rainfall variability, and drought frequency and intensity, amongst other factors. The De Martonne aridity index is particularly useful to evaluate the spatial and temporal variations in aridity in agricultural regions for characterising the climate of these areas and evaluating their susceptibility to climate change. From the mean precipitation and maximum–minimum daily temperature values recorded at 108 weather stations over 32 years (1989–2020) in Extremadura (southwest Spain), spatial analysis of aridity was performed at different grapevine growth stages. The present study aimed to (1) determine the mean aridity conditions in Extremadura according to year and growth stage and (2) assess aridity in six grapevine-growing areas of Ribera del Guadiana de Extremadura (Spain) protected designation of origin (PDO). To visualise aridity patterns, maps were generated using a geographic information system and a multivariate regression geostatistical algorithm (ordinary kriging). The climate of Extremadura is primarily Mediterranean at the annual scale, and aridity widely varies from extremely humid at the dormancy stage to arid at the berry development and ripening stages. This variation shapes the conditions of the studied grapevine-growing region. Furthermore, large differences were noted amongst the sub-areas of the Rivera del Guadiana PDO at the initial and final grapevine growth stages, requiring differential crop management. In addition, analysis according to growth stage allowed us to identify the most vulnerable areas and periods to climate change and potential grapevine-growing areas highly suitable for this climate.
Spatial–Temporal Evolution Patterns and Regulatory Strategies for Land Resource Carrying Capacity of China’s Major Grain-Producing Areas
Authors: Gao Jia , Zhao Rongrong , Song Ge , Zhan Yuxin , Zhu Yaohui
Published: November 2022

Research on land resource carrying capacity (LRCC) focuses on the population that regional land resources can support as well as the grain output they can deliver. China’s major grain-producing areas consist of 13 provinces, and the grain produced in these areas makes up 75% of the country’s gross grain output. To boost the land carrying capacity of major grain-producing areas and to ensure national food security, it is crucial to examine the spatial–temporal evolution patterns of LRCC and to devise optimal regulatory strategies. From the perspective of human–grain relationships, this paper looks into the evolutionary features of the spatial–temporal patterns of the LRCC of China’s major grain-producing areas based on a land resource carrying capacity model, a land resource carrying capacity index model, and a land resource limitation model. We obtain three main results: (1) On the temporal scale, the land resource carrying capacity index (LRCCI) of China’s major grain-producing areas as a whole tapered off over a period from 1980 to 2020, whereas the overall LRCC increased in this period, indicating that the human–grain relationship in China’s major grain-producing areas is improving. (2) On a spatial scale, China’s major grain-producing areas ranked by LRCC from the greatest to the lowest, in 2020, were North China, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Northeast China, and other regions. In terms of the carrying state of land resources, provinces with grain surpluses significantly rose during 1980–2020, the growth of LRCC of the aforementioned four major regions markedly slowed down in 2015–2020, and a large gap exists in LRCCI between the 13 provinces, revealing an unbalanced, insufficient development of LRCC in each province. (3) From 2000 to 2020, the limit of land resources on population aggregation in most major grain-producing areas was negative, and its absolute value continued to increase; this suggests that the land resources of major grain-producing provinces set small limits on population aggregation, with great potential for increasing LRCC. Taking into account the research results, this paper gives strategies for regulating the LRCC of China’s major grain-producing areas in a bid to further augment the human–grain carrying capacity of land resources in China’s major grain-producing areas and to guarantee national food security.
Ecological Management and Land Rehabilitation in Mining Areas from the Perspective of Actor-Network Theory—A Case Study of Lizuizi Coal Mine in China
Authors: Wang Huizhu , Huang Qiang , Chen Chao
Published: November 2022

Ecological damage in mining areas largely affects the regional ecological environment and ecological security. In China, ecological restoration in mining areas is urgent, as its environmental protection lags behind economic and social development. Recent studies on environmental governance in China focus on each participant’s logic of action. It suggests that cooperation among each participant is important. Thus, a fundamental question arises: how can we effectively organize various actors in environmental governance? Unlike theories that focus only on human factors, the actor-network theory considers both human and non-human actors. Within the framework of ANT, ecological restoration governance can take good care of both people and nature. To the best of our knowledge, the actor-network theory has not been used to analyze ecological restoration and land rehabilitation in mining areas. In this paper, the Lizuizi Coal Mine in Huainan of China is taken as a research object. By using the actor-network theory, we analyze the stability of the actor network and governance problems in different stages of ecological restoration of Lizuizi Coal Mine. It is concluded that the participation of the residents in ecological restoration is insufficient, and should be improved. Suggestions are provided accordingly. Our paper provides a theory basis for ecological construction in other ecologically damaged areas and resource-based cities. Further in-depth studies are necessary to strengthen the participation of social forces and the bundling collection of interests in governance.
Check-Dams and Silt Fences: Cost-Effective Methods to Monitor Soil Erosion under Various Disturbances in Forest Ecosystems
Authors: Kastridis Aristeidis , Margiorou Stella , Sapountzis Marios
Published: November 2022

The present study was conducted in the suburban forest “Seich Sou”, which is located at the north-east of Thessaloniki city (north Greece). “Seich Sou” is one of the most significant suburban forests of North Greece. However, many disastrous events have taken place in the suburban forest during the last 25 years, caused by either human interference or other biotic/abiotic factors, such as insect outbreaks. In the present study, erosion measurements and field data were collected using a combination of silt fences (USLE plots) and depositions retained behind the constructed check-dams, aiming to monitor the impact of the significant biotic and abiotic disturbances (forest fires, insect outbreaks, logging) in Seich Sou forest. Specifically, the aim of this study is to present a cost-effective and time saving methodology towards the achievement of accurate and reliable soil erosion measurements and field data acquisition. Additionally, the installation details, data recording and collection, field work, supplementary materials and the advantages of silt fences and check-dams are presented in detail, as well as the limitations of the methods and the difficulties during the installation, maintenance and data collection period. The proposed methodology could be effectively applied in many environments and in the context of varied purposes, to quantify the erosion and runoff processes with high accuracy, as well as to increase the accuracy of soil erosion modeling performance, through implementation of calibration and/or validation processes, which is a major issue for the scientific community.
Green Belt Implementation in Arid Lands through Soil Reconditioning and Landscape Design: The Case of Hermosillo, Mexico
Authors: Zuniga-Teran Adriana A. , González-Méndez Blanca , Scarpitti Christina , Yang Bo , Murrieta Saldivar Joaquin , Pineda Irene , Peñúñuri Guadalupe , Hinojosa Robles Eduardo , Irineo Kassandra Soto , Müller Sergio , Valencia-Sauceda Javier
Published: November 2022

Green belts are an urban planning approach meant to address urban sprawl and enhance resilience. Many Latin American cities located in arid lands would benefit from the green belt; however, little is known about the factors that determine green belt implementation in these regions. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by examining the case of Hermosillo, Mexico, a rapidly growing city located in a desert environment with an envisioned green belt. A cross-disciplinary team worked with city officials and NGOs to implement a portion of the green belt by identifying suitable soils to locate and design a park within strategic segments of the green belt. However, rapid urbanization and the urgent need for recreational spaces led to the destruction of the landscape. A reflection on lessons learned stress the need for engagement with local communities and real estate developers to integrate social needs and market forces into the planning process for effective green belt implementation. Recommendations include a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, with efforts centered around housing development that provides the needed infrastructure and public space and is fully integrated to the rest of the city. For cities in arid lands, it becomes critical to adopt soft-path approaches for water resources management, assessment of soil conditions, and reconditioning of poor or polluted soils. To maintain the ecological functions of the protected land, efforts must be accompanied by policies that support the vision for the green belt, means to regulate gentrification, and resources allocated for enforcement.
A Bibliometric Analysis on Smart Cities Related to Land Use
Authors: Bastanchury-López María Teresa , De-Pablos-Heredero Carmen
Published: November 2022

According to the World Bank, approximately 55% of the population lives in cities and a growing trend is expected in the future. Cities generate more than 80% of the world’s GDP, so accurate urban land management would favor sustainable growth, increasing productivity and facilitating innovation and the emergence of new ideas. The use and management of public resources and the concern for cities to become increasingly smart are, therefore, of particular importance. To provide an overview and synthesize knowledge on smart cities in relation to land use, a bibliometric analysis was performed of 475 documents extracted from the Web of Science database, using the SciMAT and VOSviewer programs. Research papers published between 1 January 2000 and 8 September 2022 were considered. Three periods have been identified in which a tendency oriented to deepen in a broad concept of smart city has been evidenced. A growing interest in the topic under investigation has been found, expressed as an increase of the number of publications and research groups focused on the topic. The results of this analysis help to know the most relevant contributions published so far on urban land use in smart cities. This knowledge can help streamline decisions in urban land use in smart cities.
Spatial Pattern Impact of Impervious Surface Density on Urban Heat Island Effect: A Case Study in Xuzhou, China
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Yuchen , Ding Nan , Yang Xiaoyan
Published: November 2022

Impervious surfaces (IPS) are the major source of urban heat island effect (UHI), and the relationships between IPS and land surface temperature (LST) have been widely studied. However, the spatial impact of landscape patterns of patches with different IPS density (IPSD) on the thermal environment remains largely unexplored. Based on three Landsat 8 images of the Xuzhou built-up area obtained in May and the corresponding ground observations from 2014 to 2020, the IPSD and LST maps were inversed through a linear spectral mixture analysis and mono-window algorithm, respectively. The landscape patterns of the five IPSD levels were characterized by four landscape-level and five class-level metrics. Finally, the spatial correlation between all landscape metrics and LST were analyzed using bivariate Moran’s I. The results were as follows: (1) The findings revealed that for the landscape-level metrics, LST had significant positive spatial correlations with Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI), Shannon’s evenness index (SHEI), and patch density (PD), while showing a significant negative correlation with contagion index (CONTAG), indicating that increasing the types, even distribution degree, and density of patches, or decreasing the aggregation degree of the five IPSD levels will lead to the enhancement of the thermal environment. (2) Furthermore, the class-level metrics of each IPSD level, percentage of landscape (PLAND), largest patch index (LPI), landscape shape index (LSI), aggregation index (AI), and patch cohesion index (COHESION) showed significant correlations and LST, which signified that the spatial characteristics of patch proportion, predominance degree, shape complexity, aggregation degree, and natural connectivity degree of each IPSD level are important factors affecting UHI. In addition, the spatial correlations between LST and class-level metrics were significantly positive for IPSD levels 4 and 5 with an evidently higher Moran’s I value, indicating that landscape patterns of IPSD levels 4 and 5 were the key factors in UHI enhancement. Furthermore, the impact weights of each class-level metric of IPSD levels 4 and 5 on LST were also analyzed by applying the principal component analysis and the multivariate regression standardization coefficient. These results reveal the importance and impact mechanism of the IPSD spatial patterns on UHI evolution, which may provide a valuable reference for future urban planning and climate management. This study also suggests that regional UHI can be mitigated by reducing the area proportion, natural connectivity, and shape complexity of high-density impervious surfaces.
GEE-Based Spatial-Temporal Dynamics in a Ramsar Wetland, Honghe National Nature Reserve, Northeast China from 1985 to 2021
Authors: Xie Siying , Yan Dandan , Li Jingtai , Liu Yao , Sheng Yufeng , Luan Zhaoqing
Published: November 2022

Wetlands are vital to the human living environment, and with the degradation of wetland ecosystems, it is crucial to protect and restore them. Therefore, based on the long time-series Landsat images provided by Google Earth Engine (GEE), this study obtained the landscape spatial distribution maps of the Honghe National Nature Reserve (HNNR) from 1985 to 2021, analysed the spatial and temporal dynamics of the landscape patterns of the HNNR in the past 40 years, and explored the driving factors of the evolution of the HNNR wetland. The results show that from 1985 to 2008, the HNNR wetlands continued to degrade. The area of the wetland landscape declines and converts mainly into the meadow landscape, and the meadow landscape trends upwards and then downwards and converts mainly into woodland and arable land, with increased fragmentation of wetland and meadow. From 2008 to 2021, with the recovery in hydrological conditions, the area of the wetland landscape increased and fragmentation decreased. However, the meadow landscape continued to decline and fragmentation increased, with meadow converting mainly into wetland; changes in hydrological conditions were the main drivers of the evolution of the HNNR wetlands. The results of this study enable us to better understand the dynamics of the HNNR wetland landscape over the last 40 years and provide assistance for the management of the HNNR wetland ecosystems and the ecological restoration of degraded wetlands.
Effect of Engineered Roughness on the Performance of Journal Bearings Lubricated by Bingham Plastic Fluid Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Authors: Cahyo Nur , Paryanto P. , Nugraha Ariyana Dwiputra , Simaremare Arionmaro , Aditya Indra Ardhanayudha , Siregar Bara Songka Laktona , Tauviqirrahman Mohammad
Published: November 2022

A journal bearing is a machine element that is used to keep the shaft rotating about its axis. The increasing demand for journal bearing applications in high-speed machines that are efficient and economical has resulted in the need for improvements to the acoustic and tribological performance of journal bearings. In order to improve the tribological and acoustic performance, this study aims to propose a novel journal bearing design by introducing a roughness condition in a specific zone of the stationary bearing surface. In addition, the impact of the application of engineered roughness on the performance of Bingham-plastic-lubricated bearings is investigated in more detail. Considering the effect of cavitation, the analysis was conducted using a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a journal bearing. In comparison with the Reynolds equation—which is inertialess—for lubrication analysis, the use of a 3D CFD model based on Navier–Stokes equations reflects more detailed flow characteristics. Moreover, in this work, variations in the area of surface roughness were employed, resulting in various roughness patterns on the surface of the journal bearing, so that the acoustic and tribological performances of the journal bearing were anticipated to be enhanced. The findings of this study show that under non-Newtonian lubrication of the bearing, the engineered roughness has a strong effect in altering the tribological performance. Furthermore, the well-chosen roughened surface was proven to be more pronounced in enhancing the load support and reducing the friction force. The simulation results also show that using an engineered surface has little effect on the noise of the bearing.
Numerical Wear Modeling in the Mixed and Boundary Lubrication Regime
Authors: Winkler Andreas , Bartz Marcel , Wartzack Sandro
Published: November 2022

The increasing use of low-viscosity lubricants in order to reduce the friction in machine elements such as rolling bearings is leading to increased operation in the mixed or boundary lubrication regime. The associated wear can lead to an earlier failure of tribological systems. In this context, a detailed wear simulation offers great potential with regard to the design of machine elements as well as the calculation of lifetimes. This contribution presents an approach for the numerical wear simulation of lubricated rolling/sliding-contacts. Therefore, a finite element method-based simulation model was developed which is able to deal with non-Gaussian surfaces and contacts subject to boundary and mixed lubrication. Using the example of an axial cylindrical roller bearing considering realistic geometry, locally varying velocities, and two load cases, the wear modeling results of the mixed and the boundary lubrication regime were illustrated. The wear coefficient required for Archard’s wear model was determined experimentally by means of a two-disc tribometer.
Modelling Approaches of Wear-Based Surface Development and Their Experimental Validation
Authors: Maier Michael , Pusterhofer Michael , Grün Florian
Published: November 2022

Surface topography has a significant influence on the friction behaviour in lubricated contacts. During running-in, the surface topography is continuously changed. The surface structure influences the contact stiffness (asperity contact pressure) as well as the microhydrodynamics (flow factors). In this study, different models for wear simulation of real rough surfaces were created in Matlab© (MathWorks, Natick, MA) and Abaqus© (ABAQUS Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA) using the Usersubroutine Umeshmotion. The arithmetic mean height Sa(wh), the maximum height Sz(wh), as well as the asperity contact pressure pasp(h,wh) as a function of the wear height (wh) are used to characterise the surface for the respective wear state. The surface characteristics obtained from the simulations are validated with parameters from experiments. The aim of this study was to create a simulation methodology for mapping surface development during the running-in process. The results show, that the qualitative course of the surface parameters can be reproduced with the applied simulation methodology. Compared to the experiments, the rough surfaces are flattened faster. By adapting the simulation results in postprocessing, good agreements with the experiments can be achieved.
Synthesis of 6-Methyluracilpentylviologen Resorcinarene Cavitand
Authors: Ziganshina Albina Y. , Mansurova Elina E. , Shulaeva Marina M. , Syakaev Viktor V. , Semenov Vyacheslav E. , Antipin Igor S.
Published: November 2022

Resorcinarenes, as macrocyclic compounds, are widely used to recognize substrates and create supramolecular assemblies. Their bowl-like form organizes functional groups at the upper and lower rims, which has a substantial impact on the molecular recognition of various substrates. As a result, resorcinarenes make good drug nanocarrier candidates. This paper presents the synthesis of a new resorcinarene cavitand functionalized along the upper rim with methyluracil and viologen fragments for its potential use in drug delivery. Methyluracils and viologens are well-known receptor-targeted compounds capable of facilitating the vector transfer of drugs and increasing the effectiveness of their action on cells. The paper describes the synthesis of resorcinarene modified with methyluracil and viologen groups along with its structure determined by 1H-, 13C-NMR and IR spectroscopy.
Diverse Hydrogen-Bonded Structural Motifs in 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane N,N’-Dioxide Salts with Oxoanions
Authors: Abasheeva Ksenia D. , Demakov Pavel A. , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: November 2022

Four new hybrid inorganic–organic salts of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane N,N’-dioxide (odabco) with the formulae odabco·2HNO3 (1), odabco·HClO4 (2), odabco·H2SO4 (3) and odabco·2H2SO4 (4) were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal x-ray diffraction (XRD), powder XRD and infrared spectroscopy. Compound 1 is based on the isolated (H2odabco)2+ fragments, representing 0D structure. 2 is based on cationic 1D {Hodabco}nn+ hydrogen-bonded chains. Compound 3 comprising a strongly coordinated sulfate anion consists of two-component hydrogen-bonded {-H2odabco-SO4−} fragments forming uncharged 1D helical chains. 4 contains both {-HSO4-}nn– and {-HSO4-H2odabco-HSO4−} hydrogen bonding motifs, resulting in a 3D polymeric network. A comparative structural analysis of both the obtained and the previously reported cognate structures was performed to rationalize the impact of the degree of odabco protonation and the anion donor ability on the structural features and dimensionalities of odabco-based hydrogen-bonded lattices.