bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity Evaluation and Preservation of Italian Stone Fruit Germplasm (Peach and Apricot) in Southern Italy
Authors: Savoia Michele Antonio , Del Faro Loredana , Turco Andrea , Fanelli Valentina , Venerito Pasquale , Montemurro Cinzia , Sabetta Wilma
Published: March 2023

The Prunus genus encompasses a group of economically important and closely related crops, sharing an essentially common genome and, thereby, a high level of conserved and transferable microsatellite (SSR) loci. In Southern Italy, many of the local and/or neglected varieties are abandoned and at risk of extinction due to the high degree of urbanization and agricultural intensification, despite their value as genetic resources for crop improvement. This research aimed to genetically and morphologically characterize the traditional apricot (P. armenica) and peach (P. persica) germplasms collected in old family orchards. Most of the official descriptor categories were scored, thus revealing a rather high level of phenotypic variation in both collections. Genetic data allowed the discovery of diversity masked by morphological traits. Genotyping in 15 and 18 SSRs, eight of which were transferable across both species, showed an average polymorphic informativeness (PIC) of 0.44 and 0.59 for apricot and peach, respectively, and a total of 70 and 144 alleles. A reliable identification of each genotype was achieved, and the presence of possible mislabeling and/or erroneous denominations was solved. These results are encouraging for the valorization of the still poorly explored Italian Prunus germplasm, with significant economic consequences for bioresource conservation and management.
Phytosterols Are Involved in Sclareol-Induced Chlorophyll Reductions in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hmidene Asma Ben , Ono Hiroshi , Seo Shigemi
Published: March 2023

Sclareol, a diterpene, has a wide range of physiological effects on plants, such as antimicrobial activity; disease resistance against pathogens; and the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in metabolism, transport, and phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling. Exogenous sclareol reduces the content of chlorophyll in Arabidopsis leaves. However, the endogenous compounds responsible for sclareol-induced chlorophyll reduction remain unknown. The phytosterols campesterol and stigmasterol were identified as compounds that reduce the content of chlorophyll in sclareol-treated Arabidopsis plants. The exogenous application of campesterol or stigmasterol dose-dependently reduced the content of chlorophyll in Arabidopsis leaves. Exogenously-applied sclareol enhanced the endogenous contents of campesterol and stigmasterol and the accumulation of transcripts for phytosterol biosynthetic genes. These results suggest that the phytosterols campesterol and stigmasterol, the production of which is enhanced in response to sclareol, contribute to reductions in chlorophyll content in Arabidopsis leaves.
Salt Stress Inhibits Photosynthesis and Destroys Chloroplast Structure by Downregulating Chloroplast Development–Related Genes in Robinia pseudoacacia Seedlings
Authors: Lu Chaoxia , Li Lingyu , Liu Xiuling , Chen Min , Wan Shubo , Li Guowei
Published: March 2023

Soil salinization is an important factor limiting food security and ecological stability. As a commonly used greening tree species, Robinia pseudoacacia often suffers from salt stress that can manifest as leaf yellowing, decreased photosynthesis, disintegrated chloroplasts, growth stagnation, and even death. To elucidate how salt stress decreases photosynthesis and damages photosynthetic structures, we treated R. pseudoacacia seedlings with different concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM) for 2 weeks and then measured their biomass, ion content, organic soluble substance content, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, antioxidant enzyme activity, photosynthetic parameters, chloroplast ultrastructure, and chloroplast development-related gene expression. NaCl treatment significantly decreased biomass and photosynthetic parameters, but increased ion content, organic soluble substances, and ROS content. High NaCl concentrations (100–200 mM) also led to distorted chloroplasts, scattered and deformed grana lamellae, disintegrated thylakoid structures, irregularly swollen starch granules, and larger, more numerous lipid spheres. Compared to control (0 mM NaCl), the 50 mM NaCl treatment significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activity while upregulating the expression of the ion transport-related genes Na+/H+ exchanger 1(NHX 1) and salt overly sensitive 1 (SOS 1) and the chloroplast development-related genes psaA, psbA, psaB, psbD, psaC, psbC, ndhH, ndhE, rps7, and ropA. Additionally, high concentrations of NaCl (100–200 mM) decreased antioxidant enzyme activity and downregulated the expression of ion transport- and chloroplast development-related genes. These results showed that although R. pseudoacacia can tolerate low concentrations of NaCl, high concentrations (100–200 mM) can damage chloroplast structure and disturb metabolic processes by downregulating gene expression.
Water and Nutrient Recovery for Cucumber Hydroponic Cultivation in Simultaneous Biological Treatment of Urine and Grey Water
Authors: Wdowikowska Anna , Reda Małgorzata , Kabała Katarzyna , Chohura Piotr , Jurga Anna , Janiak Kamil , Janicka Małgorzata
Published: March 2023

Water and nutrient deficiencies in soil are becoming a serious threat to crop production. Therefore, usable water and nutrient recovery from wastewater, such as urine and grey water, should be considered. In this work, we showed the possibility of using grey water and urine after processing in an aerobic reactor with activated sludge in which the nitrification process takes place. The resulting liquid (nitrified urine and grey water, NUG) contains three potential factors that can adversely affect plant growth in a hydroponic system: anionic surfactants, nutrient deficits, and salinity. After dilution and supplementation with small amounts of macro- and micro-elements, NUG was suitable for cucumber cultivation. Plant growth on this modified medium (enriched nitrified urine and grey water, NUGE) was similar to that of plants cultivated on Hoagland solution (HS) and reference commercial fertilizer (RCF). The modified medium (NUGE) contained a significant amount of sodium (Na) ions. Therefore, typical effects of salt stress were observed in cucumber plants, including reduced chlorophyll levels, slightly weaker photosynthesis parameters, increased H2O2 levels, lipid peroxidation, ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, and proline content in the leaves. In addition, reduced protein levels were observed in plants treated with recycled medium. At the same time, lower nitrate content in tissues was found, which may have resulted from their intensive use by nitrate reductase (NR), the activity of which significantly increased. Although cucumber is a glycophyte, it grew very well in this recycled medium. Interestingly, salt stress and possibly anionic surfactants promoted flower formation, which in turn could positively affect plant yield.
Life Cycle Assessment and Cumulative Energy Demand Analyses of a Photovoltaic/Thermal System with MWCNT/Water and GNP/Water Nanofluids
Authors: Dolgun Gülşah Karaca , Koşan Meltem , Kayfeci Muhammet , Georgiev Aleksandar G. , Keçebaş Ali
Published: March 2023

The global climate crisis has led society toward cleaner energy sources. Another reason is the limited reserves of fossil energy resources. Efforts to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic modules (PVs) have gained momentum. The high temperature is the biggest factor causing a decrease in the efficiency of PVs. In this study, a commercial PV was cooled with distilled water, a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/water mixture, and a graphene nanoplatelets (GNP)/water mixture. The environmental impact of electricity, total energetic efficiency, energy payback time, energy return on investment, and embodied energy of the PV/thermal (PV/T) system were compared using life cycle assessment and cumulative energy demand. The electrical efficiency of the PV/T changed between 13.5% and 14.4%. The total efficiency of PV/T changed between 39.5% and 45.7%. The energy returns on investment were 1.76, 1.80, and 1.85 for PV/T-distilled water, the PV/T-MWCNT/water mixture, and the PV/T-GNP/water mixture, respectively. Moreover, the embodied energy evaluation values were 3975.88 MJ for PV/T-distilled water, 4081.06 MJ for the PV/T-MWCNT/water mixture, and 4077.86 MJ for the PV/T-GNP/water mixture. The main objective of this research was to study the energy and environmental performances of PVs cooled with different nanofluids and draw general conclusions about the applicability of these systems.
New Application of Polyoxometalate Salts as Cathode Materials in Single Chamber MFC Using Wastewater for Bioenergy Production
Authors: Lachquer Farah , Touach Nour-eddine , Benzaouak Abdellah , Oulmekki Abdellah , Lotfi El Mostapha , El Mahi Mohammed , Hernández-Fernández Francisco José , Toyir Jamil
Published: March 2023

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology that can be applied in a bifunctional process in which wastewater treatment is used for renewable electric power generation. In this study, novel transition metal-modified Keggin-type lacunar polyoxometalate salts (L-POMs) Cs5PMo11M(H2O)O39 (M = Fe, Co), were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM, EDX, IR, TGA/DSC, and UV-Vis/DSR spectroscopies to be tested, for the first time, as a cathode component in wastewater-fed air chamber MFCs. Both materials were tested in the presence and absence of light to evaluate their photocatalytic behavior. The best performance in terms of electricity production was obtained for the MFC containing the Co-modified POM-based cathode, which showed a maximum power of 418.15 mW/m2 equivalent to 331 mW per cubic meter of treated wastewater, and a maximum COD removal percentage of 97% after 96 h of MFC operation. Co- and Fe-modified POMs had outstanding optical behavior with lower energy gap values, 1.71 and 2.68 eV, respectively. The newly developed materials can be considered as promising alternative cathode catalysts in a new generation of MFC devices integrating full carbon removal from wastewater and a fast reduction of oxygen.
Recent Developments of Light-Harvesting Excitation, Macroscope Transfer and Multi-Stage Utilization of Photogenerated Electrons in Rotating Disk Photocatalytic Reactor
Authors: Jiang Zhe , Li Kan , Jia Jinping
Published: March 2023

The rotating disk photocatalytic reactor is a kind of photocatalytic wastewater treatment technique with a high application potential, but the light energy utilization rate and photo quantum efficiency still need to be improved. Taking photogenerated electrons as the starting point, the following contents are reviewed in this work: (1) Light-harvesting excitation of photogenerated electrons. Based on the rotating disk thin solution film photocatalytic reactor, the photoanodes with light capture structures are reviewed from the macro perspective, and the research progress of light capture structure catalysts based on BiOCl is also reviewed from the micro perspective. (2) Macroscope transfer of photogenerated electrons. The research progress of photo fuel cell based on rotating disk reactors is reviewed. The system can effectively convert the chemical energy in organic pollutants into electrical energy through the macroscopic transfer of photogenerated electrons. (3) Multi-level utilization of photogenerated electrons. The photogenerated electrons transferred to the cathode can also generate H2O2 with oxygen or H2 with H+, and the reduction products can also be further utilized to deeply mineralize organic pollutants or reduce the nitrate in water. This short review will provide theoretical guidance for the further application of photocatalytic techniques in wastewater treatment.
Valorization of Food Waste to Produce Value-Added Products Based on Its Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Liu Ziyao , de Souza Thaiza S. P. , Holland Brendan , Dunshea Frank , Barrow Colin , Suleria Hafiz A. R.
Published: March 2023

The rapid growth of the global population and changes in lifestyle have led to a significant increase in food waste from various industrial, agricultural, and household sources. Nearly one-third of the food produced annually is wasted, resulting in severe resource depletion. Food waste contains rich organic matter, which, if not managed properly, can pose a serious threat to the environment and human health, making the proper disposal of food waste an urgent global issue. However, various types of food waste, such as waste from fruit, vegetables, grains, and other food production and processing, contain important bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, dietary fiber, proteins, lipids, vitamins, organic acids, and minerals, some of which are found in greater quantities in the discarded parts than in the parts accepted by the market. These bioactive compounds offer the potential to convert food waste into value-added products, and fields including nutritional foods, bioplastics, bioenergy, biosurfactants, biofertilizers, and single cell proteins have welcomed food waste as a novel source. This review reveals the latest insights into the various sources of food waste and the potential of utilizing bioactive compounds to convert it into value-added products, thus enhancing people’s confidence in better utilizing and managing food waste.
Identification of Indoor Air Quality Factors in Slovenian Schools: National Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Galičič An , Rožanec Jan , Kukec Andreja , Carli Tanja , Medved Sašo , Eržen Ivan
Published: March 2023

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is associated with impacts on pupils’ health and learning performance. We aimed to identify the factors that affect IAQ in primary schools. The following objectives were set: (a) to develop a questionnaire to assess the prevalence of factors in primary schools, (b) to conduct content validity of the questionnaire, and (c) to assess the prevalence of factors that affect the IAQ in Slovenian primary schools. Based on the systematic literature review, we developed a new questionnaire to identify factors that affect the IAQ in primary schools and conducted its validation. The questionnaires were sent to all 454 Slovenian primary schools; the response rate was 78.19%. The results show that the most important outdoor factors were the school’s micro location and the distance from potential sources of pollution, particularly traffic. Among the indoor factors, we did not detect a pronounced dominating factor. Our study shows that the spatial location of schools is key to addressing the problem of IAQ in schools.
Intake Valve Profile Optimization for a Piston-Type Expander Based on Load
Authors: Shi Yan , Yu Qihui , Sun Guoxin , Li Xiaodong
Published: March 2023

Intake valve parameters significantly affect the performance of the piston-type expander (PTE). To improve compressed energy utilization efficiency, intake valve parameters need to be regulated according to load. In this paper, an electro-pneumatic variable valve actuation (EPVVA) system was proposed for independent control distributing valve parameters. The trajectory planning for the intake valve was proposed to obtain good mechanical properties. Then, the intake valve duration angle was optimized, and the optimum intake valve lift curves were obtained at different rotational speeds. Results show that the energy efficiency decreased with the intake valve duration angle increasing. The output power ascended sharply with increasing intake valve duration angle, but the amplitude of power growth decreased. The output power had a maximum value at a specific intake valve duration angle. The gray relation analysis (GRA) method was applied to obtain the optimum intake duration angle based on output power and energy efficiency. Finally, the optimum intake valve trajectories were presented under different rotational speeds. Results are helpful for the future control of the piston-type expander.
Signal Molecules Regulate the Synthesis of Secondary Metabolites in the Interaction between Endophytes and Medicinal Plants
Authors: Wang Yaxuan , Li Zhaogao , Xu Mengwei , Xiao Zhihao , Liu Chaobo , Du Bing , Xu Delin , Li Lin
Published: March 2023

Signaling molecules act as the links and bridges between endophytes and host plants. The recognition of endophytes and host plants, the regulation of host plant growth and development, and the synthesis of secondary metabolites are not separated by the participation of signaling molecules. In this review, we summarized the types and characteristics of signaling molecules in medicinal plants and the recent processes in intracellular conduction and multi-molecular crosstalk of signaling molecules during interactions between endophytic bacteria and medicinal plants. In addition, we overviewed the molecular mechanism of signals in medical metabolite accumulation and regulation. This work provides a reference for using endophytic bacteria and medicinal plants to synthesize pharmaceutical active ingredients in a bioreactor.
Special Issue: Processing Foods: Process Optimization and Quality Assessment
Authors: Sipos Péter , Radojčin Milivoj
Published: March 2023

For a long time, the basic as well as the only function of foods is to provide the nutrients and energy needed for human physiological processes [...]
Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) for the Removal of Dyes from Water and Wastewater: Progress, Challenges, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Mojiri Amin , Zhou John L. , KarimiDermani Bahareh , Razmi Elham , Kasmuri Norhafezah
Published: March 2023

The presence of dyes in aquatic environments can have harmful effects on aquatic life, including inhibiting photosynthesis, decreasing dissolved oxygen levels, and altering the behavior and reproductive patterns of aquatic organisms. In the initial phase of this review study, our aim was to examine the categories and properties of dyes as well as the impact of their toxicity on aquatic environments. Azo, phthalocyanine, and xanthene are among the most frequently utilized dyes, almost 70–80% of used dyes, in industrial processes and have been identified as some of the most commonly occurring dyes in water bodies. Apart from that, the toxicity effects of dyes on aquatic ecosystems were discussed. Toxicity testing relies heavily on two key measures: the LC50 (half-lethal concentration) and EC50 (half-maximal effective concentration). In a recent study, microalgae exposed to Congo Red displayed a minimum EC50 of 4.8 mg/L, while fish exposed to Disperse Yellow 7 exhibited a minimum LC50 of 0.01 mg/L. Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) are a promising method for removing dyes from water bodies. In the second stage of the study, the effectiveness of different AnMBRs in removing dyes was evaluated. Hybrid AnMBRs and AnMBRs with innovative designs have shown the capacity to eliminate dyes completely, reaching up to 100%. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were found to be the dominant bacterial phyla in AnMBRs applied for dye treatment. However, fouling has been identified as a significant drawback of AnMBRs, and innovative designs and techniques are required to address this issue in the future.
A Review of Pressure Fluctuations in Centrifugal Pumps without or with Clearance Flow
Authors: Zheng Lulu , Chen Xiaoping , Qu Jinglei , Ma Xiaojie
Published: March 2023

As crucial equipment in the industrial field, the stable operation of centrifugal pumps has drawn noteworthy attention. Relevant studies in the open literature have shown that intense pressure fluctuations have a major effect on the reliability and lifetime of centrifugal pumps. In the present paper, the pressure fluctuations in the centrifugal pumps are discussed in detail from different perspectives. The details of the studies are as follows. Firstly, the pressure fluctuation characteristics in centrifugal pumps are studied without considering clearance flow. Secondly, the pressure fluctuation property is investigated in detail for the pumps, with consideration for clearance flow. The pressure fluctuation characteristics in the wear ring, the pump-chamber clearance region, and the main stream region are studied, and the effect of clearance flow on the external performance of the pumps is analyzed. Thirdly, measures to reduce the pressure fluctuations and forces are summarized to improve the operational reliability of centrifugal pumps. Finally, conclusions and future research perspectives in the field of centrifugal pumps are presented. This review presents the research highlights and progress in the field of pressure fluctuations, which is beneficial to the stable operation of centrifugal pumps in engineering.
“I Am the Nail”: A Multimodal Analysis of a Contemporary Reception of Isaiah 53
Authors: Dillon Amanda
Published: March 2023

The Arma Christi, the instruments of the Passion of Christ, are a fascinating collection of symbols evident throughout the history of Christian art. This article considers the striking re-emergence of visual depictions of the Arma Christi in the contemporary spiritual practice of Bible Journaling. How have these symbols of the Passion made their way back into the popular Christian imaginary and creative expression of Bible readers today? The creative, devotional practice of Bible Journaling is gaining popularity in many countries, notably the US. Almost exclusively practiced by women, Bible Journaling involves making artistic interventions directly in the material artefact of the printed Bible, with different creative media. In considering the value of this practice for women’s spirituality, this article employs a social semiotic approach, multimodal analysis, to survey their visual representations and to analyse in detail one specific creative intervention, “I AM THE NAIL”, as a reception of a contemporary understanding of salvation through the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross. Also considered are intertextual readings of the Hebrew Bible (Isaiah 53: 3–5) and the NT. The semiotic influence of popular cultural products such as The Passion of the Christ movie on the visual idiom embraced by the journalers forms part of this analysis.
How to Study the Historical Imprint of Religions on Cultures According to Christopher Dawson
Authors: Herce Rubén
Published: March 2023

Christopher Dawson is one of the great philosophers of history. He understood the signs of the times and anticipated what was to come in Western society. He considered religion to be the soul of cultures and showed this in his writings. The aim of this article is to articulately present Dawson’s vision of how to study religions from his discipline. To this end, it first shows the possibility of the scientific study of religion. Then it explains the method suggested by Dawson for such a study and the relevance of religious experiences and religious social types as sources for the study of religion. Finally, it analyses the constitutive elements of religion and the notions of religion that Dawson handles, always from a historical approach open to the transcendent.
Pluralism and a Spirituality of the (Im)possible
Authors: Alma Hans A.
Published: March 2023

The relationship between pluralism and spirituality is explored in the context of a specific understanding of humanism, developed by the political philosopher William Connolly. He uses the term ‘entangled humanism’ to express his ecological view on how humans relate to other forms of being, stressing the need for an attitude of partnership and care in the face of ecological crisis. To realize this non-anthropocentric form of humanism, we need our creativity and imagination, and a spiritual affinity characterized by openness and a commitment to shared goals. According to Connolly, we need a deep pluralism in which people are ready to defend their creed in public while realizing a productive ethos of political engagement with others of different convictions. We need to find one another in imaginative ideas and creative actions with regard to problems that confront us all and that are so urgent as to force us to collective action. According to Connolly, in working together, a connecting spiritual affinity can emerge. This view is elaborated upon with the help of John Dewey’s notions of moral imagination and religious trust, understood here as key elements of an entangled humanism. The article closes by describing a spirituality of the (im)possible that can be a source of inspiration for an entangled humanism that really makes a difference in our complex but rich world.
The Concept of De-Radicalization as a Source of Confusion
Authors: Negri Alessandro
Published: March 2023

The theme of the relationship between religious freedom and security has, over the last twenty years, acquired such centrality that hitherto unknown or little-used concepts have entered the public and specialized debates. Prominent among these is regarding the most concrete and important long-term public intervention in the fight against extremism on a religious matrix, i.e., de-radicalization, often simplistically understood as the opposite, or reverse, of a radicalization process. The activity of de-radicalization, therefore, must first be defined in its theoretical sense to grasp its real meaning and objectives; then, it is necessary to identify its content in practice, trying to understand its founding themes and limits. The risk of such a public intervention is interfering with the deepest sphere of the individual, with his or her religiosity and intentions, overstepping the limits derived from the different types of secularism (as Italian laicità or French laïcité) that characterize the State, requiring it to consider individual conscience as impassable territory. On the other hand, ignoring the intimate dimension of the subject can lead to complete ineffectiveness of a de-radicalization activity, which thus risks being reduced to a mere illustration of content. This contribution, starting from these difficulties, intends to outline, from a juridical perspective and specifically from a law and religion perspective, a hypothesis for a public de-radicalization strategy, capable of achieving concrete results but simultaneously respectful of the constitutional principles in which it is necessarily embedded, focused on the concept of responsibility.
The Future of Imam Hatip Schools as a Model for Islamic Education in Türkiye
Authors: Zengin Mahmut , Hendek Abdurrahman
Published: March 2023

After the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923, the madrasah system was abolished, and new schools, called Imam Hatip Schools (IHSs), were established to train “officials responsible for the performance of religious services” in 1924. These schools have slowly transformed from vocational schools into mainstream schools, partly because of the public’s demand for religious and academic education at state schools. In this qualitative research, through official documents and existing studies, we explore the IHSs’ historical foundations and their features. Then, we examine the recent initiatives, namely the “project school” and “program diversity”, launched by the conservative government to improve the quality of the IHSs and to make them competitive in today’s exam-oriented education system. The history of the IHSs shows that these schools have always been at the centre of politics of religion and have experienced periods of prosperity and decline depending on the ruling elites and governments. The IHSs have some crucial features which make them a unique model for Islamic education in the Turkish education system. The new initiatives seem to positively impact the IHSs, as they can now enrol students through central exams and aptitude tests. Yet, they also have ramifications, the most important being that these schools will move further away from their initial purpose, which was to train religious officials.
Spatial Study of Folk Religion: “The Direction of Xishen” (喜神方) as a Case Study
Authors: Han Yu
Published: March 2023

Xishen (喜神, the God of Happiness) is one of the folk beliefs widely known and believed by Chinese people. He has no clear image or specific birthday, and there is no place of worship dedicated to Him. Although He has no specific religious space, there are clear directions and time requirements for the worship of Xishen. The task of this article is not to present and explain the belief in Xishen comprehensively, but rather to analyze the practice of folk belief centered on the orientation of Him and people’s cognition formation process of the object of their belief. Taking the spatial study of religions as a standpoint and starting from a broad understanding of dynamic space, we compare and analyze materials from historical documents, folktales, and the practice of sacrificing to Xishen. We consider the relationship between religious, social, and cultural lives and try to prove that such folk beliefs still play an important role in our daily life.
Commercial Aircraft-Assisted Suicide Accident Investigations Re-Visited—Agreeing to Disagree?
Authors: Vuorio Alpo , Bor Robert , Sajantila Antti , Suhonen-Malm Anna-Stina , Budowle Bruce
Published: March 2023

Background: The number of aircraft-assisted suicides can only be considered a rough estimate because it is difficult and, at times, impossible to identify all cases of suicide. Methods: Four recent reports of accidents occurring in 1997 in Indonesia, 1999 in Massachusetts in the United States, 2013 in Namibia, and 2015 in France related to commercial aircraft-assisted suicides were analyzed. This analysis relied on data extracted from the accident reports that supported aircraft-assisted suicide from the: (a) cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), (b) medical history, (c) psychosocial history, (d) toxicology, (e) autopsy, and (f) any methodology that utilized aviation medicine. There are some limitations in this study. Although all analyzed accident investigations followed ICAO Annex 13 guidelines, there is variability in their accident investigations and reporting. In addition, accident investigation reports represent accidents from 1997 to 2015, and during this time, there has been a change in the way accidents are reported. The nature of this analysis is explorative. The aim was to identify how the various aircraft accident investigators concluded that the accidents were due to suicidal acts. Results: In all four accident reports, FDR data were available. CVR data were also available, except for one accident where CVR data were only partially available. Comprehensive medical and psychosocial histories were available in only one of four of the accident reports. Conclusion: To prevent accidents involving commercial aircraft, it is necessary to identify the causes of these accidents to be able to provide meaningful safety recommendations. A detailed psychological autopsy of pilots can and likely will assist in investigations, as well as generate recommendations that will substantially contribute to mitigating accidents due to pilot suicide. Airborne image recording may be a useful tool to provide additional information about events leading up to a crash and thus assist in accident investigations.
Conceptual Design of a Compact Water Purification Unit Using Reed Bed Filtration
Authors: Farah Elias , Khalil Maria , Richa Manuella , Abou Harb Chantal
Published: March 2023

One of the most widespread global challenges is the insufficient provision of potable water, which affects individuals across diverse geographical regions. It is anticipated that issues related to water scarcity and quality will escalate in tandem with the expanding human population and the rapid pace of global development. Water sources are massively polluted hence, not safe for drinking nor irrigation. As a consequence, it is very important to have a water purification treatment plant to provide good water quality. Given the pressing need to ensure universal access to safe and clean drinking water, this investigation aims to engineer a compact and space-efficient apparatus that can expeditiously produce purified water. The proposed system seeks to optimize water purification performance while minimizing spatial requirements and operational duration. Its size is minimized by combining the three processes: coagulation, flocculation, and clarification together in one tank. Following to the aforementioned reservoir, an integrated natural system is employed to reduce the usage of chemicals and establish an ecologically sustainable platform. A hydraulic study is conducted to obtain the dimensioning of the several units which can be later scaled according to the flowrate. The latter was assumed in this study to be 2 L/s, then the compact unit can serve up to 800 persons by scaling the model and adjusting it.
Study on the Removal of Chloride Ions in an Acidic Solution of Zinc Smelting by Green Method
Authors: Xiao Zhiwen , Li Jing , Fu Guang , Li Xinpei , Gu Likun , Zhang Chaobo , Zhang Te , Yin Weibo , Liu Dianchuan , Liu Junchang
Published: March 2023

In the process of zinc smelting, when the chloride ion concentration exceeds 100 mg/L, it continuously corrodes the electrode plate and affects the stability of the electrodeposition process. Therefore, the chloride concentration must be reduced below 100 mg/L. Compared with other methods used to control the reactions of Cu(II), the use of the copper slag produced in zinc smelting without other additives does not cause reverse dissolution; to reduce the cost, turn the waste into treasure, and protect the environment, research was carried out on chloride removal by the copper slag via a synergistic valence control process. In this study, the influencing factors, such as the amount of copper slag, the reaction time, and reaction temperature, were systematically investigated. The results showed that the optimum dechlorination conditions were as follows: the copper: copper(II): chloride molar ratio was 6:5:1, the reaction time was 60 min, and the reaction temperature was 20 °C. The chloride ion concentration was decreased from 1.6 g/L to 0.05 g/L, the dechlorination efficiency was 96.875%, and the residual chloride ion concentration was less than 100 mg/L, which provides a basis for industrial use.
Application of Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks in Environmental Remediation: Recent Advances and Future Trends
Authors: Zhang Yu , Tian Mengfei , Majeed Zahid , Xie Yuxin , Zheng Kaili , Luo Zidan , Li Chunying , Zhao Chunjian
Published: March 2023

The hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) are a class of porous materials with crystalline frame structures, which are self-assembled from organic structures by hydrogen bonding in non-covalent bonds π-π packing and van der Waals force interaction. HOFs are widely used in environmental remediation due to their high specific surface area, ordered pore structure, pore modifiability, and post-synthesis adjustability of various physical and chemical forms. This work summarizes some rules for constructing stable HOFs and the synthesis of HOF-based materials (synthesis of HOFs, metallized HOFs, and HOF-derived materials). In addition, the applications of HOF-based materials in the field of environmental remediation are introduced, including adsorption and separation (NH3, CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2, C2H2/C2He and CeH6, C2H2/CO2, Xe/Kr, etc.), heavy metal and radioactive metal adsorption, organic dye and pesticide adsorption, energy conversion (producing H2 and CO2 reduced to CO), organic dye degradation and pollutant sensing (metal ion, aniline, antibiotic, explosive steam, etc.). Finally, the current challenges and further studies of HOFs (such as functional modification, molecular simulation, application extension as remediation of contaminated soil, and cost assessment) are discussed. It is hoped that this work will help develop widespread applications for HOFs in removing a variety of pollutants from the environment.
ChronoEOS 2.0: Device Fingerprinting and EOSIO Blockchain Technology for On-Running Forensic Analysis in an IoT Environment
Authors: Fernández-Carrasco José Álvaro , Echeberria-Barrio Xabier , Paredes-García Daniel , Zola Francesco , Orduna-Urrutia Raul
Published: March 2023

In industrial environments there are critical devices, so their correct operation must be ensured. In particular, having a secure record of the different events related to these devices is essential. Thus, this record can be used in future forensic investigations in case of accidents or production failures. In this sense, blockchain technology can bring reliability to the event log. In this paper, ChronoEOS 2.0, an extension of ChronoEOS, is presented. This new version can record the events that occur in multiple industrial robotic arms by deploying a Smart Contract in the EOSIO blockchain so that all events are immutably recorded in the blockchain. Furthermore, the new version allows using a unique fingerprint of the robot before registering an event in the blockchain. This fingerprint depends only on the characteristics of the operation and configuration of the robot. For this reason, ChronoEOS 2.0 not only increase the ability of ChronoEOS in terms of handling multiple devices but also increases the security and reliability of the operations. Finally, in this study, we verify that the new improvements have little impact on the hosting resources (RAM and Network are not altered, while CPU consumption is slightly higher due to the device fingerprinting module).
Developing Employee Productivity and Performance through Work Engagement and Organizational Factors in an Educational Society
Authors: Abdelwahed Nadia Abdelhamid Abdelmegeed , Doghan Mohammed A. Al
Published: March 2023

In today’s working environment, various organizations confront the significant challenges of productivity and performance. However, higher education institutes (HEIs) are also not free from this massive issue. Therefore, the present study investigates employee productivity and performance through work engagement (WEE) and organizational factors. The modes of study are quantitative and based on cross-sectional data. The study collects the response from academic and administrative staff from public and private HEIs of Saudi Arabia. The study applies convenience sampling and successfully proceeds 254 valid cases to conclude the findings. The applied structural equation model (SEM) path analysis demonstrates a positive and significant effect of WEE comprising vigour, dedication, and absorption factors on employee productivity (EPD). In addition, employee performance (EP) is predicted through organizational factors such as management support (MS), learning culture (LC), work environment (WE) and organizational commitment (OC). Finally, the study finds a significant and positive effect of EPD on EP among the employees of HEIs. The study findings would be guidelines for policymakers and the top management of higher education commissions to advance the knowledge and skills of EPD and EP of the organizations. The study would support achieving job tasks and goals through developing WEE and organizational factors for productivity and performance. Lastly, the findings will augment the literature and provide empirical evidence from Middle East countries. The study provides a vigorous model which connects the WEE theory and organizational factors towards EPD and EP in an integrated way.
Geographies of Belonging: Migrant Youth and Relational, Community, and National Opportunities for Inclusion
Authors: Bruhn Sarah , Gonzales Roberto G.
Published: March 2023

Migration research often focuses on exclusionary laws and social processes and how they impact children and the families they are embedded within. While important, this focus on harmful social structures can obscure forms of creative agency that are also inherent to young people’s migration, even in the face of racialized immigration policies that erect barriers to integration. In this theoretical article, we contend that spaces of belonging, where connection, sustenance, and recognition are readily available, are equally essential to immigrant youth and families’ experiences of migration. We conceptualize how these spaces are constructed at the relational, community, and national level, demonstrating how place, including physical, legal, political, and cultural geographies, shape these multilayered opportunities for belonging. First, we demonstrate how place informs the relationships that young people form with each other, with their families, and with other adults, and how the care that can emerge from these relationships is a critical foundation for spaces of belonging. Second, we articulate the conditions that enable spaces of belonging at the community level by examining how the geographic features of neighborhoods and cities shape young people’s opportunities for agency and recognition beyond their immediate relationships. Finally, we address the national-level dynamics that foster spaces of belonging, while attending to the reality that migrant young people and their families often live transnational lives across nation-state borders. This paper offers new ways of understanding how place informs migrant youth and children’s sense of inclusion and agency, illuminating how spaces of belonging at the relational, community, and national level support their dignity and well-being.
Sustainable Global Citizenship: A Critical Realist Approach
Authors: Granados-Sánchez Jesús
Published: March 2023

The current crisis of unsustainability has renewed academic interest in sustainable global citizenship. Classical approaches to this type of citizenship have turned out to be quite abstract, utopian, and naive. This article is a theoretical reflection on sustainable global citizenship from a critical realist perspective, with the aim of bringing realism and pragmatism to the personal and social transformations necessary to achieve sustainability. The contribution of this work consists of the proposal of a conceptual framework that is structured by the following five key dimensions of citizenship: governance, status, social-ecological systems, social conscience, and engagement. These dimensions have been interpreted and described from two core ideas of critical realism: the position-practice system and the seven-scalar laminated system. The main conclusions are that agency-structure dualism requires more comprehensive approaches that integrate self-awareness of all the components that intervene in the autonomous decision to act, and that include personal capabilities, the desire and motivation to get engaged, and the real possibility of participating determined by the social context and the personal situation. It is also necessary to increase the number of types of agencies, especially with the recognition of the group as a key entity. The resolution of the dichotomy on state-global scale relationships can be articulated by differentiating between government and governance, and the role of social innovation in the latter.
The Sedimentary Context of Open-Air Archaeology: A Case Study in the Western Cape’s Doring River Valley, South Africa
Authors: Phillips Natasha , Moffat Ian , Mackay Alex , Jones Brian G.
Published: March 2023

Despite the wealth of Late Pleistocene archaeology that exists across southern Africa’s open landscape, it is routinely neglected in favour of rock shelter (re)excavation, biasing interpretation of human–environment interaction. This is compounded by the scarcity of open-air studies that use geoarchaeological methods to investigate the history and processes involved in their formation. The open-air archaeology of the Doring River Valley is an example of this, despite nearly a decade of dedicated study and publication. Consequently, there remains a limited and untested understanding of the valley’s formation history. This paper rectifies this by providing a sedimentary context for the surface archaeology exposed across one of the Doring River Valley’s artefact-baring localities, Uitspankraal 7 (UPK7). Characterisation, particle size, mineralogical, morphometric, and geophysical analysis of UPK7′s sand mantle resulted in the identification of four artefact-bearing sedimentary units, the aeolian and pedogenic processes involved in their formation, and their proposed order of deposition. This provides a stratigraphic, taphonomic, and environmental context against which chronometric dating and an analysis of the taphonomic, spatio-temporal, and technological composition of UPK7′s surface archaeology can be compared. This work is the first vital step towards understanding the depositional and behavioural history of a landscape, irrespective of context type.
János Bolyai, Carl Friedrich Gauss, Nikolai Lobachevsky and the New Geometry: Foreword
Authors: Jenkovszky László , Lake Matthew J. , Soloviev Vladimir
Published: March 2023

Nearly 2300 years ago, the Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria laid down the basis of the geometry now known from the textbooks and used in everyday life [...]
The Multifaceted Sensemaking Theory: A Systematic Literature Review and Content Analysis on Sensemaking
Authors: Turner John R. , Allen Jeff , Hawamdeh Suliman , Mastanamma Gujjula
Published: March 2023

There are several key sensemaking models and theories that have attracted a lot of attention among researchers and practitioners in the last few decades. The adaptation and application of sensemaking has varied by field of study, organizational type, and industry. This study explored these sensemaking models and theories to better answer the following questions: what is sense-making/sensemaking? How is sensemaking practiced today compared to the original sensemaking frameworks, models, and theories? To answer these questions, the current study conducted a systematic literature review and content analysis of current research involving sensemaking methods, practices, and techniques. As a result, topic modeling and data analytic techniques were used to construct a multifaceted conceptual framework that has been contrasted and compared with previous sensemaking frameworks, models, and theories to show its coverage and coherence. The new multifaceted sensemaking (MSM) theory consists of nine stages with defining characteristics for each stage that were either derived from the data analysis or conceptualized by the researcher based on the literature review. The new theory presented demonstrates how previous sensemaking theories evolved and have influenced both practice and research today. The multifaceted sensemaking theory is influenced by previous sensemaking theories while also representing sensemaking in current practice. The multifaceted sensemaking theory contributes to the sensemaking field of study a new theory with nine stages and defining characteristics.
The Intersectoral Systemic Risk Shock of Emergency Crisis Events in China’s Financial Market: Nonparametric Methods and Panel Event Study Analyses
Authors: Lei Ao , Zhao Hui , Tian Yixiang
Published: March 2023

By employing two systemic risk methods, the marginal expected shortfall (MES) and the component expected shortfall (CES), this paper measures the systemic risk level of all sectors in China’s financial market from 2014 to 2022; thereby, it researches the total effect of sectoral systemic risk using a panel event study model during the three main emergency crisis events. Moreover, two nonparametric methods are utilized, the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test and the bootstrap Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, in order to investigate the changes in individual effects and the dominant ranks of sectoral systemic risk. The empirical results show that (1) the mean values and volatilities of CES and MES of all sectors have a higher level of magnitude in the extreme risk status than those in the normal risk status; (2) by comparing the total effects of three crisis events, we find that different from the continuous shock effect caused by two other events, sectoral systemic risk has a hysteresis effect on the entire market after the outbreak of COVID-19; (3) the long-term and short-term individual effects of sectoral systemic risk in all sectors are different from each other during three events; and (4) the dominance tests of MES are more sensitive and thus better demonstrate the changes in the rankings of sectoral systemic risk than the dominant tests of CES during the emergency crisis events.