bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depth Dose Enhancement in Orthovoltage Nanoparticle-Enhanced Radiotherapy: A Monte Carlo Phantom Study
Authors: Chow James C. L. , Jubran Sama
Published: June 2023

Background: This study was to examine the depth dose enhancement in orthovoltage nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy for skin treatment by investigating the impact of various photon beam energies, nanoparticle materials, and nanoparticle concentrations. Methods: A water phantom was utilized, and different nanoparticle materials (gold, platinum, iodine, silver, iron oxide) were added to determine the depth doses through Monte Carlo simulation. The clinical 105 kVp and 220 kVp photon beams were used to compute the depth doses of the phantom at different nanoparticle concentrations (ranging from 3 mg/mL to 40 mg/mL). The dose enhancement ratio (DER), which represents the ratio of the dose with nanoparticles to the dose without nanoparticles at the same depth in the phantom, was calculated to determine the dose enhancement. Results: The study found that gold nanoparticles outperformed the other nanoparticle materials, with a maximum DER value of 3.77 at a concentration of 40 mg/mL. Iron oxide nanoparticles exhibited the lowest DER value, equal to 1, when compared to other nanoparticles. Additionally, the DER value increased with higher nanoparticle concentrations and lower photon beam energy. Conclusions: It is concluded in this study that gold nanoparticles are the most effective in enhancing the depth dose in orthovoltage nanoparticle-enhanced skin therapy. Furthermore, the results suggest that increasing nanoparticle concentration and decreasing photon beam energy lead to increased dose enhancement.
Potential Biocontrol Agents of Corn Tar Spot Disease Isolated from Overwintered Phyllachora maydis Stromata
Authors: Johnson Eric T. , Dowd Patrick F. , Ramirez José Luis , Behle Robert W.
Published: June 2023

Tar spot disease in corn, caused by Phyllachora maydis, can reduce grain yield by limiting the total photosynthetic area in leaves. Stromata of P. maydis are long-term survival structures that can germinate and release spores in a gelatinous matrix in the spring, which are thought to serve as inoculum in newly planted fields. In this study, overwintered stromata in corn leaves were collected in Central Illinois, surface sterilized, and caged on water agar medium. Fungi and bacteria were collected from the surface of stromata that did not germinate and showed microbial growth. Twenty-two Alternaria isolates and three Cladosporium isolates were collected. Eighteen bacteria, most frequently Pseudomonas and Pantoea species, were also isolated. Spores of Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Gliocladium catenulatum (formulated as a commercial biofungicide) reduced the number of stromata that germinated compared to control untreated stromata. These data suggest that fungi collected from overwintered tar spot stromata can serve as biological control organisms against tar spot disease.
Anti-Candida and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of a Vaginal Gel Formulation: Novel Data Concerning Vaginal Infection and Dysbiosis
Authors: Spaggiari Luca , Squartini Ramos Gianfranco B. , Squartini Ramos Caterina A. , Ardizzoni Andrea , Pedretti Natalia , Blasi Elisabetta , De Seta Francesco , Pericolini Eva
Published: June 2023

Vaginal ecosystem is a unique environment where, in physiological conditions, lactobacilli dominate. However, pathogenic microbial species responsible for vaginitis and vaginosis can also harbor vaginal microbiota. To extend our previously published data, we analyzed here both the anti-Candida and anti-inflammatory properties of the vaginal gel formulation, Respecta® Balance Gel (RBG), commercialized as an adjuvant to treat vaginitis and vaginosis. We evaluated its activity by an in vitro model where a monolayer of A-431 vaginal epithelial cells was infected by Candida albicans in the presence of RBG or the placebo formulation (pRBG). Specifically, we tested the RBG capacity to counteract C. albicans virulence factors and their anti-inflammatory properties. Our results show that, unlike the placebo, RBG reduces C. albicans adhesion, its capacity to form hyphae and C. albicans-induced vaginal cell damage. Interestingly, both RBG and pRBG reduce LPS-induced IL-8 secretion (with RBG being the most effective), demonstrating that also the placebo retains anti-inflammatory properties. From our experimental approach, we highlighted the possible role of farnesol on such effects, but we would like to point out that lactic acid, polydextrose and glycogen too must be relevant in the actual application. In summary, our results show that RBG impairs C. albicans virulence and is able to reduce the inflammation in the vaginal environment, ultimately allowing the establishment of a balanced vaginal ecosystem.
The Effect of Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis Bi-26 on Simulated Infant Gut Microbiome and Metabolites
Authors: Salli Krista , Hirvonen Johanna , Anglenius Heli , Hibberd Ashley A. , Ahonen Ilmari , Saarinen Markku T. , Maukonen Johanna , Ouwehand Arthur C.
Published: June 2023

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) shape the developing infant gut microbiota. In this study, a semi-continuous colon simulator was used to evaluate the effect of 2 HMOs—2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL)—on the composition of infant faecal microbiota and microbial metabolites. The simulations were performed with and without a probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis Bi-26 (Bi-26) and compared with a control that lacked an additional carbon source. The treatments with HMOs decreased α-diversity and increased Bifidobacterium species versus the control, but the Bifidobacterium species differed between simulations. The levels of acetic acid and the sum of all short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) trended toward an increase with 2′-FL, as did lactic acid with 2′-FL and 3-FL, compared with control. A clear correlation was seen between the consumption of HMOs and the increase in SCFAs (−0.72) and SCFAs + lactic acid (−0.77), whereas the correlation between HMO consumption and higher total bifidobacterial numbers was moderate (−0.46). Bi-26 decreased propionic acid levels with 2′-FL. In conclusion, whereas infant faecal microbiota varied between infant donors, the addition of 2′-FL and 3-FL, alone or in combination, increased the relative abundance and numbers Bifidobacterium species in the semi-continuous colon simulation model, correlating with the production of microbial metabolites. These findings may suggest that HMOs and probiotics benefit the developing infant gut microbiota.
Isolation and Evaluation of the Antagonistic Activity of Cnidium officinale Rhizosphere Bacteria against Phytopathogenic fungi (Fusarium solani)
Authors: Lee Seok Hui , Jeon Su Hong , Park Jun Young , Kim Dae Sol , Kim Ji Ah , Jeong Hui Yeong , Kang Jun Won
Published: June 2023

Cnidium officinale Makino, a perennial crop in the Umbeliperae family, is one of Korea’s representative forest medicinal plants. However, the growing area of C. officinale has been reduced by plant disease and soil sickness caused by fusarium wilt. This study isolated rhizosphere bacteria from C. officinale, and their antagonistic activity was evaluated against Fusarium solani. Particularly, four isolated strains, namely, PT1, ST7, ST8, and SP4, showed a significant antagonistic activity against F. solani. An in planta test showed that the mortality rates of shoots were significantly low in the PT1-inoculated group. The fresh and dry weights of the inoculated plants were also higher than that of the other groups. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the strain PT1 as Leclercia adecarboxylata, and downstream studies confirmed the production of antagonism-related enzymes such as siderophore and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase. The phosphorous solubilizing ability and secretion of related enzymes were also analyzed. The results showed that PT1 strain could be utilized as promising plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and biocontrol agents (BCAs).
Healthy Diet and Lifestyle Improve the Gut Microbiota and Help Combat Fungal Infection
Authors: Jawhara Samir
Published: June 2023

Western diets are rapidly spreading due to globalization, causing an increase in obesity and diseases of civilization. These Western diets are associated with changes in the gut microbiota related to intestinal inflammation. This review discusses the adverse effects of Western diets, which are high in fat and sugar and low in vegetable fiber, on the gut microbiota. This leads to gut dysbiosis and overgrowth of Candida albicans, which is a major cause of fungal infection worldwide. In addition to an unhealthy Western diet, other factors related to disease development and gut dysbiosis include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, prolonged use of antibiotics, and chronic psychological stress. This review suggests that a diversified diet containing vegetable fiber, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins D and E, as well as micronutrients associated with probiotic or prebiotic supplements can improve the biodiversity of the microbiota, lead to short-chain fatty acid production, and reduce the abundance of fungal species in the gut. The review also discusses a variety of foods and plants that are effective against fungal overgrowth and gut dysbiosis in traditional medicine. Overall, healthy diets and lifestyle factors contribute to human well-being and increase the biodiversity of the gut microbiota, which positively modulates the brain and central nervous system.
A Brief Review of Micro-Particle Slurry Rheological Behavior in Grinding and Flotation for Enhancing Fine Mineral Processing Efficiency
Authors: Zeng Guangsheng , Zhu Yangge , Chen Wei
Published: June 2023

Recent years have witnessed growing research interest in applying rheology in grinding and flotation treatment of finely disseminated ores. Slurry rheology has long been identified as the comprehensive effect of inter-particle interactions, including their aggregation and dispersion states in slurry, which are more impactive under the fine-particle effect. In this regard, rheology has the potential to play a significant role in interpreting the flowing and deforming phenomena of inter-particle aggregates, particle-bubble aggregates, and flotation froth. Though much attention has been paid to the rheological effect in industrial suspension, this has not been the case for mineral grinding and flotation for fine particles. The influential mechanism of rheology on the sub-processes of mineral processing has not been systemically determined nor revealed thoroughly, thus the underpinning mechanism for enhancing the processing efficiency has been difficult to discover. This paper reviews the current application and importance of rheology in fine mineral processing, and the potential research direction in the field is proposed.
Age and Depositional Temperature of Quaternary Travertine Spring Mounds from Slovakia
Authors: Vieira Daniella S. C. , Pivko Daniel , Rinyu László , Palcsu László , Kiss Gabriella I. , Hu Hsun-Ming , Shen Chuan-Chou , Kele Sándor
Published: June 2023

Travertine spring mounds are common in Slovakia; however, their age and depositional temperature are still poorly known. Our study is the first multimethodological investigation involving stable carbon, oxygen, and clumped isotope (Δ47) analyses and U-Th age determination of travertine mounds from different locations in Slovakia (Santovka, Dudince, Čerin, Bešeňová, Liptovský Ján, Liptovské Sliače, Vyšné Ružbachy, Gánovce, and Sivá Brada) to provide information about their age, origin, precipitation conditions, and temperature. The positive δ13C values imply that the parent water was charged with heavy CO2 of deep origin. The δ18O values of spring waters range between −11.4‰ and −8.9‰, whereas the δ2H values vary from −80.5‰ to −58.3, indicating a meteoric origin for spring waters. Clumped isotope compositions (Δ47) correspond to a deposition temperature between 4 °C and 32 °C. The U-Th age data of the studied travertines vary from 1.2 (Liptovské Sliače) to 301 ka (Dudince). Our results can serve as a basis for further detailed geochronological and geochemical studies to reconstruct the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment during travertine deposition periods in Slovakia since the mid-Pleistocene transition.
Biofunctionalization of HMX with Peptides via Polydopamine Crosslinking for Assembling an HMX@Al@CuO Nanoenergetic Composite
Authors: Jin Miaomiao , Song Zhanxin , Liu Wei , Wang Guozhen , Xian Mo
Published: June 2023

Biological approaches for the synthesis of a hybrid explosive–nanothermite energetic composite have attracted greater scientific attention because of their advantages, including their moderate reactions and the absence of secondary pollution. In this study, a simple technique was developed to fabricate a hybrid explosive–nanothermite energetic composite based on a peptide and a mussel-inspired surface modification. Polydopamine (PDA) was easily imprinted onto the HMX, where it maintained its reactivity and was capable of reacting with a specific peptide used to introduce Al and CuO NPs to the surface of the HMX via specific recognition. The hybrid explosive–nanothermite energetic composites were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), and a fluorescence microscope. A thermal analysis was utilized to investigate the energy-release properties of the materials. The HMX@Al@CuO, which benefitted from an enhanced interfacial contact in comparison with the physically mixed sample (HMX-Al-CuO), demonstrated a 41% lower HMX activation energy.
An Approach Based on an Increased Bandpass for Enabling the Use of Internal Standards in Single Particle ICP-MS: Application to AuNPs Characterization
Authors: Bazo Antonio , Aramendía Maite , Nakadi Flávio V. , Resano Martín
Published: June 2023

This paper proposes a novel approach to implement an internal standard (IS) correction in single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP ICP-MS), as exemplified for the characterization of Au nanoparticles (NPs) in complex matrices. This approach is based on the use of the mass spectrometer (quadrupole) in bandpass mode, enhancing the sensitivity for the monitoring of AuNPs while also allowing for the detection of PtNPs in the same measurement run, such that they can serve as an internal standard. The performance of the method developed was proved for three different matrices: pure water, a 5 g L−1 NaCl water solution, and another water solution containing 2.5% (m/v) tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH)/0.1% Triton X-100. It was observed that matrix-effects impacted both the sensitivity of the NPs and their transport efficiencies. To circumvent this problem, two methods were used to determine the TE: the particle size method for sizing and the dynamic mass flow method for the determination of the particle number concentration (PNC). This fact, together with the use of the IS, enabled us to attain accurate results in all cases, both for sizing and for the PNC determination. Additionally, the use of the bandpass mode provides additional flexibility for this characterization, as it is possible to easily tune the sensitivity achieved for each NP type to ensure that their distributions are sufficiently resolved.
Metabolic Syndrome Screening and Nutritional Status of Patients with Psoriasis: A Scoping Review
Authors: Mohamed Haris Nur Hanisah , Krishnasamy Shanthi , Chin Kok-Yong , Mariappan Vanitha , Arumugam Mohan
Published: June 2023

Background: Patients with plaque psoriasis have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. However, no studies have assessed the nutritional status or screening methods of this population. Aims: This review aimed to identify and summarise metabolic syndrome screening criteria and the tools/methods used in nutrition assessment in patients with plaque psoriasis. Data synthesis: PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid and Scopus were searched from inception to March 2023, following the Arkensey and O’Malley framework, to identify articles that report nutritional assessment methods/tools and metabolic screening criteria. Twenty-one studies were identified. Overall, these studies used four different screening criteria to define metabolic syndrome. Patients with psoriasis had a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and had a poor nutritional status compared to controls. However, only anthropometric measures such as weight, height and waist circumference were employed to determine the nutritional status. Only two studies assessed the vitamin D status. Conclusions: Patients with psoriasis have a poor nutritional status, and they are at risk of nutrient deficiencies. However, these health aspects are not routinely assessed and may increase the risk of malnutrition among these patients. Therefore, additional assessments, such as body composition and dietary assessment, are needed to determine the nutritional status to provide a suitable intervention.
Broad-Spectrum Antivirals against Multiple Human and Animal Coronaviruses Infection
Authors: Saxena Divyasha , Batra Lalit , Verma Shailendra Kumar
Published: June 2023

Among the seven coronaviruses that infect humans, HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-HKU1 usually cause mild and common cold symptoms; however, infection with three coronaviruses, namely severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus [SARS-CoV], Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus [MERS-CoV], and the newly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2], often results in respiratory distress, cytokine storm and multiorgan failure [...]
“Why Didn’t They Teach Us This?” A Qualitative Investigation of Pharmacist Stakeholder Perspectives of Business Management for Community Pharmacists
Authors: Davey Braedon , Lindsay Daniel , Cousins Justin , Glass Beverley
Published: June 2023

Expanding the scope of practice has provided an opportunity to reflect on the business management role of the community pharmacist. This study aimed to determine stakeholder perspectives of what business management skills are required for the community pharmacist, potential barriers impeding changes to management in the pharmacy program or community pharmacy setting, and strategies to improve the business management role of the profession. Purposively selected community pharmacists across two states in Australia were invited to participate in semi-structured phone interviews. A hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding was used to transcribe and thematically analyse interviews. Twelve stakeholders described 35 business management skills in a community pharmacy, with 13 skills consistently used by participants. Thematic analysis revealed two barriers and two strategies to improve business management skills in both the pharmacy curriculum and community pharmacy. Strategies to improve business management across the profession include pharmacy programs covering recommended managerial content, learning from experience-based education and creation of a standardised mentorship program. There is an opportunity for business management culture change within the profession, and this may require community pharmacists developing a dual thinking process to appropriately balance professionalism and business management.
Organizational Readiness to Implement Community Pharmacy-Based Opioid Counseling and Naloxone Services: A Scoping Review of Current Practice Models and Opportunities
Authors: Hohmann Lindsey , Harris Klaudia , Zhao Yi , Marlowe Karen , Phillippe Haley , Correia Chris , Fox Brent
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore existing practice models and opportunities surrounding community pharmacist-delivered opioid counseling and naloxone (OCN) services in the U.S., with the goal of enhancing organizational readiness and improving patient access. A scoping literature review was conducted. English-language articles published in peer-reviewed journals from January 2012–July 2022 were sought via PubMed, CINAHL, IPA, and Google Scholar using permutations of terms such as “pharmacist/pharmacy”, “opioid/opiate”, “naloxone”, “counseling”, and “implement/implementation”. Original articles reporting the resources/inputs (personnel; pharmacist full-time equivalents; facilities and expenses; in-house versus outsourced personnel), implementation processes (legal source of pharmacist authority; patient identification strategies; intervention procedures; workflow strategies; business operations), and programmatic outcomes (uptake and delivery; interventions made; economic impact; patient or provider satisfaction) of pharmacist-delivered OCN services in community (retail) settings were retained. Twelve articles describing ten unique studies were included. The studies primarily used quasi-experimental designs and were published from 2017 to 2021. The articles described seven broad program elements/themes: interprofessional collaboration (n = 2); patient education format including one-on-one patient education (n = 12) and group education sessions (n = 1); non-pharmacist provider education (n = 2); pharmacy staff education (n = 8); opioid misuse screening tools (n = 7); naloxone recommendation/dispensing (n = 12); and opioid therapy and pain management (n = 1). Pharmacists screened/counseled 11–2716 patients and provided 11–430 doses of naloxone. Limited implementation costs, patient/provider satisfaction, or economic impact measures were reported. This review may serve as a guide for community pharmacists in implementing OCN services in their own practices. Future studies should clarify OCN program implementation costs, patient/provider satisfaction, and the economic impact.
SNR Model of Optical Fiber Acoustic Sensing System Based on F-P Structure
Authors: Liu Yingjie , Guan Chenggang , Tong Yala , Chu Wenxiu , Zhou Ruling , Zhou Yikai
Published: June 2023

The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a crucial parameter for assessing audio transmission quality and fiber optic acoustic sensors. This study presents a model for predicting the SNR of a fiber optic F-P acoustic sensing system using the Fabry–Perot (F-P) cavity length modulation principle, considering noise and line loss in the optical path. To validate the model, we constructed an F-P acoustic sensor system and measured the SNR in a semi-anechoic room. Additionally, we used MATLAB to simulate the SNR model and compared the results with experimental data. The model accurately predicted the SNR of the fiber optic F-P acoustic sensor system. Our results offer valuable guidance and theoretical support for optimizing system performance.
Distributed Bragg Reflector Laser Based on Composite Fiber Heavily Doped with Erbium Ions
Authors: Skvortsov Mikhail I. , Proskurina Kseniya V. , Golikov Evgeniy V. , Dostovalov Alexander V. , Terentyev Vadim S. , Egorova Olga N. , Semjonov Sergey L. , Babin Sergey A.
Published: June 2023

A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser with a specially designed, heavily Er3+-doped composite fiber of a length as short as 1.8 cm is demonstrated. The DBR laser, pumped by a 980 nm laser diode with power of up to 370 mW, generates single-frequency radiation at a wavelength of 1535 nm with a narrow instantaneous linewidth of <100 Hz and a high output power of 2 mW. The obtained Er3+-doped fiber laser parameters pave the way toward a broad range of practical applications from telecommunications and sensing to scientific research.
Identification of NOL-Ring Composite Materials’ Damage Mechanism Based on the STOA-VMD Algorithm
Authors: Jiang Peng , Li Hui , Yan Xiaowei , Zhang Luying , Li Wei
Published: June 2023

This research utilized the sooty tern optimization algorithm–variational mode decomposition (STOA-VMD) optimization algorithm to extract the acoustic emission (AE) signal associated with damage in fiber-reinforced composite materials. The effectiveness of this optimization algorithm was validated through a tensile experiment on glass fiber/epoxy NOL-ring specimens. To solve the problems of a high degree of aliasing, high randomness, and a poor robustness of AE data of NOL-ring tensile damage, the signal reconstruction method of optimized variational mode decomposition (VMD) was first used to reconstruct the damage signal and the parameters of VMD were optimized by the sooty tern optimization algorithm. The optimal decomposition mode number K and penalty coefficient α were introduced to improve the accuracy of adaptive decomposition. Second, a typical single damage signal feature was selected to construct the damage signal feature sample set and a recognition algorithm was used to extract the feature of the AE signal of the glass fiber/epoxy NOL-ring breaking experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of the damage mechanism recognition. The results showed that the recognition rates of the algorithm in matrix cracking, fiber fracture, and delamination damage were 94.59%, 94.26%, and 96.45%, respectively. The damage process of the NOL-ring was characterized and the findings indicated that it was highly efficient in the feature extraction and recognition of polymer composite damage signals.
Application of Life Cycle of Aeroengine Mainshaft Bearing Based on Digital Twin
Authors: Li Yunfeng , Li Ming , Yan Zhong , Li Ruoxuan , Tian Ao , Xu Xinming , Zhang Hang
Published: June 2023

Aeroengine mainshaft bearings are key components in modern aeroengines, and their main functions are to support the rotation of the main shaft of the aeroengine in harsh environments, such as high temperature, heavy load, high speed and oil break; reduce the friction coefficient during the high-speed rotation of the main shaft; and reliably ensure the rotation accuracy and power transmission of the aeroengine’s main shaft during operation. The manufacture of aeroengine mainshaft bearings requires complex processes and precise machining to ensure high performance and reliability, and how to intelligently complete the production and manufacture of mainshaft bearings and ensure the strength and accuracy of the bearings, quickly distinguish the fault types of the bearings and efficiently calculate, analyze and predict the life of the bearings are the current research hotspots. Therefore, building a high-fidelity and computationally efficient digital twin life cycle of aeroengine mainshaft bearings is a valuable solution. This paper summarizes the key manufacturing technology, manufacturing mode and manufacturing process based on digital twins in the life cycle of aeroengine mainshaft bearings, including the metallurgical process, heat treatment process and grinding process of aeroengine mainshaft bearings. It presents a fault diagnosis and life analysis of mainshaft bearings of aeroengines, discussing the key technologies and research directions of the life cycle of mainshaft bearings based on digital twins.
Geochemical Characteristics and Development Model of the Coal-Measure Source Rock in the Kuqa Depression of Tarim Basin
Authors: Ding Xiujian , Gao Tianze , Yang Xianzhang , Xu Zhenping , Chen Changchao , Liu Keyu , Zhang Xueqi
Published: June 2023

The development model of the coal-measure source rock may be different from that of the lacustrine source rock. The depositional environment of the coal-measure source rock is dominated by weak oxidation and weak reduction, and the majority of the organic material originates from terrestrial higher plants. Taking the Jurassic coal-measure source rock in the Kuqa Depression as the research object, the geochemical characteristics of the source rock are comprehensively analyzed, the primary controlling elements of source rock development are made clear, and the development model of the coal-measure source rock is established. This study contributes to the field of source rock prediction and oil and gas exploration. The lithology of the coal-measure source rock in the Kuqa Depression is mainly mudstone, carbonaceous mudstone, and coal, which are medium- to good-quality source rocks, and the organic matter type is mainly II2 and III. Terrestrial organic matter is a key factor in controlling the formation of coal-measure source rocks, and the sedimentation rate also has a certain influence. The redox degree of the depositional environment, water salinity, and clay mineral content has little influence on the development of coal-measure source rocks. By integrating the main control factors, the development model of the coal-measure source rock is established. It is considered that the development model and distribution characteristics of the coal-measure source rock are different from the traditional understanding of lacustrine source rocks, and it is pointed out that the coal-measure source rock in the gentle slope zone is more developed than the sag area.
Design and Optimization of the Insulation Performance of a 4000 m3 Liquid Hydrogen Spherical Tank
Authors: Yu Yang , Xie Fushou , Zhu Ming , Yu Shuai , Li Yanzhong
Published: June 2023

Efficient insulation technology is one of the key technologies for the development of large LH2 storage tanks. This paper aimed at a 4000 m3 LH2 spherical tank, many insulation schemes were designed, including multilayer insulation systems integrated with a vapor-cooled shield (VCS) and liquid-nitrogen-cooled shield (LN2CS). The heat transfer model was developed to predict the insulation performance of a LH2 spherical tank. The effect of the VCS position on insulation performance was studied, and the different configurations of double VCSs were compared and discussed. The results showed that the daily evaporation rate of MLI, hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) and vacuum was only 2.05 × 10−3%, 3.62 × 10−3% and 7.94 × 10−2% at 1.34 Pa, respectively. MLI was still the optimal insulation scheme for a 4000 m3 LH2 spherical tank. Meanwhile, it was found that when the single VCS was placed at the 10th layer, the heat leakage was reduced by approximately 40.5% compared with MLI. The heat leakage of parallel VCS(P-VCS) was 76.6% lower than that of MLI. The minimum heat leakage of series VCS(S-VCS) was 83.79%, 72.75% and 37.36% lower than that of MLI, single VCS and P-VCS, respectively. Additionally, the heat leakage of the LH2 tank could be reduced to less than 10 W when LN2CS was installed. These results provide a design reference for the highly efficient storage of large LH2 tanks.
Editorial on Special Issue “Natural Products for Drug Discovery and Development”
Authors: Kam Antony , Loo Shining , Lee Simon Ming-Yuen
Published: June 2023

Natural products have always played a vital role in the search for novel drugs, and their exploration continues to captivate researchers in the field of drug discovery and development [...]
Synthetic Minority Oversampling Enhanced FEM for Tool Wear Condition Monitoring
Authors: Zhou Yuqing , Ye Canyang , Huang Deqiang , Peng Bihui , Sun Bintao , Zhang Huan
Published: June 2023

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have led to increasing interest in the development of AI-based tool wear condition monitoring methods, heavily relying on large training samples. However, the high cost of tool wear experiment and the uncertainty of tool wear change in the machining process lead to the problems of sample missing and insufficiency in the model training stage, which seriously affects the identification accuracy of many AI models. In this paper, a novel identification method based on finite-element modeling (FEM) and the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) is proposed to overcome the problem of sample missing and sample insufficiency. Firstly, a few tool wear monitoring experiments are carried out to obtain experimental samples with low cost. Then, a FEM model based on the Johnson–Cook constitutive model was established and verified according to the experimental samples. Based on the verified FEM model, the simulated missing sample in the experiments can be supplemented to compose a complete training set. Finally, the SMOTE is employed to expand the sample size to construct a perfect training set to train the SVM classification model. End milling tool wear monitoring experiments demonstrate that the proposed FEM-SMOTE method can obtain 98.7% identification accuracy, which is 30% higher than that based on experimental samples. The proposed method provides an effective approach for tool wear condition monitoring with low experimental cost.
Religious Diversity and Migration: Exploring Research Trends in an Increasingly Secular Spain
Authors: Vicente Torrado Trinidad L. , Urrutia Asua Gorka
Published: June 2023

Secularism and the public management of religious diversity have gone hand in hand in public and academic debates in recent decades. Meanwhile, many of the elements related to secularism and the presence of religions in western societies have been conditioned by the migratory phenomenon. At the same time, Spain has been exposed to a relevant qualitative change in its socio-religious composition, evolving from a mainly Catholic society to a less religious and more diverse one, equating to other European societies. Many controversial issues have arisen in recent decades, such as the role of religion in the public life, the relations between religion and the state and the emergence of a more plural society, having a special role the migratory phenomenon. This contribution approaches these issues through analysis of the linkage between migration and religious diversity studies within a secular framework. The paper aims to analyze this reality, focusing on the main research trends in PhD studies in the past 20 years. The article reveals a growing interest in doctoral research from a multidisciplinary perspective in the field of religion and international migration, the contexts in which this research has been carried out, as well as its main themes and methods of approach. The intent is to study the religious phenomenon linked to immigration, because this reflects, at least to a certain extent, the concern for understanding the presence of religion in an increasingly secular society, such as in Spain.
ESG Disclosure and Firm Performance: An Asset-Pricing Approach
Authors: Khandelwal Vinay , Sharma Prashant , Chotia Varun
Published: June 2023

Disclosing information on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) parameters is voluntary for most firms across the world. Companies disclose their performance on ESG datapoints due to two main reasons—(i) to gain the trust of stakeholders through increased transparency and (ii) to comply with regulations imposed by governments and investment houses. Using a dataset of companies disclosing ESG parameters during 2014–2021 from the S&P BSE 500 index, this study investigates the role of ESG disclosure on firm performance. We divide the constituent securities into three factors—size, value, and disclosure to study the premiums generated by firms on each factor using single-, double-, and triple-sorting approaches. We utilize time series regressions along with GRS tests to empirically test the presence of factor premiums. We find the significant role of factors size, value, disclosure, and a dummy variable for the COVID-19 pandemic period to explain the portfolio returns. The study found a negative ESG disclosure premium stating that firms with high levels of disclosure earn less returns compared with the firms with less disclosures. The findings of this study contrast with multiple studies in the past that have found a positive disclosure premium. Our findings help reconcile the mixed evidence on the disclosure–returns relationship.
Spatiotemporal Evolution of Production–Living–Ecological Land and Its Eco-Environmental Response in China’s Coastal Zone
Authors: Yang Fengshuo , Yang Xiaomei , Wang Zhihua , Sun Yingjun , Zhang Yinghui , Xing Huaqiao , Wang Qi
Published: June 2023

High-intensity human activities have caused dramatic transformations of land function in China’s coastal zone, putting enormous pressure on the region’s ecological environment. It is urgent to fully understand the spatiotemporal evolution of the land-use function in the coastal zone to promote sustainable development. Therefore, based on CNLUCC data for 2000, 2010, and 2020, this study quantitatively explored the spatiotemporal evolution of production–living–ecological land (PLEL) and its eco-environmental response in China’s coastal zone by using multiple land-use analysis methods, gradient analysis, and the eco-environmental quality index. The results showed that over the past 20 years, the production land (PL) continued to decrease, whereas the living land (LL) and blue ecological land (BEL) increased. In the vertical direction, PL and the ecological land (EL) dominated in the northern and the southern coastal zone, respectively. In the horizontal direction, with increasing distance from the coastline, the green ecological land (GEL) increased, whereas it was the opposite for BEL. The transformations of PLEL were high and low frequency in the north and south, respectively. From 2000 to 2020, the eco-environmental quality of China’s coastal zone slightly degraded, with conditions that were “excellent in the south and poor in the north”. The eco-environmental qualities of each sub-coastal zone gradually improved with increasing distance from the coastline. The main transformation types that led to eco-environmental improvement and degradation were from other production lands (OPL) to blue ecological land (BEL) and BEL to OPL, respectively. The findings will guide PLEL planning, eco-environmental protection, and science-based land usage.
Layered SOTIF Analysis and 3σ-Criterion-Based Adaptive EKF for Lidar-Based Multi-Sensor Fusion Localization System on Foggy Days
Authors: Cao Lipeng , He Yansong , Luo Yugong , Chen Jian
Published: June 2023

The detection range and accuracy of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems are sensitive to variations in fog concentration, leading to the safety of the intended functionality-related (SOTIF-related) problems in the LiDAR-based fusion localization system (LMSFLS). However, due to the uncontrollable weather, it is almost impossible to quantitatively analyze the effects of fog on LMSFLS in a realistic environment. Therefore, in this study, we conduct a layered quantitative SOTIF analysis of the LMSFLS on foggy days using fog simulation. Based on the analysis results, we identify the component-level, system-level, and vehicle-level functional insufficiencies of the LMSFLS, the corresponding quantitative triggering conditions, and the potential SOTIF-related risks. To address the SOTIF-related risks, we propose a functional modification strategy that incorporates visibility recognition and a 3σ-criterion-based variance mismatch degree grading adaptive extended Kalman filter. The visibility of a scenario is recognized to judge whether the measurement information of the LiDAR odometry is disturbed by fog. Moreover, the proposed filter is adopted to fuse the abnormal measurement information of the LiDAR odometry with IMU and GNSS. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can inhibit the divergence of the LMSFLS, improve the SOTIF of self-driving cars on foggy days, and accurately recognize the visibility of the scenarios.
Cropland Data Extraction in Mekong Delta Based on Time Series Sentinel-1 Dual-Polarized Data
Authors: Jiang Jingling , Zhang Hong , Ge Ji , Sun Chunling , Xu Lu , Wang Chao
Published: June 2023

In recent years, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has been a widely used data source in the remote sensing field due to its ability to work all day and in all weather conditions. Among SAR satellites, Sentinel-1 is frequently used to monitor large-scale ground objects. The Mekong Delta is a major agricultural region in Southeast Asia, so monitoring its cropland is of great importance. However, it is a challenge to distinguish cropland from other ground objects, such as aquaculture and wetland, in this region. To address this problem, the study proposes a statistical feature combination from the Sentinel-1 dual-polarimetric (dual-pol) data time series based on the m/χ decomposition method. Then the feature combination is put into the proposed Omni-dimensional Dynamic Convolution Residual Segmentation Model (ODCRS Model) of high fitting speed and classification accuracy to realize the cropland extraction of the Mekong Delta region. Experiments show that the ODCRS model achieves an overall accuracy of 93.85%, a MIoU of 88.04%, and a MPA of 93.70%. The extraction results show that our method can effectively distinguish cropland from aquaculture areas and wetlands.
Vegetation Subtype Classification of Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forests in Mountainous Areas Using a Hierarchy-Based Classifier
Authors: Zhang Shiqi , Peng Peihao , Bai Maoyang , Wang Xiao , Zhang Lifu , Hu Jiao , Wang Meilian , Wang Xueman , Wang Juan , Zhang Donghui , Sun Xuejian , Dai Xiaoai
Published: June 2023

Evergreen broad-leaved forests with rich biodiversity play a key role in stabilizing global vegetation productivity and maintaining land carbon sinks. However, quantitative and accurate classification results for humid, evergreen, broad-leaved forests (HEBF) and semi-humid evergreen broad-leaved forests (SEBF) with different vegetation productivity and significant differences in species composition are lacking. Remote sensing technology brings the possibility of vegetation subtype classification. Taking the mountainous evergreen broad-leaved forests distributed in Sichuan Province as an example, this study proposed a hierarchy-based classifier combined with environmental variables to quantitatively classify the two vegetation subtypes with different ecological characteristics but similar image features. Additionally, we applied Sun–Canopy–Sensor and C parameter(SCS + C) topographic correction to preprocess the images, effectively correcting the radiometric distortion and enhancing the accuracy of vegetation classification. Finally, achieving an overall accuracy (OA) of 87.91% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.76, which is higher than that of directly using the classifier to classify the two vegetation subtypes. The study revealed the widespread distribution of evergreen broad-leaved forests in Sichuan, with a clear boundary between the distribution areas of HEBF and SEBF. The HEBF in the east is located in the basin and the low marginal mountains; the SEBF is located in the southwest dry valley. The methods employed in this study offer an effective approach to vegetation classification in mountainous areas. The findings can provide guidance for ecological engineering construction, ecological protection, and agricultural and livestock development.
Leaf Spectral Analysis for Detection and Differentiation of Three Major Rice Diseases in the Philippines
Authors: Mirandilla Jean Rochielle F. , Yamashita Megumi , Yoshimura Mitsunori , Paringit Enrico C.
Published: June 2023

Monitoring the plant’s health and early detection of disease are essential to facilitate effective management, decrease disease spread, and minimize yield loss. Spectroscopic techniques in remote sensing offer less laborious methods and high spatiotemporal scale to monitor diseases in crops. Spectral measurements during the development of disease infection may reveal differences among diseases and determine the stage it can be effectively detected. In this study, spectral analysis was performed over the visible and near-infrared (400–850 nm) portions of the spectrum to detect and differentiate three major rice diseases in the Philippines, namely tungro, BLB, and blast disease. Reflectance of infected rice leaves was recorded repeatedly from inoculation to the late stage of each disease. Results show that spectral reflectance is characteristically affected by each disease, resulting in different spectral, signature sensitivity, and first-order derivatives. Red and red-edge wavelength ranges are the most sensitive to the three diseases. Near-infrared wavelengths decreased as tungro and blast diseases progressed. In addition, the spectral reflectance was resampled to common reflectance sensitivity bands of optical sensors and used in the cluster analysis. It showed that BLB and blast can be detected in the early disease stage on the IRRI Standard Evaluation System (SES) scale of 1 and 3, respectively. Alternatively, tungro was detected in its later stage, with an 11–30% height reduction and no distinct yellow to yellow-orange discoloration (5 SES scale). Three regression techniques, Partial Least Square, Random Forest, and Support Vector Regression were performed separately on each disease to develop models predicting its severity. The validation results of the PLSR and SVR models in tungro and blast show accuracy levels that are promising to be used in estimating the severity of the disease in leaves while RFR shows the best results for BLB. Early disease detection and regression models from spectral measurements and analysis for disease severity estimation can help in disease monitoring and proper disease management implementation.
Programmable Low-Pressure Chromatographic Sub-90 s Assay of Parabens in Cosmetics with Post-Column Chemiluminescence Detection
Authors: Barbatsi Margarita , Economou Anastasios
Published: June 2023

This work describes a new programmable low-pressure chromatography method with post-column chemiluminescence (CL) detection for the rapid and cost-effective determination of four parabens in cosmetic products. Elution of the target analytes was achieved using a programmable mobile phase prepared by implementing a linear solvent gradient protocol based on appropriate flow rate modulation of 2 MilliGAT pumps. A 5 mm monolithic C18 column was used to separate the parabens. Post-column reaction of the eluted parabens with an acidic Ce(IV)-rhodamine 6G (Rho 6G) medium was carried out by introducing a flow stream of the reactants into the column eluate. The light generated from the CL reaction was detected with a flow-through CL detector fabricated in-house. The whole sequence of operations (including sample injection, generation of the mobile phase, addition of the post-column reaction reagents and signal acquisition) was under full computer control. Various operational parameters (the mobile phase composition and gradient conditions, the CL reagents’ concentrations and flow rates and the length of the reaction coil) were studied. The method was validated and applied to the analysis of various cosmetic products. The proposed approach allows sub-90 s separation of the four parabens and their determination with a limit of quantification of 0.2 μg L−1 with a sample throughput of 24 samples h−1. In addition, the method is economical, makes use of low-cost low-pressure components, is fully automated and produces a low amount of waste.
A Study on the Quantitative Fire Performance Evaluation Method of Building Finishing Materials with a Focus on Medical Facilities
Authors: Kim Yongjoo , Park Dongin , Kim Soobin , Rie Dongho
Published: June 2023

Buildings in modern society tend to gradually expand in size due to technological development and overcrowding, which increases the risk of fire. Therefore, continuous efforts are being made to ensure the evacuation safety of occupants by installing firefighting facilities and using flame retardant building finishing materials. This study aims to present a fire performance evaluation plan for building finishing materials using simulations and identify risks that arise from not using flame retardant building finishing materials in medical facilities with vulnerable occupants. A control group for fire performance evaluation was selected using polyurethane foam, while two types of cellulose-based building finishing materials with different flame retardants were chosen for analysis. The cellulose-based finishing materials included expanded graphite, magnesium hydroxide, montmorillonite, and ammonium polyphosphate. Fire performance was evaluated using FDS and path detector simulations based on NES 713 and ISO 5660-1. The results of the study showed that there was a difference of three people in the prediction of the number of deaths depending on the scope of analysis, and it was confirmed that the toxic gas detected was different depending on the added flame retardant. Additionally, construction finishing materials with flame retardant performance increased ASET by at least 130 s compared to polyurethane foam, and the evacuation safety exceeded 1, confirming the effectiveness of securing evacuation stability for occupants.