bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Surface Roughness Modeling on the Aerodynamics of an Iced Wind Turbine S809 Airfoil
Authors: Contreras Montoya Leidy Tatiana , Ilinca Adrian , Lain Santiago
Published: December 2023

Ice formation on structures like wind turbine blade airfoils significantly reduces their aerodynamic efficiency. The presence of ice on airfoils causes deformation in their geometry and an increase in their surface roughness, enhancing turbulence, particularly on the suction side of the airfoil at high angles of attack. An approach for understanding this phenomenon and assessing its impact on wind turbine operation is modeling and simulation. In this contribution, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study is conducted using FENSAP-ICE 2022 R1 software available in the ANSYS package. The objective was to evaluate the influence of surface roughness modeling (Shin et al. and beading models) in combination with different turbulence models (Spalart–Allmaras and k-ω shear stress transport) on the estimation of the aerodynamic performance losses of wind turbine airfoils not only under rime ice conditions but also considering the less studied case of glaze ice. Moreover, the behavior of the commonly less explored pressure and skin friction coefficients is examined in the clean and iced airfoil scenarios. As a result, the iced profile experiences higher drag and lower lift than in the no-ice conditions, which is explained by modifying skin friction and pressure coefficients by ice. Overall, the outcomes of both turbulence models are similar, showing maximum differences not higher than 10% in the simulations for both ice regimes. However, it is demonstrated that the influence of blade roughness was critical and cannot be disregarded in ice accretion simulations on wind turbine blades. In this context, the beading model has demonstrated an excellent ability to manage changes in roughness throughout the ice accretion process. On the other hand, the widely used roughness model of Shin et al. could underestimate the lift and overestimate the drag coefficients of the wind turbine airfoil in icy conditions.
Voltammetric MDMA Analysis of Seized Ecstasy Samples
Authors: Tadini Maraine Catarina , Ipólito Antônio José , de Oliveira Marcelo Firmino
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an illicit drug that is sold as ecstasy. We aimed to develop a voltammetric method based on a chemically modified electrode (CME) to analyze MDMA. (2) Methods: The CME was evaluated with respect to the percentage of modifier, pre-concentration time, electroanalytical parameters, and selectivity. Then, the performance of the new voltammetric method was compared to the performance of color tests and chromatographic analyses (GC-MS and UPLC-MS) during the analysis of 11 seized ecstasy batches. (3) Results: The modifier percentage (v/v) of 1.5% provided the best CME. The electroanalytical parameters were in a linear range from 4.06 to 25.42 µmol L−1, SD = 0.018 µA, m = 84.0 × 103 µA L mol−1, r = 0.999, LD = 0.64 µmol L−1, and LQ = 2.17 µmol L−1. The CME was selective for MDMA. The MDMA concentration in the analyzed ecstasy lots ranged from 0 (without MDMA) to 63% (w/w). The voltammetric method developed for quantifying MDMA in ecstasy lots proved feasible and accurate (with a relative percentage error of ≤ ±13.2%). (4) Conclusions: The CME developed herein showed greater sensitivity (m) and lower LD and LQ for quantifying MDMA traces, paving the way for the use of voltammetric methods during forensic investigations.
Measuring the Multi-Scale Landscape Pattern of China’s Largest Archipelago from a Dual-3D Perspective Based on Remote Sensing
Authors: Qu Yubing , Chi Yuan , Gao Jianhua , Zhang Zhiwei , Liu Zhenhang , Wang Ya-Ping
Published: December 2023

Measuring the landscape pattern from a three-dimensional perspective is of great significance for comprehensively revealing the complex spatial characteristics of island ecosystems. However, the archipelago composed of rocky islands has received little attention as its three-dimensional landscape characteristics are difficult to quantify. This study took the largest archipelago in China, the Zhoushan Archipelago, as the study area and constructed an island landscape pattern evaluation model from a dual-three-dimensional (dual-3D) perspective. The model divided the island into upper and lower layers, namely the surface landscape based on topography and the landscape elements above the surface (i.e., vegetation and buildings), and then evaluated their landscape patterns from a three-dimensional perspective, respectively. The landscape pattern model based on a dual-3D perspective and multiple scales achieved excellent results in the archipelago. First, the island landscape pattern was evaluated from three-dimensional perspectives, including human interference, landscape fragmentation, vegetation space, and building space. Second, landscape indices such as the human interference three-dimensional index (HITI), the landscape fragmentation three-dimensional index (LFTI), the vegetation three-dimensional index (VTI), and the building three-dimensional index (BTI) established at multiple spatial scales revealed spatial heterogeneity within and between islands. Environmental factors such as elevation, slope, and island area exhibited significant correlations with them. There were significant differences in landscape pattern indices between the two-dimensional (2D) and the three-dimensional (3D) perspectives, and high values were mainly distributed in areas with significant topographic changes and larger islands. In addition, as the evaluation unit increased, the landscape indices increased, and HITI became more responsive to the transitions from 2D to 3D, while LFTI was the opposite. Therefore, the multiscale landscape pattern measurement of China’s largest archipelago based on high-resolution remote sensing was carried out from three-dimensional perspectives to accurately reveal the spatial heterogeneity.
Deep Power Vision Technology and Intelligent Vision Sensors
Authors: Zhang Ke , Qi Yincheng
Published: December 2023

With the rapid development of the power system and the increasing burden of its inspection, more attention has been paid to the automatic inspection technologies based on deep power vision technology and intelligent vision sensors [...]
Assessment of Muscle Coordination Changes Caused by the Use of an Occupational Passive Lumbar Exoskeleton in Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Iranzo Sofía , Belda-Lois Juan-Manuel , Martinez-de-Juan Jose Luis , Prats-Boluda Gema
Published: December 2023

The introduction of exoskeletons in industry has focused on improving worker safety. Exoskeletons have the objective of decreasing the risk of injury or fatigue when performing physically demanding tasks. Exoskeletons’ effect on the muscles is one of the most common focuses of their assessment. The present study aimed to analyze the muscle interactions generated during load-handling tasks in laboratory conditions with and without a passive lumbar exoskeleton. The electromyographic data of the muscles involved in the task were recorded from twelve participants performing load-handling tasks. The correlation coefficient, coherence coefficient, mutual information, and multivariate sample entropy were calculated to determine if there were significant differences in muscle interactions between the two test conditions. The results showed that muscle coordination was affected by the use of the exoskeleton. In some cases, the exoskeleton prevented changes in muscle coordination throughout the execution of the task, suggesting a more stable strategy. Additionally, according to the directed Granger causality, a trend of increasing bottom-up activation was found throughout the task when the participant was not using the exoskeleton. Among the different variables analyzed for coordination, the most sensitive to changes was the multivariate sample entropy.
UAV Atmosphere Sounding for Rocket Launch Support
Authors: Bęben Karol Piotr , Noga Tomasz , Cieśliński Dawid , Kulpa Dawid , Spiralski Marcin Ryszard
Published: December 2023

One of the crucial branches of activity at the Łukasiewicz Research Network—Institute of Aviation is developing a suborbital rocket vehicle capable of launching small payloads beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, reaching over 100 km in altitude. Ensuring safety is a primary concern, particularly given the finite flight zone and impact area. Crucial to safety analysis is the wind profile, especially in the very first seconds of a flight, when rocket velocity is of the same order as the wind speed. Traditional near-ground wind data sources, ranging from wind towers to numerical models of the atmosphere, have limitations. Wind towers are costly and unfeasible at many test ranges used for launches, while numerical modeling may not reflect the specific ground profile near the launcher due to their large cell size (2 to +10 km). Meteorological balloons are not favorable for such measurements as they aim to provide the launch operator with a wind profile at high altitudes, and are launched only 1–2 times per flight attempt. Our study sought to prototype a wind measurement system designed to acquire near-ground wind profile data. It focuses on measuring wind direction and speed at near-ground altitudes with higher flight frequency, offering data on demand shortly before launch to help ensure safety. This atmosphere sounding system consists of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with an onboard ultrasonic wind sensor. Some reports in the literature have discussed the possibility of using UAV-borne anemometers, but the topic of measurement errors introduced by placing the anemometer onboard an UAV remains under studied. Limited research in this area underlines the need for experimental validation of design choices–for specific types of UAVs, anemometers, and mounting. This paper presents a literature review, a detailed overview of the prototyped system, and flight test results in both natural (outdoor) and controlled (indoor, no wind) conditions. Data from the UAV system’s anemometer was benchmarked against a stationary reference weather station, in order to examine the influence of the UAV’s rotor on the anemometer readings. Our findings show a wind speed Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 5 m/s and a directional RMSE of below 5.3° (both averaged for 1 min). The results were also compared with similar UAV-based wind measurements. The prototyped system was successfully used in a suborbital rocket launch campaign, thus demonstrating the feasibility of integrating UAVs with dedicated sensors for performing regular meteorological measurements in automatic mode.
Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of a Novel Optical Six-Axis Distributed Force and Displacement Tactile Sensor for Dexterous Robotic Manipulation
Authors: Leslie Olivia , Córdova Bulens David , Redmond Stephen J.
Published: December 2023

Real-time multi-axis distributed tactile sensing is a critical capability if robots are to perform stable gripping and dexterous manipulation, as it provides crucial information about the sensor–object interface. In this paper, we present an optical-based six-axis tactile sensor designed in a fingertip shape for robotic dexterous manipulation. The distributed sensor can precisely estimate the local XYZ force and displacement at ten distinct locations and provide the global XYZ force and torque measurements. Its compact size, comparable to that of a human thumb, and minimal thickness allow seamless integration onto existing robotic fingers, eliminating the need for complex modifications to the gripper. The proposed sensor design uses a simple, low-cost fabrication method. Moreover, the optical transduction approach uses light angle and intensity sensing to infer force and displacement from deformations of the individual sensing units that form the overall sensor, providing distributed six-axis sensing. The local force precision at each sensing unit in the X, Y, and Z axes is 20.89 mN, 19.19 mN, and 43.22 mN, respectively, over a local force range of approximately ±1.5 N in X and Y and 0 to −2 N in Z. The local displacement precision in the X, Y, and Z axes is 56.70 μm, 50.18 μm, and 13.83 μm, respectively, over a local displacement range of ±2 mm in the XY directions and 0 to −1.5 mm in Z (i.e., compression). Additionally, the sensor can measure global torques, Tx, Ty, and Tz, with a precision of of 1.90 N-mm, 1.54 N-mm, and 1.26 N-mm, respectively. The fabricated design is showcased by integrating it with an OnRobot RG2 gripper and illustrating real-time measurements during in simple demonstration task, which generated changing global forces and torques.
A Comparative Study on the Ethical Responsibilities of Key Role Players in Software Development
Authors: Marebane Senyeki Milton , Hans Robert Toyo
Published: December 2023

Background: Issues of lack of consideration for professional responsibility by software engineers (SEs) present major challenges and concerns to software users. Previous studies on the subject of ethical responsibility in software development assessed whether software development key stakeholders should take ethical responsibility for their actions in software development. However, such studies focused on assessing responses from a particular grouping in software development. Objective: Based on the revelation, this study seeks to evaluate the perceived ethical responsibilities in software development by juxtaposing the perceptions of students, educators and industry-based software practitioners on the ethical responsibility of software development key stakeholders in South Africa. Methods: To meet this objective, the study collected data using a survey, which was shared on an online platform. A total of 561 (44 from computing academics; 103 from industry-based software practitioners and 414 from software development students) responses were received. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and variance statistical analysis approaches. Results: The study found that there is no significant statistical difference in how students, educators and software practitioners perceive the ethical responsibility of software development key stakeholders. Conclusions: This finding of the study shows that the prevailing view is that various software development key stakeholders should be held ethically responsible for their contribution to software development. Furthermore, the organisation of ethical responsibilities used in this study provides a useful framework to guide future studies on this subject.
Comparative Study of Fertilizers in Tomato-Grown Soils: Soil Quality, Sustainability, and Carbon/Water Footprints
Authors: Maffia Angela , Marra Federica , Canino Francesco , Oliva Mariateresa , Mallamaci Carmelo , Celano Giuseppe , Muscolo Adele
Published: December 2023

This manuscript delves into the pivotal role of sustainable agriculture in addressing environmental challenges and meeting the nutritional demands of a burgeoning global population. The primary objective is to assess the impact of a recently developed eco-friendly fertilizer, denoted as SBO, which arises from the blend of organic and mineral components derived from agricultural waste, sulfur, and residual orange materials. These elements are bound together with bentonite. This study compares SBO with distinct fertilizer treatments, including horse manure (HM) and nitrogen–phosphorous–potassium (NPK), on two diverse tomato-growing soils, each characterized by unique chemical and biological properties. Furthermore, the research extends to evaluate the environmental implications of these fertilizers, with a specific focus on their carbon and water footprints. Soils have been chemically and biochemically analyzed, and carbon and water footprints (CF and WF, respectively) have been assessed. The results reveal substantial enhancements in soil quality with the application of SBO fertilizer. Both soils undergo a transition towards near-neutral pH levels, an increase in organic matter content, and heightened microbial biomass. SBO-treated soils exhibit notably superior enzyme activities. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results affirm the sustainability of the SBO-based system, boasting the lowest CF, while NPK demonstrates the highest environmental impact. Consistently, the WF analysis aligns with these findings, indicating that SBO necessitates the least water for tomato production. In summary, this study underscores the critical importance of adopting sustainable fertilization practices for enhancing soil quality and reducing environmental footprints in agriculture. The promising results offer potential benefits for both food production and environmental conservation.
Knowledge Mapping of Industrial Upgrading Research: A Visual Analysis Using CiteSpace
Authors: Cao Xuwen , Furuoka Fumitaka , Rasiah Rajah
Published: December 2023

With the development of economic globalization, the issue of industrial upgrading has gradually become the focus of scholars. This paper provides a systematic review of academic research focused on industrial upgrading. Using CiteSpace 6.1.R 5 visualization tools, we collected 1535 articles from the Web of Science database over 30 years. This paper identified the most influential publications, authors, journals, institutions, and countries in this field. Additionally, this paper analysed the structures of cited references, cited authors, and cited journals to gain insights into theoretical foundations. Lastly, the collective results obtained using CiteSpace will contribute to a better understanding of industrial upgrading in the form of a “Scientific and technological innovation evaluation index system in China” for both theorists and practitioners. This paper combines bibliometric methods with systematic reviews to help researchers and practitioners better understand the development of industrial upgrading.
Impact of Environmental Leadership on Environmental Behavior: The Mediating Effects of Green Culture, Environmental Management, and Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Fan Li-Ping , Chung Hung-Chang
Published: December 2023

With rising global environmental concerns, businesses are prioritizing environmental preservation alongside economic growth. This research investigates the influence of environmental leadership on corporate green culture, environmental management, strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR), and environmental behavior. Surveying high-tech industry professionals in southern Taiwan, the study obtained 479 out of 600 questionnaires that were valid, yielding an 80% response rate. Key findings include the following. (1) Environmental leadership positively impacts green culture, environmental management, strategic CSR, and environmental behavior. (2) Green culture and environmental management mediate the relationship between environmental leadership and environmental behavior. (3) Strategic CSR mediates the influence of environmental leadership on environmental behavior. Through environmental leadership, knowledge dissemination, and attitude shaping, the paper proposes that high-tech industries can alter their worldview and daily practices, thus addressing environmental degradation at its core.
Study on Direct Reduction in Carbon-Bearing Pellets Using Biochar
Authors: Wu Jianlong , Wu Shengli , An Gang , Ma Chengwei , Teng Zhaojie , Xu Kun , Wang Chuan , Ning Xiaojun , Wang Guangwei
Published: December 2023

As a renewable, carbon-neutral raw material, the application of biomass in steel production is conducive to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving green and sustainable development in the steel industry. The heating and reduction process of a rotary hearth furnace was simulated under laboratory conditions to roast and reduce biochar carbon-bearing pellets with coke powder and anthracite carbon-bearing pellets as a comparison. This was conducted to investigate the impact of biochar as a reducing agent on the direct reduction in carbon-bearing pellets. Under various reduction temperatures, carbon/oxygen ratios, and reduction times, tests were conducted on the compressive strength and metallization rate of carbon-bearing pellets made using typical binder bentonite. Results show that with the increase in reduction temperature, the metallization rate of pellets increases, while the compressive strength initially decreases and then increases, reaching the lowest point at 900 °C and 1000 °C. When the ratio of carbon to oxygen is between 0.7 and 0.9 and the reduction time is between 15 and 25 min, carbon-bearing pellets meet the requirements of both the metallization rate and the strength, with the metallization rate above 80%. However, severe volume swelling and low strength were observed in biochar carbon-bearing pellets at 900 °C and 1000 °C, which negatively impacted multi-layered charging and heat transfer efficiency in the blast furnace. Therefore, a novel laboratory-prepared binder was introduced in the preparation process of biochar carbon-bearing pellets at an appropriate addition ratio of 5–8%. Without producing any swelling concerns, the inclusion of this binder considerably improved the compression strength and metallization rate of the pellets, enabling them to fulfill the standards for raw materials in the blast furnace.
Smart Heritage Practice and Its Characteristics Based on Architectural Heritage Conservation—A Case Study of the Management Platform of the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles China
Authors: Song Heng , Selim Gehan , Gao Yun
Published: December 2023

This article aims to find out the process for achieving smartness in urban architectural heritage conservation, maintenance, and operation and identify characteristics of the so-called smartness. It seeks to provide an example of introducing smart ideas into architectural heritage while encouraging more conservation. The discussions among architectural heritage conservation under the smart discourse are scattered in virtual applications, digital involvements, tourism, etc., and an integration method is worth considering. This article selected a platform for architectural heritage conservation and management of the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles (SFLAC), China. An integrated literature review is conducted to locate knowledge gaps. Thematic analysis is used for data analysis to develop the practising procedure and smart heritage features. Current practices lack a systematic consideration based on the perspective of conservation and management, which details applications for various groups in correspondence to stages. Interviews and policy document analysis were conducted to support the investigation. Smartness for architectural heritage should include policy guidance, digitalisation, platform integration, applications, and optimisations and has the feature of evolvement. Its practice should first promote heritage preservation and consider the benefits of different users, cultural inheritance, and urban regeneration based on different time durations.
Laggard by Design: The Case of the Implementation of the EU Directive on the Agricultural Use of Sewage Sludge in Italy
Authors: Bozzini Emanuela
Published: December 2023

The literature on EU environmental policy implementation shows that Italy’s low administrative capacity prevents it from fully complying with EU provisions. This paper builds on this literature and, through a comprehensive documentary analysis, utilises a process tracing methodology to analyse the implementation process of the sewage sludge directive. This policy has implications for public health and the environment, causing widespread concern. Empirical findings show that the poor performance in this sector results from specific, customised policy decisions made by national and regional authorities at different points in time. The conclusions suggest that, rather than being incompetent, Italy can be defined as a laggard by design.
Simulating the Impact of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act on State-Level CO2 Emissions: An Integrated Assessment Model Approach
Authors: Wang Tianye , Shittu Ekundayo
Published: December 2023

Climate change mitigation measures are often projected to reduce anthropogenic carbon dioxide concentrations. Yet, it seems there is ample evidence suggesting that we have a limited understanding of the impacts of these measures and their combinations. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) enacted in the U.S. in 2022 contains significant provisions, such as the electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, to reduce CO2 emissions. However, the impact of such provisions is not fully understood across the U.S., particularly in the context of their interactions with other macroeconomic systems. In this paper, we employ an Integrated Assessment Model (IAM), the Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM), to estimate the future CO2 emissions in the U.S. GCAM is equipped to comprehensively characterize the interactions among different systems, e.g., energy, water, land use, and transportation. Thus, the use of GCAM-USA that has U.S. state-level resolution allows the projection of the impacts and consequences of major provisions in the IRA, i.e., EV tax credits and clean energy incentives. To compare the performance of these incentives and credits, a policy effectiveness index is used to evaluate the strength of the relationship between the achieved total CO2 emissions and the overarching emission reduction costs. Our results show that the EV tax credits as stipulated in the IRA can only marginally reduce carbon emissions across the U.S. In fact, it may lead to negative impacts in some states. However, simultaneously combining the incentives and tax credits improves performance and outcomes better than the sum of the individual effects of the policies. This demonstrates that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts in this decarbonization approach. Our findings provide insights for policymakers with a recommendation that combining EV tax credits with clean energy incentives magnifies the intended impact of emission reduction.
Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction-Oriented Optimal Control of Traffic Signals in Mixed Traffic Flow Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Wang Zhaowei , Xu Le , Ma Jianxiao
Published: December 2023

To alleviate intersection traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions at intersections, research on exploiting reinforcement learning for intersection signal control has become a frontier topic in the field of intelligent transportation. This study utilizes a deep reinforcement learning algorithm based on the D3QN (dueling double deep Q network) to achieve adaptive control of signal timings. Under a mixed traffic environment with connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and human-driven vehicles (HDVs), this study constructs a reward function (Reward—CO2 Reduction) to minimize vehicle waiting time and carbon dioxide emissions at the intersection. Additionally, to account for the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of traffic flow, an adaptive-phase action space and a fixed-phase action space are designed to optimize action selections. The proposed algorithm is validated in a SUMO simulation with different traffic volumes and CAV penetration rates. The experimental results are compared with other control strategies like Webster’s method (fixed-time control). The analysis shows that the proposed model can effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions when the traffic volume is low or medium. As the penetration rate of CAVs increases, the average carbon dioxide emissions and waiting time can be further reduced with the proposed model. The significance of this study lies in its dual achievement: by presenting a flexible strategy that not only reduces the environmental impact by lowering carbon dioxide emissions but also enhances traffic efficiency, it provides a tangible example of the advancement of green intelligent transportation systems.
Green Spaces and the Spontaneous Renewal of Historic Neighborhoods: A Case Study of Beijing’s Dashilar Community
Authors: Zhang Wenhai , Xin Jiang
Published: December 2023

Renewal projects dealing with public spaces in Chinese historic neighborhoods were mainly dominated by government entities and experts, but their increasing commercialization and standardization did not fully meet the residents’ needs. In this context, resident-driven regeneration practices centered on small-scale gardening are becoming more popular as an alternative. However, few studies focused on the strengths and intentions of these informal gardens and the implications for the renewal of public space in historical communities. A case study was carried out in the Dashilar area, a historical community with numerous informal gardens. Specifically, resident-led community gardens were first sampled and investigated. Second, the components of these gardens were identified and classified with multiple indicators. Third, agglomerative hierarchical clustering was applied to distinguish the different types and the resident needs behind them, and two kinds of renewal projects were compared. The results show that the spontaneous actions and participation of residents, drawing on local knowledge, are critical to the popularity of informal community gardens among local residents, which is also supplementary to the current organizational mechanisms of public space renewal in historical communities. Our research is expected to enrich the research contents of urban green spaces and provide theoretical support for the sustainable development and renewal of historic neighborhoods.
Numerical Simulation of Hydraulic Fractures Breaking through Barriers in Shale Gas Reservoir in Well YS108-H3 in the Zhaotong Shale Gas Demonstration Area
Authors: Sun Shasha , Yang Xinyu , Rui Yun , Shi Zhensheng , Cheng Feng , Chen Shangbin , Zhou Tianqi , Chang Yan , Sun Jian
Published: December 2023

Estimating the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing in the context of the incrfease in the shale gas demand is of great significance for enhancing shale gas production, which aims to substantially reduce fossil energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The Zhaotong national shale gas demonstration zone has complex stress structures and well-developed fracture zones, and thus it is challenging to achieve targeted reservoir segment transformation. In this paper, we construct and optimize the geometry of hydraulic fractures at different pressures considering the upper and lower barriers in hydraulic fracturing simulation experiments and numerical modeling. The numerical simulation results show that the pore pressure exhibits a stepped pattern around the fracture and an elliptical pattern near the fracture tip. During the first time of injection, the pore pressure rapidly increases to 76 MPa, dropping sharply afterward, indicating that the fracture initiation pressure is 76 MPa. During the fracture propagation, the fracture length is much greater than the fracture height and width. The fracture width is larger in the middle than on the two sides, whereas the fracture height gradually decreases at the fracture tip in the longitudinal direction until it closes and is smaller near the wellbore than at the far end. The results revealed that the fracture width at the injection point reached the maximum value of 9.05 mm, and then it gradually decreased until the fracture width at the injection point dropped to 6.33 mm at the final simulation time. The fracture broke through the upper and lower barriers due to the dominance of the effect of the interlayer principal stress difference on the fracture propagation shape, causing the hydraulic fracture to break through the upper and lower barriers. The results of the physical simulation experiment revealed that after hydraulic fracturing, multiple primary fractures were generated on the side surface of the specimen. The primary fractures extended, inducing the generation of secondary fractures. After hydraulic fracturing, the width of the primary fractures on the surface of the specimen was 0.382–0.802 mm, with maximum fracture widths of 0.802 mm and 0.239 mm, representing a decrease of 70.19% in the maximum fracture width. This work yielded an important finding, i.e., the urgent need for hydraulic fracturing adaptation promotes the three-dimensional development of a gas shale play.
Macroinvertebrate Community Responses to Multiple Pressures in a Peri-Urban Mediterranean River
Authors: Latinopoulos Dionissis , Ntislidou Chrysoula , Lazarina Maria , Papaevangelou Vassiliki , Akratos Christos , Kagalou Ifigenia
Published: December 2023

Despite peri-urban areas being crucial for ecosystem service provisioning, they usually become degraded, as they are burdened with effluents from urban production activities. Such is the case of Laspias River (Thrace, Greece), where a series of diffuse and point pollution sources are met throughout its course, neglecting the fact that it discharges into a protected area. In an attempt to assist possible management implications in this less-researched river, two years of investigative monitoring provided the insight to test the effect of abiotic parameters in the benthic invertebrate biota and water quality, in turn. The results revealed an avalanche of pressures, where nutrients and organic pollution loads diminish richness and biodiversity, losing any temporal or seasonal pattern, resulting in biotic (taxonomic/functional) homogenization. The river is at a tipping point, and tailored measures must be designed and implemented immediately.
Is the Central Nervous System Reservoir a Hurdle for an HIV Cure?
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Nazanin , Chomont Nicolas , Estaquier Jerome , Cohen Eric A. , Power Christopher
Published: December 2023

There is currently no cure for HIV infection although adherence to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses replication of the virus in blood, increases CD4+ T-cell counts, reverses immunodeficiency, and increases life expectancy. Despite these substantial advances, ART is a lifelong treatment for people with HIV (PWH) and upon cessation or interruption, the virus quickly rebounds in plasma and anatomic sites, including the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in disease progression. With recent advances in quantifying viral burden, detection of genetically intact viral genomes, and isolation of replication-competent virus from brain tissues of PWH receiving ART, it has become apparent that the CNS viral reservoir (largely comprised of macrophage type cells) poses a substantial challenge for HIV cure strategies. Other obstacles impacting the curing of HIV include ageing populations, substance use, comorbidities, limited antiretroviral drug efficacy in CNS cells, and ART-associated neurotoxicity. Herein, we review recent findings, including studies of the proviral integration sites, reservoir decay rates, and new treatment/prevention strategies in the context of the CNS, together with highlighting the next steps for investigations of the CNS as a viral reservoir.
Immunization Effects of a Novel α-Synuclein-Based Peptide Epitope Vaccine in Parkinson’s Disease-Associated Pathology
Authors: Park Jun Sung , Ahmad Riaz , Choe Kyonghwan , Kang Min Hwa , Park Tae Ju , Kim Myeong Ok
Published: December 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system, specifically the motor system. It is mainly caused by the loss of dopamine due to the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) protein in the striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Previous studies have reported that immunization may be a potential preventive strategy for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, the aim of the study was to design an α-syn specific epitope vaccine and investigate its effect in PD-related pathophysiology using an α-syn-induced mouse model. We used an in silico model to identify and design a non-toxic α-syn-based peptide epitope vaccine and, to overcome poor immunogenicity, the vaccine was coupled with immunogenic carrier proteins, i.e., ovalbumin (OVA) and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). Our results showed that vaccinated PD mouse models, especially with vaccines with carrier proteins, improved in motor functions compared with the non-vaccinated PD model. Additionally, the vaccinated groups showed increased immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in the spleen and plasma as well as decreased interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the plasma. Furthermore, vaccinated groups, especially OVA and KLH groups, showed decrease in α-syn levels and increased dopamine-related markers, i.e., tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vesicle monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), and dopamine transporter (DAT), and autophagy activities in the striatum and SNpc. Lastly, our data showed decreased neuroinflammation by reducing the activation of microglia and astrocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the immunized groups, especially with OVA and KLH carrier proteins. Overall, these results suggest that vaccination, especially with immunogenic carrier proteins, is effective in reducing the accumulation of α-syn aggregates in the brain and ameliorate PD-related pathophysiology. Hence, further development of this approach might have a potential role in preventing the development of PD.
Cultural Tightness-Looseness: How Was It Related to Vaccination Behavior among University Students in Japan, the United States, and India?
Authors: Kawamura Yoko , Kato Mio , Miyawaki Rina , Ishikawa Hirono , Muilenburg Jessica Legge , Tomar Yuki Azaad
Published: December 2023

As a next step to better understand the role of cultural tightness-looseness (CTL), this study aimed to examine whether CTL is associated with COVID-19 vaccination behavior among university students, taking into consideration sociocultural perceptions of vaccination across countries. A global online survey was conducted. University students from Japan, the US, and India participated. The average CTL score, three sociocultural perceptions related to COVID-19 vaccination, side effects, infection experience of themselves and family members, and other demographic variables were used to identify the model and to explain the second vaccination status using stepwise logistic regression methods with Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) scores which was for both the total, with the country as a variable, and for each country. Analyses of data from 1289 respondents who received the first vaccine revealed the essential role of CTL in individuals getting the second vaccine, while also revealing differences between countries. Regardless of the limitations, this study adds knowledge about CTL’s roles in the COVID-19 vaccination behavior among young generations and provides insights into public health communication practices for issues like COVID-19.
Bidirectional Patellar Luxation in Small- or Miniature-Breed Dogs in Japan; Patient Characteristics and Radiographic Measures Compared with Medial Patellar Luxation
Authors: Mizutani Itaru , Nishi Reo , Murakami Masahiro
Published: December 2023

Bidirectional patellar luxation (BPL) is a relatively rare form of patellar luxation, with limited information reported regarding breed predisposition and etiology. The purpose of this study was to describe the patient characteristics and radiographic measures of proximodistal patellar position associated with BPL in dogs in Japan, compared with dogs with medial patellar luxation (MPL). A retrospective medical record search of surgically corrected MPL and BPL dogs was performed, and breed, age, sex, body weight, and presence of the patella alta in the extended-stifle position were recorded. The ratio of the patellar ligament length to patella length (PLL/PL) and the ratio of the distance between the proximal pole of the patella and the femoral condyle to patella length (A/PL) were measured on stifle radiographs. A total of 35 dogs with BPL and 95 dogs with MPL were included. The BPL was most commonly present in Toy Poodles (odds ratio compared to MPL dogs: 7.05) in the present study. There were no significant differences in age, sex, or body weight between the BPL and MPL groups. Patella alta in the extended-stifle position was more common in the BPL group (23.4%) than in the MPL group (0.8%). However, there were no significant differences in PLL/PL or A/PL between the BPL and MPL groups. The study highlights BPL in different dog breeds in Japan, and suggests that the occurrence of BPL may be related to stifle extension. However, more research is needed to fully understand the etiology of BPL.
Comparison of cashew nuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts according to nutritional, biological, and physiological values when justifying the development of new product types
Authors:   OOO “Semushka”, Livinskiy A.A. , Timofeeva I.A. ,   FSBI ROSBIOTECH, Krasavin A.S. ,   FSBI ROSBIOTECH, Pavlovskiy A.S. ,   FSBI ROSBIOTECH, Lapin A.V. ,   FSBI ROSBIOTECH, Goryacheva E.D. ,   FSBI ROSBIOTECH
Published: December 2023

Empirical studies of the chemical composition of nuts and systematization of the obtained data on cashew nuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios were carried out in order to develop new types of products. It has been shown that the fat fractions of cashew nuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios are comparable to oilseeds used for the extraction of vegetable oil. Cashew kernels have an SFA:MUFA:PUFA ratio of 1:3:1, pistachio kernels — 1:4.3:2.5, and hazelnut kernels — 1:10:1.8. PUFAs are represented by ω-6 fatty acids; there are no ω-3 fatty acids and trans isomers. In terms of protein content, nut kernels (cashews — 18 g, hazelnuts — about 16g, pistachios — 20 g) are not inferior to complete protein sources. The comparison of amino acid scores with the amino acid composition of the reference protein (FAO) has shown that the pistachio nut mass corresponds to a complete protein in amino acid composition, while cashews and hazelnuts have one limiting amino acid — lysine. The carbohydrate part of nuts is represented by dietary fi ber, starch, and sugars. A distinctive feature of pistachio nuts is their higher carbohydrate content (27.5 g), as well as the presence of maltose. Hazelnuts, pistachios, and cashews are high in dietary fiber. Introducing nuts into the diet of healthy people has demonstrated that each nut promotes the development of diff erent phyla of the microbiome.
On the quality of sold drinking milk
Authors:   Department of Commodity Science and Customs Expert Examination, Russian Customs Academy, Krishtafovich V.I.
Published: December 2023

According to Roskachestvo, today there is a fairly high share of low-quality, unsafe, and falsifi ed dairy products on the Russian market. When studying the quality of two samples of pasteurized drinking milk with the same fat content of 3.2% in terms of organoleptic, physical and chemical indicators (as part of the fi nal qualifi cation work), it has been revealed that one sample of drinking milk does not comply with the information on the label and the requirements of the standard for physical and chemical indicators; it can be assumed that this sample is diluted with water. It should be noted that no vegetable fats were detected during the study of both samples.
Current problems of classification of coconut milk for customs purposes
Authors:   Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Tiranova I.M.
Published: December 2023

The article examines the problem of classifying coconut milk in accordance with the Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity of the Eurasian Economic Union. As a result of the analysis of judicial practice in the area of research, a classification code is proposed.
Mathematical methods in nature management and land use planning
Authors:   Theory and Teaching of the Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science Department Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education ", Kamalova D.Z. ,   Ural State Pedagogical University",   , Ekaterinburg, Russia, Zagitova L. R. ,   Land Management Department, FSBEI HE "Bashkir State Agrarian University", Ufa, Russia, Khaidarshina E. T. ,   Environmental management, construction and hydraulics department, FSBEI HE "Bashkir State Agrarian University", Ufa, Russia, Kutliyarov A. N. ,   FSBEI HE "Bashkir State Agrarian University", Ufa, Russia, Kutliarov D. N. ,   Environmental management, construction and hydraulics department, FSBEI HE "Bashkir State Agrarian University", Ufa, Russia
Published: December 2023

The article discusses the most popular mathematical methods in environmental management and land use planning, and substantiates their use in restoring the components of disturbed landscapes. Environmental management and land use planning are developing branches of applied sciences and engineering activities, involving measurements of landscape components, calculations of their changes and interactions. Based on such calculations, environmental and land management measures are developed aimed at restoring natural landscapes and returning them to their original parameters. An important role in the performance of calculations is played by mathematical methods, which are the tools for establishing the tight connections between the elements, determining the predictive values of the desired characteristics and other necessary calculations.
Kepemilikan Institusional sebagai Moderasi: Manajemen Laba, Financial Distress, Sales Growth terhadap Praktik Tax Avoidance
Authors: Abdurrosyid Moh , Damayanti Mita Amalia
Published: December 2023

This study aims to examine the effect of earnings management, financial distress and sales growth on tax avoidance practices with institutional ownership as a moderator. The population in this study are companies in the various industrial sectors listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2016-2021 period. Through purposive sampling technique obtained a sample of 228 research data. The analytical method used is panel data regression and moderated regression analysis which is processed using Eviews 9. The results of this study indicate that earnings management has a significant positive effect on tax avoidance practices, financial distress has a significant negative effect on tax avoidance practices, sales growth has a significant negative effect on tax avoidance practices. tax avoidance, institutional ownership can weaken the effect of earnings management on tax avoidance practices, institutional ownership can weaken the effect of financial distress on tax avoidance practices, institutional ownership can strengthen the effect of sales growth on tax avoidance practices.
ANALISA HADIST TAJDID DIN
Authors: Muhibuddin Muhibuddin , Saefullah Awwab
Published: December 2023

Konsekuensi syahadat adalah iman kepada Rasulullah saw., dan bukti keimanan itu ditunjukkan dalam bentuk sikap. Rasulullah juga menegaskan bahwa Allah Swt. memberikan anugerah-Nya dengan memunculkan para mujadid (pembaharu) yang mengikuti jejak Rasulullah saw. untuk menghidupkan kembali ajaran Islam yang murni. Hadis tajdid adalah hadis yang memiliki kualitas derajat hadis shahih jika dilihat dari sanad (jalur periwayatannya). Dari segi matan maka hadis ini tidak memiliki cacat karena sesuai dengan AlQuran dan hadis shahih lainnya. Hadis ini juga merupakan salah satu bukti kenabian Rasulullah, karena terkait dengan kabar masa depan (nubuat). Serta hadis ini merupakan kabar gembira bagi umat Islam sekaligus bukti penjagaan dari Allah Swt. atas agama ini (Islam). Adapun penelitian ini  menggunakan  metode  penelitian  kualitatif  yang  dipadukan dengan  kajian  pustaka.  Teknik pengumpulan  data  peneliti  mengamati  data sesuai dengan pembahasan. Informasi  diperoleh  dari  berbagai  buku,  literatur,  dokumen,  majalah,  publikasi, artikel  dan  informasi  dari  media  cetak  dan  elektronik  lainnya  yang  berkaitan dengan masalah yang teridentifikasi. Dari hasil penelitian ini maka disimpulkan bahwa: 1) Makna tajdid menurut jumhur ulama (konservatif) adalah upaya pembaharuan (mengembalikan) Islam menuju Al-Quran dan Sunah seperti masa pemahaman di masa Rasulullah dan Khulafa Rasyidin, 2) Makna tajdid yang diarahkan kepada modernisasi (oleh kaum modernis) justru seolah makin menjauhkan dari pemahaman generasi terbaik (salafu salih) terhadap Al-Quran dan Sunah.