bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colorimetric Films Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol and Anthocyanins Extracted from Purple Tomato to Monitor the Freshness of Shrimp
Authors: Qi Yangyang , Li Yana
Published: February 2024

Anthocyanin extracts from purple tomato (PTA) were incorporated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), resulting in a series of colorimetric PVA/PTA films with PTA concentrations of 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% (based on PVA). The role of anthocyanin on color response, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), thickness, water content, mechanical properties, antioxidant activity, and water vapor permeability (WVP) through the films was examined. In addition, its application in smart packaging to assess the freshness of shrimp was studied. It was found that the tensile strength, contact angle and WVP of PVA/PTA films increases with the addition of more PTA, while the elongation at break and water content decreased. FTIR analysis showed that there are interactions between PTA and the PVA matrix. The addition of anthocyanins caused significant improvement in the antioxidant properties of PVA films. Furthermore, the total volatile alkaline nitrogen (TVB-N), total plate count (TPC), and pH value of shrimp were monitored after 4 days of refrigeration, and the color change of the indexes was recorded. The PVA/PTA films changed color from purple to yellow-green during the storage time of 0–4 days for shrimp. This suggests that the film could be used in smart packaging as a real-time freshness indicator for shrimp.
Three-Dimensional Bioprinting of Strontium-Modified Controlled Assembly of Collagen Polylactic Acid Composite Scaffold for Bone Repair
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Xie Wenyu , Hu Kun , Yang Zongwen , Han Lu , Li Luhai , Qi Yuansheng , Wei Yen
Published: February 2024

In recent years, the incidence of bone defects has been increasing year by year. Bone transplantation has become the most needed surgery after a blood transfusion and shows a rising trend. Three-dimensional-printed implants can be arbitrarily shaped according to the defects of tissues and organs to achieve perfect morphological repair, opening a new way for non-traumatic repair and functional reconstruction. In this paper, strontium-doped mineralized collagen was first prepared by an in vitro biomimetic mineralization method and then polylactic acid was homogeneously blended with the mineralized collagen to produce a comprehensive bone repair scaffold by a gas extrusion 3D printing method. Characterization through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical testing revealed that the strontium-functionalized composite scaffold exhibits an inorganic composition and nanostructure akin to those of human bone tissue. The scaffold possesses uniformly distributed and interconnected pores, with a compressive strength reaching 21.04 MPa. The strontium doping in the mineralized collagen improved the biocompatibility of the scaffold and inhibited the differentiation of osteoclasts to promote bone regeneration. This innovative composite scaffold holds significant promise in the field of bone tissue engineering, providing a forward-thinking solution for prospective bone injury repair.
Research Advances in Superabsorbent Polymers
Authors: Yang Yaoyao , Liang Zhiyuan , Zhang Rui , Zhou Shengwei , Yang Haobo , Chen Yanyu , Zhang Jiahui , Yin Hongyi , Yu Dengguang
Published: February 2024

Superabsorbent polymers are new functional polymeric materials that can absorb and retain liquids thousands of times their masses. This paper reviews the synthesis and modification methods of different superabsorbent polymers, summarizes the processing methods for different forms of superabsorbent polymers, and organizes the applications and research progress of superabsorbent polymers in industrial, agricultural, and biomedical industries. Synthetic polymers like polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile, and polyvinyl alcohol exhibit superior water absorption properties compared to natural polymers such as cellulose, chitosan, and starch, but they also do not degrade easily. Consequently, it is often necessary to modify synthetic polymers or graft superabsorbent functional groups onto natural polymers, and then crosslink them to balance the properties of material. Compared to the widely used superabsorbent nanoparticles, research on superabsorbent fibers and gels is on the rise, and they are particularly notable in biomedical fields like drug delivery, wound dressing, and tissue engineering.
Research on a Small-Sample Fault Diagnosis Method for UAV Engines Based on an MSSST and ACS-BPNN Optimized Deep Convolutional Network
Authors: Li Siyu , Liu Zichang , Yan Yunbin , Han Kai , Han Yueming , Miao Xinyu , Cheng Zhonghua , Ma Shifei
Published: February 2024

Regarding the difficulty of extracting fault information in the faulty status of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) engines and the high time cost and large data requirement of the existing deep learning fault diagnosis algorithms with many training parameters, in this paper, a small-sample transfer learning fault diagnosis algorithm is proposed. First, vibration signals under the engine fault status are converted into a two-dimensional time-frequency map by multiple simultaneous squeezing S-transform (MSSST), which reduces the randomness of manually extracted features. Second, to address the problems of slow network model training and large data sample requirement, a transfer diagnosis strategy using the fine-tuned time-frequency map samples as the pre-training model of the ResNet-18 convolutional neural network is proposed. In addition, in order to improve the training effect of the network model, an agent model is introduced to optimize the hyperparameter network autonomously. Finally, experiments show that the algorithm proposed in this paper can obtain high classification accuracy in fault diagnosis of UAV engines compared to other commonly used methods, with a classification accuracy of faults as high as 97.1751%; in addition, we show that it maintains a very stable small-sample migratory learning capability under this condition.
Risk of Bleeding in Elderly Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Jiritano Federica , Serraino Giuseppe Filiberto , Sorrentino Sabato , Napolitano Desirèe , Costa Davide , Ielapi Nicola , Bracale Umberto Marcello , Mastroroberto Pasquale , Andreucci Michele , Serra Raffaele
Published: February 2024

Background: Bleeding complications are strong predictors of mortality and major morbidity in elderly patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Despite the high prevalence of frailty in this population, little is known about its effects on bleeding risk. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 502 patients undergoing isolated SAVR or TAVI between January 2015 and February 2022. The occurrence of blood products transfusions and MACEs were the primary endpoints. In-hospital mortality was the secondary endpoint. Results: The Elderly group (age < 80 years old) included 475 subjects, whereas the Very Elderly group (age ≥ 80 years old) included 127 patients. The need for blood product transfusion was similar among the two groups, regardless of the type of procedure. MACEs occurred similarly between groups [SAVR: Elderly group: 7.9% vs. Very Elderly group: 8.6%, p = 0.864; TAVI: Elderly group: 5.5% vs. Very Elderly group: 8.7%, p = 0.378]. The was no difference in in-hospital mortality rate in patients submitted to TAVI, whereas very elderly patients had higher mortality rate compared to the elderly patients submitted to SAVR [SAVR: Elderly group: 0% vs. Very Elderly group: 2.8%, p = 0.024; TAVI: Elderly group: 4,8% vs. Very Elderly group: 8%, p = 0.389]. Conclusions: Age alone should not be considered as a predictive factor for post-operative adverse events or in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with severe symptomatic AS.
Christian Education in Colonial and Post-Independent Zimbabwe: A Paradigm Shift
Authors: Machingura Francis , Kalizi Cecil Samuel
Published: February 2024

Since the arrival of Christianity in Africa during the pre-colonial era, one of the main characteristics of its spread has been Christian Education (CE). The achievements made thus far by missionaries and African Christian communities were based on the Church-based Christian Education programs that were put into place by churches created by missionaries. Education, let alone Christian Education, has a key role to play in the transformation of every society. The problem is that the type of Christianity and Christian Education introduced sought to uproot Africans from their identity, culture, and language. Christian Education has a crucial role in changing the perspective of citizens to one that is Euro-centric and in promoting effective discipleship and strong doctrinal allegiance among members of mainline churches. Even though Christianity has undergone meaningful change over time, its many manifestations still survive in diverse 21st-century societies. Christianity, just like African Traditional Religion, has permeated every sphere and life of the Zimbabweans. The prospects of Christian Education to foster a positive society’s transformation in Zimbabwe are great and accepted. Two types of Christianity were introduced to Africa: Afro-centric Christianity and Euro-centric Christianity.
Flood Detection with SAR: A Review of Techniques and Datasets
Authors: Amitrano Donato , Di Martino Gerardo , Di Simone Alessio , Imperatore Pasquale
Published: February 2024

Floods are among the most severe and impacting natural disasters. Their occurrence rate and intensity have been significantly increasing worldwide in the last years due to climate change and urbanization, bringing unprecedented effects on human lives and activities. Hence, providing a prompt response to flooding events is of crucial relevance for humanitarian, social and economic reasons. Satellite remote sensing using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) offers a great deal of support in facing flood events and mitigating their effects on a global scale. As opposed to multi-spectral sensors, SAR offers important advantages, as it enables Earth’s surface imaging regardless of weather and sunlight illumination conditions. In the last decade, the increasing availability of SAR data, even at no cost, thanks to the efforts of international and national space agencies, has been deeply stimulating research activities in every Earth observation field, including flood mapping and monitoring, where advanced processing paradigms, e.g., fuzzy logic, machine learning, data fusion, have been applied, demonstrating their superiority with respect to traditional classification strategies. However, a fair assessment of the performance and reliability of flood mapping techniques is of key importance for an efficient disasters response and, hence, should be addressed carefully and on a quantitative basis trough synthetic quality metrics and high-quality reference data. To this end, the recent development of open SAR datasets specifically covering flood events with related ground-truth reference data can support thorough and objective validation as well as reproducibility of results. Notwithstanding, SAR-based flood monitoring still suffers from severe limitations, especially in vegetated and urban areas, where complex scattering mechanisms can impair an accurate extraction of water regions. All such aspects, including classification methodologies, SAR datasets, validation strategies, challenges and future perspectives for SAR-based flood mapping are described and discussed.
Dynamic Task Planning Method for Multi-Source Remote Sensing Satellite Cooperative Observation in Complex Scenarios
Authors: Wu Qianyu , Pan Jun , Wang Mi
Published: February 2024

As the number and variety of remote sensing satellites continue to grow, user demands are becoming increasingly complex and diverse. Concurrently, there is an escalating requirement for timeliness in satellite observations, thereby augmenting the complexity of task processing and resource allocation. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes an innovative method for dynamic task planning in multi-source remote sensing satellite cooperative observations tailored to complex scenarios. In the task processing phase, this study develops a preprocessing model suitable for various types of targets, enabling the decomposition of complex scenes into multiple point targets for independent satellite observation, thereby reducing the complexity of the problem. In the resource allocation phase, a dynamic task planning algorithm for multi-satellite cooperative observation is designed to achieve dynamic and optimized scheduling of the processed point targets, catering to the needs of multi-source remote sensing satellites. Empirical validation demonstrated that this method effectively implements dynamic adjustment plans for point targets, comprehensively optimizing the number of observation targets, computation time, task priority, and satellite resource utilization, significantly enhancing the dynamic observation efficiency of remote sensing satellites.
Pre-Processing of Simulated Synthetic Aperture Radar Image Scenes Using Polarimetric Enhancement for Improved Ship Wake Detection
Authors: Jiang Yanni , Yang Ziyuan , Li Ke , Liu Tao
Published: February 2024

Ship wake detection using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery provides a way to obtain small marine ship information, but it often becomes unavailable and unreliable during a high sea state. Polarimetric information provides a potential way to solve this problem, which can enhance the ship target as well as the ship wake features. However, three challenges still exist in ship wake detection in polarimetric SAR imagery: the unwanted influences of bright and singular points on ship wake detection, the lack of performance analysis of wake detection by new-type polarimetric enhancement methods, and the difficulty of using the assessment criteria for ship wake detection. In this paper, we try to solve the above problems. Firstly, fully polarized SAR imagery of both ship turbulent and Kelvin wake is simulated based on the two-scale composite model, and the Polarimetric Whitening Filter (PWF) and Polarimetric Detection Optimization Filter (PDOF) are applied to the simulated fully polarized SAR imagery to enhance the ship wake features. Secondly, since the bright and singular points resulting from the ship echoes and the polarimetric enhancement methods may lead to misdetections, a logarithm process and z-score normalization pre-processing has been applied to the images. Then, a new assessment criterion for wake detection performance has been formulated, and the probability of missing detections (PMDs) and the probability of false alarms (PFAs) have been defined for two different requirements. And a Radon transform-based ship wake detection method for both ship turbulence and Kelvin wake has been carried out in horizontal–horizontal (HH), vertical–vertical (VV), horizontal–vertical (HV), PWF and PDOF SAR imagery. Finally, an analysis of the wake detection performance has been carried out. The PWF and PDOF can improve the wake detection performance by an average of nearly 50 percent compared with the HH and VV.
Identification of O3 Sensitivity to Secondary HCHO and NO2 Measured by MAX-DOAS in Four Cities in China
Authors: Lu Chuan , Li Qihua , Xing Chengzhi , Hu Qihou , Tan Wei , Lin Jinan , Zhang Zhiguo , Tang Zhijian , Cheng Jian , Chen Annan , Liu Cheng
Published: February 2024

This study analyzed the differences in ozone (O3) sensitivity in four different urban areas in China from February 2019 to January 2020 based on data on various near-surface pollutants from passive multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) sites and nearby China National Environmental Monitoring Center (CNEMC) sites. Across the four cities, the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations varied seasonally. Xianghe consistently displayed the lowest NO2 levels, suggesting reduced emissions compared to other cities. Guangzhou, a city with a robust economy and a high level of vehicle ownership, exhibited higher concentrations in spring. Summer brought elevated HCHO levels in Guangzhou, Xianghe, and Shenyang due to intensified photochemical processes. Autumn and winter showed higher HCHO concentrations in Guangzhou and Xianghe compared to Lanzhou and Shenyang. Overall, Guangzhou recorded the highest annual averages, due to its developed economy, while Xianghe’s lower NO2 levels were offset by the elevated HCHO due to higher O3 values. The analysis delved into primary and secondary HCHO sources across seasons and used carbon monoxide (CO) and O3 data. Xianghe showcased the dominance of secondary sources in summer and autumn, while Lanzhou was characterized by primary dominance throughout the year. Shenyang mirrored Xianghe’s evolution due to industrial emissions. In Guangzhou, due to the high levels of vehicular traffic and sunlight conditions, secondary sources predominantly influenced HCHO concentrations. These findings highlight the interplay between primary and secondary emissions in diverse urban settings. This study explored O3 sensitivity variations across seasons. Xianghe exhibited a balanced distribution among volatile organic compound (VOC)-limited conditions, nitrogen oxide (NOx)-limited conditions, and transitional influences. Lanzhou was mainly affected by VOC-limited conditions in winter and NOx-limited conditions in other seasons. Shenyang’s sensitivity varied with the seasons and was primarily influenced by transitions between VOCs and NOx in autumn and NOx-limited conditions otherwise. Guangzhou experienced varied influences. During periods of high O3 pollution, all regions were affected by NOx-limited conditions, indicating the necessity of NOx monitoring in these areas, especially during summer in all regions and during autumn in Xianghe and Guangzhou.
A New Synthetic Aperture Radar Ship Detector Based on Clutter Intensity Statistics in Complex Environments
Authors: Liu Minqin , Zhu Bo , Ma Hongbing
Published: February 2024

In complex environments, the clutter statistical characteristics of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) are inconstant, and the constant detection performance of a false alarm rate (CFAR) detector based on a clutter statistical model is also hard to achieve. As a result, the overestimated threshold leads to a degradation in detection probability. To this end, this paper proposes a SAR ship detector different from CFAR detectors, which is independent of traditional clutter statistical distribution models and the probability of a false alarm (PFA). The proposed detector aims to raise the ship detection probability and alleviate interference from complex environments such as multi-target areas, shores, and breakwaters. It estimates clutter-truncated thresholds based on clutter intensity statistics (CIS). Firstly, three statistical parameters, including the mean, standard deviation, and maximum intensity of background clutter contaminated by outliers, are calculated; secondly, these parameters are utilized to estimate the clutter-truncated threshold using the novel CIS; and finally, the pixel under test is determined according to the CIS detection rule. Compared with CFAR-based algorithms, CIS obtains a high probability of detection in complex environments. As for other aspects, the CIS detector is insensitive to the structure of the detection window, as well as the size. It is also computationally efficient due to its simple calculations. The superiority of the CIS detector is validated on scene-differed SAR images from the DSSDD dataset.
Incorporating Wearable Technology for Enhanced Rehabilitation Monitoring after Hip and Knee Replacement
Authors: Lebleu Julien , Daniels Kim , Pauwels Andries , Dekimpe Lucie , Mapinduzi Jean , Poilvache Hervé , Bonnechère Bruno
Published: February 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) poses a growing challenge for the aging population, especially in the hip and knee joints, contributing significantly to disability and societal costs. Exploring the integration of wearable technology, this study addresses the limitations of traditional rehabilitation assessments in capturing real-world experiences and dynamic variations. Specifically, it focuses on continuously monitoring physical activity in hip and knee OA patients using automated unsupervised evaluations within the rehabilitation process. We analyzed data from 1144 patients who used a mobile health application after surgery; the activity data were collected using the Garmin Vivofit 4. Several parameters, such as the total number of steps per day, the peak 6-minute consecutive cadence (P6MC) and peak 1-minute cadence (P1M), were computed and analyzed on a daily basis. The results indicated that cadence-based measurements can effectively, and earlier, differ among patients with hip and knee conditions, as well as in the recovery process. Comparisons based on recovery status and type of surgery reveal distinctive trajectories, emphasizing the effectiveness of P6MC and P1M in detecting variations earlier than total steps per day. Furthermore, cadence-based measurements showed a lower inter-day variability (40%) compared to the total number of steps per day (80%). Automated assessments, including P1M and P6MC, offer nuanced insights into the patients’ dynamic activity profiles.
A Hybrid Convolutional and Recurrent Neural Network for Multi-Sensor Pile Damage Detection with Time Series
Authors: Wu Juntao , El Naggar M. Hesham , Wang Kuihua
Published: February 2024

Machine learning (ML) algorithms are increasingly applied to structure health monitoring (SHM) problems. However, their application to pile damage detection (PDD) is hindered by the complexity of the problem. A novel multi-sensor pile damage detection (MSPDD) method is proposed in this paper to extend the application of ML algorithms in the automatic identification of PDD. The time-series signals collected by multiple sensors during the pile integrity test are first processed by the traveling wave decomposition (TWD) theory and are then input into a hybrid one-dimensional (1D) convolutional and recurrent neural network. The hybrid neural network can achieve the automatic multi-task identification of pile damage detection based on the time series of MSPDD results. Finally, the analytical solution-based sample set is utilized to evaluate the performance of the proposed hybrid model. The outputs of the multi-task learning framework can provide a detailed description of the actual pile quality and provide strong support for the classification of pile quality as well.
Method for Estimating Road Impulse Ahead of Vehicles in Urban Environment with Microelectromechanical System Three-Dimensional Sensor
Authors: Zhao Shijie , Wang Minghao , Wang Pengyu , Wang Yang , Guo Konghui
Published: February 2024

Most automated vehicles (AVs) are equipped with abundant sensors, which enable AVs to improve ride comfort by sensing road elevation, such as speed bumps. This paper proposes a method for estimating the road impulse features ahead of vehicles in urban environments with microelectromechanical system (MEMS) light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The proposed method deploys a real-time estimation of the vehicle pose to solve the problem of sparse sampling of the LiDAR. Considering the LiDAR error model, the proposed method builds the grid height measurement model by maximum likelihood estimation. Moreover, it incorporates height measurements with the LiDAR error model by the Kalman filter and introduces motion uncertainty to form an elevation weight method by confidence eclipse. In addition, a gate strategy based on the Mahalanobis distance is integrated to handle the sharp changes in elevation. The proposed method is tested in the urban environment. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
Optimization of Thermal Control Design for Aerial Reflective Opto-Mechanical Structure
Authors: Wang Huilin , Zhou Yun , Jiang Xiaocun , Zuo Xiaozhou , Chen Ming
Published: February 2024

To improve the adaptability of aerial reflective opto-mechanical structures (mainly including the primary mirror and secondary mirror) to low-temperature environments, typically below −40 °C, an optimized thermal control design, which includes passive insulation and temperature-negative feedback-variable power zone active heating, is proposed. Firstly, the relationship between conventional heating methods and the axial/radial temperature differences of mirrors with different shapes is analyzed. Based on the heat transfer analyses, it is pointed out that optimized thermal control design is necessary to ensure the temperature uniformity of the fused silica mirror, taking into account the temperature level when the aerial electro-optics system is working in low-temperature environments. By adjusting the input voltage based on the measured temperature, the heating power of the subregion is changed accordingly, so as to locally increase or decrease the temperature of the mirrors. The thermal control scheme ensures that the average temperature of the mirror fluctuates slowly and slightly around 20 °C. At the same time, the temperature differences within a mirror and between the primary mirror and the secondary mirror can be controlled within 5 °C. Thereby, the resolution of EO decreases by no more than 11.4%.
An Autonomous Sleep-Stage Detection Technique in Disruptive Technology Environment
Authors: Radhakrishnan Baskaran Lizzie , Ezra Kirubakaran , Jebadurai Immanuel Johnraja , Selvakumar Immanuel , Karthikeyan Periyasami
Published: February 2024

Autonomous sleep tracking at home has become inevitable in today’s fast-paced world. A crucial aspect of addressing sleep-related issues involves accurately classifying sleep stages. This paper introduces a novel approach PSO–XGBoost, combining particle swarm optimisation (PSO) with extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) to enhance the XGBoost model’s performance. Our model achieves improved overall accuracy and faster convergence by leveraging PSO to fine-tune hyperparameters. Our proposed model utilises features extracted from EEG signals, spanning time, frequency, and time–frequency domains. We employed the Pz-oz signal dataset from the sleep-EDF expanded repository for experimentation. Our model achieves impressive metrics through stratified-K-fold validation on ten selected subjects: 95.4% accuracy, 95.4% F1-score, 95.4% precision, and 94.3% recall. The experiment results demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique, showcasing an average accuracy of 95%, outperforming traditional machine learning classifications. The findings revealed that the feature-shifting approach supplements the classification outcome by 3 to 4 per cent. Moreover, our findings suggest that prefrontal EEG derivations are ideal options and could open up exciting possibilities for using wearable EEG devices in sleep monitoring. The ease of obtaining EEG signals with dry electrodes on the forehead enhances the feasibility of this application. Furthermore, the proposed method demonstrates computational efficiency and holds significant value for real-time sleep classification applications.
Advances in GNSS Positioning and GNSS Remote Sensing
Authors: Yasyukevich Yury V. , Zhang Baocheng , Devanaboyina Venkata Ratnam
Published: February 2024

Scientists and engineers use data utilize global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) for a multitude of tasks: autonomous navigation, transport monitoring, construction, GNSS reflectometry, GNSS ionosphere monitoring, etc [...]
Spatially and Temporally Resolved Analysis of Bleeding in a Centrifugal Partition Chromatography Rotor
Authors: Buthmann Felix , Laby Philip , Hamza Djamal , Koop Jörg , Schembecker Gerhard
Published: February 2024

Centrifugal Partition Chromatography (CPC) is a separation technique that utilizes immiscible liquid phases to purify compounds. The selection of solvents in Liquid–Liquid Chromatography offers flexibility and optimization possibilities for specific separation tasks. Understanding the hydrodynamics inside the apparatus is crucial for optimizing a CPC process. The phase retention ratio (Sf) determines the apparatus’s operating point and separation efficiency. However, stationary phase leakage, known as bleeding, complicates the immobilization of this phase. We used a partly transparent single-disc rotor to investigate the time and space dependency of bleeding inside a CPC apparatus, enabling real-time and localized determination of the phase retention ratio. By tracking the retention values over time, we observed the bleeding phenomenon and its progression from the inlet to the rotor outlet. Depending on the phase system used, the CPC was utilizable for a separation task for only 173–500 dimensionless residence times. Systems with a higher stability parameter (as described in the literature) showed a lower bleeding rate and increased stability over time. Accordingly, our results demonstrate the importance of maintaining an optimal ratio of mobile to stationary phase for efficient separation.
The Role of Concussion History and Biological Sex on Pupillary Light Reflex Metrics in Adolescent Rugby Players: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: McKee Connor , Matthews Mark , Rankin Alan , Bleakley Chris
Published: February 2024

Background: Concussion examination is based primarily on clinical evaluation and symptomatic reporting. Pupillary light reflex (PLR) metrics may provide an objective physiological marker to inform concussion diagnosis and recovery, but few studies have assessed PLR, and normative data are lacking, particularly for adolescents. Aim: To capture PLR data in adolescent rugby players and examine the effects of concussion history and biological sex. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Male and female adolescent rugby union players aged 16 to 18 years were recruited at the start of the 2022–2023 playing season. PLR was recorded using a handheld pupillometer which provided seven different metrics relating to pupil diameter, constriction/dilation latency, and velocity. Data were analysed using a series of 2 × 2 ANOVAs to examine the main effects of independent variables: biological sex, concussion history, and their interactions, using adjusted p-values (p < 0.05). Results: 149 participants (75% male) were included. A total of 42% reported at least one previous concussion. Most metrics were unaffected by the independent variables. There were however significant main effects for concussion history (F = 4.11 (1); p = 0.05) and sex (F = 5.42 (1); p = 0.02) in end pupil diameters, and a main effect for sex in initial pupil diameters (F = 4.45 (1); p = 0.04). Although no significant interaction effects were found, on average, females with a concussion history presented with greater pupillary diameters and velocity metrics, with many pairwise comparisons showing large effects (SMD > 0.8). Conclusions: Pupillary diameters in adolescent athletes were significantly affected by concussion history and sex. The most extreme PLR metrics were recorded in females with a history of concussion (higher pupillary diameters and velocities). This highlights the importance of establishing baseline PLR metrics prior to interpretation of the PLR post-concussion. Long-standing PLR abnormalities post-concussion may reflect ongoing autonomic nervous system dysfunction. This warrants further investigation in longitudinal studies.
Balancing Act: Assessing the Impacts of Winter Tourism on Natural Heritage in Kopaonik National Park and Charting a Sustainable Path Forward
Authors: Protić Branko , Lukić Bogdan , Popović Vladimir , Ristić Dušan , Šećerov Velimir , Jeftić Marija R. , Đorđević Dejan S. , Vračarević Bojan
Published: February 2024

This research explores development conflicts within Kopaonik National Park (NP) arising from the prioritization of winter tourism, particularly skiing activities and the associated infrastructure. This emphasis has led to the marginalization of the unique natural heritage that warranted the park’s establishment in 1981, presenting an unusual case of exploiting and jeopardizing significant Balkan natural heritage. Tourist facilities situated in protection zones II and III interface with natural reserves in protection zone I, escalating conflicts and spatial impacts and raising concerns about the preservation of reserves and the park’s original purpose. Kopaonik Mountain, inherently suited for winter tourism, faces the challenge of accommodating a ski center within its exceptional natural heritage. Legal and planning activities support winter tourism without adequately defining its compatibility with the park’s natural heritage. Through an in-depth analysis of legal documents, plans, projects, and studies, this paper highlights conflicts, especially with natural heritage, expressing concerns for the park’s future. The Spatial Plan of the Special Purpose Area of National Park Kopaonik, as a highly important strategic document, leans toward winter activities, prompting a critical review. The paper concludes with suggestions to alleviate winter tourism’s negative impacts and proposes sustainable practices within the realm of protected natural heritage and other human activities.
Evaluating the Intellectual Capital of Intensively Tourism-Dependent Countries Between, Prior, and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wudhikarn Ratapol , Pattanasak Photchanaphisut , Cherapanukorn Vorathamon , Paphawasit Boontarika
Published: February 2024

The tourism industry has grappled with the challenges posed by the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) since the start of 2020, experiencing a complete lockdown that profoundly affected travel activities. This viral outbreak had a critical impact on both the financial and non-financial aspects of life, including the intellectual capital (IC) of the tourism and hospitality sectors. However, there is a scarcity of studies addressing this issue within the context of tourism-related businesses. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the changes in the overall IC and its components before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on understanding the transformation of IC in the tourism industry of Thailand, a country that is highly dependent on tourism. The study involved 37 tourism-related companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Organizational data from financial and annual reports published between 2019 and 2020 were collected for analysis. The assessment of value added intellectual capital (VAICTM) was employed to evaluate the performance of the overall IC and its components during the pandemic. The results, based on the testing of four hypotheses, indicated that most hypotheses were accepted, signifying a substantial transformation in the overall IC performance of tourism-related companies during the pandemic crisis. This transformation was observed in the IC components of physical and human capitals. However, the structural capital was the only IC component that did not experience a significant impact from COVID-19. To comprehend the reasons and effects of the IC transformations during the pandemic, this study delved into the relevant literature. Additionally, the paper includes implications to support firms in preparing for future challenges.
Sustainability through Optimal Compositional and Thermomechanical Design for the Al-7XXX Alloys: An ANOVA Case Study
Authors: Ijaz Muhammad Farzik , Nashri Basim T. , Qamash Mansour T.
Published: February 2024

The quest for lightweight, high-performance structural materials for demanding applications such as in the fields of automotive, aerospace, and other high-tech and military industries pushes the boundaries of material science. The present work aims to draw attention to a novel, sustainable manufacturing approach for the development of next-generation 7xxx series aluminum alloys that have higher strength by rejuvenating a sustainable compositional and thermomechanical processing strategy. Our innovative strategy integrates two key synergies: trace hafnium (Hf) addition for microstructural refinement, unique thermomechanical treatment involving cryorolling, and a short annealing method. Experimental results revealed that our base alloy exhibited a 33 µm grain size and impressive initial mechanical properties (334 MPa UTS, 150 HV). Adding 0.6 wt.% Hf and employing 50% cryorolling with short annealing led to a remarkable 10 µm grain size reduction and significant mechanical property leaps. The resulting alloy boasts a 452 MPa UTS and 174 HV, showcasing the synergistic advantageous effect of Hf and cryorolling plus annealing treatment. The developed alloys were compositional- and work hardening-dependent, leading to a rich mix of strengthening mechanisms. Optical and scanning electron microscopy reveal several intermetallic phases within the fcc matrix, wherein the Al3Hf phase plays a key role in strengthening by impeding dislocation movement. In addition to experimental results, a 12-full-factorial design experiment via ANOVA analysis was also utilized to validate the significant influence of Hf and cryorolling on properties with (p-values < 0.05). Among the different parameters, cryorolling plus annealing appeared as the most noteworthy factor, followed by the composition. Using the regression model, the ultimate tensile strength and hardness were predicted to be 626 MPa UTS and 192 HV for an alloy with 0.6 wt.% Hf and 85% cryorolling, which opens a new avenue for ultra-high-strength Al7xxx alloys.
Effect of Biochar and Sewage Sludge Ash as Partial Replacement for Cement in Cementitious Composites: Mechanical, and Durability Properties
Authors: Mosaberpanah Mohammad Ali , Olabimtan Stephen Babajide , Balkis Ayse Pekrioglu , Rabiu Balikis Omotola , Oluwole Babatunde Olufunso , Ajuonuma Chibueze Sylvester
Published: February 2024

With the significant pace of industrialization, the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) through cement manufacture, as well as from developed environments, will undoubtedly rise yearly. Biochar as a byproduct of biomass pyrolysis can be utilized in concrete to partially replace cement. Because of its ecological and economic benefits, such as carbon sinks or carbon capture, low thermal conductivity, chemical resistance, and low thermal properties, biochar has risen in popularity in recent years. On the other hand, the possibility of using sludge ash as a cement substitute in the process of making mortar has recently attracted increasing interest. The effectiveness and acceptability of using pine cones as a byproduct of biochar and sludge ash, a byproduct of wastewater treatment, to produce mortar in place of cement are being intensively explored. The integration of biochar and sludge ash into cementitious materials is a possible approach for pollution reduction by replacing Portland cement and reducing collection and disposal in landfills. In order to create high-performance mortar, this study experimentally explores the impacts of combining biochar at an optimal of 6% and sludge ash at optimal of 10%. It analyzes the rheological, mechanical, and durability attributes across curing times of 7 and 28 days in both wet and dry environments, while keeping a constant temperature of 20 °C. As a result, at 28 days, every blend was higher compared to baseline mixture at 7 days. Increases of 19.52% and 13.78%, as well as 24.76% and 21.68%, were seen in the mixtures with 5% and 10% sludge ash (SA) at 28 days compressive strength. With percentage increments for both 7 days and 28 days of 6.6% and 30.9% and 2.2% and 14.1%, the binary blend utilizing BC3SA10 and BC3SA5 significantly outperformed the reference mix. In mortar, the use of biochar could reduce capillary absorption. In addition, its inclusion fastens the rate of hydration of the cement and prevents shrinkage cracks in the mix. The current study concentrates on the significant features of biochar and sludge ash that have an impact on cementitious materials performance. The fresh as well as hardened properties of various concrete and mortar mixes after the replacement of cement with biochar and sludge ash components have been extensively reviewed based on the research results. In a nutshell, biochar and sludge ash materials are an excellent alternative for cement in construction.
Sustainable Biocomposites: Harnessing the Potential of Waste Seed-Based Fillers in Eco-Friendly Materials
Authors: Fragassa Cristiano , Vannucchi de Camargo Felipe , Santulli Carlo
Published: February 2024

With the growing concerns over environmental degradation and the increasing demand for sustainable materials, eco-friendly composites have gained considerable attention in recent years. This review paper delves into the promising realm of seed-based fillers, reinforcements and polysaccharidic matrices in the production of biocomposites that are yet focusing on those seeds, which can be considered industrial process waste. Seeds, with their inherent mechanical properties and biodegradability, which are often the waste of production systems, offer a compelling solution to reduce the environmental impact of composite materials. This paper explores the properties of various seeds considered for composite applications and investigates the processing techniques used to incorporate them into composite matrices. Furthermore, it critically analyzes the influence of seed fillers on the mechanical and physical properties of these eco-friendly composites, comparing their performance with traditional counterparts. The environmental benefits, challenges, and limitations associated with seed-based composites from waste seeds are also discussed, as well as their potential applications in diverse industries. Through an assessment of relevant case studies and research findings, this review provides valuable insights into the outlook of seed-based composites as a sustainable alternative in the composite materials landscape, emphasizing their role in promoting a greener and more responsible approach to materials engineering.
Analysis of Regional Social–Economic Spatial Pattern and Evolution along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal
Authors: Bian Duo , Zhang Mengying , Kong Lili , Huang Bingbing , Hu Di
Published: February 2024

With the proposal of the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal Cultural Belt, the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal has become an indispensable component of China’s economic development pattern. Despite relatively high regional-economic-development levels along the canal, there still exists a common imbalance in regional development which will hinder the high-quality collaborative development of the region, highlighting the importance of measuring this disparity. This study adopts the district and county as spatial scales and selects five dimensions: economic growth, livelihood benefits, green ecology, innovation drive, and food guarantee in order to construct a comprehensive socio-economic index. Entropy weight method, Moran index, and Theil index analyses are used to examine the recent ten-year evolution laws in regional socio-economic spatial patterns along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal. Results indicate that socio-economic indicators designed for each dimension effectively measure both individual districts’ and counties’ economic situations as well as those of entire regions. In 2021, limited significance was observed regarding the level of regional economic agglomeration along the Grand Canal region, suggesting a tendency towards fragmented development rather than forming a well-coordinated model. Over the decade from 2011 to 2021, there was an increase in social and economic agglomeration. From a city unit perspective, developmental disparities among districts and counties within cities follow three distinct patterns. Cities at different stages of development can learn from each other’s models to enhance integration cooperation and collectively promote high-quality economic advancements in the Grand Canal region.
Rooted in Nature: The Rise, Challenges, and Potential of Organic Farming and Fertilizers in Agroecosystems
Authors: Panday Dinesh , Bhusal Nikita , Das Saurav , Ghalehgolabbehbahani Arash
Published: February 2024

Organic farming, which is deeply rooted in traditional agricultural practices, has witnessed a profound evolution over the last century. Transitioning from a grassroots initiative resisting the industrialization of agriculture to a global industry, organic farming now plays a pivotal role in addressing contemporary challenges related to environmental health, sustainability, and food safety. Despite the growing consumer demand for organic products and market access, organic farming has its challenges. This paper discusses the origin and evolution of organic farming with an emphasis on different types of organic fertilizers, benefits, and challenges. Nutrient variability and the slow-release nature of organic fertilizer often do not meet crop demands and can substantially reduce yield. Some organic fertilizers, like manure and biosolids, can provide a higher yield benefit, but there are environmental and health risks associated with them. Weed and pest management in organic farming can be labor-intensive and increase costs. Inefficient planning of organic farming and rapid transition can also create food insecurity. This paper also gives a brief account of the current certification process for organic fertilizers and their technicalities. It showcases how the holistic approach of organic farming extends beyond production, including strategies like reducing food waste and building self-sufficient farming communities. These practices contribute to a more sustainable agricultural system, reducing environmental impacts and supporting local economies. Future technological innovations, especially in precision agriculture and bio-physicochemical models, can help in formulating targeted organic fertilizers.
The Potential for Sustainable Local Development through Digital Communication and Digitization of Intangible Cultural Heritage Resources in Făgăraș Land, Romania
Authors: Csesznek Codrina , Rățulea Gabriela , Defta Monica , Harabagiu Florina-Mădălina , Sorea Daniela
Published: February 2024

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) strengthens community identity and represents a resource for sustainable community development. The current extensive access to the Internet has facilitated the digitization of communication, including ICH. The aim of this article is to highlight the importance of both digitizing ICH and digital communication about ICH for local development. The results of a longitudinal research study on local ICH resources available on the official websites of Făgăraș Land administrative territorial units (ATUs) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, together with the results of a content analysis on ICH on the social media accounts of the same ATUs, indicate the digitization of ICH as a sustainable local development resource whose potential can be better exploited. In Făgăraș Land there are also successful initiatives in the fields of both ICH digitization and digital communication about ICH local resources. The Museum of Canvases and Stories in Mândra ATU and the use of social media for communication about ICH in the case of Drăguș ATU are related to such initiatives and are presented as case studies in this article, highlighting the potential of ICH as a resource for sustainable community development in Făgăraș Land.