bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-ranking officials of the plenipotentiary representative offices of the President of the Russian Federation in the federal districts: recruitment channels and careers
Authors: Tev Denis
Published: September 2024

The article covers the analysis of the main recruitment channels for high-ranking officials of the plenipotentiary representative offices of the President of the Russian Federation in the federal districts. As the empirical basis of the study serves the biographical database, that includes information on 154 presidential bureaucrats as of April 2023. Recruitment of people from various socio-professional groups to the apparatus of the plenipotentiary representative offices reveals a number of trends caused by interacting push (specific features of the candidate's position and associated resources and interests) and pull (place in the power system and functional specialisation of the plenipotentiary representative offices, specifics of leadership positions in them, as elements of the opportunity structure, as well as personal connections) factors. One of the most important trends is militarisation: most officials of the plenipotentiary representative offices have work experience in law enforcement agencies and even spent there most of their previous careers. Recruiting security officials who are, in terms of career, “ideal-typical” federal officials and professionally socialised within the framework of rigid, centralised hierarchies probably strengthens the autonomy of the plenipotentiary representations from actors and interests external to federal power, including regional administrations, that these bodies are called upon to control. The logic of autonomisation is also in line with the fact that one of the main suppliers (especially direct) of key officials of the plenipotentiary representations is the Presidential Administration, first of all, the apparatus of the representations themselves. However, a significant minority of presidential officials have experience working in regional administrations (especially among deputies and assistants to plenipotentiaries), as well as in business, both public and private (especially among plenipotentiaries and their deputies). At the same time positions in these structures rarely serve as a direct springboard to a key position in the plenipotentiary representations. Finally, the role of legislative bodies as a channel for recruiting presidential officials is insignificant. In general, the author's findings are consistent with the results of previous studies, indicating the relative stability of recruitment trends.
Galicia and Donbass as Ideal models of regional identity: sociocultural roots of the confrontation between Western and Eastern Ukraine
Authors: Kosov Gennady , Yarmak Olga , Garas Lyudmila
Published: September 2024

The article examines ideal models of regional identity in Ukraine – Galicia and Donbass. It is emphasised that Ukraine, having become a sovereign state and appeared on the political map of the world in 1991, faced the problem of a pronounced mosaic of regions. Individual regions were included in Ukraine already formed as distinctive entities with stable features of culture and way of life of the population. The authors emphasise that on the territory of Ukraine there coexisted a number of territorial complexes that were rather weakly connected with each other, and their subordination to various states due to frequent changes in borders determined their complex interaction. The processes of changing the political affiliation of regions actualise the identification issue, and identity in such conditions turns into a kind of demiurge of reality and can act as the main, and sometimes the only source of meanings. The declaration of independence by Ukraine actualised historically formed contradictions, previously existing mainly latently. The article proves the existence of socio-cultural regions, unique ethno-territorial communities, creating a continuum with a clearly expressed dichotomy - Donbass and Galicia. Beginning from the first years of Ukraine's independence, the image of the new independent country as a great European power, the formation of which has always been hindered and continues to be hindered by Russia, was actively introduced into the consciousness of citizens. That is, a project was promoted based on Galician nationalism (with an emphatically Russophobic basis) and the concept of the "titular Ukrainian nation". In turn, regionalist sentiments in the Eastern Ukraine showed that regional identity can have great potential for the social integration of citizens. Since the 1990s, Donbass has often acted as an object of deliberate "otherness" on the part of the Ukrainian political and cultural elite, which was a contrasting background in the context of the practices of national construction in Ukraine. The authors conclude that the formation of Ukrainian national identity was carried out in a very contradictory manner and was characterised by a clear dominance of regional identity in the Eastern Ukraine against the background of the total promotion of the Galician project, and since 2014, its promotion has been carried out by armed means. However, the violent desire to level the regional identity of the inhabitants of the Eastern Ukraine launched the process of secession of the region - the self-proclamation of the DPR and LPR and their subsequent inclusion in the Russian Federation in 2022.
The experience of war: The activities of the Shevchenko Scientific Society in 1914–1918
Authors: Khalak Nadiya
Published: September 2024

The article is devoted to an overview of the Society’s activities during the First World War. The role of the deputy chairman of the society, historian S. Tomashivskyi (1875–1930), in restoring the work of the society in exile in Vienna during the Russian occupation of Galicia in 1914–1915, and in organising events after its return to Lviv is highlighted, as well as data on losses. The article focuses on the scientific work of the society’s members, which was closely linked to their political activities.
MURATHAN MUNGAN’IN 995 KM ROMANINDA ANLATMA TEKNİĞİ
Authors: Dervişcemaloğlu Bahar
Published: September 2024

Çağdaş Türk edebiyatının önemli isimlerinden biri olan Murathan Mungan, edebiyatın birçok türünde eser veren çok yönlü bir yazardır. Yazarın uzun ve yoğun bir çalışmanın neticesi olarak 2023 yılında yayımladığı 995 km adlı romanı, hem teknik hem de tematik açıdan dikkat çekici unsurlar içermektedir. Roman, yazarın Türkiye’nin yakın tarihinde karanlık bir dönem olarak değerlendirdiği ve faili meçhul cinayetlerle özdeşleştirdiği 1990’lı yılları konu edinmektedir. Gerçek olaylara ve kişilere atıf yapılan ancak bunların çeşitli anlatma teknikleri vasıtasıyla kurmaca dünyanın içerisine dahil edilerek kurgusallaştırıldığı romanda şimdiki zamanla anlatma stratejisi ve bilinç yansıtma teknikleri öne çıkmaktadır. Özellikle geçmiş zamanın içine iliştirilen şimdiki zamanla anlatma stratejisi, yazarın işlenen cinayetle ilgili vermek istediği mesajı etkili bir şekilde yansıtmaktadır. Romanda şimdiki zamanın eşzamanlılık hissi ve aracısızlık etkisi yaratarak okuyucuyu da şahit pozisyonuna sokmak, gerçeğe benzerliği arttırmak, anlatımı daha canlı hâle getirmek, kamerayla izlenme etkisi yaratarak herkesin birbirini gözetlediği istihbarat ağına ya da döngüsüne gönderme yapmak, zamansızlık etkisi yaratmak gibi işlevler taşıdığı görülmektedir. Serbest dolaylı düşünce ile psikoanlatma tekniği açısından bakıldığında sadece romanın ana karakteri olan isimsiz katilin değil, diğer isimsiz karakterlerin zihinlerinin de yansıtılması, bu karakterlerin tabi oldukları dinî/siyasî/askerî yapılanmaların ya da örgütlerin zihniyetinin anlaşılması açısından önemlidir. Ancak her ne kadar figüral anlatma tekniği vasıtasıyla karakterlerin bakış açısı ön plana çıkarılsa da romanda anlatıcının öznelliğinin belirgin bir rol oynadığı görülmektedir. Retorik ve ideolojik boyutuyla ön plana çıkan, temelde gerçek yazarın, yani Murathan Mungan’ın Türkiye’nin yakın tarihindeki karanlık bir dönemi “hatırlatmak” için yazdığı, devlete ve sisteme yönelik eleştiriler içeren 995 km romanındaki düzen ve teknik tercihler, yazarın okuyucu üzerinde istediği etkiyi bırakmaya yönelik bilinçli tercihler olarak değerlendirilebilir. Bu çalışmada öncelikle şimdiki zamanla anlatma stratejisi üzerinde durulacak, daha sonra anlatma teknikleri, özellikle de bilinç yansıtma teknikleri anlatıcının rolü dikkate alınmak suretiyle irdelenecektir.
Influence of Beauty Service Workers’ Communication Types on Revisit Intention with a Focus on the Mediating Effect of Rapport
Authors: Park Sun-Ju
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effect of the communication type of beauty service workers on the formation of rapport with customers and their revisit intention.Methods: Data were collected from university students regarding the use of beauty salons in the metropolitan area. They were then analyzed in SPSS 25.0 using frequency, factor, reliability, and regression analysis.Results: This study found that beauty service workers’ communication type positively affected rapport formation and revisit intention. Specifically, their verbal communication had a significant effect on revisit intention through the formation of rapport.Conclusion: Since beauty service workers’ communication positively affects the formation of rapport with customers, education in and the management of verbal and nonverbal communication is necessary. In addition, as verbal communication affects revisit intention through rapport formation, these workers should make efforts to use caring vocabulary, employ professionalism, and consider their clothes, gaze processing, and attitude.
Meta-analysis of the Effect Size of Lavender Essential Oil and Lavender Blended Essential Oils on Psychological Factors in Adults
Authors: Yu Mi-Na , Kim Ae-Jung
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This study analyzed the effect size of lavender essential oil and lavender blended essential oils on adult psychological factors. A meta-analysis was conducted to recommend an effective application strategy for improving psychological factors in adults.Methods: To analyze the effect size of lavender essential oil and lavender blended essential oils on psychological factors in adults, studies published over the last 10 years (January 2013 to December 2023) were collected. Studies were selected based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study-format focusing on those that compared the pre and post psychological health of experimental group and control group and presented the mean and standard deviation. Data were analyzed using the version 4 software by Biostat (Englewood, USA).Results: Treatment with lavender essential oil alone showed highly positive effect on anxiety (0.731) and stress (0.730), followed by positive effects on sleep quality (0.673) and fatigue (0.601). Furthermore, treatment with lavender blended essential oils showed the most positive effects on sleep quality (1.383), followed by fatigue (1.159), stress (0.789), and anxiety (0.638).Conclusion: This study, discovered that lavender essential is effective in relieving anxiety and stress when used to improve adult psychological factors (anxiety, sleep quality, stress, and fatigue), and lavender blended essential oils are particularly effective in improving sleep quality and reducing fatigue. These results are expected to be valuable in prescribing treatments for individuals of various ages and lifestyles suffering from various psychological factors.
Minimally invasive techniques as adjuncts in low- versus high-lying retained rectal foreign bodies of autoerotic nature in young men: a tailored management algorithm with two contrasting case reports from India
Authors: Gupta Shubham Kumar , Katiyar Vivek Kumar , Sharma Sumit , Mishra Shashi Prakash , Bhartiya Satyanam Kumar
Published: September 2024

Retained rectal foreign bodies (RFBs) of an autoerotic nature represent an emerging and rare surgical emergency, posing a sensitive challenge for surgeons. RFBs exhibit a wide range of presentations and require varied management approaches, with the choice of treatment modality differing from case to case. Recently, minimally invasive techniques have been employed for the retrieval of RFBs. In 2021, the World Society of Emergency Surgery and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma released guidelines on anorectal emergencies, highlighting the usefulness of these techniques as adjunctive tools for both diagnosis and ruling out associated complications. In this report, we describe two noteworthy cases of men who presented to the trauma emergency department with foreign bodies lodged in their rectums. We also highlight the potential role of minimally invasive techniques within a “step-up” approach for the management of retained RFBs.
Lutter contre la désinformation et la mésinformation lors de situations d’urgence de santé animale
Authors:   WOA,   INTERPOL
Published: September 2024

Les Services vétérinaires et les Services chargés de la santé des animaux aquatiques préservent la santé et le bien-être des animaux et de celles et ceux qui s’en occupent, ainsi que la sécurité des produits d’origine animale et des consommateurs. Ces Services détectent les symptômes et les risques liés à la santé animale, et recommandent des mesures pour enrayer, contrôler et éliminer les menaces. Aujourd’hui, les Services vétérinaires et les Services chargés de la santé des animaux aquatiques font face à l’émergence de nouvelles menaces, la désinformation et la mésinformation. Les lignes directrices disponibles dans ce document fournissent à ces services et organismes, ainsi qu’aux organisations travaillant en situations d’urgence zoosanitaire, des bases pour anticiper, détecter et répondre à la désinformation et à la mésinformation. Des liens vers des ressources supplémentaires, plus détaillées, couvrant des stratégies et des actions spécifiques, sont également inclus dans le présent document.
Machine learning assisted crystal structure prediction made simple
Authors: Chuan-Nan Li , Han-Pu Liang , Bai-Qing Zhao , Su-Huai Wei , Xie Zhang
Published: September 2024

Crystal structure prediction (CSP) plays a crucial role in condensed matter physics and materials science, with its importance evident not only in theoretical research but also in the discovery of new materials and the advancement of novel technologies. However, due to the diversity and complexity of crystal structures, trial-and-error experimental synthesis is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and insufficient to meet the increasing demand for new materials. In recent years, machine learning (ML) methods have significantly boosted CSP. In this review, we present a comprehensive review of the ML models applied in CSP. We first introduce the general steps for CSP and highlight the bottlenecks in conventional CSP methods. We further discuss the representation of crystal structures and illustrate how ML-assisted CSP works. In particular, we review the applications of graph neural networks (GNNs) and ML force fields in CSP, which have been demonstrated to significantly speed up structure search and optimization. In addition, we provide an overview of advanced generative models in CSP, including variational autoencoders (VAEs), generative adversarial networks (GANs), and diffusion models. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges in ML-assisted CSP.
Comparing Strategies and Success of Policy Entrepreneurs in EU Energy and Climate Policy Processes
Authors: von Malmborg Fredrik
Published: September 2024

BackgroundThe clean energy transition required for decarbonisation of our societies make policymakers targets for broad business and non-business advocacy to ensure one’s often conflicting interests are protected or taken into consideration in public policies. The concept of policy entrepreneurs foregrounds the role of agency in understanding such acts of advocacy. This paper compares strategies used by policy entrepreneurs from different social spheres, advocating policy change or status quo, in four longitudinal cases related to European Union energy and climate policy 2011–2023. ResultsPolicy entrepreneurship was mainly of a cultural-institutional nature, aiming at altering or diffusing people’s perceptions, beliefs, norms and cognitive frameworks, worldviews, or institutional logics. But the actions of the European Commission did also include structural entrepreneurship, aiming at overcoming structural barriers to enhance governance influence by altering the distribution of formal authority and factual and scientific information. Motifs of policy entrepreneurs in the four cases differ, but strategies do not differ significantly between the public, private and civic spheres of society. Results indicate that civil society policy entrepreneurs focus on building broader coalitions than public and private sector entrepreneurs. There is no indication that policy entrepreneurs from a certain sector would be more successful than others in setting the agenda, changing perceptions of policy actors, or influencing actual policy change. However, policy entrepreneurs advocating policy change are more active and use more elaborated strategies than policy entrepreneurs advocating status quo. ConclusionsIt is concluded that policy entrepreneurs advocating policy change are more active and use more elaborated strategies than policy entrepreneurs advocating status quo. Thus, they are more successful in influencing policy outcomes. The European Commission was the only policy entrepreneurs to use structural entrepreneurship. the Commission acts to expand its reach into areas where the European Union does not hold much legal competence according to the constitution of the European Union. This comes with democratic deficits related to accountability and legitimacy and should be combated to reinstate and reinforce the position and powers of both the national and European legislators in taking the important decisions that impact the lives of European citizens.
Determining the Principal Azimuths of Valles Marineris: A Comparative Analysis of Bezier Spline and GIS Techniques
Authors: James Dan
Published: September 2024

Valles Marineris (VM), the most prominent example of a Martian Valley Network, has been extensively studied for over 50 years, yet no detailed examination of the principal azimuths of the system exists. To address this, two methods are presented to precisely calculate the principal azimuths, a Bezier Spline analysis, and a GIS technique. The medial axis of the main canyon of VM was determined analytically from cubic polynomial splines fitted to 93 coordinate points along both north and south edges of the canyon. These splines were optimized, and medial axis points were calculated through numerical techniques that ensured orthogonality between the tangents of each spline and their connecting normal lines. 1,000 medial axis points were extracted, and various regression models constructed, including fitting to sinusoidal and cubic polynomial curves, achieving accuracies with R² values of 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. Principal azimuths were obtained using the sinusoidal equation with the slope of the tangent at any point x simply determined by the derivative of the curve’s equation. This analytic approach was cross-validated by a GIS method (using QGIS software), where a vector medial axis was obtained which produced principal azimuths that agreed with values from the analytic study with a correlation coefficient of 1.00, and a p value of 6.43e-65. The findings demonstrate that an azimuthal framework can be rigorously constructed as a potential standard reference in VM geoscience, replacing less precise and ambiguous compass bearings with the accurate azimuths necessary for high-resolution spatial analysis for future investigations.
Valorization and Bioremediation of Digestate from Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) and Cattle Wastewater Using Microalgae
Authors: Silva Guilherme Henrique da , Renato Natália dos Santos , Borges Alisson Carraro , Martins Márcio Aredes , Reis Alberto José Delgado dos , Otenio Marcelo Henrique
Published: September 2024

Anaerobic digestion followed by microalgal cultivation is considered a promising renewable alternative for the production of biomethane with reduced effluent generation, thus lowering the environmental impact. In this arrangement, in addition to generating energy, the microalgae act by potentiating the refinement of the effluents generated via anaerobic digestion (digestates). In this study, the microalga Tetradesmus obliquus was cultivated in photobioreactors with the final digestate resulting from the codigestion of Arundo donax L. plant biomass and cattle wastewater. The biotechnological route used was efficient, and biogas production ranged from 50.20 to 94.69 mL gVS-1. The first-order kinetic model with variable dependence (FOMT) provided the best fit for the biogas production data. In the microalgal posttreatment, the removal values ranged from 81.5 to 93.8% for chemical oxygen demand, 92.0 to 95.3% for N-NH4+, and 41.7 to 83.3% for PO43- after 26 days. The macromolecular composition of the algal biomass reached lipid contents ranging from 33.4 to 42.7%. Thus, the proposed process mediated by microalgae can be considered promising for the bioremediation and recovery of effluents produced by agriculture through the use of microalgal biomass for bioproduct production.
Novel Intravitreal Retina-Targeting and Immune-Evading Adeno-Associated Virus Capsid Variant
Authors: Cai Zhongshan , Liu Yawen , Zhao Li , Li Xiaofang , Zhang Binwu , Tang Yuxu , Zhou Tao , Zheng Zhuxia , Li Aonan , Wei Jiye , Ji Qingzhou , Lu Daru , Marsic Damien
Published: September 2024

Retinal diseases are an important focus of in vivo gene therapy, for which adeno-associated virus is a preferred vector. Intravitreal injection is a highly desirable delivery route because it is much simpler, safer and inexpensive than the main alternative subretinal injection. However, existing capsids have low efficiency, require high doses and are susceptible to neutralization by antibodies that are present in the vitreous. Using AAV5 as starting material, we applied a combination of directed evolution and rational design to develop PT1, a novel AAV capsid capable of efficiently transducing the retina after intravitreal injection. The most striking property of PT1 is its remarkable ability to evade preexisting neutralizing antibodies, thanks to its multiple mutations spread over large areas of the capsid surface, disrupting several epitopes. Our results suggest that PT1 has a strong potential as a useful candidate capsid for human retinal gene therapy.
The Number Zero is Welcomed by Mathematics, but Physics Should Be Careful When Dealing With It
Authors: Klauder John , Fantoni Riccardo
Published: September 2024

The number zero is happily used by mathematics, but not physics for various reasons. It should be incorrect to say that $\phi(x)= 0=\gamma(x)$, when there are two, different, physical meanings, such as fields for two very different kinds of particles, etc. That could lead to some kind of confusion in physics. In that case, it could even be necessary to {\bf reject} using the zero number in certain expressions, and instead, at least try to `go around them'.

Do not forget that the number zero was {\it banned} for 1,500 years, long, long ago!
Security and Privacy Analysis on Personal Identifiable Informationfor Connected Commercial Vehicles
Authors: Carlton Jason
Published: September 2024

With many Americans eager to resume travel after prolonged restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic, car rentals are on the rise. According to Auto Rental News, “2021 U.S. Car Rental Revenue Climbs 21% Year-Over-Year” (Brown, 2021). In conjunction with increased car rental, and associated travel, we can expect to see an increase in cyber security and data privacy attacks. In the digital age, enterprises have a responsibility to protect consumers’ personally identifiable information (PII). As it pertains to rental vehicles, when consumers connect their mobile devices to a rental vehicle’s Entertainment and Infotainment System or utilize the built-in navigation feature, they do so, unbeknownst to themselves that the information from their devices is transferring to the vehicle, where it will remain, unless properly expunged from the system. A large majority of consumers are blissfully unaware that their PII is being stored, and how easy it would be for an adversary to potentially breach their data security and privacy. To expand upon this hypothesis, I conducted a further investigation on the subject, by partaking in the rental of three different vehicles, each belonging to a different manufacturer (Nissan, Chrysler, and Maserati), from three different vehicle rental companies (Enterprise, Hertz and Turo). I then, as a consumer, tested my hypothesis to determine if, I was able to easily breach the prior consumers’ data security and privacy by viewing devices that had previously connected to the vehicle, as well as any of the previous consumers’ personal information. The results were undeniable; the PII of the previous consumers is not protected.
Evaluation of Energetic Potential of Slaughterhouse Waste via Anaerobic Digestion by Pressure Induced Separation in West-Africa
Authors: Yankyera Kusi Joseph , Empl Florian , Müller Ralf , Pelz Stefan , Poetsch Jens , Sailer Gregor , Kirchhof Rainer , Agyemang Derkyi Nana Sarfo , Attiogbe Francis , Siabi Sarah Elikplim
Published: September 2024

Anaerobic digestion has the potential to convert organic waste materials into valuable energy. At the same time, using press water from biomass materials for energy generation, while taking advantage of the resulting cake for other purposes is an emerging approach. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the residual potential expected from a typical biogas feedstock in the West African context after it has been mechanically separated into liquid and solid phases. Hence, in this study, the rumen contents of ruminants (cow, goat and sheep) and their proportionate ratios were obtained from an abattoir in Ghana. Resource characterisation of the waste samples were carried out in the Central laboratory of the HFR, Germany. Anaerobic batch tests for biogas (biomethane) yield determination were set-up using the Hohenheim Biogas Yield Test (HBT). Inoculum used was obtained from an inoculum production unit at the Hohenheim University biogas laboratory. The trial involved two different forms of the sample: mixture of rumen contents, press water, and inoculum, each in four (4) replicates. The trial was carried out at a mesophilic temperature of 37°C. Results obtained over a seventy (70) day period were transformed into biogas yields. Overall, the results show that the current contents are suitable for biogas generation as an option, as opposed to the current form of disposal at a refuse dump. However, using these mixtures in their original forms is more technically viable than using press water without further treatment.
Structural Design and Technology of Pocket Foundations for Long Precast Concrete Columns in Seismic Areas
Authors: Constantinescu Horia , Toader Traian-Nicu
Published: September 2024

The connection between a prefabricated reinforced concrete column and a pocket foundation is a case treated from a general perspective in the European Standard named EN 1992-1-1, and when the structural engineer deals with the dimensioning or verification of the connection, he tackles several unknowns. The present work aims to fill in the missing information by presenting detailed calculation models based on the strut-and-tie method for 4 of the widely used pocket foundations: pedestal pocket foundation with smooth, rough or keyed internal walls, and pad foundation with pocket possessing keyed internal walls. Additionally, detailed design prescriptions applicable to seismic areas are given. Afterwards, as a case study, a pocket foundation is designed in all 4 variations, having the structural design particularities, similitudes and differences pointed out. Finally, to conclude the advantages and disadvantages are mentioned for pocket foundations in respect to the type of internal wall surface used. Quantifiable data based on the case study undertaken is available.
Bayesian Neural Network-Based Approach for Probabilistic Prediction of Building Energy Demands
Authors: Mahajan Akash , Das Srijita , Su Wencong , Bui Van-Hai
Published: September 2024

Reliable prediction of building-level energy demand is crucial for the building managers to optimize and regulate energy consumption. Conventional prediction models omit the uncertainties associated with demand over time; hence, they are mostly inaccurate and unreliable. In this study, a Bayesian neural network (BNN)-based probabilistic prediction model is proposed to tackle this challenge. By quantifying the uncertainty, BNNs provide probabilistic predictions that capture the variations in the energy demand. The proposed model is trained and evaluated on a subset of the building operations dataset of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, California, which includes diverse attributes related to climate and key building performance indicators. We have performed thorough hyperparameter tuning and used fixed-horizon validation to evaluate trained models on various test data to assess generalization ability. To validate the results, quantile random forest (QRF) was used as a benchmark. The study compared BNN with LSTM, showing that BNN outperformed LSTM in uncertainty quantification.
Integrating Remote Sensing Image and Sea Ice Recognition for Optimal Polar Ship Path Planning
Authors: Bian Jiayi , Zhou Li , Ding Shifeng , Kujala Pentti , Han Sen , Zeng Dinghan , Skjetne Roger
Published: September 2024

A large amount of sea ice exists in the polar regions, which is prone to ship-ice collisions leading to ship breakage and sinking events. Complex environmental factors pose challenges to navigation safety, and it is particularly important to perceive the polar environment and make decisions in advance. In this paper, You only look once (YOLOv5) is targeted to be optimized according to the characteristics of ice remote sensing images, which includes adding Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) attention mechanism, improving spatial pyramid pooling, and replacing Flexible Rectified Linear Unit (FReLU) activation function. In order to verify the effect of the optimized algorithm, ablation experiments are set up, and the accuracy of the optimized algorithm is improved by 3.5% com-pared with the original YOLOv5. Comparison experiments with other target identification algo-rithms are conducted, and the results show that the optimized YOLOv5 has higher accuracy and better robustness, and can identify small target sea ice that is difficult to identify in large-size re-mote sensing images. Polar ship path planning based on the identification results. The identifica-tion output of remote sensing ice images is used as the input for the construction of path planning maps, and raster maps corresponding to the actual polar scenes are built. Taking the path length, the number of ship turns, and the sea ice risk value as the objective function, the Any-Angle Path Planning on Grids (Theta*) algorithm is used to simulate the path planning under different sea conditions with different sea ice concentration, and a path with a shorter length, a smoother path, and a higher safety coefficient is found.
Neural Network Architectures and Magnetic Hysteresis - Overview and Comparisons
Authors: Licciardi Silvia , Ala Guido , Francomano Elisa , Viola Fabio , Lo Giudice Michele , Salvini Alessandro , Sargeni Fausto , Bonaiuto Vincenzo , Di Schino Andrea , Faba Antonio
Published: September 2024

The development of innovative materials, based on the modern technologies and processes, is the key factor to improve the energetic sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of the electrical equipment. In particular, modeling of magnetic hysteresis is crucial for the design and construction of electrical and electronic devices. In recent years, additive manufacturing techniques are playing a decisive role in the project and production of magnetic elements and circuits for applications in various engineering fields. To this aim, the use of Deep learning paradigm, integrated with the most common models of the magnetic hysteresis process, has become increasingly present in recent years. Particularly in the paper, different Neural networks used in scientific literature, integrated with various hysteretic mathematical models, including the well-known Preisach model, are compared. It is shown that this hybrid approach not only improves the modelling of hysteresis by significantly reducing computational time and efforts, but also offers new perspectives for analysis and prediction of the behavior of magnetic materials, with significant implications for the production of advanced devices.
Gold-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles Prepared via Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis: A Novel Approach for Enhanced Functionalisation
Authors: Kresnik Lan , Majerič Peter , Feizpour Darja , Črešnar Klementina Pušnik , Rudolf Rebeka
Published: September 2024

Magnetic nanoparticles coated with gold nanoparticles are hybrid nanostructures combining the magnetic properties of iron oxide with the optical and chemical versatility of gold. The iron oxide core gives the nanoparticles magnetic functionality, which is useful in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), targeted drug delivery, and hyperthermia treatment. The gold coating enhances biocompatibility, provides resistance to oxidation, and allows for surface functionalisation with biomolecules for targeted applications. This combination makes these nanoparticles ideal for a range of biomedical applications, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and imaging, due to their magnetic, optical, and chemical properties. Transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential and magnetisation of nanoparticles are key techniques that provide a comprehensive understanding of the nanoparticles’ size, structure, optical properties and magnetic behaviour, which are important factors for determining their potential use in various applications.
Catalytic Biolubricant Production from Canola Oil through Double Transesterification with Methanol and Neopentyl Glycol
Authors: Acevedo-Serrano Manuel , Nogales-Delgado Sergio , González González Juan Félix
Published: September 2024

In the current environmental scenario, the proposal of alternatives for petroleum-based products has considerably increased, looking for bioproducts with interesting properties like biodegradability, sustainability and efficiency, among others. In this sense, the role of biolubricants is promising, offering a wide range of possibilities through different methods and operating conditions. Specifically, double transesterification could be a suitable process in a biorefinery context. The aim of this work was to produce a biolubricant through double transesterification with methanol and neopentyl glycol (NPG) under different reaction conditions, by using homogeneous catalysis (sodium methoxide). As a result, different catalyst concentrations, among other changes in reaction conditions, were used, getting high conversion values (96%) and a final product with viscosity values (20.7 cSt) that allow its use as engine oil (SAE 5W). In conclusion, biodiesel and biolubricant production was feasible through homogeneous catalysis, proving the feasibility of this process at laboratory scale. Further studies, including the use of different heterogeneous catalysts, as well as the implementation of this process at semi-industrial scale, is recommended.
Impact of Buriti Oil from Mauritia flexuosa Palm Tree on the Rheological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene for Improved Sustainability
Authors: Leite-Barbosa Odilon , Oliveira Marcelo Ferreira Leão de , Braga Fernanda Cristina Fernandes , Monteiro Sergio Neves , Oliveira Marcia Gomes de , Veiga-Junior Valdir Florêncio
Published: September 2024

Recent advancements highlight the utilization of vegetable oils as additives in polymeric materials, particularly for replacing conventional plasticizers. Buriti oil (BO), extracted from the Amazon's Mauritia flexuosa palm tree fruit, boasts an impressive profile of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carotenoids, and tocopherol. This study investigates the impact of incorporating buriti oil as a plasticizer in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) matrices. The aim of this research was to evaluate how buriti oil, a bioactive compound, influences the thermal and rheological properties of LLDPE. Compositions of buriti oil\LLDPE were prepared via melt intercalation techniques, and the resulting materials were characterized through Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical property testing, and contact angle measurement. The addition of buriti oil was found to act as a processing aid and plasticizer, enhancing the fluidity of LLDPE polymer chains. TGA revealed distinct thermal stabilities for buriti oil/LLDPE under different degradation conditions Notably, buriti oil exhibited an initial weight loss temperature at 402°C, whereas LLDPE at 466.4°C. This indicated a minor reduction in the thermal stability of buriti oil/LLDPE compositions. The thermal stability, as observed through DSC displayed a nuanced response to the oil's incorporation, suggesting a complex interaction between the oil and polymer matrix. Detailed mechanical testing indicated a marked increase in tensile strength and elongation at break, especially at optimal concentrations of buriti oil. SEM analysis showcased a more uniform and less brittle microstructure, correlating with the enhanced mechanical properties. Contact angle measurements revealed a notable shift in surface hydrophobicity, indicating a change in the surface chemistry. This study demonstrates that buriti oil can positively influence the processability and thermal properties of LLDPE contributing to expand its potential applications as an effective plasticizer.
Análise da tomada de decisão tática de coordenadores de curso de graduação de uma instituição de ensino superior comunitária no Brasil
Authors: Araujo Eduardo Bugallo de , Fossatti Paulo , Monticelli Jefferson Marlon
Published: September 2024

Objetivo: Este estudo visa analisar o ambiente de tomada de decisão tática dos coordenadores de cursos de graduação de uma universidade comunitária brasileira, considerando o papel desses tomadores de decisão. Método: Foi aplicado um estudo de caso, com coleta de dados por meio de pesquisa documental e grupos focais. Os dados foram analisados utilizando a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que esses tomadores de decisão estão expostos a um ambiente tático complexo e heterogêneo, dependendo de informações de qualidade, conhecimento e repertório para qualificar suas decisões. No entanto, falta-lhes informações simétricas, personalizadas, amigáveis e ágeis para qualificar suas decisões. Conclusão: Identificamos que o contexto institucional requer que os gestores tomem decisões com prazos e recursos escassos, em contraste com a complexidade do ambiente que orienta esse processo. Portanto, é necessário que a universidade forneça um sistema de informação baseado em processos organizacionais, alinhado com a gestão estratégica.
Noxious Weed Species Monochoria vaginalis Resistant to Synthetic Auxin and Acetolactate Synthase Inhibitor Herbicides
Authors: Widianto Ryan , Kurniadie Denny
Published: September 2024

Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) C. Presl is a dominant weed in paddy rice cultivation, significantly threatening productivity and farming sustainability. In Subang, Indonesia, synthetic auxin and acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors are commonly used to control M. vaginalis. However, farmers have currently reported declining efficacy of these herbicides. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm the resistance of M. vaginalis to the early post-emergence application of synthetic auxin and ALS inhibitors. Plant bioassays were conducted using the pot test method to determine resistance level. Herbicides were applied 2 weeks after planting M. vaginalis at 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 times the recommended dose, and untreated plants as control. Herbicides tested were 2,4-D, bensulfuron-methyl, bispyribac sodium, penoxulam, and sulfentrazone. The results obtained based on resistance index values (RI) showed that M. vaginalis populations from Kediri and Gandasari, Subang, had moderately to high resistance to 2,4-D (RI: 8.15 and 13.0) and bensulfuron-methyl (RI: 205.61 and 21.80). Weed was moderately resistant to bispyribac sodium (RI of Kediri biotype: 8.79) and had low to moderate resistance to penoxulam herbicides (RI: 8.94 and 3.56). In contrast, M. vaginalis-resistant biotypes remained susceptible to sulfentrazone (protoporphyrinogen oxidase/PPO inhibitors) herbicide. A significant increase in GR50 was observed between 28 and 56 days after herbicide application, signifying enhanced regrowth. The resistance of M. vaginalis to synthetic auxin and ALS inhibitors presents the need for farmers to consider alternative herbicides, such as PPO inhibitors, to prevent the development of resistant weeds.
The Efficiency of Seed Priming with Dead Sea Water for Improving Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Salinity
Authors: Tamimi Samih Mohammad
Published: September 2024

Salinity is considered the most critical environmental factor which negatively affects the germination and growth of plants. In this study, the potential of using Dead Sea water (DS) as a seed priming agent for the mitigation of the adverse effects of salinity on seed germination and growth performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated. Germination of wheat seeds primed with different doses of DS; 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% were evaluated under different saline conditions (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM NaCl). High salinity (300 mM NaCl) remarkably inhibited germination attributes and reduced seedling length. However, seeds primed with DS exhibited improved germination parameters and seedling growth. Among the different DS concentrations used, the 10% DS priming achieved the highest increase in final germination percentage tolerance, germination index, relative germination salt tolerance, and seedling length. The increased tolerance to salinity was associated with improved water imbibition, α-amylase activity, antioxidant capacity and osmotic homeostasis correlated with high proline and soluble sugar levels. In addition, DS priming increased the membrane stability index, and reduced malondialdehyde content and K+ leakage besides lowering Na+/K+ ratio. Overall, priming with DS could be a promising strategy for minimizing the damaging effects of salinity in wheat.
Jakaba Undercover: Taxonomic Riddle and Potency in Indonesian Agriculture
Authors: Fadilah Risya Ayudya , Kurnia Methodius Digna , Putra Ivan Permana
Published: September 2024

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers leads to serious environmental and health issues, while organic biofertilizers offer a sustainable solution. Jakaba or “jamur keberuntungan abadi,” a local liquid organic fertilizer derived from fungi, is increasingly used by Indonesian farmers. However, its taxonomy and potential applications require further investigation. Moreover, the effects of jakaba on Fusarium and its impact on maize growth remain unexplored. This study aims to characterize jakaba comprehensively, evaluate its anti-Fusarium properties, conduct pathogenicity tests, and assess its effects on maize growth. Morphological analysis of fresh jakaba fruiting bodies was conducted, and molecular identification was performed based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1/4 regions. The antagonistic test was done using plant pathogenic fungi (Fusarium sp.). In addition, jakaba was evaluated for its impact on the vegetative growth of maize. Observations identified jakaba as belonging to the genus Corallomycetella, characterized by coral-shaped fruiting bodies with an orange hue and a white tip. The hyphae are septate, spore hyaline, and ellipsoid. The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis revealed that jakaba was Corallomycetella repens, with a query cover of 99% and a phylogenetic tree 96% bootstrap (BS) value. Jakaba exhibits antibiosis activity against Fusarium sp., with an inhibition rate of 5.64%. Although C. repens has been previously identified as a cause of root rot in Indonesia, the current study reveals that jakaba is not pathogenic to maize. Furthermore, the application of jakaba’s liquid organic fertilizer at a concentration of 40 ml l-1 significantly increased plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and stem diameter compared to other treatments. These findings highlight jakaba potential as a biofertilizer.
Enhancing Agroecology in Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Cultivation with Centrosema pubescens Ground Cover: A Study from Central Bangka, Indonesia
Authors: Kurniawati Ani , Aini Sitti Nurul , Khodijah Nyayu Siti , Gusta Adryade Reshi
Published: September 2024

Pepper cultivation in Bangka Island primarily takes place on sandy land. Legume cover crops, such as Centrosema pubescens, which has been widely used as a ground cover, are anticipated to improve land quality by maintaining soil temperature and humidity, increasing soil organic carbon content, increasing soil porosity, and improving soil fertility. This research aims to analyze the agroecosystem of pepper plants, by comparing the use of the cover plant C. pubescens as a soil treatment and the absence of using these cover plants as a control. The research was conducted in farmers’ pepper gardens in Perlang Village, Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Province. The research employed a randomized block design, with C. pubescens and natural vegetation as treatments, each replicated 3 times. The variables measured were soil temperature and humidity; abundance of microorganisms; weed density, frequency, and dominance; chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and anthocyanin content of pepper leaves; photosynthesis rate; transpiration rate; stomatal conductance; soil chemical and physical properties. The results showed that C. pubescens as ground cover could reduce the dominance of the Bidens pilosa weed (relative dominance of 36.16%) but led to an increase in the dominance of Chromolaena odorata (relative dominance of 38.7%). C. pubescens ground cover could also maintain stable soil temperature and moisture, and increase P, K, Ca, and Mg soil content by 100%, 100%, 43.6%, and 48.3%, respectively. Furthermore, pepper plants grown with C. pubescens exhibited 25%, 23.7%, and 16% higher chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid content, respectively, compared to those grown without the cover crop.