bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Chemical Lift-Off for Air-Tunnel GaN on a Trapezoid-Patterned Sapphire Substrate
Authors: Ahn Min-joo , Shim Kyu-yeon , Jeong Woo-seop , Kang Seongho , Kim Hwayoung , Cho Seunghee , Byun Dongjin
Published: March 2023

We fabricated an air-tunnel structure between a gallium nitride (GaN) layer and trapezoid-patterned sapphire substrate (TPSS) through the in situ carbonization of a photoresist layer to enable rapid chemical lift-off (CLO). A trapezoid-shaped PSS was used, which is advantageous for epitaxial growth on the upper c-plane when forming an air tunnel between the substrate and GaN layer. The upper c-plane of the TPSS was exposed during carbonization. This was followed by selective GaN epitaxial lateral overgrowth using a homemade metal organic chemical vapor deposition system. The air tunnel maintained its structure under the GaN layer, whereas the photoresist layer between the GaN layer and TPSS disappeared. The crystalline structures of GaN (0002) and (0004) were investigated using X-ray diffraction. The photoluminescence spectra of the GaN templates with and without the air tunnel showed an intense peak at 364 nm. The Raman spectroscopy results for the GaN templates with and without the air tunnel were redshifted relative to the results for free-standing GaN. The CLO process using potassium hydroxide solution neatly separated the GaN template with the air tunnel from the TPSS.
Screening out Biomarkers of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum for Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Based on Spectrum-Effect Relationship Coupled with UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
Authors: Xia Jie , Li Xiuyue , Lin Min , Yu Jiani , Zeng Zhongda , Ye Fei , Hu Guanjun , Miu Qiang , He Qiuling , Zhang Xiaodan , Liang Zongsuo
Published: March 2023

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg. (T. hemsleyanum) is an economically and medicinally valuable species within the genus Tetrastigma. However, the material basis of its pharmacological action and the biomarkers associated with its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects are still unclear. Additionally, the T. hemsleyanum industry cannot grow because there is a lack of a scientific, universal, and measurable quality control system. This study aimed to explore the chemical basis quality markers related to the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects of T. hemsleyanum to establish an effective quality evaluation method. UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE fingerprint profiles of T. hemsleyanum from different origins were established. Pharmacodynamic studies used HepG2 and HuH-7 cells and LPS-induced RAW264.7 to evaluate the anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects of the active ingredients. The spectrum-effect relationships between UPLC fingerprints and anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using PCA and PLSR statistical methods. Moreover, docking analysis was performed to identify specific active biomarkers with molecular targets associated with cancer and inflammation. Chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, catechin, kaempferol 3-rutinoside, apigenin-8-C-glucoside, and linolenic acid were associated with anticancer activity, while chlorogenic acid, quercetin, quinic acid, kaempferol 3-rutinoside, rutinum, apigenin-8-C-glucoside, and linolenic acid were associated with anti-inflammatory activity. The spectrum-effect relationship of T. hemsleyanum was successfully established, and the biomarkers for anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects were preliminary confirmed. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the elucidation of the substance basis of T. hemsleyanum and lay the foundation for its rapid identification, quality control, industrial research, and utilization.
Core-Shell, Critical-Temperature-Suppressed V Alloy-Pd Alloy Hydrides for Hydrogen Storage—A Technical Evaluation
Authors: Lamb Krystina E. , Webb Colin J.
Published: March 2023

Hydrogen storage for energy applications is of significant interest to researchers seeking to enable a transition to lower-pollution energy systems. Two of the key drawbacks of using hydrogen for energy storage are the low gas-phase storage density and the high energy cost of the gas-phase compression. Metal hydride materials have the potential to increase hydrogen storage density and decrease the energy cost of compression by storing the hydrogen as a solid solution. In this article, the technical viability of core-shell V90Al10-Pd80Ag20 as a hydrogen storage material is discussed. LaNi5, LaNi5/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer mixtures, core-shell V-Pd, and core-shell V90Al10-Pd80Ag20 are directly compared in terms of reversible hydrogen-storage content by weight and volume. The kinetic information for each of the materials is also compared; however, this work highlights missing information that would enable computational dynamics modelling. Results of this technical evaluation show that V90Al10-Pd80Ag20 has the potential to increase gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen capacity by 1.4 times compared to LaNi5/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer mixtures. In addition, the literature shows that Pd80Ag20 and V90Al10 both have similarly good hydrogen permeabilities, thermal conductivities, and specific heats. In summary, this evaluation demonstrates that core-shell V90Al10-Pd80Ag20 could be an excellent, less-expensive hydrogen storage material with the advantages of improved storage capacity, handleability, and safety compared to current AB5-polymer mixtures.
External Catalyst- and Additive-Free Photo-Oxidation of Aromatic Alcohols to Carboxylic Acids or Ketones Using Air/O2
Authors: Xu Meng , Ou Jinhua , Luo Kejun , Liang Rongtao , Liu Jian , Li Ni , Hu Bonian , Liu Kaijian
Published: March 2023

We present an environment-friendly and highly efficient method for the oxidation of aromatic alcohols to carboxylic acids or ketones in air via light irradiation under external catalyst-, additive-, and base-free conditions. The photoreaction system exhibits a wide substrate scope and the potential for large-scale applications. Most of the desired products are easily obtained via recrystallization and separation from low-boiling reaction medium acetone in good yields, and the products can be subsequent directly transformed without further purification.
Novel Matrine Derivatives as Potential Larvicidal Agents against Aedes albopictus: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Mechanistic Analysis
Authors: Ang Song , Liang Jinfeng , Zheng Wende , Zhang Zhen , Li Jinxuan , Yan Zhenping , Wong Wing-Leung , Zhang Kun , Chen Min , Wu Panpan
Published: March 2023

A large number of studies have shown that matrine (MA) possesses various pharmacological activities and is one of the few natural, plant-derived pesticides with the highest prospects for promotion and application. Fifty-eight MA derivatives were prepared, including 10 intermediates and 48 target compounds in 3 series, to develop novel mosquitocidal agents. Compounds 4b, 4e, 4f, 4m, 4n, 6e, 6k, 6m, and 6o showed good larvicidal activity against Aedes albopictus, which is both a highly aggressive mosquito and an important viral vector that can transmit a wide range of pathogens. Dipping methods and a bottle bioassay were used for insecticidal activity evaluation. The LC50 values of 4e, 4m, and 6m reached 147.65, 140.08, and 205.79 μg/mL, respectively, whereas the LC50 value of MA was 659.34 μg/mL. Structure–activity relationship analysis demonstrated that larvicidal activity could be improved by the unsaturated heterocyclic groups introduced into the carboxyl group after opening the D ring. The MA derivatives with oxidized N-1 lost their mosquitocidal activities, indicating that the bareness of N-1 is crucial to maintain their anti-mosquito activity. However, the activity was not greatly influenced by introducing a cyan group at C-6 or a benzene sulfonyl group at N-16. Additionally, compounds 4e and 4m exhibited good inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase with inhibitory rates of 59.12% and 54.30%, respectively, at a concentration of 250 μg/mL, whereas the inhibitory rate of MA was 9.88%. Therefore, the structural modification and mosquitocidal activity of MA and its derivatives obtained here pave the way for those seeking strong mosquitocidal agents of plant origin.
Characterization of a New Laccase from Vibrio sp. with pH-stability, Salt-tolerance, and Decolorization Ability
Authors: Jiang Jing , Deng Jing-Ling , Wang Zhi-Gang , Chen Xiao-Yu , Wang Shu-Jie , Wang Yong-Chuang
Published: March 2023

Laccases have been widely used for fruit juice clarification, food modification, and paper pulp delignification. In addition, laccases exhibit remarkable performance in the degradation of toxic substances, including pesticides, organic synthetic dyes, antibiotics, and organic pollutants. Thus, the screening and development of robust laccases has attracted significant attention. In this study, Vibrio sp. LA is a strain capable of producing cold-adapted laccases. The laccase coding gene L01 was cloned from this strain and expressed in Yarrowia lipolytica, a host with good secretion ability. The secreted L01 (approximate MW of 56,000 Da) had the activity and specific activity of 18.6 U/mL and 98.6 U/mg toward ABTS, respectively. The highest activity occurred at 35 °C. At 20 °C, L01 activity was over 70% of the maximum activity in pH conditions ranging from 4.5–10.0. Several synthetic dyes were efficiently degraded by L01. Owing to its robustness, salt tolerance, and pH stability, L01 is a promising catalytic tool for potential industrial applications.
Identification and Characterisation of Infiltrating Immune Cells in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Using Spatial Transcriptomics
Authors: Shek Dmitrii , Gloss Brian , Lai Joey , Ma Li , Zhang Hui E. , Carlino Matteo S. , Mahajan Hema , Nagrial Adnan , Gao Bo , Read Scott A. , Ahlenstiel Golo
Published: March 2023

Increasing evidence strongly supports the key role of the tumour microenvironment in response to systemic therapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The tumour microenvironment is a complex tapestry of immune cells, some of which can suppress T-cell immunity to negatively impact ICI therapy. The immune component of the tumour microenvironment, although poorly understood, has the potential to reveal novel insights that can impact the efficacy and safety of ICI therapy. Successful identification and validation of these factors using cutting-edge spatial and single-cell technologies may enable the development of broad acting adjunct therapies as well as personalised cancer immunotherapies in the near future. In this paper we describe a protocol built upon Visium (10x Genomics) spatial transcriptomics to map and characterise the tumour-infiltrating immune microenvironment in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Using ImSig tumour-specific immune cell gene signatures and BayesSpace Bayesian statistical methodology, we were able to significantly improve immune cell identification and spatial resolution, respectively, improving our ability to analyse immune cell interactions within the tumour microenvironment.
Dopamine-Mediated Graphene Bridging Hexagonal Boron Nitride for Large-Scale Composite Films with Enhanced Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Insulation
Authors: Li Shikun , Shen Yutan , Jia Xiao , Xu Min , Zong Ruoyu , Liu Guohua , Liu Bin , Huai Xiulan
Published: March 2023

Heat accumulation generated from confined space poses a threat to the service reliability and lifetime of electronic devices. To quickly remove the excess heat from the hot spot, it is highly desirable to enhance the heat dissipation in a specific direction. Herein, we report a facile route to fabricate the large-scale composite film with enhanced thermal conductivity and electrical insulation. The well-stacked composite films were constructed by the assembly of polydopamine (PDA)-modified graphene nanosheets (GNSPDA) and hexagonal boron nitride (BNPDA), as well as bacterial cellulose (BC). The introduction of the PDA layer greatly improves the interface compatibility between hybrid fillers and BC matrix, and the presence of GNSPDA-bridging significantly increases the probability of effective contact with BNPDA fillers, which is beneficial to form a denser and complete “BN-GNS-BN” heat conduction pathway and tight filler–matrix network, as supported by the Foygel model fitting and numerical simulation. The resulting BC/BNPDA/GNSPDA film shows the thermal conductivity and tensile strength of 34.9 W·m−1·K−1 and 30.9 MPa, which separately increases to 161% and 155% relative to the BC/BNPDA film. It was found that the low electrically conductive and high thermal conductive properties can be well balanced by tuning the mass ratio of GNSPDA at 5 wt%, and the electrical conductivity caused by GNSPDA can be effectively blocked by the BNPDA filler network, giving the low electrical conductivity of 1.8 × 10−10 S·cm−1. Meanwhile, the BC/BNPDA/GNSPDA composite films effectively transfer the heat and diminish the hot-spot temperature in cooling LED chip module application. Thus, the present study may pave the way to promoting the industrialization of scalable thermal management devices.
Quality Control of the Dietary Supplements Containing Selected Fat-Soluble Vitamins D and K
Authors: Starek Małgorzata , Gumułka Paweł , Dąbrowska Monika
Published: March 2023

Nowadays, the most important aspect related to the use of dietary supplements seems to be their quality. There are many reports indicating their insufficient quality primarily related to a much lower content of ingredients or even their absence. Currently, there is an increasing interest in supplementing the diet with various kinds of supplements, including those containing combinations of vitamins and minerals, among which preparations with vitamin D are very popular. This is probably due to the reduced production of this vitamin, depending on the amount of time spent in the sun and the use of UV-filters. Very often, preparations with cholecalciferol also contain vitamin K2, which is associated with their synergistic effect. Therefore, the question arises about the effectiveness of supplementation, which may be correlated with the quality of commonly available dietary supplements. In the presented work, it was undertaken to develop optimal conditions for the qualitative and quantitative determination of vitamins D2, D3 and K2 in dietary supplements available in various forms, using thin-layer chromatography with densitometric detection. As a result, the methodology for analyzing the content of three vitamins from various matrices was developed, optimized and validated in accordance with ICH requirements. The obtained results allow us to conclude that it is reliable and meets the requirements for analytical procedures used in the analysis of medicinal products. Based on the results obtained for examined dietary supplements, it can be stated that the amount of vitamin D3 in analyzed products is basically similar to that declared by the manufacturer, in contrast to vitamin K2, the content of which is diverse. The developed methodology seems to be a good, low-cost and quick way to control the quality of dietary supplements so that they can supplement the human diet and be a wholesome product.
The Role of Copper Intake in the Development and Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Eljazzar Sereen , Abu-Hijleh Haya , Alkhatib Dana , Sokary Sara , Ismail Shrooq , Al-Jayyousi Ghadir Fakhri , Tayyem Reema
Published: March 2023

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide public health issue with numerous complications. Several risk factors are associated with diabetes, mainly due to patients following an unhealthy lifestyle. Copper is a crucial trace element, with various physiological actions. Different intake levels of copper might contribute to diabetes development due to its dual action as both an anti- and pro-oxidant. Aim: Due to the inconclusive findings regarding the relationship between copper consumption and the management of diabetes, we decided to conduct this extensive systematic review. Up to this date, no similar study has been available in the literature. In this review, we used the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant articles were identified by searching the electronic databases CINAHL, EMBASE and Medline from their respective index dates to September 2022 using keywords such as “Copper Intake” and “Type 2 Diabetes”. Any paper that has investigated copper exposure through supplementation or any other method that indicates copper intake in human subjects with type 2 diabetes and measures at least one of the outcomes of interest related to diabetes was included in this review. This review is comprised of 4 cross-sectional studies, 3 cohort studies, 2 RCTs, and 2 interventional studies. Two cohort studies found positive associations between copper intake and the risk of developing T2DM, while no significant association was found in the third study. Regarding diabetes outcomes in the four cross-sectional studies, two found inverse associations, one found a positive relationship, and one found no significant association. In interventional studies, all studies found a protective effect of copper, including the RCT, while one found no significant association. The results are inconsistent concerning the association between copper consumption and the likelihood of developing diabetes are inconsistent. Individuals should receive an adequate dietary amount of copper that is within the RDA levels (900 µg/day) to avoid copper deficiency or toxicity. Further studies, especially RCTs, are strongly needed to enable researchers to elucidate more robust conclusions regarding this association.
Synergistic Effect of Thermoresponsive and Photocuring Methacrylated Chitosan-Based Hybrid Hydrogels for Medical Applications
Authors: Chen Chun-Cheng , Wang Jie-Mao , Huang Yun-Ru , Yu Yi-Hsuan , Wu Tzong-Ming , Ding Shinn-Jyh
Published: March 2023

The thermoresponsive drug-loaded hydrogels have attracted widespread interest in the field of medical applications due to their ease of delivery to structurally complex tissue defects. However, drug-resistant infections remain a challenge, which has prompted the development of new non-antibiotic hydrogels. To this end, we prepared chitosan-methacrylate (CTSMA)/gelatin (GEL) thermoresponsive hydrogels and added natural phenolic compounds, including tannic acid, gallic acid, and pyrogallol, to improve the efficacy of hydrogels. This hybrid hydrogel imparted initial crosslinking at physiological temperature, followed by photocuring to further provide a mechanically robust structure. Rheological analysis, tensile strength, antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, P. gingivalis, and S. mutans, and L929 cytotoxicity were evaluated. The experimental results showed that the hybrid hydrogel with CTSMA/GEL ratio of 5/1 and tannic acid additive had a promising gelation temperature of about 37 °C. The presence of phenolic compounds not only significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced cell viability, but also increased the tensile strength of CTSMA/GEL hybrid hydrogels. Moreover, the hydrogel containing tannic acid revealed potent antibacterial efficacy against four microorganisms. It was concluded that the hybrid hydrogel containing tannic acid could be a potential composite material for medical applications.
Effect of Long-Term Semiarid Pasture Management on Soil Hydraulic and Thermal Properties
Authors: Kharel Geeta , Dhakal Madhav , Deb Sanjit K. , Slaughter Lindsey C. , Simpson Catherine , West Charles P.
Published: March 2023

Semiarid pasture management strategies can affect soil hydraulic and thermal properties that determine water fluxes and storage, and heat flow in unsaturated soils. We evaluated long-term (>10 years) perennial and annual semiarid pasture system effects on saturated hydraulic conductivity (ks), soil water retention curves (SWRCs), soil water thresholds (i.e., volumetric water content (θv) at saturation, field capacity (FC), and permanent wilting point (PWP); plant available water (PAW)), thermal conductivity (λ), and diffusivity (Dt) within the 0–20 cm soil depth. Forage systems included: Old World bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii) + legumes (predominantly alfalfa (Medicago sativa)) (OWB-legume), native grass-mix (native), alfalfa + tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum) (alfalfa-TW), and annual grass-mix (annual) pastures on a clay loam soil; and native, teff (Eragrostis tef), OWB-grazed, and OWB-ungrazed pastures on a sandy clay loam soil. The perennial OWB-legume and native pastures had increased soil organic matter (SOM) and reduced bulk density (ρb), improving ks, soil water thresholds, λ, and Dt, compared to annual teff and alfalfa-TW (P < 0.05). Soil λ, but not Dt, increased with increasing θv. Grazed pastures decreased ks and water retention compared to other treatments (P < 0.05), yet did not affect λ and Dt (P > 0.05), likely due to higher ρb and contact between particles. Greater λ and Dt at saturation and PWP in perennial versus annual pastures may be attributed to differing SOM and ρb, and some a priori differences in soil texture. Overall, our results suggest that perennial pasture systems are more beneficial than annual systems for soil water storage and heat movement in semiarid regions.
Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses of the Effects of Exogenous Lauric Acid on Drought Resistance in Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch)
Authors: Zhang Binbin , Du Hao , Yang Sankui , Wu Xuelian , Liu Wenxin , Guo Jian , Xiao Yuansong , Peng Futian
Published: March 2023

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is a fruit tree of economic and nutritional importance, but it is very sensitive to drought stress, which affects its growth to a great extent. Lauric acid (LA) is a fatty acid produced in plants and associated with the response to abiotic stress, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, physiological analysis showed that 50 ppm LA pretreatment under drought stress could alleviate the growth of peach seedlings. LA inhibits the degradation of photosynthetic pigments and the closing of pores under drought stress, increasing the photosynthetic rate. LA also reduces the content of O2−, H2O2, and MDA under drought stress; our results were confirmed by Evans Blue, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), and DAB(3,3-diaminobenzidine) staining experiments. It may be that, by directly removing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improving enzyme activity, i.e., catalase (CAT) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, the damage caused by reactive oxygen species to peach seedlings is reduced. Peach seedlings treated with LA showed a significant increase in osmoregulatory substances compared with those subjected to drought stress, thereby regulating osmoregulatory balance and reducing damage. RNA-Seq analysis identified 1876 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in untreated and LA-pretreated plants under drought stress. In-depth analysis of these DEGs showed that, under drought stress, LA regulates the expression of genes related to plant–pathogen interaction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, the MAPK signaling pathway, cyanoamino acid metabolism, and sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis. In addition, LA may activate the Ca2+ signaling pathway by increasing the expressions of CNGC, CAM/CML, and CPDK family genes, thereby improving the drought resistance of peaches. In summary, via physiological and transcriptome analyses, the mechanism of action of LA in drought resistance has been revealed. Our research results provide new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanism of the LA-mediated drought resistance of peach trees.
CNC Turning of an Additively Manufactured Complex Profile Ti6Al4V Component Considering the Effect of Layer Orientations
Authors: Dabwan Abdulmajeed , Anwar Saqib , Al-Samhan Ali M. , Alqahtani Khaled N. , Nasr Mustafa M. , Kaid Husam , Ameen Wadea
Published: March 2023

Electron beam melting (EBM) is one example of a 3D printing technology that has shown great promise and advantages in the fabrication of medical devices such as dental and orthopedic implants. However, these products require high surface quality control to meet the specifications; thus, post-processing, such as with machining processes, is required to improve surface quality. This paper investigates the influence of two-part orientations of Ti6Al4V EBM parts on the CNC machining (turning) process. The two possible EBM part orientations used in this work are across EBM layers (AL) and parallel to the EBM layer (PL). The effect of the EBM Ti6Al4V part orientations is examined on surface roughness, power consumption, chip morphology, tool flank wear, and surface morphology during the dry turning, while using uncoated carbide tools at different feed rates and cutting speeds. The results showed that the AL orientation had better surface quality control and integrity after machining than PL orientation. Using the same turning parameters, the difference between the roughness (Ra) value for AL (0.36 μm) and PL (0.79 μm) orientations is about 54%. Similarly, the power consumption in AL orientation differs by 19% from the power consumption in PL orientation. The chip thickness ratio has a difference of 23% between AL and PL orientations, and the flank wear shows a 40% difference between AL and PL orientations. It is found that, when EBM components are manufactured along across-layer (AL) orientations, the impact of part orientation during turning is minimized and machined surface integrity is improved.
Efficient Non-Destructive Detection of Interface Adhesion State by Interfacial Thermal Conductance: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Guo Jianhua , Ma Niping , Chen Jiale , Wei Ning
Published: March 2023

The state of interface adhesion, as measured by the void ratio, is a critical factor affecting the adhesion strength and heat dissipation efficiency of a system. However, non-destructive and rapid detection of the adhesion process remains a challenge. In this study, we used all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interfacial thermal conductance of silicon and polymer at various adhesion void ratios, with the aim of achieving non-destructive and rapid detection of the adhesion process. Our results demonstrate a linear relationship between the interfacial thermal conductance and effective contact area at different temperatures, enabling the numerical value of interfacial thermal conductance to serve as an indicator of interfacial adhesion state. Furthermore, we also output the surface temperature of the adhesive interface. The non-uniformity of the surface temperature evolution can be used to identify the location of bubbles on the adhesive surface, which further reflects the bonding state of the interface. This project presents a novel approach and research framework for the non-destructive and rapid testing of the adhesion processes.
A Semi-Markov Dynamic Capital Injection Problem for Distressed Banks
Authors: Di Persio Luca , Prezioso Luca , Jiang Yilun
Published: March 2023

Our study investigates the optimal dividend strategy for a bank, taking into account the potential for government capital injections. We explore different types of government interventions, such as liberal, transparent, or uncertain strategies, and consider both single and multiple types of interventions. Our approach differs from others as it focuses on interventions that aim to maintain the overall stability of the financial system, rather than just addressing banks that have already sought government assistance or are in dire need of it. Specifically, we focus on situations where the government is more likely to assist banks that have not requested its intervention or that are not too difficult to save. To accomplish this, we conduct a comprehensive examination of all possible scenarios involving a single, one-time capital injection and derive explicit solutions for the associated optimal control problem. Furthermore, we expand the model to include semi-Markov dynamic capital injection processes and show that the optimal control is the unique viscosity solution of a Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. The government’s strategy also takes into account the bank’s solvency and any past government interventions.
Interpretation and Mapping Tree Crown Diameter Using Spatial Heterogeneity in Relation to the Radiative Transfer Model Extracted from GF-2 Images in Planted Boreal Forest Ecosystems
Authors: Liu Zhaohua , Long Jiangping , Lin Hui , Du Kai , Xu Xiaodong , Liu Hao , Yang Peisong , Zhang Tingchen , Ye Zilin
Published: March 2023

Tree crown diameter (CD) values, relating to the rate of material exchange between the forest and the atmosphere, can be used to evaluate forest biomass and carbon stock. To map tree CD values using meter-level optical remote sensing images, we propose a novel method that interprets the relationships between the spectral reflectance of pixels and the CD. The approach employs the spectral reflectance of pixels in the tree crown to express the diversity of inclination angles of leaves based on the radiative transfer model and the spatial heterogeneity of these pixels. Then, simulated and acquired GF-2 images are applied to verify the relationships between spatial heterogeneity and the tree CD. Meanwhile, filter-based and object-based methods are also employed to extract three types of variables (spectral features, texture features, and spatial heterogeneity). Finally, the tree CD values are mapped by four models (random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (K-NN), support vector machine (SVM), and multiple linear regression (MLR)), using three single types of variables and combinations of variables with different strategies. The results imply that the spatial heterogeneity of spectral reflectance is significantly positively correlated with tree CD values and is more sensitive to tree CD values than traditional spectral features and textural features. Furthermore, the ability of spatial heterogeneity to map tree CD values is significantly higher than traditional variable sets after obtaining stable features with appropriate filter window sizes. The results also demonstrate that the accuracy of mapped tree CD values is significantly improved using combined variable sets with different feature extraction methods. For example, in our experiments, the R2 and rRMSE values of the optimal results ranged from 0.60 to 0.66, and from 15.76% to 16.68%, respectively. It is confirmed that spatial heterogeneity with high sensitivity can effectively map tree CD values, and the accuracy of mapping tree CD values can be greatly improved using a combination of spectral features extracted by an object-based method and spatial heterogeneity extracted by a filter-based method.
Small Recreational Boat Detection Using Sentinel-1 Data for the Monitoring of Recreational Ecosystem Services
Authors: Ruciński Marek , Woźniak Edyta , Kulczyk Sylwia , Derek Marta
Published: March 2023

Recreational ecosystem services are crucial for human well-being, and nature-based recreational activities often support local economies. However, tourism is very often one of many threads that contribute to the environment, and, therefore, data regarding its spatial patterns are necessary for the long-term sustainable development of a region. The present study describes a method for the detection of small boats (<10 m in length) in lake conditions based on Sentinel-1 radar images. Our two-step algorithm uses adaptive thresholding and math morphology operators to extract boat detections. The algorithm was validated on 14 images of different types of lakes in the Great Masurian Lake District, Poland. The detection accuracy was 88.17%. We also assessed the spatial and temporal distribution of tourist traffic and compared satellite data to field data. The correlation between the satellite-based map and field observations was 0.76.
Mid-Infrared Observations of the Giant Planets
Authors: Roman Michael T.
Published: March 2023

The mid-infrared spectral region provides a unique window into the atmospheric temperature, chemistry, and dynamics of the giant planets. From more than a century of mid-infrared remote sensing, progressively clearer pictures of the composition and thermal structure of these atmospheres have emerged, along with a greater insight into the processes that shape them. Our knowledge of Jupiter and Saturn has benefitted from their proximity and relatively warm temperatures, while the details of colder and more distant Uranus and Neptune are limited as these planets remain challenging targets. As the timeline of observations continues to grow, an understanding of the temporal and seasonal variability of the giant planets is beginning to develop with promising new observations on the horizon.
Quantitative Analysis of Eight Compounds in Traditional Korean Medicine, Gongjindan Using HPLC, UPLC–MS/MS, and GC–MS/MS Systems
Authors: Seo Chang-Seob , Shin Hyeun-Kyoo
Published: March 2023

Gongjindan (GJD) is a traditional Korean medicine consisting of four herbal medicines and two animal-derived medicines, and is taken as a tonic in Republic of Korea. In this study, the goal was to develop and validate a simultaneous analytical method to quantify eight compounds in commercially available GJD samples using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS), and gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) systems. In HPLC and UPLC–MS/MS, seven components (gallic acid, 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural, morroniside, loganin, nodakenin, decursin, and decursinol angelate) were separated and quantified using a distilled water–acetonitrile mobile phase system on a Capcell Pak UG80 C18 column and an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column, respectively. Muscone was quantified using GC–MS/MS. The developed assays were validated by evaluating the linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, recovery, and precision. In the regression equations of all compounds, the coefficient of determination was ≥0.9917, showing good linearity. The recovery was 93.70–108.17%, and the relative standard deviation values in the precision test were all <1.50%. Using the developed analysis methods, GJD samples were determined to contain the eight target compounds in concentrations from non-detected to 10.75 mg/g. The analytical assays developed and validated in this study can be used to obtain data for the quality control of commercially available GJDs and for the further expansion of efficacy and clinical studies.
“Platformization of News”, Authorship, and Unverified Content: Perceptions around Local Media
Authors: Morais Ricardo , Jerónimo Pedro
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the growing importance of platforms for producing, sharing, and consuming news has been evident. However, several challenges associated with this growth have emerged, such as those linked with disinformation and news authorship. In this article, which uses part of the data from a more extensive study of local media in the central region of Portugal, we present the results from three focus groups with editors, journalists, and local media consumers. Through this information, we try to understand their perceptions about how platforms change news work and distribution, affecting journalists and the public. The focus groups results showed that although local media professionals consider it essential to be present on distribution platforms, they are concerned about the inability of audiences to distinguish the content created by local media from others that circulate online. We believe the results presented are significant to reflect on changes made by platforms to journalism and to think in terms of new strategies of media literacy concerning how and what ways platforms are involved in news distribution infrastructures.
Regional Strategy, Municipality Plans and Site Designs for Energy Transition in Amsterdam, The Netherlands: How Sustainable Are Implementation Processes on Different Spatial Levels?
Authors: Picchi Paolo , Oudes Dirk , Stremke Sven
Published: March 2023

Energy transition has a prominent role in 21st-century urban agendas. Worldwide, cities pursue the local implementation of international, national and regional agendas aiming at a sustainable energy transition. Landscape integration, multifunctionality and community participation are three of the key concepts here. These concepts are interpreted differently across the different spatial levels. The object of this paper is to analyse the application of the three sustainability concepts at the regional, local and site levels for the city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The results show that the degree of implementation of the concepts depends on what factors are considered important at each spatial level. At the regional and local levels, landscape integration with regards to social factors such as finances and co-ownership drive successful implementation, thanks to the organisation of effective participatory processes. At the site level, landscape integration and multifunctionality with regards to spatial factors such as the ecological, recreational and historical landscape factors drive successful implementation through effective landscape design activities. However, the sustainability of the energy transition implementation process is affected by a lack of social-ecological systems thinking. Participation processes—if present—focus either on social or spatial factors but fail to interconnect them. The regional and local levels that currently demonstrate major abstraction and separation of social and spatial factors would benefit from effective exchange with the site level. At that scale, design activities are the arena to combine and reconcile social and spatial factors.
E-Commerce Enterprises Financial Risk Prediction Based on FA-PSO-LSTM Neural Network Deep Learning Model
Authors: Chen Xiangzhou , Long Zhi
Published: March 2023

The rapid development of Internet information technology has made e-commerce enterprises face complex and changing financial problems. Combining artificial intelligence algorithms and dynamic monitoring of financial risks has been a current research hotspot. Based on this, this paper conducts an empirical study with a sample of listed Chinese e-commerce enterprises from 2012 to 2022. Firstly, using factor analysis (FA) to obtain the common factors between the original financial and non-financial indicators has the effect of reducing the overfitting risk of the model. Secondly, the mean square error (MSE) of the output and predicted values of the Long Short-Term Memory neural network (LSTM) is used as the fitness function of the intelligent swarm optimization algorithm, and then the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to optimize the learning rate (LR) and the number of hidden layer neurons in the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network. Finally, a financial risk prediction model based on FA-PSO-LSTM deep learning is constructed, and multiple benchmark models are introduced for comparative analysis on each evaluation index. The study shows that for nonlinear multivariate data with complex structure, the fused deep learning model proposed in this paper achieves the lowest values in mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). This indicates that the model has the best prediction effect, which is helpful to help managers make relevant decisions efficiently and scientifically and make the enterprise sustainable.
Clustering Travelers’ Lifestyle Destination Image from Five Asian Traveler-Generated Content
Authors: Tsai Ping-Heng , Hsaio Chia-Chi , Li Yan-Ru , Lin Chun-Chieh
Published: March 2023

This study examines the destination image and lifestyle experience via traveler-generated comments. To understand the travelers’ behavior, we first established a crawler, which helps us to gather the travelers’ comments from tourism social media. After conducting a content analysis, text mining, and factor analysis of a sampling of 23,019 travelers’ comments, this study found that travelers based on their activities and experiences constructed their image. Additionally, we also found that the travelers’ emotions and impressions showed up with their images. From the result of factor analysis, we extract the 13 clustering results and perform the one-way ANOVA with Scheffe’s method to compare the difference among each group. Finally, we used the related sentences to draw a relation map to explain the inner difference between travelers. This study’s results suggest that traveler-generated comments can be especially useful for destination image analysis and market segments in tourism marketing and management. This study also highlights the importance of understanding destination image and marketing segment from the travelers’ comments and challenges for those in tourism marketing to narrow the gap.
Urban Green System Planning Insights for a Spatialized Balance between PM10 Dust Retention Capacity of Trees and Urban Vehicular PM10 Emissions
Authors: Menconi MariaElena , Abbate Rosaria , Simone Luca , Grohmann David
Published: March 2023

Reducing air pollution is a crucial challenge in urban areas. In this regard, urban green infrastructures could play a pivotal role. In the literature, scholars analyzed both the ability of species-specific and layout-specific green infrastructures to reduce air pollution and the best location sites of new green infrastructures to increase the provision of overall ecosystem services. There is a lack of studies helping green urban planners and designers choose where and which green infrastructure to implement based on vegetation species-specific performance and differentiated demand for the ecosystem services of city areas. This paper uses tree cadastre data from a medium-sized city in central Italy (Perugia) and the traffic open-layers of Gmaps to develop a spatial analysis of the urban trees’ performance in PM10 dust retention, and the PM10 produced by vehicular emissions, respectively. The method generates a spatialized balance between demand (air-polluted sites by traffic) and supply (PM10 dust retention by trees) to support local decisions about the best locations for new green infrastructures and the choice between species. The paper analyzed 6710 urban trees in an area of 42.62 km2 with a linear road density of 15 km/km2. Platanus hybrida Mill. ex Münchh, Celtis australis L., Ulmus carpinifolia L., Pinus pinaster Aiton, Quercus ilex L., Quercus robur L., and Tilia cordata Mill. are the resulting optimal species to reduce PM10, with median values of 219.62, 181.47, 166.67, 154.66, 143.90, 118.61, and 118.04 g tree−1 yr−1, respectively. The paper is a first contribution in developing GIS-based tools that vary the recommended location sites and species for new green infrastructures based on the demanded ecosystem service. Urban planners are called to dynamically use and integrate numerous tools, such as the one developed here, to seek complex solutions capable of increasing the sustainability of urban systems.
A Longitudinal Study on Sustainability Perceptions in Portugal
Authors: Ferreira Bruno M. , Abrantes José Luís , Reis Manuel , Brambilla Flávio R.
Published: March 2023

This study aims to advance the understanding of sustainable behaviour by exploring the perceptions, knowledge, and opinions about the sustainability of nearly graduated students in Portugal. A three-wave exploratory and longitudinal study was conducted with Management and Marketing students in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The findings come from both quantitative and qualitative approaches. First, the results reveal low levels of knowledge about sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals, and other related concepts. Then, by a qualitative analysis, this study highlights the terms related to sustainability and perceived sustainable practices. It also examines changes perceived since the COVID-19 pandemic and what their threats and opportunities in the coming years are. The main conclusion of this study is the critical need for education on sustainability and related concepts beyond simple recycling practices. The use of sustainability as a marketing tool is insufficient to create a viable future. Higher education must develop a new shared and sustainable vision for sustainability education.
Seed Provision Efficacy of Detached Reproductive Shoots in Restoration Projects for Degraded Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Meadows
Authors: Liu Mingjie , Xu Shaochun , Yue Shidong , Qiao Yongliang , Zhang Yu , Zhang Xiaomei , Zhou Yi
Published: March 2023

Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) is a dominant seagrass species in the temperate waters of the northern hemisphere and is experiencing global declines. The use of eelgrass seeds is increasingly being recognized as a viable option for large-scale restoration projects. Eelgrass reproductive shoots are often collected to obtain seeds or to broadcast seeds in restoration projects. Here, a new method to accurately evaluate the seed provision efficacy of detached eelgrass reproductive is proposed. Viable seeds of detached eelgrass reproductive shoots were collected using in situ net cages at Swan Lake, China. The seed yield and quality of detached eelgrass reproductive shoots under five different treatments (with or without rhizomes and roots, vegetative shoots, and sediment) were compared to select the optimal treatment for this method. The results showed that each detached eelgrass reproductive shoot produced approximately 50 viable seeds on average and the potential seed yield overestimated the actual seed yields by around four times. Seed quality evaluated by size and weight was consistent with that of the natural eelgrass meadow in Swan Lake. Comparing the five different treatments, the simplest treatment (a single reproductive shoot) was convenient and robust for this method. The results indicate that this method is worth further extending to other populations to improve the efficiency of seed use and for effectiveness evaluation in restoration projects.
Exploring the Impact of Private Companies’ Participation in Health-Related Programs through Corporate Sustainable Reporting
Authors: Farghaly Abdelaliem Sally Mohammed , Alharbi Khalid M. , Baghdadi Nadiah A. , Malki Amer
Published: March 2023

Background: Sustainability reporting has evolved into a widespread method for leading corporations, not only due to its value as a means of tracking one’s company’s performance, but also as a tool for communicating performance to all involved stakeholders in any corporation. There has been little research into how private companies participate in various health programs while maintaining effective reporting. Aim: The study seeks to investigate the impact of private companies’ participation in health-related programs via corporate sustainable reporting (or corporate social responsibility disclosures; CSRD). Methods: Descriptive–correlational analysis, a balanced panel data of 117 Saudi listed businesses. Results: Corporate engagement in healthcare necessitates the identification of various hazards. As a result of the implementation of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, in 2016, the reporting of health-related CSRD (HCSRD) increased from 36% in 2015, to 48% in 2018. Conclusions: Corporate sustainable participation in healthcare can vary among firms, indicating the different levels of influence in this regard. The healthcare sector, having the lowest average amount of disclosures, shows a lack of responsibility and control, as well as an inability to follow developments in the industry. The findings have practical implications for a range of stakeholders (e.g., regulators, investors, accounting professionals, and other institutions) of health-related CSRD in Saudi Arabia.