bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatty Acid Profile of Erythrocyte Membranes in Patients with Psoriasis
Authors: Marchlewicz Mariola , Polakowska Zofia , Maciejewska-Markiewicz Dominika , Stachowska Ewa , Jakubiak Natalia , Kiedrowicz Magdalena , Rak-Załuska Aleksandra , Duchnik Michał , Wajs-Syrenicz Alicja , Duchnik Ewa
Published: June 2024

Psoriasis is a chronic systemic disease with a multifaceted pathomechanism and immunological basis, with the presence of inflammatory skin lesions and joint ailments. Diseases accompanying psoriasis include metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. It has been suggested that inflammation is involved in the development of each of these conditions. The main objective of this study was to analyse the fatty acid profile, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, in the erythrocyte membranes of patients suffering from psoriasis. A total of 58 adult patients of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, suffering from psoriasis, were qualified for this study. The patients had undergone an interview and physical examination, during which the severity of psoriasis was assessed. All patients had their weight and height measured to assess their body mass index (BMI). After 3 months of treatment, biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, total cholesterol) and inflammatory markers (CRP) in the blood were assessed. In addition, the isolation of fatty acids (PUFAs, SFAs, MUFAs) from erythrocyte membranes and the qualitative and quantitative analysis of their profile using a gas chromatograph were carried out. In patients with severe psoriasis requiring systemic treatment, an altered profile of fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes was found, including a significantly lower concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3), which have an anti-inflammatory effect; a significantly higher concentration of saturated fatty acids; and a decreased concentration of oleic acid (omega-9), compared to the results obtained in patients with less severe psoriasis receiving topical treatment. In patients with psoriasis and BMI ≥ 25, significantly higher concentrations of AST and ALT in the blood and significantly higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid in erythrocyte membranes were found. Elevated concentrations of saturated (R = 0.31) and monounsaturated fatty acids (R = 0.29) may correlate with a greater severity of psoriasis.
Detection of Human Adenovirus and Rotavirus in Wastewater in Lusaka, Zambia: Demonstrating the Utility of Environmental Surveillance for the Community
Authors: Saasa Ngonda , M’kandawire Ethel , Ndebe Joseph , Mwenda Mulenga , Chimpukutu Fred , Mukubesa Andrew Nalishuwa , Njobvu Fred , Shempela Doreen Mainza , Sikalima Jay , Chiyesu Carol , Muvwanga Bruce , Nampokolwe Sarah M. , Sulwe Clement , Khondiwa Thokozile , Jennings Todd , Kamanga Ameck , Simulundu Edgar , Mulube Conceptor , Mwasinga Wizaso , Mumeka Jalaimo , Simwanza John , Sakubita Patrick , Kapona Otridah , Mulenga Chilufya Susan Aneta , Chipoya Musole , Musonda Kunda , Kapata Nathan , Sinyange Nyambe , Kapina Muzala , Siwila Joyce , Shawa Misheck , Kajihara Masahiro , Takada Ayato , Sawa Hirofumi , Choonga Simulyamana A. , Chilengi Roma , Muyunda Earnest , Nalubamba King S. , Hang’ombe Bernard M.
Published: June 2024

Enteric infections due to viral pathogens are a major public health concern. Detecting the risk areas requires a strong surveillance system for pathogenic viruses in sources such as wastewater. Towards building an environmental surveillance system in Zambia, we aimed to identify group A rotavirus (RVA) and human adenovirus (HAdV) in wastewater. Convenient sampling was conducted at four study sites every Tuesday for five consecutive weeks. The research team focused on three different methods of viral concentration to determine the suitability in terms of cost and applicability for a regular surveillance system: the bag-mediated filtration system (BMFS), polyethylene glycol-based (PEG) precipitation, and skimmed milk (SM) flocculation. We screened 20 wastewater samples for HAdV and RVA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR). Of the 20 samples tested using qPCR, 18/20 (90%) tested positive for HAdV and 14/20 (70%) tested positive for RVA. For the genetic sequencing, qPCR positives were subjected to cPCR, of which 12 positives were successfully amplified. The human adenovirus was identified with a nucleotide identity range of 98.48% to 99.53% compared with the reference genome from GenBank. The BMFS and SM flocculation were the most consistent viral concentration methods for HAdV and RVA, respectively. A statistical analysis of the positives showed that viral positivity differed by site (p < 0.001). SM and PEG may be the most appropriate options in resource-limited settings such as Zambia due to the lower costs associated with these concentration methods. The demonstration of HAdV and RVA detection in wastewater suggests the presence of the pathogens in the communities under study and the need to establish a routine wastewater surveillance system for the identification of pathogens.
Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Young Adults and Adults: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Silva Candy , Moreira Patrícia , Moreira Diana Sá , Rafael Filipa , Rodrigues Anabela , Leite Ângela , Lopes Sílvia , Moreira Diana
Published: June 2024

Background: Investigations have shown the different impacts that ACEs have on an individual’s adult life, on both physical and mental health, but they have not yet shown the issue of the influence of ACEs on adults and young adults. Objective/Participants and Setting: This systematic review, performed according to the PRISMA norms and guidelines, intended to understand the most frequent outcomes of adverse childhood experiences in the life of young adults and adults. Methods: Studies were identified through multiple literature search databases at EBSCOhost, Web of Science, and PubMed April 2023, and a total of 279 studies, published between 1999 and 2002, were excluded, 256 because of multiple factors: being duplicates, showing statistical analysis with correlations only, being systematic reviews or case studies, comprising individuals under the age of 18, and not meeting the intended theme; ultimately, we selected for the review a total of 23 studies. Results and Conclusions: The impacts of the various articles are subdivided into three main themes: antisocial and criminal behaviour; sexual Behaviour and intimate partner violence; and attachment, quality of life, and therapeutic alliance.
Design and Characterization of Chitosan-Based Smart Injectable Hydrogel for Improved Sustained Release of Antinarcotics
Authors: Aftab Maryam , Javed Fatima , Haider Sajjad , Khan Rawaiz , Khan Salah Uddin , Alam Kamran , Amir Afreenish , Ullah Faheem , Shah Naseer Ali
Published: June 2024

The treatment adherence of narcotics-addicted individuals with reduced incidences of relapse can be enhanced by a sustained drug release formulation of antinarcotics. So far, different drug formulations have been reported with sustained drug release periods of 28 and 35 days. To further enhance this duration, different formulations of injectable hydrogels (IHs) have been developed by combining low molecular weight (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) chitosan (CS) with guar gum (GG) and crosslinking them by sodium bi phosphate dibasic. The structural, morphological, and physicochemical properties of LMW-CS IH, and HMW-CS IH were evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and rheological, swelling, and biodegradation analysis. The HMW-CS IH showed high crosslinking, increased thermal stability, high mechanical strength, elevated swelling, and low biodegradation. The antinarcotic drugs naltrexone (NTX) and disulfiram (DSF) were loaded separately into the HMW-CS IH and LMW-CS IH. The release of NTX and DSF was investigated in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and ethanol (0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%) over a 56-day period using an UV spectrophotometer. The drug release data were tested in zero-order, first-order, and Korsemeyer–Peppas mathematical models. In PBS, all prepared formulations followed non-Fickian drug release, while in ethanol, only NTX HMW-CS IH followed non-Fickian release in all three different concentrations of ethanol.
Editorial for the Special Issue Titled “Adenosine Metabolism: Key Targets in Cardiovascular Pharmacology”
Authors: Kutryb-Zając Barbara
Published: June 2024

Adenine nucleotides and adenosine maintain cardiovascular homeostasis, producing diverse effects by intracellular and extracellular mechanisms [...]
Implementation of Modern Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Lipidomics Approaches in Clinical Practice: A Case Study with Colistin Treatment
Authors: Gerhardtova Ivana , Cizmarova Ivana , Jankech Timotej , Olesova Dominika , Jampilek Josef , Parrak Vojtech , Nemergutova Kristina , Sopko Ladislav , Piestansky Juraj , Kovac Andrej
Published: June 2024

Nowadays, lipidomics plays a crucial role in the investigation of novel biomarkers of various diseases. Its implementation into the field of clinical analysis led to the identification of specific lipids and/or significant changes in their plasma levels in patients suffering from cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, sepsis, and many other diseases and pathological conditions. Profiling of lipids and determination of their plasma concentrations could also be helpful in the case of drug therapy management, especially in combination with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Here, for the first time, a combined approach based on the TDM of colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, and lipidomic profiling is presented in a case study of a critically ill male patient suffering from Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced pneumonia. Implementation of innovative analytical approaches for TDM (online combination of capillary electrophoresis with tandem mass spectrometry, CZE-MS/MS) and lipidomics (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, LC-MS/MS) was demonstrated. The CZE-MS/MS strategy confirmed the chosen colistin drug dosing regimen, leading to stable colistin concentrations in plasma samples. The determined colistin concentrations in plasma samples reached the required minimal inhibitory concentration of 1 μg/mL. The complex lipidomics approach led to monitoring 545 lipids in collected patient plasma samples during and after the therapy. Some changes in specific individual lipids were in good agreement with previous lipidomics studies dealing with sepsis. The presented case study represents a good starting point for identifying particular individual lipids that could correlate with antimicrobial and inflammation therapeutic management.
TRPV1 Channels in the Central Nervous System as Drug Targets
Authors: Chahl Loris A.
Published: June 2024

TRPV1 channels are polymodal cation channels located predominantly on primary afferent neurons that are activated by inflammatory mediators, capsaicin (the active component in chili peppers), and noxious heat. TRPV1 channel antagonists are potential new analgesic agents, but their development has been hindered by the finding that they also produce loss of thermal homeostasis and response to noxious heat. Results from recent studies of the TRPV1 channel indicate that it might be possible to develop TRPV1 channel antagonists that inhibit pain without affecting noxious heat sensation. TRPV1 channels are also present in the central nervous system (CNS) and have been implicated in learning, memory, and behaviour. TRPV1 channel modulators have been proposed to have possible therapeutic potential in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions. However, further understanding of the role of TRPV1 channels in the CNS is required before therapeutic advances in the treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions with TRPV1 channel modulators can be made.
Comparative Study of the Potential Cell-Penetrating Peptide ∆M4 on Apoptosis Cell Signaling in A375 and A431 Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Fandiño-Devia Estefanía , Brankiewicz Aleksandra , Santa-González Gloria A. , Guevara-Lora Ibeth , Manrique-Moreno Marcela
Published: June 2024

In recent yearsjajajj, peptide-based therapeutics have attracted increasing interest as a potential approach to cancer treatment. Peptides are characterized by high specificity and low cytotoxicity, but they cannot be considered universal drugs for all types of cancer. Of the numerous anticancer-reported peptides, both natural and synthetic, only a few have reached clinical applications. However, in most cases, the mechanism behind the anticancer activity of the peptide is not fully understood. For this reason, in this work, we investigated the effect of the novel peptide ∆M4, which has documented anticancer activity, on two human skin cancer cell lines. A novel approach to studying the potential induction of apoptosis by anticancer peptides is the use of protein microarrays. The results of the apoptosis protein study demonstrated that both cell types, skin malignant melanoma (A375) and epidermoid carcinoma (A431), exhibited markers associated with apoptosis and cellular response to oxidative stress. Additionally, ∆M4 induced concentration- and time-dependent moderate ROS production, triggering a defensive response from the cells, which showed decreased activation of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase. However, the studied cells exhibited a differential response in catalase activity, with A375 cells showing greater resistance to the peptide action, possibly mediated by the Nrf2 pathway. Nevertheless, both cell types showed moderate activity of caspases 3/7, suggesting that they may undergo partial apoptosis, although another pathway of programmed death cannot be excluded. Extended analysis of the mechanisms of action of anticancer peptides may help determine their effectiveness in overcoming chemoresistance in cancerous cells.
Design of Chitin Cell Culture Matrices for 3D Tissue Engineering: The Importance of Chitin Types, Solvents, Cross-Linkers, and Fabrication Techniques
Authors: Basak Turna , Shamshina Julia L.
Published: June 2024

This review focuses on factors and the fabrication techniques affecting the microarchitecture of tissue engineering scaffolds from the second most abundant biopolymer, chitin. It emphasizes the unique potentiality of this polymer in tissue engineering (TE) applications and highlights the variables important to achieve tailored scaffold properties. First, we describe aspects of scaffolds’ design, and the complex interplay between chitin types, solvent systems, additives, and fabrication techniques to incorporate porosity, with regard to best practices. In the following section, we provide examples of scaffolds’ use, with a focus on in vitro cell studies. Finally, an analysis of their biodegradability is presented. Our review emphasizes the potentiality of chitin and the pressing need for further research to overcome existing challenges and fully harness its capabilities in tissue engineering.
Dual Effect by Chemical Electron Transfer Enhanced siRNA Lipid Nanoparticles: Reactive Oxygen Species-Triggered Tumor Cell Killing Aggravated by Nrf2 Gene Silencing
Authors: Zhang Fengrong , Burghardt Tobias , Höhn Miriam , Wagner Ernst
Published: June 2024

Insufficient endosomal escape presents a major hurdle for successful nucleic acid therapy. Here, for the first time, a chemical electron transfer (CET) system was integrated into small interfering RNA (siRNA) lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The CET acceptor can be chemically excited using the generated energy between the donor and hydrogen peroxide, which triggers the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), promoting endosomal lipid membrane destabilization. Tetra-oleoyl tri-lysino succinoyl tetraethylene pentamine was included as an ionizable lipopeptide with a U-shaped topology for effective siRNA encapsulation and pH-induced endosomal escape. LNPs loaded with siRNA and CET components demonstrated a more efficient endosomal escape, as evidenced by a galectin-8-mRuby reporter; ROS significantly augmented galectin-8 recruitment by at least threefold compared with the control groups, with a p value of 0.03. Moreover, CET-enhanced LNPs achieved a 24% improvement in apoptosis level by knocking down the tumor-protective gene nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, boosting the CET-mediated ROS cell killing.
Development of Halloysite Nanotube-Infused Thermoset Soybean Bio-Resin for Advanced Medical Packaging
Authors: Saedi Shahab , Sobhan Abdus , Hoff Magdalene , Wang Siqun , Muthukumarappan Kasiviswanathan
Published: June 2024

The development of eco-friendly, mechanically stable, and biocompatible materials for medical packaging has gained significant attention in recent years. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have emerged as a promising nanomaterial due to their unique tubular structure, high aspect ratio, and biocompatibility. We aim to develop a novel soybean oil-based thermoset bio-resin incorporating HNTs and to characterize its physical and functional properties for medical packaging. Soybean oil was epoxidized using an eco-friendly method and used as a precursor for preparing the thermoset resin (ESOR). Different amounts of HNTs (0.25, 0.50, and 1.0 wt.%) were used to prepare the ESOR/HNTs blends. Various characteristics such as transparency, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and water absorption were investigated. While incorporating HNTs improved the tensile strength and thermal properties of the ESOR, it noticeably reduced its transparency at the 1.0 wt.% level. Therefore, HNTs were modified using sodium hydroxide and (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and ESOR/HNTs blends were made using 1.0 wt.% of modified HNTs. It was shown that modifying HNTs using NaOH improved the transparency and mechanical properties of prepared blends compared to those with the same amount of unmodified HNTs. However, modifying using (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) decreased the transparency but improved the water absorption of prepared resins. This study provides valuable insights into the design of HNT-based ESOR blends as a sustainable material for medical packaging, contributing to the advancement of eco-friendly packaging solutions in the healthcare industry.
Biopolymer Compositions Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and Linear Polyurethanes with Aromatic Rings—Preparation and Properties Evaluation
Authors: Krzykowska Beata , Czerniecka-Kubicka Anna , Białkowska Anita , Bakar Mohamed , Kovářová Miroslava , Sedlařík Vladimir , Hanusova Dominika , Zarzyka Iwona
Published: June 2024

Polymer biocompositions of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) and linear polyurethanes (PU) with aromatic rings were produced by melt-blending at different P3HB/PU weight ratios (100/0, 95/5, 90/10, and 85/15). Polyurethanes have been prepared with 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and polyethylene glycols with molar masses of 400 g/mol (PU400), 1000g/mol (PU1000), and 1500 g/mol (PU1500). The compatibility and morphology of the obtained polymer blends were determined by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of the polyurethane content in the biocompositions on their thermal stability and mechanical properties was investigated and compared with those of the native P3HB. It was shown that increasing the PU content in P3HB-PU compositions to 10 wt.% leads to an improvement in the mentioned properties. The obtained results demonstrated that the thermal stability and mechanical properties of P3HB were improved, particularly in terms of increasing the degradation temperature, reducing hardness, and increasing impact strength. The best thermal and mechanical properties were shown by the P3HB-PU polymer compositions containing 10 wt.% of polyurethane modifiers, especially PU1000, which was also confirmed by the morphology analysis of these biocompositions. The presence of polyurethanes in the resulting polymer biocomposites decreases their glass transition temperatures, i.e., makes the materials more flexible. The resulting polymer biocompositions have suitable mechanical properties and thermal properties within the processing conditions for the predicted application as biodegradable, short-lived products for agriculture.
Carbon Recycling of High Value Bioplastics: A Route to a Zero-Waste Future
Authors: Keith Matthew , Koller Martin , Lackner Maximilian
Published: June 2024

Today, 98% of all plastics are fossil-based and non-biodegradable, and globally, only 9% are recycled. Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution is just beginning to be understood. As the global demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics continues to rise, biobased and biodegradable plastics have emerged as a promising solution. This review article delves into the pivotal concept of carbon recycling as a pathway towards achieving a zero-waste future through the production and utilization of high-value bioplastics. The review comprehensively explores the current state of bioplastics (biobased and/or biodegradable materials), emphasizing the importance of carbon-neutral and circular approaches in their lifecycle. Today, bioplastics are chiefly used in low-value applications, such as packaging and single-use items. This article sheds light on value-added applications, like longer-lasting components and products, and demanding properties, for which bioplastics are increasingly being deployed. Based on the waste hierarchy paradigm—reduce, reuse, recycle—different use cases and end-of-life scenarios for materials will be described, including technological options for recycling, from mechanical to chemical methods. A special emphasis on common bioplastics—TPS, PLA, PHAs—as well as a discussion of composites, is provided. While it is acknowledged that the current plastics (waste) crisis stems largely from mismanagement, it needs to be stated that a radical solution must come from the core material side, including the intrinsic properties of the polymers and their formulations. The manner in which the cascaded use of bioplastics, labeling, legislation, recycling technologies, and consumer awareness can contribute to a zero-waste future for plastics is the core topics of this article.
Study on the Application of Fluorinated Polyimide in the Acidic Corrosion Protection of 3-nitro-1,2,4-trizole-5-one (NTO)-Based Explosive Formulations
Authors: Liu Huanmin , She Chongchong , Gao Jiaming , Chen Kun
Published: June 2024

3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) has been widely used as a kind of insensitive single-compound explosive owing to its excellent balance between safety and explosive energy. To reduce its possible acid corrosion and extend its application to insensitive ammunition, acid protection research on NTO-based explosives is significant. Traditionally, the acid protection effect was evaluated by metal corrosion, which is time-consuming and qualitative. An efficient and quantitative method is desirable for evaluating the acid protection effect and exploring novel protection materials. Herein, a polyimide of 4,4’-(hexafluoroisopropene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA)/2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,4-diaminobiphenyl (TFMB) was synthesized by replacing the 4,4’-diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA) monomer with a TFMB monomer to act as an acid-protective coating material for NTO-based explosives. Compared with three other coating materials, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyetherimide (PEI), and copolyimide (P84), the fluorinated polyimide exhibits the best acid protection effect. Moreover, a new method was constructed to obtain the pH time-dependent curve in order to evaluate efficiently the acid protection effect of the polymer materials. By the virtue of molecular dynamic simulation (Materials Studio 2023), the interfacial effects of the coating materials with NTO-based explosives were obtained. The study provides an interpretation of the acid protection effect on the molecular level, suggesting that the higher content of fluorine atoms is beneficial for stabilizing the active hydrogen atom of the NTO by forming intermolecular hydrogen bonds.
My Friend the Cross: Cross-Directed Prayer in Seventh-Century Monastic Communities and New Media Studies
Authors: An Daniel
Published: June 2024

While scholars have long recognized the central importance of the cross within Syriac-speaking Christian communities in late antique Mesopotamia, the question of how physical crosses functioned as aids for prayer has only recently begun to be explored. The present article addresses this question with respect to East Syrian monastic communities in seventh-century Mesopotamia, focusing on the context of the monastic cell. Bringing together accounts of cross-directed prayer in Syriac monastic literature with archaeological evidence for crosses from the region, the article concludes that physical crosses played an important role as mediating devices of divine presence that were both always at hand and the frequent objects of monastics’ sensorial attention. These conclusions are subsequently discussed through the lens of recent research from the field of new media studies toward the goal of understanding how cross-directed prayer may have served to bridge monastic spirituality and sociality in Mesopotamia.
Anna Katharina Emmerich and the Impacts of Catholic Romanticism in 19th-Century Germany
Authors: Gomes Filho Robson Rodrigues
Published: June 2024

As a result of a close relationship established between Romanticism and Catholicism in the struggle against modernity in the early 19th century, a significant number of mystical phenomena, especially involving visionary women, spread throughout Europe during the 19th century. The works of Anna Katharina Emmerick stand as one of the earliest and primary influencers in this regard. Her mystical visions were transcribed and published by a romantic intellectual who had converted to Catholicism in that same context: Clemens Brentano. However, despite inspiring various mystical phenomena in the Catholic milieu, Emmerich’s visions raised suspicion within the Catholic Church due to the presence of supposed pagan and superstitious elements from Brentano’s Romanticism in her descriptions. This suspicion has resulted in ongoing difficulty in advancing her canonization process. In light of this debate, this article discusses the impacts of the union between Romanticism and Catholicism in early 19th-century Germany. It focuses on the case of Anna Katharina Emmerich and Clemens Brentano.
An Analysis of Jesuit Missionary Aleni’s Interpretation of Aristotelian Theory of Perception: Based on Xingxue Cushu in Late Ming China
Authors: Zhao Qi
Published: June 2024

In Xingxue cushu, Aleni devotes himself to elucidating Aristotle’s theory of perception as presented in De Anima and Parva Naturalia. The challenge in this endeavor lies in understanding the essence of Aristotle’s perception, with physicalism and spiritualism holding opposite positions. To reconcile this contradiction, some scholars approach it from the perspective of dualism and the impurity principle. Nevertheless, these interpretations fail to resolve the inherent dilemma of perception. This article employs the pattern of combination and separation to propose that Aleni’s interpretation of this dilemma is effective and clarifies the controversy. Perception encompasses both psychological and physical dimensions, and the two are based on each other in the process of actualization. Nonetheless, psychological and physical activities are separated in the definition. Influenced by Confucianism, Aleni associates human perception with morality, further emphasizing the necessity of definitional separation.
From Linear to Circular Economy: Embracing Digital Innovations for Sustainable Agri-Food Waste Management among Farmers and Retailers
Authors: Padthar Siraphat , Naruetharadhol Phaninee , Srisathan Wutthiya Aekthanate , Ketkaew Chavis
Published: June 2024

Food waste is an issue throughout the food supply chain from production to consumption, especially in the later stages, such as retailing and final consumption. For the future of the developing world, changes in farming and retail practices are crucial. This study introduces a digital system for managing agricultural waste in Thailand that aims to encourage farmers and food retailers to sell their excess agricultural materials. The study’s objectives are as follows: (1) to explore factors that affect users’ behavioral intention to utilize an agriculture waste trading platform; (2) to compare the behavioral differences between farmers and retailers regarding their intention to use a digital platform for sustainable agriculture. Data were gathered from 570 fruit and vegetable sellers and farmers across five provinces in the northeastern region of Thailand. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between constructs based on the modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2), and multigroup analysis (MGA) was employed to analyze differences in path coefficients across groups. The key findings revealed that social influence (SI) had a more significant impact on retailers compared to farmers, while facilitating conditions (FC), habits (HB), and privacy (PR) were necessary for both groups. Unlike retailers, farmers were also motivated by hedonic motivation (HM) from using the platform. Explicitly, retailers’ behavioral intentions were influenced by a more significant number of factors than those of farmers. This research suggests that policymakers should develop targeted marketing campaigns leveraging social influence for retailers, improve platform usability and security, and create incentives for habitual use to enhance platform adoption. Additionally, policymakers should promote engaging features for farmers, provide comprehensive education and training, and advocate for supportive policies and financial incentives. Strategic actions to facilitate the transition toward a circular economy will improve the environmental sustainability and economic resilience of the agri-food sector.
Early Detection of Rice Sheath Blight Using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing
Authors: Lin Fenfang , Li Baorui , Zhou Ruiyu , Chen Hongzhou , Zhang Jingcheng
Published: June 2024

Sheath blight (ShB) is one of the three major diseases in rice and is prevalent worldwide. Lesions spread vertically from leaf sheaths near the water surface towards the upper parts. This increases the need to develop an approach for the early detection of infection. Hyperspectral remote sensing has been proven to be a potential technology for the early detection of diseases but remains challenging due to redundant information and weak spectral signals. This study proposed a stepwise screening method of spectral features for the early detection of ShB using rice canopy hyperspectral data over two years of successive experiments. The procedure consists of the selection of key wavebands using three algorithms and a further filtration of key wavelengths and vegetation indices considering feature importance, separability, and high correlation. Sheath-blight infection can disrupt the canopy architecture and influence the biochemical parameters in rice plants. The study reported that obvious variations in the chlorophyll content and LAI of rice plants occurred under early stress of ShB, and the sensitive features selected had strong correlations with these two growth factors. By fusing support vector machine with the optimal features, the detection model for early ShB exhibited an overall accuracy of 87%, showing higher accuracy at the current level of early-stage detection of rice ShB at the field scale. The proposed method not only provides methodological support for early detecting rice ShB but also serves as a reference for diagnosing other stalk diseases in crops.
Augmentation Method for Weighted Mean Temperature and Precipitable Water Vapor Based on the Refined Air Temperature at 2 m above the Surface of Land from ERA5
Authors: Yue Caiya , Wang Hu , Xu Changhui
Published: June 2024

Due to the difference in the quality of the global assimilation data and the ability to reproduce the real conditions of the atmosphere, the hourly atmospheric temperature at 2 m above the land surface from ERA5 cannot be used with complete confidence for the atmospheric weighted mean temperature (Tm) calculations and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) precipitable water vapor (PWV) inversion. A systematic and complete refinement method is proposed, including the compensation of elevation matching bias of gridded temperature, correction of fixed-time cusp data fitting and refinement based on the remove-and-restore model. The usability and accuracy improvement of the refined ERA5 2 m atmospheric temperature in the Tm and PWV calculation were validated based on three GNSS stations. The result shows that the average accuracy of the Tm and PWV for the entire region could be increased by 74.4% and 75.1%, respectively. The RMS of the highest station was reduced from 4.28 K to 0.62 K for the Tm and 0.662 mm to 0.203 mm for the PWV, and the RMS of other stations was reduced from 1.25 to 0.44 K for the Tm and 0.211 mm to 0.101 mm for the PWV. This overall refinement method has important implications for atmospheric remote sensing.
Using the Improved YOLOv5-Seg Network and Sentinel-2 Imagery to Map Glacial Lakes in High Mountain Asia
Authors: Yin Lichen , Wang Xin , Du Wentao , Yang Chengde , Wei Junfeng , Wang Qiong , Lei Dongyu , Xiao Jingtao
Published: June 2024

Continuously monitoring and mapping glacial lake variation is of great importance for determining changes in water resources and potential hazards in alpine cryospheric regions. The semi-automated glacial lake mapping methods used currently are hampered by inherent subjectivity and inefficiency. This study used improved YOLOv5 strategies to extract glacial lake boundaries from Sentinel-2 imagery. These strategies include using the space-to-depth technique to identify small glacial lakes, and adopting the coordinate attention and the convolution block attention modules to improve mapping performance and adaptability. In terms of glacial lake extraction, the improved YOLOv5-seg network achieved values of 0.95, 0.93, 0.96, and 0.94 for precision (P), recall (R), mAP_0.5, and the F1 score, respectively, indicating an overall improvement in performance of 12% compared to that of the newest YOLOv8 networks. In High Mountain Asia (HMA), 23,108 glacial lakes with a total area of 1847.5 km² were identified in imagery from 2022 using the proposed method. Compared with the use of manual interpretation for lake boundary extraction in test sites of HMA, the proposed method achieved values of 0.89, 0.87, and 0.86 for P, R, and the F1 score, respectively. Our proposed deep learning method has improved accuracy in glacial lake extraction because it can address the challenge represented by frozen or high-turbidity glacial lakes in HMA.
Cooling Potential of Urban Tree Species during Extreme Heat and Drought: A Thermal Remote Sensing Assessment
Authors: Zandler Harald , Samimi Cyrus
Published: June 2024

The cooling potential of tree species in Central European cities is insufficiently studied during extreme heat and drought, although a stronger surge in heatwaves compared to the global average is observed in this region. Remote sensing-based thermal surveys are an important tool to shed light on the mitigation effects of green infrastructure, but approaches covering extreme events are scarce. In this study, we present a simple, low-cost thermal airborne methodology that covers the current daily heat record in 2022, after the second warmest and third driest spring-to-summer period since 1949, in the medium-sized German city of Forchheim. We found that in spite of record-breaking heat and drought conditions, trees still had a considerable cooling potential with surface temperatures of 2 °C to 6 °C below air temperatures. Tree species were characterized by substantial median differences in tree surface temperatures up to 3.64 °C. Conifers and drought-sensitive broadleaf species showed the highest temperatures during the extreme event, while riparian species with potentially good water provision showed the highest cooling potential. In addition to tree species, imperviousness and tree NDVI were important variables for urban tree surface temperature, showing positive (imperviousness) and negative (NDVI) correlations with tree surface temperatures. Our study provides a methodological remote sensing example for the spontaneous and rapid coverage of extreme events, documenting the benefits of tree species in the urban context.
Predicting the Global Potential Suitable Distribution of Fall Armyworm and Its Host Plants Based on Machine Learning Models
Authors: Huang Yanru , Dong Yingying , Huang Wenjiang , Guo Jing , Hao Zhuoqing , Zhao Mingxian , Hu Bohai , Cheng Xiangzhe , Wang Minghao
Published: June 2024

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J. E. Smith) is a widespread, polyphagous, and highly destructive agricultural pest. Global climate change may facilitate its spread to new suitable areas, thereby increasing threats to host plants. Consequently, predicting the potential suitable distribution for the fall armyworm and its host plants under current and future climate scenarios is crucial for assessing its outbreak risks and formulating control strategies. This study, based on remote sensing assimilation data and plant protection survey data, utilized machine learning methods (RF, CatBoost, XGBoost, LightGBM) to construct potential distribution prediction models for the fall armyworm and its 120 host plants. Hyperparameter methods and stacking ensemble method (SEL) were introduced to optimize the models. The results showed that SEL demonstrated optimal performance in predicting the suitable distribution for the fall armyworm, with an AUC of 0.971 ± 0.012 and a TSS of 0.824 ± 0.047. Additionally, LightGBM and SEL showed optimal performance in predicting the suitable distribution for 47 and 30 host plants, respectively. Overlay analysis suggests that the overlap areas and interaction links between the suitable areas for the fall armyworm and its host plants will generally increase in the future, with the most significant rise under the RCP8.5 climate scenario, indicating that the threat to host plants will further intensify due to climate change. The findings of this study provide data support for planning and implementing global and intercontinental long-term pest management measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the fall armyworm on global food production.
An Improved Gap-Filling Method for Reconstructing Dense Time-Series Images from LANDSAT 7 SLC-Off Data
Authors: Li Yue , Liu Qiang , Chen Shuang , Zhang Xiaotong
Published: June 2024

Over recent decades, Landsat satellite data has evolved into a highly valuable resource across diverse fields. Long-term satellite data records with integrity and consistency, such as the Landsat series, provide indispensable data for many applications. However, the malfunction of the Scan Line Corrector (SLC) on the Landsat 7 satellite in 2003 resulted in stripping in subsequent images, compromising the temporal consistency and data quality of Landsat time-series data. While various methods have been proposed to improve the quality of Landsat 7 SLC-off data, existing gap-filling methods fail to enhance the temporal resolution of reconstructed images, and spatiotemporal fusion methods encounter challenges in managing large-scale datasets. Therefore, we propose a method for reconstructing dense time series from SLC-off data. This method utilizes the Neighborhood Similar Pixel Interpolator to fill in missing values and leverages the time-series information to reconstruct high-resolution images. Taking the blue band as an example, the surface reflectance verification results show that the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and BIAS reach minimum values of 0.0069 and 0.0014, respectively, with the Correlation Coefficient (CC) and Structural Similarity Index Metric (SSIM) reaching 0.93 and 0.94. The proposed method exhibits advantages in repairing SLC-off data and reconstructing dense time-series data, enabling enhanced remote sensing applications and reliable Earth’s surface reflectance data reconstruction.
Hyperspectral Leaf Area Index and Chlorophyll Retrieval over Forest and Row-Structured Vineyard Canopies
Authors: Brown Luke A. , Morris Harry , MacLachlan Andrew , D’Adamo Francesco , Adams Jennifer , Lopez-Baeza Ernesto , Albero Erika , Martínez Beatriz , Sánchez-Ruiz Sergio , Campos-Taberner Manuel , Lidón Antonio , Lull Cristina , Bautista Inmaculada , Clewley Daniel , Llewellyn Gary , Xie Qiaoyun , Camacho Fernando , Pastor-Guzman Julio , Morrone Rosalinda , Sinclair Morven , Williams Owen , Hunt Merryn , Hueni Andreas , Boccia Valentina , Dransfeld Steffen , Dash Jadunandan
Published: June 2024

As an unprecedented stream of decametric hyperspectral observations becomes available from recent and upcoming spaceborne missions, effective algorithms are required to retrieve vegetation biophysical and biochemical variables such as leaf area index (LAI) and canopy chlorophyll content (CCC). In the context of missions such as the Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP), Precursore Iperspettrale della Missione Applicativa (PRISMA), Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment (CHIME), and Surface Biology Geology (SBG), several retrieval algorithms have been developed based upon the turbid medium Scattering by Arbitrarily Inclined Leaves (SAIL) radiative transfer model. Whilst well suited to cereal crops, SAIL is known to perform comparatively poorly over more heterogeneous canopies (including forests and row-structured crops). In this paper, we investigate the application of hybrid radiative transfer models, including a modified version of SAIL (rowSAIL) and the Invertible Forest Reflectance Model (INFORM), to such canopies. Unlike SAIL, which assumes a horizontally homogeneous canopy, such models partition the canopy into geometric objects, which are themselves treated as turbid media. By enabling crown transmittance, foliage clumping, and shadowing to be represented, they provide a more realistic representation of heterogeneous vegetation. Using airborne hyperspectral data to simulate EnMAP observations over vineyard and deciduous broadleaf forest sites, we demonstrate that SAIL-based algorithms provide moderate retrieval accuracy for LAI (RMSD = 0.92–2.15, NRMSD = 40–67%, bias = −0.64–0.96) and CCC (RMSD = 0.27–1.27 g m−2, NRMSD = 64–84%, bias = −0.17–0.89 g m−2). The use of hybrid radiative transfer models (rowSAIL and INFORM) reduces bias in LAI (RMSD = 0.88–1.64, NRMSD = 27–64%, bias = −0.78–−0.13) and CCC (RMSD = 0.30–0.87 g m−2, NRMSD = 52–73%, bias = 0.03–0.42 g m−2) retrievals. Based on our results, at the canopy level, we recommend that hybrid radiative transfer models such as rowSAIL and INFORM are further adopted for hyperspectral biophysical and biochemical variable retrieval over heterogeneous vegetation.
Improving Hyperspectral Image Classification with Compact Multi-Branch Deep Learning
Authors: Islam Md. Rashedul , Islam Md. Touhid , Uddin Md Palash , Ulhaq Anwaar
Published: June 2024

The progress in hyperspectral image (HSI) classification owes much to the integration of various deep learning techniques. However, the inherent 3D cube structure of HSIs presents a unique challenge, necessitating an innovative approach for the efficient utilization of spectral data in classification tasks. This research focuses on HSI classification through the adoption of a recently validated deep-learning methodology. Challenges in HSI classification encompass issues related to dimensionality, data redundancy, and computational expenses, with CNN-based methods prevailing due to architectural limitations. In response to these challenges, we introduce a groundbreaking model known as “Crossover Dimensionality Reduction and Multi-branch Deep Learning” (CMD) for hyperspectral image classification. The CMD model employs a multi-branch deep learning architecture incorporating Factor Analysis and MNF for crossover feature extraction, with the selection of optimal features from each technique. Experimental findings underscore the CMD model’s superiority over existing methods, emphasizing its potential to enhance HSI classification outcomes. Notably, the CMD model exhibits exceptional performance on benchmark datasets such as Salinas Scene (SC), Pavia University (PU), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and Indian Pines (IP), achieving impressive overall accuracy rates of 99.35% and 99.18% using only 5% of the training data.
Characteristics of Cloud and Aerosol Derived from Lidar Observations during Winter in Lhasa, Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Jin Xiang , Cheng Siyang , Zheng Xiangdong , Ma Jianzhong , Luo Zangjia , Fan Guangqiang , Xiang Yan , Zhang Tianshu
Published: June 2024

In order to investigate the variations of cloud and aerosol vertical profiles over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in winter, we performed ground-based lidar observations in Lhasa, a city on the TP, from November 2021 to January 2022. The profiles of extinction coefficient, depolarization ratio, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were retrieved using the atmospheric echo signals collected by the lidar. Clouds were identified by the range-correction echo signals and classified into water clouds, mixed clouds, horizontally oriented ice crystal clouds (HOICC), and ice clouds by the depolarization ratio and the hourly temperature from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis version 5 (ERA5). The clouds mainly appeared at a height of 3~5 km from 14:00–22:00 Beijing Time throughout the field campaign. The height and frequency (~30%) for cloud appearance were significantly lower than that reported in previous studies in summer. The cloud categories were dominated by mixed clouds and ice clouds during the observation period. The proportions of ice clouds gradually increased with increasing heights. After eliminating profiles influenced by clouds, the aerosol extinction coefficient and depolarization ratio were obtained, and the atmospheric boundary layer height (ABLH) was calculated. The aerosol extinction coefficient decreased with increasing height in the ABLH, and there were no obvious changes for the aerosol extinction coefficient above the ABL. The aerosol extinction coefficients near the Earth’s surface presented two peaks, appearing in the morning and evening, respectively. The high aerosols at the surface in the morning continually spread upward for 4–5 h and finally reached an altitude of 1 km with the development of ABLH. In addition, the depolarization ratio of aerosols decreased slowly with increasing altitudes. There was no obvious diurnal variation for depolarization ratios, indicating partly that the source of aerosols did not change significantly. These results are beneficial in understanding the evolution of cloud and aerosol vertical profiles over the TP.
Construction of a High-Temperature Sensor for Industry Based on Optical Fibers and Ruby Crystal
Authors: Hercík Radim , Mikolajek Martin , Byrtus Radek , Hejduk Stanislav , Látal Jan , Vanderka Aleš , Macháček Zdeněk , Koziorek Jiří
Published: June 2024

This paper presents the construction of an innovative high-temperature sensor based on the optical principle. The sensor is designed especially for the measurement of exhaust gases with a temperature range of up to +850 °C. The methodology is based on two principles-luminescence and dark body radiation. The core of this study is the description of sensing element construction together with electronics and the system of photodiode dark current compensation. An advantage of this optical-based system is its immunity to strong magnetic fields. This study also discusses results achieved and further steps. The solution is covered by a European Patent.